A Confused Decision

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU, MICU.

Hello good people. I have a question. I was offered an assignment in Cali at a good teaching hospital. It will be on a trauma ICU unit. I was told that the rate was $40 an hour. I am normally a day nurse and I have never worked nights. I would have to work rotating nights and day shifts (maybe one week nights and then one week days etc..) and I may get floated to other units. Okay, not too big of a problem. I accepted the position, but then the recruiter told me that rate was blended rate. I work in GA and this is my first travel assignment, so I am not familiar with blended rates. I did the math and I guess it was okay. Can someone tell me if this is a good deal or not. Thanks! :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU, MICU.

Also to let you guys know. I am taking the housing. This is also with no rental car or bonus or anything else....

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Does this blended rate consist of a base rate for the first 8 hours and time and a half after that? What did you come up with for the base rate when you did the numbers? The base rate will determine if it is a decent pay rate. Also, make sure that the contract specifies the base rate and when time and a half is paid (including the rate of pay). You will have to know the OT rate for times you may work over 40 hours or holidays. Also, did you take company insurance?

BTW, you can check out a travelers calculator using a link on the website : http://www.pantravelers.org

Don't remember if you have to register [free] first. It a great tool to help determine the effective pay rate. Not everything is available for an unpaid membership; but, it seems that the important things are available.

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blended rates are confusing. In general it still ends up being alright, just be careful that they are taxing your pay appropriately otherwise in the end you may end up getting the heck taxed otu of you.

Good luck, Rotating shifts sounds pretty rough.

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Big question would be where in CA? Rates vary considerably among different areas? What are you going to be doing about transportation to and from work? Are you taking your car, using public transportation or planning to rent?

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU, MICU.

I was going to rent, but renting would be so exspensive. I am not driving my car. Do you know of any cheap leases or something? I also want to keep my job back at home so I am going to go PRN and still come back once a month to work 1 day. I know it sounds like a lot, but I guess it is something I want to do untill I am sure I will like traveling.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, SICU, MICU.

:banghead:Oh. The job is at UCLA.

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Specializes in ER, PCU, ICU.

In Central California with WAY lower cost of living than the LA area, travelers are making => $60 an hour with something in the area of $5000 housing stipend that comes off the top. If you find a place for cheaper consider the difference money in your pocket. Know of one traveler who works two back to back 13 week contracts. His hourly is almost $70, dunno which agency he uses. He works 6 months and takes the rest of the year off.

I know of new grads who are making right at what you're being offered.

Yours sounds a bit low to me.

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the going back for a shift a month to georgia is going to be expensive....talk with your hospital. mine allowed me to do my PRN committment while I was in the state....3 months off, but I did 5 shifts in the 3 weeks when I was home between contracts!

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