Can we trust the agency?

Darlene K. · Feb 2, 2003

It's been awhile since I worked for an agency. But when I did, I always had to keep track of my own hours and the rate of pay for that assignment. Occassionally when they are desperate for you to pick up a particular shift, they would offer extra money per hour in order for me to accept. Then when pay day came, it would be the regular hourly rate. Too much trouble, so I don't do agency anymore.

Don't trust them!

Brownms46 · Feb 2, 2003

I wouldn't believe the hospital that says their paying only $40/hr for agency RNs! If the RN is making $30/hr...they are paying more like $50-60/hr for that RN.

I will continue to travel with the agency I work for, as long as I can. I have an easy contract, that pays me very well, and an agency that has backed me at every turn! I have also been offered to continue this contract for a long time to come!

All my bills are paid, and some are even paid up several months in advance! And I'm going on vacation starting tomorrow, and will have the benefit of not having to worry about how I'm going to pay for it! When I didn't work for an agency, I have had to save up to take time off...as I couldn't afford to miss the shift differential. Because I wasn't getting paid half of what I am now.

I now can pay every bill I have, out of a one week check!

Sorry to hear about the bad experiences. But there are good agencies out there. There are also some great contracts out here.

Agnus · Feb 3, 2003

Yea, I am doubting what my employer said all right. I'm just wondering why he is saying this to me.

But I can guess and I am guessing that any of you would tell me the reason is exactly what I am thinking it is.

I am asking you to confirm my susupicions. I feel if I state what they are that any response I get would be influenced.

I just need to know if you and I are thinking the same thing about this.

nightingale, RN · Feb 3, 2003

Get whatever you decide upon in writing.

The norm for Denver is $ 48 per hour to the Agency for Perdiem Agency RN - no specialty. The Pay rates vary from $ 32 to $ 38 per hour. Subcontracting through an Agency where you are the Vendor (you pay fica etc approx 8 % extra in tax) will probably pull $ 40 per hour.

Agnus · Feb 3, 2003

thanks Nightengale. Sounds like you are saying that the $40 to agency for a $30 nurse might be legit.

Sorry I am affraid I have gone in a different direction with this thread thanks for your tollerance.

nightingale, RN · Feb 3, 2003

No problem that I can see Agnus....

Make your decison based on your own need. Sometimes I work for less cause I like the assignment and it does not tie me to anything long term (or timing... maybe not much going on elsewhere).

All of my agencies know I have several. They know when times are hot they MUST pay me top dollar or someone else will.

Good luck to you. Let us know how we can help you.

Brownms46 · Feb 3, 2003

I ask the bill rate on all of the contracts I do. I then negotiate my rate, depending on the assignment. Many experienced travelers do this.

Currently the pay rate in this area for travelers is from $46-52/hr to the agency for an LPN. I can't say what the rate is for an RN...but I highly doubt it's less than what they're paying out for an LPN. Every area of the country is different, and every agency has their own method of dividing up the rates.

No hospital wants staff to know exactly how much their payiing for agency nurses. Causes too many problems, as it makes them discontent with staying on, and not being given a decent wage for the work they do. That's MO anywho.. :cool:

eddy · Feb 8, 2003

Coming from several different cities and states I can say that rates vary in a HUGE way. It is tough to compare. Travel rates are so different from place to place that those are near impossible to compare. Also what you guys and gals were talking about regarding the diff between pay and bill is called margin. From what I have been told the margin is usually around 30-40%. So, according to my calculations pay and bill rates would look something like this (based on a 33% margin):

BILL PAY

$50 $33.33

$45 $30.00

$40 $26.66

$35 $23.33

$30 $20.00

You can estimate your agency's bill rate fairly closely by taking your pay rate and multiplying by 1.5.

I hope this helps.

nightingale, RN · Feb 8, 2003

Great info Eddy.. thank you.

Brownms46 · Feb 9, 2003

There is a great difference between what an agency charges and pays for per diem, and what an agency charges and pays for travel. And the "margain" is quite different, than just pay rate and overhead for the agency.

A travel contract's rate is based on what benefits, and or housing needs of the traveler is. Expenses such as deposits, furniture, utilities, travel reimbursement, license reimbursement, rental car and completion bonues. It all comes out of the "bill rate". There is no "free" anything! So the "margain" is either lower for some travel companies...or much larger depending on how the agency divides up the pie with each traveler. Not all agencies are as fair with giving travelers or per diem a cut of the pie. Yoiu also have the recruiter's percentage for each traveler she/he places.

So any travel company that is paying their travelers 67% of the pie is losing money. And any company that offers 80% of that pie is also losing money on the one hand, but is probably just trying to keep the contract.

eddy · Feb 13, 2003

Correct Brownms46... It is important that you look at a travel contract from the point of "total compensation" rather than merely your pay rate. If you are willing to sacrifice on something for higher hourly it can probably be done. Likewise if you are willing to take a cut in hourly, you can probably get better housing. You must keep in mind that there is a break even point in the total compensation, and your agency is not going to go beyond that regardless. In travel an agency is completely ignorant to take a loss just to keep a contract with a facility. Smart recruiters will ask you where you want to go and pursue contracts from there, not rely on a handful of contracts they already have. There are more travel jobs than travel nurses out there. The agency and the nurse really has the upper hand. If they don't approach your search like that then you need to go elsewhere... they aren't going to do you any good.

My favorite recruiters would ask me where I wanted to go. I would shoot out a location then ask them if they have a contract in that area. The response I would get is "not yet, but I will in about an hour so stay by the phone." That's what you want to hear.... and NOT "No but how's Alaska sound?" hehehe.....

Brownms46 · Feb 15, 2003

You're soo right eddy! It really bothers me, when I'm offered a contract on the east coast, when I started the conversation out sayiing, I wand to stay on the west coast. A good recruiter is interested in what you want, and listens.