Asking a higher rate

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Is it acceptable for a travel nurse working an assignment in places such as San Francisco, or Boston, to ask for an hourly rate that is at least on par with what the staff RN's make?

I see contracts advertised with hourly rates far less than what staff makes… around the $40 range, when I know the staff make up to $15-20 more an hour.

Is that asking too much?

I'm posting here because the OP asked if its too much to ask for a higher rate. Am I not entitled to my opinion? I'm pretty sure I have just as much right to post on here as you. Why are you on here posting? Lol!

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I didn't realize Ned is King of allnurses. Excuse me I didnt know. I apologize if I stepped on your majesty's toes.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

You certainly picked the right username ... 😕 👍

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You have been doing this 20 yrs. you have seen the good times. Most of us have not. Them days are over!

Nope, not over. My pay has increased each year I've traveled. First year I traveled my hourly was $17.

Oh and I def lost money last year. I can send you a copy of my tax return and my bills if you like. My last paystub showed amt of tax free money. Well my taxable home cost more than that. So therefore I lost money.

Very interesting logic, or lack thereof. What you mean is you made less money than previously. I'm not sure you can blame the agencies for the choices you have made. Well, you can...

I didn't realize Ned is King of allnurses. Excuse me I didnt know. I apologize if I stepped on your majesty's toes.

Now you know!

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The logic is not that hard to follow. They offer tax free money as a way to bring in more income. Per fed law we must keep up a taxable home. Well if the cost to keep up my taxable home is more than the tax free money I bring in then I lose money. In that case it would be a better business decision to forgo tax free stipend. It would be better to take straight pay. These travel companies have used the tax free money in a way is was not originally meant for. And the IRS is starting to crack down.

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What about your per diem job with no pay designated for housing? You must really "lose" money. Might be cheaper to just stop working!

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In some places per diem is $50 to $60. All the contracts I've had with tax free stipend. Is $40-$45.

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In some places per diem is $50 to $60.

Where, and for what specialty? I can think of a place or two, but none with cheap housing, thus losing any benefit. I've never met anyone who went anywhere just to do per diem. Even you are just staying home apparently.

Your posts are wearing me out. Crazy and nutty, as promised. Why don't you just spell out where you live, what your per diem rate is, and what travel assignment and compensation you are comparing it to? Might as well tell us how much you are losing on travel health insurance compared to per diem health insurance while you are at it.

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Any speciality. Float of course I mean it's per diem. Lol all over CA. And I know you are going to say well with travel its tax free. Yea but you have to pay for 2 homes. I guess it works if your taxable home is a shack in the woods with no electricity or running water. Lol! But anyways. The OP posted about asking for higher rate. No it is not too much to ask for a higher rate. Know the market. And know your worth!

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

I have thought the same as Ned on most of your posts and a couple of other peoples. I was making $46/hr as Management in the OR with experience. That is $3300 for 72 hours pre tax. About $2600 after deductions if I am lucky. I was not working in a "high pay market".

Still not traveling in "high pay market", I am now working as staff and am making $3300 take home as a traveler. If I paid for a private policy for my family it would cut that down to MAYBE $3000 a pay period take home. That is about $1400/month more, tax free. I could find a place to stay for that in West LA. In fact here is what about 10 seconds on CL got me.... Shopping/Food/Entertainment Downstairs * Luxury Finish

Quit being a freakin drama queen. Either you wanna travel or you don't. Ned is king, get over it. I always look for his replys and on forums like these you should be thankful that you have someone willing to share such a foundation of knowledge.

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Per diem is everywhere now. I even hear advertising for local per diem on the radio. Hospitals are using it for their float pool. With full benefits! Housing can make or break a travel assignment. So if you really want a certain location you could consider local per diem. I know travel nurses in VA that drive up to DC to work per diem on their days off. They share hotel room. They make more in one per diem shift then they do all week in their travel assignment. They are med surg tele float. I'm not saying not to travel. I'm saying this is a business. Crunch the numbers and make a good business decision for you!

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Well I'm a 28 yo single female. I don't think I should have to use craiglist for housing. I have done it before. But not in LA. You lost you dang mind. You can not trust people on craigslist. And I get so tired of recruiters pushing craigslist. Not cool. I can see the headlines now. Travel nurse murdered from craigslist housing nightmare. Smh!

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