Asking a higher rate

Specialties Travel

Published

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?

Ugggghhh Ned is king. Gag me with a freaking spoon! Allnurses is not big enough for Ned and his ego!

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I'm going to contact that craiglist post. There is no way that is legit.

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Specializes in Emergency, Med/Surg.
Well I'm a 28 yo single female. I don't think I should have to use craiglist for housing.

I'm a 28 year old single woman as well. I've used craigslist exclusively with no problems.

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Dear god. Where do you work that you make $3300 a week as a traveler????? Not even rapid response make that dough. How much OT do you work?

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Specializes in L&D.

In the last two months I have seen 3 jobs that paid $2800 per week after taxes for travel assignments in California and Washington state for 36 hours per week. If I wanted to work 48 hours per week then I could have brought home $3500 per week (but I don't). I am currently working on a travel assignment and not available but money is out there if you want to travel and have the right specialty. If you wish to work per diem then do so. I also work per diem but don't make nearly the same money as I do traveling.

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Specializes in Psych.

I used to work float pool for a large hospital system in Vegas. If you are getting benefits you are not per diem, you are a full or part time employee. The hourly rate was only a couple of dollars more an hour. Per diem float pool made considerably more, but of course no benefits. On my current assignment in southern cal my gross hourly rate is less than home, but my NET is more due to less taxable income. My home expenses are similar to my assignment area as both are high cost of living. So when it comes down to the bottom line I'm making slightly more money than at home on this assignment. When I went to Washington state I made considerably more net because of the lower cost of living. And I only work daylight. And only 36 hrs a week. Traveling can be done smartly if you do your research. Also....

All hail King Ned!

Hehe he :)

We who are not insane love you Ned.

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We who are not insane love you Ned.

Agreed. I sure appreciate what he shares here.

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It depends on specialty. I'm med surg/tele and pcu. I have never seen rates like that. That must be hard having two homes in high cost areas. Crazy! Ned may have alot of knowledge and experience. But he doesn't know everything. And very condescending. Not cool. Crazynut does not play that game :)

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People always ask how much more money I make as a traveler. I always tell them I make double if not triple. But.... Theres always a catch. You have to pay for two homes. Companies push tax free money as a form of income. Illegal. Not to mention it blurs the line of pay. So when you hear people say $2,500 take home a week. You think dang that's awesome. Well if it's in CA and housing costs are sky high. And you still have a mortage back home. It adds up. This one contract. I asked for company housing. When they took out housing stipend. They offered $1,000 week! Now you can not sit there and tell me staff nurses bring in less than $1,000 week. Housing can make or break a travel contract. Again, that's why responded to OP. It's not too much to ask for higher rate. Not when we have to keep up two homes. Plus living costs insurance student loans. And kids for some. Its alot and these companies use tax free money to deceive the nurse. The nurse think they making great money until they ger online and try to find housing. That's why I'm saying. It's a business. Dont let anyone fool you. You have options. And let your company know you are looking at other options. Usually when you say that they cough up more money. At this point. I'm done with traveling. Im looking at local per diem. Or local float pool positions in CA. I will post info so that others can see all the options before deciding on a travel assignment.

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All hail King Ned!

Hehe he :)

. Ha!

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Lord don't further inflate his already inflated ego. If his head gets any bigger it will bust!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The OP has received some good advice. As it is of topic now, will close. Thanks.

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