Considering travel nursing for relocation purposes

Published

Specializes in PACU, Preop, Cardiac, and ICU.

I've been reading through the posts on this forum and getting a lot of great info. My family and I are about to put our house on the market (in Georgia) and move back to our native state of California. I have received some emails from a travel agency (not sure how they got my email address, but they are in a 2011 "Top Ten" list I found on a travel nursing website). We would like to move this summer, but that would depend upon selling our home. I am wondering if getting a travel assignment would be a good solution rather than trying to line up a job after we get a contract on the house. That would be a very stressful time to be interviewing, etc., when I should be packing! We could actually live out there while our house is still on the market, if need be. The real drawback I can see is if I am in the middle of an assignment when the house sells and we have to fly back and get our stuff out. I'm not sure how the housing options work, but it would be me, my husband, our 9-year-old son, and 2 cats.

I have never done travel nursing, but it has always intrigued me because I dislike all the politics and things that are required of staff nurses. I can imagine that the wrong assignment could be a nightmare, but I endured the most horrid position for 4 months at a surgery center (totally unsafe staffing ratios) without walking off the job, so I think I could handle 13 weeks. I currently work on a cardiology floor (after having not been a floor nurse for 20 years - talk about a wakeup call!!) and have been there for a year. Although floor nursing is definitely not my passion, I have learned a ton and have improved my organization skills a million times over.

I would love to hear any thoughts or advice from the seasoned travelers out there. I am looking at traveling options in south Orange County and possibly San Diego (my hometown). I would also love to know if there are specific travel companies that contract with Kaiser hospitals!

Thanks!

Kaycee

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU, Preop, Cardiac, and ICU.

This is the pay package quoted in the email I received:

Pay Package Includes the Following:

$500 Travel Reimbursement

$200 per month Medical Benefits

Pay Package as Follows:

$414.85 Taxable Wages ($11.52/hr * 36 hours)

+ $1358 a week tax exempt stipend ($123 Lodging + $71 Meals & Incidentals = $194 * 7 days)

$1772.85 Weekly Gross Compensation ($49.25/hr blended)

-15% estimated taxes on the hourly (adjustable based on your W4)

$1710.62 Weekly Net Compensation after Taxes

After reading all the comments about the tax advantage pay packages, this makes me wonder if this is ridiculous or not! I think I made about $11.50/hour when I started as a brand new RN 22 years ago!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

I'd say that the "taxable" rate is too low. Your OT rate would be based on that. Unemployment would be based on that. If you were injured workman's comp would be based on that.

Keep in mind also that you are only eligible for the tax free money if you are maintaining a tax home in another place. If your house is sold or up for sale it would not qualify as a tax home. Therefore ALL of your money would be taxed. You really don't want to get into a mess with the IRS!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This sounds like a really good offer however the $11.50 is WAY too low & they are estimating 15% tax rate (instead of 20%)..plus you may have to pay CA state tax.

How much did they quote you for housing costs? Did they tell you about paying pet deposits?

I am not suggesting how or what to negotiate but it wouldnt hurt to gauge their reaction to your suggestion of $25/hr & $960/week tax exempt stipend.. Obviously that hurts your Take Home so you would need to figure out if you can still afford housing in GA and CA at the same time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One other quick thing to note on that very low taxable amount ($11.52), it is usually the amount used when applying for credit for a credit card, car, home, etc. I'd definitely check into it further because as badlady said, you must have a tax home in order to claim tax free money. Every time I take an assignment, I have to sign something under penalty of perjury that I have a tax home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PACU, Preop, Cardiac, and ICU.

I'm so glad I found this forum to ask questions before I get myself into a bad situation! Thanks for the info on that hourly rate being so low. I don't intend to apply for any credit cards or car loans, but I'm sure renting a home will involve a credit application if done separately from the travel company. Also, I would hate to only be making $17/hr. for overtime!

My potential start date is too far out to be talking specific details with them yet, but they haven't said anything about pet deposits or anything like that yet. Our hope is to sell our home before starting with the agency and renting a home on our own. If you take the housing allowance, do you do all the legwork in finding a place to live or does the travel company assist with that? Fortunately, I have family and friends out in the area who could help with previewing rentals for us!

I really appreciate all the feedback. Thanks so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

From what I have found, the company will assist with apartment complexes and maybe a bit more. I've asked about "campgrounds" and get no response for quite a bit. I travel with my RV so having a campground or somewhere to park is important. Especially if I have to be on call and within a certain distance from the hospital. Last summer in Colorado I would have loved to had a place in the mountains but that was too far away from the hospital. They will offer you the "Maximum" they feel is appropriate for the area as "Tax Free" money but only the IRS and maybe a few tax preparers will rule on that if you get audited. Don't want to be negative but be sure you know what you are getting yourself into by using a travel assignment as a way to move.

Rod

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion