Contract tips

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Thought that I would post a few tips that should be at the top of your list when looking for a travel company and what should be in the contract.

1. If it is not in writing, then it does not exist. It does not matter what your recruiter promises, they do not have the authority to make special offers to you. All contracts are signed off on by the head of the company or the official that can sign the contract to make it official. Anything else that is not written in that contract just does not exist.

2. Check out what the per diem pay is in the area that you are choosing. Your pay should be similar to that, not significantly lower, and should be in at least the same range when living expenses such as rent are added in. Anything significantly different and your agency is taking money that should be yours, not theirs. There are quite a few of them that hope that the nurse is not aware of this.

3. Housing deductions need to be compatible with that area. Not that you are getting $3000 for housing and the apt is only $600 per month.

erd flags go off and then you are responsible for the taxes on that other money.

4. Sharing an apt with another traveler does not get you the full deductions on expenses as they are being shared and that leaves you subject to taxes on what was not spent towards the housing by you.

5. Do your research on the agency, the facility, as well as the area. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

These are a few of the prime issues that I am seeing pop in many of the threads that I have been reviewing today. I will be adding to this as the need arises or will make it more helpful for you.

I have also taken over as the new Super Moderator for this forum, as well as the Agency Forum, so feel free to post questions to me as needed. I have years of experience in both of these areas.

Regards,

Suzanne4

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excellent post - thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.

1. If it is not in writing, then it does not exist. It does not matter what your recruiter promises, they do not have the authority to make special offers to you. All contracts are signed off on by the head of the company or the official that can sign the contract to make it official. Anything else that is not written in that contract just does not exist.

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Interesting advice Suzanne. I'm on my first assignment working with a company based in Ohio. I had to specifically 'ask' my recruiter to sign my copy of my contract. I did not have the head of the company or the official that could make it official, sign it. And then they gave me $250 for travel/gas, and $150 for hotel expenses. I have to pay this money back. I have heard from many other travelers, that this is a rip off, and that I shouldn't have to pay it back. I even have to pay back the $30 charge that the company used to verify my Ohio license through NURSYS. Also everytime I ask a question (the more I'm learning from other travelers, the more I ask) my recruiter gets upset. She said traveling is like a 'piece of a pie'. She can provide me with ANY travel package that I want (rental car, travel expenses, license reimbursement, etc), but it would affect my hourly rate. Not sure if this is true or not. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf:bugeyes:

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contracts always need to be signed by the parties that are responsbile for them and the payment. and they are never signed by the recruiter, they have no legal bearing on the contract.

thnink of when you purchase a car, your sales person must complete the paperwork and then submit it to be approved; this is the same thing, if the business person or manager at the dealership does not sign off on it, then the deal is not going to happen.

agencies normally pay for the travel to the area where you will be working and that means that they pay the travel expenses if you are using your car, or provide a plane ticket for you. as well as hotel reservations along the way. and they should not make you reimburse them for verification of your license in nursys. the better travel companies even pay for your license in the new state and associated costs with it such as fingerprints, etc.

with how you are describing your recruiter, red flags would be going up in my face. first for not having a contract that you know has been approved by the powers that be for that company means that anything can happen to you.

is it one that the recruiter typed up and sent to you? or one done by the corporate offices?

which company are you with? please do not post it here but send it to me in a pm, or private message.

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Specializes in Surgical Services.

I am new to this forum and appreciate your comments on travel nursing. Is one agency really better than the other? I have one in mind that I may pursue and would like to know if there is a rating system out there, by travel nurses, designed for the potential traveler before they contract with a travel agency. I do want to travel, but must admit this is all a bit intimidating...

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Specializes in same day surgery, med/surg.

HI Suzanne,

I am new to this forum and hope to begin travel nursing in April. I have been s/w several travel nurse companies and have been told that all travel companies have the same 'pot' of money in which to give- it is how it is divided up that is different. i.e.- the hospital facility gives the travel co. a certain amt of funds and it is up to that travel co. as to how to divvy it up to the nurse (and to themselves!) For example: they may offer a nurse $25/hr, but pay $4000 in housing expenses; or they might offer the nurse $35/hr and pay $2000 in housing stipend. From your experience is this true and if so, how do you decide which pkg is the best one? I am just wanting to find a company who will be up front with me. Thanks for your help.

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I am new to this forum and appreciate your comments on travel nursing. Is one agency really better than the other? I have one in mind that I may pursue and would like to know if there is a rating system out there, by travel nurses, designed for the potential traveler before they contract with a travel agency. I do want to travel, but must admit this is all a bit intimidating...

It is not that one is better than the other in many cases, but what your needs are. Do you need for them to supply an apt for you, or are you planning to find one on your own? Are you planning to drive to the location or fly out and then need a rental car? Do you have pets? Do you have children? And the biggest factor: the location that you wish.

Not all agencies have contracts in all areas. There are some that specialize in one area or one specialty.

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HI Suzanne,

I am new to this forum and hope to begin travel nursing in April. I have been s/w several travel nurse companies and have been told that all travel companies have the same 'pot' of money in which to give- it is how it is divided up that is different. i.e.- the hospital facility gives the travel co. a certain amt of funds and it is up to that travel co. as to how to divvy it up to the nurse (and to themselves!) For example: they may offer a nurse $25/hr, but pay $4000 in housing expenses; or they might offer the nurse $35/hr and pay $2000 in housing stipend. From your experience is this true and if so, how do you decide which pkg is the best one? I am just wanting to find a company who will be up front with me. Thanks for your help.

Depends on the locale and if you have your own tax home some place else for a starter. Be aware that if they are providing a stipend for housing and living, anything that is not used, will need to be taxed on at the end of the year if you do not have the receipts for it. So if going to an area where the apts are only $900 per month, and they are giving you $4000, you will need to explain the other money or face being taxed on it at the end of the year.

I always prefer to get the most in the salary; especially if you work overtime, it is going to be based on that rate and nothing to do with the stipend. So if you are offered $25 per hour and work OT, then you are going to be getting paid 1 1/2 times that; if $35 per hour, then calculate 1 1/s of that. It is to your advantage to take the higher pay, and actually I like having an agency take care of the apt, or you waste extra time of getting an apt set up and getting all of the services turned on and set up, etc. My feeling is that you should just be able to move in and start to work shortly afterwards.

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Specializes in same day surgery, med/surg.

Thank you for your helpful reply. I had not thought of the taxes on a large stipend. I will look for a larger hourly rate and less housing stipend. We have a fifth wheel that we will be living in- my husband will travel with me. Just looking to pay off the fifth wheel and truck with the housing allowance. I can't wait to get started! One more question: do you feel you can trust the word of the hospital when the interview happens as to whether you will be floated to another area within your specialty, or should this be in writing in the contract? Thanks again for your helpful assistance.

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Wonderful thread, thank you Suzanne for starting it, great tips!

I'm very new to traveling, in fact I have never had a traveling assignment yet, but on a local contract with local agency right now and love it.

I came across a site www.travelnursingcentral.com that allows nurses to rate traveling agencies and hospitals. Question : How reliable do you think it is? Just by looking at ( # 1) agency on the top 10 list (valley healthcare systems) if you read the reviews there are some very bad commands from some nurses about that agency but yet it is still considered the "top" by points. Makes me wonder if i can trust that?

Maybe I should review these top agencies for any possible reports at BBB (best business bureau)?

After reading some of the issues travening nurses have I think I need do my homework and research before I even call any traveling agency.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, Rehab, ACU-Telemetry.
Thank you for your helpful reply. I had not thought of the taxes on a large stipend. I will look for a larger hourly rate and less housing stipend. We have a fifth wheel that we will be living in- my husband will travel with me. Just looking to pay off the fifth wheel and truck with the housing allowance. I can't wait to get started! One more question: do you feel you can trust the word of the hospital when the interview happens as to whether you will be floated to another area within your specialty, or should this be in writing in the contract? Thanks again for your helpful assistance.

When you talk to the hospital, ask them right out where you will have to float to. In all situations, the 'traveler' is the first person to float, then agency, then regular staff. I am a med/surg nurse on my first assignment in Amarillo, Texas. The nurse manager explained to me on the phone that she had five units that I would have to float to. On my contract it says: float where competent. When I got to my assignment, my 'base' was oncology, because my nurse manager told me that it was easier to put me on oncology's schedule, then to put me on a med/surg unit's schedule, because if I was put on a med/surg units schedule, then they would never 'let me go'. Since my contract started (Dec 17), I have only worked on oncology 3 or 4 times. Advice: If your at your assignment and they want to float you somewhere that YOU don't feel confident or comfortable, refuse. I met a traveler here in Texas. The house supervisor wanted to float her to ER, but she told them no. Make sure it's in your contract, as far as floating, and ask the hospital. Hope this helps.

Kathy

:redpinkhe:innerconf:bugeyes:

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HI,

Thank you for that very useful post. Having been in Traveling on and off for 5 years, I see compensation packages declining.

Do you happen to know what the going per diem rate for progressive care or tele is in the Sacramento, CA or Columbus, OH areas?

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