Did Travel Nurse Agencies kill the field?

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I've had a theory for some time, I thought this before things got bad for travel nurses. I seem to remember more than one person explaining to me that the travel agency makes out big time on every contract I work. They said "If a recruiter wont go out of their way to give you what you want, dont bother with them. They make more off the contract than you do and dont do a thing for it.".

With my company, even before the financial crunch, I noticed some very greedy practices going on. Double talking, trying to stick me with fees, always looking to cut back my compensation in any way shape or form they can. Its part of the reason I am going back to staff nursing.

So, I think it is true that the agencies, when things were good, made a mint on us. With that said, I would be willing to bet they practiced their hospital relations the same way they treated me. Probably penny pinched the living daylights out of them. Thats why so many hospitals are so happy to be done with useing travel nurses.

Do you think agencies ruined travel nursing?

I do. I didnt want top dollar or decked out apartments, I was more concerned with where I went and getting to see new things. I think a lot of travel nurses are like me, not as concerned about the dollar as our agency is. Now, travel nursing is on a downslide and a lot of hospitals are looking for better ways to make ends meet staffing wise.

Specializes in Mental Health/School Nursing/Corrections.

geez guys, i've been contemplating travel for 7 yrs and finally decided to take the plunge, wrong timing on my part? below, is what i've been offered, what is your take on this?

40 hour work week

520 weekly taxable

1015 weekly tax-exempt reimbursements

1000 completion bonus

2000 for travel

i pay for housing myself

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Specializes in Mostly L&D/OB, some ED, Some psych.

Greenmile,

You should not have to pay for housing with that pay package.

When I had to pay for housing my weekly take home was $1280.

When they paid the housing my weekly take home was always over $1000. I wouldn't take a job where I would be clearing less than $1000/week.

I make that as a full time staff nurse with benefits.

And yes, I think agencies have done a lot to cause the decline of the travel nurse business.

I did it for a short period of time and would not do it again.

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geez guys, i've been contemplating travel for 7 yrs and finally decided to take the plunge, wrong timing on my part? below, is what i've been offered, what is your take on this?

40 hour work week

520 weekly taxable

1015 weekly tax-exempt reimbursements

1000 completion bonus

2000 for travel

i pay for housing myself

i would have a tax accountant review this offer. it does not look legal tax-wise.

the irs puts limits on tax-free reimbursments.

here is the maximum tax free per diem allowable by location- the table starts on page 8 of this irs document.

maximum federal per diem rates (effective october 1, 2007 – september 30, 2008)

1

note:

the standard rate of $109 ($70 for lodging and $39 for m&ie) applies to all locations within the continental united states

(conus) not specifically listed below or encompassed by the boundary definition of a listed point. however, the standard conus rate

applies to all locations within conus, including those defined below, for certain relocation allowances. (see parts 302-2, 302-4, and

302-5 of 41 cfr.)

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