Do you really have to use an agency to get a travel contract?

RNERHOUSESUPOR · Jun 1, 2011

No reason that I know of that you can't. Well maybe all the contract negotiations and legal mumbo jumbo that seems to be involved with getting a job. The I 9 forms, background checks, drug screens, health screenings and all. If you are applying for a full time job the hospital will gladly do all that thinking they will recoup the costs over the time you are there. Travel companies/agencies have people who do that and it amounts to their "overhead" costs and why they may get $65 per hour for you and you are only bringing in $30. (not real numbers, just a for instance). I have thought about it many times but tax and legal issues always seem to be more than what I want to do. I want to provide good nursing care for a reasonable wage and have good equipment and a safe work environment. I don't want to have to do contract negotiations, pay all of my social security taxes, spend hours and hours on the phone searching down the job opening while doing the Nursing job, so I sign up with a company to do that for me.

Rod

rn1233 · Jun 1, 2011

Try NursesPro 80/20 contract plan. http://www.nursespro.com/html/8020.aspx

I've never used it but a few of my fellow travelers have and they seemed happy with it.

Rntr · Jun 6, 2011

Alot of hospitals want to use the Vendors as they don't have to do any of the leg work... but I am really fed up with the lying from the companies and vendors... I am thinking it might be better to cold call where I would like to go and see if they would be willing to do a straight contract or direct hire instead of going through a company or vendor.

I know that it is definitely necessary to have ALL you titers and anything the hospital might need except they may want to do a drug screen instead of taking one from whereever you go.... who knows? Worth asking..

Make sure you have thought through what you need for a pay if you do this... how much would it take for housing, insurance and pay...

Lot's of negatives too..

79Tango · Jun 8, 2011

You would also need to be prepared to work 2-3 months without a paycheck. It is very typical for Hospitals to not pay or make late payments to staffing companies. I worked with an Independant Contractor who had gone 3 months without a check and went completely broke waiting and working. In fact many companies have closed there doors after paying there RNs for months without getting paid themselves.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2011

Many hospitals have seasonal contract nurses for the winter months.

bagladyrn, RN · Jun 8, 2011

You'll need to cover all of the things mentioned in the above posts plus your federal taxes, state taxes, social sec. payments, health insurance, malpractice insurance, housing of course, rental furniture, utilities, etc.

It can be done but you will work for the extra money in all the hours you spend handling all of this. You will be putting out money ahead as said above waiting for the hospital to get around to paying you. Be sure to have a full understanding of all the implications before you try this.

Rntr · Jun 9, 2011

Alot of this stuff is not needed if you do a direct hire with the hospital... you're not necessarily talking about an Independent Contract, if so then you would do that. But, if you just doing a direct hire or even a seasonal, they do the taxes for you. You would be on the hospital payroll.

It would be up to you to do your housing and travel...I do this anyway as I don't care much for the housing provided by the companies and I make more money this way too.

Good luck in whatever you do..

KOCONURSE · Jun 23, 2011

Hi BagladyRN...just wonderling how I can talk to you through email or PM. I couldn't add you unfortunately...thanks!!

bagladyrn, RN · Jun 24, 2011

Hi BagladyRN...just wonderling how I can talk to you through email or PM. I couldn't add you unfortunately...thanks!!

You can send me a PM. If it doesn't work post me another message here.

NaKcl, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2011

Why can't you just find a hospital that you know has nurses on strike or something and call them yourself and ask for the contract and contract salary (or more)?

I have been thinking about doing what you are saying.

Have you tried it yet?

How did it go? I would like to know how your plan turned out.

ukjenn231 · Oct 18, 2011

Just search for seasonal contracts, especially in places like FL/AZ/TX, that's what I am doing now in Florida. I found a hospital system that hires it's own seasonal nurses rather than using agency. Great pay and they provide great housing, I am making more money per week but it's all taxed. I like being an actual hospital employee, I got more training and I feel like I'm more part of the team.