First Travel Assignment... Advice needed...

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Greetings everyone,

I'm totally new to the forums here but I really had nowhere else to turn. I'm taking my first travel assignment in a few weeks. I've been a nurse for a little over 8 years now. Some things don't seem right with the agency I signed up with so I was hoping I could get some advice.

They advertised that there would be travel, certification, and licensure reimbursement. I had to get recertified in a particular cert that this particular assignment required. Now they're saying they only cover 1/3 of the cost. As far as travel; the assignment is 3000 miles away and they are only willing to reimburse $300 each way. That seems rather ridiculous.... doesn't it? That's not exactly what I would consider travel reimbursement.

As far as housing... they said that there was free housing or stipend, and paid utilities. Yet now they're saying my stipend is part of my salary. They said I was responsible for housing on my own. When I asked for assistance in locating a place they directed me to craigslist!

I'm thinking that something seems very very wrong with all this... but maybe it's just how the travel gigs go?

What you want to do is ask the agency what your take home pay will be after taxes and after health insurance. If you elect not to take the health insurance then what take home is without it. Your dealing with a lump sum of money and agencies will use a shell game to confuse you as to what your contract is worth. Everything you give up they pocket. You want to reverse that and put the max in your pocket. Bottom line is take home. Have them give you the housing stipend/per diem. Find your own housing at an extended stay. Most areas your looking at $700-$1200/month. You pocket the difference of cost vs stipend. Get your key and enjoy the cable, wireless,morning breakfast. No worry about utilities. And you get housekeeping at least weekley. Take all the tax free you can get. Your weekley pay should be between $1250-1500 per week after taxes. You should sign up with several agencies. You might find they all offer the same assignments. You will be able to sell yourself to the highest bidder. Some agencies low bid to get preferencial treatment. At your expense! Remember, you are trying to outsmart Wall Street since most agencies are publically traded. Submit to several hospitals. Be prepared to ask the right questions. Take notes! So, you can screen out the hospitals from hell. If you agree to an assignment have your recruiter go over the contract point by point. If you disagree with anything have it taken out. Travel should be 250-300 each way but like I said it all comes from the same lump sum and they will give you what you want from A but it might mean that B will be smaller. Some agencies will give milage .55/mile all inclusive. But it might be limited to xxx. Good luck.

im taking an assignment in december in modesto for about 1500/wk with full stipend. what should i do regarding car insurarance, my parents said mine will most likely jump to 3000 im currently with geico :(

also, have you heard of any really good shipping companies that ship cross country? im going to be paid max $500 travel reimbursement so not sure if it's best to drive or ship it (hate driving it will be like 4 days!)

Specializes in ICU.

Goldengirl88- I sent you a PM message. Keep us updated- if you get time write back :)

whitney

update - i just drove my car! it was a nice drive, recommend having a friend with you and stopping over with friends/family along the way. i think i maybe spent $500 one way with gas and hotel, took me a week cuz i stopped over a day or two at 2 places

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