Travel nurses at your hospital

justanurse · Jun 4, 2000

Yes, and top of what the traveler makes, our employers also have to pay the agency that supplies the traveler. So, our employers probably spend 40-50$/hour on one person. Ouch!!!! The hospital I work at tries to limit the hiring of travelers, but the last one my unit hired stayed for over 6 months. Another, ouch for our budget! Of course, they were talking about cutting FTE's, and didn't want to hire anyone to replace those who had left, just in case we wouldn't need them anymore. It didn't seem to matter about the PATIENTS that we still had to care for.

Although, I must say, when I do get back to work I'm looking at a substantial raise. Last year we had some nurses that were looking to go work for our competition. They were offered a good pay increase to stay, but said no. It makes a difference how employees are treated. It's not just money (although it helps a lot), it's the respect and knowing that management realizes we are putting in 110% effort into the care we give.

I don't have any answers, just wanted to vent a little, too.

nurseyperson · Jun 5, 2000

A few corrections...The hospitals pay the travel nurses and the agencies around $75/h and UP when you figure in the nurses pay, the housing, utilities, travel, benefits such as insurance, disability, pension, etc. No joke. I am a former ICU travel nurse, travelled 10 years ago and got $21/h then. There are places that pay up to $30/h, but it is generally in the higher paying regions anyway, New York, cities in California, etc places with a high cost of living. I have a friend working in Denver with 16 years of experience making about $23/h on days, so if you add night diff and about $5/h more (close to what travellers generally make) the $30 isn't that off.. You also have to look at the whole package. Some companies pay more salary and less benefits, so it all actually comes out the same.

Our hospital has had to hire a lot of travellers, I don't know (and haven't asked) what they make. Of course it would make sense to pay their own staff more and give better benefits and generally give them respect and show appreciation, we probably wouldn't be so short staffed. But who knows? Our hospital just gave all RNs a $1.50 hour raise across the board and upped the diffs and stuff. Maybe they are beginning to figure it out.

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nurseyperson

3651bht · Jun 6, 2000

Before you compare wages make sure you are comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges. When you look at your pay check look at your social security withdrawal and remember your employer matches that amount. Also try buying your health insurance on your own. I pay $20/month dental $2. The hospital pays a portion. There are other perks also. They also contribute some to your 403b retirement etc. As usual if you want to make those big bucks go for it. I worked local agency and really never got too rich. I was the first to be called off. I never counted on that money until I worked the shift. Also, being the "new kid" isn't always fun....

ratchit · Jun 6, 2000

As an ICU travel nurse, I would love to know what company these people are working for where they get paid $30 an hour....

Ratchit

rntrav · Jun 14, 2000

I have been a Travel RN since 1994

and I have never had a nurse burden themselfs assisting me. It usually is a sink or swim situation. Nursing is nursing where ever you go, it does

not change much. The assignments have paid from 21.00/hr -30.00/hr, but no

benifits like medical, matching 401ks, etc. And yes the housing is paid for.

goldilocksrn · Jun 15, 2000

I guess it is just frustrating that hospitals don't value staff enough to properly compensate them. So of course, they move on. At my hospital, the travelers take on 13 week assignments. That's barely enough time to get your feet wet. With new travellers all the time, makes for a potentially dangerous situation.