Licensure

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU.

I'm preparing for travel, and I have to say...this is an overwhelming experience. I'm ready to get out and start traveling, but have had several limitations. First off, I'm licensed in Louisiana and it is not a compact state. I've applied to a few different locations for licensure, but it takes longer than I imagined. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Also, can someone explain the tax benefit of keeping your place of residence? I've downloaded the highway hypodermics and fast facts books, but still find all of this confusing.

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It sounds like you and I are in a lot of the same circumstances right now. I just got my first contract through Aureus, and I'm leaving on Thursday to drive to Washington state from St. Louis. I've been researching the whole "tax home" thing too.

I have a compact license, but Washington isn't a compact state. It's not a walk through state either, but Aureus has been really good with getting everything rushed through. I've heard CA takes a looong time to process through, while other places you can get a temp license in a day or so. I think it just depends where you're trying to apply.

From what I can tell, keeping a tax home where you have duplicate expenses and bills/registrations/etc. keeps the IRS off your back when it comes to the tax free stipends. Since you are maintaining a permanent home, but traveling far away for a short period, that justifies them giving you tax free money to make up for extra costs of traveling. If you give up your home, you are considered an "itinerant" nurse, and your residence is considered where you're currently located. Your stipends will become taxable wages, and from what I've heard they take out a lot.

This link helped me:

What does "tax home" mean to travel nurses? | Healthcare Traveler

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU.

Thanks!! I'm gonna look that up! Who is your recruiter? I'm with aureus, as well.

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hopefuly you will have good luck with your assignments, but make sure you keep an eye on aureus and do your homework. They tend to have a very poor reputation as far as agencies go.

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What should we watch out for? So far, they have been extremely helpful with getting assignments, licensing (I got my WA license in about a week, which is great), etc. I haven't gotten a first paycheck yet or anything, so we'll see how that goes.

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They have been known for not backing their nurses with hospital issues, problems with contract issues and such. Good luck, and hopefuly you will have no problems but i would get on the travel nurse forums and research their past history so that you know what problems nurses have had in the past so that you will be informed in case problems arise. Its always best to know ahead of time and balance it out with your own personal experience. Their are def better companies out there. Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Hi, Im licensed in Louisiana also. And it all depends on the state on how long they take, the time varies all the time. Since Louisiana is not a compact state, what i did was applied for my nurse license in the states that i researched, whom took the longest to issue a license, had the most frequent travel jobs available, who are know for better pay rates, and places i wanted to travel in general.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU.

Jks....how is your assignment going?? I've accepted a position in WA, as well! Where abouts are you?? Any tips for me?? Hope it's going well!

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