locum tenems questions

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

For all of you locum tenems out there, a few quick questions,

I'm currently a travel nurse. Love the travel, not so keen on staying a bedside nurse. I'll be getting my NP here eventually and have heard of locum tenems NPs. After getting a few years experience this looks like a good option for me. It looks like it works in a very similar fashion to travel nursing as an RN. But I have two main questions:

Is there a tax advantage program? In travel nursing, if you have a verified tax home you can get a travel stipend, housing stipend and meals etc tax free. Is this the case for locum tenems too? I've read on the forum here where the company sets up your lodging, but what if you want to take care of your own and get a stipend instead?

I know I make a nice living as a travel nurse. Do you make more as a locum tenems or is it comparable to if you would have a fulltime job in one location. I travel not to make a lot of money, I just like to travel. If I know I can make a comparable living to my salary now as a locum tenems that would make it a great option for me in the future.

Thanks all for the comments.

[travelNP]

It's pretty different compared to RN.

[papamela]

It's exactly the same as travel nursing. I run the Advanced Practice Division at our company and we offer to take care of housing or offer the stipend and also per diem etc. Some companies will make you 1099 employees which means you should be paying quarterly taxes because they don't pay any taxes for you so, in essence you make less money. Try to work for a company like ours that takes care of the taxes, offers benefits, etc. The hardest part as a travel NP is that the licensure takes longer and unless you are in a rare specialty...the hospitals, clinics won't wait for you to get licensed. If you have a compact RN license you stand a better chance of getting assignments because then all you have to do is get the NP portion of the license in compact states. Hope this help. If you have questions just ask. Pam

[Psychcns]

Which companies make you a w2 employee? My tax preparer tells me this is best..

[Eppie]

StaffCare is W2. I tried Barton and Associates for my first Locums job and its a 1099. I haven't finished my first quarter taxes yet so I cannot help you with the tax details.

[Psychcns]

Pamela- which company do you work for?

eppie- I work for staff care sometimes and they give me 1099

[Eppie]

I apologize for that info but that is what the recruiter from Staff care told me. I worked with another Locums (physician) and he mentioned that his company Delta does W2. I hope that helps.

[Psychcns]

Hi Eppie. Thanks for info.