Lots of questions

jhushon · Mar 12, 2006

I've been a travelling nurse for a few years (8) and intended to do for 1. My advice for you would be to start looking into companies now. Not because you couldn't do it a month before you're ready to travel, but because it will give you a better idea of what your options are.

I strongly recommend talking to multiple companies before you accept an assignment. Some companies seem to bargain more than others. You will probably have to fill out long applications for each company you want any real info from but once you fill out one, you are just repeating the same info for the other.

As far as pay rates and OT, it often depends an where you want to travel to. Some areas just pay lower because they sought after assingments. For example, HI and the Virgin Islands traditionally pay low but as long as our accomidations are paid for, who cares, you're not going to make a bunch of money. Other places pay much better because the area may not have much to offer just anybody. Of course some of these are the best assignments if you like what they so have to offer.

As far as completion bonuses go, I definately think twice about a place that is offering $3-4,000 for a 13 week contract. Typical is more like $1,000 or less. A lot of places offer this for extended contracts or to fill immediate needs. The places with higher bonuses I assume I'm going to be working really, really hard. If you have the option of a completion bonus or higher hourly rate, just do the math. Make sure you figure if you willing to do overtime or just want to do your 36 hours a week and be done with it. Not all hospitals will allow a traveller to do overtime.

I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me for any questions or clarifications. I just got off work and I'm not sure how clear this is. I love the travelling life and encourage people to give it shot if they are interested. You can always go back.

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2006

Hi,
I am not traveling yet, but would like to be by January, 2006. I am currently a DON at a small rural Critical Access Hospital. I have experience in Med/Surg, ER and House Supervisor. I am BLS, ACLS, PALS and TNCC certified.
Lots of Questions: How far ahead do I need to conact an agency to begin working in January or February of 07? Can you work for more than one agency? What about wages? Does an ER nurse make more than a Med/Surg nurse? Can you negotiate you wage and OT at double time? The completion bonuses kind of scares me - it makes me think that nurses are leaving before the contract is up, because of bad working conditions. Is this the case? Do you have an accountant to keep track of your taxes with the benefits, housing allowances, bonuses, etc. Do you carry your own nursing malpractise insurance?
So many questions!!! I will try not to overwhelm you on my first posting. Thanks for any advise that you may have!!
rodggang:thankya:

I"ll try to go one by one with your ?'s.

I'd start now to investigate companies. Look at their websites and start culling. Look for health insurance, 401k, dental insurance, short term and long term disability etc. What ever you need or want.. Start deleting companies from your list that don't meet your requirements right out of the gate. These bennies usually aren't negoitable. Pay is. If they don't have dental insurance available chances are they aren't gonna get it for you.

Because I work hemodialysis and most of the companies you see advertised don't have dialysis positions on a regular basis I am signed with one company. But that doesn't mean I'm not always looking for different companies as some are now getting hemo positions. But what I do is tell my company what the other company has to offer, usually money wise, and see if they can match it or at least get close. If you are doing hospital nursing I'd suggest you at least have your profile with 3-4 companies. Because if one doesn't have a position you are interested in then you can jump quickly to another company. You'll be already in their system and your profile should have been reviewed and ready to be sent out for an interview.

You most definately can dicker on wages. And please do. I believe every RN in this country should be making at least mid 30's ..EVERYWHERE. I made it in NC and WV and SC and I'm making it here in PA. IF a company's offer is too low I say "They must not need a nurse very badly" and move on.That's when having a back up company comes in handy. I'm on my third company in 4 years. But I've been with this company almost 3. Remember there is a nursing shortage in this country, you are a Registered Nurse.

Nurses are probably not leaving before the end of the contract because then they won't be able to get the bonus money. Many hold out just for that. Now there are several "theories" held by travel nurses about bonus'.

First one is that it is taxed differently. It's not it's just that it's a big check and if you've ever worked alot of OT you've noticed that you didn't get as big a check as you'd hoped for. But at the end of the year it all works out.

Others think a bonus is a hostage check. In other words you have to fulfill the contract, work the hours you are supposed to or you don't get the bonus. Some hospitals will let you make up time some won't.

Some have even cancelled the contract near it's end to save the hospital from paying the bonus. Some will say "What's so bad about this hospital that they have to pay a bonus" Some hospitals really are bad and that's the only way to get nurses. Others may really be in a severe shortage area. Some places in the US don't have a nursing shortages like others. Many nurses want the bonus put into their hourly for fear of not recieving it. That is up to you. If you feel you won't get it have it put into you hourly. It's a crap shoot IMHO.

There are several good tax experts out there. I don't use them. But you might want to for the first few years. I am responsible for my own taxes so I want to understand them and manage them myself. Personal choice. Google travel nurse taxes and you'll find a couple of good ones. PM me for info if you want.

I subscribe to the deep pockets theory of malpractice insurance. I don't carry it. Never have. Most of the good travel companies have it. That's another perk to look for initially.. Now at the risk of getting :angryfire here I'll tell you why I don't carry malpractice. If you have malpractice, and it's easy for the attorney's to find out if you do, then I feel you are at greater risk of being sued. Remember these attorney's don't make money sitting in their fancy offices. They have to sue someone. If they have two nurses they can sue and one has a Million $$$ policy and the other has no policy, which one do you suppose they will go after.. Even if that nurse has done nothing wrong. Now I know some will say they can go after your home. That's erroneous. Certain of your assests are protected by law, primary residence, pensions aka 401k's etc. So those are not in jeopardy. Now the insurance company's in their "inifnite" wisdom ( to sell you their insurance) will tell you differently. Don't believe them. Also, some people will have you scared that your future wages will be garnished. Listen if I make a mistake large enough to get sued I have a feeling I won't have a nursing license to work . Also, all the money in the world to defend you is not gonna change the fact that you've been sued or help you sleep at night knowing your good name is being dragged through the courts. Getting sued isn't fun irregardless of whether you have insurance or not. Go with the companies insurance and go out to a nice dinner with a good friend with the $89 dollars you'll save.. JMHO.. And I know nothing but nursing.. Good luck garnishing my wages.

So use your nursing process.

A P I E

Assess what's out there for companies what they have to offer.

Plan to contact several 3-4 and talk with them .. Be wary. If it's too good to be true it probably is.

Implement your plan by submitting all your info and possibly getting an interview.

Evaluate the company during the contract. Did they do what they said they'd do. Did they back you up. Did they move you if your housing was bad. They can't go to every location to check on housing . Did they pay on time and correctly..That's a deal breaker for me ..Don't mess with my hard earnt money. Evaluate them for your next contract. IF they don't measure up .. Move on.

Good luck.. Sorry for the length of this post.

Geeg · Mar 16, 2006

Be careful with the company sponsored health ins. There are many conditions where can end up without coverage, in between assignments for example.....Just something to keep in mind.

NephroBSN, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2006

Be careful with the company sponsored health ins. There are many conditions where can end up without coverage, in between assignments for example.....Just something to keep in mind.

I usually take a week off between assignments. Never lost coverage. And if you decide to not work for awhile and like the insurance you can always Cobra it.

Most of the good travel companies are getting very competive and offering day one insurance so even if you change companies you aren't usually with out coverage.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 17, 2006

You want the completion bonus calculated into your wages, if your agency gives one. The tax rate is too high if you get the check at the end, it is taxed in a non-earned or working category.

Make sure that you have current actual bedside experience, this will give you the most job opportunities. Most of the travel positions are in bigger cities or larger hospitals so you need to make sure that your skills are quite sharp.