Nurses who are that desperate, need to go work staff, local agency, seek OT or PRN at another hospital. I can't believe that I'm hearing of nurses taking $10-15 per hour assignments and letting the agency manipulate the numbers with the stipend to look like $35-45/ hour. You should be getting at least mid thirties (for the most part) plus housing/stipend and allowances. It's economics 101. You are creating the demand or lack of. I've read where agencies are stating that they have seen an increase in contracts over the last few months, so go into these negotiations with a strategy. I PROMISE they have one. It's like a car deal. Have criteria going into the negotiations and stick to your numbers. Don't be afraid to JUST SAY NO!
Also, these (some) recruiters need to be held to the fire with the BS tax manipulation. They have a responsiblity to pay wage appropriate employer tax based on the local market's average salary. It is fraud and you are a willing participant if you sign up. These greedy boneheads need to be held accountable to the IRS. I suggest any nurses getting a lowball contract forward it to the IRS Whistle Blowing Program and let's see if we can turn around this industry before it's too late!
The housing stipend is high and the hourly rate is low. You'll pay less taxes but get less for OT. If you're a good nurse they'll extend you if you work OT or not if they need you.
Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.
The housing stipend is high and the hourly rate is low. You'll pay less taxes but get less for OT. If you're a good nurse they'll extend you if you work OT or not if they need you.
You will have less taxes taken out of your paycheck but you may or may not pay less tax, depending on your personal situation. I'm still deciding what to do with my next contract. Hopefully my new tax professional will steer me in the right direction.
I was extended on this assignment, already, but the hospital I am at only allows nurses to travel for 6 continuous months, so I have to switch. What is everyone else getting for overtime? I just didn't feel like it was right for me to get less in overtime per hour than my regular times works out to be per hour after all the stipends, etc...is it taboo in this forum to discuss pay like that? I think Nomad has the right idea! We should totally stick together to make the most of our pay/contracts. I feel I can say that after having been tripled up in the CVICU every day for the past three weeks!
If you work in Arkansas, your starting pay today (2011) would still be just $17.75 hourly. Arkansas is a state with little nursing fraternity, it seems. Positive change will only come with a unified nursing voice and all of us sticking with each other and to our guns.
girtster
28 Posts
The housing stipend is high and the hourly rate is low. You'll pay less taxes but get less for OT. If you're a good nurse they'll extend you if you work OT or not if they need you.