per diem

I just got a call from my recruiter and he offered me $36, so I think $34 is alright for starting out.

I don't know much about per diem work and it would seem those that do aren't reading this post. When my recruiter first asked I had visions of $60 or $70/hr. They don't pay any of the extras, yet they are filling hours at a hospital. I would think the bill rate for this is the same for regular travel, but I guess not.

good luck to you... again

No, per diem has a lower bill rate. You usually do better with a travel contract - roughly the same pay rate plus housing and tax benefits (if you are working away from your tax home).

The exception to the rule is working directly for hospitals in some cities doing in-house per diem. For example, with enough seniority (just years of experience), you can make over $70 an hour in San Francisco doing in-house per diem. Yet working agency per diem in the Bay area usually maxes out in the low $40s.