Okay. Just in case someone is looking in to this dated thread... Bay Area nurses with > 1 year of experience start out at $60 / hr and per diem RNs start at $80 / hr but often work it with the overtime to make over $100 / hr. Granted all those folks have to pay Bay Area taxes..... Anyways you should negotiate your living expenses and stipends so that in the end you are bringing in $55 - $60 / hr. It is very difficult to negotiate > $60 / hr net for travelers... And if possible keep your residency in whatever state you are from that has low taxes so that you don't have to pay CA taxes (see a tax accountant for more specific info).