TekDav13

wouldn't it make more sense to take a high hourly rate, no diem, and just write off the gov't max per day at the end of the year?

I am not understanding why, in this industry, per diem is being broken down and considered a part of the hourly rate. We, as nurses, are really being ripped off here. A recruiter wants me to work for $12/hr + per diem which brings the weekly take home to $1200. That's $125/day per diem. The gov't rate for the area is $140/day. $12/hr? Really?!! Per diem should be paid above and beyond, and considered separately from, the hourly rate. He then offered 18/hr + meal/incidentals and the company would pick up lodging. This number is still too low. I make more than that being at home. It doesn't make sense. The diem is supposed to help offset maintaining two residences. It's not really supposed to be part of a compensation package (theoretically). And it certainly shouldn't be used to convince us that we're making more money per hour. This would be my first travel nurse gig, but I have traveled extensively in another career, and this way of doing business is crazy! Is this typical, or is the recruiter trying to really hammer me? It seems to me that by paying this ridiculously low hourly rate, the company is trying to keep more for themselves. I will get with some contacts that I have in the other business and see if I can get us some real answers. Please let me know what you, as experienced travelers, have found.

I am not understanding why, in this industry, per diem is being broken down and considered a part of the hourly rate. We, as nurses, are really being ripped off here. A recruiter wants me to work for $12/hr + per diem which brings the weekly take home to $1200. That's $125/day per diem. The gov't rate for the area is $140/day. Per diem should be paid above and beyond, and considered separately from, the hourly rate. He then offered 18/hr + meal/incidentals and the company would pick up lodging. This would be my first travel nurse gig, but I have traveled extensively in another career, and this way of doing business is crazy! Is this typical, or is the recruiter trying to really hammer me?