jmcgrn

Hey All, I've been traveling for over 2 years so far and has been a great experience. Just the other day though I had a slightly negative experience which got me thinking. I had just signed my 3rd extension at my current hospital. The next day, my recruiter calls me up and tells me that the Hospital had actually decreased my rate after my first extension but that the company had been "eating the costs" but they could no longer afford to do so for multiple nurses. So for the extension which I had just signed they were sending me a new contract with a decreased rate. I decided it wasn't worth putting up a fuss as the rate decrease wasn't major, and was taking into consideration having had no issues with this agency in the past. However, reviewing things made me realize that for each contract I have signed, I never get a copy back with any signature from someone at the agency. Which made me request that moving forward each contract I sign must be returned to me with a signature from them. I did this because I thought of it as without their signature, I am being held liable to this contract by them but I cannot hold them liable in turn. Thinking along these lines, Does anyone have experience with being allowed to actually make revisions to clauses within their travel contract and or adding clauses of your own? What would you recommend for things such as this for ways in which that I, and we as a group can protect ourselves in future contracts? Interested to hear peoples thoughts on this. - John

Thanks for the response NedRN. Unfortunately my hospital has said that I would need to meet the minimal requirement of 24 hours a month. As to the tax home, I understand that I must actually be living here. I will continue to pay rent and return in between assignments. However, it is my understanding that you must also have work when you return in order for it to qualify adequately.

Hey everyone! First time traveler here, and will be starting my first assignment in a month. I've been learning all about the tax issues involved with travel nursing. I'm trying to keep my current residence as my "tax home" as opposed to being an "itinerant worker" so that I can get my stipends tax free ect. As such, I've been looking around for a PRN assignment that I could work in between travel assignments if needed and at least for 1 month a year in order to make this my tax home. The problem I have been running into to however, is that all the PRN positions I have found require you to work at least 2 shifts per month. I don't think this would be viable for me, considering my assignments will be all across the country. Any advice on how you have handled this problem or what type of positions might allow one to come back and just pick up shifts when needed would be greatly appreciated!

I wouldn't be overly concerned. I have a class B Misdemeanor on my record and although it sometimes takes longer to process, I have had no issues in the 3 states I am licensed in after providing the court documentation. be sure to find out if the court needs "certified" copies snail mailed and stamped directly from the court or if you can fax them the copies you have personally. That's the only problem I ever encountered.