Question for experienced travel nurses

[evecel]

I am new to traveling. I signed up with American Mobile and this is only my second assignment with them. I asked my recruiter about completion bonuses which are stated on their website. She told me that in order for me to get the bonuses she would have to decrease my subsidy. I thought that answer was kind of odd. Does this sound right?

[suzanne4, RN]

It definitely doesn't sound right.

But best suggestion is to always get your bonus averaged into your pay to begin with. If they cut you a check in the end for the bonus, there is a much larger junk taken out in taxes, that is required to be done on all obnus checks.

[TxPsychRn]

Ditto what suzzane4 says , I have gotten bonuses for 500.00 and the check comes out to like 375.00 because of the bigger taxes on bonuses . you are much better taking the higher subsidy , I believe it may even be tax free (not sure on this ). But to adress your question more directly , next time I would get the housing subsidy rate THEN ask about a bonus . I work for Medical Express ,(part of AMN ) and always try and get the deal lined up THEN ask for extras ( Laundry , Parking ,Bonuses) .

[bagladyrn, RN]

I am new to traveling. I signed up with American Mobile and this is only my second assignment with them. I asked my recruiter about completion bonuses which are stated on their website. She told me that in order for me to get the bonuses she would have to decrease my subsidy. I thought that answer was kind of odd. Does this sound right?

I wouldn't consider this a "bonus" at all! They are just "rearranging" your share of the money from this contract. You are definitely better off getting the money in your hourly if possible rather than a bonus at the end, both for the tax purposes as stated above and also because a higher hourly wage will also make any overtime at a higher rate.

[rnwaller]

I also work for American Mobile, I don't know who your recruiter is but this sounds WRONG to me. Stick to your guns, say No I want the bonus or a little extra hourly. Remember what others have just said a higher housing is better (its tax free).

Be careful with American Mobile recruiters they tend to rush you into lower pay. Say maybe (the first time unless its a great offer) make them wait a little, slow down and you will probably get both the housing and the bonus.