Question for the experienced travellers

Published

Greetings,

I have been perusing the websites of a few travel companies and one of them lists on their home page that some of the nurses have made over $100,000.

Is this for real? I mean if they are able to make that much money more power to them, it just sounds too good to be true.

In my case, I'm single and would (if permitted) work 12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week.

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, it is definitely true but also depends on where you plan to do your travel assignments.

Be aware that working consistently that many hours per week and you will get burned out very quickly, it is hard to keep up with and keep your own body functioning properly.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree. I'm just a sucker for pain. :lol2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

But you also need to be aware of the fact that most facilities are not going to pay that much in overtime to you. And if they are willing, then it means that there are serious issues at that place and you should not even be considering it.

You should do no more than a 48 hour week contract and then pick up extra hours when you want or at another facility as per diem or local agency. If you work much more than this per week, you get hit hard on your taxes and do not see much of it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
But you also need to be aware of the fact that most facilities are not going to pay that much in overtime to you. And if they are willing, then it means that there are serious issues at that place and you should not even be considering it.

You should do no more than a 48 hour week contract and then pick up extra hours when you want or at another facility as per diem or local agency. If you work much more than this per week, you get hit hard on your taxes and do not see much of it.

Thank you, that's a good point.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are quite welcome.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

Many of the very high paying assignments are strike assignments or are for "critical needs", meaning conditions at the assignments are probably not going to be very good.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think I could do strikes, I wouldn't feel right taking someone else's job, even for a short time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

CA pays very well with just routine contracts in most areas, not talking about strike contracts here. It is very easy to make this amount of money and not work strikes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I generally go for a 36 hour guaranteed contract at a facility and then pick up local per diem for extra.

The reason is my "hourly" rate and per diem rate with the agency if I'm getting a tax advantage may lower the amount I can get for overtime.

EG: Lets say I get $37/hr of which is $9 is M&I then my actual hourly rate is $26 and my overtime rate is $39/hr.

In that scenario, I'm far better off to get on with a local per diem agency that pays $44+ per hour staright hourly since my full housing & per diem allowances are based on my 36 hour contract.

The other reason as posted here is that some weeks I'll pick up 2 or 3 days and other weeks I need R&R and don't have to commit to the extra days. That way overtime is NOT an obligation.

On one contract I could get $39/hr on overtime all the the overtime you want or work per diem at a different facility across town for a different agency for $52.50/hr.

Seems like a no-brainer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
CA pays very well with just routine contracts in most areas, not talking about strike contracts here. It is very easy to make this amount of money and not work strikes.

I also find their nurse to patient ratio very attractive. At the hospital I worked as an Aide, it wasn't uncommon for an RN to have 10+ patients and this was a Med-Surg unit.

I saw more than one nurse in tears at the end of the day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion