1st contract

Was just wondering what the "average" is for how far out everyone signs a contract? This is my first time and i am completing all the paperwork with intellistaff. It is taking FOREVER for the Illinois background check!!!! I would like to leave last week july/beg. of august. I am getting nervous and wondering if i should already have a contract by now to leave at this start date?? Is it normal to sign with only a couple weeks notice?

thanks

nervous in illinois......:loveya:

I generally start looking for my next contract about 6 - 8 weeks out. I may not have a contract until 4 weeks out, occassionally it has been as little as 2-3 weeks before the start date.

Many hospitals won't contract much further out than about 4 weeks unless it is a set, anticipated need such as seasonal population increases (as in FL) or a nurse going out on maternity leave. Often they seem to be hoping that the "perfect nurse" will walk in and beg to be hired right up until the last moment, then they want to call someone on Friday to start Monday. (Hard when you are halfway across the country).

Help! I have a contract the recruiter sent to me today and as I read my contract and your posts this contract feels wrong. I am being offered $9.50 per hour (what!?) and vehicle stipend $3400, housing stipend $6750, per diem $4410. for transportation to and from $1000 for a 13 week contract in Albuquerque and the "expense report" says "I agree to keep all necessary documentation and receipts as required by the IRS and return any excess advances given to me( excess is defined as advances not spent for the purposes above). I think this is going to cost me a lot of money, especially since gas is $4.00/ gallon and my gas cost one way would be 450.00! I have never traveled before and would like to but not with this contract. Can you guide me?:

Help! I have a contract the recruiter sent to me today and as I read my contract and your posts this contract feels wrong. I am being offered $9.50 per hour (what!?) and vehicle stipend $3400, housing stipend $6750, per diem $4410. for transportation to and from $1000 for a 13 week contract in Albuquerque and the "expense report" says "I agree to keep all necessary documentation and receipts as required by the IRS and return any excess advances given to me( excess is defined as advances not spent for the purposes above). I think this is going to cost me a lot of money, especially since gas is $4.00/ gallon and my gas cost one way would be 450.00! I have never traveled before and would like to but not with this contract. Can you guide me?:

:no:I wish someone had made a smiley with big red flags going up all over it! No way would I ever take a contract like that! Lot's of reasons why. I'm getting ready to leave for work now but will come back later and go into detail, if someone else doesn't do it first. Hoping that TravelTax is out there to grab this one also.

Okay - back again for a few minutes to expand on my above answer. First of all, that hourly rate is so far from the average pay rate for RNs that it would be very obvious as an attempt to avoid taxes if reviewed by the IRS. Those other amounts are higher than what should be considered usual expenses for that area - that's why they are making you sign that clause - so any penalties are on you! Now, if you took that contract at that rate and worked any overtime, what do you see that your payrate would be? Looks like $13.75/hr (time-and-a-half of your $9.50 payrate). If you are injured on the job, what rate do you think your workman's comp would be based on? That's right - $9.50/hr. Go for a loan and again, what payrate is their decision going to be based on? You've got it - $9.50.

This might be a good deal - but for the agency - NOT for you!

You are smart to question this efore signing anything.

I told the recruiter I would not sign this contract and he countered with another offer but it just does not feel right so I told him exactly what I wanted ."Travel 2166 . 84 + lodging 400 . 00+ per [email protected]/day x 6 days travel 294.00 total round trip travel 2860 . 84 if I drive .

{or you can provide a round trip air ticket and rental car : expeida price SRQto ABQdelta $432 . 50 + 3873 . rental car}

wages @34 . 00/ hour 16 , 380 . 00 per diem 4459 . 00

vehicle allowance 2426 . 97 if i drive

license reimbursement $200 . 00

free private apt to include cable , phone and all utilities 6825 . 00

Total compensation if I drive $33151.81 and if I fly $32169.50

I know your company will still make money, just not as much.

Deal or no deal?" I probably won't get the contract but I won't get screwed either.:chuckle !