Staff vs Traveler

[Mithrah]

I am moving out of state in a few months and I am still unsure if I want to work staff or be a traveler. I guess what I would really like is to be staff but get a decent wage with a housing stipend. Is this possible to negotiate for a perm position? I spoke to one travel company and they said that a stipend for housing could be $2,000+ for the area I am going. If this is the case, doesn't it make sense that I could go staff and save the hospital money yet still get a stipend? Even half that amount would make me happy because housing where I am going is expensive.

I guess I don't understand how the hospitals can afford to pay these travel companies + give the RN all these nice benefits and perks.

All negotiating tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

[suzanne4, RN]

If you are actually moving to that city, and will not be having a permanent residence in another locale, then the tax perks will not be available to you as a traveler. You are defeating the whole purpose.

Anything is always open for negotiation but you have to be quite marketable for them to want to commit to an above average wage for any length of time.

Travelers are usually there to fill in the gaps.

Have you ever done any type of agency work before?

[markjrn]

I am moving out of state in a few months and I am still unsure if I want to work staff or be a traveler. I guess what I would really like is to be staff but get a decent wage with a housing stipend. Is this possible to negotiate for a perm position? I spoke to one travel company and they said that a stipend for housing could be $2,000+ for the area I am going. If this is the case, doesn't it make sense that I could go staff and save the hospital money yet still get a stipend? Even half that amount would make me happy because housing where I am going is expensive.

I guess I don't understand how the hospitals can afford to pay these travel companies + give the RN all these nice benefits and perks.

All negotiating tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

I think that you will be hard pressed to find a regular perm staff position that is also going to give you a housing stipend. If you get one, then I'm guessing that the other staff will want it too.

Have you considered in-house/seasonal programs? You work for the hospital on a contract basis, and they provide housing, etc.