Travel job in SD

[olijam]

Hi everyone, I'm currently looking for a travel assignment in SD and have a job interview tomorrow with American Mobile. I have been an ICU/ED nurse for 4+ years and make plenty of money in SF. However, I'm not in it for the money and that is why I want to move to San Diego (but of course I need to pay my bills). I'm not 100% on my move to SD so I thought I would try a travel assignment. I've heard a lot of bad things about American Mobile, but I went through them because they are a large organization and seem to have the most jobs. Here is what they are offering:

So what I can offer you for the assignment in San Diego is :

Base pay of $21 per hour, plus $2/hr shift diff. = $23 per hour ...I'll be on night shift.

Plus $35 per day tax free per diem which equals = $245 tax free per week

Let's say I got you $2000 per month for housing-- $2000 x 3 mos on assignment = $6000 in housing, divided by 13 weeks you are on assignment is $461 per week that you would get for housing weekly that is tax free.

Now, take the $23 per hour and put that into paycheck city, along with the 36 hrs- you will net $606.01.

$606 plus $245 per week Daily per diem, plus $461 per week for housing = NET PAY OF $1312 per week.

This is more than what would equal to $50 per hour.

Now, I make at base 56/hr in SF. Am I being low-balled here or is this a good offer. I realize the lower the taxable income the better so 21/hr doesn't seem bad. I used to travel in a different health profession years ago and made more than this, but I realize the market has changed and there are a lot less jobs. I also figure if I like it I'll go full-time. Any advice would help. Thanks.

p.s. I love that it's sunny and 70degrees in SD right now:)

[davebigs]

I hear what you are saying and sometimes you can't really compare apples to oranges. Just keep in mind, when they offer to have less than half of your effective hourly rate taxed, that if something were to happen and you end up on unemployment then it would be based on $21/hr, also your SS will be based on that same $21/hr. I have had a few of those offers lately. One last thing is that when you pay less in taxes it also means that the travel company pays less in taxes also, so they are making a lot more money off you...Good luck..

[ERRNinMI]

Don't forget about the free insurance!