Travel jobs offered...low pay

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Specializes in Level 1, Level 2, Level 4 trauma and med.

Folks, I just received a list of ER openings and the hourly wage was between $29/hr to 32/hr. Also only offered $500 relocation money. This is pretty close to the top of a Staff RN wage scale at a decent hospital anywhere. Is this the sign of the times, or is this company trying to keep the pay low, hoping a desparate traveler will take them up?. I just can't see traveling at that low of pay. Might as well try for permanent job and take the 4-6 week standard orientation. Any thoughts?

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It all depends on what you are looking for in the experience and where you are wanting or willing to go.

Are you wanting to travel for the experience or the money? If you are looking to go somewhere like San Diego or in Florida, the pay will be less. If you are willing to go to Oklahoma or Montana, the pay will be more. This has been my experience, anyway.

It does also depend on the agency and what frills they offer and how they quote you the pay package. Some agencies simply pay more than others. Did that rate include travel expenses, license reimbursement, private housing with a fully furnished apartment with housewares and linens plus all utilities?

If at all possible, I take the housing stipend (and negotiate it as high as I can get it.....because this is an area they WILL negotiate in), find my own housing and pocket the extra.

If you are willing to work 4 shifts per week, check out agencies that will guarantee 48 hours a week. PM me if you'd like to know my specific experiences and pay with 4 different agencies.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

I hear you. I am just finishing my first assignment and settled for low pay for the great experience (level I trauma - i'm ER also) in a great location, but so far the next options don't seem as great either. I will widen my scope with a couple more agencies but each agency is another checklist and references, paperwork, etc. I'm even considering working a strike for the great money. I am mostly doing this for the adventure and to see the country and that is the way to look at it I guess.

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OkieICU - I would like to talk with you about your travel nurse experience..I'm in Texas looking to start traveling...msg me if you don't mind...thanks!

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Specializes in Mostly ER.

Be careful before you get involved in a strike situation. A good friend of mine almost got killed when trying to cross the picket line.

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Specializes in Level 1, Level 2, Level 4 trauma and med.
Ieach agency is another checklist and references, paperwork, etc. .

Yes I'm really tired of hearing the same pitch, and then spending 2 days filling out applications, sending reference requests, faxing ACLS, TNCC certifications.I went thru 2 agencies with no solid offers in 2 weeks. Then signed up with 2 more, I haven't even had a solid offer from anyone, 4 weeks and i'm tired of it already. I've come to the conclusion that Hospitals can be very picky, and the agencies are trying to get as many signed up as possible, hoping that 1 out of ??5, 7, 10 ?? applicants will get picked. This is just my opinion, and I'm in for now, but I may be a short time traveler if things don't start happening.

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Specializes in Paramedic,ER, House Supervisor, OR, CVOR.

There is still a nursing shortage and hospitals know it. Some of them are still trying to eleminate all Travel Nurse positions. Even waiting till the last day of a nurses contract to let them know that the extension has been granted. It won't happen for the hospital in the future. No written contract, no work. If within 30 days of the end of my contract, you want me to stay. Give me a written contract or expect to replace me at the end. Nursing is the backbone of the hospital, without nurses there is no hospital. Hospitals are paying big bucks to hire Doctors to get patients into the hospital but don't think about the people who are actually there ALL THE TIME taking care of those patients. And to think, last week was Nurses Week, what did your hospital do for you?????

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.
Be careful before you get involved in a strike situation. A good friend of mine almost got killed when trying to cross the picket line.

could you elaborate? that's a significant statement. i know the working conditions aren't ideal, but that's a lot of risk.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

JoeMac, i hear you. I'm not sure my personality has the stamina for this kind of job hunting, but now I just completed a great (first) a assignment with the hope of another good one lining up. I guess we just decided that this was part of the risk (not having a job for a few weeks) and we are not doing it for the money (clearly) but adventure.

i think you are right about them lining up recruits. and it's not easy to find an agency that has what you want - basics like - health insurance that is recognizable at any location (good like BCBS) and a recruiter you feel you can trust and you talk to on the phone (i'm not talking buddy buddy here, just that they play a significant role).

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Specializes in Mostly ER.

In attempting to cross the picket line, she was escorted by the county sheriff's department deputies and there were gunshots fired at anyone who crossed the picket line. Yes, this may be an extreme situation, but it happened to her.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

woah. $5k is not worth a risk to my life, i'm thinking. too bad. it would have been a good adventure.

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Specializes in pcu/stepdown/tele.

While this may have happened to one person, it is the exception not the norm. I have spoken to several different nurses who have done this for several companies and in several different states and they have all had good things to say about it. It is a great way to make money quickly as long as you keep in mind that it isn't like travel nursing, they work you as much as they can until it is over and you have no time off to "relax and see the sights". I know strikes can be touchy situations but as nurses we have to know patients have to be cared for and hospitals will do whatever is necessary to do this. That means that you will be over worked as much as they can and you will want to CYA for everything! Hope that you reconsider and ask lots more questions before you turn an opportunity down.

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