Travel Nurse Assignment in Houston

Published

Specializes in Perioperative Nursing.

I have been an Operating room nurse for five years, i finally decided to try travel nursing, its something i always wanted to do. I have been offered an OR travel assignment in Houston, i haven't sign the contract yet because i am confused about the rate.

The offer i got from the agency is $37.25, $22.25 is taxable and 15 dollars is tax free, they also include a $500 bonus $250 payable on my first check and other $250 on my last. The $15 is what they used to calculate my housing and meals. Therefore, i realized my take home is going to be $22.25 minus the tax. Is it me, or does this contract sucks?

I am going to be travelling from Dallas to Houston, therefore, i have to find housing. I just don't want to take it unless its worth it, he came across as been rude and forceful when i wanted to go over the contract in details. He also mentioned that he went back to the hospital and negotiate my contract to offer me more money however, when i read the contract i realized it was the same thing he told me earlier just worded differently.

  1. Can someone please tell me about the housing cost in Houston
  2. Is this a good contract or is he taking advantage of the fact that i am a first time traveler?

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Dialysis, Plasmapheresis.
I have been an Operating room nurse for five years, i finally decided to try travel nursing, its something i always wanted to do. I have been offered an OR travel assignment in Houston, i haven't sign the contract yet because i am confused about the rate.

The offer i got from the agency is $37.25, $22.25 is taxable and 15 dollars is tax free, they also include a $500 bonus $250 payable on my first check and other $250 on my last. The $15 is what they used to calculate my housing and meals. Therefore, i realized my take home is going to be $22.25 minus the tax. Is it me, or does this contract sucks?

I am going to be travelling from Dallas to Houston, therefore, i have to find housing. I just don't want to take it unless its worth it, he came across as been rude and forceful when i wanted to go over the contract in details. He also mentioned that he went back to the hospital and negotiate my contract to offer me more money however, when i read the contract i realized it was the same thing he told me earlier just worded differently.

[*]Can someone please tell me about the housing cost in Houston

[*]Is this a good contract or is he taking advantage of the fact that i am a first time traveler?

Thanks.

Sounds kind of low you're right, but its not gonna get a whole lot better. Meaning it would be hard to find a place that offered you $50. The taxable rates always seem to be in the low $20s anymore :(.. It's the per diems that some agencies do better then others. Anytime a recruiter is forceful, that's a sign for me to look elsewhere. There's tons of agencies that would want an experienced OR RN, and I'll bet other agencies could offer you a better package. Unless you're really desperate to get started, I would take my time and keep searching. Some people may tell you that since its your first assignment, just take what you can get, but I still think you could at least find a nicer recruiter. One thing i think most people find starting out is that the pay is not what they thought it would be :-/.. Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only way you will know if your rate is "fair" is to talk to other agencies. Can you determine a fair price for a new car by talking to one dealer only? Even after he goes to the manager to get you a better price? (which is exactly the game your recruiter played). No one here will be able to tell you either, market rates can only be determined by surveying the market you are interested in for someone with your exact skill set and experience.

Now I would never work in Texas, and yes, from my perspective in other better paying states, the rate is low. But I hear Texas does pay low in general. However, your pay analysis is flawed. You are being paid a tax free stipend of $600 a week (is your contract 40 hours?) or $2,580 a month. I suspect you could get a really great house share in Houston for $800 a month. The difference is bankable. So you also need to look at the housing market to determine your take home pay.

Other factors to consider are your relationship with your recruiter, your desire to go to Houston, and pay comparison with what you are making now. But for Pete's sake, shop around!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I rented a 2 BR, furnished apartment in Houston for $1600 per month. This included all utilities, and was gated (safe.) I would need to know what hospital you are talking about in Houston, as far as housing goes, because it takes some time to get around in Houston. It took me an hour just to get to the hospital. Honestly, for me, finding housing there was the biggest hurdle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Med-Surg, Psych, Oncology, Hospice.

I was provided a furnished apartment within the "medical center" and took the train to work. Parking is expensive. My hourly rate was $31.00 an hour.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm currently in Houston on my first travel assignment. I heard from my recruiter that texans is generally a low paying state and it just depends on the timing and hospital. When I first looked into moving to Houston the take home was almost what I was making as a new grad when I first started nursing!! When my recruiter came back with a different hospital and better pay I jumped on the chance (I really wanted to come to houston). I came with a friend and we are sharing a 2 bedroom in the gallaria. Really nice but ons of traffic! It's nice you don't have to deal with traffic and can hop on the train! Well just wanted to share my experience so far

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have 1 year OR nurse experience and I signed a contract in Houston for $38. The recruiter told me that everyone gets paid the same regardless of experience. This is my first travel assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I might get flamed for saying this, but experienced nurses make more because they have learned not to work in Texas! Also, experienced nurses know better than to trust the first recruiter they talk to.

Does that $38 at least include housing and travel?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion