Travel nursing pay, is it worth it?

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I’m thinking about accepting a travel assignment with AYA. The total gross weekly pay is $1618.00. The average taxable hourly rate is $15.00. It is 48 hours. Does that mean I’m taking a major pay cut? 48x15.00=720.00. So if I’m correct that will only leave me with $898.00 weekly. Can anyone  help me figure this out before I take the assignment.

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What is your housing and per diem stipend? 

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Is this your first travel assignment?

Is the pay worth it over your staff job? The answer is no. You should only become a traveler if the lifestyle is appealing. You can work on pay later. Aya is also not an agency I would recommend to a first time traveler.

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Specializes in PACU travel.
On 11/8/2020 at 2:54 PM, NedRN said:

Is this your first travel assignment?

Is the pay worth it over your staff job? The answer is no. You should only become a traveler if the lifestyle is appealing. You can work on pay later. Aya is also not an agency I would recommend to a first time traveler.

Why would you not recommend Aya? and are there any specific agencies you would recommend for first time travellers? 

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Bad reputation. Changed their name from Access  Nurses, no doubt in part because of repute among travelers. If you have prior travel experience, you can work for any agency successfully.

Personally I think the really large agencies are good places for first timers, such as Cross Country and American Mobile. The pay may not be as good as smaller agencies, but that is actually a good thing. The goal is to get successfully completed assignments on your work history so you can be competitive for assignments that pay more. Large companies have a smorgasbord of assignments and if you get a decent recruiter, you will be placed at a traveler friendly assignment within your skill set. This will also help you learn what your limitations are and help you going forward so you don't fail. You certainly don't want to fail on your first assignment. If you get offered big money for your first assignment, turn it down. Bad working conditions.

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If you are willing to travel, then travel nursing is the best financially suitable career you can have in nursing for the amount of education.  I consistently make over 6 figures of income in my first few years of nursing which is just about impossible as a staff nurse unless you are in a super expensive city.  the $898 is your untaxed portion of your weekly pay if you are getting $720 for 48 hrs.  depending on your specialty and location you should definitely be able to make 3 times that for less hours.  you have to be willing to travel and go to where the money is.  I make videos for travel nurses on how to do well and success in travel nursing if you want a good resource and need to ask any questions.  I'm happy to help!

 

https://www.Youtube.com/channel/UCLZ-AGQJhUTw3hIjJEYrdSQ

 

 

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Specializes in Telemetry, Orthop/Surg, ER,StepDown.

I am currently working with Aya on a crisis assignment in California. It started off a bit rough but part of that was my fault and the other part was a recruiter that was swamped. I was contacted by the vp of business process and then the head of recruiters who both went and investigated the issue and resolved it quickly. I now have a new recruiter that is involved and responsive and my pay has been fixed. They had a problem with scaling quickly due to covid. they went from having five thousand travel nurses at the beginning of last year to now well over 20 thousand and so there are growing pains. If you reach out and professionally explain what your issues are they are going to reach back out and get it fixed. My view on them has improved greatly and there are a lot of varied assignments to choose from. Just like any travel gig you've got to be your best advocate and stay on top of things. 

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On 1/14/2021 at 4:47 PM, clinicalteach said:

I am currently working with Aya on a crisis assignment in California. It started off a bit rough but part of that was my fault and the other part was a recruiter that was swamped. I was contacted by the vp of business process and then the head of recruiters who both went and investigated the issue and resolved it quickly. I now have a new recruiter that is involved and responsive and my pay has been fixed. They had a problem with scaling quickly due to covid. they went from having five thousand travel nurses at the beginning of last year to now well over 20 thousand and so there are growing pains. If you reach out and professionally explain what your issues are they are going to reach back out and get it fixed. My view on them has improved greatly and there are a lot of varied assignments to choose from. Just like any travel gig you've got to be your best advocate and stay on top of things. 

I was interested in taking an assignment in California.  I wanted to know about the work environment.  Any idea of what the nurse-to-patient ratio is in the ICU? thanks

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8 hours ago, CCRNMICU said:

Any idea of what the nurse-to-patient ratio is in the ICU?

Minimum staffing levels mandated by law in California. Try Google! 

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I'm also wondering if travel is worth it. Pre-employment testing, submitting multiple documents, interviewing, finding affordable housing, driving to the new city. It sounds so time consuming and stressful. 

I would love to hear from more travelers on how to make it worth it. What mistakes to avoid. 

 

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Only if you like challenges, both clinical and cultural. You stay on a much steeper learning curve than the vast majority of staff jobs. And of course you have to like adventure and new places and friends. If that is not you, then stop considering it. Money should be secondary usually, but these are strange times. 

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On 1/14/2021 at 4:47 PM, clinicalteach said:

I am currently working with Aya on a crisis assignment in California. It started off a bit rough but part of that was my fault and the other part was a recruiter that was swamped. I was contacted by the vp of business process and then the head of recruiters who both went and investigated the issue and resolved it quickly. I now have a new recruiter that is involved and responsive and my pay has been fixed. They had a problem with scaling quickly due to covid. they went from having five thousand travel nurses at the beginning of last year to now well over 20 thousand and so there are growing pains. If you reach out and professionally explain what your issues are they are going to reach back out and get it fixed. My view on them has improved greatly and there are a lot of varied assignments to choose from. Just like any travel gig you've got to be your best advocate and stay on top of things. 

Hi, 

I'm currently working with the pharmacy department for a travel assignment. Do you mind telling me if they offer a meal stipend and the amount of the housing stipend? 

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