Travel pay offer...your input please

JJNurse29 · Apr 26, 2012

Depending on what city you are in, that contract looks pretty good. Most of the contracts I have seen, have charge pay as a few bucks more an hour. If you think the facility is really going to put you in that role, you may be able to negotiate a little more money for charge pay from your recruiter.

79Tango · Apr 26, 2012

That deal sounds OK.. It really depends on the location and cost of the housing to know if it is a good deal or not. What do the locals there make? If they are making more than $37/HR then you could probably do better.

The thing about it is, youve gotta start somewhere. If they put a contract in your hands, that should carry some weight.

sweetgurly25 · Apr 26, 2012

thanks for your input, i told her to let me know if they would increase the rate on days i charge. i feel like shes rushing me. shes telling me to jump on it because they have other files. but i know that facility, and they need nurses bad. oh this is in tx by the way.

chris05 · May 2, 2012

That is horrible, im wondering if the other posters are nursing recruiters trying to keep the pay low for a new travel RN? Saying "that deal sounds ok" is crazy!

sweetgurly25 · May 2, 2012

chris05 i thought that as well. every other forum has told me to run from this. they are not paying holiday pay. call pay is only 2$ more per hour. plus i have to charge and float anywhere. the overtime is $30. they are allowed to cancel me 36 hours without pay. everything in my being is telling me not to take it. i told the recruiter i would but i have not signed anything yet. i hope i am not obligated to.

JJNurse29 · May 3, 2012

First off, I am not a recruiter. I am an active travel nurse and yes, I do think that contract looks pretty good. Personally, I like to keep my hourly rate low and max out on my stipends. I don't do overtime so I could care less that time and a half on $20/hr is $30. Same goes for holidays. During her contract, she will only be there for memorial day and July 4th. Yeah she might make $300 or $400 more on those two days if she had a higher taxable rate but it's gonna be negated over the course of the contract from paying more in taxes all 13 weeks. She also needs to check with the facility to see if they even pay holiday pay for memorial day and July 4th. If I get a contract in front of me to clear $1300 a week after taxes in an area I want to work, I take it. I would love to see some of your contracts since you seem to claim you get so much more.

ERRNinMI · May 3, 2012

Seems reasonable, but like other posters depends on area and what the local pay is. I'm in Cali so this are a bit higher out here. The low hourly taxable rate kind of throws you off, but it puts you in a lower tax bracket. And until you sign on the dotted line, you are not obligated, but it might alter you relationship with that company.

chris05 · May 9, 2012

Travel take home pay should be at least 1000. per week NOT including housing, California probably pays the most! Travel agencies will pay you what you accept. Remember they are getting a bill rate per hour for you, anywhere from $80 - over $120 per hour and then they break it up however they want . The housing stipend in Cali is around $1800. per mo, those are on the IRS website! Dont settle!

Shay1482 · May 19, 2012

Arghhhh....call several agencies and ask what they can do for you....many agencies staff the same hospitals..and will compete if you tell them what is sitting on the table. From what i have researched thus far agencies bill a hospital around 60/hr times 468 hrs for a 36 hr work week times 13 weeks. From that number they take a percentage, then they secure housing..... You can ask which apartment they will place you in and check out what a 1 bedroom apt goes for.....and you can also ask what amount they pay for housing..... The rest of what's left goes to your pay........per hour is taxable, housing and per diem for meals and travel to and from an assignment is not taxable, if you are away from home and duplicating expenses. I would decline this contract because it doesn't guarantee 36 hrs a week, or pay holiday pay.......but again shop around...don't just jump at the first offer...from what I have researched Texas does not have state tax. Good luck!

mikesmith648 · May 26, 2012

Texas does not have a state tax.. The last time I was offered a contract in Texas it was for $28 an hour with housing. Did not see if stipend was included but it probably was. I agree that you should get take home of at least 1000 a week but Texas is a lower paying state overall.

I am registered with 14 different companies and I make sure they all know it......I am not settling on a low deal..and I let them know that too. They are supposed to be working for you and making you happy so you will continue to work for them. Some of the recruiters don't realize this or seem to care.

Just my 2 cents

sweetgurly25 · May 26, 2012

thanks for your advice i did not take the assignment