travel pay offer...your input again

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2012

I assume this means you are paying for your own housing. When I was a traveler, some assignments I let them find housing, some, I got my own. When I knew we were going to be in an area a while, I got my housing so I could take my husband and my dogs. On a few assignments, I was only a few hours from home, so I stayed in an extended stay hotel for 2 nights and drove home after my 3 day stretch.

I don't know what housing costs in the area you are planning to work, but if you pay your own, don't forget deposits and payments for apartment, electricity, phone, cable etc. that add up quickly. Plus it may be hard to find short term or month to month leases.

Also, this tax free housing allowance assumes you have a permanent tax home where you will also be paying bills.

When you are figuring weekly take home, be mindful that you may be asked to flex off or be called off if census is low, so check your contract carefully to see if you have a no flex off clause.

Good luck with what ever you decide, but just go in with your eyes open.

liebling5, MSN, RN · Jun 13, 2012

A travel company should reimburse you for license fees on your first paycheck. That goes for fingerprinting and such as well. Also, most offer a travel stipend of $250 the first week and another $250 at the end of a 13-week assignment. Standard among travel companies is a 36-hour weekly guarantee. That way, if you're flexed off because of low census, you still get paid.

NedRN · Jun 13, 2012

PanTravelers calculator is an important tool to help analyze offers. In general, total pay in the low 40s (and lower) is poor. Middle 40s is OK. High 40s is good. Anything better is excellent.

Of course, this does depend on location. Rent in Bakersfield is as low as anywhere in California so I think you have a decent offer. Especially for your first assignment.

The cool thing about the calculator is that it puts everything in one pot and figures out your total compensation. So you don't have to worry that one agency itemizes out travel pay and one doesn't. You will be able to compare agency offers on a level playing field.

By the way, if you don't get reimbursed for travel and licensure, you can deduct them from your taxes.

RNWhit07 · Jun 13, 2012

I remember you writing about getting ready to travel, its exciting you now have your first offer :) When do you plan on going? I am still looking at CA..but not until January due to a contract I have here at home. Where are you from again? I want to go to the Travel nursing conference, I wish they had one on the East Coast. Has anyone heard anything of a conference on the East Side of the Country... im in Virginia.