Travel Reimbursements

[RNERHOUSESUPOR]

Ok with Diesel over $4.00 a gallon and gasoline nearing $3.50, will there be a change in the amount offered for travel??????? I was shocked last year when I was told that I would be given $600.00 for travel to and from my assignment. That's what I got back in 1989 for my first travel assignment. I complained but apparently on deaf ears, because that's the same amount I was offered again this year. With my decision to go full time in an RV and travel nursing I want to ask the readers here what a reasonable amount is to expect, or demand. I am getting around 10 mpg with my truck and 5th wheel. It was around 1700 miles from my home in Kansas to South Florida. It's going to cost at least $680.00 in fuel to get home. The last time I filled up the price was $3.65 and it was costing me $.23 per mile. My trip down pulling the trailer was around $.33 to $.36 per mile. I figure I will be looking at at least $.40 per mile on the trip back north. Thanks and if there is any way to link a poll with this I'd like to do it.

Rod

[bagladyrn, RN]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Still more lookers than responders, unless the counter picks up every time I check the site for responses.

I think the thing that bothers me more than anything else is that in 1989, for my first travel assignment, I was offered a travel maximum of $600.00 for expenses to travel to and from my assignment. I don't remember the per mile allowance but it really doesn't make any difference. Max of $600.00 is a max of $600.00 if it's at 20 cents per mile or 50 cents per mile. Yes you are able to deduct from your taxes the travel expenses that are not covered and I do that. My question to everyone is that with all the "fuel surcharge" increases everywhere, why has the travel money stayed the same for nearly 20 years for nurses???????????????????????????????????????????????????? After you answer that question then think about your salary back then and compare it with others. We are working more, with less and less benefits, sicker patients and more risks. That' a whole other post that may come later.

Rod

As I said in a previous post, I have seen the travel allotment increase once in my 11+ years of travel - the last time gas prices rose rapidly. This is why I have told my company it is my expectation that it will be increased now that costs have gone up so rapidly again. It will definitely be a negotiating factor when I get ready to move on to the next contract.

I do have to say that my hourly payrates have continued to rise at a pretty steady rate over the years, mainly because I turn down the contracts that don't meet my requirements.

[SheaOBRN]

I agree that the travel reimbursement should be more witht he gas prices going up.....absolutely! However the last 2 (and only 2 so far) reimbursements have covered my costs for fuel....and then had some left over. I keep the receipts just to know how much I spend and then compare it to what I am reimbursed for. I realize that the diesel is a different issue-I hope you are able to get more!

[kalphadawg]

Hey there, RNERHOUSESUPOR,

I am an ER nurse in Boca for the last 6 years now. Am going to start traveling, hopefully in June. If you are still in S FL, I would like to meet you and hear more about traveling in general, and traveling in an RV, especially. I am not sure I could arrange that yet, but it surely sounds enticing. Hope you are enjoying FL.

Thanks, Kim

[RNERHOUSESUPOR]

Sure, let me know when and where. Sent a pm with my current schedule

Rod