Travel in San Francisco

Specialties Travel

Published

Specializes in Neuroscience/Trauma ICU.

Hi all!

I am curently looking for a travel assignment in San Francisco (in the city) and was wondering if any one who has taken a travel assignment there would please give me some "ball park" information on the amount I should be expecting to receive monthly (after taxes). There have been a few positions offered to me by a couple different companies and they all seem to be qouting around the same amount monthly (after taxes). However, my issue is that I recently just finished a travel contract in Denver, CO that was paying only about $600 less/month than what all these positions in SF are offering? This seems pretty unusual to me, as I would definately think that SF travel positions should be paying way more than Denver? Please help with any advice that you can give. Thanks so much :)

Kristy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only answer I could offer would be that the employers pay what the market will bear. As long as they fill positions with the compensation they are presently offering, there is no incentive to raise it and decrease their profit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

There is no "right" answer to your question.

Pay/Wage all depends on how your company sets up/structures your contract.

36, 40, 48 hours/week? You should be getting higher pay for more hours you committ

Base pay vs. Blended. (Remember Cali pays time & 1/2 after 8-hrs/day.)

Some will factor in housing, medical and benefits to "complete" your quote.

Others will offer a stipend for cost of living. Not bad if you have no assets and are a "gypsy" traveler.

Very few will give you "straight pay" information but that is what you need to demand of them. What is the "base pay". Only then can you hope to understand the other comps and benefits that they're offering.

... I call it the "hide the money game". This will serve to dazzle and confuse you into believing you are receiving 48.00/hr when you actually are taking home about 30.00/hr. Trust me. It all will be as clear as mud.

Most travelers are lazy and don't look at nor will they read their contract. When they get 3-weeks into their assignment and look @ their pay stub, they realize that the base pay is 24.00/hr and THEN they think they're getting hosed. Sure, they're getting about 10 to 11 dollars more in benefits but when it comes to overtime you can betcha it's favoring the company and NOT you the traveler.

You want to always maximize "base pay" first because this will mean more money to you if you work extra shifts. Choosing a company that pays you extra for every shift/hour over the contract amount.

My Solution: Registry, PRN or Per Diem rates will imply no benefits but you actually SEE your wages for the hours worked. Eat your travel & housing expenses and go wherever you want. Greater flexibility and A LOT more money that way anyway.

Now for the answer to your questions.

Look for 40.00/hr BASE not blended for Bay Area wages. Less if you're taking more of tax-free money incentives.

Stay away for Kaiser. You work for them at your own risk. Many other hospitals in the city and beyond.

Oh, and have fun in San Francisco. It's a GREAT community. Enjoy it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

San Francisco (in the city) housing is much more expensive than Denver, so the pay is not going to be as high as you might think.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I want to go to SF. Here is what I was offered to work as a RN in Oakland for three 12 hr day shifts per week.

$19.14/hr : CA pays time and a half after 8 hours so average $22.33/hr

+ $35/ day living expenses for every day of contract.

+ $2300/month housing stipend.

Averaging everything into a 36 hours/ week, I calculate $45.10/ hr.

I was looking at the salary listing for UCSF Medical Center which shows beginning staff RN salaries at $47 and per diem at $61.

Initially they offered $1800 for housing stipend. I was shocked and said no way! They would only negotiate the housing stipend to increase my take home pay. The offer still seems too low. Plus, it isn't worth my time to work extra shifts at the low base pay although I could pick 1 shift a week through registry.

Does anyone know if this is a reasonable offer or are there better deals available.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in renal, med/surg/tele, hospice, MBU.

NurseGemini

I am curious about your experience traveling in Denver. I hope to try travel nursing this summer and prefer to be in Denver... what company did you travel through? Can you tell me a bit about your experience?

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello,

Just thought I would add my two cents. I came to the bay area as a travel RN two years ago. Northern California is a great place in many ways but travel nurses make less than staff nurses here.

Where I come from local agency and travel RN's make more money because we don't get benefits. Here staff is supreme. I have been on staff here for the last two years and make more money than I ever could have before I moved here.

The problem is landing a FT job in this economy. Things could ease up in the future and you may be able to find one.I have talked to nurses that come from the southern part of the country and they still do better flying in and out than staying in their home states. You'll have to run the numbers.

Also, housing here is extremely expensive. If you can arrange a roomie you'll be better off.

Don't forget to factor in being away from home. It really wears on you. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One more thing...

I just wanted to add this. I have spoken to nurses that have gotten jobs by going into hospitals through local registry. The difference here is there is no period of time between working through registry and being directly hired by a hospital that you have to wait.

If you start working registry in a hospital and the staff likes you that might be a way to get a FT position.

Just FYI

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i contracted with UCSF in 2008 and my contract was 30 something an hour with the time and a half over 8 hours...and I wouldve received 2600$/mo stiped for housing or private housing. I didnt go at the last minute.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Okay. Just in case someone is looking in to this dated thread... Bay Area nurses with > 1 year of experience start out at $60 / hr and per diem RNs start at $80 / hr but often work it with the overtime to make over $100 / hr. Granted all those folks have to pay Bay Area taxes..... Anyways you should negotiate your living expenses and stipends so that in the end you are bringing in $55 - $60 / hr. It is very difficult to negotiate > $60 / hr net for travelers... And if possible keep your residency in whatever state you are from that has low taxes so that you don't have to pay CA taxes (see a tax accountant for more specific info).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment