What is going on???

I'm taking my first travel assignment this week. I'm like you, I'm in it for the money and to get away from the politics. I have to say that from the companies I have spoken with, there are decent paying positions out there, depending on where you are willing to do. CA seems to be one of the highest in demand and in pay. I have to wonder if the industry is not floored with travel nurses and if that is why the pay seems to be decreasing. Let me know how you make out. I work ER, ICU and CCU so I have my eyes and ears open. I can tell you this, the south pays poorly and the SHA keeps the pay down. If you are looking in the $40.00/hr. You won't find it here.

We are finding the same problem. Alot of the BIG money is in very specialized areas. I work Peds most of the time and when I can find a great paying job in this area, there is not a m/s place for my husband.

Of course we are trying to get back south for the winter and are going to have to take a paycut to do it.

I don't know, was worried it was just us...LOL, sorry to say misery loves company.

I don't know, was worried it was just us...LOL, sorry to say misery loves company.

Hang in there! We will all get there eventually!

I am trying to stay positive.

IMHO, hospitals are feeling the crunch of more and more rules and regulations imposed by Medicare and then followed very closely by all of the insurance companies. All are looking to cut costs and increase the "bottom line". Nursing and ancillary staffing are the easiest ways initially to cut costs. Nurses depart and the staff work harder and short to fill in the gap. Some don't take planned vacations or other "time off" due to short staffing and the hospitals benefit. It comes back around though when another nurse or two leave and then the hospital scramble to find "warm bodies" to fill the gaps.

To me it's not the salaries so much that are off but the travel reimbursements. In 1989 I received $300.00 maximum travel from Iowa to California. In 2007 I received $300.00 maximum travel from Kansas to Florida. Now that is just out right WRONG and we still put up with it. I complain to the companies each time I am offered the travel money and they just respond "that's what we can allow."

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

Completely agreed RNERHOUSESUPOR! With the cost of fuel these days, $300 bucks is not going to get you very far.

My agency just increased the travel expense allowance to $1000 round trip, but the catch is that it comes off of your hourly salary. (about $2.00/hr) Believe me, it is not "extra" money. It is just being called something different to sound better.

The higher paying assignments now seem to be with rapid response. Two companies that specialize in this are Fastaff & On Assignment.

The more perks you want (furnished housing, rental car, insurance, etc) the less your pay will be no matter what company you go with. Each company negotiates a rate and keeps a certain percentage of the bill rate for themselves. Simply put, to maximize your income, you have to find a company that negotiates a higher bill rate and has a lower profit margin percentage. The companies with less overhead expenses are the ones that usually are able to live with a lower profit margin, & they are usually the smaller to mid size companies that do not do much advertising.

you have to find a company that negotiates a higher bill rate and has a lower profit margin percentage.

Aside from choosing a mid-sized company, how would you find this information? I have never had a company be overly forthcoming about their profit margin.

Thanks!