i am a first time traveller and was wondering what is a good hourly rate for an experienced (3-4yrs) emergency, med/surg background nurse in california. more specifically los angeles area. i have received a contract for:
pay rate: 15.50/hr
[color=#483d8b]on call: 4.00
[color=#483d8b]ot rate 23.25
[color=#483d8b]holiday rate: 31.00
[color=#483d8b]call back: 23.25
[color=#483d8b]meals allowance: 280.00/week
[color=#483d8b]housing allowance: 490.00/week
[color=#483d8b]
[color=#483d8b]no med/dental, no bonus', 13 weeks, 36hrs/week
[color=#483d8b]
is this reasonable, i know contracts are tight right now so i'm not sure.
i am a first time traveller and was wondering what is a good hourly rate for an experienced (3-4yrs) emergency, med/surg background nurse in california. more specifically los angeles area. i have received a contract for:
pay rate: 15.50/hr
[color=#483d8b]on call: 4.00
[color=#483d8b]ot rate 23.25
[color=#483d8b]holiday rate: 31.00
[color=#483d8b]call back: 23.25
[color=#483d8b]meals allowance: 280.00/week
[color=#483d8b]housing allowance: 490.00/week
[color=#483d8b]no med/dental, no bonus', 13 weeks, 36hrs/week
is this reasonable, i know contracts are tight right now so i'm not sure.
my agency told me that the blended rate had nothing to do with housing, and meals. pretty much for cali they said anyone who works over 8 hours in a day needs ot. according to them a blended rate is for the 12 hour nurses. so from what they told me the blended rate would work out to this:
base pay: $15.50 x 8 hours = $124
"ot" pay: $23.25 x 4 hours = $93
124 + 93 = 217/12 hours = $18.08 per hour!!!!
now, if that pay rate quoted is the blended rate, then that's even worst!
Ask your recruiter how much you will take home weekly after taxes. I always ask that & that is what I use to compare offers. Of course assuming assignments are 36 hours a week. Research the area you are interested in, as you need to know what housing is going to run. If housing is sky high you may do better to take their housing & have a smaller weekly paycheck. Go to see the country & to have fun because you probably are not going to make a lot of money.
Whatever company gave you this rate, you need to NEVER do business with them, and I repeat, NEVER. You are getting screwed, big time. I worked in LA Nov of last year with American Mobile (whom I was unhappy with my recruiter) and even they paid better than that.
Nov Last yr, I was paid:
$23.27/hr (blended rate)
OT was time & half (never did OT because I was paid pellets vs what their staff made)
$875/wk Housing
$245/wk Meals & incidentals
Free dental, vision & medical
Whoever told you assignments are hard to come by is lying to you- it maybe harder because you're a new traveler, but don't let these companies take advantage of your inexperience!
My "blended" rates in southern CA have been 34-39/hour the past 2 years and I take the housing provided, so that's not included. Seems low. Except in San Diego I know they don't pay that well.
nyteshade, BSN
555 Posts
my agency told me that the blended rate had nothing to do with housing, and meals. pretty much for cali they said anyone who works over 8 hours in a day needs ot. according to them a blended rate is for the 12 hour nurses. so from what they told me the blended rate would work out to this:
base pay: $15.50 x 8 hours = $124
"ot" pay: $23.25 x 4 hours = $93
124 + 93 = 217/12 hours = $18.08 per hour!!!!
now, if that pay rate quoted is the blended rate, then that's even worst!