What is a good package for Boynton Beach, FL?

NedRN · Dec 24, 2013

What is your specialty, years of experience, types of hospital experience, travel assignments completed, reference quality, and agency you want to use? See the issue here?

The best way to find your answer is to call several agencies. There is not much we could say that would be relevant to you. Even if a traveler with your identical resume who is working now (not five years ago) in your desired location were to respond (lightning, right?), there is still the issue with with getting all the compensation details accurately posted here, and the agency you actually call quoting compensation in exactly the same way.

Sorry, it is difficult to impossible to shortcut the legwork required.

Rain_ray2000 · Dec 25, 2013

Hey NedRN, I am Med/surg Tele. 3 yrs of experience. I have worked in both teaching and community hospital. Even though I have only completed 1 travel assignment, my references have been excellent. In fact I was asked to get a full time position at my current travel position, or at least renew the assignment. The assignment of near south Miami. I just wanted a rough estimate, so that I can either bargain or except the offer.

I would really appreciate the insight.

NedRN · Dec 25, 2013

Sounds like you are in a good starting position. I gather that you an offer in hand? If you want to negotiate from a position of strength, you need to collect offers from other agencies. Even if someone were to tell you something here, that doesn't carry the same weight as a real quote. You might even find something you like better!

While you still need to get other quotes (information is power), I can tell you a couple things about negotiating. For real strength at any step in the process, you always need to be able to walk away. To walk away, you have to have a Plan B and even a Plan C ready. That is what talking to other agencies gets you.

So here is something you may not have thought of: if you go ahead and interview and the hospital says they want you, now your negotiating strength with the agency has just increased! If you turn down the position, this agency has likely lost that assignment for good. They are not the only agency submitting travelers, and one of the others is now likely to get it. So if you walk, they have left money on the table.

Negotiating is a two-way street though and you can't just make unreasonable demands. The more you know the better off you will be. What similar assignments are paying with other agencies in the same area, what the bill rate is, size of the agency (to help in guessing their probable gross profit margin) and so on. From the interview, you might find out if there is OT available. If you are interested in working extra, that is something you can give the agency as an offset for increasing your pay. On the OT subject, if available and you are going to work OT, make sure your OT rate is adequate incentive to work OT. An OT rate based on a $20 base is just pathetic. But there is no point in losing negotiating points on this if there is no OT available or wanted. Save negotiating for things that are important.

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Dec 27, 2013

I don't have concrete numbers yet but what is a good amount? I have never gone to FL, so I am sure as to what is a reasonable compensation package. Thanx.[/quote']
I did an assignment near there. Mine was considered Atlantis, FL. I would try to get $1500-2000 for housing at least, plus meals per diem, and then I wouldn't expect more then $23-25/hour taxable in that area. Nurses don't get paid great in Florida. But if you can get more, great! Good luck!