What do YOU think? Contract Question(s)!

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

I am in the midst of my first travel contract (the original eight weeks are done and I am entering an eight-week extension) and I wanted to ask OTHER TRAVELERS (not aspiring nursing students, nursing students, or nurses who have never traveled) what they thought of my contract. I am in a 250-bed +/- non-teaching hospital in Upstate New York and here's what I am receiving:

Hourly Rate: $18

Monthly Housing Allowance: $2,000

Per Diem Rate: $35

Travel Allowance: $500

While this is definitely more money than I would make in my hometown, I want to know your thoughts. If I were to accept an assignment in, say, Southern California, I would expect to receive a higher rate as well as a higher monthly housing allowance. Do you agree? Considering the cost of living is low where I am (i.e. average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $700), I feel I can only go UP from here! Thank you for your input!

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Specializes in OB.

Yes, you are right. In an area with higher cost of living I would negotiate for higher hourly rate (because everything there costs more, not just housing) as well as higher housing allotment.

As an aside, the travel allowance should be for each way - 500 to assignment and 500 from assignment. Don't know if that is what you meant or not, just for general information.

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

Thanks, bagladyrn! The $500 was round-trip. The reimbursement for mileage was only $260. So, I lost $240. When I negotiated my extension, I received a $600 travel allowance (which I am using on a multi-stop airline ticket). As much as I like my recruiter, I think I am going to field offers from the three agencies I'm registered with to see who offers the better deal.

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Specializes in Postpartum, Antepartum, Psych., SDS, OR.

Travel pay hasn't kept up with the cost of gas, motel rooms and food on the road.

Keep in touch, I too am looking around for a company that pays more!!

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Specializes in Tele/PCU/MedSurg/Travel.

Minstrel,

Did you take the housing allowance and find your own housing? If so, where did you locate it (Craigslist, etc?)

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Specializes in OB.
Thanks, bagladyrn! The $500 was round-trip. The reimbursement for mileage was only $260. So, I lost $240. When I negotiated my extension, I received a $600 travel allowance (which I am using on a multi-stop airline ticket). As much as I like my recruiter, I think I am going to field offers from the three agencies I'm registered with to see who offers the better deal.

It wasn't so much the exact amount I was referring to so much as that you should get a travel allotment for "x" amount TO the assignment and "x" amount home at the end of the assignment. Then if you should do another contract with that company you should subsequently get travel from home to next contract and so forth. I hope that makes sense.

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Travel $$ is in the same realm as "start/end" bonus. Typically $500/travel = $1/hr on the pay side.

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.
Minstrel,

Did you take the housing allowance and find your own housing? If so, where did you locate it (Craigslist, etc?)

While it was challenging in a small(er) town, I found a room in a private home via Craiglist. Good luck!

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.
It wasn't so much the exact amount I was referring to so much as that you should get a travel allotment for "x" amount TO the assignment and "x" amount home at the end of the assignment. Then if you should do another contract with that company you should subsequently get travel from home to next contract and so forth. I hope that makes sense.

I got 'ya! I'm not sure if the remaining amount of my allowance - $240 - is mine to use for mileage back home or so. It should be, right? If my agency feels otherwise, do you feel that I should have THAT explicitly stated in my future contracts? THANKS!

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.
Travel $$ is in the same realm as "start/end" bonus. Typically $500/travel = $1/hr on the pay side.

My bottom line is that I MAY be losing $240 (which I factor into my hourly rate when comparing options). I am not so much a stickler on location because I can make the most of any situation, BUT DO NOT MESS WITH MY $$$. :)

___

My recruiter is nice enough, but I can envision her saying that the additional travel allowance I negotiated for extending eight weeks is $$$ enough.

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Specializes in Ortho/Uro/Peds/Research/PH/Insur/Travel.

HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE: So, my agency deducted (or attempted to) money last week because I worked overtime and the facility ONLY pays for UP TO 40 hours. My agency has to pay for any overtime. While I got it cleared up (and my $$$ back!), I think that is suspect behavior (especially since the facility is scheduling me 4 12-hour shifts AND this is not mentioned in my contract, etc.). Thoughts?

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As you probably already know you must be paid for ANY hours you work. How you are paid (straight/over time) depends on the state OT laws.. If you are working 12's OT is typically anything over 80hrs/2week period. CA has made OT over 40/1 week period. My thoughts are you need to pay attention to your timecards and checkstubs. As far as negotiating your travel $$ whats done is done.

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