Let's talk about the money-What's fair???

[RockinRobynRN]

I am planning on travelling for the first time in January. I saw on another thread that you probably should be making at least $30/hr. Is this the norm? I don't want to be greedy, but I want to be paid what I'm worth. What has your experience been? I know it's more about what part of the country you are in & how comfortable you feel with your assignment, but what is an average? I haven't a clue!! I currently work in an Surg/Trauma ICU at a Level I hospital & I also have ER experience in a 24-bed Level III ER. Thanks for the input!!!!!!!

[maggiedanurse]

it depends upon what part of the country you are in. some states value nurses more than well lets face it florida. ca, you are paid about 35 to 40 icu is good to have if you have a certification. it also depends on the company some will take from you and screw you others will make less money and give more to you. stay away from intellistaff. they will screw you. all the recruiters make money off of you! the less you get the more they make. go to the travel company reviews on this website and see which company has the best reviews and go with them. the reviews are written by the nurses that work for them. you will see a pattern of holding paychecks etc all the complaints are the same and those are the companies to avoid.

[spotlight4u]

Watch out for Trustaff as well. They cannot be trusted. If you are an ICU nurse, you should be making $40-45/hr as a travel nurse. Check with your agency about the difference between base pay and per diem pay you will be getting on your assignment. A biggie!!!!!- check about overtime pay! What will you be paid from hours 36 to 40 before you actually will be paid the agreed upon OT rate. Trust me, nothing like finding out after-the-fact that you only get paid the base rate and not the per diem rate until you reach 40 hours. Nothing like working for $8.20/hr for the first 4 hours!!!!!! This they don't tell you up front! At least Trustaff doesn't say anything. Bottom line...... no matter who says they offer free housing, it all comes out of your pay. The agency does not give you anything. Afterall, why do you think they are in the business that thay are in; and, why do you suppose the agency business is a 7.2 BILLION dollar annual revenue business?????????????

[Lavendarj]

well i am fixing to go on my first assignment.. and i am currently making $30 an hour as a PRN icu nurse.. i told them i wanted at least that in Ca to go.. we are still working out the details.. american mobile said they are going to check to see if they can get me a bonus to make up for it. they were wanted to pay me $25 to go to san diego.. there is just no way i can take a $5 pay cut to be a travel nurse..

i am just looking to work med surge.. i am a little scared to travel into an icu.. for my first assignment

[Sylvia321]

Southern Ca pays lower than San Fran or Sacramento. ICU should be getting at least $35 even in Southern CA. American mobile tends to low ball nurses.

I don't know if I am allowed to name agencies on this forum or not. There is an agency in No CA that pay at least $40/hr in San fransico plus car allowance and free private housing...

[nursesong]

Are you folks talking $35-45/ hr with per diem or without?

[Sylvia321]

Are you folks talking $35-45/ hr with per diem or without?

Let me give an example, as a traveler in Sacramento, I was paid $40/hr with guaranteed 48hrs/week, at least a 4 week contract (with many extentions over the last 3 yrs) plus free private apt and car allowance $125/week with Bryan Healthcare. They offer health insurance (kaiser), which I declined as I have my own. This is a travel nurse NOT per diem. All of the $40/hr was taxed. I do not like those "tax advantage" programs as youhave to be careful or you may be working overtime for less than what you think.

Some hospitals in CA pay time and a half after 8 hrs and some after 40 hrs/week. Double time is always after 12 straight hrs (state law). So if you work 13 hrs straight you get double time for that last hour.