Bay Area, CA or Sacramento? Please Help!!

[RNCA]

I am a Med/Surg RN in the rural area of North California now and like to try travel nursing in Bay Area, CA or Sacramento. Which travel company is good for both areas? Is better join a travel company or find a hospital myself, which has a better pay? Bay Area, CA or Sacramento? Please share your thoughts, thanks.

[maggiedanurse]

both pay well. it boils down to what you want. big city life or northern ca routine? sac is sac close to everything really, napa sonoma lake tahoe the city and then the city oh the city it too is close to everything napa sonoma lake tahoe sac. i can see why you are confused! best of luck with your decision. i'm going to hawaii.

[Paullexie]

HI My very first time...traveling..I'm an ICU/Cath lab nurse with 14 years away from nursing school (El Paso Community college). I also want a travel assignment in SF or SAC. I'm thinking of buying an RV and selling my house in Tulsa OK and taking the housing allowance. No pet deposits, know what I mean. Let me know what you think about traveling to that area
Paul

[Sylvia321]

Originally Posted by RNCA

I am a Med/Surg RN in the rural area of North California now and like to try travel nursing in Bay Area, CA or Sacramento. Which travel company is good for both areas? Is better join a travel company or find a hospital myself, which has a better pay? Bay Area, CA or Sacramento? Please share your thoughts, thanks.

Bryan Healthcare and Hospital Support staff the Bay areas along with many other agencies. In Sac you should get at least $40/hr with free private housing (or stipend) (Bryan also give a car allowance in some areas)and medical bennies, plus round trip travel allowance or airfare.

I would avoid Kaiser and the Mercys in sacramento. There are 2 Sutters there that are NOT union. Kaiser is under a sate wide investigation for amoung other infractions, substandard care. Bryan Healthcare did have some Sutter Roseville.

Make your lists when you call agencies so you can keep what they tell you in order. Always call around to see which agency has what you need and want.

If you sell your home then you may lose your tax home. Read and understand the IRS rules for having a tax home, otherwise your housing allowance and/or agency paid apt may be taxed... The IRS will come after you and not the agency as you are the one who is ultimately responsible.

The bay area pay should be $40/hr and up, plus all the bennies. Many travel nurses have an RV and travel that way. You can google for the RV parks and get an idea of the monthly costs, etc. Try typing in nurse RVing.