Travel nurses = they give you the worst and most acute patients. Sometimes other nurses take advantage of you too since they know you are getting paid more, so they tell you to do more. Before signing that contract, make sure you know the job description so you can say no to bullies once you are on the floor. Protect that license!
I've been traveling for 3 yrs. Never been mistreated. I've been to CA, TX, LA, MA, WA and no abuse from staffing or charge nurses. Now, I have had minor issues with other nurses but you can nip that in the budq
I also have read that hospitals give the most critically I’ll patients to the nurses with the most experience and knowledge in their unit. Giving a critically ill patient to a travel nurse goes against proper nursing g practice, but still I’m sure it may happe
The other states are competing with California now. It's interesting to hit those California rates in other states and not be taxed at 13%. I left California February 2021 and I'm really enjoying seeing the other states. Travel Nursing is the future. I will also recommend only working 36 hours a week. I personally work 36 hours for 9 months of the year. I take off 3 months to Travel and enjoy my life guilt free! Do you see yourself becoming a Travel CRNA?
Good video, the best decision I made as a RN nurse was to create a side hustle for extra income streams. It has really helped me and my family financially stable.
@@shanoimelissa3425 I made a couple of investments but my investment in forex and crypto has been yielding good profits and I Don't think of stopping anytime soon
Love seeing others break down their income. Part of the reason why my wife and I moved to California, from NYC, is because of the amazing benefits offered to its employees. Here we have nurse to patient ratio laws, 1.5x for any hours worked over 8 hours per day (or over 40 hours per week), double time for any hour worked over 12 hours per day (or on the 7th consecutive day of work), and the oay here is so high that we always feel like we're being overpaid 🤐.
Yeah but higher cost of living and 1 million+ just to buy a forever home with children involved makes it all even out with the rest of the United States. We can never win. BUT still good pay as a traveler and plenty of travel assignments in California. So just doing local assignments is well worth it to live in California, which is my original home!
With crisis assignments I’ve actually made that in about a week and a half I worked 60 hours a week factor in overtime. The facility was really nice to us which is why I added more days to my schedule. YAY for nurses. The money is great but the care for the patients, team, and family made it beautiful.
This just reminds of my mom who was a nurse. But she worked in a nursing home. She is now in heaven, gosh I miss her. She used to support the whole family.. I miss her even more when I think about how she supported us. I love you Mom
Get it girl! Make that money and reap these benefits. I remember a travel nurse said, this is the pay nurses should be getting period. Im rooting for better days
I don’t know why I torture myself with these videos…. I’m not a nurse anymore and lost my license eligibility after five years not practicing and work in insurance now but like to still watch these videos, nurses getting the pay they deserve finally post Covid …. Just hope continues cuz they deserve it!
Hi, Nick Gallegos. You can get your license. Call your board of nursing; you might need to send in your diploma and do fingerprints, and also do a refresher course, but you should be able to get your license back as long as it wasn't for something else you lost.
@@donnathedead7554 I didn’t know there was an option but may be different for me because I never took nclex , they said I had 4 or 5 years to do it or would have to go to school all over again but you would think they would have more options for us now being there is a shortage….
Greaet video! Travel nursing was the best decision that we have done in our careers. We also noticed smaller agencies will typically pay more because they have smaller margins versus the larger agencies like AMN, Aya & Etc. Smaller company = less executives = more money in your pocket.
most nurses should earn this. just look at software engineers. their bachelor's degree just like BSN and they make some more wages after a couple of years of experienced. I have no idea why people freak out about nurses salary when literally every other profession is making shitload of money without actually saving lives and taking on so much responsibility and liability
Great video! Well organized, broken up by chapters, fully explained with real data. I had to wade thru 5 terrible other videos before finding this gem. Other youtube channels should take note, this is how you do it right.
I’m trying to figure out what I want to do before going to college and travel nurse was one of my options and out of all of the videos I have watched this is the best one so far because it gets to the point and it’s transparent. I think I’ll be going into this field.
Thank you so much 😊 I’m an RN as well. I’ve been a nurse for 10 years but believe it of not, I have to go back and do a year on a medsurg floor d/t me not having recent exp. I’ve dabbled in a lot of areas. Ugh! I think the crying is bc you’re finally being paid what your worth. I know for a fact I will cry too. I can’t wait to travel. I already have a CA license, just need the current exp.
Can you make a video on how to overcome anxiety before accepting an assignment? I’m going through this hard right now after every contract ends. I’m nervous about the staff and my workload and just overall the feeling of being lost in yet another new unit.
You do not have to pay CA taxes if you just work there on a temporary basis (less than one year). You only pay state tax in your domicile (home state).
I work as a dental hygienist in MA making $100k/year and I am thinking of going back to school to do nursing. There are more options with a nursing degree and def. Pays more as a travel nurse!
That’s really good income! There are a lot of different options with nursing which is the best part. There’s always room for switching specialties or continue your education also!
Staff nurses in Cali making money I’m talking about 250-350k a year before the pandemic from what I heard and experienced myself. I want to be crna because it’s my passion and they can make a 💰. I had mentors tell me they made from 1099 contracts from 1800-2000 dollars a day. They were making 400k-450k a year just working 40 hours a week.
I really appreciate your transparency (don't see that often!). Love REI book behind you. I heard travel nursing is a great option for mid term rentals.
Your video was so informative! While watching it, I had some questions to ask you. 1) What unit do you work in? 2) I don't know if you want to share, but which hospital do you work at? 3) Lastly, which travel agency/company do you work with?
Hello Hye! 1.) I work in an ICU! 2.) At the moment, while I’m working this contract, I don’t wanna share the exact hospital for safety/privacy purposes but I can after. 3.) I work with many agencies, but this contract is with AYA. Hope that helps!🤍
@@SRNAPaul Do you think the pay rate will be less if you don’t work as an ICU travel RN? And which other hospitals have you worked at in Northern California that you liked??
@@hyejinpark1924 I’ve seen Med Surg & ER contracts go for the same rates before! & this is the only hospital I’ve worked in in Northern California so I’m not sure about the other hospitals tbh!
@@hyejinpark1924 it’s been okay. I’ve definitely had pros n cons for all agencies I’ve worked with. I have heard of flexcare but have never worked with them!
Your rent is cheap per California rents. Biggest challenge for travel nurses is the rent because they tend to go up. Nurses do the hardest jobs, exposed to disease so, you deserve to be paid a decent wage.
Could you make a video about the agencies you choose to work with? I'm in nursing school and want to go to CRNA school as well. So excited to see your journey! Also, was that assignment for the ICU?
I learned alot tnx for sharing..im working at an SNF..i mean its nothing compared to what u have.. but I agree with 3 days 12 hrs..the past few months been working for 5 day straight.. i feel like a ghost.. damn that per hour not even close to my 31 per hour..
Make sure you do the math people…..if you plan on doing lots of overtime (grinding) the stipend and lower hr pay isn’t helpful. Higher hr rate means you get a lot more with overtime even with the higher tax taken. So if only 36hr /wk absolutely take the stipend but if you plan on 48 to 72hr /wk go for straight pay or lower stipend especially in California.. whatever the case do the math to see what will work for you
This is a great in depth break down of your earnings. Thanks for sharing! But traveling nurse seem to be of a single or very understanding partner and a young nurse life. You have to be able to sacrifice the imbalance in life when you’re doing this right? Good luck to all co-nurses out there. Cheers from IRELAND 🇮🇪
Thank you for being honest! I do NOT make nearly as much but I see even my older coworkers working all the time they can and I don’t understand how they do it. I feel weak not being able to but everyone is different.
please don't feel weak! Being a travel nurse requires a lot of sacrifices and it's not as easy of a lifestyle as what people may think. Going to hospitals you have no idea how you're going to be treated and moving every 3 months can be very scary. I've met many staff nurses who want to travel to make money but they have families that they can't leave for months or are just very comfortable with where they work. Everyone is different with their circumstances.
Thank you for being transparent. If I lived in another city within the state and my bf lives in another city. If I decide to live with my boyfriend permanently but still work under travel nurse contract in his Area, does it work?
Of course! And essentially, you need to be able to show that you are duplicating your expenses. You need a permanent tax home and your travel home (have 2 leases) in order to get that tax free stipend. If you can’t show that you have 2 homes, you can do local travel contract and not get the tax free stipend. You can draw up a lease with your boyfriend and keep your home in your other city and that will cover you.
Wow this is very informative. I’m def going to consider travel nursing . Staff nurses don’t make this at all with all the back breaking work that we do. What’s your specialty if you don’t mind me asking .
@@hamid786ish I worked as a nurse tech in a trauma ICU during nursing school so when I passed my NCLEX, I already had an RN job offered to me in that unit! So I started working there as a nurse right after graduating. Other people I know applied to many hospitals and new grad programs!
Duplicate expenses? So if I don't pay rent in Texas and I go to another state, does that mean I am responsible for paying for lodgings during the contract?
@SRNA Paul I work the 3rd shift at the hospital. Got to talk to few nurses and sometimes overhear their conversations on money lol. The retention bonuses was 20k for nurses. Nurses that don't travel make about 60 an hour. Travel nurses makes a lot more of course.I am not a nurse and make far less but I enjoy my job as a equipment technician. I had no idea nurses make that kind of money. The schedule is amazing 👏 congratulations on the wealth and keeping people healthy as well
I work at an step down unit, full time employee for two years, have a bachelor degree and I don't even get $30, plus assignment are no safe sometime and ratio is 5:1. Now in the pandemic we are getting up to 6 pts. I want to do travel but I have my home and two kids, my husband wouldn't let me. 😕
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve met many people who are on the same boat as you. Unfortunately, they have also stayed as staff because of their family situation or they were able to do local travel instead. Definitely look into local travel and see if that is ok with your husband! You’ll still get to earn more than what you’re making now and stay within your area. You just won’t get the stipend.
Good for a short term goal but don’t trade your health for money I did the same thing and she didn’t go into how they will beat you down cancel you when census is low your paid the highest treated like the lowest be careful
I have another video for the bad side of travel nursing! Top 3 WORST Things About Travel Nursing ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-afN4l_4b12s.html
There’s definitely cons to being a travel nurse but doing your research on the facility is helpful! I’m lucky this hospital was very kind to travelers & I extended there & got the same pay rate!
This was an ICU contract & non covid! I’m not sure how it’ll be in 5 years but there’s definitely still a nursing shortage that I don’t think travel contracts will ever go away.
Hi Esther, I use: facebook.com/groups/TheGypsyNurseNetwork/?ref=share facebook.com/groups/224872185725039/?ref=share facebook.com/groups/cancellations/?ref=share Hope this helps!🤍
Hi! Question! So, do you also have to pay rent in your home state while you're away? Or lets's say you are renting and break your lease when leaving to travel, do you still get a stipend? Thank you!
Hi Whitney! YES, for tax purposes, you need to be able to show proof that you are renting in your home state and your travel state. You can get audited anytime and your agency will make you sign your contract stating you are doubling your expenses! A lot of ppl rent a cheap room just to have a lease for their home state. Hope that helps♥️
Thank you yazmin! I would start looking at agencies and see which city or state you wanna travel to. Also, look at the rates and how much you wanna get paid!
Thank you sooo much for this amazing video. I appreciate you breaking down your paycheck and for being so transparent. I do have one question, I’m a new graduate. How long should I wait to do traveling in your opinion?
Of course!! I’m glad it gave you some insight on travel nurse pay. I recommend 1.5-2 years of experience in your specialty. Whenever you feel comfortable to be on your own and take care of patients safely.
here's my video on agencies I do & don't recommend! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7bjd2KBpD6E.html&lc=Ugxh2dDYaf0EOQSd5yx4AaABAg I hope it helps ❤
Hey! What if your home state is California? For example, you live in San Diego and pay a mortgage, but take a travel contract in the Bay Area and utilize an air bnb while working out your 13 week assignment. Any stipulations with that?
I got taxed 20% just like every other state I worked in so it didn't feel like a big impact on my pay. I guess we're just used to being taxed unfortunately lol!
Hi Paul, thank you for the amazing video and information. I have a few questions if you don't mind me asking. 1) Do you have to spend all the stipend money on traveling (housing, gas, food etc) since its tax free? I am just being cautious about it if I got audited. Like do I have to save every single receipts? I heard some new travel RN on my unit stating that her stipend is taxable because she couldn't show her primary residence from her home state. Like she will need to live in her home state for a month during the year or something like that. 2) Since Cross Country Nurses is on the video, have you actually worked with that travel company before? I am using an app called Vivian to find my assignment. I am new and try to start with a good company and recruiter. I have a specific hospital in mind that I want to work for and Cross Country Nurses happens to be one of the agents. Thank you 😉
Hi Brian, of course and thanks for watching! 1) no, you do not have to show every expense but you do need to show that you are paying for 2 homes. I have a home I pay for in Florida (my tax home) and my travel home here in California. I charge everything on my credit card just in case. This will show my spending on food, gas, and other items. I keep a copy of my lease for all of my homes. 2) I also use Vivian! It’s a great website. I haven’t worked with cross country but I have friends who have. They said they recommend it.
@@SRNAPaul What if you have friends that you can live with temporarily while you take a travel nursing assignment? Is there minimum expense you must be able to prove you have paid in order to pocket the housing stiped? Ie, would there be a minimum rent payment?
No, most travel contracts are actually W2. Local travel like IntelyCare or Shiftkey where you can pick up shifts anytime is 1099 and you would have to pay taxes after.
Is travel nursing still marketable in 2024? I'm deciding whether to choose between mechanical engineering and travel nursing as I'm interested in both science - physics, chem, bio- and maths. Money gonna be my decision factor then XD. According to your experiences who gets more paid, engineering or nursing??
I can’t speak for how the mechanical engineering job market & salary is but travel nursing can be volatile. You have to do your own research for the best agencies & travel contracts to get the best pay/offer. The job itself is vastly different from mechanical engineering. So you really have to weigh what type of work life you want and if you are willing to travel every few months and have that uncertainty with your next contract. Some seasons the contracts have lower pay and kicks back up again. I hope that helps🫶🏼
You need to be able to show proof that you’re paying for housing in your home state. You can sign a lease with your parents and pay them monthly. The rent has to be close to how much rent is going for in your area (ex. 1 bedroom for rent $600/mo). Make sure you have a record of each month you pay them and a record for your rent to wherever you’re travel nursing in!
I’ve never heard about needing to pay rent at your home address and pay rent where you travel to.. what if you “live” with your parents, or the building is owned so there is no payment?? Is this a California thing?
You essentially have to show proof that you're living in 2 separate places in order to get the stipend. That's how it works for all states as a travel nurse. You can come up with a lease with your parents and pay them rent monthly for a room. Some people have rented a room that's cheap so they can get their stipend.
I don’t think that’s an issue. You just have to have proof that you’re paying your mortgage. I’ve heard of other travelers who rent out their home while they are on assignment.
I started CRNA school a year ago so I stopped travel nursing before school started. I’m not sure how rates are going for now and they do fluctuate unfortunately.
I’m new here and I’m not sure what a SRNA is. I googled it and I found State Registered Nursing Assistant. Is that correct? I live in Ohio and we have a STNA, State Tested Nursing Assistant and you can become one in just a few weeks through a class that sometimes is offered free at a nursing home. And what is a CRNA? I would like to become a nurse and travel to see the country.
Hi Mollie, SRNA is Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist! CRNA is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist once an SRNA finishes the program and passes boards. So I’m currently a student in CRNA school. Travel nursing is awesome and definitely a great way to see the the country!
YES! you will get your stipend weekly no matter how you spend it. They don't have access to how you spend your stipend so thats how I was able to save for CRNA school.
Thank you! This is great! My friend is planning to do travel nursing, and i am planning to do travel social work. What agencies do you recommend for both a nurse and social worker??
No prob! I don’t know much about contracts for social work but I’ve done contracts with AYA, Nuwest, and Stability (those are the ones I recommend)! Hope that helps🤍
Of course! I know people rent out their rooms or in-law/guest suites on Furnished Finders or Airbnb. That’s how we’ve found places to rent in different cities!
Can you explain why you decided to leave travel nursing to pay for schooling to work a job with about the same salary? There’s no travel CRNA jobs right?
Of course! CRNA has always been my passion and my end goal. Being a CRNA is a completely different workflow. I get to focus on my one patient and take care of them during their surgery or procedure. Travel nursing rates can go up and down. These high rates aren’t always this high. I also want to settle down and not have to move every 3-6 months. There are travel CRNA jobs!
@@SRNAPaul Thanks! that's a great insight. I hope it all works out. I also had CRNA in mind but after seeing your salary breakdown, I don't know if it's worth going back to school just to get the same salary. Though, I also wonder if I can fit my whole life in a suitcase and travel every 3-6 months.
I am sorry but nowhere can i find a job resembling anything near what you are claiming. Stipends are at most $2200 per month not a week and pay is at most $4000 per week for 4 x 12 hr shifts. I hate to be the one but it just does not make sense and i cannot confirm it anywhere.
I posted this video back in January 2022. That was my rate at that time in northern California. These are my actual paychecks I’m showing in the video. Travel nursing rates will go up and down. Right now they are extremely low and can’t compare to how it was more than a year ago. One downside to travel nursing is the instability of the pay & contracts available. There isn’t a set high rate available at any given time.
I’ve only been taxed in the states I’ve worked in! When tax season comes, you get a w2 from all the agencies you worked with and you file for each state.
Travel nursing and staff nursing are completely different pay. I was making $28/hr at my staff job in Florida and I make $104/hr as a travel nurse now doing the same work. Nurses are overworked and the pandemic has worsened the situations in many hospitals. There has been a shortage in nurses so travel nurses are needed to fill in those gaps to adequately staff the amount of patients in the hospital. A lot of nurses have quit or thought about switching careers because of this pandemic. It’s a lot mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I worked for 1.5 years at my staff job before becoming a travel nurse! I highly recommend getting enough experience and becoming comfortable in your extpertise. Congratulations on graduating soon!🎉
@@SRNAPaul oh so u can take class for 2 years and still be a travel nurse. So does they pay differ if you take two years class versus four year classes to become a nurse does they pay differ?
@@annastassiamartin8652 hi annastassia, no, I went to school for my Bachelors in Nursing for 4 years and worked as a Staff Nurse for 2 years in a Trauma ICU after graduating then became a Travel Nurse!
