Just need guidance on insurance coverage. Just found out not covered during my time off if I don’t sign with same company before end of assignment. Although I was told differently, how do others deal with this. I have md appts during my time off between assignments perfect time right? Now I learn won’t be covered unless I resign which won’t happen and new assignment doesn’t cover till new start date. I can’t afford cobra for 4 months. Please help with direction on how to do this. Thanks.

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

Hey Sean. You’ve discovered the reason that many travelers actually decline their company’s insurance and seek private insurance. For those of us who travel a few times a year or enjoy taking extended breaks between assignments, insurance becomes a big issue.

Insurance coverage with many companies can last through the end of the month when you complete an assignment (although some companies have even stopped doing this). There is no doubt that providing employees health insurance is one of a company’s largest expenses. Therefore, no company is going to continue your coverage if you are not actively working for them.

For me, I try to plan all my doctor visits while on assignment and make sure I use the mail order prescription program with my company so that I can have a three month medication supply sent to me just prior to ending an assignment. I also have a major medical plan with an insurance company that just covers major injuries or hospitalizations during my times not on assignment.

Unfortunately, today’s health options are not kind, or affordable, to independent contractors (which is essentially what we are). I don’t know what to tell you to do regarding your scheduled appointments, but you can certainly see the need for forethought on your next assignment. If you really need to see these docs, you might have to spring for a month of Cobra. Explain the situation to your doctor so that maybe they can give you med samples for anything you might require.

Also, make sure you get ANYTHING you are counting on from your assignment, in writing. When someone now says, “Well I think….”, my mind just cuts them off right then and there because chances are they have NO IDEA how it actually works. We work under contracts which often provide little protection for the travel nurse. However, they do serve the purpose of documenting what we should expect to receive as part of our assignment benefits. I’m sorry that this will have to be a live and learn situation, but seasoned travelers have walked in your same shoes.

If you don’t have many health problems, consider private insurance. Talk with many agents to find a carrier that will be right for you. Will take some time and effort, but you might just find a carrier that is better than any travel company insurance you have had.

Sorry there is no quick fix for this, but I hope I have helped some.

David
Travel Nurses Bible.com
david@travelnursesbible.com

Employers know that asking a nurse to work at a different location every day is asking a lot. For this reason, the pay is generally higher. Travel nurses must be adaptable to new situations and be personable. These premium skills earn better pay.

Contractor or Temporary Employee

Even though many travel nurses work as independent contractors, many others earn excellent benefits, such as 401K match, Health Insurance, continuing education, licensure reimbursement, life and/or disability insurance, loyalty rewards, bonuses, tax shelters, and travel expense reimbursement.

Flexibility

Besides great benefits and pay, traveling nurses enjoy the flexibility of time off whenever they want it. They can take time between jobs, knowing another assignment will be waiting for them when they return. That freedom extends to a nurse’s lifestyle too. Some even choose to live in RVs, reducing the cost of living and maximizing their earnings. These nurses often earn a housing stipend, regardless.

Independent contractors generally pay their own expenses, but they receive a much higher pay rate to cover those costs. Independent contractors enjoy simpler paperwork since they do not need to provide receipts or proof of the expenses. Contractors also enjoy more tax-deductable expenses.

What to Expect

When asked about his career, one traveling nurse said, “I like the freedom, the financial reward, the actual traveling, the challenges, the being able to go places and do things I would never have done or been able to do. Just last December my wife and I went to Brazil to vacation after working in the Virgin Islands, then the Florida Keys and maybe a cruise next or just go home and take a break.”

That kind of freedom is rare in any profession, much less one that pays so well. Traveling nurses can make about $100,000 per year. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average nursing wage is $62,450. The middle 50% made only about $50,000. Therefore, traveling nurses can earn twice as much as those who commit to employment at a single location.

That’s why we make sure our students know about traveling nursing and the excellent opportunities available to them in this profession. While some prefer the predictability of working at one location, many look for the freedom, excitement and opportunity that travel nursing can give.

Salary: Location and Competition

Depending on location, an hourly wage that flutters between $30 and $40 is fundamental.  According to one traveling nurse, California generally pays more, but the cost of living is also higher.  To get the extra pay, travel nurses may need to make sacrifices in comfort.  For example, Arizona bleeds sweat and misery in its brutally hot summers, but the pay can make up for it (it is for the individual travel nurse to judge).  If one enjoys the snow, however, one can also enjoy getting paid more to spend time in it, such as in Wisconsin or other areas of the upper Midwest in winter.

As with many other job opportunities, those located in areas lacking in nurses are usually willing to pay more handsomely than areas brimming with competition.  If one is truly dedicated, overtime hours are also an option.

Non-Salary Perks of Travel Nursing

As the healthcare landscape slowly molds and bends, many individuals are choosing to not only go RN but to opt for travel nurse agency jobs.  The duties are similar but there are undeniable perks, salary not being the only one.

Nurses fascinated with travel, photography, meeting new people, and experiencing new flavors, may enjoy the fundamental aspect of travel nursing: traveling.  A traveling nurse may visit opposite ends of the country every 6 weeks; he or she is also allowed ample time to vacation.

Furthermore, the agency pays for relocations, utilities, housing, and bonuses, and depending on the length of each assignment, the agency may also pay up to $3,000.  Sign-on and renewal bonuses are also to be noted.

When the duties of a travel nurse are basically the same as a non-traveling nurse, these aspects start to look more like reasons than perks.

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She writes for the Online Universities Site, where recently she’s been researching different pharmacist degrees and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

Travel Nursing Benefits

If you have been looking into travel nursing you are probably aware of the standard benefits that many companies offer, such as:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• 401K
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Housing
• Free CEUS
• Licensure Reimbursement
• Ceritification Reimbursement
• Direct Deposit

Travel Nursing Bonuses

You are probably also well aware of the typical bonuses offered by many travel nurse companies as well, these usually include:

• Loyalty
• Referral
• Hiring or Sign-On
• Completion

Travel Nursing Perks

But one of the more fun aspects of the travel nursing benefits packages offered by traveling nurse agencies are the little discount programs many offer their travelers. You can find them at companies websites under their benefits section with a heading like Perks Programs, Rewards or Discounts. These are often discounts at nationwide vendors some of the most common include:

• Hotels
• Online Shopping Retailers
• Computers
• Cell Phones
• AAA Memberships
• Rental Cars
• Moving Trucks
• Vehicle Relocation
• Gym Memberships
• Supplemental Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Scrub

Some of the most unique ones out there are:

• Laser Vision Surgery
• Flowers
• Perfume
• Tires
• Wholesaler
• Tuition Reimbursement

So when you are evaluating travel nursing companies and are hitting a snag in deciding which ones to contact, try checking out their rewards programs and see if they have any fun discounts that perk your interest. They may not have a direct impact on your assignment and should not affect your pay, but they may be an indicator of how much the company cares about creating a great experience for their nurses.

• Who pays me? The hospital or the travel nursing agency?
• Who will pay for my move to my travel nursing assignment?
• Do you offer Per Diem?
• Who will pay for things such as my utilities, while I am on assignment? 
• If the travel nursing company offers a stipend to pay utilities, when is it paid and is it taxed?
• What will benefits will be deducted from my paycheck?
• Do I get meal allowances during my travel nursing job?
• How much does each type of insurance (maximum out-of-pocket expense, date of eligibility, premiums, and deductibles) cost?
• How much does it cost for me the nurse? For my family?
• How often will I get paid? Do you offer direct deposit?
• If I live at my own home, or out of town with friends or relatives, or rent an apartment on my own while on assignment can I get a travel nursing stipend?
• Will you still get paid for your travel nursing assignment if the census becomes real low and I get called off?
• If I’m required to be on call, what is the on-call pay?
• What will I get paid? Base pay rate per hour? Overtime pay rate? Holiday pay?
• Does the travel nursing company have any holidays that are paid?
• Will you be a Charge RN? If so, how often? Is there Charge Pay? What is it?
• Do I have to pay any deposits such as my apartment or having a pet?
• Do we get any money back for having our own insurance such as health or dental? How much would it be if so?
• Does your company offer any money back for me continuing my education or getting licensed? Is there a limit on how much you would reimburse?
• Does your company allow its travel nurses to be a part of profit sharing?

Next installment look for questions to ask a travel nursing company about their travel nursing benefits.

There are many opportunities to save money at tax time. This is one of those times you need to invest to save. Find a reputable tax expert who has experience and credentials to deal with your situation as a traveler.

Far too often we listen to people without knowing the facts.

If you question a deduction and need another opinion phone the help line at the source. Internal Revenue Service and each state have a help line. Most people who run these help desk are very informative. If you phone and are not happy with the service, call again and ask for a supervisor. Always keep names and dates when you call.

It is very important to learn the facts when it comes to taxes. Each person’s situation is different. Avoid evil things happening to you at tax time by dealing with the facts and getting professional advice.

From John and Janet http://www.travel-nurse-coach.com

I was recently reading this article ”How to converse with travel nurse recruiters” at TravelRNgab.com and it reminded me somewhat of an older post from Beth at PixelRN.com where she talked about nurses having a Mission Statement.

Almost every company has a Mission Statement that clearly communicates the company’s vision, their methods of conducting business, and the standards they measure themselves against. These statements are created mostly for the employees’ benefit. As they can use the mission to help guide them through business decisions and also provide motivation during the work day.

Gary’s post at TravelRNgab.com was a very good post with tips about how to talk with travel nursing recruiters, but to me the most important part of his post is how to be prepared to talk with a recruiter.

So how does this relate to a Mission Statement?

As a travel nurse or someone considering travelling, it is crucial to have a good idea of what you want from a travel nursing career. Your Mission Statement. Why do you want to travel? Where do you want to travel to? Do you like the challenge of being working in a large city hospital or do you prefer a small town atmosphere? Do you want to try to learn new skills?

Gary mentions having a list of priorities that he needs each recruiter to answer. For him, these priorities include understanding certain benefits a travel nursing company offers. This is a great idea that you should add as part of your Mission Statement.

All these things are important and will help you have a rewarding travel nursing experience. Armed with your Mission Statement you’ll be able to use it to help guide you in choosing travel nursing companies and assignments that match your career goals.

When you do regular nursing through a hospital there are some pros of staying in the same place. You will always be in your comfort level in your home surroundings. By staying at the same job for a long period of time, you meet more people at your job and learn the place you work at very well.

As a travel nurse, you won’t have that everyday familiarity; however, you do start to establish it more and more as time passes. When ending and starting a new assignment you won’t be able to meet as many people at that job, but overall you meet more people all across the U.S. since you are always going to new places and transitioning. You also won’t get wrapped up in the hospital politics like you would in permanent place.

When it come to PTO, as a traveling nurse you don’t get any, but your time off is between assignments or you could think of days while not working as PTO. In a hospital, it takes awhile to receive time off making it hard for you to go on vacation.

Every nursing job offers medical insurance, paid time off and 401K, but to receive these benefits you must work for that hospital for a certain time period. As a travel nurse you can receive medical insurance and 401K from day one. That’s just the beginning of benefits.

The best benefit of travel nursing is being able to travel across the U.S. meeting new people and learning about different places. Doing this makes you become a more rounded person being able to learn more about the different cultures. Once you are in your new home, you can go out site seeing and check out all the hot spots in that area.

The main reason people become a travel nurse is traveling. You get paid to do the traveling you have always wanting to do and didn’t have the money to do sooner. Traveling is cheap and easy, since most agencies will reimburse you for you travel expenses and assist you with your certification and licensure.

• Magnet facility, organized and traveler friendly!
• L1 Trauma Center that sees high-acuity, high turn-over patients.
• Must be competent in assessment and care of neuro, MVA’s, penetrating and blunt trauma and skills to work with all age groups.
• Variety of shifts available, 7A-7P, 10A-10P or 2P-2A.
• Spend 13 weeks in the Phoenix area, and spend your summer in the sun!

More Info about this travel nursing job

However, there are several advantages to working with a company that are difficult for a nurse to handle on their own. For starters you would have to carry your own own insurance (general, professional, worker’s comp) which is more expensive and sometimes individuals cannot qualify or afford the levels a hospital requires.  You would also have to worry about your own housing, which can be difficult to set up for a three month period, but travel nursing companies have entire departments devoted to setting this up for you. By working with a company you also have access to a 401k program and health and dental insurance. 

So yes you may get more money, but the work on the back end and lack of insurance would be pretty difficult to overcome. If any of you have ever worked this way as a travel nurse though. Let me know, I would to hear how it worked out for you.