Do travel nurses get paid for travel time?

Travel Nurse Salary by State – Highest to Lowest The salary you will earn as a travel nurse will vary somewhat based on the state where you work. Certain states offer incredibly competitive salaries. As an example, a travel nurse salary in California on average is $106,650 per year.

Do travel nurses get paid when called off?

In the travel nursing industry, you are only paid for the hours that you work. This means that if you call off a shift, you will not be paid for that day. The reason for this is that your agency bills the hospital for the hours you work, collects that money from the facility, and then pays you.

Can I break a travel nurse contract?

Contract breaches also affect other nurses and the industry as a whole. All these consequences should make travel nurses think twice about breaking a contract. But for those who have legitimate reasons — such as a family emergency or poor working conditions at the facility — it is acceptable to cancel a contract.

Do travel nurses get sick leave?

From day 1, travelers accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and all hours worked count toward the benefit. To put that in perspective, the standard travel nursing contract is for 13 weeks, 36 hours per week and 468 total hours. You would accrue 15.6 hours of sick-leave for working 1 contract.

Do travel nurses get benefits?

The benefits that come with a travel nursing career are extensive, including competitive salaries, free housing, and large bonuses. You’ll enjoy traveling to new destinations, working in a variety of respected hospitals, living in top-of-the-line accommodations, and earning a great salary and compensation package.

Do you get paid for your travel nursing hours?

Some travel nurses assume that it means they’re going to get paid for the contracted hours no matter what. Some assume that it means they’re going to get paid for the contracted hours as long as they don’t call in sick or otherwise miss a scheduled day of work. Some assume that guaranteed hours are a benefit provided by the company.

What does guaranteed hours mean in travel nursing?

“Guaranteed hours” is an often misunderstood concept in travel nursing. Some travel nurses assume that it means they’re going to get paid for the contracted hours no matter what. Some assume that it means they’re going to get paid for the contracted hours as long as they don’t call in sick or otherwise miss a scheduled day of work.

How long does it take to renew a travel nursing contract?

Your shift and hours should be written in your contract. The standard travel nursing assignment is 13 weeks, but anything between 8 and 26 weeks is common. Hospitals often offer to renew your contract, too — called extension assignments.

What are the benefits of flex pay for travel nurses?

The benefit of flex pay is that you can decrease your hourly taxable base rate and increase your non-taxable earnings by adding more benefits such as 401K. Many travel agencies have to be careful not to enter the illegal realm of wage re-characterization when dealing with flex pay packages.

Do you get paid overtime as a travel nurse?

There are some travel contracts offering overtime; for example, some agencies will ask you if you want to work 4 days a week instead of 3 days a week. Overtime by law has to be paid time and a half of your taxable base rate. So, if you make $20 and hour, then your overtime pay will be $30 an hour.

Are there any out of pocket expenses for travel nurses?

However, there are some out of pocket expenses travel nurses have to be aware of that regular staff nurses don’t have to consider; Most travel nursing agencies do not offer paid time off. Most travel nurses have to pay for their own certifications such as BLS and ACLS

How many hours can a nurse work without paying overtime?

If approved, the alternative work week simply means a nurse can work 10- to 12-hours shifts, and the employer does not have to pay overtime provided the nurse has not worked more than 40 hours in a work week.

Do you need health insurance to work as a travel nurse?

If your plan is to take extended time off between assignments, it would be wise to get your own health insurance. Also, most travel nurse companies do not offer paid time off (PTO) or short-term disability. You’ll need to get your own insurance policy if you’re concerned with the possibility of getting hurt and not being able to work.