Should you take a 36-hour contract or a 48-hour contract?
The holidays are approaching—a time when you’re looking for more flexibility, especially if you don’t have PTO scheduled. Burnout is real, so you’re probably steering clear from working 48-60 hours a week, which has been more common over the past couple of years. These are key reasons to lean toward 36-hour shifts. But another consideration might be the financial side of things. When it comes to how you’re paid, there’s a difference between working overtime on a 36-hour contract vs. a 48-hour contract. Simply put, you have a higher potential for overtime (payable after you hit the 40-hour mark) on a 36-hour contract. Here’s how it breaks down: Most hospitals don’t allow agencies to bill an overtime rate on a 48-hour contract until more than 48 hours have been worked in a week. However, agencies still pay those on contract for overtime after 40 hours, whether it’s a 36-hour contract or a 48-hour contract. Essentially, there’s more flexibility for agencies like LiquidAgents Healthcare to increase the overtime rate on a 36-hour contract because they can bill the facilities for the overtime rate starting after the 40-hour mark, versus a 48-hour contract where most hospitals only accept billing at the regular rate after the 48-hour mark (when billing at the overtime rate begins). Keep in mind: On a 36-hour contract, agencies usually have flexibility to increase the overtime rate after 40 hours. However, on a 48-hour contract, overtime is a standard 1.5x the regular hourly rate, with no flexibility. Here’s an example: 36-hour contract Your regular taxable rate is $40/hr. Your OT rate is $100 Your stipends are $1350 You pick up an extra shift and work 48 hours that week: $40/hr times 40 hours = $1600 $100/hr times 8 hours = $800 Plus stipends = $1350 Total = $3,750 gross weekly 48-hour contract Your regular taxable rate is $40/hr. Your OT rate is $60 Your stipends are $1350 You work your regularly scheduled shifts: $40/hr times 40 hours = $1600 $60/hr times 8 hours = $480 Plus stipends = $1350 Total = $3,430 gross weekly Hope this helps, and happy traveling!
How to Begin your Travel Nurse Career
By Kay Slane After you complete two years of experience, it’s understandable if you’re anxious to get out there and see what the travel nurse life is all about. But first, there are several things you need to get started. Fortunately, none of them are too complicated. Let’s take a look: 1 After 1.5 years of experience, it’s recommended that you get a skills checklist, which can be downloaded from most agency websites. And when you can do 80% of those tasks independently, you’re ready to go. 2 Travelers need to realize that orientation can last for 4 hours to 4 days because travelers are expected to hit the ground running with minimal supervision. 3 Another must for first-time travelers: Be flexible and adaptable. You need to look at every location, hospital setting, and reviews that you can find about a place. Just because it isn’t in a prime location like Hawaii or Alaska doesn’t mean it won’t be a gratifying assignment. Once you gain more travel experience, you can become more selective about where you want to work. 4 One of the first mistakes that travel healthcare professionals get caught up in is the big world of travel healthcare, only to find out that they’ve been set up for failure by an agency that isn’t “legit.” Travelers must always ensure that an agency is Joint Commission Certified (HCSS). 5 Make sure your resume information is up-to-date. Some agencies will take a short application and a resume, while some want everything on the application related to profile submission formatting. Either way, it’s nice to have all your information and job history on file with agency, hospital, dates, hospital size, unit size, and specialty, with a simple one to two sentences on your duties. 6 Last but not least, ensure that you have your credentials on file to make them easy to find. Few things are worse than having to hunt for your BLS, TNCC, or AWHONN certification that you haven’t seen since you received them a year ago. 7 Don’t forget to breathe during this process! With these simple tips, you’ll be able to hit the road sooner than you think, and you won’t be pulling your hair out trying to do things at the last minute. Best wishes and happy travels! Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM, is a 30-year career nurse and writer who has traveled in the areas of rehab, telemetry, emergency room, and since 2010, as a House Supervisor. She currently works from home educating nurses on becoming better travelers through her books, several travel nursing groups, and her recent development of a travel nursing university.
Navigating mid-contract pay rate changes
If you’ve experienced changes in your pay rate during an assignment, you’re not alone. It’s grown more and more common recently, and you may be looking for some answers. Here’s a quick look at how and why this happens, and what to expect. How bill rates are established: Travel nurse bill rates are set by a healthcare facility based on market demand and budget analysis from its managed service provider (MSP) and/or vendor management system (VMS). Factored into each bill rate is a traveler’s pay, per diems (established annually by government guidelines), benefits, and agency fees. When a contract change takes place, it starts with the facility’s bill rate, and then affects each section of a travel package which adjusts to work with the rate and IRS guidelines. What happens when your rate changes? When rates change, a facility contacts the agency, who should then contact you. Your recruiter/candidate care rep should go over the details, give you an overview of the market, and identify any available opportunities. Your choices are to a) accept the new rate so your agency can quickly revise a contract or b) end your contract. Some agencies may enforce a penalty for ending in mid-contract, but not all. To know where you stand, be sure to review your contract or contact your recruiter. It can be frustrating to see your pay suddenly change. But it has nothing to do with your performance, relationship with a nurse manager, or even your agency. And it’s not uncommon. Always reach out to your agency with questions—they’re there to help. The best agencies are there to look out for your best interest and provide support as needed. Put them to work for you to ensure your best travel experience.
What to expect from travel nursing this summer
Whether new to the travel nurse world or already a seasoned pro, the last couple of years have been quite a ride. What can you expect next? Here’s a look at current market conditions as we approach summer 2022. Job volume is on the rise With nurses continuing to retire and job demands up, there are a lot of opportunities currently out there, giving you your pick of assignments across the country. In alignment with more traditional trends, expect a rise in surgical and ER needs this summer. If elective surgery is your area of expertise, you’re in for a welcome return to more customary assignments. Pay rates are normalizing Covid is still with us. But fortunately, it’s requiring fewer hospitalizations. With the decrease in urgent needs, pay rates are now leveling out. Good news: Rates are still remaining higher than pre-pandemic rates. When you find an assignment you want, it’s always a good idea to lock it in as soon as possible and extend early if it’s a relationship you enjoy and wish to continue. Hospitals are emphasizing quality care During the pandemic, nurses were often hired quickly because of critical needs—and sometimes at the expense of a facility’s reputation for quality care. With patient demands now at more customary levels and compliance guidelines back in place, facilities are recommitted to providing top-level care. Now is the best time to put your best foot forward and focus on your area of expertise. Flexibility is key As nurses retire and the healthcare landscape continues to change, keeping a flexible mindset is key. “The travel nursing market is as vibrant as ever, but the more flexible a nurse can be, the better chance they’ll be offered a contract,” says Jennifer Pomietlo, VP of Strategic Development with StaffDNA. “While we’re seeing an increase in job openings across the country, hospitals aren’t entertaining as many special requests for time off, and jobs are moving quickly. Tools like the StaffDNA app that put nurses in control of finding their next job without the need of a recruiter are helping healthcare workers make sure they don’t miss out on that next great opportunity.” For travelers, this is a reminder that with the right focus, you’ll always be marketable to facilities that need you. Ready to get out there? The travel nursing field is as vibrant as ever. Find the assignment you want this summer and get going.