How Your Travel Nurse Agency Can Help
Now more than ever its crucial to stack the deck in your favor. From your agencys benefits to the support they offer, youll want to feel confident that your team will work tirelessly to find your next assignment.
While we believe our recruiters are superstars, you must take ownership of your career. Do your research now on locations, trends, and facilities. At TNAA, we never blind submit when a job opens, your recruiter will need the go-ahead from you. Needing to look up hospital info or stats can mean time lost.
Connect with us on our or to learn more about any of our programs, find resources, and to interact with your fellow travelers.
How Long Are Travel Nursing Assignments
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. Extension offers usually occur the last 3 to 5 weeks of your assignment, but if youre interested in staying on longer, you should talk to your recruiter. You dont have to wait to be approached by the facility.
Standard travel nurse hours are five 8s, four 10s, or three 12s, though this will vary by facility. Your shift and hours should be written in your contract.
What To Do After Your Assignment Is Canceled
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the hospital census has dropped too low for the facility to justify keeping you. Its not a situation that anyone wants to be in. Maybe its a string of canceled shifts, but when you get the news, its never easy. While we hope you get enough notice to figure out your next step, we know it doesnt always happen that way. Our incredible Benefits team pulled the following tips and resources to help you land on your feet.
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Get Help From A Professional Who Specializes In Travel Nurse Taxes
Barth says he expects most travel nurses will be very busy the first half of 2022 while pandemic demand is still high, so its important to stay connected with a specialist early.
Work with your CPA to estimate your potential tax liability. Make sure youre filing an extension and paying your estimated taxes so youre not getting caught with penalties, he says. Most of our travel nurses end up getting refunds, but there are a few that didnt have the proper withholding and owe money. Its really important to try to file early and stay organized.
Whether youre an experienced travel nurse or a newbie, following these travel nurse tax strategies can save you money and reduce your long-term risk. For a free initial consultation with Travel Nurse Tax Pro, visit travelnursetaxpro.com.
The information contained herein is general in nature and is subject to change. Tax information contained in this document is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any person as a basis for avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed by the IRS or any state. We recommend each taxpayer seek advice based on their circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
Do You Qualify For Covid
Yes. The most recent decision was made to allow this to anyone on unemployment. I dont necessarily agree with this one because I think it depletes funds that our country doesnt necessarily have.
So whether or not your unemployment status is due to the pandemic, you will qualify for this extra financial assistance.
Hopefully I helped to answer some questions you may have. For any further information on unemployment benefits in general, hop on over to WorkingMother.com for her answers on commonly asked unemployment questions.
Please comment below if you have any questions or added information on the topic.
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How To File For Unemployment
- File Here: Youll need to file for unemployment for the state in which you last worked. While TNAA is your employer, your assignment location determines the state in which you file.
- Docs Youll Need: Youll need to provide your name, social security number, date of birth, phone number, and the facility name and address where you last worked. Be prepared with your banking information too.
- Expected Wait Time: While there is no guarantee, we understand that the first payment is typically received within one week.
Syncing End And Start Dates Not Easy
Moreover, syncing a contract end-date with a new contract start-date is very challenging. Obviously, different hospitals dont sync their start and end dates with one another. Moreover, there is often travel time involved with getting to the new destination that necessitates taking some time off between contracts. In any case, travelers experience temporary transitions much more than the average professional.
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Difficulty Declaring Unemployment As A Travel Nurse
There are several circumstances to which this definition is applicable for travelers. First, travelers have a unique problem with respect to unemployment. That is, they typically have a hard time declaring unemployment because the nature of their work is temporary and requires travel. So when a contract ends, the nurses agency will almost always have another contract available for them. However, it may not be what the nurse wants or where the they want it to be.
So the traveler will most likely decline an employment offer which will make it difficult for them to qualify for unemployment benefits. So technically, the traveler is neither employed or unemployed. The result is that the nurse will end up working less than they would like to work throughout the year. In a sense, this is a form of underemployment that is unique to temporary travel contract workers.
Start Planning Your Next Assignment Early
Despite what you may have heard, its never too early to start planning your next assignment. Many travelers and recruiters will say that its pointless to start looking for your next assignment earlier than 4 weeks from the end of your current assignment. This simply isnt true. Hospitals routinely release openings well in advance, especially for their winter and seasonal needs. Moreover, hospitals routinely know whether or not theyre going to have a need to keep your current position staffed after your contract is completed.
So, first try to make an early determination as to whether or not youre interested in obtaining an extension contract at your current hospital. Also, immediately determine whether or not youre interested in exploring options in new destinations. Waiting on this could cost you in the end. You may find that your current agency doesnt have contracts in the new destination, or that there are other circumstances that may hold up your ability to get an assignment there in a timely manner.
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A Newsletter You Can Relate To
Storytelling that represents you, delivered to your inbox.
Travel nursing gave her the chance to do work she loved but for pay that she said made it more worthwhile. For the past 16 months, shes taken eight- to 13-week contracts as far as California and North Dakota. Shes away from her kids often, but shes been earning about 50 percent more than she did as a staff nurse, money her family has used to cut down their debt and make some necessary renovations on her dads home.
But, in a twist that has sent the majority-women nursing community into an uproar in recent weeks, the benefits of travel nursing could be in jeopardy, and nurses are raising questions about whether the profession in general needs to raise its wages.
In the last few months, several groups, including the American Hospital Association , the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living and 200 members of Congress, have called for an investigation into claims that agencies that place travel nurses around the country have been price gouging hospitals in need of staff.
The AHA has requested the Federal Trade Commission investigate the agencies, and late last month, a letter signed by a bipartisan group of legislators also asked the White House to investigate the claims.
The White House did not comment on whether it was responding to the contents of the letter, and the Federal Trade Commission also declined to comment on whether an investigation was underway.
How Long Can You Collect Unemployment For
I touched on this a bit in the last question/answer, so I might be repeating a little.
The max amount of time each state allows unemployment collection varies, but the average is 26 weeks with some states allowing up to 39 weeks.
This being said, you should only collect unemployment during the times in which you cannot find work. This is not something to be abused and used for your own gain, such as paid vacation time.
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Can A Travel Nurse Get Unemployment
Yes! Its possible for a travel nurse to become unemployed, but it is not easy because of the nature of the job. Travel nurses are often sent out by their employer on short notice, because the nature of their work is temporary and requires travel.
Typically, when a contract comes to an end, the nurses agency will almost always have another contract ready for them, making it hard for them to declare unemployment, and so they may not have the opportunity to apply for unemployment benefits before leaving the state or country.
So, like many travel health professionals, travel nurse are not able to declare unemployment because they have not been on the job long enough to qualify for government assistance. This is because many states require that you have worked at least 90 days in that state before you can file for unemployment.
To find out more and how to avoid underemployment or unemployment completely, read through to the end.
Required Skills For Travel Nurses
One of the core competencies travel nurses must possess is adaptability. Due to the nature of the profession, they need to be comfortable with frequent travel and changing work environments. They must also be flexible and able to adjust to the demands and expectations of their current employers, regardless of what they used to do in prior assignments. Strong communication skill is essential to success in the role, as travel nurses must be able to communicate with a variety of personalities in highly dynamic and fast-paced nursing environments. Additionally, travel nurses must have well-developed emotional intelligence competencies, which can help them be mindful of their strengths, weaknesses, and emotions and ultimately keep them committed to developing personally and professionally. Finally, travel nurses should have a curiosity streak that makes them willing to embrace new environments with positivity and a desire to learn.
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Can A Nurse Always Apply For Unemployment Insurance After Leaving A Job
allnurses.com
Date Submitted: 05/19/2020 11:25 PM
Average star voting: 5
Summary: Leaving a job can be a complex matter and does not always fit into the routine rules of unemployment compensation.
Match with the search results: Unemployment compensation is based on the last employer you were with and they must confirm that there is no work available for you in order for . read more
Filing For Unemployment During The Covid
You may see different terminology: unemployment insurance, unemployment assistance, or benefits. Dont let the term insurance throw you off or prevent you from applying if you lost your job due to COVID-19. Keep in mind you will not receive unemployment benefits if you quit your job or were fired for cause.
- Where Do I File? Youll need to file for unemployment for the state in which you last worked. While TNAA is your employer, your assignment location determines the state in which you file.
- What Will I Need? Youll need to provide a few things: your name, social security number, date of birth, phone number, and the facility name and address where you last worked. Be prepared with your banking information too.
- How Long Will it Take? While there is no guarantee, we understand that the first payment is typically received within one week.
- How Can TNAA Help? We will do everything we can when the notice is sent to TNAA to speed up the process so you can receive a speedy payment.
- Anything Else? This is a new unemployment filing process, and its a direct result of the COVID-19 aid package that means that the normal restrictions and expectations are slightly different. Typically there are expectations like looking for another job and those will likely return to normal once the crisis is over. You can read more about the coronavirus aid package here.
WATCH: This video breaks down the available resources from the Department of Labor & other government agencies.
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Unemployment Resources For Travel Nurses Impacted By Covid
Whether youre in a coronavirus hot-spot or not, youre dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus effect on the healthcare industry. With elective surgeries postponed, many OR nurses and scrub techs find themselves without work. Meanwhile, many medical personnel who worked in family practices, dermatology offices, and other specialty clinics find themselves furloughed. Go ahead and bookmark these resources.
- Department of Labor Coronavirus Resource Hub:
- Unemployment Resource Hub:
Cancelled Shifts For Travel Nurses
Finally, travelers are always at risk of having their shifts cancelled. Despite agency advertisements about guaranteed hours, it is very rare for 100% of the contracted hours to be guaranteed. Standard contract clauses maintain that the nurse can be called off up to 3 times during a 13 week periodsometimes less, sometimes more. Weve previously discussed guaranteed hours and provided our tips on the subject.
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More Transitions Means More Friction
So how does frictional unemployment effect travel nurses differently than other professionals? The obvious answer is that travelers make more temporary transitions than other professionals. As mentioned above, travel contracts typically last less than 13 weeks. Contract extensions are frequently offered and theyre the most convenient option for maintaining continuous employment. However, travelers arent always able or willing to accept an extension contract. They may prefer to move on to another location or may need to move on to another location in order to maintain their status as a temporary worker for tax purposes.
How To Book Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment
While it may feel like theres not much you can do right now, thats not entirely true. Whether youre ICU or OR, when hospital census picks up, we expect a flood of nurses to apply to the same jobs. Whether its a crisis assignment or not, following these 3 tips can increase your chances of landing your next travel RN job.
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Communicate With Your Recruiter
Recruiters are the connection between you and the highest paying travel nursing assignments. Its important to communicate with them about your compensation needs. Looking for a high-paying assignment? Ask. Need a sign-on or completion bonus? Ask. Cant live happily with an income below a certain amount? Tell them. Remember, a closed mouth doesnt get fed.
Maintain Multiple State Licenses
Did you know that many hospitals will not even look at your professional profile if you are not licensed in their state? Its true. Youll increase your chances of continuously landing high-paying jobs by maintaining active licenses in multiple states.
For example, rates in northern states usually increase during the winter months — so, a license in Massachusetts is a must! If you want to work in a certain state, you need to have a license. Period.
If you dont have a license in that state, and you want to travel there soon, apply now! Some states have quick licensure turn around of just 48 hours. Other states, like California, can take up to 6 months to process licensure paperwork. Some agencies do assist or reimburse, for licensing fees.
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Is Travel Nursing Good For Career Advancement
Traveling as a nurse increases your skill level and makes you a more eligible candidate for future nursing jobs. Why?
Work With More Travel Nursing Agencies
There are several steps that you can take to overcome the fallout of frictional unemployment in the travel nursing job market. First, you can increase the number of agencies you work with. More agencies means access to more hospitals. This will ensure that you have more consistent and complete information on the job market.
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What Is A Travel Nurse
Travel nurses are employed by an independent nursing staffing agency instead of a single hospital. This means they can travel as far as a different country, or they can work at local hospitals that are in need of temporary nurses.
Many nurses opt to go into travel nursing for the many perks, like the chance to explore new places, experience diverse practice environments, and make new friends. Competitive pay, great benefits, and free housing are also major benefits of the job.
Travel nurse pay is typically not influenced by experience level or education. In fact, a traveling registered nurse with 2 years of experience has the potential to earn the same amount as a traveling registered nurse with 15 years of experience. Which makes it an EXCELLENT opportunity for newer nurses who want to make more money and help pay off some of the cost of their nursing education.
