Understanding Travel Nurse Terminology
Understanding Travel Nurse Terminology
Understanding travel nurse terminology can be a daunting task for the first time traveler. Go Healthcare Staffing has provided the following definitions to make your travel nursing discussions easier when discussing assignments with your recruiter.
- Contract or Assignment– Normally 13 week in length but can be as minimal as 4 to 6 weeks.
- Stipend and Subsidy– Tax free amount of money allowed at a county level, per the IRS for housing and living expenses. You must qualify for Tax Advantage Program to receive. This amount varies depending on where you travel to.
- Per Diem and Meals & Incidentals– Tax free amount of money allowed at a county level, per the IRS for expenses. You must qualify for Tax Advantage Program to receive. This amount varies depending on where you travel to.
- Account Manager- This person works directly with hospitals and/or sub vendors of hospitals. Liaison for communication between the hospital and the Recruiter.
- Sub Vendor or Vendor Management System- This is a company hired by a hospital to assist with their travel process. The sub Vendor is separate from your Travel Company. They serve as a liaison for communication between the hospital and Travel Agency. This could include; screening applicants for minimal requirements, conducting phone screens, assisting with orientation, setup of computer access, assisting with any issues that may arise, as well as assisting with contract extensions.
- Credentialing Specialist- This person is assigned to you after you verbally accept a contract. They prepare you and assist you with becoming complaint with Joint Commissions Requirements as well as Hospital Specific Requirements. They can schedule Immunizations, Titers, Drug Screens, Background checks for you and locally to you. They assist with expiring certifications and obtaining new certifications. All certifications must be through ww.aha.org. They assist you through every step of the document process. Most documents are assessed online.
- Recruiter– Works directly with the Healthcare Professional to secure jobs that fit their experience. The Recruiter is the first point of contact and maintains the relationship directly with the Healthcare Professional.
- Bill Rate: The amount the hospital is willing to pay for a particular job. All aspects of pay come from the bill rate.
- Taxable Hourly Pay Rate: This amount is typically lower as it is a taxed amount. However, the amount is within IRS guidelines and state guidelines.
- Non Taxable Hourly Rate: This is per diem or Meals & Incidentals. It becomes a component of your hourly pay that is non taxed.
- Base Rate: This refers to the Taxable and Non Taxable amounts of money together.
- Gross Income: Money without taxes.
We hope this helps you as a first time traveler with understanding travel nurse terminology. Go Healthcare Staffing is always prepared to help, so please don’t hesitate ask your recruiter whenever there is a term or phrase used that you may not be familiar with.
