Ask A Travel Nurse: Can I expect Compensation for Pre-Employment Testing

Gypsy,
Are travel companies required to reimburse you for orientation/hospital education? Specifically, I’ve been given education/assessment assignments on Healthstream.com and it’s proving to be rather time-consuming; I figure it’s going to take me at least 4 hours to complete. Is it an unrealistic expectation to reimbursed for this time?

Thank you, Jessica, RN ASN

Jessica,

Thank you for reading The Gypsy Nurse. You have taken the first step on your journey to becoming A Gypsy Nurse.

Unfortunately, it’s not required nor is it common for travel companies to offer compensation to a traveler for pre-required testing/paperwork.   This is no different from any other pre-employment paperwork in their eyes.

Having said that…  There have been occasions where I have asked my recruiter if I could get some compensation for the time spent (especially if I can prove the time or the hospital is requiring an exorbitant amount of extra online tests).  This has worked on some occasions but I have never gotten fully compensated for all the hours spent doing online pre-employment testing.  I once received a visa card and another time I was compensated for an additional $50 bonus on my first check. So in summary; it’s not required or expected but it never hurts to ask.

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(Disclaimer:  Please note that this is the Author’s opinion only.  I do not provide career counseling, legal or medical consults.  If you require any of these, please search out the appropriate resources)