Our FAQs
No Fluff, Just Clear, Helpful Answers
Assignments & Contracts
Where does Wayward Medical have assignments?
All over the US! We’re working all the time to land new contracts so keep your eyes on the job board, something new pops up every day!
How long are travel nurse assignments?
A majority of assignments are 13 weeks, plus if you and the facility agree, you can always extend.
Can you keep me working as a travel nurse?
Absolutely! With a bit of planning and some flexibility on location, we can easily tailor things to match how much—or how little—you’d like to work.
When should I start looking for my next assignment?
Here's the game plan: Start hunting for your next gig when you're about halfway through your current assignment. Team up with your recruiter to nail down when you want to hear about new opportunities and where you want to go next.
Can you pick your assignment?
Of course! We put the power in your hands. Whether you want to live in a dream city, chase better weather, or find a spot for your favorite outdoor activities, the choice is yours.
What type of orientation will I receive?
For most assignments, orientation lasts 1-3 days. Since travel nurses are expected to be experienced and ready to go, some rare cases might have zero orientation. it's smart to ask about what kind of Orientation you’ll receive during your facility interview.
How do I obtain licensing for assignments?
How many times can I extend my contract?
3 times, which would make a total of 4 13-week assignments aka one year, this is for tax purposes, If you stay longer than a year then the IRS considers you to have moved to that location permanently and you no longer qualify for Travel Stipends (Stipends are the non-taxable income that makes traveling so worth it).
Can you break a travel nurse contract?
We understand that emergencies can arise, and you may need to terminate your contract. However, you should be aware that this could result in the traveler being placed on a "do not rehire" (DNR) list by both the healthcare facility and our agency. Terminating your contract can hinder the medical facility’s ability to deliver patient care, damage the staffing agency’s reputation, and lead to significant financial losses for the agency due to medical facility penalties and/or housing arrangements. If you find yourself in such a situation, the best course of action is to communicate promptly with your recruiter and the facility. Maintaining clear and open communication can significantly reduce the likelihood of being placed on a DNR list.
Are there a minimum or maximum number of shifts you can work per week?
It all depends on the facilities needs, Usually the client’s we service ask for 36-40 hours depending on modality.
Credentialing
How It Works:
Once you sign your contract, you'll be assigned a Credentialing Team Member—your go-to person for the credentialing process. They’ll reach out via email soon after you accept the offer.
Your recruiter is still here for you during the process but 9 times out of 10 they’ll direct your questions to the Credentialing Team.
What is required for the Credentialing Process?
You’ll need to provide recent medical records. Having your documents ready will speed up the credentialing process a lot! Here are some common requirements:
Health Records:
- Physical - within the last year
- PPD or IGRA - negative within last year; if positive, must have chest x-ray within two years of start, proof of positive, and TB Questionnaire updated annually
- MMR - two vaccine series or positive titer
- Varicella - two vaccine series or positive titer
- TDaP - vaccine within the last ten years
- Flu - vaccine during flu season or declination (not accepted by all units)
- Hep B - three vaccine series, titer, or declination
- N-95 Fit Test
Testing (emailed post offer acceptance):
- Competency Evaluation
- Core Mandatory Part I, II, and III (HIPAA & OSHA)
Certifications if Required:
- BLS - Resource: American Heart Association BLS Courses
https://cpr.heart.org/en/
- ACLS - Resource: AHA ACLS Courses
https://cpr.heart.org/en/
- PALS - Resource: AHA PALS Courses
https://cpr.heart.org/en/
- NIHSS - Resource: AHA NIHSS Courses
https://education.heart.org/productdetails/nih-stroke-scale-test-group-a
- TNCC - Resource: TNCC Courses
https://www.ena.org/enau/educational-offerings/tncc
Employment Screening (Conducted post offer acceptance):
- Background Check
- Drug Screen
- Education Verification
- Driver’s License (Photo of front and back)
- Social Security Card (Photo of front and back)
Does each facility require different Credentialing items?
Yes, they are all different but the list above is a great rule of thumb, having these documents ready will speed up the credentialing process a lot!
Where should I Drug Screen?
Once you accept an offer, your recruiter will pass along your zipcode to the Credentialing Specialist, and together you'll choose a place.
After accepting the offer, get your drug screen done ASAP. These can take up to 2 weeks to process, and your start date might fall within that time frame.
Pay & Benefits
Will I earn a Bonus for Referring another Nurse to Wayward?
Definitely! We give $100 to the friend you’re referring AND you get
- $750 - Leadership Positions
- $500 - RN's
- $500 - Allied Health
- $250 - CNA's
*Referral must work 250 hours for each party to receive their bonus
What are Stipends/Per Diems?
We use the terms interchangeably but mainly we’re referring to a fixed sum of money paid weekly which covers travel expenses like Housing, Meals, and Incidentals
Travelers love Stipends because they’re NON-TAXABLE, Wayward keeps Uncle Sam out of your pocket!
Do I qualify for Stipends/Per Diems?
If you travel more than 50 miles from your tax home, then you qualify for Stipends/Per Diems.
How do I know if the Stipend/Per Diem I’m receiving is fair?
Wayward strives to pay the maximum allowable stipend for each assignment, You can check here (https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates) to find the max by typing in the area code of where you’ll be working, some restrictions apply.
What are GTD or Guaranteed Hours?
At its core, "GTD Hours" are the minimum hours the hospital and Wayward agree to pay for.
How this works for you depends on which facility you go to but typically, if you sign a 13-week contract guaranteeing 36 hours a week (468 hours total), if the hospital gives you fewer hours, you still get paid for the difference.
Who Is Protected by GTD Hours Policies?
Guaranteed hours for travel nurses are all about making sure everyone’s covered. The contract between the hospital and the travel nursing company locks in those hours to protect both sides.
Wayward Medical covers a lot of costs—recruiting, travel, stipends, housing—based on those agreed hours. If you don’t work the hours, we can’t bill the hospital, and nobody gets paid. So, the guaranteed hours policy keeps both you and us secure.
Are there different types of GTD hours?
Guaranteed hours policies can vary widely between hospitals (and agencies), so don’t assume they’ll be the same for every assignment.
Here are four common guaranteed hours policies to keep in mind:
- Every Hour Guaranteed Policies With this policy, you’re guaranteed all your hours, even if the facility cancels shifts due to low census. However, hours aren't guaranteed if you call in sick, take time off, or end the contract voluntarily. This is the Policy Wayward strives to provide for every assignment, sometimes it’s just not possible so it’s good to brush up on the other kinds on the off chance you encounter one
- Canceled Shift Policies Some policies let hospitals cancel a set number of shifts. Depending on the place, they might cancel up to 3 shifts within a 13-week period, sometimes more.
- Future Shift Policies Facilities can cancel shifts as long as they offer a future shift replacement. If you decline the future shift, the hospital isn’t required to pay for those canceled hours.
- Floating Policies Some hospitals guarantee hours only if they can "float" you between multiple units or facilities.
Unit Floating You must be willing to float to other units within your scope of practice to get guaranteed hours. The units should have a similar patient population and skill set to your primary unit.
Facility Floating Hospitals might require you to float between different facilities within their organization to ensure your guaranteed hours are met. For example, if four hospitals are part of the same organization in one metro area, you might be scheduled at a different hospital if the census is low at your primary one.
Keep these policies in mind as you navigate your travel nursing career with Wayward Medical!
What is Wayward’s GTD hours Policy?
Wayward does an Every Hour Guaranteed Policy in which we guarantee all your hours, even if the facility cancels shifts due to low census. However, hours aren't guaranteed if you call in sick, take time off, or end the contract voluntarily. Some restrictions apply.
Do you get benefits as a travel nurse?
Absolutely! Wayward Medical offers significant perks like extension bonuses, Flexible pay packages, tax-free meal stipends, and housing reimbursements. You'll also enjoy benefits such as Day 1 insurance, 401K plans, and the chance to enhance your resume with awesome facilities and experience.
Does Wayward Reimburse for Licenses and Certifications?
We got your back!! Wayward will take care of all Licenses and Certifications necessary for your assignment up to $250.
When do I get paid?
Every Friday!
When do I get my first paycheck?
The 2nd Friday after your contract starts ex. You start Monday July 1st, 2024 your first check will arrive Friday July 12th (skipping the first Friday on July 5th).
What days are counted on my paycheck?
Our work week is Sunday - Saturday and pay is issued the following Friday via Direct Deposit, Pay Card, or Check.
How do I enter my time?
The P2 portal is where you’ll fill out your digital timesheet. Some facilities require both digital and paper, ask your recruiter what the procedure is for your facility. Instructions here.
When are timesheets due?
Every Monday at 10am, if you miss the deadline, you risk missing your check that week. You’ll have to wait to get double paid the next week.
Does Wayward have paper timesheets?
We do, some facilities require you fill out theirs and some require ours, ask your recruiter which you should be filling out, Digital timesheets in the P2 App are Always required.
Do you offer CEU resources?
We certainly do!
Wayward partnered up with Elite Learning and we’re offering a 20% discount
Taxes
Are there people who specialize in doing Taxes for Travel Nursing?
Absolutely! We’ve teamed up with Travel Nurse Tax and can’t recommend them highly enough, they’ve been doing Travel Nurse Taxes for over 20 years! For a $10 discount on any service purchase use Coupon Code: Wayward
What is a tax home?
According to our partners at Travel Nurse Tax. your tax home's where you make money, not a permanent residence or family home.
If you travel and move around a lot for work, you can say your regular house is your tax home. But only if you spend a lot of money to keep that house (rent, expenses, etc.) and you sometimes stay there (more than 45 days in a 24 month period).
Why is a tax home important?
It’s for Legal Compliance, properly establishing a tax home helps ensure you're following IRS rules, avoiding potential audits or penalties.
This is how we measure if you qualify for Stipends/Per Diem
You must
- Live 50 miles from the facility you’re traveling to
- Duplicate your expenses (rent etc.)