The True Cost of a Relief Shift: Why Your Gross Rate Isn't Your Real Earnings

Now let's run the numbers on that $750 shift at the clinic 20 minutes away:

Total time: 10 hours + 40 minutes driving = 10.67 hours

Real hourly rate: $515.50 ÷ 10.67 = $48.31/hour

The "cheaper" shift actually pays you $1.59 more per hour — and you get home 2 hours earlier.

The Variables That Matter Most

After analyzing hundreds of shift scenarios, here's what moves the needle:

1. Distance Is the Biggest Profit Killer

Every 10 miles of additional round-trip distance costs you roughly:

• $7 in gas
• $7 in vehicle wear (IRS rate minus gas)
• 15-20 minutes of unpaid time

A shift that's 100 miles round trip versus 30 miles round trip loses roughly $80 in direct costs and over an hour of your time.

2. Shift Length Matters More Than Day Rate

A $600 rate for 8 hours ($75/hour gross) at a nearby clinic often nets more per hour than a $1,000 rate for 12 hours ($83/hour gross) at a distant clinic. The longer shift amplifies every fixed cost — more meals, more fatigue, less recovery time.

3. Reimbursements Change the Equation

Some clinics reimburse travel, meals, or both. A $750 shift with a $50 travel reimbursement is effectively a $800 shift — but even better, because the reimbursement isn't taxable income. Always ask about reimbursement policies before accepting a booking.

4. Consistency Compounds

A clinic where you work regularly has hidden financial benefits:

• You know the route, saving time and stress
• You've already learned their systems, so you're more efficient
• No learning curve means fewer mistakes and fewer late-running days
• The clinic is more likely to offer reimbursements to regulars

A Simple Formula

Before accepting any shift, run this quick calculation:

True Hourly Rate = (Day Rate - Travel Costs - Meals - Tax Set-Aside) ÷ (Shift Hours + Drive Time)

Or even simpler — use the 60% Rule as a quick mental estimate:

Your take-home is roughly 60% of your gross rate after expenses and taxes. Divide by total hours including drive time.

For a $900 shift with 12.5 total hours: $900 × 0.60 ÷ 12.5 = $43.20/hour (close to our detailed calculation of $46.72).

How ReliefBooks Calculates This Automatically

ReliefBooks runs this math on every shift — before you accept it and after you complete it. When you're considering a booking, it shows your projected effective hourly rate based on the clinic's distance, the day rate, and your historical expense patterns.

After the shift, log your actual expenses and it calculates your true net profit. Over time, you build a clear picture of which clinics and agencies are actually the most profitable — not just the ones with the biggest headline rates.

Stop guessing. Start knowing.