Travel nurses are RNs who choose to take assignments of around 13 weeks at a time in short-staffed healthcare facilities. It’s an option that any nurse with 12 months of experience in an acute care environment can consider, especially if they enjoy travel or want to command a higher salary. Working in different facilities and wards allows nurses to enhance their clinical competencies, boost their career prospects, and see more of the country. There are many advantages for nurses in this sector, and because of the national shortage of medical workers, RNs are in very high demand.

Mitigating the effects of staff shortages

Even in hospitals with a full nursing team, it’s often the case that seasonal shortages can affect staffing levels, and critical needs have to be met with travel nurses. Moreover, hospitals frequently have to support their permanent staff with additional nurses because the patient population has risen unexpectedly or a major incident has occurred. These assignments can vary in length, and although 13-week periods are the norm, the contracts can often be shorter or longer. If the travel nurse enjoys an appointment and is still needed, they have the option to regularly renew their temporary position. Travel nurses don’t need to offer a range of certifications, but most have a specialty in which they are experienced. This can be women’s health, intensive care, acute care, or pediatrics, to name a few. Travel nurses who begin a temporary post and get along well in the hospital or department may find themselves offered a full-time contract position, but they are under no obligation to accept. Many prefer to travel between posts and will use a staffing agency to find the right positions for them based on their licensure, qualifications, and preferences. Individual nurses can specify a particular location, such as a rural clinic, a city hospital, or a coastal teaching hospital, and they can decide when they want to work, so taking time off for vacations and special occasions is easy. Travel nurses also have a say in the number of hours they work each week, but many work the standard 40 hours. It’s a good life, which blends flexibility and freedom with a steady wage and rewarding professional experiences. Here’s a closer look at the advantages of choosing a position as a travel nurse and what people can expect when they start work.

The chance to earn more than an average nurse

The average salary of a travel nurse depends on where they work, which shifts they pick up, and their qualifications. They can also earn more if a facility urgently needs an extra pair of hands and is willing to pay for the help. In general, RNs are paid around $77,600 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but travel nurses who work in large cities and coastal areas can often earn more. Additionally, they can work extra hours to earn overtime rates and get bonuses for assignments in which their skills are in high demand.

A great career choice

Travel nursing is one of the least stressful nursing jobs, and people with an unrelated degree who are attracted to this career can fast-track their way in with a second degree distance hybrid BSN (ABSN) from Holy Family University. This online program can be completed in 14 months. It combines practical placements with expert tuition to fully prepare students for professional patient care roles. Graduates who gain a year of experience and choose to pursue a career in travel nursing can look forward to a long career in healthcare.

Tax breaks and a good range of benefits

Travel nurses enjoy a tax-free living stipend that is designed to help with the cost of housing, travel, meals, and other expenses. It’s provided to travel nurses as a way of reimbursing them for the additional expenses they incur when moving between posts. The exact amount nurses are offered varies from state to state. Travel nurses could also choose to pay the extra tax and instead have their accommodation and other expenses covered by their recruitment agency. This type of work gives clinicians a great way to explore the country and gain experience while earning money and living rent-free.

Expenses are reimbursed

Many agencies will reimburse nurses who need to gain the necessary state licensure before working for them. Recruiters may also pay for a nurse’s airfare if the role is out of state or gas if the employee plans to drive to their facility every day. Some companies will put together a very attractive package of benefits to attract more qualified practitioners. These might include life, dental, and health insurance for the nurse and their family, as well as uniform expenses, which also boost a take-home salary.

Travel to every corner of the USA

Some people are bitten by the travel bug and yearn for the open road. However, not everyone is lucky enough to have a job that’s so adaptable and will make this lifestyle a reality. Moving across the country and exploring small rural towns, big cities, and stunning areas of coastline is a life-changing experience. Travel nurses could take an assignment in Los Angeles for one month, followed by a few months on the Alaskan frontier and a summer in Florida. Assignments can be found in every state, so nurses can learn more about the country, its cultures, and its areas of stunning natural beauty.

Find a place to put down roots

At some point, travel nurses may want to put down roots. Moving between roles gives them the perfect opportunity to select the right location. Permanent moves are always stressful, especially if the area is unfamiliar, but this job makes it easy to test out towns, cities, and states beforehand. They might find city life exhilarating or they may fall for the peaceful charms of New England; either way, there’s plenty of time to make a decision.

Develop endless hobbies and have adventures

One of the best things about travel nursing is the chance to have new experiences in each region. Whether a nurse is based in the mountains or downtown New York, there will be a huge range of things to see, do, and try out. Each area of the US has its own local dishes and specialties to recreate at home. Travel nurses can find ingredients that are specific to a region and learn recipes for the perfect chowder or barbeque sauce that will stay with them for a lifetime. If they are staying in a location for a longer period; getting a bike to travel to and from work can also present the opportunity to explore the local area. From local parks to hiking trails and city trails; they can try out cycle routes or explore on foot at a slower pace. Walking a neighborhood means there is time for visiting small markets, museums, and art galleries; where they can learn more about the region. Nurses with an interest in art could take the opportunity to record their experiences through paintings and photography, while others may simply want to write in a journal.

New friends are made at every stop on the way

Nurses usually have a group of friends from home, college; and work, but traveling gives them the chance to meet many new people. Colleagues at each new facility will soon become friends with whom nurses socialize in their free time. Hailing from all over the US and the world, these people can introduce a traveling nurse to many new cultures. Nurses get to learn more about the area they are in and take part in local activities such as fairs, music festivals, parades, and more. As well as meeting people they would never have met in any other profession; they get to visit fantastic places and experience life as the locals do—what a privilege!

The focus is on patient care

Every workplace has issues of contention and its fair share of workplace politics. As a travel nurse, however, you can bypass all of this because you are simply asked to arrive on time and do your job. There are no meetings to take part in or committees to attend. For nurses who are not ready to commit to a role full-time, traveling is a very freeing experience. This allows them to focus fully on caring for patients and establishing a good relationship with each person they care for. For many nurses, the best part of the job is direct care, and it’s the most enjoyable aspect of the role. Travel nurses have fewer team tasks in the workplace, so they can prioritize speaking with patients and their families.

Refine a personal style of practice

Travel nurses work with nurses from all ages, cultures, and nations as they journey around the US. During each shift, they get to see how other people practice; how they cope with emerging situations differently, and what the most effective ways of working are. Experienced clinicians all interact with patients and colleagues in individual ways. Young travel nurses can watch and learn from their different styles; and then use these insights to inform and improve their personal practice.

Learning to adapt and be versatile

Travel nurses are often the new person; and that means they regularly have to deal with different personality types in the workplace. They also have to learn how each facility functions; and adapt to the workplace environment to fit in and do well. With every change of scene, there will be new techniques to master, different ways of performing the same task; unfamiliar equipment, and other challenges. It can seem like a hard road, but the rewards make it worthwhile. Travel nurses learn to adapt quickly; they have new skills to add to their resume and ward experiences that can put them in high demand. It’s not all about career prospects, however, because meeting new colleagues; learning to work with them, and adjusting to new situations are life skills. Travel nurses are flexible, with enhanced critical thinking abilities and a talent for effective communication.

A good work/life balance

As travel nurses are not permanent employees of a hospital or clinic, they do not get paid vacations. However, what they do enjoy is the ability to pick and choose their time off. This gives them a greater deal of control over their lives, as they never need to worry about booking a vacation way in advance or taking a day off at a particularly busy time. Travel nurses can work for a month, then take a month to relax, or work through the winter and spend the summer in the Miami sun. So long as they can balance their budget, travel nurses can always be sure of generous breaks.

The opportunity to build a professional network

Networking is important for nurses because it gives them a chance to connect with others in the same profession. Other medical professionals understand the ups and downs of healthcare work; and the daily situations that crop up, unlike people who have never worked on a ward. However, having a professional network can also be useful when it comes to moving up the career ladder and finding new opportunities. Travel nurses can join the same associations as other RNs and attend nursing conferences. These offer a wealth of educational opportunities, but also the chance to meet experts and even find a mentor.

Useful when choosing a specialism

Choosing a nursing specialty is not essential, as some people prefer to work in general wards. These clinicians are interested in various fields, but nothing in particular has caught their eye as yet. For those who do want to find a vocation within a vocation, travel nursing provides the ideal opportunity. There is plenty of learning to be had in various fields; and even during less rewarding jobs, travel nurses gain transferrable knowledge. They might agree to an assignment, find they relish it; and choose to aim for something similar when the time is right.

A boost to the resume

The top positions in nursing can be competitive, so building an impressive resume is a good career move. In travel nursing, practitioners work in teaching facilities, on research projects, and in busy ER wards, depending on their assignment. They learn new abilities, techniques, and methods every month; they also refine their existing skills and become more confident in themselves. This way of working is thought-provoking and, at times, testing; but that makes it a great way to develop a professional resume. When they choose to settle down and apply for more senior roles; travel nurses have a wealth of expertise to showcase.

A chance to renew a passion for nursing

Sometimes nurses who have worked in the same role for many years feel like taking a break. They may want fewer hours, more vacations, and a change of scenery. Although many can’t afford to simply retire, they can choose to become travel nurses. They will still have to take responsibility for patients and manage in a demanding role; but the constantly changing assignments can add an exciting edge to the work. They get to see new places, new people, and even new weather if they move far enough. Travel nursing is a great way to boost a career at any point; and revive the feeling of entering the profession for the first time.

All this and job security too

The population is aging, and patient numbers are on the rise. Now and in the future, hospitals will need experienced staff to care for people. When a human resources department cannot fill these roles locally, they turn to national agencies and recruiters. Facilities also look further afield when they have a difficult role to fill and the pool of applicants is limited. As a result, there will always be a need for travel nurses, and they continue to enjoy excellent job security. Even before the recent pandemic, healthcare workers were in short supply; and coupled with changes in health insurance, the issue has only become more pressing. Clinicians are needed across the US, and although travel nurses may need to relocate; their contracts are usually tailored to include the locations they have specified. There are not many roles that allow people to travel so extensively; and still be sure of a steady wage at the end of the month.

Why become a travel nurse?

Travel nurses are highly educated RNs with experience in many different healthcare settings and a fondness for adventure. They are independent people with a wide range of skills that have been honed on diverse assignments across the country. Along with a great degree of flexibility over when and where they work, travel nurses command a good salary; and have the same prospects for advancement as any other ambitious professional. For people who prioritize patient care and want to see more of the world, this is an exceptional career choice.