The Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing: Weighing the Rewards and Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly highlighted the nursing shortage in the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the demand for registered nurses to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030. Elevated workload and challenging working conditions led many nurses to pursue early retirement or leave the profession entirely. However, another significant trend emerged: many shifted their careers to become travel nurses.

Travel nurses take on temporary assignments at various hospitals across the country, frequently earning higher salaries than their permanently staffed counterparts. Some travel nurses can earn over $100,000 annually, potentially including bonuses and overtime, though compensation varies based on location and contract terms.

While the numerous advantages of travel nursing include increased pay, flexibility in choosing assignments, and the opportunity to explore diverse parts of the country, experts also point out significant drawbacks. Understanding both the positive and negative aspects is crucial in determining if becoming a travel nurse is the right career move for you. Learn more about the potential benefits of being a traveling nurse.

What’s It Like Being a Travel Nurse?

Life as a travel nurse can be filled with variety and excitement, but it also presents unique challenges. The nature of short-term assignments means nurses must quickly integrate into new teams and build rapport with colleagues from day one. There isn’t ample time to gradually adjust.

Nurse reviewing patient chart in a modern hospital setting.

Experienced travel nurses develop efficient strategies to prepare for new contracts, ensuring a smoother transition.

• Arrival: Upon arriving at their new location, travel nurses move into temporary housing arranged for the assignment. Experienced nurses often recommend visiting the hospital the day before starting to familiarize themselves with the location, commute, and parking.
• Orientation: Like any new job, nurses undergo orientation. This can range from comprehensive onboarding to a more streamlined process depending on the agency and hospital protocols.
• Meeting the Team: Travel nurses typically receive a tour of the facility, meet their new colleagues, and review the specific scope and responsibilities of their position.
• Patient Care: Daily tasks involve assessing patients, coordinating care with physicians and specialists, and administering treatments. Travel nurses may also be required to float between different departments based on staffing needs.
• Exploration: Many travel nurses utilize their off-duty time to explore their new surroundings, engage in hobbies, exercise, and maintain connections with family and friends.
• Commitment to Work: The high demand for travel nurses often means hospitals are short-staffed, leading to opportunities for substantial overtime. Some nurses leverage this to maximize their earnings.

While most travel nursing contracts are planned well in advance, allowing ample preparation time, some are “quick start” contracts, often related to urgent needs like those during the pandemic. These contracts require nurses to be ready to start within a week or two. Essential prerequisites include an active RN license in the assignment state, up-to-date immunizations, a background check, and other necessary documentation. A Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) license can be highly beneficial, allowing nurses to practice in multiple participating states without obtaining separate licenses for each. Find out what degree you need to become a travel nurse.

How Does Travel Nursing Work?

Hospitals engage travel nurses through staffing agencies to address temporary staffing shortages. Agencies collaborate with hospitals to match open positions with available nurses. These assignments are typically short-term, commonly lasting 12 to 13 weeks, though they can be extended.

Travel nurses partner with these medical staffing agencies, relying on them to manage the logistics and planning for each contract. In return, the agency receives a portion of the payment from the hospital or facility and compensates the travel nurse according to their contract. Experienced travel nurses often work with multiple agencies to increase their access to a wider variety of assignment opportunities.

It’s important to understand that travel nurses are employed by the agencies, not the hospitals where they work. Agencies hold contracts with hospitals, often through complex vendor management systems (VMS) or master service providers (MSP) agreements. This structure means multiple contractual layers may exist between the nurse and the facility where they are placed.

Compensation for travel nurses is handled by the staffing agency. Pay packages are structured differently than traditional staff roles, often combining taxable income with tax-free reimbursements or stipends for housing and expenses.

Beyond facilitating contracts, agencies typically handle many details, both large and small, crucial for a travel nurse’s assignment to run smoothly. These responsibilities often include:

Salary and Benefits

Travel nurses enter into contracts directly with agencies. The agencies are responsible for paying the nurses’ wages. Some agencies also offer health insurance and other benefits packages to their contracted nurses.

Housing

Agencies usually offer either a housing stipend or arrange agency-provided housing. Agency-provided housing simplifies the process of finding a place to live in an unfamiliar area, potentially eliminating concerns about proximity to the hospital or local traffic patterns. Alternatively, nurses can opt for the housing stipend, which is tax-free income, and make their own living arrangements. Discover where travel nurses typically live during assignments.

Per Diems and Reimbursements

Agencies are also responsible for providing travel nurses with per diems for daily expenses like meals. They also handle reimbursements for travel costs. In some cases, they may even assist with travel arrangements for family members or pets. These expense-related payments are often tax-free benefits for the nurse.

Licensing, Certifications, and Paperwork

Staffing agencies play a key role in helping travel nurses meet the necessary licensing requirements for the states where they accept assignments. They facilitate the often complex paperwork process and maintain essential documentation such as licenses, vaccination records, drug screens, and background checks.

Educational Opportunities

Nursing is a field requiring ongoing professional development. Some agencies support this by offering or facilitating access to seminars and continuing education opportunities for their travel nurses to enhance their knowledge and skills. Some may even reimburse nurses for professional membership dues or conference fees as part of their compensation package.

Assignments

Medical staffing agencies are primarily responsible for matching travel nurses with hospital units and assignments. They typically consider a nurse’s specializations, experience levels, preferences for location, shift (day or night), and unit type during an initial intake process to find the most suitable placement.

How to Become a Travel Nurse

Most nurses gain at least one to two years of experience as staff Registered Nurses (RNs) before transitioning to travel nursing. Specialized units, such as Intensive Care Units (ICU), may require more extensive experience for travel positions. A successful career as a travel nurse typically requires a combination of credentials, skills, and personal attributes:

Licensing, Credentials, and Certifications

Holding the necessary licensing, credentials, and certifications is fundamental to becoming a travel nurse. The majority of travel nurses are RNs, although opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may exist in some areas. Nurses must possess a valid license from the state where they will be working. Many agencies assist their nurses throughout the state licensure process. Standard certifications, such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS), are frequently mandatory requirements.

Communication Skills

Excellent communication skills are vital in nursing, particularly as healthcare shifts towards more patient-centered care and interdepartmental collaboration. Travel nurses are constantly joining new teams in unfamiliar work environments. Strong communication is absolutely essential for quickly integrating and working effectively with new colleagues on each assignment.

Adaptability

Flexibility is another critical skill. Travel nurses must rapidly adapt to new hospital cultures, protocols, and workflows. While the notion that travel nurses are given only undesirable assignments is largely a myth, nurses may not always secure their top placement choices. Some hospitals may require travel nurses to “float,” moving between different units based on staffing needs. Travel nurses who are willing and able to float are often in high demand.

Know What You Want

Simultaneously, successful travel nurses are clear about their preferences and career goals. Not all travel nursing jobs are the same in terms of unit type, location, shift, or contract length. Experienced travel nurses work closely with their recruiters to specify the types of assignments, departments, shifts, locations, and contract durations they are seeking. Understand how long it might take you to become a traveling nurse.

Financial Expertise

Transitioning from a staff position to travel nursing significantly changes the structure of compensation. Travel nurse pay packages are a mix of taxable wages and non-taxable income components like housing stipends. This requires nurses to develop financial literacy, understanding the tax implications of their income to avoid potential penalties from tax authorities.

Another key financial consideration is maintaining a permanent residence. Many travel nurses keep a home base, which means they have ongoing housing costs (rent or mortgage) while also paying for temporary housing on assignment. Although travel nurses can be very well compensated, they need to be financially savvy to manage their income, expenses, and savings effectively. Consulting with a tax professional or financial advisor can help nurses better understand their financial situation and optimize their approach, turning financial literacy into an advantage.

The Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse

There are numerous compelling benefits that attract registered nurses to travel nursing. High pay, flexibility in assignments, and the opportunity to travel are among the primary reasons. Here are some of the top advantages of pursuing a career as a travel nurse:

Compensation

Hospitals are often willing to pay a substantial premium for the flexibility and immediate staffing relief provided by travel nurses. According to Payscale data from March 2022, the median annual wage for travel nurses was approximately $84,000, compared to roughly $68,000 for staff RNs during the same period. In certain high-demand markets, travel nurses have reportedly earned $10,000 or more per week. Travel nurses also earn overtime pay, and given their higher base rates, overtime income can be considerable.

Infographic comparing average wages and other statistics for staff nurses versus travel nurses.

Stipends and Other Perks

Travel nurses typically receive housing stipends, travel expense reimbursements, and daily per diems for meals and incidentals. As mentioned, some of these payments are non-taxable, increasing the overall value of the compensation package. Agencies may also directly provide housing. These financial benefits and logistical supports can allow travel nurses to focus on their clinical responsibilities while potentially saving money and simplifying their lives.

Choice of Contracts

A significant draw for many travel nurses is the flexibility to choose their assignments. They appreciate the control over where they will work, the specific hospital unit or department, and the shift they prefer (some, like the night shift, often pay more). For scheduling ease, hospitals may also offer block scheduling to travel nurses, providing a consistent work pattern.

Avoiding Workplace Conflicts

Nursing is a demanding profession where stress can occasionally lead to interpersonal friction. The temporary nature of travel nursing means nurses are less likely to become deeply entangled in long-term hospital politics or internal conflicts among permanent staff.

Travel to New Places

A major appeal for experienced travel nurses is the chance to live and work in diverse locations across the country. Nurses are needed everywhere, from small rural communities to large metropolitan areas. This career path offers a unique opportunity to experience living in places they might never have visited otherwise.

Expand Marketable Skills

Many travel nurses seize the chance to gain experience and broaden their clinical skills by working in different units, specialties, or types of healthcare facilities. Hiring managers often view travel nursing experience favorably, recognizing that these nurses tend to be adaptable, open to new practices, and motivated by challenges. Travel nursing experience is a valuable asset when seeking future employment.

Try Out New Hospitals

Travel nursing provides an excellent opportunity to experience different hospitals, healthcare systems, and work cultures firsthand. This can be particularly beneficial if a nurse is considering eventually taking a permanent staff role in a new area. Working assignments in various settings allows nurses to explore potential long-term employers or even discover a preferred location or specialty they hadn’t previously considered.

Disadvantages of Being a Travel Nurse

Despite the numerous benefits, travel nursing also comes with potential downsides. However, nurses who thoroughly research and understand these challenges can be better prepared to manage them. Some key disadvantages of travel nursing include the following:

Financial Literacy Requirements

Since travel nurses are contract employees paid by agencies, their compensation structure involves a mix of taxable income and non-taxable stipends. Navigating this requires a good understanding of personal finance and tax regulations to ensure proper setup and avoid potential issues with tax authorities.

Furthermore, the decision of whether or not to maintain a permanent residence while on assignment is a financial one. Many travel nurses keep a home base, incurring costs like rent or mortgage payments in addition to the expenses or stipends related to their temporary housing. While compensation can be high, careful financial planning is essential to prevent unexpected financial strain. Working with a tax professional can provide clarity on options and potentially turn financial complexities into manageable aspects of the career.

Healthcare and Retirement Benefits

The provision of healthcare insurance and retirement benefits varies among staffing agencies. Since many travel nurses work with multiple agencies throughout their career, they may need to be proactive in managing their own retirement accounts. If an agency does not offer benefits, nurses are solely responsible for arranging their own healthcare coverage and retirement planning. Additionally, agencies typically do not provide paid time off (PTO), meaning nurses must budget and manage their finances to account for any time off they choose to take between assignments.

Nurses considering travel nursing should carefully evaluate the benefits packages offered by agencies or research independent options to ensure they don’t lose access to crucial healthcare or retirement savings opportunities. Again, a financial advisor can be a valuable resource, helping nurses become more informed about their options and make strategic decisions.

Lack of a Support System

Travel nurses are just as susceptible to issues like burnout and compassion fatigue as staff nurses. They may even be more vulnerable due to being away from their established support systems of family and friends for extended periods. The emotional toll of the pandemic, including patient loss and high death rates, has also significantly impacted many travel nurses.

Loneliness

Being away from friends and family for weeks or months at a time is a significant challenge for travel nurses. Nurses develop different coping mechanisms for managing loneliness. Some embrace the experience by trying new activities, sightseeing, or joining local groups. Others might immerse themselves completely in their work to distract from feeling alone. Travel nursing can be particularly difficult for nurses who are prone to homesickness.

Strategies to combat loneliness include:

• Practice self-care: Engaging in activities like running, yoga, or getting massages can help nurses manage stress and boost their mood.
• Create a routine: Establishing a predictable daily or weekly routine can provide comfort and stability in a new location.
• Make a temporary home: Corporate housing or rentals can feel impersonal. Adding personal touches can make a temporary living space feel more welcoming and like home.
• Stay connected: Utilizing video calls and messaging apps can help nurses maintain close contact with loved ones back home.
• Reach out: Even on short assignments, making an effort to connect with new staff colleagues and other travel nurses on the same assignment can help build a temporary support network.

Lack of Rapport With Colleagues

Successful nursing relies on strong communication and teamwork. However, the temporary nature of travel nursing means nurses may have limited time to build deep rapport with their colleagues on each assignment. Proactively reaching out to new team members or seeking a temporary mentor can help facilitate quicker integration and better working relationships.

Building positive relationships with colleagues, even during a short stint, contributes to a more welcoming work environment for both the travel nurse and the permanent staff.

Career Development Challenges

Because travel nurses are not permanent, tenured employees of the hospitals they work for, they may miss out on certain career development opportunities offered by those facilities. These can include benefits like tuition assistance or reimbursement for furthering education, participation in clinical ladders that promote professional growth, mentorship programs, and leadership training opportunities typically available to long-term staff.

Pushback Over High Wages

The significant difference in pay between travel nurses and permanent staff nurses has led some healthcare experts to argue that it exacerbates the nursing shortage. As more nurses transition to travel roles for higher pay, the remaining staff nurses often face increased workloads. This disparity has led to tensions, with at least one hospital reportedly suing a travel nursing agency over alleged price gouging during the pandemic. Some lawmakers have also called for investigations into the practices of nursing agencies.

Is Travel Nursing Right for You?

The benefits of travel nursing are numerous, ranging from potentially much higher wages to the excitement of experiencing life and work in new cities. However, there are also significant disadvantages, including the complexities of contract-based employment impacting benefits and the challenges of being away from a consistent support system. A thorough understanding of both the Pros And Cons Of Travel Nursing is the essential first step in determining if this dynamic career path is a good fit for your personal and professional goals.

References

• Healthline, “Understanding the American Nursing Shortage”
• Health Affairs, “COVID-19’s Impact On Nursing Shortages, The Rise Of Travel Nurses, And Price Gouging”
• PayScale, “Average Registered Nurse (RN) Hourly Pay”
• PayScale, “Average Travel Nurse (RN) Hourly Pay”
• Staffing Industry Analysts, “Healthcare Staffing to Grow 24% this Year: SIA Forecast”
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Registered Nurses”
• The Washington Post, “As Covid persists, nurses are leaving staff jobs — and tripling their salaries as travelers”