{"id":4335,"date":"2024-09-13T14:00:15","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T14:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=4335"},"modified":"2024-09-13T20:01:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-13T20:01:08","slug":"how-does-travel-nursing-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Travel Nursing Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re a nursing student planning for the future or an experienced registered nurse (RN) looking for a change, travel nursing could be a great career choice. Maybe you\u2019ve heard from coworkers about the benefits of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nursing\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nursing jobs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or you\u2019ve worked beside a few nurses completing contracts at your facility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h6 id=\"back-to-top\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">But how does travel nursing work? How do you get started and navigate agencies, housing stipends, state licenses and all the logistics of travel work? This article will help you understand the basics of travel nursing and provide the information you need to decide if it\u2019s the right fit for you.<\/span><\/h6>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you read this guide, learn more about each facet of how travel nursing works by clicking on the associated links for additional information and resources in Vivian\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Community Hub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #3c3b3d;color:#3c3b3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #3c3b3d;color:#3c3b3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#what_is_a_travel_nurse\" >What Is a Travel Nurse?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#travel_nurse_experience_requirements\" >Travel Nurse Experience Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#how_to_choose_a_travel_nurse_agency\" >How to Choose a Travel Nurse Agency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#understanding_travel_nurse_licensure\" >Understanding Travel Nurse Licensure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#understanding_travel_nursing_bill_rates\" >Understanding Travel Nursing Bill Rates<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#how_travel_nurse_housing_stipends_work\" >How Travel Nurse Housing Stipends Work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#how_to_make_the_most_money_as_a_travel_nurse\" >How to Make the Most Money as a Travel Nurse<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#10_ways_to_boost_your_travel_nurse_salary\" >10 Ways to Boost Your Travel Nurse Salary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#the_benefits_of_travel_nursing\" >The Benefits of Travel Nursing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#is_travel_nursing_right_for_you\" >Is Travel Nursing Right for You?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#is_travel_nursing_a_career\" >Is Travel Nursing a Career?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-does-travel-nursing-work\/#land_your_first_travel_role_with_vivian\" >Land Your First Travel Role with Vivian<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what_is_a_travel_nurse\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/what-is-a-travel-nurse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>What Is a Travel Nurse?<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel nurses are licensed nurses who work short-term contracts, typically 13 weeks. These nurses fill temporary staffing gaps for various reasons, including covering a staff member\u2019s leave, helping out during seasonal peaks or filling shifts due to a nursing shortage in the area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RNs, licensed practical\/vocational nurses (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/lpn-lvn\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LPN\/LVNs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and advanced practice RNs such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nurse-practitioner\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nurse practitioners<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certified-registered-nurse-anesthetist\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">certified RN anesthetists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can all work as travel nurses if they have the clinical experience and the necessary licensure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health systems, clinics and many other sites hire travelers to help staff their schedules. Positions range across nursing specialties, including med-surg, telemetry, emergency department, pediatric, critical care and more. Travel nurses usually work for an agency and have an assigned recruiter who is the liaison between the nurse and the facility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/industry-trends\/nursing-shortage-by-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Nursing Shortages in 2024: A State-by-State Breakdown<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"travel_nurse_experience_requirements\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-help\/why-do-travel-nurses-need-one-year-of-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Travel Nurse Experience Requirements<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel nurse roles usually require at least<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-help\/why-do-travel-nurses-need-one-year-of-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">one year of acute care experience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while some specialty positions may require two years of experience (requirements may vary by facility). In some higher acuity specialties, like ICU, the two-year experience requirement is the standard at many facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a newly graduated RN, you must gain some experience before applying for travel assignments.<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/do-travel-nursing-agencies-for-new-graduates-exist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel nursing agencies for new graduates<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are a bit of a myth these days, though some loosened their restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and exceptions are still possible in areas with extreme staffing gaps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_choose_a_travel_nurse_agency\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/choosing-the-best-travel-nurse-agencies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>How to Choose a Travel Nurse Agency<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8645\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/06\/Travel-nurse-talking-with-recruiter-iStock-Resized-scaled-e1726256709529.jpg\" alt=\"Travel nurse talking with a recruiter\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin travel nursing, a nurse usually works with an agency and recruiter to start their job search. Agencies are plentiful and come with pros and cons, so it\u2019s important to do a little research to decide what\u2019s best for your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A larger agency may have more job opportunities but offer less personalized attention than a smaller agency can. Some agencies specialize in certain areas of nursing, only contract with specific health systems or don\u2019t cover all 50 states. Before choosing an agency, ask plenty of questions, shop around and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/agencies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">read agency reviews<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to ensure a good fit. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FYI\u2014travel nurses don\u2019t need to stay with the same agency and recruiter throughout their careers, and may work with multiple agencies at one time while looking for a new assignment. You just need to be sure that you aren\u2019t submitted for the same job by different agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/questions-to-ask-your-travel-nurse-recruiter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>10 Questions to Ask Your Travel Nurse Recruiter<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"understanding_travel_nurse_licensure\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nursing-and-licensing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Understanding Travel Nurse Licensure<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One benefit of travel nursing is being able to choose where you want to work, and there are usually jobs available in all 50 states. A nurse must be licensed in the state where they\u2019re going to work, whether that be a<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-help\/travel-nursing-and-single-state-licenses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">single-state nursing license<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or a<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/nurse-licensure-compact-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compact RN license<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many facilities require you to have the correct license in hand to apply, so an agency won&#8217;t submit you for a job until you hold an<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/licensing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">RN license<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for that state. You must also meet all of the agency and facility prerequisites for documentation before you can begin an assignment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you live in a Compact state and qualify for a multistate license, you\u2019re fortunate to be able to work in all states that are part of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/nurse-licensure-compact-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">without obtaining an additional license. While licensing can be time-consuming and costly, follow these<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nursing-license-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel Nursing License Tips from a Travel Nurse<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to help reduce the stress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/how-to-get-a-temporary-rn-license-in-every-state\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>How to Get a Temporary RN License in Every State<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"understanding_travel_nursing_bill_rates\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/money-taxes\/everything-travel-nurses-want-to-know-about-bill-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Understanding Travel Nursing Bill Rates<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most common questions among new travel nurses is, \u201cWhat is the difference between a bill rate and a pay rate?\u201d Simply put, the bill rate is the total amount the staffing agency charges a healthcare facility for supplying them with a travel nurse to fill a role. The pay rate is the amount the travel nurse actually receives for working their contract.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some facilities have standardized bill rates set by specialty, and some offer negotiated bill rates for their partnership with the agency. Since bill rates may impact travel nurses differently, it\u2019s important to ask plenty of questions to ensure you understand the details of your pay prior to signing a contract, including overtime pay, guaranteed hours, benefits, housing stipends and any bonuses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel nurses who claim a permanent tax home will have a blended pay rate. This rate includes tax-free stipends and a taxable hourly wage. Travel nurses who can\u2019t claim a permanent tax home can still take travel contracts and have a rate similar to a blended rate, but all their wages will be fully taxed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/travel-nurse-contracts-vs-permanent-nurse-jobs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Travel Nurse Contracts vs. Staff Nurse Jobs<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_travel_nurse_housing_stipends_work\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-travel-nurse-housing-stipends-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>How Travel Nurse Housing Stipends Work<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-8501\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/09\/2-Homes-for-Travel-Nurses-iStock-Resized-scaled-e1723476923956.jpg\" alt=\"Travel nurses have two homes\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are travel nurse housing stipends? Think of a stipend as a reimbursement, except the travel nurse agency adds this untaxed amount to your taxed salary to cover housing costs while on an assignment. Your housing stipend may be calculated as a daily, weekly or monthly amount but generally goes on the same weekly or bi-weekly paycheck as your salary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a facility hires you as a travel nurse, you must look for housing in your assignment location. Travel nurses often have the option to take agency-provided housing, but doing so means losing your housing stipend<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014potentially<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a big chunk of pay out of your blended rate. Housing stipends help maximize your earnings because they\u2019re not taxed, making them one of the best benefits of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nursing\/travel\/salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nurse&#8217;s salary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For tips on making the most of your stipend dollars, read our picks of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nurse-housing-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Websites for Finding Travel Nurse Housing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how_to_make_the_most_money_as_a_travel_nurse\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/how-to-make-the-most-money-as-a-travel-nurse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>How to Make the Most Money as a Travel Nurse<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone wants to maximize their earnings at work. While travel nurses typically already have high starting rates, these tips can help increase your salary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_ways_to_boost_your_travel_nurse_salary\"><\/span><b>10 Ways to Boost Your Travel Nurse Salary<\/b><b><\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>1. Choose a high-paying specialty:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Pediatrics, Labor and Delivery, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room and Medical Surgical\/Telemetry roles are often among the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/money-taxes\/highest-paying-rn-specialties\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">highest-paying RN specialties<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>2. Seek professional certifications:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Getting a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/certifications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">professional certification <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shows off your deep knowledge and skills in a certain nursing area. It also often helps you move up and earn more money. <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>3. Obtain a Compact license:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This license increases the number of states you can work in without further licensure requirements. It saves you the trouble and expense of getting and maintaining multiple licenses in the states already participating in the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/career-resources\/nurse-licensure-compact-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>4. Work in higher-paying locations:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Do your research and find out which cities and states are paying the best for your specialty. California consistently pays significantly more than most states for nearly all types of travel nursing roles but also has a higher cost of living. Compare the facts and take a look at the<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/money-taxes\/top-5-highest-paying-staff-rn-locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top 5 Highest Paying Staff RN Locations in 2024<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>5. Be willing to work overtime:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you anticipate working lots of extra hours, negotiate your OT rate with your staffing agency to ensure you make the most money on your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/nursing\/travel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel assignment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could also look for contracts offering 48 hours per week, and then make sure the additional 8 hours are paid a good OT rate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>6. Work weekends and holidays:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These shifts are the ideal way to pick up some potentially lucrative hours and make a staff nurse\u2019s day who now gets to take a weekend or a holiday off while you work. Make sure your contract includes a holiday pay rate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>7. Be smart about housing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Share housing, rent a single room or travel with a friend and split expenses. Be creative and try to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/find-travel-nurse-housing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">find your own travel nurse housing<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as cheaply as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>8. Watch for rapid response, crisis and strike assignments:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These assignments often require you to get to a new location on very short notice to cover staffing emergencies, but they offer a huge salary and cover travel and accommodation costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>9. Take a contract extension:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you like the location and the facility, why not stick around a bit longer and get paid to enjoy it? You can usually negotiate for a bit more money for an extension and dictate the length of time (it doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be for another 13 weeks).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 30px; margin-right: 10px;\"><b>10. Use Vivian as a resource:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">salary calculator<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">helps you stay informed of salary trends and easily research pay rates. It uses the most up-to-date job market data to compare wages for various nursing disciplines in locations nationwide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the_benefits_of_travel_nursing\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/top-benefits-travel-nursing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>The Benefits of Travel Nursing<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-6555\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/State-Loan-Repayment-Programs-Resized.jpg\" alt=\"Money from State Loan Forgiveness Programs\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/State-Loan-Repayment-Programs-Resized.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/State-Loan-Repayment-Programs-Resized-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/State-Loan-Repayment-Programs-Resized-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/State-Loan-Repayment-Programs-Resized-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/State-Loan-Repayment-Programs-Resized-705x370.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With seemingly endless pros and very few cons, the travel nursing profession presents amazing opportunities. There are many reasons why you might choose to follow this career path and many aspects of travel nursing you won\u2019t find in other professional environments. Here are five key benefits to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial rewards:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Travel roles typically have higher pay rates compared to staff nurses, plus housing stipends, travel reimbursements and tax benefits.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Personal and professional growth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Be exposed to diverse healthcare environments, have the opportunity to develop new skills, expand clinical knowledge and build a broad professional network.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flexibility and autonomy in choosing assignments:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Work when you want and take as much time off between assignments as you choose.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Opportunities for travel and exploration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Get paid to live and work in new areas that you\u2019ve always wanted to visit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Job security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nursing is an in-demand profession that continues to experience growth due to the aging population and ongoing nursing shortage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is_travel_nursing_right_for_you\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/quiz-is-travel-nursing-right-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Is Travel Nursing Right for You?<\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you think travel nursing jobs may be a fit for you? Travel work requires you to be away from home for long periods of time, which can separate you from friends, family and your routine. The job also requires a certain level of organization, flexibility and professionalism as you deal with continually changing work environments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take our 15-question <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/quiz-is-travel-nursing-right-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel nursing quiz<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see if the job matches your work style and personality as you weigh the pros and cons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"is_travel_nursing_a_career\"><\/span><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nurse-career-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Is Travel Nursing a Career?<\/b><b><\/b><\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes! Many nurses travel for years before returning to a permanent <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/vivian-updates\/discover-your-next-staff-position-on-vivian-health\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">staff position<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and some just keep traveling. You gain so much experience as a traveler, and it\u2019s a great way to see the country. If this is your first time, check out our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nurse-career-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guide to travel nursing careers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It will help answer many common questions about travel nursing with advice from an experienced traveler.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-nursing\/travel-nursing-faq\/\"><b>Travel Nursing FAQ: A Complete Guide<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a style=\"color: #006400;\" href=\"#back-to-top\">Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"land_your_first_travel_role_with_vivian\"><\/span><b>Land Your First Travel Role with Vivian<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vivian has been helping RNs find travel nurse assignments since 2017 and is the platform that over 2 million healthcare professionals turn to for career support. Get started today by downloading the free Vivian Health app from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/vivian-find-healthcare-jobs\/id1364643201\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">App Store<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.nursefly.NurseFlyMobile\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Play<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can create your own Reusable Profile and access our Resume Builder and other helpful tools to begin your travel job search and find your dream job faster and easier than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background-color: #124e3b; color: #fdfeff; font-size: 20px; border-radius: 10px; padding: 15px; min-height: 30px; min-width: 120px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/browse-jobs\/landing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Browse Jobs<\/a><\/p>\n<p><small><em><b>Editor&#8217;s Note:<\/b> This post was originally written on June 24, 2021, and was updated on September 13, 2024.<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ready for a change? Explore new horizons with a rewarding career as a travel nurse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":8644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[12],"tags":[362,123,125,75,90],"class_list":["post-4335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-nursing","tag-lpn-lvn","tag-nursing","tag-registered-nurse","tag-rn","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/06\/Travel-nursing-preparations-iStock-Revised-scaled-e1726256301832.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}