Should I Consider Travel Nursing?
The nursing career is diverse and full of potential — hundreds of paths to choose from, and a massive nationwide need for nurses. It also pays decently: the average RN in the US makes around $67,930 per year, or about $32.66 per hour.
But nursing is incredibly hard — physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. Many nurses work 12+ hours on their feet, putting patients' needs above their own. And while $67,930 is the national average, many rural areas start nurses below $50,000. One potentially lucrative option? Travel nursing — which, if you're young and adventurous, can double or even triple your income.
What Is Travel Nursing?
Across the country, hospitals are in dire need of nurses. Some areas are oversaturated with medical professionals; many others face a nursing shortage. Hospitals pay travel agencies to supply temporary nurses on a contract basis — and because the need is so high, travel nurses typically earn more than the facility's staff nurses.
There are hundreds of agencies and locations with limitless potential. Travel nurses work for their agency and sign temporary contracts with various hospitals or facilities.
How Much Can I Expect to Make?
Pay with a travel agency depends on a few factors. The biggest is how far your travel assignment is from your permanent residence.
The most important factors are how desperate the hospital is and where it's located. Urban areas tend to pay more but also have more nurses and less need. Sometimes the real money is in very rural areas where few want to live permanently. Either way, expect more than staff-RN pay wherever there's a travel need. Your specialty, the shifts you'll work, and your actual housing costs factor in too.
From my own experience and that of travel-nurse colleagues, here's a rough idea of real take-home pay:
In the urban Northeast with my residence under 50 miles (no stipend), I made mid-$40s/hour while local staff nurses made around $35 — roughly $1,100 take-home per week ($4,400/month). Traveling more than 50 miles into rural areas of the Northeast, you can expect around $1,500/week ($6,000/month) — significantly higher than my "local traveler" pay.
Factor In Benefits
The rates above don't include benefits. Most travel agencies do offer them, and you can expect roughly $100–300/month deducted depending on the plan you choose.
Is It Worth It?
Whether travel nursing is worth it depends on the type of person you are and your personal situation. Factors that make it more valuable include:
How Do I Get Started?
Research travel agencies. Some work mainly locally (within a state or neighboring states); others place nurses across the entire US. If you want to travel between states, look into a national company. Agencies typically offer competitive pay plus benefits like medical/dental/life insurance, a 401(k), housing accommodations, partial expense reimbursement, RN referral bonuses, free CE courses, and reward/incentive programs.
Once you share your contact information, a nursing recruiter will likely reach out. They can answer all your questions, and a good relationship with them is essential — they'll be your go-to person throughout your time with the company.
So What Are You Waiting For?
If you have an adventurous heart, are confident in your clinical ability, and want more money, travel nursing just might be the perfect opportunity. Very few travel nurses regret the decision. Nursing is hard work — you should get paid well for it. Questions? Reach out through the contact form.
