March 29, 2025

2324 Views

Two Travel Nursing Destinations for the Mountain Lover

Posted on March 29, 2025March 29, 2025 by Brandy Pinkerton

The Mountains are calling, and I must go! -John Muir

If you’re a mountain lover, adventure seeker, and love to travel to destinations that feed your passion, here are a couple of places worth considering.

Colorado

There are few major cities in America where you can be a short drive to hiking trails, mountains, waterfalls, canyons, and urban amenities. Colorado has so much to offer with its majestic Rocky Mountains range in every direction. Colorado travel assignments might just be for you if you like a winter wonderland. Colorado offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the U.S., with Vail and Aspen as two of the most popular destinations.

Personally, Breckenridge is a favorite of mine. The moment you arrive, you feel a contagious energy, a laid-back mountain vibe, and a fun-loving sense of adventure that calls out the freedom-seeker in all of us! You will feel right at home, and honestly, you may not ever want to leave. For those who prefer to stay off the slopes but still want to experience all that winter has to offer, Colorado offers plenty of opportunities to snowshoe, snowmobile, or cross-country ski.

My first travel assignment was in Colorado Springs; it quickly stole my heart and is still one of my most favorite assignments. It is a gem of a city! Depending on your specialty and time of year, there are usually an abundance of travel nursing options in Colorado. If you are looking for a relaxing lifestyle in a town with natural beauty that offers awesome outdoor opportunities available year-round, you definitely need to add this town to your bucket list.

Staying fit and healthy is a priority of the locals, and it is a very pet-friendly town. Pikes Peak is the most famous natural attraction in the region, and you can enjoy hikes up to the 14,000-foot summit. In Colorado, you can be in the urban city but have the option to head to the mountains for a quick getaway in minutes!!

* Mentor Tip: If you are up for a big challenge, make sure to check out the extreme rated, heart-pounding Manitou Incline Hiking trail where you gain over 2,000 vertical feet in less than a mile climbing 2,744 stairs to reach the summit where there are stunning panoramic views. Trust me, the views at the top are well worth the effort!

Montana

I saved the best for last. I must warn you, proceed with caution because Big Sky Country will likely steal your heart, and you may never want to leave. As soon as you cross state lines into Montana, you get this laid-back, easy pace way of life vibe. You can follow the Rockies all the way up through into western Montana into the northern region where the Canadian Rockies begin. There are jagged peaks, pristine water, and abundant wildlife in every direction.

Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks are all worth visiting while in this area. In my opinion, Glacier National Park steals the spotlight. It is land of mountain ranges carved by prehistoric ice rivers full of alpine meadows, deep forests, waterfalls, about 25 glistening glaciers, and 200 sparkling lakes. The vistas seen from Going-To-The-Sun Road are breathtaking, a photographer’s paradise.

Relatively few miles of road exist in the park’s 1,600 square miles of picturesque landscape, thus preserving its primitive and unspoiled beauty. It offers tons of hiking trails and backcountry camping and hiking. Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Kalispell, are all cities that often have travel nursing needs. I was able to spend 9 months in Kalispell as a traveler to help them open up a brand new Children’s Hospital. As a traveler, you get to enjoy the breathtaking views of vast forests, rugged mountains, and green meadows, which will make your assignment an unparalleled adventure. Montana is truly the Last Best Place.

*Mentor Tip: Montana is Grizzly Bear country and hiking in these areas requires some preparation and planning. Make sure to educate yourself on Bear Safety and understand the proper way to secure your food. Make sure to always carry bear spray and know how to use it; it could save your life. Also, this is NOT the place to hike alone, and if you do, that is a risk you assume. Try to hike with groups of 3 or more and make lots of noise when on the trails.

Being able to have endless adventures in the mountains is one of the many perks of becoming a traveling nurse. The mountains are a place to go to feel fully truly alive.

This is just a glimpse of the incredible locations travel nurses can enjoy while on assignment. Want to learn more? Contact Brandy@travelnurse101.com today to schedule your complimentary 1:1 mentor session.

We hope you enjoyed this article on two travel nursing destinations for the mountain lover. Have you found any great mountain destinations for travel nursing assignments? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Alex McCoy

March 22, 2025

586 Views

How to Work with Multiple Travel Nurse Recruiters at Once

Posted on March 22, 2025March 12, 2025 by Alex McCoy

One of the best aspects of travel nursing is the potential it affords you. Pay rate, location, shift– all are negotiable and can be shopped out to best meet your needs at any given time!

What is the best way to make sure you have the most options available in your career as a travel nurse? Have multiple travel nurse recruiters!

Why you should work with multiple travel nurse recruiters:

This is important for one main reason: exclusive contracts. Every company will have access to certain jobs based on their relationship with hospitals and vendor companies. Therefore, to have the best access to jobs, you need to have a travel nurse recruiter from a few different companies who have different relationships with different hospitals or systems.

It may sound like a lot at first, but it is totally normal and a good travel nurse recruiter will expect you to have other recruiters as well. The key to balancing all of this is to be open about it with your recruiter(s). Be up front and say something like “I just wanted to let you know I have another recruiter looking for contracts right now as well. I will let you know as soon as I sign a contract if I choose to go with them based on what we find.”

Another helpful thing is to let your recruiter know what is most important to you as they look for jobs. This can help them be more successful in their search, and you with your overall satisfaction. Don’t say you are open to night shift if you really are not, for example. If you really, really need a specific location at a certain time, tell them that!

A good travel nurse recruiter will also let you know if they simply don’t have what you need at that moment. They won’t try to draw you into jobs that don’t fit your needs if you have done a good job at communicating what those are. A good travel nurse recruiter should say something like “I’m sorry I don’t have that right now, but I’ll be here whenever your contract finishes up and we can try and find the right fit for the next one!”

If a travel nurse recruiter tries to tell you that it is abnormal or bad to have more than one recruiter–they are not looking out for your best interest. While a good recruiter might be able to do some digging or reach out to try and “find” a position that will fit your needs, they ultimately can recognize that they simply might not have the job that you need right now. However, if they are smart and courteous they will realize that building a good relationship and leaving the door open for you to circle back is more valuable than being a hard sell or discouraging you from doing what is best for you.

At the end of the day, your relationship with your travel nurse recruiters should be treated as a business relationship. The respect should be mutual, and communication should be direct and open without causing the other person to take things personally.

Remember that this goes both ways. While your travel nurse recruiter needs to be respectful and communicative to you, it helps them do their job better if you can reciprocate these actions. Don’t ghost them if you find another assignment, or if you are upset with something they are doing. Instead–communicate! Let them know why you are frustrated. Tell them you took another assignment but will be done on a specific date. A good travel nurse recruiter will not be offended, they will be appreciative that you have enough respect for them to communicate.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Amber Pickler

March 18, 2025

6782 Views

Tips for Surviving Travel Nurse Anxiety

Posted on March 18, 2025March 18, 2025 by Amber Pickler

Travel nursing means starting a new job every 13 weeks, give or take. This can cause travel nurse anxiety to rise. We see many posts in our Facebook group about nerves before the first assignment. And many veteran travel nurses say that they still have those same first-day jitters after many assignments. So, how do you handle the jitters and travel nurse anxiety? Below, you will find some of the tips fellow travel nurses had in our Facebook group.

Surviving Travel Nurse Anxiety:

Think Positive

Keeping a positive mindset will help you get through. Going into the assignment with a positive outlook will affect your assignment. Many people believe that your thoughts genuinely affect your actions, and it is true. So keeping a positive mindset will help to ease some of your anxiety even if the positive mindset is that it is only 13 weeks, and then you are on to your next location.

Be Positive in Your Skillset

Most travel nurses have at least 2 years of experience. You have developed a great skill set and learned many things in that time. Your skillset won’t change just because you are going to different facilities. Things may not be done exactly like you are used to, but hey, you may just learn something new with each new facility you work at.

Become familiar with the facility, unit, and parking prior to your first day

Members mentioned taking time prior to your first day to get accustomed to the area, the facility, your home unit in the facility, and the parking situation. Some assignments charge for parking. Knowing that before your first day will help with your anxiety. One member said she asks for an orientation of the unit before her first day. This would give you time to ask questions about where things are, codes for doors, and just any questions you may have. Getting to know the facility prior is a great idea too. It gives you a chance to get to know where things are in the facility.

Remember, you are the same nurse at any facility

The biggest takeaway from the comments on the post was that at the end of the day, you care for patients and nurse the same regardless of the location. So, just because your hospital is changing, you are still the same nurse and will give the same care.

We hope you found these tips for coping with travel nurse anxiety helpful. Do you suffer from travel nurse anxiety? How do you cope? Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Leslie Catalano

March 15, 2025

2992 Views

What are the Benefits of Travel Nursing to a Small Town?

Posted on March 15, 2025March 15, 2025 by Leslie Catalano

An exciting part of travel nursing is traveling around the country and experiencing life in all the major cities, but with COVID-19 numbers declining and travel nurse needs in hospitals decreasing, finding your next travel assignment might be more difficult. One solution might be to look for an assignment in a small town or midsize town. It is easy to overlook a city you have never heard of, but there are benefits to accepting a travel assignment in a small or midsize town. Here are six listed below.

1. Open Positions

The need for travel nurses in big cities has declined with the declining COVID-19 numbers, which results in fewer jobs and lower wages. But Small or midsize towns still have a need for nurses. Even before COVID, many small towns struggled to keep patient ratios down due to the lack of well-educated nurses in their local areas. Next time you have a conversation with your recruiter, investigate smaller, less familiar towns.

2. Lower Cost of Living

The cost of living in a small town is less than in a big city. You may think, “Well, my company will pay for my housing.” That may be true, but it is not just housing that costs less. Groceries can be cheaper. Shorter commutes to work mean saving money on gas. If you choose to find your own housing, you may find a better deal in a small town than in a big city.

3. No Traffic

Living in a smaller town can be beneficial for your work commute. From my own personal experience of moving from Denver, CO, to Springfield, IL, I noticed my 30–40-minute commute went down to 15-20 minutes with no traffic issues. This was not just helpful for my work commute, but it was quicker and easier to grocery shop, find my way around, go to the gym, get coffee, and more.

4. Small Town Charms

The most amazing part about traveling to a small town is all the small-town charm you will find. Chain restaurants and stores are great for predictability, but nothing beats the unique finds of a mom-and-pop restaurant or family-owned store. Homemade cookies, jams, jellies, honey, and even wine from a local country store can be a life-changing experience. The idea of “shop local, buy local” has more meaning when you can purchase homemade goods from the people who make them. You might even find yourself making friends and connections you will keep for life at the corner diner or local coffee shop.

5. More Big Cities to Visit

When looking at small-town locations, you might find that many are located within just a few hours’ drive of a big city or two. . If you have a goal to see as many cities as possible, this is a terrific way to knock a few off your list with one assignment. For example, from my current location of Springfield, IL, there are three major cities, all within a 3–4-hour drive or train ride. Chicago is about 3 and a half hours away. Indianapolis is about 3 hours away. St. Louis is less than 2 hours away. All are great for a weekend getaway without the hassles of living in a big city.

6. More Nature to Get Lost In

If outdoor recreation is a passion of yours, small towns are a wonderful place to find nature. The whole reason small towns exist is because they are surrounded by unoccupied land. Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are not the only national parks worth seeing. Every state has their own national parks to visit. Anywhere you find mountains, rivers, lakes, or even beaches, you can find a small-town hospital in need of nurses nearby.

Melbourne, FL is a midsize city in central Florida. It is about 3 hours north of Miami, 2 hours east of Orlando, and sits right next to intercoastal waterways. It is about a 15-minute drive away from the Atlantic coast beaches. Whether you are in the Midwest, South, East Coast, or West Coast, there are small towns surrounded by nature.

The draw of a big city can be exciting, but traveling to a smaller mid-size city or small town also has its benefits. Next time your nurse recruiter mentions a city you have never heard of, do not discount it right away. Instead, do some research, see where it is located, and ask yourself these questions. Is it close to a big city you have wanted to visit? What is the cost of living? What small town charms might it hold? Nursing is stressful. Moving is stressful. Maybe for your next assignment, a smaller, easier place to live is just the thing you need.

Have you taken an assignment in a small town and loved it? Comment your experiences below!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By AMN Healthcare

March 12, 2025

972 Views

The Evolving Landscape of Travel Nursing: How Nurse Compact Licenses are Changing the Game

Posted on March 12, 2025March 5, 2025 by AMN Healthcare

For travel nurses, the allure of adventure, professional growth, and adapting to new environments is a major draw. One of the most significant developments making this lifestyle even more appealing is the rise of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The Nurse Licensure Compact allows travel nurses to streamline their practice across state lines, turning a once-complex licensing process into a much smoother experience.

Understanding the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

The NLC offers a solution for nurses seeking greater flexibility in their careers. It allows both Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/VNs) to hold a single, multi-state license. This enables them to practice in any of the participating compact states without the need to obtain individual licenses for each state.

The Nurse Licensure Compact enhances opportunities for nurses seeking flexibility in their careers and offers significant advantages in travel nursing.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Eligibility: If your primary state of residence is a compact state and you meet the specific requirements, you can apply for a multi-state license.
Reciprocity: Once approved, you gain the privilege to practice in other compact states without navigating the often-lengthy process of acquiring additional licenses.
Growth: Since its creation, the NLC has expanded to include 42 states and territories (as of May 2024), and continues to grow. This expansion is reshaping the travel nursing landscape, providing nurses with increased mobility and career opportunities.

Key Facts About the NLC:

Broad Reach: Currently includes 42 states and territories, with ongoing expansion.
Primary Residence: Requires nurses to declare a “home state” as their primary residence for licensure.
Relocation Protocol: If you move to a different compact state, you are required to transfer your primary license to your new state of residence.
Stay Informed: For the most current list of participating compact states, refer to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website.

This growth of the Nurse Licensure Compact is reshaping the travel nursing landscape, providing nurses with increased mobility and career opportunities.

Why Compact Licenses are a Major Advantage for Travel Nurses

Compact licenses offer a multitude of benefits, particularly for travel nurses. The very nature of travel nursing demands flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability – qualities perfectly aligned with the advantages of compact licenses.

1. Eliminating Licensing Roadblocks

In the past, travel nurses were often burdened with applying for individual licenses for each new state where they intended to work. This involved application fees and considerable time spent on paperwork. These delays could lead to missed opportunities. Compact licenses remove these obstacles, empowering nurses to readily accept assignments in compact states.

2. Expanding Career Horizons

A compact license broadens your potential job opportunities beyond your home state or neighboring regions. This increased range allows travel nurses to negotiate better compensation, select assignments that align with their passions, and gain experience in diverse healthcare settings.

Understanding how the Nurse Licensure Compact works can help you fully leverage its benefits for your travel nursing career.

3. Simplifying Agency Credentialing

Many travel nursing agencies require nurses to hold a valid state license before they can be considered for assignments. Obtaining these licenses can add complications to the credentialing process. Compact licenses streamline this process, accelerating the completion of paperwork for travel nursing positions, especially those requiring immediate or short-term coverage.

With a Nurse Licensure Compact license, you can accept assignments in multiple states without the hassle of acquiring separate licenses.

4. Enabling Rapid Response to Emergencies

A compact license under the Nurse Licensure Compact broadens your potential job opportunities beyond your home state or neighboring regions.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of nurses in responding swiftly to crises. Compact licenses enhance the agility of travel nurses, enabling them to deploy to different states during emergencies without delays.

First, verify that your primary state of residence is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If not, you will need to pursue individual state licenses until your state joins the Nurse Licensure Compact.

The expense of applying for and renewing multiple state licenses can accumulate significantly over time. A compact license reduces these costs, helping travel nurses optimize their finances.

How to Obtain a Compact License: A Step-by-Step Guide

Obtaining a compact license is a relatively straightforward process, but requires attention to detail to ensure eligibility and compliance. Follow these steps to secure your compact nursing license:

The Nurse Licensure Compact allows for quicker deployment, especially in emergency situations where travel nurses are needed immediately.

Step 1: Confirm State Participation

The application process for a compact license is designed to be efficient, keeping in mind the fast-paced nature of travel nursing roles.

First, verify that your primary state of residence is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. If not, you will need to pursue individual state licenses until your state joins the compact.

Step 2: Meet Eligibility Criteria

Each compact state adheres to the same NLC standards for issuing licenses. To be eligible, you must:

Possess an active and unencumbered RN or LPN/VN license.
Declare a compact state as your primary state of residence.
Have passed the NCLEX exam or fulfilled initial licensure requirements in your home state.
Successfully complete a federal criminal background check.

Step 3: Apply Through Your State Board of Nursing

Once you have confirmed your eligibility, submit your application for a compact license through your State Board of Nursing. This typically involves providing necessary documentation and paying the required fee.

Step 4: Explore Opportunities

Once your application is approved, you can begin exploring assignments in compact states.

Addressing Common Questions

While compact licenses offer numerous advantages, it’s normal to have questions. Here are some common concerns:

Working in Non-Compact States: If you wish to work in a state that is not part of the NLC, you will need to apply for a single-state license in that specific jurisdiction.
Loss of Compact License: Certain circumstances can lead to the loss of your compact license, such as moving to a non-compact state or violating nursing regulations.
Adherence to State Laws: Even with a compact license, you are obligated to follow the nursing laws and regulations of the state where you are currently practicing.

Embrace the Freedom of a Compact License

Compact state licenses are transforming the travel nursing profession, providing increased freedom, reduced administrative burdens, and greater job mobility. Whether you are an experienced travel nurse or just starting your career, a compact license can significantly enhance your professional journey.

Travel nurses can stay informed about the Nurse Licensure Compact’s expansion to ensure they maximize their career opportunities. The benefits of the Nurse Licensure Compact are numerous, helping to facilitate a smoother transition for travel nurses. Embracing the Nurse Licensure Compact means embracing a new level of freedom in the travel nursing profession.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Alex McCoy

March 1, 2025

3206 Views

Summer Contracts Will Be Here Soon–What You Need to Know

Posted on March 1, 2025March 1, 2025 by Alex McCoy

Here is your official reminder that summer contracts will be coming up soon! Winter rates will be winding down before we know it, and it’s always good to have a plan to get through summertime as a travel nurse. Less flu and respiratory patients mean the census will drop, and job postings will inevitably decrease, but that does not mean you will be unemployed this summer. You can find the perfect summer contract with a little planning and preparation. Here are some tips to do just that.

Summer contracts: what you need to know:

1. Strategize Your Extensions

How are you feeling about your current contract? Is it doable for a little while longer? Even if it isn’t your favorite unit or location, if the pay is right and you have decent housing, it might be worth considering an extension. A lot of the time, units may keep current travelers even if they are not actively hiring additional travelers. Use that to your advantage!

2. Have Profiles on File With Multiple Agencies

Now is the time to make sure you have relationships with more than one agency. The more options you have for jobs, the better! Each agency will have different relationships with facilities, so you never know what one recruiter might have that’s different from your current recruiter. Not sure how to find a new company to work with? Check out our list of Top Travel Nurse Agencies for 2023.

3. Save Money Now

While you are still making money on winter rates, make sure to save a little extra. As travel nurses, it’s always good to have an emergency fund, but it is especially important going into summer. Sometimes, if you can’t find a summer contract you’re interested in for the summer months, you might be able to take some time off instead.

4. Consider PRN Work

If you are having trouble finding a summer contract to work, you might see if you can sign on PRN for a hospital at your current location OR back home. Working PRN usually gets you a higher hourly rate but requires less commitment than a full-time job. Some agencies even do PRN staffing, so look into that as well.

5. Work a Less Desirable Specialty

Have LTAC experience but prefer to work ICU? During the summer slow down, it might be time to bust out your other skills. Try broadening your search by looking into summer contracts in areas that you have experience with but don’t “love.” Of course, you can’t work as a traveler in an area you have zero experience in, so if you have only ever done one specialty, this isn’t a great option. And remember–you can do anything for 13 weeks!

6. Don’t. Panic.

Every single year around springtime, the travel nursing pages are full of travelers complaining that the market is crashing, there are no more jobs, and the rates are plummeting. If you are an experienced traveler, you understand that this, too, shall pass. Stay calm, and remember that the travel nurse industry is one of supply and demand. Once fall rolls back around, respiratory admissions will go up, and the market will stabilize. It happens every year like clockwork!

If your desire is to work full-time, year-round, as a travel nurse, it is completely doable. Summer might be a slower time, but if you plan ahead and communicate with your recruiters, you should be able to stay employed. Also, remember that flexibility is key in this industry. You might not get your perfect summer placement, but if your goal is to keep working, you might have to make some concessions in one area or another.

We hope you found this article on summer contracts and what you should know now to prepare for them. Do you have any tips for preparing for summer contracts? Comment them below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Annie Rueb

February 9, 2025

5742 Views

Learning by Default: Homeschooling on the Road

Posted on February 9, 2025February 9, 2025 by Annie Rueb

We are huge believers that kids enhance your life and travel dreams instead of hindering you or holding you back.

Learning by Default: Homeschooling on the Road

When I was pregnant, we backpacked in Europe and hiked mountains in Arizona. When our girls were infants, we took them tent camping, hiking, and exploring every chance we got. They grew up going on adventures anytime we had a day off.

When we decided to do travel nursing, we knew they would adapt well to the continuation of their current lifestyle. That wasn’t the scary part. What intimidated us was the immense responsibility of educating them along the way.

We are both nurses but decided that I would homeschool the girls while their Dad took nursing contracts. This would bring an element of consistency to our lives that we could all rely on. I’m a nurse, I love kids, but I am not a teacher. I have incredible respect for teachers and all that they do, and that respect continues to grow on a daily basis.

Learning by default

As we continue to navigate this part of our lives, we have begun to understand that as we travel, our kids are learning by default.

They are learning to be kind and to have the confidence to make a friend and try new things.

They are learning to love the Earth and growing a deep drive to protect it.

They are learning about geography and weather as we travel from state to state, from coast to coast, and from deserts to rain forests.

They are learning about different cultures, people, and foods in various parts of the United States.

They are National Park experts and thrive in natural environments. They are great at spotting animals and learning about each one as we go.

They are learning so much about history.

They hike in indigenous lands and on trails where battles once took place. They see the changes made by civil rights activists and have witnessed current fights for equality and conservation. They’ve walked where Benjamin Franklin has walked. They’ve been inside the Statue of Liberty and seen the immigration process on Ellis Island. They’ve seen the lava path that Mt. St Helens created when it erupted. The list goes on.

School is all around us. So, by default, they are learning.

I know these experiences are more important than anything I teach them. But I still want to teach them. I want them to be confident readers and writers, understand math and push for more answers in science.

So, we homeschool. After doing this for almost two years, I finally feel a tiny bit more comfortable. We are in a rhythm and have found a 2nd and 4th-grade curriculum that is challenging, interactive, and fun for all of us. I teach them while their Dad is on shift. We typically have school days 3-4 days a week for 4-6 hours per day, depending on the week. We follow a secular-based structured curriculum, and I have the ability to speed things up and slow things down based on their needs. We do a lot of reading and listen to audiobooks throughout the day. And luckily, we live in campgrounds, so going outside to play between subjects is super easy.

They socialize all the time.

They interact with kids that we meet everywhere we go. They have learned to seize the moment and make a friend when they have the chance. They stay in touch with their friends from home and new friends they have found along the way. They write letters and make phone calls and hang on to the hope that our paths will cross again. These friends are all of different ages and backgrounds and might have completely different interests. But that’s the beauty of it. They find common ground and enjoy the time they have together.

Despite all of this, I doubt myself constantly. Teaching them is not easy. I can’t even pretend that it is. I hold the weight of the world on my shoulders when it comes to their education. I’m always worried that they will be behind in writing or that I’m not teaching them division correctly. I worry they are missing out on something. Maybe it is impossible to avoid this kind of doubt.

I am their mother, their teacher, their playmate, their activity planner… I am so many roles to them that sometimes it’s hard for me to switch back and forth. And wow, do I need a break sometimes!! But let me tell you how hard it is to snag some alone time in a motorhome…

That is when I cling to the fact that I know they are also learning by default. I remind myself that they are growing all the time and absorbing so much of the world around them.

They are learning to be the globally minded, kind, and adventurous humans that we only hoped and dreamed for them to be.

So for anyone out there considering travel nursing with kids, do it! Even if the homeschool part is scary. Remember that they learn so much by default, and you can have fun with some basic homeschool as you go.

And as a bonus, they will teach you more than you could ever imagine.

We hope you found this article from Annie and her family on homeschooling on the road helpful. Are you a travel nurse family that homeschools? How do you make it work? Do you have any tips to share? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have the assignment but need to find housing? Click here to search our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By ONESTAFF MEDICAL

February 7, 2025

1259 Views

Top Ways to Find Affordable Housing as a Travel Nurse in 2025

Posted on February 7, 2025February 10, 2025 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

Onestaff Medical provided this article.

Travel nursing is so much more than just a job—it’s an adventure. That mindset is why we are all in the industry we are in. Each new assignment offers the chance to explore vibrant cities, make lifelong memories, and immerse yourself in diverse cultures. But while the allure of the open road is undeniable, finding affordable housing can be a bit of a puzzle.

With a little strategy and creativity, you can unlock amazing living experiences without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into the best ways to secure affordable housing, especially in some of 2025’s top-paying cities for travel nurses. So, we did a little legwork to help you find that perfect 2025 assignment: experiences, history, sports, pay, and affordable housing tips!

Top-Paying Cities for Travel Nurses in 2025

Working in a high-paying city can significantly enhance your travel nursing experience. Here are a few locations that combine lucrative contracts with unbeatable opportunities for exploration:

San Francisco, CA: With pay rates often exceeding $4,000 per week, San Francisco is a dream for nurses. Explore iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, indulge in eclectic food scenes, and enjoy breathtaking coastal hikes—all while earning top dollar.
New York, NY: The city that never sleeps offers contracts around $3,800/week. Whether you’re catching a Broadway show, strolling through Central Park, or exploring hidden gems in every borough, NYC promises endless excitement.
Austin, TX: Known for its live music scene and quirky vibe, Austin pays nurses around $3,500/week. Picture yourself paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake or savoring mouthwatering barbecue after a fulfilling shift.
Seattle, WA: This Pacific Northwest gem offers contracts over $3,700/week. Between the majestic views of Mount Rainier, coffee culture, and thriving arts scene, Seattle has something for everyone.
Boston, MA: With rates near $3,600/week, Boston lets you step back in time with its rich history while enjoying a modern, bustling city. Don’t forget to catch a Red Sox game or stroll along the picturesque Charles River.

Housing Hacks for Travel Nurses

Once you’ve landed your dream assignment, it’s time to find a home base that feels just as rewarding. These tips can help you discover affordable housing options that match your budget and lifestyle:

1. Furnished Finder: Short-Term Comfort

This platform was designed with travel professionals in mind. Furnished Finder connects you directly with landlords offering fully furnished, short-term rentals near hospitals. Think cozy apartments with everything you need—so you can focus on exploring, not shopping for pots and pans.

2. Extended-Stay Hotels: Flexibility and Convenience

Chains like Marriott’s TownePlace Suites and Hilton’s Homewood Suites often provide discounts for long stays. With amenities like kitchenettes, fitness centers, and even free breakfasts, extended-stay hotels make it easy to settle in and feel at home right away.

3. Facebook Groups: Insider Connections

Local Facebook groups like “Travel Nurse Housing” can be treasure troves of leads. From sublets to room shares, you’ll find options shared by fellow travelers who’ve been in your shoes. It’s also a great way to meet other nurses and build your community.

4. Airbnb: Negotiate Like a Pro

For stays of 30 days or more, Airbnb hosts often offer significant discounts. Don’t be afraid to reach out and negotiate a better rate. Explain your travel nurse assignment and offer a reasonable price—many hosts appreciate reliable, short-term tenants.

5. Roommate Partnerships: Build Connections

Pairing up with fellow travel nurses can open the door to more spacious and affordable housing. Splitting the cost of a multi-bedroom apartment or house not only saves money but also fosters camaraderie during your assignment.

6. Craigslist: Stay Savvy

Craigslist may feel old-school, but it still offers plenty of hidden gems. Use it to find affordable housing, but always vet landlords and properties thoroughly. Meeting in person and verifying details can help ensure a smooth experience.

7. Maximize Your Stipend

Taking the tax-free housing stipend can be a game-changer. By finding accommodations that cost less than your stipend, you can pocket the difference and boost your income. For instance, in cities like Austin or Seattle, where housing options are diverse, this approach can add significant cash to your wallet.

Turn Housing Into Part of the Adventure

Housing doesn’t have to feel like a chore; it can be part of the thrill of travel nursing. Imagine waking up in a charming brownstone in Boston, a high-rise apartment with skyline views in Seattle, or a quirky bungalow in Austin. The right housing can enhance your adventure, giving you a unique glimpse into your temporary city.

Additional Pro Tips

Travel Off-Peak: Many tourist-heavy cities have lower rents in their off-season. For example, finding housing near the beaches of New England in early spring can save you a bundle compared to summer rates.
Ask Your Agency: Agencies like OneStaff Medical often provide housing resources or connect you with trusted providers, helping you find a hassle-free option and help take one thing off your plate as you plan an assignment.
Stay Organized: Create a spreadsheet to track potential housing options, their costs, and amenities. This will streamline your search and make comparisons easier.

Start Your Next Adventure with OneStaff Medical

As a travel nurse, you have the unique opportunity to work where you’ve always dreamed of living—even if just for a little while. By using these housing tips, you can make the most of your travel nursing experience without overspending. Ready to find your next assignment in one of 2025’s top-paying cities? OneStaff Medical is here to help you secure the contract, the connections, and the unforgettable experiences that make travel nursing so rewarding.

Let’s make your next move your best move yet!

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel healthcare gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities. We have opportunities for all travel healthcare professionals.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel healthcare assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Michele Maxey

February 3, 2025

2638 Views

How I Sort Out a Good Fit for Traveling

Posted on February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 by Michele Maxey

How do you know a good fit for traveling? What makes us traveler nurses “travel” depends on so many different pain points. Some states don’t pay enough; I know of two RNs from Alabama who frequently pair up, leave their spouse and kids behind, and set out for financially greener pastures. Some of us, like me, are tired of the mundane of our hometown and want to see something new and exciting. I found the cultures of metro Phoenix and Anchorage to be a great contrast to southern Ohio. Others are avid outdoor adventure enthusiasts and seek out great skiing or rock-climbing areas. Or perhaps you still love nursing, but you just can’t stand to be asked to take on committees anymore (corporate commitments that yield no money and rare change), and you need to start anew. Whichever of these apply to you, I find that landing that perfect assignment takes a little personal work outside of what your recruiter provides. Below are steps I take to sort out a good fit for a travel assignment.

Steps for sorting out a good fit for a travel assignment:

1. Read up on the company

Before I get the interview, I try to learn about the hospital or healthcare system that I am applying to. General search engine sleuthing usually yields a decent amount of information, especially with sites like Glassdoor, where one can read up on employee complaints/concerns. Also, I personally go in and review their mission statement to see if it aligns with my personal values or see how vague it is, and measure if publicized behaviors contradict what they proclaim. For instance, if they say “ they are committed to the improvement of human life” but then have also shut down critical access health sites during a takeover, this lends information to the question of what the corporate atmosphere is—not an absolute deal breaker for a short term assignment but will be highly relative to things like social services and continuity of care into the community.

Insider resources are also important. This includes asking my recruiter to talk with other travelers who have worked with that facility. Sometimes, the recruiter will tell you this is their first time working with the facility. Other times, they may be hesitant to discuss things as a “tough assignment, but the pay is good.” Insider resources also include online chat boards—I never completely discount gossip. These things allow me to weigh out whether certain company behaviors are tolerable to achieve my goals and if it will be a good fit for me as a travel assignment.

2. To Thine Own Self Be True

After my longevity in the nursing field, I am aware of my skill set, what it was, and what I can brush up on to be sufficient. For instance, I used to be a high-risk Labor and Delivery nurse with a lactation certification; that was fifteen years ago, and I no longer possess that acumen in relation to the liability of that arena of nursing. I currently am a CVICU nurse, and my skillset is managing complicated heart failure, among other things, but I communicate what machinery and therapies I am familiar with and what is different from the facility that I am applying to. Sometimes, when jumping between two levels of acuity( sometimes you have a mismatch of ideal place and exact area of expertise), I need to refresh my mind on certain steps for procedures. Luckily, we all live in the Age of Information, and there are literally thousands of professionally backed and collegiate-affiliated YouTube videos out there on every medical and nursing topic for free. They also have teaching videos available for every flavor of electronic health record if the assignment seems golden. However, managing the software platform to chart on seems like a herculean task.

3. Things to ask During the Telephone Interview

In times past, I felt awkward asking specifics about the unit’s operations. I don’t know why; maybe I thought it was a corporate secret, or I was violating the boundaries of good hospitality. Whichever it was, I woke up and realized that this is a business relationship, and I needed to know what kind of environment I was doing business in.

I usually start with general questions like how many beds are in the unit and then how many nurses are staffed each shift. I then ask about support staff, such as unit clerks, monitor techs, and nurses’ aides; this gives me a better idea of my full responsibilities, as I might not have been expecting that I would field phone calls from outside the hospital, etc.

This is usually followed by things like what is the staff mix and staff support. If the nurse educator has just been let go and the staff are mainly new grads, the hospital may be looking at me to be a support structure and knowledge base for those staff. This can end up being difficult if staff are resistant to the presence of travelers—so I weigh this into my equation of acceptance. I also like knowing how many other travelers are currently employed with that particular unit. From personal experience, I know that a unit staffed almost exclusively with travelers can be chaotic and sometimes adversarial, as each person has their way of doing things. Still, no one is immersed in the company’s way of doing things.

4. Shift Requirements and Scheduling Policies

If I start an assignment for the adventure potential that the location promised, I am going to be sad if block scheduling isn’t an option. I find it wise to talk out needed time off with my recruiter ahead of time. Usually, I know when a family vacation is coming up or a major milestone like my parent’s wedding anniversary (mom has been planning for months, so missing it is an act of heresy); then I have put it into the written contract so that there aren’t questions later.

When it comes to the question-and-answer portion of the telephone interview, I tend to discuss the required weekends and holidays. Some places are staunch on “every other” policies; other’s pain points are Mondays and Fridays, and they could care less about weekends. Still, others refuse to pay for travelers on holidays, so you can have that all to yourself. Clarity in this area lends itself to greater satisfaction on both sides. Making a potential good fit for a travel assignment.

5. Asking about the Primary Care Providers

This is an interesting area of conversation. Knowing what type of primary providers I am working with, plus the legal and political hierarchy, and how I can easily contact them is very important to how my patient will receive care. I feel this is even more necessary when I take night shift assignments, as there are fewer providers to contact when issues surface. Firstly, I ask if this is a teaching facility and if are there resident physicians who will be practicing in my unit. The presence of first- and second-year residents requires a certain level of personal confidence, negotiation tactics, and strong skills by the nurse. If things ever sound questionable, I run things up the chain to the chief resident because the purpose of doctors’ residency is learning.

Additionally, what is provider overnight coverage in the hospital, as I sometimes work the night shift? I have encountered tough situations in which patients were intubated. Still, the

In summary, taking these steps to sort out a good fit for a travel assignment and addressing these topics has led me to better satisfaction going into a contract. I feel more at peace knowing the potential of the interdependence of staff going into the contract.

We hope you found these steps I take to sort out a good fit for a travel assignment helpful. Are there any steps you take to make sure a travel assignment will be a good fit for you? Are there tell-tale signs that an assignment may not be a good fit that you have found? Tell us about them in the comments below.

And knowing when I can schedule time off to have adventures and see the landscape makes me even happier.

Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for assignments, and if housing is an issue, our housing page can help. It’s time to make a difference!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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