Triage Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

Even post-pandemic, travel nursing can be a way for nurses to make more money than they would if they were a staff nurse. If you’re traveling for the money (no shame in that game), look for ways to stretch your dollars so you can maximize your take-home travel nurse pay.

How to make the most out of your travel nurse pay:

Look For a Contact with Paid Housing

One of the easiest ways to stretch your funds is to look for a good-paying job that includes housing. Not all agency-provided housing is created equal. Everyone has heard horror stories of roach-infested apartments with moldy bathrooms and gross kitchens. For this reason, check to make sure you know exactly where you’re staying and talk to the recruiter about what to do if the housing isn’t up to par—you don’t want to be stuck living somewhere for three months if you’re not happy.

For that reason, we recommend a hotel if the agency is providing your housing. Even better is if the hotel offers amenities like free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a free continental breakfast. When the hotel offers breakfast items like yogurt, fresh fruit, and other breakfast foods, you can get a meal before or after work (if you’re on the night shift) and even get a grab-and-go snack for later, which can help stretch your meal budget even further.

Many hotels will provide a small fridge if you request it, but if they don’t have any available, you can usually find a second-hand one on Facebook marketplace and then pass it along to another travel nurse or resell it when you leave.

Travel With a Buddy and Share Housing

If hotel life isn’t for you, or you struggle with finding an assignment that offers paid housing, you can usually find a travel buddy and split the cost of an apartment. This will help you make the most of your travel nurse pay. To do this, it’s best to find a traveler who works with the same agency so you can better coordinate your travel assignments. Two is better than one, especially when you’re paying for housing!

Rent a Room Instead of an Entire Apartment

We know this won’t be for everyone, but it is an option, so we want to bring it up. One big way to save money is to rent a single room instead of an entire apartment. If you do go this route, you’ll want to thoroughly vet your landlord, as well as the room—we don’t recommend signing a lease for these situations sight unseen.

If you don’t want to arrive early to your assignment, it’s a good idea to rent a hotel room for at least a few days so you can evaluate your living situation in person to see if it works for you. The last thing you want to do is sign a lease for a room with loud kids, barking dogs, and an overbearing landlord who lives in the next room.

If you’re looking for ways to cut expenses while on a travel assignment, look no further than housing. Use these tips during your next travel nurse assignment to save on housing costs so you can put more money directly into your own pocket.

Looking for travel nurse jobs? Connect with a Triage recruiter and let them do all the work of finding you a new position.

We hope you found these tips on making the most of your travel nurse pay helpful. How do you maximize your travel nurse pay? Comment any tips you have 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.

Fusion Marketplace provided this article.

Written by: Megan Bebout

The past few years have brought major changes in the world of healthcare travel. It seems like the notorious coronavirus, and its variants have virtually taken over the entire healthcare field, causing an influx in travel healthcare professionals like yourself. The dramatic increase in demand has also come with wage increases for healthcare professionals across the board. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of healthcare wage trends by state to gain a better idea of what to expect for the rest of 2022.

Recent changes in healthcare pay

Within a year, every state in the U.S. experienced changes in healthcare wages and, out of the 50 states, 44 of them saw at least a 10 percent growth in wage. With a 51.6 percent pay increase, Alaska tops the U.S. state as no. 1 for the highest healthcare pay growth, with Georgia followed behind at 47.7 percent and New Mexico at 40 percent.

Since winter enhances the spread of most viruses, the industry has seen a recent trend where wage increases mirror virus outbreaks within a particular state. In other words, the more infectious patients there are to treat, the more money you can make as a healthcare traveler.

Of course, what comes up must come down, and Wyoming healthcare workers felt firsthand the decrease in pay. For example, at the beginning of August 2021, healthcare professionals could expect a weekly salary of $2,538. But by the end of the month, that wage had decreased to $2,417, which is a decrease of 4.8 percent within the month.

There are several ways to compare your next travel assignment’s pay, including Fusion Marketplace. And regardless of where you live or where you travel to, you’re bound to feel the changes of healthcare pay eventually. When it happens, you can be as prepared as possible with Fusion Marketplace’s comprehensive job search platform and these recent trends broken out by state.

Healthcare travel wage trends by state

State	Weekly salary at the beginning of 2021	Weekly salary at the end of 2021	Percentage difference
Alabama	$2,074	$2,821	36%
Alaska	$2,154	$3,265	51.6%
Arizona	$2,375	$3,069	29.2%
Arkansas	$2,455	$2,911	18.6%
California	$2,587	$3,313	28.1%
Colorado	$2,157	$2,652	23%
Connecticut	$2,472	$2,542	2.8%
Delaware	$1,716	$2,810	38.9%
Florida	$2,402	$3,173	32.1%
Georgia	$2,456	$3,627	47.7%
Hawaii	$2,327	$2,367	1.7%
Idaho	$2,474	$3,173	28.3%
Illinois	$2,461	$2,879	17%
Indiana	$2,241	$2,908	20.1%
Iowa	$2,422	$2,677	10.5%
Kansas	$2,453	$2,756	12.4%
Kentucky	$2,325	$2,843	22.3%
Louisiana	$2,331	$2,925	25.5%
Maine	$2,311	$2,355	1.9%
Maryland	$2,284	$2,574	12.7%
Massachusetts	$2,419	$2,492	3%
Michigan	$2,296	$2,701	17.6%
Minnesota	$2,584	$2,970	14.9%
Mississippi	$2,348	2,814	19.9%
Missouri	$2,600	$3,022	16.2%
Montana	$2,091	$2,665	27.5%
Nebraska	$2,448	$2,680	9.5%
Nevada	$2,326	$2,863	23.1%
New Hampshire	$2,333	$2,600	11.4%
New Jersey	$2,309	$2,726	18.1%
New Mexico	$2,430	$3,401	40%
New York	$2,417	$2,788	15.4%
North Carolina	$2,289	$2,773	21.1%
North Dakota	$2,680	$3,396	26.7%
Ohio	$2,180	$2,581	18.4%
Oklahoma	$2,559	$3,025	18.2%
Oregon	$2,456	$3,211	30.7%
Pennsylvania	$2,441	$2,996	22.7%
Rhode Island	$2,259	$2,772	18.5%
South Carolina	$2,377	$2,749	15.7%
South Dakota	$2,392	$2,817	17.8%
Tennessee	$2,172	$2,588	19.2%
Texas	$2,270	$2,558	12.7%
Utah	$2,175	$2,727	25.4%
Vermont	$2,363	$2,457	4%
Virginia	$2,246	$2,546	13.4%
Washington	$2,307	$2,957	28.2%
West Virginia	$2,195	$2,569	17%
Wisconsin	$2,440	$3,159	29.5%
Wyoming	$2,538	$2,417	-4.8%

The healthcare industry goes through constant change, especially as the nation experiences infectious waves from illnesses like the coronavirus and influenza. As healthcare travelers become more and more in demand throughout the year, we can expect to see fluctuations in pay that mirror the demand. For you as a professional healthcare traveler, it’s important to keep up with current wage trends so you’re able to negotiate your pay with each assignment and ensure you’re making the most you can.

We hope you found this article on healthcare travel pay trends by state informational and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please comment 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.

Author Bio

Megan Bebout

Megan is a professional writer and marketer, producing high-quality content to make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. She has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

This article was provided by Medely.

From picking up per diem shifts to going back to school, there are multiple ways for travel nurses to earn more.

No one goes into nursing to get rich – most nurses are answering a call to help others. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ensure you’re being paid well while providing care. There’re many different ways to increase your pay as a nurse, but we’ve put together some of our top suggestions. Some of these tips are easy to implement – others will take time, a personal investment, and drive.

If you’re here, it’s likely you’re already a travel nurse – or at least considering it. This is a great first step to maximizing your earnings. Travel nurses make 20% more than non-travel nurses on average.

These tips assume you’re already working as a travel nurse. But enough preamble – let’s jump into our…

Seven tips to maximize pay as a travel nurse

Tip #1: Location, location, location

It’s true in real estate and it’s true for travel nurses. Whether it’s a local shortage of qualified professionals or just a higher cost of living, some markets simply pay better. Metropolitan areas typically pay better than rural ones. Non-hospital roles often pay better as well.

Just be careful of the geographies that pay more because the cost of living is higher. You might wind up just spending that extra pay on higher rent and groceries.

Tip #2: Pick up per diem shifts while on assignment

Picking up per diem shifts is a great way to maximize your pay during the coronavirus pandemic. Many cities are still under fairly strict lockdown mandates and your options for fun and adventure are limited. If your contract allows for overtime, working an extra shift or two at your current facility is easy to do. But it’s probably better for your career to work with different facilities in your market.

Working extra shifts at different facilities isn’t just about more money. It allows you to grow your network by working with different staff and doctors. Not only that, but you’re also able to see how different professionals approach various procedures and how they provide care.

Your choice in a travel nursing agency may impact this. Some agencies don’t offer per diem work or allow you to work with another agency to book shifts. While some travel nursing tech platforms, like Medely, offer both assignments and per diem right in the same app.

While there are a lot of benefits to working per diem shifts while on assignment, there can be drawbacks too. It’s important to make sure you get enough time off and rest. Your patients deserve the best care you can give, not what little gas you have left in the tank.

Tip # 3: Take less desirable shifts

From TGIF to “Woo-hoo! Three day weekend!” most of us think of work as Monday through Friday day shifts. But weekends, holidays, and night shifts all typically pay better for the exact same work as a weekday shift. Not everyone can make these less-desirable shifts fit their day-to-day schedule or travel plans, but the benefits are clear. If it works for you, these shifts can earn you an average of a few dollars more per hour.

Tip #4: Maximize your tax benefits and travel perks

Travel nursing typically includes per diem stipends for lodging and meals. These are generally tax-free up to a certain amount, which is set by the General Services Administration (GSA) and differs by geography and time of year.

How travel nursing agencies approach stipends can be wildly different. Some reimburse you for your actual expenses, up to the maximum. Others will offer a flat amount lower than the GSA recommendations for your location. And others, like Medely, offer the maximum tax-free stipend amount for your location on every assignment.

Obviously this isn’t the only deciding factor in the agency you choose. But if you work as a travel nurse for the majority of the year, they can add up to a large amount of your income quickly.

Tip #5: Pursue a new specialty

It’s no secret that certain specialties pay better. CRNA and Nurse Practitioners are at the top of the list but come with an advanced degree requirement. ICU and ER nursing traditionally pay well – but they come with a higher stress level. And any change in specialty will require you seizing the right opportunity. Yet another reason for building your professional network is important.

But if you’re up for the challenge, the pay off is clear. The degrees, certifications, and experience can add up to a specialty that pays six figures instead of five. Speaking of getting a new degree…

Tip #6: Earn an advanced degree

Earning a master’s degree is the first step to becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). It’s also the way to move into education, research, or climbing the ladder in healthcare administration. Each of these career paths holds considerable income potential, but they’re not for everyone. Not only do they require an incredible investment of time and money, but the programs themselves are rigorous and competitive. On top of that, several of these career moves will limit how much direct patient care you provide.

Tip #7: Get creative with facility and industry choices

Most people automatically think of hospitals and family practice when thinking of nursing – and certainly, that’s where many nurses work. But there’s plenty of work for nurses outside of that setting in both full-time roles and as side work. You can pick up shifts as an insurance nurse, tutor local nursing students, provide telehealth support, offer medical transcription or technical writing services, and much more. Not only can you earn extra income by working in these areas, but you might also discover something new that you’re passionate about.

Find the right balance for you

Whether you need a couple of extra dollars an hour or you want to move into a new tax bracket – the right choice will be different for everyone.

Some of these choices are fairly simple. Picking up travel assignments in a better market or finding an agency that pays you better can maximize your pay with minimal risk. Working third shift or eating up your time off with per diem shifts may help you meet a temporary goal, but may not fit your lifestyle.

Working around the clock can quickly lead to burnout. Providing medical transcription may bore you to tears. So don’t be afraid to try something and decide it’s not for you. No matter your choices, money is secondary to your health, happiness, and the level of care you give your patients.

We hope you found these tips for to help maximize pay helpful. Have you found any ways to help you maximize pay? Comment them below.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

This article is the second in a series of articles we’re calling “Truth in Travel Nursing.” Designed to provide reliable information to travel nurses, we hope these articles help clear up what we feel are some common misconceptions in the travel nursing profession today.

Tips to determine your best Travel Nursing Pay options:

Hey Gypsies! We’re here to help shed light on some more myths and misunderstandings about your travel nursing pay options as part of our ongoing “Truth in Travel Nursing” series. As we covered in Part 1, there’s many components that make up a solid travel nurse pay package. It is important that travel nurses consider the full picture when comparing compensation packages. This means uncovering the full scope of benefits and pay options. So, as part of our effort to better equip you, we’ve compiled these important tips designed to help you make the best choices for your financial well-being and the Gypsy Life!

Licenses and Certifications

We all know we need a nursing license for each state where we work. This includes permanent, new or renewal licenses, and temporary nursing licenses as offered by some states.

You may also get hit with certification costs for BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP and any other advance certifications required by the facility. Since certifications are nationally recognized you won’t have to obtain new certifications for every state where you work, but these certifications typically expire every two years and fees must be paid for renewal.

Unfortunately, licenses and certifications can easily add up to over $1,000 – yikes! Gypsy nurses will have to comply with the specific requirements of each assignment to begin work. Be sure to check if your agency offers reimbursements for these expenses and how those benefits are paid out. This is an often-overlooked benefit when you are comparing packages; it’s not in the travel nurse pay rate but it is a part of the package!

It’s best to know in advance if you have a license or certification that’s going to expire during your next contract so the terms of reimbursement can be discussed upfront. And while some agencies will pay these fees directly, it’s best to stay organized and save all of your receipts.

Medical Records

Travel nurses are also required to provide medical records as part of the travel nurse portfolio, prior to starting an assignment. If you don’t have a current proof of acceptable results you will need to arrange these tests—often times at the facility where you will work. These can include drug screen, TB exam, a physical exam, X-rays, and an MMR titer report. Depending on the requirements, these tests can easily add up to several hundred dollars – yikes! So, be sure to include this to your discussion list with the agency, to ensure you understand:

How much of the fees are covered
When they are paid or reimbursed
Policies around providing you with copies of all results so that you can use for future assignments.

This is another overlooked benefit when comparing packages; it’s not in the pay rate but it is part of the travel nurse pay package!

Insurance

You may want to secure your own medical benefits to ensure you will have continuity of care. This makes it easier if you switch to a new travel nurse staffing agency. Having your private insurance means you can take your plan with you. This also allows you to have a more predictable “Schedule of Benefits.” Changing agencies and changing providers can often mean different co-pays, deductibles, coverage limits, and other variables. On the downside, you may end up paying more for less coverage. Agencies likely receive discounts for purchasing in volume. Be sure you look at the total picture. Don’t choose on the cost alone. The terms of coverage are important. Make sure that the package you select includes catastrophic coverage.

Bonus Pay

Some agencies offer various bonuses to travel nurses. And while these are not typically big dollars, or a primary reason to choose one agency over another, the extra income is always cool!

Most bonuses are designed in such a way that the agency is essentially passing on some of their savings to the traveler. Furthermore, some are designed as an incentive and many are in collaboration with the facility. The savings are realized in terms of recruitment costs, license fees, medical test, certifications, and training.

Here’s a few examples of bonuses you can ask about for your next assignment (just remember that bonuses are taxed at a higher rate than base compensation):

Extension bonus– what if you agree to stay on for another contract period?
Retention, rebook bonus, “Loyalty”– what if you agree to stay with the agency and take a new assignment in a different area?
Completion bonus– does the hospital offer any incentive pay to the agency for a completed contract?

Do Your Homework

Here’s a check list of what to ask your recruiter when evaluating your next pay package:

What portion of your hourly rate is taxable versus non-taxable?
Do you qualify for tax-free per diems?
Are there licenses and certifications needed and how are they paid?
What medical records must you supply, how quickly, and who pays for them?
Does the company provide insurance options to you and when are you eligible?
How do hours worked affect your living expenses stipend?
Are there any bonuses available?

Do you have questions on Pay that we can help answer? Post your questions in the comments and maybe you’ll find your in-depth answer on our next post in this series.

How to make the most out of your travel nurse pay:

Look For a Contact with Paid Housing

Travel With a Buddy and Share Housing

Rent a Room Instead of an Entire Apartment

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Related Posts

Five Tips for Making the Most of Your Experience in a New City as a Travel Nurse

Healthy Eating Tips for A Travel Nurse

Tips for Securing Housing in a College Town

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Recent changes in healthcare pay

Healthcare travel wage trends by state

Author Bio

Megan Bebout

Related Posts

6 Staycation Ideas for Travel Nurses

It’s Time to Research Housing: Where do I Start?

The Benefits of Compression Socks

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Seven tips to maximize pay as a travel nurse

Tip #1: Location, location, location

Tip #2: Pick up per diem shifts while on assignment

Tip # 3: Take less desirable shifts

Tip #4: Maximize your tax benefits and travel perks

Tip #5: Pursue a new specialty

Tip #6: Earn an advanced degree

Tip #7: Get creative with facility and industry choices

Find the right balance for you

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

Related Posts

20 Great Coping Skills For Travel Nurses

A Beginner’s Guide to Budgeting for Travel Nurses

Five Ways Travel Nursing has Changed Lives

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Tips to determine your best Travel Nursing Pay options:

Licenses and Certifications

Medical Records

Insurance

Bonus Pay

Do Your Homework

Looking for your Next Travel Nurse Adventure?

Related Posts

The Pitfalls of Maintaining RN Licensure in Multiple States

Travel Nursing in a Correctional Facility

Remote Work Considerations for Travel Nurses

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles