Whether you’re just now venturing into the lucrative adventure of travel nursing or are an experienced travel nurse deciding whether to continue, you may wonder where your career can take you in 2024. The good news is that the demand for travel nurses continues to soar, presenting exciting opportunities for travelers seeking new experiences, professional growth, and higher compensation. We’re eager to share some of the top reasons why this year is the perfect time to become a travel nurse and what high-demand states you’ll want to watch!
High Paying Job Opportunities
Travel nursing salaries are undeniably lucrative, influenced by factors like assignment location, specialty, and willingness to work various shifts, often exceeding permanent staff pay. Particularly lucrative are roles in oncology, NICU, pediatrics, cardiac nursing, and CRNAs, which are high-demand specialties. Rural locations, especially in states like California, Alaska, Connecticut, and New York, offer higher pay, with travel nurses typically earning $2,500 – $3,000 weekly.
Professional Development
Being a travel nurse offers you a unique opportunity to work in a variety of healthcare settings, be it a large urban hospital or a small rural clinic. By working with the right agency that will provide continuing training and educational opportunities, this job and patient diversity enables you to expand your skills, gain valuable experience, and enhance your resume. If your goal is to choose a specialty and someday possibly a perm staff role, this also gives you a chance to be exposed to those specialties in the different clinics and facilities you will work in.
Flexibility and Freedom
2024 has presented a lot of amazing new location options for travel nurse jobs. Every travel nurse is looking for something different, and you’re likely no different! If you’d like to spread your wings and see what’s out there, you may consider trying a state you’ve never considered before, like Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, or Nebraska. These states are among those in the highest demand for travel nurses in 2024, in addition to California, Massachusetts, Texas, and New Jersey.
Networking and Professional Connections
Travel nursing provides you with the opportunity to meet and work with healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds. Building these connections can help you meet your professional goals and open doors to future career opportunities by expanding your professional network in 2024 and beyond. Professional networking also exposes travel nurses to different healthcare approaches, techniques, and perspectives, which can enrich your own approach to care.
Fulfill Critical Patient Needs
By alleviating staffing shortages in high-demand healthcare facilities, you can help ensure that their patient base receives timely and quality care. Travelers help maintain continuity of care, particularly in regions experiencing severe staffing shortages. You can directly impact patient outcomes while supporting and uplifting the healthcare professionals working as core staff that you’ll be working alongside. As a traveler, you play a crucial role in meeting patient needs and supporting healthcare teams wherever travel takes you.
Is Travel Nursing Right for Me?
While travel nursing can be a lucrative career, you have to do what’s best for you! Make sure you weigh the pros and cons against your lifestyle and learn all you need to know about travel nursing to help make an informed decision.
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.
Many nurses say one of the primary reasons they start travel nursing is to achieve their financial goals faster than they could in a permanent position. One of the main reasons telemetry/PCU nurse Scott Carpenter started traveling with RNnetwork was because he had a lot of bills he wanted to pay off. “My salary pretty much doubled when I started travel nursing,” Carpenter says. Now, after hitting those financial goals, he’s working on putting money away for retirement.
But it’s not just about higher pay.
Here are four strategies that travel nurses have used to meet their financial goals more quickly.
1. Pick up extra shifts
When he started nursing, Kyle Chadwick, a trauma/ICU nurse, had a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky Medical Center but still made only about $23 an hour. He says it wasn’t enough to support him, so after a year and a half in a staff position, he started travel nursing to boost his pay.
“Just like you would as a staff nurse, add in an extra shift here and there and stack your assignments one after another without much time off between them,” he says.
2. Be open to a variety of assignments
Home health nurse Chloe Callicoat turned to travel nursing after 13 years in a permanent position because she wanted to travel and get paid to do it.
“The key to increasing income as a travel nurse is to be willing to fill in anywhere,” she says. For her, that means doing any kind of home health for any patient. Because of this, she says she has doubled her income.
“It’s a huge difference,” Callicoat says. “I make every week now what I used to make every two weeks.”
3. Consider RV living instead of renting
ICU nurse Gabriel Rios started travel nursing at the beginning of the pandemic and says the key to saving more money is to “play the system.” For instance, he says some travel nurses buy a small RV and camp out. “You’re not just throwing money away on a hotel or an apartment.”
This is a tip that most travel nurses don’t employ, but it might be an option that works for you. Other ways to pocket more money include taking an assignment where you have family and staying with them or working on an assignment where you can rent a room from a friend.
4. Take advantage of all possible reimbursements
In addition to the higher pay, a travel nurse’s total compensation can include non-taxable reimbursements for things like housing, meals, incidental expenses (per diems), and travel to and from assignments, depending on the assignment. These can all help you achieve your financial goals sooner and offer additional ways to save money.
“First, you have to sit down, do the numbers, and see if travel nursing is worth it,” Rios says. “Then you can work out different ways to increase your pay from there,” he says. “That’s how you save more money faster.”
We hope you enjoyed this article on strategies that travel nurses have used to meet their financial goals more quickly. Do you have any strategies for meeting your financial goals more quickly as a travel nurse? 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.
The travel nursing industry has gone through significant transformations in the past few years, and as we get further into 2024, we thought it was important to explore the current state of this dynamic career path.
Rising demand for travel nurses
Despite the end of “the travel nurses’ gold rush,” the travel nursing industry is still going strong and continues to be a viable option for skilled nurses, says TravelNursing.org.
In the past several years, the travel nursing industry has grown by more than 600%, according to Supplemental Health Care. This is due to various factors, including the ongoing strain on healthcare facilities and the need for specialized skills in different regions, especially more rural areas. This has led hospitals and healthcare facilities to fill staffing gaps with travel assignments and book travel nurses to maintain quality patient care.
Changing demographics of travel nurses
The demographics of travel nurses are evolving, reflecting a diverse and dynamic workforce. Many younger professionals are entering the field, drawn to the flexibility, professional growth, and unique experiences that travel nursing offers. Additionally, more experienced nurses looking for a change or seeking adventure contribute to the growing diversity within the travel nursing community.
However, there is a projected nursing shortage in the U.S., according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, due to more and more baby boomer-generation nurses retiring, adding to the many RNs who left the profession due to pandemic burnout. This is a good opportunity for travel nurses to make the most of the situation as hospitals and facilities look to them to fill those staffing gaps.
Technological advancements in travel nursing
More and more, the travel nursing industry has embraced technological advancements to streamline processes and enhance communication. Mobile apps and online platforms like Medely connect healthcare facilities with travel nurses, making it easier for professionals to find assignments and for facilities to secure qualified staff quickly. These innovations have contributed to the efficiency and accessibility of the travel nursing marketplace and made it easier for travel nurses to not only find the travel assignments they’re looking for but also pick up local shifts in between. Check out this travel nurse’s story here on how she became a travel nurse to see the world and uses Medely to find the shifts she needs.
Salary trends and perks
Compensation for travel nurses has seen ebbs and flows over the past few years, especially when it peaked during the pandemic, but pay still remains high and competitive, according to Health eCareers. Plus, all the perks of travel nursing are still available and enticing to RNs considering this career path, like flexible schedules, benefits, stipends, higher pay, flexibility, exploration, and career growth.
Challenges and opportunities
As the healthcare landscape continues to shift and evolve in 2024, travel nurses continue to play a critical role in healthcare across the U.S. The demand for highly skilled professionals, technological advancements, and the changing demographic landscape show that this resilient and adaptable workforce can grasp many opportunities this year. Navigating the challenges and embracing opportunities will be key to ensuring the continued success and growth of travel nursing in the years to come.
Want to use Medely to sign up for your next travel assignment? We’ve got you covered. Medely works with thousands of the best facility partners across the U.S.
During the COVID pandemic, travel nursing experienced a significant increase in demand as healthcare facilities urgently sought more nurses to fill critical needs. This led to a surplus of high-paying contracts that attracted many nurses who may not have previously considered travel nursing. Now, as the travel pay begins to find a new baseline, some nurses are now questioning whether travel nursing will remain a favorable option in the future.
Post-pandemic travel nursing remains one of the most rewarding and fulfilling career moves you can make, and we’re going to break down exactly why that is! While the pandemic presented unique challenges and opportunities, the pulse of travel nursing remains strong. The essence of this career choice—higher pay, flexibility, new connections, adventure, a politics-free environment, and professional growth—continues to thrive.
In the past several years, the travel nursing industry has grown by more than 600%, and some estimates expect that around 10% of working nurses will remain in contract roles long-term. The foundational shifts driving both the support and demand for healthcare professionals won’t be settled any time soon.
Travel Nurse Pay Remains High
From March 2020 to July 2022, Trusted Health saw travel nurses across all specialties and states making an average gross weekly income of $3,668! Though the average gross weekly income has decreased slightly since then, Trusted is still seeing an impressive average gross weekly of $3,206. This amount is leaps and bounds beyond the national average of $1,711 earned by staff nurses and is still higher than the pre-pandemic average of $2,273 gross weekly for travel nurses.
Healthcare Worker Shortages
First and foremost, there are not enough RNs and other healthcare workers to meet the needs of patients. That goes back, in part, to a shortage of nursing school programs and educators to prepare incoming nursing students.
So, the RN workforce is growing in leaps and bounds, but the tools aren’t always available to train them. When healthcare facilities can’t find local candidates to fill RN positions, they turn to travel nurses to fill those spots.
According to Becker’s Hospital Review, the highest-paying jobs for travel nurses have been in intensive care units, emergency departments, medical surgery, and home health. Contract labor rates are expected to stabilize at 15% over pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
NBC News announced last fall that “the travel nurses’ gold rush” is over. Hospitals are now negotiating down contract rates with travel nurse agencies by as much as 50%. Though not what it once was, travel nursing is far from dead, and the pay is still above average. The mean travel nurse income has stabilized at around $3k per week in 2023. Given that compensation has fallen since the unprecedented pandemic pay, so have the number of travel nurses, making jobs less competitive.
Still, a number of factors, such as whether a hospital is dealing with a natural disaster or strike, as well as market demand in that region, can cause assignments to attract higher prices. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual travel nurse salary in the United States is $105,021 or $50/hr as of May 2023. This is much higher than the national average for registered nurses, which is $77,600 per year or $37.31 per hour, according to the BLS.
Travel Nursing Is Still A Viable Option For Nurses
Another common attitude expressed by travel nurses is that contract work allows them to focus on patient care. They can avoid the bureaucracy of dealing with management and leadership that some face in staff roles. Travelers also choose which hospitals they will work in. They can refuse facilities that they’ve heard have dangerous conditions or too many patients per nurse. California is the only state to regulate nurse-to-patient ratios. It requires one nurse for every five patients in most departments and intensive care units to have a 1:2 ratio.
Travel nursing is perfect for those who want the freedom to choose the assignment and department that fits their lifestyle and interests. It allows nurses to obtain experience in a variety of settings while having the freedom to travel. Despite the current economic downturn, travel nursing remains a feasible employment option for healthcare workers with the right mindset and skills.
Industry analysis suggests that the US may face a shortage of up to 450,000 registered nurses by 2025. According to one nationwide assessment of the nursing workforce, nurses are retiring in greater numbers, with the typical nurse’s age rising from roughly 43 in 2000 to 52 in 2020. This reality, combined with the impending influx of elderly Baby Boomers who will require more care, is expected to exacerbate the situation. These facts suggest that there will always be choices for experienced nurses in all specialties who want to travel.
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.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Are you a travel nurse looking to enhance your skills and stay informed about the latest industry trends? Staying current with the travel industry and healthcare advancements is crucial for professional growth and success. By regularly accessing educational resources, you can stay informed about what’s happening in the travel industry, learn how seasoned travelers have found success, and get insider information on changes in healthcare. Plus, networking with industry insiders and influencers provides valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, gain mentorship, and learn from others’ experiences.
Educational Resources for Travel Nurses
Whether you’re seeking expert advice, continuing education credits, or insider insights, there are several resources that can help you excel in your travel career. Keep reading to discover how you can leverage these valuable tools to thrive in the dynamic world of travel nursing.
Travel Industry Information Webinars
One of the best ways to learn more about what’s happening in the travel nursing industry is by registering for webinars through your agency or favorite blog, such as TNAA’s masterclass series or The Gypsy Nurse’s events. These live and on-demand webinars for travel nurses focus on topics for travel-centric topics and fantastic giveaways. And with on-demand or live options, you can tune in anytime that suits your busy travel schedule!
Get Social
Turn to your favorite social channels to connect with experienced travel nurses, sharing their wisdom and experiences. Travel nurse influencers are on the rise, and they are a great way to get valuable travel industry tips and insights straight from the source. Plus, you can often find inspiration for your next travel destination through their photos, reels, and follower comments. Follow travelers like Leah from Off the Clock Nurse and Brandy from Travel Nurse 101 and get inspired by their authentic and candid discussions, sure to have you booking your next assignment and adding to your travel bucket list!
And don’t forget to join The Gypsy Nurse Travel Nurse Network Facebook group – 186,000 members strong, ready to answer your burning questions and share insights on the best recruiters, agencies, and travel locations.
Continuing Education
Earning continuing education credits is a must for travel nurses. In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, continuing education units guarantee that travel nurses are up to speed with the latest skills, techniques, and industry knowledge. Nurse.com offers many online continuing education courses, many of which are low-cost or free for their premium subscription members. But if you want to connect in person, head to TravCon! TravCon is the largest healthcare conference in the U.S., and it’s all about travel. You can earn your C.E.s, connect with other travelers, build your professional network, and have a lot of fun at this amazing event!
These are only some of the best educational resources for travel nurses. Taking time to learn more about your industry and learn from other travelers will only help you take your travel career to new heights. With the right tools and knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to thrive in the dynamic world of travel nursing. Happy learning!
We hope you found this article on educational resources for travel nurses helpful. Are there any educational resources you think we should have included in this article? 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.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
If you’re considering becoming a travel nurse or have been a traveler for a while, it is worth your time (and money) to consider whether you’ve been maximizing your earnings and, if not, find ways to maximize your earnings. As we like to say, communication, especially with your recruiter, is key to meeting your expectations. That means you need to be clear about what you desire regarding location, facility type, and compensation. This article will provide tips, best practices, and explanations of common terms for our industry.
Ways to maximize your earnings as a travel nurse:
When was the last time your resume was updated? You should be updating your experience and skills regularly. For travelers, update after each contract to capture everything you’re learning and skill building. For shift nurses seeking to become travelers, review your resume with skills and experiences every quarter. This will build a strong resume highlighting relevant skills for the positions you are applying for.
What do you desire in an agency and recruiter? We offer our best practices in the article How to Choose a Travel Healthcare Agency. Our travelers tell us they like that AB Staffing matches them with one dedicated recruiter who guides them through the process. We also have Housing Specialists and healthcare benefits that may interest you and aren’t offered by other agencies. Find the right agency for you.
What do you desire in a travel experience? List everything from dream locations and facilities to whether you are traveling with a spouse, kids, and/or pets. This will help your recruiter find the best position for you. We never guarantee but always do our best to find the right match for you.
To maximize your earnings as a travel nurse, it is essential to understand the compensation package offered, different types of pay, and other factors.
The typical components of travel nurse pay are hourly rate, Overtime (OT) pay, and stipend for housing and/or travel. Hourly and OT* are taxable, whereas housing, meals, and/or travel stipends are not taxable. As a contractor, you will be responsible for paying taxes and will receive a 1099 from your agency(s) that will be submitted with your taxes.
Make sure you read the contract and ask questions before signing anything.
* According to the FLSA, non-exempt employees, such as travel nurses, are eligible for overtime earnings once they have worked a 40-hour work week. States may have different overtime thresholds, and travel nurses must be aware of state and federal regulations. When seeking an assignment, especially if pay is a top priority, ask your recruiter what the average overtime hours are. Some facilities will have many hours available while others will not. Make an informed decision.
Tips to maximize your earnings.
Ask if there is OT available. In the current market, overtime is not as plentiful as it used to be during the height of COVID-19, but this is a great question to ask your recruiter when considering a facility to work at.
Offer to be on-call or work extra shifts, weekends, or holidays. If a facility knows you are willing to work and they need to cover shifts, this is a great way to earn extra.
Utilize float pool opportunities. In some cases, nurses may be able to float back and forth to nearby locations. Ask your recruiter to check on this for you.
What influences your earnings as a travel nurse?
Your specialty and in-demand skills, the location and season of work, and experience and skills influence your earnings potential.
A contract in the winter in a warm place like Phoenix, Arizona, may not pay as much as a contract in snowy Idaho. That’s called location-based variations in pay. If you prefer the sunshine, you may be okay with less money, but if you’re looking to get paid the most, a snowy rural location may be the best. It depends on what and where your skills are most needed. At the height of the pandemic, nurses in highly populated areas like New York City were paid the most but at the most risk of getting sick.
Urban areas like New York City and Phoenix will differ in cost of living, so factor that into your rate request.
If you’re a few years out of nursing school, you may make more as a traveler than a shift nurse but still less than an experienced travel nurse with certifications in specific skills or more education. As you gain skills and experience, you will become a higher earner. Learn from the experienced nurses you work with by asking questions and showing interest.
Finding the right travel nurse assignment and finding ways to maximize your earnings as a travel nurse takes time and effort, but the rewards can be great. In addition to earning power, you can live in a place where you’ve always wanted to live while growing your resume experience and your professional network.
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
The holiday season is a delightful time filled with family gatherings, gift exchanges, and indulgent feasts. It’s easy to let healthy habits slip during this festive period, but as a travel nurse, maintaining your physical and mental well-being is crucial. Here are some fitness tips to help you get back into travel and stay healthy after the holidays.
As a travel nurse, your schedule may be demanding, but prioritizing exercise is essential for your physical and mental well-being. Plan your workouts in advance, considering your work schedule and personal commitments. Find a consistent time slot that works for you and stick to it. Booking exercise into your schedule ensures that you make time for it and increases the likelihood of follow-through. Remember, even small bursts of physical activity throughout the day can make a significant difference.
3. Incorporate HIIT Workouts
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts are efficient and effective for travel nurses who may have limited time for exercise. HIIT workouts involve short bursts of intense exercise followed by brief periods of rest or active recovery. These workouts elevate your heart rate and burn calories effectively in a shorter amount of time. Look for HIIT workouts online or download fitness apps that offer pre-designed HIIT routines. Incorporating these workouts into your fitness routine can help you maximize your exercise time.
4. Embrace Mobility and Stretching
Being constantly on the move as a travel nurse can take a toll on your body. Prioritize mobility exercises and stretching to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury. Dedicate a few minutes each day to perform dynamic stretches and mobility exercises that target different muscle groups. Not only will this help you stay injury-free, but it will also improve your overall range of motion and make your daily activities more comfortable.
Remember, your fitness journey is unique, and it’s essential to listen to your body and adjust your routine as needed. As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to inspire and motivate others to prioritize their health and well-being, too. By incorporating these travel nurse fitness tips into your routine after the holidays, you’ll bounce back, stay healthy, and continue thriving in your nursing career.
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:
Even as a nurse who makes it a priority to help people around the country, it’s still possible to find yourself in an unsafe situation. This is especially possible when working in an unfamiliar place or traveling in the dark. Luckily, you can prepare yourself before your next trip by learning how to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and protect yourself in a struggle. These self-defense tips will help.
You Can And Should Feel Safe And Defend Yourself
Statistics show that many medical professionals often experience feelings of depression and anxiety, likely due to a hectic work schedule and a high-stress job. Constant stress can lead to burnout and hamper your ability to care for the patients properly. If necessary, you can get the help you need by speaking to your superiors and asking for a flexible schedule if you’re overwhelmed. Feeling safe both on and off the job can greatly contribute to your overall well-being, which is why learning how to defend yourself is so important.
Self-defense can involve many actions, from de-escalation, which can include acting calm or not fighting back during a robbery, to using a weapon or your hands to avoid harm. You have the right to defend yourself for life preservation. However, if self-defense becomes excessive and leads to deadly force, you could also find yourself in legal hot water. In many jurisdictions, deadly force is not justified if the attacker is using nondeadly force. The point is that you want to protect yourself and remove yourself from the danger without getting yourself in trouble.
Situational Awareness Is Key
If you’re going to a new or unfamiliar area, it’s vital that you take a moment to gain some situational awareness and spot potential dangers before they can cause an issue. In addition to spotting threats, awareness also involves knowing how to react if necessary. That can be as simple as looking for exits and thinking about how to get to them.
You can improve your situational awareness in an unfamiliar place by watching people without staring. See how they act, react, and express themselves. Look for nonverbal cues, like people who appear nervous or fidgety. It will be easier to spot these red flags if you’re free of distractions on your phone while walking around a new area. It’s a good idea to use your phone to notify someone of your location if you’re scared.
When traveling at night, and you need to make a pit stop, opt for well-lit areas where people are less likely to cause a problem for fear of being seen. Also, try to find places with security cameras, which can deter criminals and help with an investigation in the event of an attack. Be extra cautious in high-risk areas, like near the ATM. Find well-lit machines and never accept help from strangers.
Simple Self-Defense Tactics
If a suspicious person turns into a physical threat, it’s essential to have some self-defense tactics ready to go. You can learn many simple defense techniques that can be incredibly effective. One is to slap an attacker in the face with an open hand if they get too close and pose a threat. That way, you can avoid injury to your hand, and the shock to the criminal may give you a chance to escape.
Another tactic is to drive your fingers toward the attacker’s eyes. This is a very sensitive area for people, and just the threat of having eyes poked could drive the assailant away. Finally, a kick to the groin can cause an immediate end to many physical altercations. When the attacker is disarmed or backs away, get out of the situation and find a safe space or the police and report the crime.
Wherever you go, make it a point to bring pepper spray in your bag and know how to use it. If you’re unfamiliar, consider taking a self-defense class that teaches how to use pepper spray. Pepper spray is a great deterrent as it is non-lethal and can give you confidence when protecting yourself. Taking a class is the best way to learn how to use the tool and the nuances that can help you to be effective, such as the effect of wind direction and how close you need to be for maximum effectiveness.
Conclusion
By having situational awareness and a few self-defense tricks up your sleeve, you can do your best work in unfamiliar places with confidence that you can remain safe. Consider these tips, and you can save your own life while also saving your patients.
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.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Embarking on a travel nursing career opens doors to diverse opportunities across the United States. Registered nurses (RNs) seeking exciting locations with high demand for healthcare professionals can explore the top 10 travel nursing destinations, each offering a unique blend of professional growth and personal fulfillment. Discover these healthcare hubs and the vibrant environments they provide for travel nursing jobs.
Exciting travel nursing destinations to consider for 2024:
San Francisco, California
Nestled on the picturesque California coast, San Francisco boasts a dynamic healthcare sector. RNs can experience professional advancement in diverse facilities, from bustling urban hospitals to specialized clinics.
Houston, Texas
Texas, with cities like Houston and Dallas, offers a vibrant mix of urban energy and affordable living. RNs can thrive in a state that combines career growth opportunities with the unmistakable charm of Southern hospitality.
New York City, New York
At the epicenter of healthcare innovation, New York City welcomes nurses to renowned medical institutions. The city’s buzzing atmosphere provides an exciting backdrop for a rewarding and impactful nursing career.
Miami, Florida
Florida’s warm climate and diverse population make it a hotspot for healthcare careers. Whether in metropolitan Miami or along the Gulf Coast, RNs can develop professionally amidst the sun, sea, and palm trees.
Charlotte, North Carolina
With Southern hospitality and a growing healthcare sector, North Carolina beckons nurses with an inviting atmosphere. The state’s lower cost of living ensures both professional growth and the opportunity to explore picturesque landscapes.
Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona’s increasing demand for medical professionals presents a golden opportunity for RNs. Beyond bustling cities, the state’s natural beauty becomes a canvas for professional fulfillment and personal exploration.
Boston, Massachusetts
Home to prestigious hospitals, Massachusetts values education, research, and healthcare excellence. RNs can immerse themselves in a state that provides a rich environment for professional development.
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia’s booming healthcare industry and lower cost of living make it an appealing destination. RNs can make a difference in diverse communities, contributing to a tapestry of experiences in various healthcare settings.
Columbus, Ohio
Located centrally, Ohio serves as a launchpad for nursing careers. The state’s commitment to healthcare education and community health initiatives creates a nurturing environment for professional growth.
Denver, Colorado
Where adventure meets healthcare, Colorado offers an ideal destination for RNs seeking satisfaction and excitement. The unique fusion of adventure and healthcare makes Colorado a thrilling location for travel nursing jobs.
Embark on a travel nursing adventure across the United States, from the skyscrapers of New York to the southern charm of Texas. These top 10 exciting travel nursing destinations promise a fulfilling and impactful nursing career, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. Explore the healthcare landscape coast to coast and find your perfect fit for a rewarding journey in travel nursing.
We hope you found this article on the top 10 exciting travel nursing destinations for 2024 helpful. Are there any travel nursing destinations we missed or do you think should be added? 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.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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.
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