Can Travel Nurses Pick Where They Go?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can travel nurses choose where they go? A.

Yes. You get to pick the state, the hospital, and the healthcare setting.

How much time off do travel nurses get?

Usually, travel nurses sign a 13-week contract anywhere across the United States. Not only do you get 13 weeks to explore places within the US and outlying territories, but you also get

unlimited time off in between your contracts

. If you’re feeling burned out, take one, two, or even 10-weeks off between contracts!

Where do travel nurses go the most?

Historically speaking, the highest paying states for travel nurses include

California, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, and New York

. Southern states tend to have lower living costs and, in turn, lower travel nurse pay. Areas that are considered “destination locations” (like, Hawaii and Florida) may pay lower.

How long can a travel nurse stay at one place?

Overall, a traveling nurse can take travel contracts in the same area or at the same facility or place for

12 months

. This means you can extend your travel nursing job at the facility you’re currently on contract with for an additional 39 weeks or up until the year mark of your first contracted day.

Can travel nurses bring their spouse?

Remember that it’s okay for personal responsibilities to take priority over traveling for work. The great beauty of travel nursing is that

it allows both travel nurses and their spouses or partners to take part in the flexibility of travel, too!

Do travel nurses pay taxes?

Because travel nurses are paid a bit differently than staff nurses, so too do travel nurses file taxes a bit differently. This is because

travel nurses are paid a base hourly rate, that is taxable, and a weekly travel stipend that is not taxable

– both of which equal their total pay in a given contract.

Can travel nurses be PRN?

Essentially,

these contracts are a combination of a traditional assignment and per-diem (PRN)

. They typically ask you to provide 5 days of availability each week. In return, the travel nursing company will guarantee that you work 3 shifts per week.

Is it worth being a travel nurse?

So, the question today remains, is travel nursing worth the money? and the short answer is

yes

. Throw in the adventure of travelling to new areas, meeting new people, working in new facilities and building your skills and resume, and you’ve got yourself one very interesting and unique job.

Why are travel nurses paid so much?

So, why do travel nurses get paid more? It’s because

they fill short-term needs, accept assignments in areas with severe nursing shortages, receive extra compensation for their flexibility and work in hard-to fill specialties

.

Can travel nurses take breaks between contracts?


One of the greatest benefits of travel nursing is the ability to take as much time off between contracts as you want, without having to request it

. Whether or not you have PTO money coming in at that time, doesn’t change the fact that if you save enough, you can take extended vacations between your contracts.

Can I bring my family as a travel nurse?

Can travel nurses have families?

Yes

. While there are certain factors to consider, travel nursing is not reserved for singles. Some nurses choose to be a travel nurse only during school break, while others have made a career out of travel nursing year-round with their families.

How do travel nurses survive?

  1. Do your research. …
  2. Get organized. …
  3. Get the right recruiter. …
  4. Understand your limits and flexibility. …
  5. Search for housing. …
  6. Connect with other nurses in the area.

Can you live at home and be a travel nurse?

Can I Be a Travel Nurse in My Own State?

Being a travel nurse in your own state is 100 percent possible

. Many travel nurses are unaware that it is possible to be a travel nurse in your home state. Becoming a travel nurse doesn’t mean you have to travel across the country or leave your home state to land a job.

How many times can you call in as a travel nurse?

For example, you may call-off

3 times in a 13 week period due to illness

. While those may be the only 3 sick calls you have all year, it may look as though you call in sick all the time to the hospital.

How much do nurses make?

Nursing Career 2019 Mean Salary Nursing Assistant (CNA) $30,720 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) $48,500
Registered Nurse (RN)


$77,460
Nurse Practitioners (NP) $111,840

What can my husband do while I travel nurse?

  • State or National Parks. This is great especially for the RV traveler. …
  • Stay at home parent. Probably one of the most important jobs a person can have! …
  • Seasonal work. …
  • Local Temporary Staffing Firms. …
  • Substitute Teaching. …
  • Uber or Lift Driver. …
  • Freelancing. …
  • Bartending.

Can you be in a relationship with a travel nurse?

Dating is hard, in general. But dating while traveling on a nursing assignment can be extra tough. However,

it’s not impossible

. Long distance relationships require planning, honest communication, support, and trust.

What do husbands of traveling nurses do?

As a travel nursing spouse, you can

help research and secure housing and get recurring bills transferred and established

.

What can I claim as a travel nurse?

The most prominent Travel Nurse Tax Deductions are

Tax-Free Stipends for Housing, Meals & Incidentals, Travel Reimbursements and Professional Development Costs

. The only condition to qualify for Tax-Free income is that the traveler must be working in a state that is not their tax home.

How do travel stipends work?

An employee travel stipend, also called a vacation stipend or travel reimbursement, is

an allotment of funds that workers can use during each calendar year at their discretion to pay for personal travel expenses

.

Do travel nurses get w2s?


Most travel nurses operate as W2 employees

. With the recent tax reform, many are considering the option of changing over to a 1099 employee.

Why do PRN nurses make more money?

Facilities will pay more for per diem shifts because

PRN staff usually aren’t eligible for benefits such as insurance or retirement packages

. When you combine the higher hourly rate and organize your schedule well you can make more money than others in your field.

How does per diem travel nursing work?

They’ll be sent to a location by their agency for a given amount of time, provide their availability, and then be guaranteed a certain number of hours or shifts within that time. That’s why a per diem travel contract is also known as a hybrid contract.

How do PRN nurses work?

To become a PRN, they need to

take the National Certification Licensure Exam to become a registered nurse (RN)

. Then they must work as an RN for at least one year before transitioning into a PRN nurse.

What are the disadvantages of being a travel nurse?
  • You will always find yourself in an unfamiliar environment. …
  • You will always be the new guy. …
  • Varying pay rates. …
  • What do you do when your contract has ended? …
  • Not the best work assignments. …
  • License issues. …
  • Floating. …
  • Your contract can be canceled.

Who is the highest paying travel nurse agency?


Triage Staff

is our best overall pick because it pays more than most agencies, providing high hourly wages and frequent bonuses. This agency attracts top talents thanks to its benefits and extensive perks, like tuition reimbursement and day one 401(k).

Is it hard to get a job after travel nursing?


It typically takes 1 to 5 weeks to get a travel nursing job

. However, a host of variables affect the length of time it takes to get a travel nursing job. As a result, it can take less than a week in some cases and much longer than 5 weeks in other cases.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.