Can I Pick My Travel Nurse Location?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Local travel nursing is possible

, but there are some important things you need to know before you start. Keep reading to learn how to be a travel nurse in your own state, the benefits and drawbacks of hometown travel nursing, and more.

Can travel nurses work close to home?

Did you know that travel nursing does not necessarily require traveling? Although it may sound like an oxymoron,

RNs can sometimes find short-term local travel nurse jobs in their hometowns or in locations nearby

, which make it easy to return home on their days off.

Can a travel nurse stay in one place?

How Long Can a Travel Nurse Stay in One State?

A travel nurse may stay in one state for as long as they like

. However, for tax purposes, they will want to move to different locations in order to avoid spending more than 12 months in the same location in any consecutive 24-month period.

Do travel nurses pick their own schedule?

Since many travel nurses find employment through a recruitment agency, they will have access to that agency’s job boards, so

they can choose their own schedule

, a benefits package, and salary.

Can you travel nurse with a friend?

It’s easier than you think

Many nurses aren’t aware that

it’s totally possible to travel with a friend for a travel nursing assignment

. The first step in making this happen is to discuss the possibility with your recruiter, who will work to find assignments for both of you.

Where do travel nurses get paid the most?

  • Los Angeles, CA – $2,977.
  • San Francisco, CA – $2,843.
  • San Jose, CA – $2,817.
  • Stockton, CA – $2,467.
  • San Bernadino, CA – $2,445.
  • Washington DC – $2,408.
  • New York, NY – $2,381.
  • Boston, MA – $2,298.

Can I travel nurse after 1 year?

Yes, travel nursing for recent nursing graduates is possible. In fact, there has never been a better time for early career nurses to try travel nursing! While

you cannot travel until you reach one year within your specialty

, you can apply with 6-9 months of experience.

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 bring their families?

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.

Is travel nursing worth the money?

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.

Is it worth it to be a travel nurse?

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make? If you ask a travel nurse, “Is travel nursing worth it?”, they will most likely talk about the pay.

The average salary for a travel nurse is approximately $73,300

, according to the U.S Bureau of Statistics. However, you have the opportunity to earn even more money based on a few factors.

How long are travel nurse contracts?

On average, travel nurse assignments are pre-agreed for the duration of

13 weeks

. However, there are shorter-term contracts of eight weeks, and some that have stretch out to 26 weeks and longer.

Do travel nurses get 401k?

Explore your retirement saving options

Traditional 401(k):

Many travel nurse agencies offer employer-sponsored traditional 401(k) plans

. The contributions you make to this plan are tax-deferred, meaning you don’t pay taxes on the funds until you withdraw them in retirement.

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!

Why do travel nurses get paid more?

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

.

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

How often do travel nurses move?

The average travel nursing assignment is 13 weeks long. That means a travel nurse working regularly could expect to move

four times in a year

(52 weeks in a year/13 = 4). But of course, 13 weeks is just the average. Some travel nursing assignments can be up to 26 weeks, and others can be as short as four weeks.

How can a nurse get rich?

The strategies nurses use to generate significant wealth include

selecting a high-paying occupation, investing/saving money wisely, and limiting expenses

. The biggest obstacles for nurses that want to secure wealth are education and managing money sensibly.

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.

What states need travel nurses the most?

Top States in Need of Travel Nurses

These states are

California, Texas, New Jersey, and South Carolina

. Travel nurses are desperately needed in these states and employers often give incentives to entice nurses. California consistently has the highest demand for travel nurses throughout the year.

How do I start a traveling nurse?

  1. Check out travel nursing companies. …
  2. Submit an application. …
  3. Start working with a recruiter. …
  4. Clarify your needs and wants. …
  5. Secure the travel RN job you want. …
  6. Get packing! …
  7. Go “all in”

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 do I become a traveling nurse?

  1. Understand the role of a travel nurse.
  2. Earn your ASN/ADN or BSN degree.
  3. Pass the NCLEX and become an RN.
  4. Gain experience.
  5. Get licensed.
  6. Find a travel nurse staffing agency and apply.
  7. Start your career.

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.

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.

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

.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.