Can You Be A Travel Nurse In Your Own State?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The average travel nurse is now earning about

$3,334 a week on average

, according to Vivian Health, a health care hiring marketplace. Contracts can last a couple of days or weeks, and nurses can choose how often they travel. Prior to the pandemic, average travel nurse salaries were about $1,800 a week in 2019.

Can traveling nurses go to different states?

As a travel nurse,

you will need to obtain a nursing license in the state in which you choose to work

. Each state has its own nursing license requirements, and some are part of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement which allows nurses to hold one valid nursing license that will work in multiple states.

Can you live at home and be a travel nurse?

If you choose to be a travel nurse, be prepared to pack your bags. Perhaps you’ll be able to find that perfect assignment that will keep you within a few hours of where you live, but

you’ll still need to establish a temporary residence to qualify for your tax-free housing stipends and meals and incidentals pay

.

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.

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.

What is the highest paid travel nurse?


Telemetry Travel Nurses

hold one of the highest-paying travel nursing jobs, earning approximately $130,870 annually. This wage is equal to $62.92 hourly, $2,517 weekly, or $10,910 monthly.

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.

How do I become a travel nurse in USA?

  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.

Can you bring your family with you 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 long can you travel nurse in 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 you be a travel nurse with a newborn?


Yes, you can take on travel nursing assignments with a baby

. Many people ask the question, “Is it possible to travel with a baby?” Yes. Almost anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

What’s the easiest state to become a nurse?

  • Maine: 1-2 weeks.
  • Maryland: 2-3 days.
  • Missouri: 2 weeks.
  • Nevada: 1-2 weeks.
  • North Carolina: 1-2 weeks.
  • North Dakota: 1-2 weeks.
  • Texas: 2 weeks.
  • Vermont: 3-5 business days.

Do travel nurses need a California license?

According to the California Board of Nursing,

any travel nurses who wish to continue working in the state must get a California endorsement

. Interim licenses are allowed, but if you don’t have a CA license, you’re out.

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

.

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.

What can I claim on my taxes as a travel nurse?

Travel nurses can also claim

tax deductions for legitimate business expenses in excess of reimbursements or allowances

. These include expenses for transportation, lodging, and meals. However, a 50 percent limit applies to deductions for business meals and entertainment.

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

.

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.

Is it hard to become a travel nurse?


This schooling may take 2-4 years depending on the length of the program

. The most important element to becoming a travel nurse is experience. Most travel agencies and hospitals require nurses to have a minimum of two years of nursing experience prior to applying for travel nursing contracts.

What’s the difference between a nurse and a travel nurse?


Travel nurses:


Are registered nurses with a valid license and at least 2 years of nursing experience

. Work short-term assignments at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Help by filling in gaps where there are nursing shortages.

Can you be married and be a travel nurse?

In short,

YES, your spouse or significant other can absolutely travel with you while you are on a travel healthcare contract

(travel nursing, PT, PTA, OT, OTA, SLP, etc). I’ve been traveling with my husband (who is a travel physical therapist) for two years now.

How can a nurse make 100K?

  1. Become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) …
  2. Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) …
  3. Become a Nurse Midwife. …
  4. Advance in Nurse Leadership. …
  5. Begin travel nursing assignment. …
  6. Change Nursing specialties. …
  7. Relocate to a higher paying state. …
  8. Make sacrifices.

Can nurses make 6 figures?

There are several avenues to earn a six-figure income for registered nurses who earn an advanced registered nurse practitioner degree. One option is to

work for a hospital or doctor’s office that pays a six-figure salary

. Another option becoming increasingly popular is for nurse practitioners to open their practice.

Which state has the highest nursing salary?

Rank State Average RN Salary 1 California $124,000 2 Hawaii $106,530 3 Oregon $98,630 4

District of Columbia

$98,540
Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.