How Long Do Traveling Nursing Assignments Last?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most assignments last

13 weeks, though some travel jobs may be as short as 8 weeks while others may be as long as 26 weeks

. Many assignments are renewed if the traveler and the hospital are in agreement. Some travel nurses extend multiple times, when the job is a perfect fit!

How often do you move as a travel nurse?

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.

Can you break a travel nurse contract?

Nurses can Cancel Contracts


Travel nurses do have the ability to cancel their own contracts but it is not recommended

. The majority of reasons travel nurses cancel are because of family emergencies, personal health problems, facilities not adhering to agreed time off and schedule, and a poor working environment.

How long can you take off between travel assignments?

The

One-Year Limit Rule

While you can extend on the same assignment multiple times, there comes a point (365 days) where you must leave not only the assignment, but the location itself. You must then take a ‘significant’ break from this location.

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.

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.

How much does a traveling nurse make?

Travel nurse salary

To calculate a travel nurse’s compensation, you’ll need to base the salary off the average median income of a registered nurse in the U.S. In many scenarios, travel nurses can earn about

$3,000 weekly

. They can charge as high as $50 per hour in addition to the hospital-paid housing benefits.

Can a travel nurse refuse an assignment?


The verbal contracts include a clause asking the traveler to decline any additional requests for interviews after committing to an assignment

. Travel nursing salary disputes also can lead to cancellations, if the nurse on second thought thinks he or she is not getting enough compensation.

What is the highest paying nurse?

The

certified registered nurse anesthetist

consistently ranks as the highest paid nursing career. That is because Nurse Anesthetists are advanced and highly skilled registered nurses who work closely with medical staff during medical procedures that require anesthesia.

What happens if you quit a travel nurse assignment?

The Hospital and Health System

Having a bad experience with a traveler who left without explanation or notice

may result in a hospital or health system choosing to mark you as a DNR for their facility/facilities in the future

.

Can I do travel nursing after 6 months?

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

.

Are travel nurses ever home?

In general,

travel nurse housing is provided with your job

. That means you don’t have to find a new home everywhere you move. Common living expenses are eliminated or dramatically decreased as a travel nurse. In fact, in many cases, you’re provided with a fully-furnished home wherever you go.

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

.

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).

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.

What can travel nurses write off on taxes?

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.

Is travel nursing worth it without a tax home?

In the end, I think the majority of nurses without a tax-home will find that

travel nursing is indeed worth it even if they only consider the financial aspects

. Even in difficult economic times, the fully blended rate for the average travel nursing contract is still somewhere between $37/hour-$43/hour.

Are stipends reported to the IRS?


Stipends are generally taxable

. IRS defines a stipend as a fixed sum of money paid periodically for services or to defray expenses. The fact that remuneration is termed a “fee” or “stipend” rather than salary or wages is immaterial.

What is a traveling nurse called?

The term “travel nurse” most commonly refers to

Registered Nurses (RN)

. However, it could also refer to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN) or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). Some people use it to refer to Nurse Practitioners (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA).

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.

How long does it take to be a travel nurse?

How long does it take to be a travel nurse? The education requirements for travel nurse positions include

2 to 4 years of education

, depending upon the path you choose to become a registered nurse.

Do travel nurses get the worst assignments?


That never happens

… ever! Some of your assignments may seem quite intense, but that is only because you are out of your comfort zone. You’re in a new city, you don’t know the doctors, maybe the nurses aren’t as helpful as you are used to or finding supplies is almost impossible.

Is it hard to get hired as a travel nurse?


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.

What happens if you break a travel contract?

When a contract is ended before completion, regardless of the reason,

it can be a loss to everyone involved — the employee, employer, patients, the colleagues you leave behind, and staffing agency

. It’s one of the key reasons why every travel healthcare professional should read each contract thoroughly before signing.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.