How much do travel nurses make? Travel nurses can make almost $100,000 annually. The salary rate for travel nurses depends on some factors and conditions that apply in the job. A normal job of a travel nurse pays off almost $3000 per week. which is decent pay if the job requirements are not tough and the location of the hospital or any center is near you so you don’t have to pay for the gas or public transport.
How much do travel nurses make an hour
In some cases, a travel nurse can make $100,000 each year. the salary of a travel nurse all depends on the requirements and timing of the job, the more hard work it requires the more it will pay the nurse. How much do travel nurses make? Well, Some travel nurses can also make $50 per hour which is also a requirement issue.
Travel Nurses Agencies
The job of a travel nurse is to work at a temporary place or center that needs nurses and has a shortage of staff. So an agency that controls the staff of travel nurses appoints them to different places that are in need. A travel nurse can go as far as a different country and explore different places which is a great opportunity if looking for a temporary job or even a permanent one as it is a decent profession.
The company that you are working for as a travel nurse will also provide you a place to stay if you are traveling to a different country or city. Not only one gets the chance to explore different places and practices it is also a good opportunity for a competitive salary as you can get good pay just by working one session and a travel nurse doesn’t even have to commit do a regular job. The nursing agency will appoint you to a place that needs your services and for a specific amount of time and after that your project is done you can get your pay and move on to another job or you can just take a break.
Requirements for a travel nursing job
The best part about a traveling nurse job is that you don’t need a lot of experience to earn as much as an experienced and senior nurse does. A nurse that has been working for two years will get the same pay as a nurse who has been working for a longer period so it is a great opportunity for those who are looking for a decent job with minimum experience. also traveling nursing job does not need a lot of education degrees and one can easily get the job if have done housing jobs here and there in some hospitals.
The salary is good and requires only 2 years’ experience which is not too much considering you are in the field of nursing. Overall it is the best opportunity for anyone who is starting their career in nursing jobs or is just in need of a decent salary so traveling nurse is the best option for you.
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Duties of a travel nurse
When it comes to a travel nursing job there are different types of requirements and specialties that a nurse can work on. The responsibilities of a travel nurse differentiate into several kinds depending on their specialties.
• A travel nurse treats the patient by examining them and asking questions about their medical history and it’s their job to find out what kind of treatment and care they require depending on their condition.
• After examining the patient the nurse then collects all the information about the patient and works on improving their health and the goal is to achieve the required care and medication of the patient.
• A travel nurse’s job is also to research the patient’s condition and medical history.
• The nurse also works as a team with other health care specialists to ensure a better health guide for all the patients.
Factors that can influence the pay of a travel nurse
There is a differentiation in how much you get paid as a travel nurse because the requirements and conditions can be influential to how much a travel nurse can earn. So here are a few factors that can impact the salary.
1.areas and regions (location)
The pay of the nurse is deeply influenced by the location of the job. In simple words, the expenses of a specific country or city make up the salary of a travel nurse. The regional trend also has a huge impact on the salary of a travel nurse.
2. Specialty skills
A travel nurse with no specialty skills that work in common physical and psychiatric Regions is paid lower than the ones that have different skills. The common travel nurses are those that work in medical and surgical projects in a hospital or a Medical Center, but a specialized nurse can have endless opportunities and greater pay for their specialty and experience.
3.Night shifts
In the field of travel nursing, there is a significant difference between the pay for the nurses at work and the day shift and those who work on night shifts. So basically hospitals pay more for the night shift job as it is the time that has more need for staff because there is a shortage for people who could work the night shifts.
And if you need more money and do the same amount of work but the timing will be unusual that is nighttime then you can benefit from the job. just make sure that you are comfortable with any shift, as your job depends on how efficient and active you are, And keep in mind that the patient’s health depends on your decisions.
Difference between a travel nurse and staff nurses
There are several differences between these two jobs that make them unique in their ways. What makes them so different and are they that different from each other? Also answers some questions about how much do travel nurses make. Here are some main differences in the chart below:
| Travel nurse | Staff nurse | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In this case, travel nurses Do not have to deal with any outer issues like staff meetings and controversies other than their job. which is a relief considering that the job is already very focusing and they don’t have time to deal with any drama regarding other colleagues. | As an employee staff nurses have some obligations like participating in meetings and other mandatory staff issues and staff nurses often deal with drama and staff politics which is not so fun. |
| 2 | as a travel nurse it can be pretty easy to get time off or vacation time as you are in control Of signing a contract for your next project so if you want a vacation you will just not sign any contract and enjoy any time of the year as a vacation but it is hardly possible for travel nurses to get paid when they are on their vacation. | Oftentimes it’s really hard for staff nurses to get time off for vacations and don’t have any specific time for holidays but when they do get time off the paycheck keeps rolling in even when they are on they are not working. it’s a good thing that they get paid even if they’re not working and it’s one of the perks of being a staff nurse. |
| 3 | As the travel nurse the biggest perk is that unlike staff nurses their paycheck does not get deducted for any taxes but also the company pays for all the meals and convenience to stay. so basically a huge chunk of your paycheck after a single job without any tax deduction is all yours and in that case, a travel nurse is earning more than a staff nurse. | when it comes to receiving a paycheck staff nurses experience a painful process when they see how much tax has been deducted from their paycheck. that’s right a 40% of their salary gets deducted because of taxes. that’s one of the downfalls of being a staff nurse. |
| 4 | Travel nurses experience a lot of moving and adjusting to a different place for a temporary amount of time. it can be hard sometimes as after the shift you don’t feel like you are going home and the feeling of comfortable time with your loved ones after a long shift is not felt by the travel nurses. | In the meantime staff nurses have the perk of feeling the comfort of home and loved ones after a tough shift and can relax without stressing out about traveling and packing which can be a headache sometimes. |
| 5 | If the travel nurse’s negotiation game is strong then one can get a Great package Of payment for a single job or a project. Every time a travel nurse gets an offer she can negotiate the pay of his or her choice and that’s one of the perks of being a travel nurse. | As a staff nurse, it is usually not common to negotiate your pay as the salary of a staff nurse depends on the level of its nursing or the years of experience. so there is a calculated amount of salary for every level of nursing job. |
| 6 | Travel nurses do not get to experience seniority advantages as they don’t stick to a permanent place of work. Their scheduling manager will appoint them wherever they are needed so they are entirely dependent on the manager and do not get to experience seniority. | Staff nurses are one step ahead when it comes to experiencing seniority advantages. a senior nurse can have control over her schedules and what kind of shifts they want. This perk comes naturally to senior nurses because they have been dedicated to a particular place of work. |
| 7 | Travel nurses are entirely on their own and do not get to have any support from a mentor or guidance. Their work environment changes from time to time and they have to keep up with it and if someone is not good at handling new things then the travel nursing job is not for them. So there are both advantages and disadvantages of being a travel nurse just like any other job and the good part is that they do not get to take responsibility for other people’s jobs and are entirely on their own. | on the other hand staff nurses have a steadier environment than travel nurses as they have been working in the same place and have people around them that can help them transition into a new phase. But apart from having guidance and mentors when one gets senior and has students that need counseling then it’s the staff nurse’s job to keep them updated and teach them how the work is done so it can be a huge responsibility that a staff nurse has to carry. |
| 8 | As a travel nurse it is ■■■■■■ to make friends and to get along with coworkers and introduce yourself every time you go to a different place. but once you get a hold of the lifestyle that you are living in can be fun when you have friends around different parts of the world. | As for staff nurses there it’s always the same coworkers usually and it’s not hard to get along and make the environment feel like home, so staff nurses do not experience a lot of unfamiliar people or uncomfortable feelings. |
How travel nurses make more money in unusual circumstances
Like it’s said before that being a travel nurse has its perks and there are a few ways the travel nurses can make more money than usual.
1. Emergency need of travel nurses
When the hospitals or any centers need nurses in urgent cases of unusual circumstances and accidents that caused a shortage of staff, the agencies can appoint and provide the hospitals with travel nurses on short notice. So the travel nurse that is appointed for emergency And crisis assignments are paid more than the regular job. Because of the short time, notice for the appointment of these travel nurses is the cost for traveling, and the hotel in which the nurses will stay is paid by the agencies.
Now that the costs and taxes are paid by the agencies it is a perk and advantage for the travel nurses to work for these shifts. In that way, travel nurses get pay without the expense of staying and there is no tax deduction in their paycheck. The travel agencies also take the responsibility for credentials and licenses which need to be made immediately as the nurses are needed for emergency cases.
2.Bonus money
In the job of travel nurse, you will most likely encounter assignments that have the tag of a bonus on them and to get the best out of these types of assignments one needs to differentiate between the type of bonus that you are getting. there are two types of bonuses that you can get.
• If the agency is giving the bonus then the overall pay for the job will be affected and you will get a good amount of money as a lump sum after the job is done.
• And if a specific hospital that you are working with right now is paying you the bonus will most likely be given to you after the completion of the assignment which is a good thing as they can vary from $250 to $5000.
3.Union strike
When the two parties the hospital management and the staff members of the union does not get along and the requirements for any of the parties are not being done then a strike arises which temporarily makes the system collapse but the hospital still has to run and patients are still sick and need proper attention so in that case travel nurses come to the rescue and are paid a decent amount of money as they are being hired in an emergency.
In this type of situation like a union strike, travel nurses make much more money than they do in their typical assignments.
Ways to get the most out of a travel nursing job.
1. Aim for assignment of crisis
As we mentioned above that assignment that needs emergency nursing can pay a decent amount of money which is a benefit for travel nurses and the job is still the same for the nurses as they always have to travel around so in emergency traveling can only benefit the nurse. Aiming for assignments like that will not only give you decent pay but will also increase your abilities to encounter a situation that needs emergency treatment. so overall it’s a win-win.
2. Finding pocket friendly housing
Typically in some assignments, the agency will cover the cost of housing for the nurses but it does not happen all the time and some agencies only help you find the place but the payment will be cut out from your paycheck. so to save your money you need to coordinate and find pocket-friendly housing or it will be better if you have a friend or a relative living there.
But if not then you can find a place for yourself and not rely on the agency if they are not paying for it because if you will rely on the agency to find you a place they will have a reputation to keep so their job will be to find an expensive hotel which is not pocket friendly if you are paying for it.
3. Flexibility is the key
For travel nurses, assignments that are paying more will also have variable shifts and ■■■■■■ goals to achieve. So it is not a surprise that the money does not come easy but if you are flexible enough and are motivated to work shifts that do not go with your plans but you can work it out then you fit perfectly for the job and you can benefit immensely from higher-paying jobs. As a travel nurse, it should not be a problem when it comes to night shifts and emergencies and the fact that they are paying a decent paycheck.
4. Working with trustworthy agencies
In the field of travel nursing job, the quality of the paychecks and the job depends on the agencies that you choose to work with as they are the ones that appoint you to your next assignment. some agencies have really good pay packages which give a good impression and you can choose those agencies for a better package. while those agencies that require negotiation do not make it look like a trustworthy agency for the fact that why were they not paying you better in the first place.
Agencies that provide non-negotiable pay packages are more reliable and they do not leave any space for negotiation and pay you On best rates and have a variety of packages. So as a travel nurse choosing a trustworthy and transparent agency can benefit in the long run.
5. Organizing the paperwork
Being organized always serves you with greater success and being a travel nurse you need to organize and have the paperwork ready when it comes to contracting with agencies as they sell your skills to the hospitals by sending them your resume and documents. in the fields of travel nursing, it is a rule of first come first get, and if you do not have your documents organized then someone else will send it before you and they will get the job. To be the first to get the benefits of the opportunities keep your resume and other information ready and use Google Drive or any other app to transfer your paperwork to the recruiters.
6. Communication with recruiters
The job of a travel nurse depends on the agencies that appoint them with assignments and projects to different hospitals. so the nurse needs to be in contact with the recruiters even if they are busy and already have a job it is better to not end the contact with different recruiters and agencies. The impression will be built up as a professional and they will consider you for the next projects, so in that way, you will never run out of assignments and projects.
Communication and contact with recruiters are just like making customers and it is good to keep your old recruiters in contact and also try new opportunities with different people. Along the way, you will make some friends which can influence your job in a good way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some related questions are answered below:
1. Where do travel nurses stay?
Mostly this is up to travel agencies to arrange a place to live for travel nurses usually they provide long leased houses through the internal housing department.
2. Can travel nurses choose where they go?
Yes, travel nurses can pick their destination, state, healthcare settings, and hospitals.
3. Is travel nursing stressful?
Nursing is a kind of job where you need to care for others which is itself very stressful work to keep other people calm and happy and if you are a travel nurse that means you are away from your home which sounds stressful itself so you can say this it is a stressful job.
4. How long do travel nurses stay in one area?
There is always an agreement of almost 13 weeks but it can be shorter as 6 months and longer as 26 months also.
5. What benefits do travel nurses get?
Benefits for travel nurses
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Traveler discounts and rewards
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24/7 traveler support
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Workers compensation and liability insurance
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Retirement plan
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Unlimited online CEUs(free)
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Travel reimbursement
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Licensure reimbursement
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Referral bonuses
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Dental, health, vision, and life insurance
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Tax advantage plan
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Weekly payment direct deposit
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Private housing
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High pay
6. Where are travel nurses needed most?
California, South California, Texas, and New Jersey are the main states where the need for travel nurses is very high.
7. What type of travel nurse makes the most money?
Highest paid travel nurses jobs
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Vaccination nurse
-
Telemetry/ medical-surgical nurse
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Labour and delivery(L&D)
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Emergency Room(ER)
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Intensive care unit(ICU)
8. Are travel nurses happy?
The majority of travel nurses are happy with their job because the benefits of the job are very vast.
9. Can nurses have beards?
Yes, male nurses can have beards with small caveats.
10. Are nose piercings allowed in healthcare?
Piercings are allowed in the medical field but as long as they are acceptable.
Conclusion
In the field of travel nursing the payment varies from the type of assignment and timing of shift. The paycheck will depend on how hard they work is and what situation they are in, as for emergency assignments the nurse will get paid more than typical assignments. The answer to the question of how much travel nurses make is that they do get paid a decent amount and the job has different varieties depending on what your priority is. if money is your motivation then the crisis assignment can help you earn a great pay package. Also, in conclusion, travel nurses can earn up to 100K each year depending on how many assignments they took.