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What is a Travel Nurse?
A travel nurse is an RN or LPN hired to work on a temporary basis - typically for 13 weeks - to fill hospitals urgent staffing needs.
What Do Travel Nurses Do?
A travel nurse is a highly skilled healthcare professional who takes short-term assignments in hospitals facing staffing
needs. These nurses typically have a minimum of 12 months of recent clinical experience in a like setting and seek to
advance their careers, salaries, or lifestyles through travel nursing opportunities. By working at different facilities
across the country, travel nurses can enhance their clinical competency while exploring exciting new locations.
Travel nurses are employed to fill temporary nursing shortages in facilities where RNs are in high demand. A hospital
may want to supplement their permanent staff if there is a temporary rise in patient census, or if they are having a
hard time finding the right RN for a specific unit. Hospitals may also plan for extra clinical support during flu season
or during a technology upgrade, when training may occupy much of the permanent staff's time.
Hospitals hire travelers to meet those short-term demands. Aspiring travelers need to start their journey with the
guidance of a travel nurse agency. Assignments typically last around 13 weeks, although they can vary in
duration. Many travelers find their assignments and temporary locations so rewarding that they choose to renew their
assignments, sometimes staying for months at a time.
What are the Key Benefits of Travel Nursing?
- Choice of Facility: You have the freedom to select the facility where you want to work, whether it’s a rural critical access facility or an urban university teaching hospital. With an abundance of opportunities spanning the country, American Traveler provides options in hospitals ranked ‘The Best’ by U.S. News, and in the nation’s largest hospital systems.
- Flexibility in Location: Whether you crave the excitement of big city life, the tranquility of resort living, or the peace of a small town, we offer positions tailored to your lifestyle across all 50 states.
- Control Over Schedule: You decide when to start your assignment and can include time off in your agreement, allowing you to prioritize important family engagements and vacations.
- High Pay and Comprehensive Benefits: Travel nurses receive top pay and attractive compensation packages, including health insurance with Day 1 options, license and travel reimbursements, and generous housing allowances. Qualifying travelers can also enhance their take-home pay with our tax advantage plan.
What Kind of Pay Does a Travel Nurse Earn?
Travel nurse pay varies by location, specialty, experience, shift, and the urgency of the hiring facility. Specialties requiring additional training or certifications often command higher salaries. By
pursuing advanced training, you can increase your earning potential.
If pay is your top priority, inform your recruiter, who can tailor your job search accordingly. You can also inquire
about hospitals offering overtime opportunities for travelers. Flexibility is key to maximizing earning potential.
Get Started with a Travel Nursing Job
List of Documents Travel Nurses Need
Best Paying States for Registered Nurses
You may also like these resources
Getting Started/How it Works
Looking for adventure and new clinical skills? Discover how to become a travel nurse! Learn about the education requirements and career preparation on how to become a traveling nurse today!
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New Graduates
Just out of school? For recently graduated RNs, a travel nursing career is an enticing option. Here's what you need to know first.
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Interview Questions and Tips
Prepare to ace your travel nurse interview with our list of travel nurse questions. Answer questions like a pro and demonstrate your knowledge of travel nurse interview questions.
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