Travel Nursing Requirements and FAQs

Due to nurse shortages, healthcare facilities and hospitals rely on travel nursing agencies to help bridge staffing gaps with qualified, experienced clinicians. Nurse contracts are legal and binding, with assignment periods typically for 13 weeks but can be shorter/longer depending on the hiring facility’s need. Learn More 

Assignments are typically around 13 weeks but can vary from eight weeks up to one year in some cases. Although rare, the hiring facility can opt to end a contract early if there is no longer a need, however a nurse contract is a legally binding document and must be fully adhered to until the contract's end date. Learn More

After the agency application has been processed, many travel nursing companies immediately present the traveler to hospitals. Some nurses have started working one week after submitting their initial application, while others have waited a few months before leaving their permanent position to begin a travel lifestyle. LearnMore

To become a travel nurse, all clinicians must (1) have a high school diploma or GED, (2) be a registered nurse (RN), (3) hold a valid nursing license, (4) provide proof for their right to work in the U.S., and (5) possess all required certifications for their nursing specialty. Learn More

The travel nursing space is highly competitive but also highly rewarding. Beyond competitive salaries, bonuses and incentives, top travel nursing agencies offer a variety of benefits to their travelers while on assignment such as robust insurance and retirement plans, free housing placement, 24/7 traveler support, extensive travel discounts, and more. Learn More

Travel nurses fill gaps in staffing needs for hospitals and facilities across the country for specific periods of time. These staffing needs may be due to a shortage of registered nurses for a variety of reasons such as an unexpected leave of absence, seasonal population fluctuations or for planned absences, such as maternity leave. Learn More

A travel nurse is a registered nurse with a clinical background working in a non-permanent or temporary nursing job. Travel nurses are typically employed by an independent nursing staffing agency instead of a by a single facility. A traveling RN usually has at least one year of recent acute-care experience in their specific specialty. Learn More

When you work with the top travel nursing companies, you'll have access to assignments across all 50 states and in a wide range of healthcare facilities. Our partners have access to the widest selection of travel nursing jobs, including some of the nation’s top hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Although travel nurse positions can be found in just about every city throughout the country, there are some locations known for having amazing opportunities for travel nurses. There are a number of top destinations for travelers based on factors like amount of opportunities, healthcare facilities and variety of activities in the area. Learn More 

Depending on credentials, experience and need, qualified travel nurses can make upwards of $100,000 annually - all while living in the location of their choice. In addition to salary, travel nurses have the opportunity to take advantage of incredible referral bonuses as well as housing and health benefits, exclusive travel discounts and continuing education opportunities. Learn More

Travel nursing salaries are typically higher than the pay rates of full-time permanent nursing jobs. In some cases, an RN’s travel nurse salary can reach as high as $48 an hour in specialty positions. That said, many factors can affect overall salary, such as experience and specialty and even the contract itself. Learn More

Pay rates for travel nurses vary based on a number of factors, namely location, facility and specialty. Nurses specializing in the critical care sector, like PICU, CVOR and CVICU, tend to make more money due to the nature and condition of their patients. Continuing education courses, higher education degrees and quick-start assignments ranging from four to eight weeks are also great options for nurses to earn top pay. Learn More

The best travel nursing agencies will offer free housing and free housing placement to their travel nurses. Our partners generally offer free housing and free housing placement, as well as coordinating a move-in ready home, like full furnishings and utility setup prior to move-in. alternatively, travel nurses agencies will typically offer a housing stipend for those travelers who plan to secure their own accommodations while on assignment. Learn More

Yes! In fact, travel nurse benefits are known for being extremely competitive and extensive. Depending on the agency and contract, travel nurses may be eligible for basic health benefits, while the best travel nurse agencies typically offer full-range benefits, including: health, dental, vision and even short-term disability. Learn More

Typically, the travel nurse agency’s housing department will secure housing for the traveler that both meets the traveler’s specific needs and falls within the agency’s specific business parameters. The best travel nurse agencies will typically offer free housing and free housing placement, as well as coordinating utilities and ensuring the home is fully-furnished before the traveler moves in. Learn More

A travel nurse’s pay generally consists of two main components: the regular, taxable hourly wage and non-taxable reimbursements, also known as stipends. Housing stipends, which vary depending on regional market trends, are offered in place of the agency-provided housing and are paid via a pro-rated amount on each paycheck. Learn More

If the travel nurse lives in a state that is one of the nursing licensure compact states, they are licensed to practice in all states that are members of the compact. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), opens nurses up to a number of new nursing jobs as their overall availability makes the process of getting hired much easier. Learn More

Nurses who declared a compact state as their primary state of residence and met all licensure requirements will automatically hold a compact nursing license. There is no separate application for a compact state nursing license. Residents of a compact state are eligible for the licensure compact and may apply by using the state board of nursing application for licensure by exam or endorsement, located on their state’s board of nursing website. Learn More

Travelers who already reside in one of the nurse compact states and will be practicing in another compact state, can enjoy the multistate nursing license and begin practicing without delay. Travelers moving from a non-compact state to a compact state, however, will need to apply for licensure by endorsement from their state’s board of nursing. Learn More

The process of obtaining a nursing license consists of completing a two or four-year nursing program; registering with the Board of Nursing (BON) in the state where the traveler lives or plans to work; and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) or practical nurses (NCLEX-PN). Some states also require a criminal background check. Learn More

The requirements for maintaining licensure vary from state to state. Some state boards mandate a certain number of clinical practice hours while others call for additional continuing education credits. Established travel nursing companies like TravelNursing.com and it’s partners have credentialing departments dedicated to helping travel nurses keep track of their licenses and continuing education requirements. Learn More

Compact licensing and walk-through legislation has made it possible for RNs to easily work in certain states without having to renew their license with every new location they are assigned. On the other hand, if the clinician lives in a non-compact state, they will need to apply for their state board’s licensure endorsement. Learn More

Each state will have a different renewal process and most boards of nursing will send correspondence via email when it’s time to renew. The average RN license renewal time frame is two years, but some states may be longer. Contact the travel nurse agency’s credentialing department for guidance on how to renew and how to keep the license current in future. Learn More

A licensed practical nurse works under the RN and provides nursing care, treatment and health education to patients of all ages, but with a main purpose of managing chronic illness in patients over time. LPNs generally require one to two years of training, along with passing all of the required state boards and exams. LearnMore

CEUs are awarded by nurse education and training programs, and indicate successful completion of non-credit programs and courses. Typically one CEU is equal to 10 hours of participation in an accredited nursing program, and measured as ‘contact hours’. Depending on the state, a contact hour is worth 50-60 minutes of instruction. Learn More

A CEU (CE, CNE), or Continuing Education Unit, refers to courses specifically designed for nursing professionals. Typically one CEU is equal to 10 hours of participation in an accredited nursing program. The number of CEUs varies by state and profession. CEUs are not awarded for academic study and/or academic credits. Learn More

The highest positions in nursing is Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Registered Nurse (RN). The highest paid of all nursing specialists is certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) which also require the most training and education. Nurse management and executive roles also rank among the highest position in nursing, and available to RNs with extensive experience or with an MSN degrees. LearnMore

Successful travel nurses possess a spectrum of characteristics that recruiters look for. Strong communication, accessibility, excellent clinical skills and adaptability all rank at the top of the list, while honesty, trustworthiness and a positive outlook are also important ‘must have’ qualities a travel nurse should have to succeed. Learn More

Absolutely! As a travel nurse, changing locations demonstrates flexibility in clinical practice, ability to excel in different environments and dedication to the field of nursing. Travel nursing is appreciated and well-understood by medical professionals, thus strengthening the traveler’s resume and overall experience. Learn More

Due to nurse shortages, many healthcare facilities and hospitals lack the amount of nurses they need and often turn to agencies that can help provide short-term solutions without forfeiting quality of care or required expertise. Travel nurse agencies act as broker between the hiring facility and clinician to ensure optimal placement in the best interest of both parties. Learn More

From desired location and salary to competitive health benefits and 24/7 clinical support, the benefits of travel nursing are extensive. Travelnursing.com partners with the best travel nursing agencies that seek to provide travelers with access to the largest network of short and long-term travel nursing jobs within the top healthcare facilities and hospitals across the United States. Learn More

As a healthcare industry leader and premier travel nursing company, TravelNursing.com works with the best travel nursing agencies to provide travelers with access to the largest network of RN travel jobs. The most reputable travel nursing agencies will strive to ensure both their travelers and the hiring facility are supported before, during and after the assignment. Learn More