Traveling Nurse Careers: Hot Nursing Career Choice

In the early 1980’s, people in states such as Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida began to see the opportunity to open traveling nursing agencies to fill the demand for nurses in states that have higher populations in the winter months. With higher populations came more illnesses. The increase in illness raised the demand for nursing staff. The success of traveling nurse careers promoted the opening of agencies in states throughout the nation as a solution for the overwhelming shortages in healthcare.

What is a Traveling Nurse?

Traveling nurses are those in the profession who take on positions for short-term assignments usually lasting between 8 and 26 weeks. If a nurse is looking for temporary positions, but not wanting to relocate, many agencies have contracts for day-to-day work to fill staffing shortages. These nurses are found through agencies that specialize in traveling nurse careers. In addition to salary and benefits, these agencies find available positions, provide housing, and assist with living expenses. A traveling nurse fills a temporary position in a healthcare facility and is paid higher wages than one who is on staff. This gives the nurse the prospect to relocate if that is what is desired. Some facilities recruit the nurse if they are pleased with how he/she carries out his/her duties, but that is an option.

Traveling Nurse Careers Salary

The salary one should expect in traveling nurse careers varies due to experience and location. The average hourly rate for a traveling nurse ranges between $24 and $40+, not forgetting the highlights of assisting with housing and living expenses. The higher the cost of living in a location raises the amount the nurse is paid. Nurses who specialize in a particular area also have the opportunity of a higher pay rate, just as they would if they were on staff, compared to nurses without a specialty.

Job Outlook for Traveling Nurse Career

The job outlook for traveling nurse careeris great and in high demand, as with any nursing career. Healthcare facilities, whether hospitals, nursing homes, or doctors offices, on average use about 25% of their staffing budget for hiring traveling nurses to fill staff. Unlike other careers clusters, the failing economy will not affect traveling nurses. Healthcare is always going to be in demand and a nurse is always on the frontline.