Study shows more nurses prefer benefits of travel nursing

The ongoing nurse shortage, coupled with a heightened interest in travel nursing, has afforded nurses a boost in earnings and more opportunities, says travel nurse leader 50 States Staffing. As a result, more staff nurses are choosing to travel. There are as many reasons for trying travel as there are RNs, but many find that traveling is more rewarding than working as a permanent nurse, with an overwhelming percentage reporting that flexibility and pay as the primary reasons for travel nursing.

“Salaries for permanent positions are relatively transparent. If you want to increase total compensation, and possibly get some tax advantages, consider travel nursing — which can pay up to 20 percent more than staff work and includes benefits such as housing stipends, health insurance, flexible scheduling and time off.“

Other high-ranking reasons nurses give for making the switch to travel include fewer hospital politics and the spontaneity and excitement of meeting new people and experiencing new destinations. “I’ve never had to miss a wedding and I can always spend Christmas with family and friends,” said travel RN, Nicole G. “I planned to try travel nursing jobs for only a year at first, but it’s going on five now and the perks and flexibility are tough to beat.”

“With the noticeable uptick in travel nursing jobs comes the flexibility to renew 13 week assignments, opt for a new location or return home,” says the Vice President of Recruitment for traveling nurse agency American Traveler. “This flexibility has more permanent position nurses calling and requesting traveling nurse assignments in high-paying healthcare markets such as Seattle, Washington State and Northern California.