Travel nursing meets at the intersection of healthcare and travel, blending a passion for exploring new environments with professional growth—all while you provide support and care for patients where it’s needed most.
But is travel nursing worth it?
The answer ultimately depends on your personal preferences and goals. Fortunately, if you’re an experienced RN who’s thinking about a career as a travel nurse, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore key factors to consider before you start packing, including the basics and benefits of travel nursing, to determine whether the work environment and lifestyle are right for you.
Understanding the Basics of Travel Nursing
Before you decide if travel nursing is worth it, it’s important to understand the basics. As a travel nurse, the core principles of nursing care remain the same, even when you’re moving from city to city. However, a traveling nurse is also expected to:
- Adapt quickly to unfamiliar care environments
- Collaborate with new team members
- Exercise their skill or specialty in fast-paced environments
- Support staffing shortages in a variety of units on any given day
And of course, you’ll repeat this exhilarating cycle every few months when you jet-set off to your next assignment.
That said, let’s dig a little deeper into the fundamentals of travel nursing.
Holding a Multistate License
A multistate license, or compact license, is your ticket to travel: It allows nurses registered in compact states to practice in all other participating states or territories. In other words, there’s no need to apply for additional licensure.
But what if your home state (or dream destination for that matter) is not a compact state? You’ll need to apply for state-specific licensure to practice there. Check with your state’s nursing board to see if your state is a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Choosing Your Assignments
Since travel nurse assignments typically last up to thirteen weeks (though they can sometimes extend longer), it’s smart to start planning your travel nursing journey about six weeks before you’re ready to begin your first assignment. Planning ahead will help ensure you’re well-prepared for your next position (especially if you don’t want to take a lot of time off between assignments) and can make traveling less overwhelming.
To choose an assignment that feels right for you, consider:
- Location
- Compensation
- The possibility of career advancement
Have you had your eye on a certain city? At Host Healthcare, our experienced recruiters are ready to match you with the perfect assignment based on your wants and goals.
Tell us about yourself, your career aspirations, and a city you’ve been wanting to check off your bucket list, and we’ll guide you through the entire process—from finding your home-away-from-home to ensuring all of your paperwork and application requirements are completed on time. With ongoing support throughout your assignment, Host Healthcare has earned a reputation as a top travel nursing agency.
Working Short-term Contracts
As mentioned earlier, travel nurse positions typically last up to thirteen weeks (although some can be as short as two weeks or as long as twenty-six weeks). The duration and details of your contract will differ depending on the hospital, too.
To that end, it’s important to always be sure you have a clear understanding of your contract before accepting a position.