
What are the benefits of being a travel nurse?
Nurses were being called heroes early in the pandemic for fighting ... But, in a twist that has sent the majority-women nursing community into an uproar in recent weeks, the benefits of travel nursing could be in jeopardy, and nurses are raising questions ...
Why do travel nurses make more money?
Top 11 Tips To Make The Most Money As A Travel Nurse
- Crisis Contacts and Pandemic Nursing - Travel nurses are in demand now, amid the pandemic, more than ever. ...
- Find Your Own Housing - We suggest taking a housing stipend and securing your own housing. ...
- Be Flexible - If money is your motivation, flexibility is key. ...
What is the starting salary of a travel nurse?
What Other Financial Benefits Are There?
- Accommodations or Housing Stipend. Nearly all travel nursing compensation packages include housing, whether provided via a stipend for rent or complimentary housing within dorms or off-campus apartments.
- Travel Expenses. ...
- Bonuses. ...
How much does traveling nurse pay?
When travel nursing companies advertise pay rates, they will often tell you a blended rate. A blended rate combines an hourly taxable wage such as $20 an hour with your non-taxable reimbursements and stipends to give you a higher hourly rate. Here is an example of a typical pay package:
What are the benefits of being a travel nurse?
How does travel nursing work?
Why do nurses stay in staff positions?
Do nursing positions have extended coverage?
Is travel nursing one size fits all?
Can you roll over HSA benefits?
Can I get private insurance?
See more

What kind of benefits do travel nurses get?
“Traveling nurses are compensated with excellent packages including competitive hourly wages, free furnished housing and health insurance starting on day one of their assignment," Gardner said.
Do you get insurance as a travel nurse?
Many travel nurse agencies offer travel nurse health insurance, however a lot of nurses choose to get their own coverage. Sticking with the insurance that is provided by your travel nurse agency means that you don't need to worry about finding your health insurance.
Do travel nurses get retirement benefits?
Traditional 401(k): Many travel nurse agencies offer employer-sponsored traditional 401(k) plans. The contributions you make to this plan are tax-deferred, meaning you don't pay taxes on the funds until you withdraw them in retirement. This reduces your taxable income each year you contribute.
How do travel nurses benefit hospitals?
Travel nurses provide hospitals with many benefits. They allow medical facilities to reduce their staffing costs and also help them to fill in the gaps when there is an increase in need. In addition, being a travel nurse can be an extremely rewarding and exciting career.
Do travel nurses get 401k?
Many travel nursing companies have 401k plans in place and offer the plan as an employee benefit for their travel nurses. The 401k is a great place to put money aside, and very often, the company may even match the contributions made by the nurse, which makes it even more beneficial.
Do PRN nurses get insurance?
First, you have no assurance you will be able to work enough to meet your earnings needs; PRN nurses are the first to be called off when there is a short census. Second, you generally have no benefits package like paid time off days, insurance and retirement.
Can travel nurse have a solo 401K?
One of the most frequent questions I get as a financial advisor is from travel nurses who don't have access to a 401K. So the question they ask is: Can I still save for retirement if I don't have access to a 401K? The answer is absolutely you can. So let's just talk about the obvious right, why 401Ks are awesome.
How do travel nurses save on taxes?
The following nine tips can make filing your travel nurse taxes easier, save you money, and help you avoid future tax liability.Make sure you qualify for all non-taxed per diems. ... Be careful when using tax software. ... Keep your contracts (and read them) ... Don't change your address when you travel. ... Know what defines a tax home.More items...•
How can a travel nurse save the most money?
6 Ways To Save Money When On A Travel Nursing AssignmentPlan Ahead. By mapping out your route beforehand, you can save a lot of time and money. ... Rewards Programs. Credit cards can be a great resource, especially in an emergency. ... Track Your Spending. ... Sleep Happy. ... Have Some Fun. ... Talk To Locals.
Why do hospitals hire travel nurses instead of nurses?
Reduced Staffing Costs Hiring traveling nurses rather than permanent nurses eliminates the need to pay for benefits such as health insurance, retirement and paid days off, and also reduces recruiting, training, overtime and payroll costs.
Why do traveling nurses get paid so much?
Because these extra stipends are classified as reimbursements and not income, they're non-taxable, so a travel nurse can bring home a higher total pay when compared to a staff nurse, who pays taxes on all of the income they bring home.
Is it hard to get into travel nursing?
True, you might not know anyone to start. But traveling nurses can meet people pretty quickly, and often make fast friends with other travelers. And if you're that worried about it, travel with a friend or family member! Travel nurse agencies have great incentives, starting with free housing or a housing stipend.
How much does a nurse make in 2016?
Add to that a comfortable 2016 median annual wage of $68,450 and a career in nursing becomes even more coveted—and with the nursing shortage, you know you’ll be needed more than ever.
How long does it take to become a traveling nurse?
Because nurses are badly needed, a traveling nurse is temporarily stationed to fill voids. Assignments for traveling nurses can range from 13 to 26 weeks and are available for many different types of nurses. These nurses are considered independent contractors and often work for travel nursing agencies that specializing in finding assignments ...
How much will the nursing profession grow in 2026?
The profession is projected to grow by 15 percent through 2026, which is much faster than the national average for all occupations. As the healthcare industry strives to keep up with the strain placed on it by an aging population, more and more nurses will be needed. This increased demand in healthcare can sometimes be more than a facility can ...
What degree do I need to become a travel nurse?
Travel nurses need either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. They’ll also need to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed. Most agencies that staff traveling nurses like to see at least a year of experience as an RN before voyaging out on assignment.
What do you love about traveling as a nurse?
Another perk of being a traveling nurse is the ability to dabble in a variety of areas in order to help you decide which you like best. That way you’ll be confident once you decide you’re ready to settle in one place and take a permanent position.
Why is flexible scheduling important?
Flexible scheduling allows you to take a break when you need to between contracts or arrange to be near your family for important events. In many positions, you can also arrange your weekly schedule for longer weekends and shorter work weeks. 2. You’ll be well compensated. Nurses work hard and are compensated well.
Is nursing an easy career?
Nursing is one of those professions where you’ll directly impact people’s lives on a daily basis. It’s not an easy career, but nurses are an instrumental piece of the healthcare puzzle. Your influence as a traveling nurse will be even greater because you will likely be sent to areas that are in desperate need of help.
What is host healthcare?
Host Healthcare is one of the travel nursing agency that offers license reimbursement as benefits of travel nursing. Scrub Reimbursement. As you spend more years as a nursing professional comes with a lot more experience. However, it also comes with more “tread” on scrubs.
What are the benefits of traveling nursing?
One of the benefits of travel nursing is the ability to work in any location you want. You also can coordinate your schedule so that if you want to take time off to travel or see family, you can without having to bat an eye. Meet More People. The amount of flexibility allows you to meet more people.
What are the benefits of being a travel nurse?
One of those benefits of travel nursing is the professional flexibility. Personal Flexibility. To go along with the professional flexibility, travel nursing offers tons of personal flexibility.
How long can a travel nurse stay at an assignment?
However, as a travel nurse, you can avoid politics because you are only at an assignment for on average 13 weeks. If you are ever in an uncomfortable situation, remember you’ll only be there for a short period of time. This ability to not let this hinder your work is certainly one of the 20 benefits of travel nursing.
What is a travel nurse?
As a travel nurse, you are sometimes working in places that really need your help. Whether you are working in disaster areas or helping people in desperate need, you have the opportunity to help more people as a travel nurse. Endless Job Security. Healthcare facilities are always in need.
Is travel nursing a job?
Whether they are looking for qualified nurses to fill a staff shortage or meet the seasonal needs, a travel nurse can always have a job. This is one of the huge benefits of travel nursing. This is something not every job can say.
Is there a shortage of travel nurses?
If you are reading this you probably already know there are plenty of benefits of travel nursing. If you are looking for a stable job that provides plenty of value and opportunity, look no farther than travel nursing. The demand for nursing is at an all-time high. Due to this record high demand for nurses, there is going to be a shortage of nurses.
What is deductible insurance?
Deductible: A deductible is the amount you have to pay toward medical costs before your health insurance kicks in, picking up their part of the bill. Every plan is different, but generally, paying things like hospital bills, or lab tests count toward your deductible.
What is TNAA after tax?
With TNAA, your tax advantage is in the form of an after-tax benefit you’ll file on your individual taxes. Plus, you are limited to a maximum amount each year. Click here to read more about HSA accounts.
What is a high deductible health plan?
We call that a win. HDHP: A high-deductible health plan is a plan with , you guessed it, a high minimum deductible.
What is open enrollment for health insurance?
Open Enrollment: Open enrollment is the time period each year when you’re allowed to start, stop, or change your health insurance plan. Normally, you sign up around the end of a calendar year for coverage that lasts the next full year.
What is premium insurance?
Premium: This refers to the amount you’ll pay to purchase a health insurance plan. Think of it like your Hulu subscription — you pay monthly or yearly to maintain your subscription and stay up-to-date on your shows. Paying your premium keeps your policy active so you can continue receiving coverage.
What is travel nurse health insurance?
The Basics of Travel Nurse Benefits & Health Insurance. At its most essential definition, employee benefits provide value to both the employer and employee. By providing employees with benefits they value, companies distinguish themselves from the pack and draw in top-tier talent.
Is HDHP deductible?
While an HDHP has a higher annual deductible, it allows for lower insurance premiums — which is ideal for younger, healthier people who don’t expect to need a lot of healthcare coverage. Plus, it qualifies the individual for a tax-advantaged HSA.
What is agency-provided health insurance?
Agency-provided health insurance. ACA compliant individual or family health insurance. Short-term health insurance. You may wonder why Medicaid or CHIP are not listed as options for insurance. In order to qualify for health insurance through Medicaid or CHIP, you must meet a maximum income requirement. Typically, nurses make much more ...
Why do travel nurses need individual insurance?
One of the chief reasons travel nurses choose to get an individual plan is because they tend to change agencies often. Even if you don’t intend to change agencies a lot, ...
Why choose an individual health insurance plan?
Choosing an individual plan allows you to not only have more control over your benefits but how much you pay for your monthly premium and other out-of-pocket costs – such as deductibles or copays. Navigating the health insurance market can be difficult.
What does it mean to stick with travel nurse insurance?
Sticking with the insurance that is provided by your travel nurse agency means that you don’t need to worry about finding your health insurance. You don’t have to shop around, and you can just take what’s offered to you. While this may be appealing, the insurance that is offered to you may not be the health insurance that’s right for you ...
Does ACA cover dental insurance?
ACA health insurance plans do not cover routine dental and vision care. This means that if you want to get covered for things like regular vision checks, glasses, or dental cleanings you’ll have to get supplemental insurance. You can purchase insurance for dental and vision through brokers like eHealth.
Can you change your health insurance through Cobra?
Additionally, if you do choose to change agencies paying for health insurance through COBRA can often be expensive and at times unaffordable. Typically, choosing your own health insurance allows you to have control over your coverage. Individual insurance tends to work better than agency offered health insurance for travel nurses with families, ...
Do travel nurses need insurance?
Many agencies offer travel nurse health insurance plans. However, sometimes the health insurance offered to travel nurses by their agency isn’t the best for their needs.
Why are travel nurses important?
Travel nurses are an important part of the US healthcare system. The need for travel nurses (nurses who travel to different locations and work temporarily) came about as a result of a shortage of nurses. So hospitals started hiring nurses as and when their needs arose. Do travel nurses need health insurance?
What is the best insurance for travel nurses?
The best health insurance for travel nurses is the one that provides good coverage without any gaps and outrageous costs. If your agency provides such a plan, it would be best to stick with that and save money. Otherwise, choose from one of the top private health insurance providers.
How long does a travel nurse work?
Most travel nurses work with agencies on a contractual basis, who station them across the states on assignments. These assignments are normally for 13 weeks but can be as short as 8 weeks or as long as 24 weeks. ...
How long is a health insurance assignment?
These assignments are normally for 13 weeks but can be as short as 8 weeks or as long as 24 weeks. So you first have to decide whether you want to stick to the coverage provided by your agency or find your own health insurance. To help make it easier, here are the pros and cons of each:
How many states does Kaiser Permanente cover?
Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser Permanente is available in eight states, including California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, and Hawaii, as well as Washington D.C. So if you’re in one of these states and don’t get stationed out of state very often, this could be your choice.
Do travel nurses need insurance?
Health insurance for travel nurses is oftentimes a complicated consideration. When you’re on the road and relocating multiple times a year, you need reliable health insurance without any gaps. You also don’t want to pay a fortune for it. Travel nurses are an important part of the US healthcare system. The need for travel nurses (nurses who travel ...
Is Cigna a good health insurance?
Cigna. Cigna is one of the largest health insurance providers in the country . So it can make a good choice for travel nurses if they want to get individual or family insurance. This means wherever you go for a nursing assignment, the policy stays valid.
What are the benefits of being a travel nurse?
But what about traditional benefits? Staff nurses typically receive retirement accounts, paid sick leave, and health benefits.
How does travel nursing work?
Travel Nursing Benefits: How They Work. Benefits like health insurance will work differently depending on the specifics of your travel nursing agency and contract. Some travel nurse agencies will require you to work a specified amount of time, like a month, before your benefits kick in. Others will offer coverage from the first day you sign on.
Why do nurses stay in staff positions?
Many aspiring travel nurses stay in staff positions because they are afraid they’ll lose their benefits. But if you’re considering traveling, don’t let this common myth deter you. You can get benefits — like health insurance — when you’re on a travel nursing assignment.
Do nursing positions have extended coverage?
For the period when you’re between nursing positions, many agencies also offer extended coverage or a form of COBRA so you have health insurance after and between assignments. In most cases, providing you have another contract with them, your rates for the coverage will be deducted from your next assignment’s payroll.
Is travel nursing one size fits all?
With travel nursing benefits, there is no “one size fits all.”. That’s the beauty of travel nursing! It’s a flexible career path that allows you to customize your work and compensation and even your location. Start reaping the benefits of travel nursing today! Click here to speak with a recruiter.
Can you roll over HSA benefits?
You may also be able to roll over other parts of your benefits package, like paid sick leave or HSA balances, by sticking with the same agency . However, if you stick with one agency just for insurance, you may also lose the opportunity to comparison shop. Ultimately, it comes down to your individual priorities.
Can I get private insurance?
Private insurance is available for more than just health insurance too . You can get private life insurance or private disability insurance. But while private insurance is often more convenient, it’s also likely to be more expensive than what’s offered through your travel nursing compensation package.
