How to Become a Travel Nurse?

Travel nursing is one of the most exciting career paths in healthcare today. It blends clinical expertise with adventure, flexibility, and often higher pay than traditional staff nursing roles. If you’ve ever imagined caring for patients in California one month and Florida the next, this profession might be exactly what you’re looking for.

In this in-depth guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to become a travel nurse. We’ll cover education requirements, licensing, experience, certifications, finding agencies, salary expectations, housing, pros and cons, and real-world tips that help new travel nurses succeed.

Whether you’re a nursing student planning ahead or a registered nurse ready for a change, this article will give you a clear roadmap.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse who takes short-term assignments (usually 8 to 26 weeks) at hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities experiencing staffing shortages. These shortages may be caused by seasonal population changes, employee turnover, or unexpected surges in patient volume.

Instead of staying at one hospital for years, travel nurses move from location to location, filling temporary roles while earning competitive pay and gaining diverse clinical experience.

Most travel nurses work through staffing agencies that handle contracts, housing options, licensing support, and benefits.

Why So Many Nurses Are Choosing Travel Nursing?

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand why this career path has exploded in popularity.

Here are some of the biggest reasons:

1. Higher Pay Potential

Travel nurses often earn significantly more than permanent staff nurses, especially in high-demand specialties or crisis areas. Weekly pay packages frequently include tax-free stipends for housing and meals, which boosts take-home income.

2. Freedom and Flexibility

You choose when and where you work. Want three months off after a contract? No problem. Prefer warm climates in winter and cooler states in summer? That’s doable.

3. Explore New Places

Travel nursing lets you live in different cities without committing long term. It’s a great way to experience new cultures, food, and lifestyles while still advancing your career.

4. Rapid Skill Development

Working in multiple hospitals exposes you to different systems, technologies, and patient populations. This accelerates professional growth and makes your resume stand out.

5. Avoid Workplace Burnout

Short assignments mean you can leave difficult environments behind instead of feeling stuck.

1: Become a Registered Nurse

The first and most important step is becoming a licensed RN.

Choose Your Nursing Education Path

There are two primary routes:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

• Takes about 2 to 3 years
• Offered at community colleges
• Faster and cheaper entry into nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Takes about 4 years
• Offered at universities
• Increasingly preferred by hospitals and travel agencies

While some travel agencies accept ADN nurses, many hospitals now require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses. If travel nursing is your long-term goal, a BSN gives you more opportunities.

After completing your program, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed.

2: Gain Clinical Experience (This Is Non-Negotiable)

Unlike new graduate roles, travel nursing requires real-world experience.

Most agencies and hospitals expect:

• At least 1 year of recent bedside experience
• 2 years preferred, especially in specialties like ICU, ER, or Labor & Delivery

This experience should be in the exact specialty you plan to travel in. For example, if you want to be an ICU travel nurse, your staff experience must be ICU.

Why is this so important?

Travel nurses receive minimal orientation. Facilities expect you to “hit the ground running.” Solid experience ensures patient safety and protects your professional reputation.

3: Pick Your Specialty

Travel nurses are needed across many departments, but some specialties are consistently in higher demand.

Popular travel nursing specialties include:

• Medical-Surgical
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Emergency Room (ER)
• Labor and Delivery
• Operating Room (OR)
• Telemetry
• Pediatrics
• Oncology
• Psychiatric Nursing

High-acuity specialties often pay more because they require advanced skills.

If you’re early in your nursing career, Med-Surg is a common starting point that opens doors to many future travel opportunities.

4: Obtain Required Certifications

Beyond your RN license, most travel nurses need additional certifications.

Common requirements include:

• BLS (Basic Life Support)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Scale
• Specialty-specific certifications (CCRN, CEN, etc.)

Certifications from organizations like the American Nurses Association or the American Heart Association are widely accepted.

Having extra certifications makes you more competitive and can increase your pay offers.

5: Understand Nursing Licensure and Compact States

One of the most confusing parts of becoming a travel nurse is licensing.

What Is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?

The Nurse Licensure Compact allows nurses to practice in multiple states with one multistate license.

If your primary residence is in a compact state, you can work in all other compact states without applying for separate licenses.

If you live in a non-compact state, you’ll need individual licenses for each state where you take assignments.

Travel agencies usually help with licensing paperwork and reimbursement.

6: Choose a Reputable Travel Nurse Agency

Travel nurses don’t typically apply directly to hospitals. Instead, they partner with staffing agencies that find assignments and manage contracts.

Well-known agencies include:

• Aya Healthcare
• AMN Healthcare
• FlexCare Medical Staffing
• Host Healthcare

A good agency provides:

• A dedicated recruiter
• Access to nationwide job listings
• Licensing assistance
• Housing options or stipends
• Health insurance
• 401(k) plans
• 24/7 support while on assignment

Pro tip: Work with two or three agencies, not just one. This gives you access to more job openings and better negotiating power.

7: Build Your Travel Nurse Profile

Once you connect with an agency, you’ll create a professional profile.

This usually includes:

• Resume
• Skills checklist
• References (typically 2 to 3 recent supervisors)
• Copies of licenses and certifications
• Vaccination records
• Background check
• Drug screening

Having these documents ready speeds up the hiring process dramatically.

8: Apply for Assignments and Interview

After your profile is complete, your recruiter will start submitting you for positions.

Hospitals may request:

• A short phone interview
• Video interview
• Or sometimes no interview at all

If selected, you’ll receive an offer detailing:

• Weekly pay
• Contract length
• Shift type
• Location
• Housing stipend
• Start date

Review everything carefully before signing.

9: Arrange Housing and Travel

You usually have two housing options:

Agency-Provided Housing

Your agency finds and pays for furnished accommodations near your facility.

Pros:

• Convenient
• No upfront costs

Cons:

• Less control over location and quality

Housing Stipend (Most Nurses Choose This)

You receive a tax-free stipend and find your own place.

Popular housing resources include:

• Furnished Finder
• Airbnb
• Extended-stay hotels
• Short-term apartments

Many travel nurses also bring their own car, especially in cities with limited public transportation.

10: Start Your First Assignment

Congratulations. You’re officially a travel nurse.

Expect:

• 1 to 3 days of orientation
• Learning new charting systems
• Meeting new coworkers
• Adjusting to hospital protocols

Be flexible, ask questions, and document everything. Your reputation travels with you, so professionalism matters.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Pay varies based on location, specialty, and demand.

On average, travel nurses earn between $1,800 to $3,500+ per week, and sometimes much more during high-need periods.

Your total package may include:

• Hourly base pay
• Housing stipend
• Meals and incidentals stipend
• Overtime
• Completion bonuses

Critical care and ER nurses in high-cost cities often command the highest rates.

Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse

Let’s summarize the biggest advantages:

1. Higher Income Potential

Travel nurses often earn significantly more than permanent staff nurses. Pay packages usually combine competitive hourly rates with tax-advantaged housing and meal stipends. In high-demand locations, weekly earnings can increase dramatically, especially during staffing shortages.

Many nurses use travel contracts to pay off debt, build savings, or fund major life goals faster. If financial growth matters to you, travel nursing can accelerate your income in a practical way.

2. Flexible Schedules

One of the most attractive benefits is control over your schedule. Travel nurses choose when to accept contracts and when to take breaks. You can work several assignments consecutively, then enjoy extended time off without requesting approval months in advance.

This flexibility supports work-life balance and reduces burnout. Instead of being locked into one routine, you design a schedule that fits your lifestyle and personal priorities.

3. Paid Housing or Stipends

Most travel nurse contracts include furnished housing or a generous housing stipend. Agencies often arrange comfortable accommodation close to the facility, reducing stress during relocation. Alternatively, you can accept a stipend and choose your own place, sometimes saving money in the process.

This benefit lowers living expenses and simplifies transitions between assignments, allowing you to focus on patient care instead of worrying about accommodation logistics.

4. See New Places

Travel nursing allows you to explore different cities, regions, and healthcare systems while advancing your career. You can experience coastal hospitals, rural clinics, or major urban trauma centres within a few years.

Each assignment offers exposure to new cultures, environments, and professional networks. Instead of taking occasional holidays, your work becomes your opportunity to experience new places while still earning a strong income.

5. Rapid Career Growth

Working in multiple healthcare settings strengthens clinical judgement quickly. Travel nurses adapt to new systems, teams, and patient populations every few months. This exposure builds confidence, flexibility, and advanced problem-solving skills.

Employers value professionals who can integrate smoothly into diverse environments. Over time, your varied experience creates a powerful resume that reflects resilience, competence, and a broad understanding of healthcare delivery across settings.

6. Avoid Long-Term Workplace Politics

Travel nurses focus on patient care rather than long-term workplace drama. Because assignments are temporary, you are less likely to become entangled in internal politics, leadership conflicts, or departmental tension.

You contribute professionally, complete your contract, and move forward. This structure can protect your mental energy and reduce stress. Many nurses find this freedom refreshing compared to permanent roles with ongoing interpersonal complications.

7. Build a Powerful Resume

Each completed assignment adds credibility to your professional profile. Working in different facilities demonstrates adaptability, strong clinical competence, and the ability to perform under varied conditions.

Hiring managers recognise that travel nurses handle change confidently and require minimal supervision. Over time, your resume reflects diverse experience and specialised exposure, positioning you for advanced roles, leadership opportunities, or premium contracts in competitive healthcare markets.

Challenges to Be Aware Of

Travel nursing isn’t perfect for everyone.

Common challenges include:

• Being away from family
• Constant change
• Learning new systems frequently
• Limited orientation
• Inconsistent schedules

Understanding these realities helps you prepare mentally and emotionally.

Tips for First-Time Travel Nurses

If you’re just starting, these tips can make a big difference:

1. Start with locations close to home
2. Save money before your first contract
3. Keep copies of all documents
4. Ask recruiters detailed questions
5. Join travel nurse Facebook groups
6. Network with other travelers
7. Stay organized with a digital folder
8. Be adaptable and positive

Can New Graduates Become Travel Nurses?

Short answer: No.

Travel nursing requires independence and clinical confidence. Most agencies will not accept nurses without at least one year of recent bedside experience.

If travel nursing is your goal, focus first on building strong fundamentals as a staff nurse.

Is Travel Nursing Right for You?

Ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy change?
• Can I adapt quickly?
• Am I comfortable meeting new people often?
• Do I want higher income and flexibility?

If you answered yes, travel nursing could be a fantastic career move.

Must Read:

• How to Travel Off the Beaten Path?
• Can Americans Travel to Cuba?
• Budget Travel Hacks That Can Cut Your Trip Cost in Half

FAQs:

Final Thoughts:

Becoming a travel nurse takes planning, experience, and flexibility, but the rewards can be life-changing.

You gain freedom, financial growth, and the chance to see the country while making a meaningful impact on patient care. With the right preparation and mindset, travel nursing can open doors you never imagined.

If you’re serious about this path, start by strengthening your clinical skills, gathering certifications, and connecting with reputable agencies. Your first assignment might feel overwhelming, but thousands of nurses have walked this road before you, and many never go back to staff roles.

Travel nursing isn’t just a job. It’s a lifestyle.