With flexibility, great pay, and the opportunity to see new places, it’s no wonder travel nursing remains such a popular profession in healthcare. Travel nursing allows you to work and live in different areas of the country, develop your professional skills, travel while getting paid, and offers you the flexibility to work when and where you want. 

Ask any travel nurse, and they’ll tell you one of the most complex parts of the career is choosing the right contract. While there are many things to consider before signing your first travel nursing job contract, doing pre-research can save you from many headaches. Learning about the contract terms, where you are going, and the nature of your work (specialty) can help you make a better decision.

How do you make the best decisions about travel nursing contracts? It’s best to start by understanding the basics of a travel nursing contract and then find the right job for you.            

Understanding The Basics of Travel Nursing Contracts

A travel nursing contract is an official agreement between a healthcare professional and an organization or a hospital where the nurse has to work at a healthcare facility for a set time. The duration of the contract is known as the assignment length, with clearly defined start and end dates.

The assignment is either per diem (PRN) or full travel. The PRN is unstructured, and the nurse may have to work specific shifts as required by the hospital. Meanwhile, the whole travel assignment is more like a full-time job for a set period of time, which may range from several weeks to over six months.

Travel nursing contracts also vary depending on the facility’s distance from the nurse’s geographic location. Local contracts are for assignments within commutable distance, while travel contracts are assignments for which the nurse has to relocate to a different geographic area.

Looking for Travel Nursing Jobs

• Location

When considering a travel nursing contract, looking beyond pay is essential. Take the time to thoroughly research the region where you’ll be working to make sure it’s an area where you want to be. Consider things like local culture, weather, and, most importantly, the cost of living in that area.

Travel nursing contracts in big cities like New York and San Francisco may pay higher, but the cost of living will be higher, too. Keep in mind that choosing a local contract can offer benefits like a more affordable lifestyle and potentially shorter commute, all while still providing a valuable professional experience.

• Pay & Benefits

Your pay is more than just your base salary. Partnering with a healthcare staffing agency for nursing contracts can get you additional stipends and bonuses. Moreover, nursing jobs in areas that are facing staffing shortages often have a better base salary. Here are some of the benefits offered by staffing agencies:

• Travel stipends to cover the cost of getting to the place of assignment
• Housing stipends vary depending on the cost of living in the area
• Sign-on bonuses for newly signed nurses
• Completion bonus upon successful completion of the assignment
• Referral bonuses for directing other travel nurses to the agency
• Various insurances include life, health, dental, etc.
• Job Role

Before you accept any travel nurse job opportunity, take time to read through the job description thoroughly. Make sure it aligns with your skills, experience, and meets your professional goals. Understanding the responsibilities and expectations of the role can help you avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary stress down the line. Set yourself up for success before you even start the job by making sure you have what the employer needs.

Remember that you are choosing a role that matches your qualifications and area of expertise for your professional development and to provide the highest level of care for patients. For instance, if you’re trained and have experience working in fast-paced environments like emergency departments or urgent care, seek roles that would be similar. Matching your skill set to the demands of the contract will lead to a smoother process. More satisfying experience in your role as a travel nurse. You’ll also build a strong professional reputation for yourself and increase your value as a nurse.

• Facility Type

Choose the right facility that supports your career as a travel nurse. While there are several types of healthcare facilities, each presents unique challenges. Here is an overview of the work types and structures of different healthcare facilities:

• Hospitals often have a high-stress environment with various departments and specialties
• Urgent care facilities have a fast-paced environment with urgent, but non-life-threatening, conditions
• Chronic care facilities have slow-paced environments with a focus on elderly and chronic patients
• Clinics and small practices are very structured, with regular working hours and less acute care
• Specialty practices have patients from one specific domain, allowing you to get experience within a particular field
• Extension Opportunities

Most travel nursing jobs offer 13-week assignments. However, some healthcare facilities have extension opportunities for nurses who want to stay longer. Look for facilities with extension opportunities or confirm if your healthcare staffing agency will provide any support for the extension if needed.

While you should look for healthcare facilities with extension opportunities, you should remember the one-year rule. According to IRS regulations, a travel nurse who spends more than 365 days in a single location loses their travel nurse status and becomes liable to pay taxes.

• Negotiating Terms

Always do your homework. Before going for a nursing job interview, research the average pay. Set your expectations depending on your skill set, expertise, qualifications, and the nature of the role. Apart from base salary, ask for additional incentives such as travel and housing stipends, insurance coverage, and specific bonuses you may qualify for.

Job Searching for Travel Nurse Contracts

Ensure a smooth and secure experience when looking for a job in travel nursing by working with a reputable agency. Agencies are important because they have established relationships with hospitals and healthcare facilities. Agency recruiters can negotiate pay and often have access to the best assignments. Working with a recruiter at an agency is also great for nurses just starting in the field. They can help you understand contract terms and the nuances of the profession, including licensing, housing, and compliance.

If you prefer to search yourself and use the latest technology to facilitate your job finding process, use an app like StaffDNA, which lists thousands of travel nursing jobs nationwide. You can search for jobs for free with no registration required. But if you register, you can be instantly matched with jobs based on your profile and preferences.

Not only can you find travel nursing jobs nationwide, but there are also therapy, allied health, and advance practice jobs. So, if your profession changes in healthcare, you’re still covered regarding finding a job.

The difference with StaffDNA comes down to transparency. You can see all job details, requirements, facility, and unit details. Plus, applying for jobs is easy and fast. You can apply directly in the app and communicate with potential employers.