Travel nursing is a great opportunity for registered nurses to take on short-term contracts – usually 8 to 13 weeks – at hospitals, clinics and medical facilities all over the country. This type of work is usually arranged through staffing agencies that sort out everything from finding you a job to arranging for a place to live. If you’re thinking about giving travel nursing a try, this guide is here to walk you through every step of the way – from checking if you’re eligible to signing on the dotted line.
Key Takeaways
- Most travel nurse agencies want at least 1-2 years of recent hands-on experience as a bedside RN, plus an active, unencumbered nursing license (ideally one that lets you practice in multiple states through the Nurse Licensure Compact).
- The application process is pretty straightforward: check your eligibility, get your licenses and certifications in order, build a resume that’s ready for travel, pick a few agencies to work with, fill out an application, interview with a facility, and sign on.
- Pay packages combine a hourly wage with non-taxable stipends for things like housing, meals, and incidentals – so it’s always a good idea to compare your total weekly “blended” pay rather than just the hourly rate to get a sense of what you’ll really be taking home.
- You’ll want to start preparing 3-6 months before you want to start your first assignment – this means renewing certifications, gathering your health records, asking for professional references, and doing your research on the places you’d like to go.
- From the time you submit your first application to when your contract starts, it’s usually going to take anywhere from 4-12 weeks, depending on things like your specialty and where you want to work.
What Is Travel Nursing and Who Can Apply?
Travel nursing is just a fancy way of saying you take short-term contracts – usually 8 to 13 weeks, sometimes up to 26 weeks – at hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities all over the United States. Agencies connect healthcare professionals with medical facilities that are struggling to keep up with staffing needs.
Travel nurses are usually RNs, but LPNs/LVNs and nurse practitioners can find travel nursing jobs in certain places. These healthcare professionals fill in gaps created by seasonal demand spikes, people leaving their jobs, new units opening up, and hospitals getting new electronic medical records systems.
To become a travel nurse, you’ll need to meet a few basic eligibility requirements:
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| License | Active RN or LPN license in good standing |
| Experience | At least 1 year of recent bedside experience (2 years is even better) |
| Specialty | Core specialty experience in areas like med-surg, ICU, ER, L&D, OR or telemetry |
| Adaptability | Be comfortable with change and able to adapt to new healthcare settings easily |
New graduates usually can’t start traveling right away after nursing school. Agencies want to see that you can handle patient care, time management, and clinical decision-making on your own, which usually takes at least one full year working on a single unit.
Travel nursing is a good fit for nurses who are comfortable with change, can adapt quickly to new units and EMR systems, and are willing to relocate every few months. While there are international travel jobs out there, most first-time travel positions are within the US and are easier to get for nurses who are just starting out in travel nursing.
Step 1: Check the Basic Travel Nurse Requirements
Before you start applying with any agency, do a quick self-assessment to check you have all the right qualifications. This will cover things like your license status, how much experience you have, and how recently you’ve been practicing in your specialty.
Experience Requirements
Most agencies require a minimum amount of experience before they’ll let you apply:
- At least 12 months of full-time clinical experience in the last 1-2 years
- That experience needs to be in the specialty you plan to travel in (e.g. 1 year recent adult ICU for ICU travel roles)
- Many employers want 18-24 months of experience for high-acuity units like ICU, ER or OR
- You should have shown competency with common patient populations, vital signs monitoring, giving medication, and critical thinking under pressure in your experience
License Verification
Make sure your nursing license is:
- Active and in good standing
- Unencumbered (no restrictions or disciplinary actions)
- Not under investigation in any state
If you’ve got any disciplinary actions on your license, it can limit your options with agencies and facilities. If you’re worried about your license status, sort it out before you start applying.
Planning for Multi-State Practice
Make a list of all the states you might want to work in over the next 12-24 months. Check if they’re part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) – as of recent updates, 39 states are part of the enhanced NLC, which lets a licensed RN from one compact state practice in others without getting additional licenses or positions.
Certification Requirements
Most travel nurse agencies require certifications based on your specialty:
- BLS for all RNs – this is the minimum
- ACLS for roles like ICU, ER, PACU and telemetry
- PALS for pediatric and ER specialties
- NRP for L&D and NICU positions
If you’re not yet meeting travel nursing requirements, make a 6-12 month plan to get the experience and certifications you need before diving in. While no special ‘Travel Nurse Degree’ exists, your educational foundation is pretty darn important. Most travelers are registered nurses with either an Associate’s degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Large hospital systems & even magnet hospitals are now starting to prefer or even require BSN-prepared nurses for a lot of their open positions.
Step 2: The Educational Pathway to Becoming a Travel Nurse
So how does all this start? Well, your journey to becoming a travel nurse begins with getting a good education:
- First of all, you need to complete an accredited nursing program – ADN’s usually take 2 years, while a BSN takes 4 years
- Next, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX RN exam to get that RN license
- After that, you’ll need to get your initial state RN license
- Before you can start applying to be a travel nurse, you’ll need to get 1-2 years of bedside nursing experience under your belt
If you have a prior non-nursing degree, though, you might be able to get into an ABSN (Accelerated BSN) program – that can compress the nursing degree into 12-24 months – which will definitely shorten the total time to getting eligible
Nursing Licensure – How to Get Your License in Your Home State
Your Primary State of Residency (PSOR) – basically, the state where you claim residence with your ID, voter registration, or taxes – determines your initial approach to getting a nursing license.
If your home state participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact:
- You can just apply for a multistate license – this will cover 39 jurisdictions, and it can cut down on the licensing hurdles by up to 50% in processing time
For non-compact states like California or Oregon – where there aren’t as many benefits:
- You’ll need to do a little more legwork – look up the current processing times (California can take anywhere from 8-16 weeks for example)
- Get those applications in early – some states may offer temporary licenses or walkthroughs while you wait for a permanent one – and that can help you factor these timelines into your job search strategy
Certifications to Get Before You Apply
Before you even start applying to agencies, make sure these certifications are up to date:
| Certification | Required For | Valid For |
|---|---|---|
| BLS | All RN positions | 2 years |
| ACLS | ICU, ER, PACU, Telemetry, Cardiac units | 2 years |
| PALS | Pediatrics, ER | 2 years |
| NRP | Labor & Delivery, NICU | 2 years |
| TNCC / CCRN | Specialty and high-acuity units (preferred, not required) | Varies |
Get Your Health Records in Order – You’ll Need These
Hospitals and agencies are going to want to see proof of your immunizations and occupational health compliance, so gather all your health records and make sure you have:
- MMR (2 doses or titers)
- Varicella (history, vaccine, or titer)
- Hepatitis B (series, positive titer, or declination)
- TB test or QuantiFERON (within 365 days)
- Annual flu shot
- COVID-19 status
- Physical exam within 365 days
Some places have even stricter requirements, so it’s best to be prepared and have all your medical records in order.
Step 3: Get Your Resume and Digital Profile Ready
Your resume is going to be your primary marketing tool when applying for travel nursing jobs, so make sure it’s concise, one to two pages, and clearly shows off your nursing specialty, years of experience, and key nursing skills.
What to Put on Your Resume
At the top of your resume, include these critical elements:
- Full name and credentials (e.g. ‘Jane Smith, RN, BSN, CCRN’)
- Active licenses with state and license number
- Certifications with expiration dates
- Current contact information
Format Your Experience Section
For each position, you should clearly list:
- Hospital name and location
- Unit type (e.g. Level I trauma ICU, community med-surg, cardiac stepdown)
- Bed count and typical patient ratios
- Employment dates (in a month/year format)
- EMR systems used (Epic, Cerner, Meditech)
- Key responsibilities including wound care, patient education, disease prevention protocols
Highlight transferable nursing skills – like being able to adapt to new settings – and show off your ability to lead and take charge.
Professional References – Get These Ready
Get at least 2-3 professional references before applying – they should ideally be from supervisors within the last 24 months, as agencies will verify your employment history for the past 7 years.
Get Your Digital Profile in Order
Many agencies now use digital profiles for streamlined credentialing – so get all your files ready by scanning or photographing:
- Nursing licenses (front and back if signed)
- All certifications
- Immunisation records
- Government-issued ID
- Social Security card
Having these files ready will make the application process a breeze.
Step 4: Find the Right Agency to Work With
Most travel nurses work through staffing agencies rather than applying directly to hospitals – so before committing to any agency, do your research:
Researching Agencies
Before signing up with any agency, do some digging:
- Look up their reputation online
- See if other nurses have good things to say about them
- Check their website and see what kind of services they offer Read online reviews on travel nurse forums & social media groups to get a sense of an agency’s reputation & how they treat their nurses
- Ask around on your unit to see what other travel nurses have to say about their experiences with different agencies
- Check if the agency has a Joint Commission certification – that’s a good sign they’ve been vetted & have high standards
- Research the size of the agency & what they specialise in – some big agencies have streamlined systems but may be less personal, while smaller agencies can offer more one-on-one service, but may take longer to get credentialed
Factors to Compare When Choosing a Travel Nursing Agency
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Pay | Average weekly pay for your specialty and how the package is broken down |
| Benefits | Health insurance options, retirement match, completion bonuses, and overall benefits |
| Housing | Free agency housing vs. housing stipend, furnished apartments vs. extended stays |
| License Support | Whether the agency helps cover state license fees and application costs |
| Clinical Support | Access to a 24/7 clinical liaison and responsiveness of their Quality & Safety team |
Evaluating Recruiters
Your recruiter is super important – evaluate them on:
- How responsive they are to calls, texts, and emails
- How transparent they are about pay packages and contract details
- If they’re willing to explain contracts line by line so you can understand what you’re signing up for
- If they respect your boundaries around where you want to go, what shifts you want to work, and other travel tips
Some agencies have strong connections with certain hospital systems or regions – if you’re targeting a particular area, like the West Coast or New England teaching hospitals, ask about their facility partnerships there
Exclusivity Considerations
Don’t sign an exclusive agreement with an agency unless you really know you’re getting something out of it – exclusivity can limit your access to competing offers and reduce your negotiating power. Most successful travel nurses have relationships with multiple agencies so they can pick and choose the best opportunities for them
Step 5: Get Through Agency Applications and Credentialing
Agency applications are a bit like hospital job apps, but often way more detailed – you’ll be filling out online forms, skills checklists & document uploading through agency portals
The Application Process
When you first apply, you’ll typically need to submit:
- Online application with all your personal and professional details
- Your resume
- Request forms for professional references
- Specialty specific skills checklists (these are a big deal – see below)
Once you’re in, a dedicated recruiter will get in touch with you to profile your goals, like:
- Your preferred locations & start dates (typically 4-6 weeks out)
- Your shift preferences & time-off needs
- Your licensure status & housing preferences
- Any disclosures about competing applications with other agencies
Understanding Skills Checklists
Skills checklists are long, specialist-specific questionnaires where you rate your own competencies on procedures & equipment – for example:
- ICU checklists cover stuff like ventilator management, central lines, & vasoactive drips
- ER checklists cover triage, trauma protocols, & pediatric emergencies
- OR checklists cover surgical specialties, instrumentation, & circulating vs. scrubbing experience
Facilities use these to screen candidates, so be honest – overstating your competencies can lead to some pretty bad assignments
Required Documents
Agencies will want to see a ton of documentation:
- Your government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport)
- Your Social Security card (for payroll & background checks)
- Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification)
- All your active nursing licenses
- Your CPR & specialty certifications
- Vaccination records & titers
- TB test or chest X-ray
- Physical exam within the past 365 days
- Your resume with a complete employment history
- Background check authorization
Some agencies may also require you to complete online training modules on safety, HIPAA, and bloodborne pathogens
Tips for Smooth Credentialing
- Be accurate and consistent across all your applications – don’t mix up dates, job titles or license details
- Mark agency credentialing emails as priority – delays can have a big impact on the whole process
- Keep a personal “credentialing folder” (digital or physical) so you don’t have to dig up docs again for each new assignment
- Expect streamlined repeat processes – many agencies will keep some records on file to speed up the next time you apply
Step 6: Search for Assignments and Work With Your Recruiter
Once you’re credentialed, you can work with recruiters to search for jobs on agency job boards & internal listings – you’ll filter opportunities by location, specialty, shift type, and start date
Defining Your Non-Negotiables
Before you start your job search, clarify your deal-breakers with your recruiter, such as:
- Your minimum weekly pay requirements
- Geographic regions you’ll or won’t consider
- Preferred shift length (8-hour vs. 12-hour)
- Start date windows that fit with your schedule
- Any specific facility types (teaching hospitals vs. community, urban vs. rural)
Certain specialties like ICU, ER, OR, & L&D tend to have more & better paying travel jobs – especially in high-demand areas
Understanding Pay Breakdowns
Always ask for a written breakdown of your pay from recruiters – a typical package includes:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Taxable Hourly Rate | Your base pay, subject to federal and state income tax |
| Housing Stipend | Non-taxable stipend for housing (you must maintain a tax home to qualify) |
| Meals & Incidentals (M&I) | Weekly non-taxable stipend for food and daily travel expenses |
| Overtime Rate | Paid after 36 or 40 hours per week, typically 1.5× your base hourly rate |
If you have to put in more than 36 or 40 hours a week (which often happens for 1.5x your base pay) travel nurse salary typically averages $2,000–$3,000 weekly plus stipends, though this varies significantly by specialty, location, and demand.
Comparing Offers – The Fine Print
The cost of living varies pretty dramatically across locations and this can really throw off your salary comparisons. A $2800 a week package in some small town in Texas is going to go a heck of a lot further than $2800 in San Francisco after rent. So when you’re comparing offers you need to take that into account:
- Try to figure out your take home pay after estimated housing costs
- Look at the state income tax differences
- Factor in commute costs and parking
- Research the local cost of living for groceries and essentials
Taking your first contract in a place that is similar to where you already work is often really helpful for new travelers – the type of hospital and patient population you’re used to makes the transition a lot easier.
Step 7: Get an Interview With the Facility and Evaluate the Offer
The facility interviews are usually just a quick phone or video call with a nurse manager or charge nurse. It’s more about confirming you’re a good fit than a lengthy panel-style interview. The first person to make it to the interview often gets the job, so respond quickly when an interview request comes through.
Getting Ready for the Interview
Be prepared to talk about:
- A quick summary of your experience in your specialty
- How familiar you are with the type of patients they deal with
- Some examples of how you adapt to new units, EMR systems and tough situations
- Your approach to teamwork and communication
Questions to Ask the Facility
To get the critical information you need, ask:
- What are the typical nurse to patient ratios like on this unit?
- What’s the floating policy? Which units do you float between?
- Is mandatory overtime expected?
- How do they organize their shift structure (blocked days or rotating shifts)?
- How long is the unit orientation for travellers (it’s usually just 4–12 hours)?
- What are the weekend and holiday requirements?
Making Sure it’s a Safe and Supportive Environment
To make sure you’re in a safe place, ask about:
- Is there a charge nurse there every shift?
- Are resource nurses or clinical educators available?
- Do they usually assign travellers the heaviest or most complex patients?
- What’s the rapid response process on this unit?
Confirming Logistics
Before you accept, make sure you get:
- Exactly when you’re supposed to start and what your typical schedule will be
- What call requirements are (especially if you’re in the OR or a procedural area)
- Any special expectations they have for the unit (charge duties or precepting)
- Parking and first day reporting instructions
After the interview, the facility will give you a verbal or written offer. You then review the full contract proposal with your recruiter before accepting.
Step 8: Review Your Travel Nurse Contract with a Fine Tooth Comb
Your travel nurse contract is a legally binding document that covers your entire assignment – review it line by line with your recruiter, ask questions about anything unclear.
Key Travel Nurse Contract Sections to Review
| Section | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Assignment Details | Assignment length (typically 13 weeks), facility name, unit, and start/end dates |
| Compensation | Hourly rate, all stipends, and overtime rates clearly outlined |
| Hours | Guaranteed hours per week, shift length, and schedule pattern |
| Cancellation Terms | Penalties and notice requirements for nurse, facility, or agency cancellation |
| Benefits | Health insurance options, retirement plans, and completion bonus eligibility |
Understanding Your Guaranteed Hours
Guaranteed hours are the number of hours per week they promise to pay, regardless of how many patients you see. Key things to clarify:
- What happens if the hospital cancels shifts – do they still pay you partial or full guarantee?
- Is low-census cancellation common at this facility?
- Can you pick up extra shifts if you have the time?
Overtime and Call Details
Review your compensation for extra work:
- Overtime rate after 36 or 40 hours (it’s usually 1.5x your base rate)
- Holiday pay (it’s often 1.5x or 2x)
- On-call pay and callback minimums
- Number of required call shifts per schedule period
Housing and Travel Provisions
Clarify your housing arrangements in writing:
- Are they providing agency-provided furnished housing or a housing stipend?
- Exact stipend amount and tax treatment
- Travel mileage or airfare reimbursement
- Whether the stipend covers the whole contract or is prorated
Cancellation and Extension Terms
Understand the risks:
- What triggers contract cancellation by the facility?
- What penalties apply if you cancel early?
- What notice is required from either party?
- How are extensions handled – is there a completion bonus?
- What reimbursement exists if the facility cancels after you’ve travelled?
Never rely on verbal promises that aren’t in the contract. Ask your recruiter to change unclear language in writing before signing.
Step 9: Arrange Travel Nurse Housing and Move-In Logistics
After you sign, you’ll need to get your living arrangements sorted. Most travellers choose between agency-provided furnished housing or self-arranged housing using a stipend.
Housing Options Compared
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Agency Housing | Convenient, fully-furnished apartments with utilities included – no need to worry about a deposit | But, you’ll have limited say over where you live and the quality of the place |
| Stipend + Self-Arranged | You’ve got a lot more freedom to pick the place that suits you best and potentially save a bit in the process, plus you get to enjoy your own space | However, it means a lot more responsibility falls to you, and you’ll usually have to stump up some cash for a deposit upfront, on top of finding the place yourself |
Finding Your Own Housing
If you do decide to go for the stipend route, start hunting for a place at least 4 weeks before you’re due to start:
- Websites for furnished apartments, and corporate housing
- Extended-stay hotels that do weekly rates
- Short-term rental sites
- Travel nurse groups on social media
Make sure to double-check:
- That the lease length matches your contract – you don’t want to get locked into a 12-month deal!
- Parking availability and what it’ll set you back
- How safe the neighborhood is, and the building itself
- How close it is to the hospital and what the commute’s going to be like
In cities, it’s not always about how far you are from the hospital, it’s about how long the drive or public transit ride is going to take.
Packing for a 13-Week Gig
Make a packing list that’s tailored to temporary housing – you don’t want to be stuck without the basics:
- Your work uniform and comfy shoes
- Copies of your license, certifications, and contract
- A compact printer or scanner (will be super useful for all the paperwork you’ll be dealing with)
- Basic kitchenware if the place isn’t all set up for you
- Personal stuff that’ll make temporary housing feel a bit more like home
- Gear for keeping yourself entertained and exercised on your days off
First-Day Logistics
Get with your recruiter before you arrive to confirm:
- What time you’re due to report and where
- Where to park on your first day
- Which door to use
- What the dress code is
- Who you need to meet for orientation and getting badged
Financial Preparations
Set aside a basic financial cushion to cover at least 1-2 months’ worth of expenses – this safety net will come in handy if things don’t go exactly as planned:
- Your start date gets delayed
- Your contract gets canceled
- There’s a gap between gigs
- You need to take some time off but it’s not immediately available. Don’t Rush Into Travel – Get Your Confidence Up First
Do yourself a favour – don’t start scouting travel nursing jobs just yet if you’re not feeling totally confident in your abilities. The thing is, travel nursing jobs basically come with a ‘sink or swim’ mentality. You’ll get pushed into a situation where you’ll have to figure out a lot on your own. So unless you feel you’ve got the skills to handle complex patients, deal with emergencies and make quick decisions, you might want to hold off just a bit on taking that first travel job.
Step 10: Choose the Right Travel Nursing Location, Shift, and Specialty
Choosing where to accept a travel nursing job and when can have a big impact on your travel nursing experience and how much you get paid.
Figuring Out Where To Work First
First-time travelers would do well to consider a couple of things:
- Maybe start in smaller places that aren’t as competitive as major cities
- Target areas with plenty of openings and fewer job applicants
- Keep in mind that rural areas can offer better ratios, lower stress and sometimes even higher pay
- Big academic centers tend to mean high-acuity patients and complex work flows
Seasons Can Make A Big Difference
Pay is influenced by a few different things:
- How much the state will reimburse for care
- The local cost of living
- Seasonal demand (winter tourist areas and summer contracts in warm climates)
- Census patterns (flu season, spring break, holidays, etc)
Labour statistics show that certain times of year are busier than others, which can make it easier to find good jobs.
Days Or Nights – What Works For You?
Decide whether you like working days or nights
- Night shifts tend to pay more
- Day shifts mean a more regular sleep schedule
- Think about how different shift patterns will affect your social life, your health and your wellbeing in the long run
- Some places are only looking for night shift travellers because they’re short-staffed in that area
Stick To What You’re Good At
For the time being, just stick to one specialty – you can always branch out later on. Changing specialties is just too much extra stress when you’re already adjusting to the travel nursing lifestyle. Travellers find it easier to establish a good reputation within one specialty before trying to expand their skill set.
Q and A on Applying For Travel Nursing Jobs
Can I Get Started If I’m a Brand-New RN?
The truth is that a lot of agencies will only take on people who’ve got at least a year of recent experience. And some even prefer to work with people who’ve had 18-24 months on the job, especially if they’ve been working in high-pressure areas like ICU or ER. Graduates should probably just take some time to build up their skills and confidence before trying travel nursing.
Do I Need A BSN to Work As A Travel Nurse?
Technically, you don’t need a BSN to apply for a travel nursing job. But a lot of the big hospitals and systems do require or really prefer BSN-prepared nurses. ADN-prepared nurses can still get in on the action – but they might want to consider getting a BSN through a bridge program while they’re working.
Can I Apply With Multiple Agencies at Once?
Yeah, it’s totally fine to work with a couple of agencies at the same time – it can actually give you more options and help you compare offers. Just make sure you tell each recruiter where you’ve already been submitted, and keep a record to avoid getting submitted to the same place twice.
