The average annual salary for travel nurses is around $46,000. There are numerous opportunities for this job. One of the most popular ones is in the field of urgent care. These jobs typically pay well but require nurses to be on the road for less than two weeks. In addition, these assignments may be limited to one city. Despite their flexibility, travel nurses face challenges such as homesickness and being away from family for thirteen weeks. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with homesickness while working.
In addition to the competitive salary, travel nurses can also enjoy the tax benefits that accompany working outside their home state. Some travel nurse positions can earn upwards of $75,000 annually, with a week of paid vacation every three to six months. Additionally, some travel nurses can negotiate their pay for overtime hours. Aside from these benefits, other travel nurses find this type of job rewarding in every way. Some travel nurses even get to choose where they work, which communities they serve, and how much time off they take.
While most travel nurses work in hospitals, there are certain specialties in the field that can lead to a higher salary. Pediatric emergency room travel nurses are arguably the highest-paid travel nurse job. Pediatric ER travel nurses are responsible for providing care to young patients during emergency situations. They also assess changes in the condition of patients and calculate medication dosages as prescribed. These nurses also work with pediatric patients and may provide care in a neonatal intensive care unit or a NICU.
Some types of travel nurses are paid hourly, while others are paid per shift. It’s important to remember that overtime work is not always tax-free, but it can turn a great pay rate into a goldmine for the travel nurse. The minimum rate for overtime work is 1.5x base pay. Always check the terms of your contract before agreeing to work overtime. If overtime work is required, be prepared to put in extra hours to meet the demands of your assignments.
Sign-On, Completion, and Retention bonuses
Many nursing companies offer sign-on, completion, and retention bonuses for travel nurses to encourage them to join their staff. These bonuses are intended to reward hard work and sacrifice while still providing a competitive wage. However, there are downsides to these bonuses. They do not benefit loyal nurses who will work for the company for many years. Additionally, they may not be sufficient to attract the best candidates to a particular position.
Hospitals and travel nursing companies often provide incentives in the form of sign-on, completion, and retention bonuses to attract new team members. Depending on the specific program, these bonuses may include free housing during long-term assignments, as well as apartments in the primary city of residence. However, it is important to note that these bonuses are not a replacement for competitive base pay. Therefore, it is important to understand the terms and conditions of these bonuses to avoid getting ripped off. Read More
