Travel Nurse Agency Jobs: Traveling Nurse Salary

Name: Amy Robbins
Job Title: Traveling Nurse
Where: Tallahassee, Florida
Employer: Multiple Agencies  
Years of Experience: 12
Education: Darton College in Albany, Georgia
Salary: A traveling nurse salary depends on where the assignment is located. (High hourly wage of $40, low of $30)

Travel Nurse Agency Jobs: Traveling Nurse Salary

As the healthcare employment landscape changes, travel nurse agency jobs (mentioned at travelnursingjob.blogspot.com) are growing and many people are choosing a traveling nurse career over other nursing options. But what are the real benefits of a traveling nurse career compared to traditional nursing jobs?  In this Salary Story, we spoke to Florida-based nurse Amy Robbins about her traveling nurse career, the benefits of being a traveling nurse and the average traveling nurse salary.

If you're wondering about the future outlook for traveling nurse salaries, what to expect from travel nurse agency jobs, or how to start a traveling nurse career, this Salary Story is just what the doctor ordered!

Traveling Nurse Job Description:

The duties of a travel nurse are very similar to those of a non-traveling nurse. I am currently on an Orthopedic and Neurology floor where I attend 5 to 7 patients per 12 hour shift. When I first arrive at work, I am given a report of the status of the patients I am going to attend from the nurse on the shift before mine. The report generally includes the name, age, current medical problems and medical history. After the report I visit each of the patients to introduce myself and assess their conditions.

During a typical shift, I am required to administer medicine (oral, via injection, etc.), document medical information, receive and discharge patients, coordinate patient care with other departments such as physical therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy and others. Sometimes a patient will “Code” which means they go into respiratory and cardiac arrest.

For instance, last week a patient on my floor stopped breathing after a tracheotomy was removed from his throat. The patient stopped breathing and did not have a pulse. I started CPR on the patient and had to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation using a plastic device that has a valve to allow air into the patient’s lungs, but prevents the patient from exhaling back into the nurse’s mouth. After thirty minutes of CPR, the patient’s pulse returned and the patient recovered.

In addition to the traditional nurse duties, I also have to deal with several traveling nurse employment agencies I work with. That can require filling out paperwork, moving from assignment to assignment, negotiating contract provisions, etc.

What were your steps in choosing a traveling nurse career?

The schooling required to become a travel nurse is the same required for a non-traveling nurse. However, most agencies require you to have worked as a nurse for a certain amount of time before taking a travel assignment. When I first started as a nurse 12 years ago, the time required was one year. It is probably less than that now, given the need for nurses around the United States.

The way I found my first agency was word of mouth from another travel nurse I worked with. I have also searched Google and clicked on Google ads for travel nurse agencies. I find it best to contact a number of agencies before making a decision. Not all agencies have contracts to provide travel nurses to all facilities. It is best to pick a facility and then see which agency supplies that facility. Also, three of the agencies I use send me updates of jobs and locations via e-mail and some call me.

What are the drawbacks and benefits of a traveling nurse career?

Some of the benefits of working as a traveling nurse include being able to visit different parts of the country every 6 weeks and going on little mini-vacations. I also have my agencies pay for my relocations, utilities, housing and bonuses. Depending on the length of my assignment, my agencies will pay up to $3,000 to take an assignment.

One of the biggest disadvantages is having to deal with two different employers (my agency and the assignment facility). The provisions in my agency contract often conflict with the rules of the assignment facility. I recently ran into a problem when the facility I am now working in required me to attend a larger number of patients than the number outlined in my contract.

Also, when a non-travel nurse finds out I am a travel nurse they automatically know that I am being paid more to do the same job they are doing. This can result in resentment, but often creates an interest in the non-travel nurse to check into travel nursing.

What advice would you have for those interested in a traveling nurse career?

The job outlook of a travel nurse is GREAT. There are now numerous travel nurse agencies recruiting travel nurses. The competition among agencies has driven travel nurse salaries and benefits up. I would advise anyone who wants to be a travel nurse to start out by taking a shorter assignment; maybe 6 weeks or so. Also, make sure you have everything in writing that you discuss with your agency representative. Remember: if it isn’t in writing, it never happened.

What is the average traveling nurse salary?

Depending on your location you can earn an hourly wage of $30 to $40. Typically, California pays more, but the cost of living is higher. Sometimes the benefits are a major part of a traveling nurse salary. For example, you can negotiate with your agency to pay for your relocation, utilities and a sign-on and renewal bonus.

How does your salary compare to a traveling nurse's salary? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full salary survey.

• Planning for a Traveling Nurse Career - Resources from the ANA
• Travel Nurse Agency Jobs - A list of Agencies from DMOZ.org
• Information on Becoming A Nurse - Nurse Job Salaries

Comments

[Sarah]

Amy,
believe it or not your blog has really had an impact on my decision to become a traveling nurse. Some of my fellow graduates got some really cool jobs by search ing online at sites like www.nurse-travel.net and www.travel-nurse-jobs.net, and after listening to them and reading your information, I feel like this is what I want to do! Thanks!

[Dan]

Amy (or Sarah)
I just graduated from Nursing school this past May. How much experience do think I need before becoming a travel nurse? I saw at www.nurse-travel.net they had housing available in places like Las Vegas, New York and Miami. I would LOVE to live in one of those cities! Should I get experience somewhere smaller before applying?

[Amy]

I know that Access Nurses and most travel nursing agencies require 2 years of experience.

[Brijitha]

Thanks for the nice post. Looking forward to hear more on this topic. Incase if you are interested on Nursing Jobs in Detroit please visit http://www.ktcusa.org/

[Francois]

I went through www.nurse-travel.net too but I was transferred from Philadelphia to Los Angeles with ony one year of experience. I think you can apply and they might let you go earlier.

[joyce]

good specific info i needed, amy. thanks. especially checking with a facilities to see the travel nursing agencies they like to use.

[Richard Bolin RN]

I work as a recruiter for ANxtra and we require a years experience to travel. With me being a nurse,I feel I am able to offer much more to the table than most recruiters
877-505-62200
Richard

[Richard Bolin RN]

I work as a recruiter for ANxtra and we require a years experience to travel. With me being a nurse,I feel I am able to offer much more to the table than most recruiters
877-505-62200
Richard

[raymond]

i am a male filipino nationality nursing student on my last months of studying. i am really inspired by your story. i want to be like you, but i know i have to pass through some hardships first. thanks for this note of yours..

[Sondi]

I am also from FL and am starting on my 1st 6 week assignment and finding some confusion - as was to be expected. I am interested in tips on negotiations of taxable vs non taxable compensations and how to maximize both. Additionally, when a recruiter states what the overall comp schedule is, how do we know what else to ask for i.e., is the stipend one fee or should I ask for travel, housing, relocation to be broken down and am I missing potential reimbursement areas?

[Jim Hockin]

This article has painted a balanced account of real on-the-job conditions to be expected by anyone considering a career and placement as a travel nurse. That's my opinion as someone who has been associated with this field for some time but who is not a nurse.

I have - for better than a year now - been submitting advertising copy to nurse-related websites on behalf of my client www.RNVip.com. And yet until having read this article I didn't feel that I had a sense of what travel nurse workers in the field were experiencing.

So, Thanks a lot Payscale.com and nurse Robbins for your story.
JH

[Geunevah]

For the past five years I've worked with a travel nurse agency; however, I remained in my local area. I cuirently reside in Germany with my husband who's affiliated with the military. In 1 1/2 years he will be getting out of the military. I am intrested in working in the southern region of Africa. Do you know of any agencies that may send nurses to Africa.

[JoAnn]

I find your blog very informative.
I've been a nurse since 1981. My boys will soon be out of the house, and I'm thinking of travelling. Do you have any infor on
agenices that send nurses to Guam. I lived there are a teen, and visited it again this past summer. Would really love to work there with the benefits of a travel nurse.

[Melody]

I am interested in a travel nursing job in Costa Rica. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Ariel]

I'm currently 17 attending High school but I was accepted my freshmen year to be part of the first program on this side of Florida to have an LPN course while in high school. So when I graduate I'll have my diploma and LPN!! :D YES!! Now I was wondering how soon could I apply and would they accept me so young?

[Jessica]

Nursing Job Vacancy search at http://Nursing-Job-Search.BlogSpot.COm

[Smantha]

NLE BOARD EXAM at http://NurseReview.Org for Nurses!

[Boogie]

Residing in De, I will have been an rn for 1 year coming this feb 2008, and currently work full time in an ICU, I am ACLS certified and will have been a critical care rn for 1 year in August 2008. I am interested in traveling nursing but would like more information. I liked this personilized story and appreciated the information provided but I still feel that there is so much more to learn and need-to know information out there about traveling nursing that I feel I would need to know prior to a final decision. Is there a specific agency website I can log onto or a phone number to call to get detailed information. I would personally like to sit down with an education counselor or an honest agency representivive to go over the do's and dont's and the "read between the lines- hidden need-to-know" information about traveling nursing. I hope this can help me find my way!!
thanks
B

[Christina]

Amy,
I love your blog. I am a high school senior and I am about to graduate in May. I want to major in nursing and I never thought about traveling nursing as an option before. This has opened my eyes and I think that this would be a lot of fun. Thanks!

[Noni Davis]

Which RN Travel Agencies have assignments in Guam?

[Noni Davis]

Which RN Travel Agencies have assignments in Guam?

[Hikmat Rudyana]

I am a nurse, graduated from Padjadjaran University of West Java Indonesia, 3 years experienced in Al-Amiri Hospital of Kuwait, would like to work in any Hospital of Brunei Darussalam.Thanks

[Bridgette]

Does traveling ever become a problem for your children or your husband? If not, do you ever wonder if they just refrain from expressing it because they don't want to offend you or maybe your husband does find comfort in other "friends" that he doesn't tell you about? How do you deal with this issue and has it ever been difficult for you to continue traveling while your family felt distant?

[Erika]

How much do you get payed?

[Mary]

Does the hourly rate you qoute include as part of it your housing stipend and travel rem. or are you getting that separte from the hourly wage?