Travel nursing has become an increasingly attractive career choice for registered nurses, offering adventure, flexibility, and excellent earning potential. Start a search online today to learn more about securing the best paying travel nursing job.
Let’s explore the benefits of being a travel nurse, what to look for in a travel nursing agency, top-paying travel nursing agencies, and the highest paying specialties for travel nurses. Explore the world while earning an impressive paycheck!
Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse
Becoming a travel nurse opens doors to numerous benefits. First and foremost, travel nurses enjoy the opportunity to work in diverse healthcare settings across the country, gaining invaluable experience while exploring new places. They often receive higher pay rates than staff nurses and have the flexibility to choose their assignments.1
Additionally, travel nurses may be eligible for tax-free stipends, housing and travel allowances, and comprehensive healthcare benefits. This unique combination of adventure and financial rewards makes travel nursing an appealing career choice.
What to Look for in a Travel Nursing Agency
Consider their reputation and reliability and seek out agencies with a solid track record and positive feedback from fellow travel nurses, as reliability is paramount for consistent support. Next, delve into the pay packages offered by different agencies, ensuring they offer competitive compensation encompassing base pay, stipends, and bonuses. Additionally, take into account the agency’s assignment locations, as some may align better with your preferred destinations and facilities.
Housing options and the extent of benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and continuing education opportunities should also factor into your decision. Lastly, prioritize agencies that assist with licensing and credentialing processes and provide round-the-clock support throughout your assignments.
Top Paying Travel Nursing Agencies
When it comes to finding the top paying travel nursing agencies, you’ll want to consider some key players in the industry.
- Triage Staffing: Offer the highest hourly wages and frequent bonuses compared to competitors. They also provide an array of perks, including tuition reimbursement and 401(k) plans.
- Aya Healthcare: Famous for its support system, which includes sick pay. Plus, they offer a variety of benefits, such as medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Travel Nurse Across America: Stands out for its comprehensive benefits and education programs, including tuition reimbursement for earning your BSN.
- Axis Medical Staffing: Exceptional customer service, with round-the-clock support all year. They offer various benefits, including healthcare coverage and company-matched 401(k) plans.2
When considering your options, keep in mind the agency’s reputation and the benefits they provide.
Top Paying Specialties for Travel Nurses
While travel nurses in all specialties can earn competitive salaries, some areas are particularly lucrative. Specialties with high demand and critical shortages often command higher pay. Here are a few top-paying specialties for travel nurses:
- Travel CRNA: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) rank as the highest-paid nursing specialty, and this also applies to CRNAs who choose to work as travel nurses. They typically earn an average annual income of $194,352 or an hourly rate of $93. The top earners can make as much as $311,500 annually!
- Operating Room (OR) Nursing: Travel nurses specializing in operating rooms typically earn an average annual income of $181,460 or an hourly wage of $87. The top earners in this field can even reach an impressive annual income of up to $286,000.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Travel Nurse: NICU travel nurses typically have an average yearly income of about $173,017, which translates to an hourly wage of $83. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that income levels can vary significantly across different regions, with some earning as low as $56,000, while top-performing NICU travel nurses can earn as much as $281,500 annually.
- Intensive Care (ICU) Nurse: ICU travel nurses typically receive an average yearly salary of around $143,416, which equates to an hourly rate of $69. However, the top-earning ICU travel nurses can achieve salaries as high as $263,500 annually.
- Travel Nurse Practitioner: The typical salary for travel nurse practitioners stands at approximately $140,086 per year or $67 per hour. Salary figures can vary based on the specific location and the nurse practitioner’s specialization. In some cases, the highest-earning travel nurse practitioners have the potential to earn up to an impressive $243,500 annually.3
Choosing a specialty that aligns with your skills and interests can lead to both personal fulfillment and financial success in the world of travel nursing.
Start Your Job as a Travel Nurse Today!
Travel nursing offers nurses a unique opportunity to explore the country while earning a substantial income. To make the most of this exciting career choice, it’s essential to find a travel nursing agency that provides competitive compensation packages, comprehensive benefits, and the support you need.
With the right combination of agency and specialty, you can enjoy a fulfilling career as a travel nurse. To learn more about travel nursing agencies offering the best pay, continue your research online and take the first step toward an exciting and rewarding adventure.
