Nursing as a career is rewarding and lucrative, with American healthcare depending on these professionals. As of 2023, registered nurses in the US make $41.38 per hour, with an annual average of $86,070. With 194,500 openings for RNs each year, the market has a huge potential for aspiring professionals. 

Even if you don’t feel good about working in a bedside role, you can explore a different route for your career. Travel nursing is a dream opportunity that can give you the best of both worlds. You can make good money as a nurse, yet see the world instead of working in conventional hospital settings.

Beyond the obvious benefits, travel nursing can actually take your career to the next level. In this article, we will highlight how it can open new avenues for you.

Career Flexibility

According to Alaska Beacon, autonomy is one reason travel nurses opt for temporary assignments away from home. They have the freedom to choose when and where they work, giving them the flexibility they desire. Over 1.7 million travel nurses work in the US. Hospitals often hire them to address the long-term shortage of nursing staff. 

As a travel nurse, you can choose specific days off on your contract. You can also take extended breaks between assignments for personal or educational pursuits. With this flexibility, you get a better work-life balance compared to traditional staff positions. You can take up further education entrepreneurial ventures or explore new places according to your schedule. 

Enhanced Professional Skills

Nursing education involves a rigorous path, with aspiring professionals having to dedicate several years of hard work. NurseJournal.org notes that most students are required to spend 2-4 years for a registered nurse (RN) credential. Alternatively, they can opt for the accelerated version with ABSN online programs. 

According to Cleveland State University, these courses can be completed in four semesters (16 months). The online coursework is accompanied by two residencies and clinical placement. Travel nursing takes this education a step ahead. It gives exposure to diverse healthcare settings and patient populations.

With each assignment, you get the opportunity to adopt new skills and adapt to different treatment protocols and medical technologies. This versatility can make you resourceful in handling various clinical scenarios. Additionally, broad experiences will make you more versatile as a professional. 

Financial Benefits

Travel nurses typically earn higher salaries than their staff counterparts. Nurse.org notes that the average salary of these professionals is $49 per hour and $101,132 per year as of January 2025. That’s much more than $41.38 per hour and $86,070 per year for staff nurses working from one location. 

Besides higher salaries, you can expect extra tax-free benefits such as housing stipends, meal allowances, and travel reimbursements. These add-ons can significantly boost overall incomes. Additional incentives like sign-on bonuses and health insurance coverage may also be available. You can even expect furnished housing and catered meals as perks during high-demand periods.

Networking Opportunities

Professional networking provides a solid foundation in any career field, and nursing is no exception. Working across multiple healthcare settings as a travel nurse helps build a robust professional network. You get to meet numerous professionals from various backgrounds providing valuable insights into best practices within the field. 

A bigger network can help you advance your career with more job opportunities in the future. You also get a chance to find valuable mentorship from high-level professionals in diverse roles. You may even work under the guidance of a mentor in a foreign country as an international travel nurse.

Cultural Competence

Business.com defines cultural competence as the ability to understand and empathize with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. You understand your culture and become open to learning about other cultures. Additionally, you develop acceptance and a positive perspective of cultural differences.

For employers, a job applicant with cultural competence has a better chance of getting into their organization. It is even more important in the healthcare industry with the increasing diversity of patient populations. Working as a travel nurse makes you imbibe this trait as you work with diverse populations across different locations. 

For example, you learn how a set of cultural values and religious beliefs affect how patients interact with caregivers. You know them better and learn how to help them in ways that they understand. Going ahead, you can apply this knowledge to future workplaces to serve your patients better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What degree is best for travel nursing?

There is no specific degree required to become a travel nurse. You become eligible for the role with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For a quicker entry into the field, you can pursue an accelerated BSN degree. Nurses with different specialties can also take up the role of a travel nurse. 

Which specialty is best for travel nursing?

Some of the best specialties for travel nursing include emergency care roles, neonatal care, ICU nursing, home health nursing, and psychiatric nursing. You can check the demand in different areas in your target destinations, and choose an ideal one accordingly. 

Is it hard to be a travel nurse?

Becoming a travel nurse is a rewarding decision as it opens up new opportunities for aspiring professionals. However, it may also have some challenges like long hours and difficulty adapting to different locations and environments. Many professionals are still open to dealing with these challenges to reap the benefits of the opportunity.

Working abroad as a travel nurse is more than the chance to see the world while building your career. It is an opportunity to build a career financially and skill-wise. You can become a professional with diverse skills, extensive experience, versatility, and adaptability. Not to mention, you grow as a person as you meet and work with people across the world.