SALARY AND BENEFITS

There are a lot of benefits to becoming a traveling nurse, over and above the top pay in a very high demanding field. There is a huge demand in the nursing profession and travel nurses are placed in areas around the country to fill many existing vacancies.

A quick overview of all the benefits you may find when becoming a travel nurse is listed below. The benefits listed are just a few of the many rewarding benefits you will experience.

Travel: As a traveling nurse you are often reimbursed for all your travel expenses incurred when moving to and from each assignment. Some agencies cover gas mileage while some will offer generous allowances for air travel expense. Most agencies have worked it in a way that your travel income is tax free.

Housing: While on assignment, often your housing is paid for; including your basic utilities. Private housing usually includes a fully furnished,one bedroom apartment, close to your assignment.  If your needs are greater than a 1 bedroom, then you may have to pay a percentage of your special housing needs. You can also choose to live in your own accommodations that you find yourself, and will be given a housing allowance based on the area of assignment. Some of the communities that travel nurses are placed in include gyms, pools, spas and clubhouses. You can even travel with your spouse, children or pets. Depending on your needs your agency will help you obtain the housing that you need to suit your lifestyle.

Retirement Plans:  Most agencies will offer you some kind of retirement plan, a 401K or something of that nature. You will want to see if the agency you work matches your contributions.

Medical, Dental and Eye Insurance:  Most of the top agencies will offer you medical, dental and eye insurance at no cost to you. Your dependent coverage will depend on the company and is usually available for a minimal fee. You are usually offered a choice of plans that you can choose from that will suit your lifestyle and needs.

Top Pay Rates:  As a traveling nurse you will be opened up to a higher pay level then if you were a non-travel nurse. As a traveling nurse you can obtain hourly pay up to $60.00 per hour depending on the assignment and the location of the assignment.

Sign on Bonuses:  Depending on the type of assignment available and the demand for the position to be filled, some facilities will offer a sign-on bonus. Such a bonus can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand dollars. Some agencies will even offer you a bonus to sign on with their agencies. As the shortages in the nursing field continue to grow, more agencies are competing to fill positions.

Completion Bonus:  Although not as common as the sign on bonuses, some agencies will offer a completion bonus when you complete an assignment.

Referral Bonus:  Many agencies have begun offering their employees a referral bonus.  Keep in mind that many of your friends will be watching you to find out what the travel nurse experience has to offer.

To sum it up: A chance to travel and see the world while earning an excellent income and expanding your nursing experience in ways that may not have been available at home.

The traveling nurse profession may or may not be exactly what you have been looking for.  It has never been easier to find out for yourself.