If you are a registered nurse (RN) who loves to travel and explore new places, you might have considered becoming a travel nurse. Travel nursing is a rewarding and exciting career option that allows you to work in different healthcare settings across the country or even the world. But how does it compare to working as a staff nurse in a permanent position? What are the pros and cons of each option? Here are some of the main differences between staff nursing and travel nursing that you should know before making your decision.
Benefits
One of the advantages of working as a staff nurse is that you usually get access to stable and comprehensive benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. These benefits can provide you with security and peace of mind, especially if you have a family or plan to further your education. As a travel nurse, you might not get the same level of benefits from your agency, or you might have to pay more for them. However, some agencies do offer competitive benefits packages, such as sick pay, 401(k), and bonuses. You should compare different agencies and contracts to find the best deal for your needs.
Commitment
Another difference between staff nursing and travel nursing is the level of commitment required. As a staff nurse, you are expected to stay with your employer for a long time, unless you resign or get terminated. You have to follow the policies and procedures of your facility, attend staff meetings and trainings, and participate in performance evaluations. You also have to deal with hospital politics and drama, which can be stressful and frustrating. As a travel nurse, you have more flexibility and freedom. You can choose where, when, and how long you want to work, depending on the availability of assignments. You can also change your location and specialty every few weeks or months, which can keep your job interesting and challenging. You don’t have to worry about getting involved in the internal affairs of your unit or facility, as you are only there temporarily.
Pay
One of the main reasons why many nurses choose travel nursing is the higher pay. Travel nurses can earn significantly more than staff nurses, depending on the location, specialty, and demand of the assignment. Travel nurses also receive non-taxed stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals, which can increase their take-home pay. However, travel nurses also have to pay for some expenses that staff nurses don’t, such as travel costs, licensing fees, and taxes in multiple states. Travel nurses also don’t get paid for time off, unless they negotiate it in their contract. Therefore, travel nurses need to budget carefully and plan ahead for their income and expenses.
Housing
One of the challenges that travel nurses face is finding suitable housing for their assignments. Travel nurses have two options for housing: agency-placed housing or stipend pay. Agency-placed housing means that the agency will arrange and pay for your accommodation, usually in a furnished apartment or hotel. This option can save you time and hassle, but it also means that you have less control over where you live and what amenities you have. Stipend pay means that the agency will give you a fixed amount of money per month for housing, and you are responsible for finding and paying for your own accommodation. This option can give you more freedom and flexibility, but it also means that you have to do more research and negotiation on your own.
Some of the factors that travel nurses should consider when looking for housing are:
Location: You should look for housing that is close to your facility or has easy access to public transportation. You should also consider the safety and convenience of the neighborhood.
Budget: You should look for housing that fits within your stipend amount or leaves some extra money for savings or other expenses.
Amenities: You should look for housing that has essential amenities such as Wi-Fi access, on-site laundry facilities, fully equipped kitchen, parking availability, etc.
Lease terms: You should look for housing that has flexible lease terms that match your assignment duration or allow early termination without penalty.
Some of the resources that travel nurses can use to find housing are:
Housing sites
There are several websites that specialize in mid-term furnished housing for travel nurses, such as nujib. These sites allow you to search by location, budget, amenities , etc., and connect directly with property owners or managers.
General marketplaces: There are also general websites that offer short-term rentals , such as Airbnb or VRBO These sites allow you to browse through various types of accommodations , such as rooms , apartments , houses , condos , etc., and book online or contact the hosts.
Lifestyle
The last difference between staff nursing and travel nursing is the lifestyle. Staff nurses enjoy a stable and predictable routine, with a fixed schedule and location. They can build long-term relationships with their coworkers and patients, and become part of a community. They can also plan their vacations and personal events in advance, knowing that they will have time off. Travel nurses have a more adventurous and dynamic lifestyle, with constant changes and surprises. They can travel to different places, meet new people, and experience different cultures. They can also take breaks between assignments or extend their stay if they like a certain location. However, travel nurses also face some challenges, such as adapting to new environments, finding housing and transportation, maintaining their tax home , and coping with loneliness or homesickness.
Conclusion
Staff nursing and travel nursing are both rewarding career options for RNs who want to make a difference in people’s lives. However, they also have distinct differences that affect their benefits, commitment, pay, housing, and lifestyle. Before choosing one option over the other, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider your personal goals and preferences. Whether you decide to work as a staff nurse or a travel nurse , you should always strive to provide high-quality care to your patients and enjoy your profession.
