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Being on the move all the time has its ups and downs. However, travel nursing has some incredible advantages. Your nursing degree provides you with a reliable career with hundreds of job opportunities and opens up the door for many side perks, like travel nurse discounts. And who doesn’t love a good discount?!
Since COVID, our communities have started to value nurses in a way they never have before. Many places began offering discounts for all healthcare workers and first responders. Many travel agencies also pay for access to different websites that grant access to group discounts. If you are a nurse working with a travel organization, it is well worth your time to ask the housing department about any potential discounts you might be missing out on. For now, here is a non-exhaustive list of some websites that could help save you money on your housing stay at your next assignment (or on a trip for fun!).
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
This site gives members exclusive rates and points on hotel bookings and up to 60% off hotel stays plus a $50 credit upon signing up for a new account.
This website honors “people who heroically serve their community.” They promote hotel rates up to 60% off or discounted resort stays. The site also provides many other services and discount options, including car rentals, cruises, tours and excursions, and flights. They even have a Heroes Vacation Club.
Hotel Planner’s website provides discounts for healthcare workers on select hotels, car rentals, long-term stay rentals, and even event space.
Nurses, medical providers, and hospital employees get an extra 10% off their stays at Caesar’s hotels utilizing the ID.me verification system. Vegas, anyone? In case you fall into any other categories, this discount also applies to first responders, teachers, military, seniors, and students.
The ocean is calling. Automatically get $150 off your next vacation booked through Cheap Caribbean Vacations simply by being a nurse.
In addition to always leaving the light on for you, participating Motel 6 locations offer nurses a discount through their perioperative nursing site. So whether you need long-term housing for your next contract or just need a place to stay on vacation, Motel 6 has you covered with their over 1,400 locations.
Hotwire utilizes ID.me to get nurses an additional 10% off for hotel bookings and car rentals. ID.me can be used on a variety of sites, so it’s definitely worth setting up.
Sign up with Priceline to browse deals on hotels up to earn cash back for hotels, rental cars, flights, and cruises. The current cash back percentage is 4% back, but it changes by category.
When in doubt, ask any hotel you’re staying with if they provide a discount for medical workers. Even if it is a small one, it might just offset the costs of taxes. Plus, it’s always worth saying thank you to nurses for their contribution to keeping us all safe and healthy!
Ready to start your adventure? Sign up today and start traveling next week.
Nevada is one of those states that flies completely under the radar even though it has so much to offer. Although most famously known for the iconic Las Vegas strip, Nevada has so much more to offer than just city life. From Lake Tahoe to the Hoover Dam to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area, there are many places to see and explore while you are in the Silver State.
The two largest Nevada cities are Las Vegas and Reno, which both have great diversity in hospitals and provide options for many nursing specialties to search for contracts. Nevada is part of the eNLC which makes it an appealing choice since it will eliminate a licensure step for many nurses looking for job opportunities. From the screaming hot desert to the cool, mountain lakes, Nevada has many hidden gems making it a wonderful place to explore.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Nevada? Speak with a recruiter today!
With the ever-changing travel rates toying with nurse’s hearts, Nevada provides an average rate compared to other states regionally. Indeed.com estimates that the average travel nurse is making $2,482 a week. Since the rates have begun to drastically fall throughout this year, Nevada still remains competitive compared to many of the other travel jobs around the country with a similar cost of living. With many critical access to hospitals around the state, along with big cities, there are plenty positions to choose from. Currently, Indeed.com lists these cities as the highest paying travel locations in Nevada.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Nevada is an interesting state because it is home to two, very large cities, but the rest of the state remains fairly remote. If you are a nurse that works in a highly specialized unit, then you will not have quite the same luxury of options as other states in terms of location diversity. However, there are still plenty of jobs posted that could potentially fit the bill depending on what kind of contract you are looking for. As of the summer of 2023, these are the top-paying specialties based on current contracts for a 36-hour week.
US News evaluated 59 hospitals in Nevada and ranked them in order of their quality and the way they meet certain standards. Here are the top five hospitals in Nevada.
1. Renown Regional Medical Center
2. St. Rose Dominican Hospital-Siena Campus
4. Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center
The cost of living in Nevada can vary depending on the city or region within the state. Generally speaking, Nevada has a relatively low cost of living compared to many other states in the United States. However, certain cities like Las Vegas and Reno can be more expensive due to higher housing costs and demand. Nevada is ranked at number 29 in cost of living from a 2022 survey, which places it very close to the middle of America prices. And, if you were to remove the metropolis of Las Vegas from that data, the numbers would drastically decrease.
The cost of living in Las Vegas will be grossly different than if you choose to take a contract in a rural town in Nevada. However, based on a pull of data ranging from housing to groceries to utilities, Livingcost.org estimates that the monthly average for 1 person to live in Nevada is $2,129. When you consider the current travel rates, that is less than one week’s worth of pay – leaving 75% of your budget to either spend or save, depending on your situation. Nevada also does not have any income tax, so as a traveler who doesn’t have to pay any property tax in the state either, this is a great bonus and allows you to fully capitalize on your earnings.
Probably one of the most obvious things you can do on your days off in Nevada would be to visit Las Vegas and do the classic Vegas agenda items. Even if gambling isn’t quite up your alley of preferred entertainment, Las Vegas always has some world-class shows that perform on a nightly basis as well as world-renowned restaurants and chefs. While in Las Vegas, you could also take a trip down to Red Rock Canyon Conservation area and see some of the natural beauty that rests there. Known as a rock climber’s haven, this park has hiking trails, day picnic areas, and a great loop where you can enjoy the scenery from your car.
Another fun state park to visit is Valley of the Fire. Valley of Fire State Park is known for its stunning red sandstone formations, petroglyphs, and scenic drives. Hiking, camping, and photography opportunities abound in this beautiful desert park.
The Hoover Dam is an impressive engineering marvel that you can take a guided tour to learn about its construction and enjoy stunning views of Lake Mead and the surrounding area. Up in the northern part of the state, Lake Tahoe is a popular year-round destination. Enjoy outdoor activities like boating, swimming, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. The area also offers scenic drives, cozy resorts, and a vibrant dining scene.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Nevada!
Nevada is often overlooked. However, there are plenty of hidden gems throughout the state that you can enjoy while on assignment there, and though it still gets chilly in the winter months, you’ll be sure to escape the freezing winters normally found in the midwest or northeast. With the pay and cost of living being fairly average, you still have an opportunity to pocket some decent money while on assignment, assuming you have the self-control not to gamble it all away on your trips to Las Vegas. Consider traveling to Nevada and exploring the mountains, deserts, lakes, and career opportunities it has to offer.
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” might be your next destination to take a travel contract if you have a strong sense of adventure, a desire to work at some great hospitals, and the desire to dive into a warm and welcoming culture. This state has everything to offer from outdoor activities to big city entertainment with the charm and comfort of a small Midwestern town. No matter what season you choose to visit this state, you can still find activities to participate in and arts and culture to envelop your free time.
With the Twin Cities’ large population and diversity, there are many options for travel contracts. Whether you have a unique specialty or work in the mainline nursing industry, this state has plenty to offer with its range of cities and rural towns. Currently, there is a wide range of jobs posted that are grossing over $3,000 a week for a 36 hour/week contract.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Minnesota? Speak with a recruiter today!
In a world where travel nursing pay varies so greatly and so quickly, Minnesota continues to pay nurses an average of $2,309 a week according to Indeed.com. As always, this number highly depends on the specialty, location, and designated amount of hours worked per week. Compared to the rest of the country, Minnesota is offering mid-range weekly pay which aligns well with their average cost of living. The highest-paying cities in Minnesota according to Indeed.com are listed below.
One of the great things about travel nursing in Minnesota is that the state houses one of the most world-renowned hospital systems, the Mayo Clinic. There is also a handful of other large hospital systems that provide many options for nursing specialties to search for jobs. As always, specialty units typically have a higher demand and thus pay better. As of the summer of 2023, these are the top-paying specialties based on current contracts for a 36-hour week.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Out of the 139 hospitals in the state, 11 met US News’ high standards, and they ranked them in order of their quality. The following are the top five ranked hospitals in Minnesota.
1. Mayo Clinic
2. Abbott Northwestern Hospital
3. CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital
4. Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital
5. Essential Health – St. Mary’s Medical Center
The cost of living in Minnesota ranks in the “very average” category when compared to the rest of the country. As a matter of fact, it actually is ranked at number 26 in cost of living from a 2022 survey which makes it quite literally right in the middle compared with the rest of the 52 states. Everything from housing, food, utilities, and basic costs of living rank right in the middle in terms of average cost.
If you plan on taking a travel contract in one of the bigger cities, you can always expect to pay more for housing than you would in the rural cities. Currently, an unfurnished 1-bedroom apartment in a city center will cost around $1,286 per month in rent as opposed to $1,051 in a more rural area of the state. Public transportation is available in large cities, but since most of the state is not in the city and many travelers will go out and explore, having your own vehicle will be important. The average gas price for the state right now is $3.47/gallon.
With lots of lakes and state parks to explore, there is always something you can be doing outdoors. Take some coworkers up on their invitation to go to the lake and learn new skills like wakeboarding, water skiing, or just simple tubing. And, you can’t take a travel contract in Minnesota without going to the Mall of America at least once. With miles of stores and 8 roller coasters, this is a must in your day-off adventures.
Depending on the season, you should make sure to enjoy going to a Twins, Vikings, or even Minnesota Wild game. If you don’t want to go to them in person, there are plenty of diehard fans who would make watching the games at a local pub even more enjoyable. If sports aren’t quite your fancy, then take a day trip and go explore some of the beautiful natural wonders like Split Rock Lighthouse or Gooseberry Falls State Park. There are plenty of wonderful sights to see, and local museums and treasures hidden around this state.
Minnesota might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of your next travel contract. But if you choose the right time of year depending on your weather preference, it can lead to an incredible experience. With a very average cost of living, you can still make a pretty penny while traveling here. And, you can have a handful of opportunities to choose from since there are several major cities in this state. Start preparing your “you betcha”s and see what this Midwestern state has to offer.
Idaho is one of the most dynamic states and best-kept secrets in America. Nestled on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, this state has everything from mountains, plains, deserts, and lakes. Whatever fits your fancy in terms of outdoor scenery and exploring, you are sure to be able to find many opportunities to enjoy yourself.
This state is home to a large city with sprawling communities on the periphery, as well as many rural towns with small, critical access facilities. From Sun Valley to Boise, to Coeur d’Alene, breathtaking scenery exists in all corners of the state. There is a plethora of activities to enjoy regardless of the season. If exploring new places with amazing outdoor adventures seems appealing to you, Idaho might need to jump to the top of your travel nursing list.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments in Idaho? Speak with a recruiter today!
According to Indeed.com, Idaho is currently paying travel nurses an average of $2,204 per week. With the rapidly changing travel nurse pay sweeping across the nation, this rate still remains at the average price for most states at this time. It is also important to take into consideration that your overall expenses will most likely be lower than states with higher weekly pay. Currently, the highest-paying cities in Idaho according to Indeed.com are as follows:
If you are searching for the highest paying contracts, you will typically find those in some of the smaller towns in Idaho as the larger cities have less of a need. But, there are still many specialties that are paying well and proving a wide degree of options for nurses to choose from. As of the summer of 2023, these are the top-paying specialties based on current contracts for a 36-hour week.
If you are a nurse who likes to work with the best, and most nationally ranked hospitals in a region, check out Idaho’s top contenders.
1. St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center
2. St. Alphonsus Medical Center
4. Intermountain Cassia Medical Center
5. Franklin County Medical Center
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
The cost of living in Idaho ranks in the “very average” category when compared to the rest of the country. As a matter of fact, it actually is ranked at number 28 in cost of living from a 2022 survey, landing it in the most average ranking of all. Idaho has received a reputation recently for being a landing zone for thousands of Californians leaving their home state, so for them, living expenses seem cheap!
As is true with most states, housing is the biggest expense in Idaho and is highly dependent on which city you are looking to live in. The median price to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in the state is $839. So, if you are interested in taking a travel contract, you will most likely be looking for a fully-furnished place, which makes your average rent closer to $1,000. Idaho severely lacks public transportation, so if you are looking for easy access to travel around the cities, you will need to have your own car.
As mentioned several times already, there are ample opportunities for day-off adventures in Idaho. With 130 hot springs in the state, you could fill your entire contract just by chasing your next soaking session. Some of the most notable are Kirkham Hot Springs, Mountain Village Resort, Boat Box Hot Springs, and Goldbug Hot Springs. This is a great activity that you can do year-round, although some of them are not accessible in the winter due to road closures.
With a total of 14 ski resorts state-wide, there are plenty of opportunities to either learn a new skill or have the most fun bouncing around the state skiing or snowboarding. From Sun Valley, Brundage, Schweitzer, and even Bogus Basin, you will have access to see a large portion of the state on clear days from the top of the peaks. These mountains all have some great mountain bike opportunities in the summer as well, so be sure to check them out even if there isn’t any snow on the ground.
Idaho also has some very noteworthy lakes. The famous Coeur d’Alene on the north side of the state is a wonderful, fun city to check out. This would be a fantastic weekend trip, and you could pair it with visiting Sandpoint as well. Stanley Lake and Redfish Lake are also incredible trips to take and explore via kayak or paddle boards on those hot, summer days. If you don’t have a ton of time and are in the Boise area, grab a tube and float the river and end the day with one of the wonderful eateries downtown.
Idaho truly is an incredible state. For many people searching for adventure and interested in a state that they could both call home or just stop in for a while, Idaho has so much to offer. Although there is not an extensive network of hospitals to choose from, life outside of work can help provide enough reason to come visit for a time. This is a wonderful state to visit year-round, and your friends will be dying to visit and go on adventures.
Find travel nursing assignments near you by speaking with a recruiter today.
Travel nursing provides an exciting opportunity to travel the country while working in the nation’s top hospitals, but figuring out nursing license requirements for each state can be overwhelming.
The good news: The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), which is an agreement between states that allows nurses to have one license and the ability to practice in all the states that participate in the program. Over recent years, additional states have been added to the eNLC making it easier for travel nurses when applying for positions and nurses living near a state border.
The Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) has been around since 2000 to assist with the nursing shortage and make travel across state borders easier and more accessible to nurses. This has been extremely helpful for nurses looking to start work in the travel nursing space. It was updated in 2018 to the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC) and includes standards for licensure, which the original compact license lacked. The eNLC allows nurses to hold one license to practice in participating states without having to pay additional licensing fees or experiencing delays due to licensing issues.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Multi-state licenses are simple and easy to use but do hold one caveat: In order to apply for the compact license, the applicant MUST have permanent residence in one of the current eNLC states. Unfortunately, travel nurses that do not hold residency in one of participating states will still need to apply for individual state nursing licenses. Information regarding each state’s individual license can be found on their state’s webpage.
You must claim residency in an eNLC participating state in order to apply for a compact license. (Your primary residence refers to the state where you file your tax returns, vote, and/or have a driver’s license.) As a non-resident of an eNLC state, you can apply for licensure by endorsement, but will only be issued a single-state license instead of the compact license. Nurses can hold multiple single-state licenses.
This may be confusing, so here are a couple of examples:
Example #1: A nurse has primary residence and obtained their license in the state of Colorado, but wants to take a travel nursing job in Arizona. Because Colorado and Arizona both participate in the eNLC, there is no need to obtain an additional nursing license — the nurse can start the position in Arizona immediately. (The nurse’s current licensing information is confirmed by the employer from a national database known as Nursys, and the nurse is required to complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting for the state of Arizona.)
Example #2: A nurse has primary residence and licensure in Kentucky, but wants to take a travel nursing job in Alaska. Kentucky participates in the eNLC, but Alaska does not. The nurse must obtain a single-state license for Alaska before starting their assignment.
Currently, 39 states participate in the eNLC. In order to be eligible for a multi-state nursing license, a nurse must meet these requirements:
Find travel nursing assignments by speaking with a recruiter today!
Source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2023
Pro tip: If you know the specific state you’d like to travel to, then visit its state board of nursing website or ask your recruiter about licensing in that state specifically.
Travel nurse staffing agencies may refer to some states as “walk-through states,” which refers to states that issue licensure by endorsement or “temporary licenses.” Temporary licenses are mainly used for nurses who are looking to move to another state or have accepted a job and are waiting for their permanent licensing application to be processed. These types of licenses are often used during nursing strikes too. For example, obtaining a license in California can take several months, but temporary licenses are processed more quickly so the demand for nurses during strikes can be met.
Temporary licenses are typically good for 30 days to six months. If the nursing assignment is longer than the length of the temporary license, then a permanent license is required. Temporary licenses can only be obtained once per state and not all states allow temporary licenses.
Current “walk-through” states include:
Multi-state licenses are particularly great for travel nurses because they prevent unwanted downtime between assignments. It also makes those nurses highly coveted by hospitals and agencies, because they will not have to wait for licensure and can be immediately available. There is an eNLC database that hospitals and agencies can access to see if a nurse holds a compact license. This could mean the difference in obtaining a placement quickly.
Also, there are fewer license fees! With the implementation of the compact license, there is a single fee that covers all of the states included in the license.
The licensing fee and requirements for licensure by endorsement and permanent licensing are similar. Those fees and requirements include:
Note: Some states also require two letters of reference and proof of work history when applying for licensure by endorsement.
Travel nursing agencies will often assist in paying for nursing licenses or license renewals. They can even help with paperwork and make the process more streamlined for you.
The cost of licenses can add up quickly for travel nurses especially when working in states that don’t participate in the eNLC.
Pro tip: Some states allow nurses to suspend their licenses for a nominal fee. Then to reinstate the license, it’s another small fee.
For example, if a nurse holds a primary nursing license in Washington and wants to take a travel nursing assignment in Oregon (neither of which participate in the eNLC), then they must apply for a permanent license in Oregon. To obtain a single-state license, the nurse must fill out an application, pay the licensing fees, and complete a background check and fingerprinting — this process may take several weeks.
If the same nurse wants to renew their Oregon license after two years, then they must complete the required continuing education hours and pay the renewal fees. Technically, this nurse should also maintain their Washington nursing license as it’s their primary residence. This means paying the renewal fees and completing any continuing education requirements for Washington as well.
While individual state nursing boards do not require certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), hospitals do require nurses to have these certifications. That means travel nurse staffing agencies will require that these certifications be up to date before submitting your travel nurse contract to a hospital.
Moving between compact states has never been easier. Nurses can stop working at a job in Arizona on a Friday and start working in Texas on a Monday. Travel nurses do not have to fill out any additional paperwork and the license is immediately effective.
If a nurse plans on changing their permanent residence to a different compact state than the original issuer of the license, they should apply for a change of address on the state’s Board of Nursing website. This can be important during the renewal process. While the nursing compact license is one renewal form, the number and type of continuing education hours will depend on the state that originally issued the license.
Obtaining a nursing license can take as little as two days in states like Hawaii or as long as six months in California or Ohio. (California and Ohio currently have the longest wait times for permanent licenses.) Travel nurses may have to take contracts in other states while they wait for their licenses to be approved. It’s important to plan ahead if there are non-compact states on your desired list of places to travel. Typical wait times for nursing licenses for non-compact states:
Currently, Alaska and California are not part of the eNLC nor do they have legislation pending. While Hawaii is not part of the eNLC and there is no legislation pending, the first steps are being taken to start the process. As hot spots for travel nurses, single-state licenses are required. For this reason, travel nurses interested in working in these states should apply well in advance while working in current compact nursing states. Registered Nurses can be licensed in numerous states at the same time.
If working as a travel nurse and figuring out licensing still seems daunting, don’t fret. Travel nurse agencies and recruiters are knowledgeable on the topic and in some states can help nurses expedite the licensing process.
Nurses with compact licenses have increased flexibility and can start new contracts immediately in other compact states with minimal paperwork and fees. This opens the door for more employment opportunities for nurses. The impact of the eNLC extends beyond the flexibility for nurses, though. It also increases access to care for patients and allows hospitals to hire the best nurses for a position by removing the limitation of geographical licensures.
If you’re considering travel nursing, then ensure your license is up to date and get ready for your next adventure.
Near or far – find the right travel nurse assignment for you.
Alabama is a state full of outdoor activities, historical landmarks, and rich cultural experiences that spread from the northernmost border to the southern border. Although many people who haven’t spent time in the South associate the state with Forrest Gump or Reece Witherspoon’s time on screen, the state offers many wonderful experiences to embark on during your travels.
As with many states in the South, travel contracts will not pay as much as they do on the West Coast, but the cost of living will help make this money go much further. Alabama contains multiple large cities which ensures that specialty jobs and nursing jobs, in general, remain a constant need. Take a look at some of the beautiful coastlines and incredible food to see if Alabama might be your next destination.
Looking for travel nurse assignments in Alabama? Speak with a recruiter today!
The nature of the beast for states in the southern part of the country is that their pay rates hardly ever compete with big-name travel states. However, as we will discuss later, the cost of living in Alabama is considerably lower, and although you might be making less money than with other contracts, you will also be spending less on basic necessities.
According to Indeed.com, travel nurses in Alabama make an average of $1,910 a week, which is lower than the average travel nurse salary of $2,317. According to Indeed, the highest-paying cities within the state are as follows:
A trend that we’ve seen in the travel industry over the past few years remains true in Alabama – there are certain specialties that generally pay nurses substantially more than others. Our guide to the highest-paying nursing assignments can you identify these specialties. As of spring 2023, the highest-paying specialties in Alabama are as follows
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
With so many hospitals to choose from, it’s important to know what qualities matter in a hospital to you:
Alabama has 116 hospitals, so doing your research on the hospital can have large payouts for your overall happiness and experience on your travel contract.
According to U.S. New World and Reports, these are the top-rated hospitals in Alabama.
One of the best things about moving to Alabama for a short time is that your dollar will go so much further here than in other states. According to the Missouri Economics and Research Center, Alabama is ranked as having the 4th lowest cost of living in the United States.
Zillow estimated that the average cost of a house in 2023 in Alabama was only $207,145 and the average monthly rent for a 1 bedroom was $739. Even when paying more for a furnished apartment, travel nurses will be making plenty to cover the cost of basic housing while staying in Alabama. Keep in mind that the bigger cities will always have higher rent prices than the more rural areas.
Studies on the cost of food for a household place the average American budget at $7,316 every year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) consumer expenditure survey. However, they also project that this same budget is only $3,261 for those living in Alabama. That is less than half of the national average which does a wonderful job of exemplifying how much lower the cost of living in Alabama is compared to the rest of the country.
The most visited attraction in all of Alabama is the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. This includes training centers, simulations, and a wealth of information about all things space travel. They host the largest space camp that brings thousands of people to the region every year to participate in all that the center has to offer.
If you are craving a day or two of relaxation or the Caribbean beach vibe, spend some time at the Gulf Shores. From this base camp, you can plan fishing trips, rent kayaks, or even plan trips to swim with dolphins.
If you enjoy golfing, the Robert Trent Golf Trail is composed of 11 different locations throughout the state with over 400 holes to play. These courses are known around the world, and some of the courses are worth a visit even if you don’t play golf due to their luxurious spas at the hotels. If you are searching for a day spent in the great outdoors, go take a hike a Cheaha State Park. This park is beautiful year-round and takes you to the highest point in the state. The colors in the fall can take your breath away, and the waterfalls in the spring and summer provide a refreshing delight from the warm temperatures.
Although it is not one of the most talked about states people mention when talking about travel nursing, Alabama can provide you with such a unique and fun experience. The Deep South culture with its warm, Southern hospitality can bring you countless new friends and kindred spirits. You can use it as a launching pad to explore the coast, the mountains of the northern part of the state, and potentially see many of the historical sites around the region.
Alabama has a low cost of living, so it can also be a great opportunity to bulk up your savings account while you are finishing your contract. Overall, this state has a lot to offer, and it can give you an experience unlike what many other states can provide when it comes to travel nursing.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in Alabama!
If you are looking for a travel contract full of a wide variety of day-off adventures, then you might need to place South Carolina at the top of your list. This state is full of diverse landscapes from rolling mountains, to well-known beaches. You can spend your days off visiting historical sights and immersing yourself in educational and cultural opportunities while also having the option to play outside and see something different every day.
Take advantage of living close to fun destinations such as Hilton Head, plan a fishing trip on the Atlantic, enjoy culinary treasures in Charleston, take a scenic drive along the Oscar Wigington Scenic Byway, and enjoy being surrounded by authentic Southern hospitality around every corner. Although some of the travel contracts might not compete on paper with other higher-paying contracts across the country, the cost of living in South Carolina will help keep that paycheck around for longer.
Speak with a recruiter about available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina pays nurses an average of $69,580 a year which puts them just above 25% when compared to the rest of the country. You may find higher-paying jobs in the larger states where there are more specialties. However, you can also find several higher-paying contracts in rural areas due to increased need.
Based on information from Indeed.com, travel nurses can make up to $2,260 a week while traveling in South Carolina. The highest-paying cities are as follows:
| City | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly |
| Clinton | $92 | $3,313 | $13,252 |
| Columbia | $87 | $3,154 | $12,616 |
| Greenwood | $83 | $3,020 | $12,080 |
| Greenville | $80 | $2,900 | $11,600 |
| Charleston | $76 | $2,734 | $10,936 |
South Carolina has a great mix of larger cities with university hospitals, as well as many rural and smaller community hospitals. However, as with most of the United States, the nurses that get paid the most are the ones in the most specialized units.
Cardiac nurses and OR nurses have led the salary train in the past few years, having the potential to bring in the biggest paychecks. In states and cities that have larger pediatric hospitals, specialty pediatric units can also offer higher salaries, especially in the winter months when flu and RSV can run rampant with the pediatric demographic. As of winter 2023, the top-paying specialties in South Carolina are as follows:
Find available travel nursing assignments in South Carolina!
Although Charleston houses the largest and most well-known hospital in the region, the state has multiple nationally-ranked hospitals. These hospitals provide care and opportunities to locals and travelers across their state, and many of them have specialties that can compete across the nation. The top five hospitals in South Carolina according to US News are as follows.
If you are looking to take a travel contract in South Carolina, you have probably already discovered that many of the pay rates seem lower than other states are offering. However, with the lower paycheck comes lower rent and reduced cost of groceries when compared to other states. According to Apartment List, South Carolina has a lower cost of living than the national average. They estimate that a 1 bedroom house would rent on average anywhere from $934 to $1,481 depending on the city.
South Carolina also has myriad public bus options to help facilitate longer travel around the state, but prices will add up if that is your primary means of transportation. However, gas prices in South Carolina are significantly lower than the national average as The Palmetto State ranks in the top 5 cheapest states for gasoline for cars. Overall, living in South Carolina can dramatically decrease your overall cost of living spending. However, with its rise in popularity, cities such as Charleston will cost substantially more than the more rural regions.
If you take a contract close to the coast, your days off will be full of bathing in the sun and living life along the Atlantic. From Charleston to Myrtle Beach, there are hundreds of small pullouts and beaches to explore. Charter a fishing boat for a day, learn to kite surf, book a stay at Hilton Head, and ask locals what their favorite days off activities are.
You could also take some time to freshen up on your American History and visit some of the many battle sites or war memorials such as Fort Sumter National Monument. Many former plantations have been restored and turned into beautiful historical landmarks that now offer educational opportunities. Spend a long weekend and travel into the mountains, rent a bike, and cruise down new paths and treat your hard work with some world-renowned barbeque. Spend a day in the historic Charleston district and explore the arts and culture that run vibrantly through the streets. Most of all, enjoy your days off living and learning new experiences that are around every corner in South Carolina.
South Carolina is a state that more or less has it all. From the serene beaches on the east to the mountains and hills on the west, you can find large cities and quaint towns. Enjoy living in a culture that could be very different from your home, and take advantage of the warm southern hospitality. Spend your winters in South Carolina exploring the outdoors and your summers cooling off at the beach. South Carolina is full of potential and will be sure to bring endless memories that will last a lifetime.
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Ohio is a state filled with rich culture, diverse populations, urban cities, and serene rural living. This is a state where locals bleed the colors of their home teams, and it blends the Midwestern comfort and charm with bits of East Coast history. Ohio is surrounded by 5 other states and shares a border with Lake Erie, making it a central hub for many different travel adventures.
One of the benefits of taking a travel contract in Ohio is that your money will go further as it ranks 9% below the national average in cost of living. There are job opportunities ranging from higher-paying specialties in larger hospitals to rural critical access hospitals to accommodate a plethora of interests.
Depending on the current needs of the hospitals, most specialties including NICU, L&D, CVOR, CVICU, PICU, Oncology, and Interventional Radiology all have opportunities to work in Ohio. With a lower cost of living, many of the travel contracts remain competitively priced compared to the rest of the country which would result in a larger take-home sum for the nurse.
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According to Indeed.com, travel nurses are currently making an average of $2,353 per week by working the standard 36-hour work week in Ohio. Even though this is the quoted average weekly rate, some of the current job positions are paying much more. With a lower cost of living than the national average, this money will go much farther, especially in more remote locations.
Indeed.com provides current travel nurse contracts in Ohio at competitive rates compared to the rest of America.
Akron, OH
Columbus, OH
Dayton, OH
Canton, OH
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
The highest-paying contracts in Ohio will all typically be found in the larger cities, and will usually involve specialty units. If you have the ability to work in a specialty, the pay vs. the cost of living in Ohio could be extremely beneficial for you. Here is a current look at the highest-paying specialties with their weekly pay in Ohio.
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Out of the 217 hospitals in the state, 19 of them met US News’ high standards and were ranked in order of their quality. The following are the top five ranked hospitals in Ohio.
Location: Cincinnati
High Performing: 4 Specialties and 14 Procedures/Conditions
The cost of living in Ohio varies based on which part of the state you live in. As with most places, rent in an urban area will cost more than it will in the more rural regions of the state.
Overall, Ohio has roughly 9% lower cost of living than the rest of America. This becomes extremely important and obvious with housing prices. Ohio’s housing is 23% lower than the rest of America which is quite substantial. According to BestPlaces.net, a 1 bedroom house/apartment costs $695 monthly in Ohio compared to the national average of $1048. Basic food and other necessities lie just around the average line. With all the factors combined, Ohio can lead to a profitable contract for travel nurses.
Ohio is full of fun events to fill your days off. It is highly known for its variety of incredible amusement parks, most notably Cedar Point for the roller coaster fanatics. The state also has professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer teams that you can cheer on. This could end up being such a fun way to get to know coworkers whether it is by going to a game, or finding a local sports bar and watching some games over a beer.
Unless you are familiar with Ohio, you might not realize that it is the 6th largest wine-producing area in the United States and has over 300 wineries! So grab your friends, plan a little day trip, and sip your way across the state. Then head over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and take a journey through time and listen to some blasts from the past.
Ohio is a hidden gem of a state. Although it consistently has to fight for its name due to the large rivalry it has with Michigan, Ohio has some amazing qualities. There are ample job opportunities for travelers at the moment, and they even can be quite lucrative. Ohio provides a wide range of activities and day-off adventures that could lead to a memorable travel nursing contract.
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One of the greatest things about travel nursing is having the ability to see so many different parts of the country. Our days off are full of exploring new places that we have only ever seen before in photos and may never even have known existed. Although it might not be everyone’s preferred method of seeing new places, camping provides a cheap way to travel on a budget, and make the most incredible memories with your friends. Over the years, I have spent hundreds of nights under the stars in new places, spent around a campfire with new and old friends.
Here is a look into what a few days off during a travel assignment can look like when you are ticking off those bucket list trips.
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At the time of this trip, I had a travel contract in Salt Lake City, and some of my close friends decided we all needed a get-together. One of them had never been to Utah’s national parks, so we decided it was the perfect opportunity for our travels. One friend flew into SLC the night before and we did a quick grocery run before spending one last night in a bed before leaving for camping. The next morning, we woke before the sun and loaded up the gear to hit the road. Our first stop was about three hours away, so we made a quick pit stop for some essentials: gas and coffee.
Our first stop was an off-the-grid hike where we rendezvoused with another friend who drove to meet us. Southern Utah is full of numerous canyon hikes that involve tight crevasses and breathtaking rock formations. We filled the canyon with so much laughter on our fairly quick out-and-back hike before returning to the cars for a quick picnic lunch.
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I always recommend travel nurses check out as many state parks as possible during their contracts. These places are, after all, protected because of their beauty, so it is a great spot to start when searching for camping or exploring locations. We loaded up after the hike and drove to Goblin Valley State Park. We again did a quick out-and-back hike, enjoyed the incredible beauty around us, then headed back to the car to make our way toward our camping location for the night.
We drove to our first National Park of the trip, Capitol Reef, where we opted to stay in one of the established campgrounds. We set up our tent, hung out in some hammocks, and then did a late afternoon hike down one of the popular areas in the park. We then went back to the campsite, made some dinner, and slept really well after a full day of traveling.
On our second day, we woke up and quickly made some breakfast, packed up our camp, and then did a little more exploring around Capitol Reef. We discovered that in a National Park, you should spend some time investing in longer hikes, or overnight trips to fully see its beauty, but the views from our cars were nothing to complain about either. We had another two-hour drive to get to the next destination, so cue car snacks and car karaoke.
We arrived at the famous Arches National Park and knew that seeing Delicate Arch was a priority. We filled our day with three separate hikes and took advantage of all of the pullover spots to simply enjoy the views. We left in the late afternoon so that we had time to set up our site before it got dark.
Sometimes you luck out and have ideal weather conditions, but this was not the night. It was extremely windy out, so we threw our tent up, made dinner as quickly as possible, and then put as many of our belongings as we could inside the cars and hunkered in our tent for the rest of the evening. Always bring some cards and a portable speaker with you when camping, because you never know when you might need them.
We woke up before the sun so that we could catch the sun coming up over the horizon while we watched through the Mesa Arch. This is truly an incredible sight, but keep in mind that it doesn’t come without swarms of people and photographers. It was a chilly morning, as many mornings are while camping, but our puffy coats and cozy beanies kept us warm for our brief sunrise viewing.
We spent the rest of our day hiking trails and going to various viewpoints around Canyonlands. Due to our time constraints, we did not drive down into the canyon, but there were plenty of opportunities to take in the views and get some exercise in from the top viewpoints. We sat on the rim of one of the canyons, chatted about life, and sat in awe at the beauty before us. We then packed up all of our things and split up. One car headed back to SLC for another day at the hospital, and the other back home.
We had the absolute best little trip, which is such a huge perk of travel nursing. Working three 12-hour shifts leaves a few days a week for adventuring. And when you’re constantly traveling to new places, you’ll never run out of places to go and see.
Camping, especially on the western side of America, allows for so many wonderful memories. Once you make the investment in some camping gear, it can be as cheap as the price of gas for an incredible trip. Camping gear also doesn’t take up a significant amount of car space, so it can come with you on all of your travels. I highly recommend a Utah State National Park camping getaway.
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North Carolina has it all. From an entire coastline of beaches or the Great Smoky Mountains to vibrant cities filled with rich culture, this state does not suffer from a lack of appeal. There are endless opportunities for nurses to invest in the local lives of their coworkers and fill their days off with endless adventures. North Carolina has 39 state parks which can provide an excellent start in your search for this state’s beauty.
Although you will not find the highest-paying contracts in North Carolina, the low cost of living makes the monthly balance almost even out to some of the higher-paying states. The state has plenty of contracts for almost all specialties giving travel nurses many options and opportunities. North Carolina can satisfy a nurse’s thirst for adventure while also welcoming them into the local life with its incredibly warm culture and population.
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Great question! And as mentioned above, you won’t get the absolute top dollar working in North Carolina. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the average nurse in North Carolina makes $71,200 annually. Unfortunately, if money is your top priority, North Carolina’s wages won’t do much to impress you as they are lower than the county’s average nursing salary of $77,600. However, the lower cost of living helps offset the pay decrease.
Based on a Med/Surg travel contract at three 12-hour shifts per week, the highest-paying North Carolina cities are as follows:
Like any travel contract, the pay rate varies largely based on the specialty of nursing. North Carolina as a whole sees a steady stream of patients, as it does not have a dramatic seasonal influx of volume. Regionally, however, the mountains and beaches have slightly variable patient census due to predictable vacation patterns. As of the beginning of 2023, the highest-paying specialties in North Carolina are:
North Carolina has multiple hospitals that are known nationwide for their different specialty services. According to U.S. New World and Reports, North Carolina has over 20 recognized hospitals for different achievements.
Here are the top 5 rated hospitals in North Carolina:
The increase in the cost of living nationwide has caused many travelers to see a decrease in their overall take-home wages. However, North Carolina still remains under the “average” mark when compared to other states. In a comparison between the cost of living by BestPlaces.net between Charlotte, NC, and Seattle, WA, Seattle is 68.3% higher in the overall cost of living index. However, the cost of food prices is relatively the same between both places.
Housing for travelers creates its own set of challenges no matter where you decide to travel. With the increasing popularity and discussion surrounding travel nursing, prices for short-term housing have increased as well. On the bright side, North Carolina has several large university systems. This usually means a much larger scope of housing options, as there are many traveling professionals and students that cycle through these cities.
North Carolina provides endless opportunities for fun days off from the bedside. In the winter months, be sure to buy tickets to see some of the basketball games at either Duke or UNC. But beware – basketball is life in North Carolina, so choose your team wisely. You could also spend your spare time reading and researching some of the many historical sites and memorials throughout the state, and then spend a day off and take a tour of those locations.
The Outer Banks provides a unique time for people to see the state’s magical coastline. They also are home to countless other incredible beaches to watch the sunrise over the horizon. The mountains on the western side of the state have nationally known trails for mountain biking as well as some incredible hiking trails. You could even spend a day trekking part of the Appalachian Trail or delivering supplies as a random act of kindness to thru-hikers. You must add a trip to see the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to the list as well, as it is one of the most visited parks in America.
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North Carolina provides an amazing amount of options for a travel nurse to both love their job, as well as their life outside of work. With so many well-known and respected specialties at so many hospitals, North Carolina provides job opportunities for just about every nurse. There are also activities for the history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or even wine connoisseur. Take a leap of adventure and consider a contract in North Carolina to experience the warm, southern hospitality.
