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Nothing screams travel nursing quite like living in the Pacific Northwest. As a matter of fact, Washington state seems to be a hub for travel nurses as it provides so many of the necessary factors that nurses look for when booking a new contract, which we’ll discuss shortly.
It has the allure of providing a completely different landscape and climate than you can find in almost any other state in America, which brings with it the promise of new adventures. Washington has such a diverse landscape, from the ocean to the mountains to vineyards, all in one state. Plus, when you add in the big city of Seattle, you get the ease of accessibility, events to attend, and rich culture that seeps through the streets.
Days off in Washington state provide hundreds of activities and sightseeing opportunities for travel nurses. With 3 National Parks and more than 140 State Parks, there is an endless number of trails and viewpoints to fill your days enjoying the sights.
If you time your contracts right, you can take a tour and watch the whale migration off the coast. You can book a weekend and take the ferries to one of the many islands just off the shores. A short road trip can lead you to the “American Alps” where you can enjoy the most charming Bavarian-style village in the heart of the Cascades. In the southern part of the state, you can crawl through lava tunnels that were formed after the eruption of Mount St. Helens or drive up the Columbia Gorge. In the eastern part of the state, Spokane provides a unique and more remote city environment to experience a new culture. At the heart of the state, Seattle lends endless activities, incredible eateries, and the quintessential PNW experience.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
Washington state always seems to have a need for travel nurses, so there should never be a lack of opportunity or options when choosing your contract. There are also many different cities to choose between, and many of them are in close proximity to one another, or within a short drive of Seattle.
From personal experience, the travel nurse community within this state was also deeper and more connected than in other areas I’ve experienced. This is likely due to a large number of travelers in the area. There are endless areas to explore throughout the state, and even through numerous contract extensions, you are sure to want more from the beautiful scenery. Washington also has much stricter regulations surrounding nursing ratios. And the working conditions, along with the pay, are much more enjoyable and safe than in most other places in America.
Washington and the PNW have a stereotype for a reason. If grey skies get you down, don’t plan on traveling here in the winter or springtime. The rain and dreariness of the land throughout the winter can be enough to dissuade nurses from wanting to sign a contract in Washington. Since it is located in the far corner of the country, it might also be too remote for some people’s taste. Traveling home to see family might be a full-day process with layovers, so the distance away from “home” might dissuade people from coming here.
As with any nursing pay, it is always important to look at the specialty, hourly requirements, and city when comparing pay. For this specific comparison, the rates quoted will all be for a traditional 36-hour-a-week rate. Rates also are highly dependent on the company, and they all choose their payouts using different formulas.
Taking a standard medical/surgical travel contract, for example, there are currently more than 1,220 jobs posted by the largest travel companies alone. The highest pay in the state is in Seattle proper, and the current quote is for $3,654 per week. The average pay for this same job outside of the city seems to be closer to $3,000 per week. Most of the jobs listed in the state of Washington are within a 200-mile radius of Seattle, which includes the Olympic Peninsula, Tacoma, Olympia, and other Seattle suburbs.
Another huge bonus to working in Washington state is that there is no state income tax. The average rate quoted for the state is around $3,000 per week which amounts to $12,000 a month. Over the course of a typical travel contract, that will yield $39,000 in a 12-week contract and could amount to $153,000 annually if a traveler decided to extend to the full length of their allowed time.
When looking at the highest-paying contracts in a region, it’s always important to remember how specialties impact the results. Many of the highest-paying jobs in Washington are in Seattle’s surrounding towns, but the highest-paying jobs are for cardiac specialties in more rural areas of the state, due to demand. The other highest-paid travel contracts in Washington are these four:
Here are the highest-paying cities and specialties around the Evergreen state:
| City and Specialty | Weekly Wage | Monthly Wage | 13-Weeks |
| Wenatchee CVOR RN | $4,500 | $18,000 | $58,500 |
| Kirkland OR RN | $4,425 | $17,700 | $57,525 |
| Everett L&D RN | $4,400 | $17,600 | $57,200 |
| Seattle L&D RN | $4,821 | $17,124 | $55,653 |
| Tacoma CVICU RN | $3,885 | $15,540 | $50,505 |
Seattle is a phenomenal place for travelers to start. There are many options for just about any nurse looking to get their feet wet in the travel industry. Seattle provides competitive pay for almost any nursing specialty you could imagine. Below is a quick list of some of the current job rates for different specialties in Seattle. But there are plenty more where that came from.
Find travel nursing assignments in Washington by speaking with a recruiter today!
Washington provides some of the most competitive pay for travel nurses, but it can cost you in other ways. In a recent study, Washington was rated the 8th most expensive city to live in in the U.S. The hard-earned money nurses are making taking these travel contracts is going to be mostly spent on costly housing, increased gas prices, and inflated food prices when compared to 80% of the country.
Finding housing has never been easier thanks to new apps like Furnished Finder and many of the well-developed Facebook pages catered to travelers. However, if you are looking to be cost-efficient yet live in the heart of the city, finding housing that checks all of your boxes can be challenging. A furnished studio apartment could cost upwards of $3,500 near downtown Seattle. However, if you are willing to live in the suburbs in more basic accommodations, your rent will be much more reasonable – in the $1,500 range.
Some of the more affordable cities in Washington include Spokane, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, and Bellingham. All of these places have their own charm and charisma and provide decent travel pay without sacrificing the basic amenities. Below are some rates for these cities with lower costs of living.
Washington also provides the opportunity to work at a variety of great hospitals. And, many of them are highly rated, too!
Washington is the kind of state where just about anyone can find their niche. From the outdoor enthusiast to the artistic creative, the ocean lover to the mountaineer, Washington has something that can interest anyone. Nurses love the working conditions that the state provides, and there is no income tax taken out on all of the money they earn while working. From large cities like Seattle and Tacoma, to smaller more rural areas in the north or hidden in the mountains, there are opportunities for both work and play all throughout the state. Nurses love going to Washington, and it should be high on the priority list for any traveler.
Ready to start your adventure? Sign up today and start traveling next week.
The demand for travel nurses continues to remain consistent throughout the country due to staffing shortages, and hospitals are constantly trying to fill their open staff positions rather than hire travel nurses. Travel nursing provides endless benefits to nurses that the typical staff job at a hospital fails to offer. So what would it take to make a travel nurse stop signing high-paying contracts and return to the weekly grind of a staff nurse position?
1. Healthy Work Environments
One of the benefits and challenges of travel nursing is being exposed to many different types of management, hospitals, and state regulations with regard to their specific units. In some cases, it provides an enlightening experience of some horrendous working conditions. However, after experiencing a few places with poor working conditions, travelers recognize and appreciate how rare it is to find a hospital that provides safe patient ratios, allows time for adequate breaks, values its employees, provides educational opportunities, and has respectable relationships between coworkers of all hierarchies within the hospital system. When a nurse can confidently walk into the hospital feeling supported, excited, and refreshed in his or her profession, they want to continue working there because they see and value longevity in a healthy work environment.
Looking for open travel nurse assignments? Speak with a recruiter today!
2. Family
Many nurses decide to embark on their travel journey knowing that they have a set amount of time for which they want to be a nomad. Some travel as a couple knowing that in two years they want to move back to their place of origin to start their own family. Others see traveling as their opportunity to see the country for a set amount of time before returning to their roots where they hope to remain forever. Nurses who place a high emphasis and importance on proximity to their families are often more willing to return to their staff jobs in order to remain in a predictable and consistent environment near their people.
3. Location
Even though many travelers have learned to work the system and stay at places they love for as long as possible while remaining in a contracted role, some will agree to take a hospital position simply due to the geographic location of the facility. Many people enter travel nursing intending to find a place to settle down or to spend an extended amount of time exploring, and the local interest of the city might be enough of a draw to make them consider leaving their high-paying travel contracts. Even if the hospital doesn’t provide them with their ideal working condition, if they have the mindset that they “work to live and not live to work,” then they will prioritize their life outside the hospital doors with greater emphasis.
4. Value
Travel nurses know if they become a staff nurse they will generally suffer a dramatic pay cut to do so. Thus, hospitals need to make up for the difference in other forms. Even though their take-home pay might be significantly lower, incentive pay or sign-on bonuses can certainly help convince nurses to stay. Many travel contracts also function by filling the most undesirable shifts, and many travel nurses are tired of working nights/weekends/holidays. By providing more desirable shifts to staff nurses, you can give them an opportunity to work consistent hours that fit their needs. This might be enough of an incentive to convince them to stay and revert to a full-time position.
The pandemic has catapulted travel nursing into the spotlight of our country’s healthcare crisis, and hospital management needs to find ways to improve staff retention if they want their demand for travelers to decrease. Many contracted nurses enter into their assignments knowing their end location. But for the nurses that are searching for a new home, hospitals need to start providing a healthy work environment to persuade travelers to stay.
Find available, high-paying travel nurse opportunities.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – when moms and dads all across the country are asking their adult children what they want for Christmas. The tricky thing about being a travel nurse is that for so many of us, all of the belongings we want to use on a contract need to either fit in our cars, or in our suitcases.
The constant internal battle of “I want it, but do I have room?” begins to take over so many travelers’ minds during the gift-giving season. Well, look no further for practical yet fun and desired gifts for your favorite traveler this holiday season.
Printers are one of those things that are absolutely not worth the space to travel with. But boy, it can be such a pain when you don’t have easy access to one and need something printed – like your contract, apartment lease, or background check information. Here is the solution to keep your travel nurse from having to hoof it to UPS and pay per page: a portable printer!
Find available, high-paying travel nurse opportunities.
Many nurses find their own housing while traveling, and the TV situation is oftentimes a mystery. Solve their problems by providing them with TV access to their favorite apps, regardless of where they’re living, with this simple stick.
One of the trickiest things to pack and keep nice and tidy are shoes. They need their own space since they can often be dirty and take up so much space. Check out these neat bags that can transport shoes in small spaces, and keep those dirty soles away from clean clothes.
Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t love a good foam roller after those long 12-hour shifts? But they can be so awkward to pack and take up excessive, valuable room in your suitcase. Here is your solution: one that flattens down!
Boxes are overrated, especially when you move every 13 weeks. So here is a great solution to the accessibility of needing portable storage, with the convenience of collapsible fabric.
Whether it’s for snuggling on the couch and watching their favorite shows, going to a concert at the park, or a beach bonfire, this blanket has you covered. It provides massive amounts of warmth while taking up a tiny amount of room wherever you go.
No one can ever have too many cups, especially nurses who might bring upwards of four different beverages with them on a given shift. These tumblers will keep drinks cold all day and are slim and modern looking. Every traveler will love them. They even fit in car drink holders, which is a bonus point that many other insulated cups can’t claim.
Need I say more? Travelers don’t take a full-sized vacuum with them, but they still make messes that need cleaning, both around the car and the house. These small vacuums can be such a nice addition for both a neat freak or a slob of a nurse.
Traveling to and living in new places can be scary, and the last thing you want to worry about is breaking down on the side of the road in a new city alone. This portable battery allows you to jump your car without needing another car to stop and help. Give the gift of security and safety.
Alexa has become a household name, and for a good reason. This would be a fun addition to travelers’ belongings due to its accessibility and versatility. They can easily program it to different Wi-Fi networks, cities, and preferences to adapt to their on-the-go lifestyles.
You don’t understand the love of Packing Cubes until you start using them. These provide a very easy way to keep suitcases and cars organized, and they take up minimal additional room. A must for nearly everyone on your shopping list.
We all need more organization in our lives, especially when it comes to our charging cables. This little bag provides nurses with a simplified way to both organize and transport their necessary cords.
During travel, many nurses like documenting their adventures and sharing them with friends and family. Whether it’s through videos or photos on social media, everyone could benefit from this handy phone tripod. This will allow them to get the shot both on solo adventures, or with a big group of friends. And if social media isn’t their thing, they can always watch shows or take continuing education classes on their phone without having to hold it for hours.
There are some personal items that are great to take with you from house to house. A pillowcase is an item that’s especially important after a few long shifts. Spoil that nurse you know with a decadently soft silk pillowcase, known to be good for both hair and skin.
Treat that nurse you know to hours and hours of educational or pleasure entertainment. Many nurses spend hours and hours each week either commuting to work or making cross-country road trips, and Audible provides them with access to nearly any audiobook they want with the click of a button.
This list is just a start to the hundreds of ideas that might make traveling a bit more enjoyable for the travel nurse in your life. While space can often be very limited, you can still show them your appreciation by providing a nice luxurious bonus to their daily life.
