As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise, travel nursing has become an increasingly attractive career option for nurses looking to combine their passion for nursing with a love for travel. With the flexibility to work in different locations and settings, travel nurses play a crucial role in filling staffing shortages across the country.
If you are considering a career as a travel nurse in 2025, the demand for travel nurses is higher than ever. The experience gained professionally and personally during travel nursing contracts is invaluable, and moving locations and facilities can add a fulfilling element to your nursing career.
This blog will provide you with the essential information you need to get started, including the process to become a travel nurse, the career outlook for travel nurses, and industry trends you should know about.
How to Become a Travel Nurse
The flexibility and opportunities in travel nursing make this an appealing career path for nurses, but it’s essential to understand all the steps required to become qualified.
- Earn a Nursing Degree: The first step in becoming a travel nurse is earning either an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both types of degrees will lead to being a nurse, but a BSN will qualify you for more opportunities and positions.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN: The NCLEX is the National Council Licensure Examination, which must be passed before becoming a licensed registered nurse. This process usually involves study plans, practice exams, review courses, and investing significant time into passing the exam.
- Clinical Experience: Most travel nursing positions require at least two years of clinical experience as a nurse. There is an increased level of independence in travel nursing positions, and this prior experience is critical in ensuring that nurses have the skills necessary to thrive in new environments. Travel nurses change environments frequently, and clinical experience is the best preparation for the flexibility that is required.
- Determine Licensure: The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between (most) states that recognizes licensure across state borders. This helps travel nurses and facilities have a more efficient hiring process and enables nurses to take advantage of travel opportunities with less hassle. If you’re working or planning to work in a state not affiliated with the NLC, you’ll need to obtain licensure specific to that state.
- Connect with Contract Opportunities: Partnering with a staffing agency can help travel nurses efficiently find the right opportunities, with support through the hiring and onboarding process. Working with a good recruiter is a dependable way to help you find opportunities that align with your specific travel and career goals.
Current Career Outlook for Travel Nursing
The future of travel nursing is bright: ample opportunities, good pay, and advancements that offer significant flexibility. There are multiple industry factors that offer a dependably positive career outlook for travel nurses.
Staffing Demand
There is a staffing shortage across healthcare specialties, and travel nursing will continue to be in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that nearly 200,000 new RN jobs will be created annually from 2023 to 2033. Many facilities rely on travel nurses to fill in their staffing gaps and maintain quality care for their patients.
Salary and Benefits
This competitive need for travel nurses results in higher pay and competitive benefits, often including bonuses and stipends to make travel jobs more appealing. Travel nurses’ average salaries depend on locations and facilities, but their rates are usually higher than those of regular staff nurses. The average annual salary of travel nurses in the United States is $101,132, plus other housing and travel cost benefits.
Growth Opportunities
Working in a variety of settings as a travel nurse offers significant professional and personal growth. Travel nurses working with different facilities, coworkers, specialties, and cultures can provide diverse nursing experiences. There are also opportunities for travel nurses to grow personally by exploring their new location, making new friends, and even trying out a city before moving permanently.
Trends in Travel Nursing Right Now
While some trends (such as staffing shortages) will most likely continue for some time, other areas of travel nursing are seeing significant changes. Here are a few ways that travel nursing is evolving and improving.
Expansion of the NLC
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) has undergone a significant expansion in recent years, impacting travel nursing in a profound way. As more states join the Compact, nurses licensed in a member state have increased mobility and flexibility in their careers, making it easier to work across state lines. This development has major implications for the healthcare industry, as it streamlines the licensing process and enhances accessibility for nurses and patients.
Post-COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for travel nurses to fill temporary staffing shortages but it also brought more attention to the significant mental health challenge facing frontline healthcare workers. Mental health resources are more widely provided post-COVID-19, and it’s important for travel nurses to prioritize self-care and manage their mental health.
Specialization
Another trend to watch for in 2025 is the increasing importance of specialized skills and certifications in travel nursing. With the growing complexity of healthcare needs, travel nurses with specialized training and expertise will be in high demand. Facilities will be looking for travel nurses who can hit the ground running and provide high-quality care to patients.
Trusted Travel Nursing Career Support with SHC
A new travel nursing assignment is a great way to avoid burnout as a nurse and to bring new opportunities to your personal and professional life. You can find a short-term contract close to home or in a completely new place. Changing facilities will boost your resume and confidence, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities for adventure along your travels.
At SHC, we help travel nurses beyond just a single assignment — we’re a professional partner to help nurses through every step of their careers. Whether it’s your first contract or your dream travel destination, we work with travel nurses nationwide to find the perfect fit.
If you have questions about travel nursing or want to learn more from one of our recruiting team members, contact us today to get started. Our SHC team is here to support you in building a travel nursing career that works for you!
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