Travel Nursing Explained: A Beginner’s Guide for New Grad Nurses
If you're a nursing student or a new graduate nurse, chances are you've heard about the exciting world of travel nursing. Maybe you've seen travel nurses on TikTok talking about their assignments in Hawaii, or you've heard about the high-paying contracts during the pandemic. But what is travel nursing really like? Is it as glamorous as it seems—or are there some challenges you should know about before jumping in?
In this post, we’re diving deep into the travel nursing world—what it is, how to get started, the pros and cons, and whether it’s the right path for you. As someone who spent two years as a travel nurse recruiter (and never actually became a travel nurse myself!), I’ve got all the behind-the-scenes insight to help you make an informed decision.
Check out this pic on the right of me at the staffing agency headquarters in Nebraska. Never thought I would be a travel nurse recruiter! But I’ve learned in nursing, never say never!
Whether you're still in nursing school or fresh out and figuring out your next move, this guide will give you the clarity you need to decide if travel nursing should be on your radar.
What Is Travel Nursing?
Travel nursing is a career path where licensed nurses take short-term assignments—typically lasting 8 to 13 weeks—in hospitals or healthcare facilities outside their home area. These assignments are usually organized through staffing agencies and are meant to fill temporary staffing gaps due to shortages, seasonal demand, or specialized care needs.
Travel nurses are often offered competitive pay, housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and other benefits. It's an ideal path for nurses looking to explore new locations, gain diverse clinical experience, and enjoy more flexibility than traditional staff roles.
👉 Pro Tip for New Grad Nurses: Most travel nursing agencies and hospitals require at least one to two years of bedside experience in a specialty area before accepting travelers.
How to Know If You’re Ready for Travel Nursing
Before you dive in, you need to honestly assess your readiness. Even if you meet the one-year experience requirement, that doesn’t always mean you’re ready for the demands of travel nursing.
Ask yourself:
Do I feel confident in my clinical skills and nursing assessments?
Can I advocate for myself and my patients in unfamiliar environments?
Am I adaptable to new charting systems, workflows, and team dynamics?
Hospitals expect travelers to hit the ground running. You won’t get a long orientation. You’ll be expected to integrate quickly and work independently.
If you're unsure, give yourself time. The stronger your foundation, the more successful your travel experience will be.
How to Start Travel Nursing: Step-by-Step for Beginners
Starting your travel nursing journey can feel overwhelming, especially with so many staffing agencies out there. Here’s how to begin:
1. Tap Into Word-of-Mouth Networking Strategies
Ask fellow nurses or nursing friends who have traveled for agency and recruiter recommendations. If you don’t know any travel nurses, join a Facebook group for travel nurses and post that you're looking for a reputable recruiter who's supportive and not pushy. You’ll likely get a ton of responses—and you'll notice which recruiters come up repeatedly (a great sign!).
2. Avoid Recruiter Databases
Whatever you do, don’t submit your contact info on generic travel nurse websites. Doing so will land you in a giant database, and you'll be flooded with cold calls and messages from dozens of recruiters daily. Trust me—it’s overwhelming. Stick to direct referrals when possible.
3. Talk to the Recruiter and Mention Your Referral
Once you connect with a recruiter, mention who referred you. This often earns that nurse a referral bonus and starts your relationship on a positive note.
4. Prepare Your Timeline
If you apply for a travel nurse contract, your start date could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks out. For your first assignment, aim for at least one month lead time to give yourself room to:
Give your two weeks’ notice
Complete onboarding requirements (drug screen, background check, physical, etc.)
Find housing
Get licensed (if needed)
Pack and plan for your relocation
Licensure Tips for Travel Nurses
If you live in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state and already have a multistate license, great—you can work in over 40 states without additional licensure. But here’s the catch: many nurses accidentally select a single-state license when applying.
👉 Go to your state’s Board of Nursing website and verify your license type. If it’s single-state and you live in an NLC state, you can often upgrade to a multistate license easily online.
If you live in a non-compact state, you’ll need to apply for a license in each state where you want to work. California, for example, is notorious for being slow—so plan ahead. The good news? Most agencies will reimburse your license fees, so save your receipts.
Best Nursing Specialties for Travel Nursing
New nurses often ask: “What’s the best specialty for travel nursing?”
While you can technically travel in almost any specialty, some offer more flexibility and consistent job availability:
Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) / Telemetry (Tele): Typically one of the most in-demand and widely accepted.
PCU / IMCU / Stepdown: Versatile and flexible across units.
These specialties have more openings year-round, making it easier to find contracts and reduce the risk of getting canceled.
Risks and Downsides of Travel Nursing
Let’s be real—travel nursing isn’t always sunshine and big paychecks. Here are some risks to be aware of:
1. Contract Cancellations
Hospitals can cancel your contract early, often due to low census, overhiring, or mismatch with the unit. This can happen with little notice, and yes—even if you’ve already relocated and paid for housing.
Protect yourself by:
Keeping an emergency fund
Choosing month-to-month housing
Staying per diem at your home hospital (if possible)
2. Inconsistent Scheduling
You may not have control over your shifts. Some travelers get their schedules just one or two weeks at a time, with shifts that vary between days, nights, and weekends.
3. Adjustment Fatigue
Every 13 weeks, you’re learning a new hospital system, meeting new coworkers, and adapting to a new unit culture. This can be exciting but exhausting—especially without downtime in between contracts.
4. Housing Struggles
Online listings don’t always reflect reality. Neighborhoods might not feel safe, or your rental might not meet expectations. Use trusted travel nurse housing platforms and reviews whenever possible.
Travel Nursing Benefits: Why It’s Still Worth It
Now for the good stuff! Here’s why travel nursing is still a great option—especially for nurses early in their careers:
1. Higher Pay
While rates have dropped from the pandemic highs, travel nurses still make more than staff nurses. Weekly pay now ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on specialty and location.
2. Greater Flexibility
You're not tied to hospital committees, mandatory meetings, or unit politics. You can take time off between contracts and choose when—and where—you want to work.
3. Professional Growth
Working in different hospitals expands your clinical skills, enhances your resume, and gives you a well-rounded view of nursing across the country.
4. Personal Development
Traveling solo (or with fellow nurses) builds independence, adaptability, and confidence. You’ll grow both professionally and personally in ways that staying local may not offer.
5. Temporary Commitment
If a unit is toxic or the environment isn’t what you hoped for, it’s only 13 weeks. You're not stuck long-term.
Is Travel Nursing Still Worth It in 2025?
Many new grad nurses wonder: “Is travel nursing still worth it now that the pandemic pay is gone?”
Here’s the truth: It depends on your goals.
💡 If your goal is to:
Explore different healthcare systems → Travel nursing is a great fit.
Work in new cities and see the country → You’ll love the lifestyle.
Earn more money and crush financial goals → Travel nursing can absolutely help.
Just be sure you understand the logistics, prepare financially, and know your “why.” The clearer you are on what you want, the better experience you’ll have.
Final Thoughts: Should You Try Travel Nursing?
If you're a nursing student or a new grad nurse, travel nursing might not be right for you just yet—but it can absolutely be a goal to work toward. Build your experience, gain confidence in your nursing skills, and when you're ready, the travel world will be there waiting for you.
If you’re already feeling the itch to explore and meet the requirements, then go for it—just make sure to enter with realistic expectations and the right support system.
🎧 If you loved this post and want more insights like this, be sure to check out my podcast, Life After Nursing School. And if you found this helpful, send it to a fellow nurse or leave a quick review—it helps so much!
Until next time—take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember: I have one hand for me, one hand for you. 💙
Caroline
PS. Want more on this topic? Listen to Life After Nursing School Podcast Episode 18