Travel nursing 7 min read

Travel nursing explained: contracts, pay and housing

How 13-week contracts work, what agencies pay for and the questions to ask before you sign.

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Travel nurses take short contracts in different hospitals, usually through an agency. Contracts in the US are often around 13 weeks.

How travel contracts work

  • The agency matches you with a hospital that needs short-term staff
  • Pay is often split into an hourly rate and allowances for housing and meals
  • You need a licence for the state where you work; a multistate licence can help
  • Most agencies ask for at least one or two years of experience in your specialty

Questions to ask before you sign

  • How many guaranteed hours are in the contract?
  • What happens if the hospital cancels shifts?
  • Who pays for licences, travel and housing?
  • What support is there if something goes wrong?

Pro Tip: Allowances can have tax rules. Ask a qualified tax professional before you accept an offer.

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This guide is for general career information only. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice. Licensing rules change, so always check with the official nursing board (NCSBN, NMC, AHPRA, CNO/provincial regulators).

About the author

MyNurseDesk TeamEditorial team

We are a small team that checks nursing jobs by hand and writes plain-English guides on licensing, pay and interviews for nurses in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia.

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