How Travel Healthcare Works
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly of Becoming a Travel Nurse, Allied Pro, or Therapist
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Maybe travel healthcare is completely new to you—or maybe you've heard enough to be curious (and a little unsure). We’re breaking down what it’s really like switching from permanent staff member to nomad, and how to know if it’s the right decision for you. Because traveling isn’t just a job promotion, it’s a lifestyle upgrade. Take a look:
The Most Asked About: Pay
Travel clinicians often receive higher pay than their permanent staff counterparts through tax stipends. This means that you’re being paid what you deserve, have the financial security you’ve been craving, and can start building the kind of life you’ve been saving to your Pinterest board. What’s better than getting paid to travel? We don’t know either.
The Professional Side: Career Growth
Because travel assignments allow you to check out a new facility every 13 weeks, you’ll be able to experience diverse clinical environments and a broader range of cases across the country, ultimately making you a stronger and more well-rounded clinician. Plus, you’ll make great friends along the way without getting dragged into all the office drama, and if you ask us, that’s a win-win. If you’re looking to shake up the day-to-day, traveling is a sure-fire way to do just that.
The Bucket-List Element: Going Where You Want, When You Want
Finally, the namesake of travel healthcare. Part of being a traveler means that you’re just as interested in what your days off look like as you are in the logistics of the facility you’ll be working at. You’re not just working, you’re living, and travel healthcare is your opportunity to turn your ‘someday’ vacations into right-now adventures. Take the job and the detour.
Before your first travel contract, most hospitals require a bit of runway. Many travel assignments ask for at least 1–2 years of recent experience in your specialty, so let’s make sure you’ve got the right foundation before you hit the road.
- Required Experience: You’ll generally need 1-2 years of experience in your specialty to get a travel contract. Check out our breakdown here.
- Education & Licenses:
- RNs: AND or BSN, NCLEX
- PTs: DPT, NPTE
- RTs: NBRC Credentials
- Compact Licensure: A licensure compact is an agreement between states that allows eligible clinicians to practice in multiple participating states with a single license or privilege. Check out our full guide here.
Getting Started
Starting Your First Travel Assignment
You’ve said yes to the travel life – now what? First things first, knock out the three C’s:
- Connect with Your Recruiter: Your FlexCare recruiter is your advocate throughout the entire travel process. They're not just there to find you a job—they're your go-to for support, advice, and getting you in front of the right opportunities. Work with them to build a solid profile (think: work history, licenses, references, all the essentials) so you’re ready to apply when the right opportunity shows up.
- Compare Contracts: Assignment contracts are where you’ll find the nitty gritty details for your next 13 weeks: pay rate, shift hours, location, facility type, and specialty expectations. Make sure you’re evaluating every part of a contract to find the best fit for you and your experience.
- Expert tip: Being open to rural or high-need areas – especially as a first-time traveler – increases your likelihood of snagging the assignment.
- Expert tip: Being open to rural or high-need areas – especially as a first-time traveler – increases your likelihood of snagging the assignment.
- Complete Compliance: Make sure to keep your licenses, certifications, and immunizations up-to-date before you get the call. There’s nothing worse than landing your dream assignment only to get stuck in paperwork limbo. Set reminders to save yourself major stress down the road.
Housing, Taxes, and Financial Planning
Now that you’ve secured your travel assignment, it’s time to figure out what the next 13 weeks are going to look like.
- Secure Housing
Find your ideal home-away-from-home while you're on assignment. Check out our full housing guide for the full low-down.
- Financial Planning
Starting your travel career is exciting, but it can be a lot at first. New job, new city, new everything. Don’t let the money part stress you out. One of the perks of traveling is the pay bump, so make it work for you.
- Budget Early: This will help ensure you’re not just guessing where your money’s going.
- Pay Down Debt: Interest can be a killer, especially on student loans.
- Treat Yourself: You work hard for your money; it’s okay to splurge every once in a while when it makes sense.
- Rainy Day Fund: Enjoying your assignment also includes your days off – put some money aside for adventures outside of work.
- Refer Your Friends: Earn some extra spending money by referring your friends to FlexCare across different specialties.
- Understand Taxes: Taxes are a little different for travelers, but we’ve got you covered for when Uncle Sam comes knocking.
- Budget Early: This will help ensure you’re not just guessing where your money’s going.
Your First Shift
Travel gigs move fast – there’s no easing in. Day one comes at you fast, so trust that all your prep is about to pay off.
- Orientation Expectations: Think crash course, not welcome party. Every facility does it differently, but odds are it’ll be quick and straight to the point. That’s normal, don’t stress. Check out our top tips to be ready from the jump.
- Ensure Your Peace of Mind: Staying organized while on assignment is more than being prepared, it’s about feeling grounded when everything around you is new. Check out some of our favorite apps to help first-time travelers feel more settled on their first assignment:
- Scheduling: Google Calendar, ShiftLife
- Navigation: Google Maps, Waze
- Expenses: Expensify
- Wellness: Calm, MyFitnessPal
- Scheduling: Google Calendar, ShiftLife
What is travel healthcare?
Travel healthcare connects licensed nurses, therapists, and allied professionals with short-term assignments at facilities that need them most, offering them a chance to grow their career, support patients in critical moments, and explore new places along the way.
How does travel nursing work?
Clinicians partner with a staffing agency like FlexCare, work with a recruiter to match with assignments, and sign short-term contracts (usually 13 weeks) based on their preferences and credentials. Read the full breakdown here.
What are the requirements to become a travel nurse or allied health traveler?
Most hospitals require 1–2 years of recent experience in your specialty. You’ll also need up-to-date licenses, certifications, and immunizations to be considered for travel roles. More info here.
Do travel nurses make more money?
Typically, yes. Travel nurses often earn higher pay through tax-exempt stipends for housing and meals—especially for high-demand or hard-to-fill roles.
How long are travel nurse assignments?
Most contracts last 13 weeks, though some can be shorter or extend up to 26 weeks depending on the facility’s needs.
What is a compact nursing license?
A compact license allows eligible nurses to practice in multiple participating states with one multistate license. Check out our Nurse Licensure Compact guide here.
How do I find housing for travel healthcare assignments?
You can take a housing stipend and book your own stay, or work with an agency that offers support. Start early, especially in popular cities, and always confirm pet policies if needed. Don’t worry, we cover it in our housing guide, here!