Several nurses during the 2020 year became travelers. A travel nurse is a nurse that works as a contractor. They work in a hospital and get paid by a company. The company finds hospitals in need of nurses. Travel nurses put in your application and sign on to a contract for 8-13 weeks at that given hospital. These nurses can travel all over the US, from Hawaii to Nebraska, Florida to Alaska. But working state to state has some complexities, some challenges when doing so.
#1 Taxes
Every company is going to be different. State taxes needs payment to the individual states that you worked for, unless, of course, you come across one of the nine states that don’t have a state income tax: Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Ask some questions, like will you receive a W-2 for each contract or just one for the year. One traveler told me she keeps each one of her pay stubs, so she knows how much she made, at which hospital, and which state at the end of the year. Don’t always rely on the company to take care of everything, or else you will owe state or federal taxes.
#2 Homebase
As a traveler, you need a Homebase. A Homebase with an address to have all mail sent to, a location to judge the 50-mile travel line. To be compensated with a non-taxable housing allowance, you need to be 50-miles from your home, and each company will differ in mileage. Some travelers have a spouse with grown children in a state, some still live with a parent at least to receive mail, and when they have time in between contracts, others have a house that’s left behind and watched by family or a neighbor.
#3 Health Insurance
Some companies will help you and offer health insurance, but many will drop the insurance if you don’t work a contract for three weeks. Most travelers say they are signed up with at least two or more different companies to get the most contracts and the best price. Many travelers do not have insurance with their companies but through their spouse or have to find their health insurance elsewhere—something to keep in mind.
#4 Living Arrangements
Several travelers stay in hotels, rental homes, or even an RV. They move from contract to contract. Where do they live for the 8-13 weeks? A short-term living situation could mean searching for a place without knowing the area at all or sight unseen. If you extend your contract or the hospital canceled your contract, you could have to pay extra to get out of a lease early.
A list of items I found that could cause some problems with a travel nurse. I haven’t traveled, but my hospital is composed of 50% or more travelers. Even after given these potential situations, I would still want to travel. Have you ever been a traveler nurse? Do you prefer traveling or working as a staff nurse?