Already make $42/hr. Is travel nursing worth it?

NedRN · Jun 5, 2015

Cost of family memories? Priceless.

I don't think you will find that it pays less, most travelers make between $40 and $50 an hour, not considering the extra take home that may be provided by tax free reimbursements. On the other hand, traveling with a family is probably going to cost you more than staying at home.

perfexion, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2015

I had this fear too especially since I was the sole bread winner in a family of 4. I left NY making $45 an hour as staff. My first assignment was $60 an hour. At my last assignment I was bringing home $3000 a week after taxes. There's always money to be made traveling, especially with your specialty. Of course if you want to go somewhere fun/popular like hawaii or socal you'll probably make a little less.

Elbajista · Jun 6, 2015

I had this fear too especially since I was the sole bread winner in a family of 4. I left NY making $45 an hour as staff. My first assignment was $60 an hour. At my last assignment I was bringing home $3000 a week after taxes. There's always money to be made traveling, especially with your specialty. Of course if you want to go somewhere fun/popular like hawaii or socal you'll probably make a little less.

Wow! Where was the $3000/wk assignment?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 6, 2015

It doesn't matter what you're making now. Will you be making enough money to cover you obligations and show your family a good time?

Anna S, RN · Jun 6, 2015

I traveled for many years with six difference agencies, and I usually made in the mid thirties per hr. Where the heck do you get $60. something an hour?

Really desirable locations (Hawaii, for example) tend to pay really low- as in the 20s per hr.

nekozuki, LPN · Jun 7, 2015

42 bucks an hour? Wow. I have nothing to contribute in terms of advice. I would simply like to know if you want to adopt an LPN.

zedekias · Jun 7, 2015

I traveled for many years with six difference agencies, and I usually made in the mid thirties per hr. Where the heck do you get $60. something an hour?
Really desirable locations (Hawaii, for example) tend to pay really low- as in the 20s per hr.

California has a lot of high paying options. As do many other states. I haven't been traveling for long, but I've always made 50-60.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 7, 2015

The thing about making the higher salaries is that they're usually only available in places where it's really expensive to live.

brighidh · Jun 7, 2015

There's always money to be made traveling, especially with your specialty.

Are you referring to a specific specialty? What's yours? Thanks -- B

Bluebolt · Jun 7, 2015

I just signed a new contract getting a little over $3000 a week in Knoxville, Tennessee. This is of course a Neuro ICU so I don't know if the specialty plays into the pay but there are definitely assignments that pay a lot and they don't have to be in an expensive location to live. Granted usually the higher paying positions do end up being in more expensive places to live but you're not buying a home/car/taxes for this location. Food and rent for a short amount of time is a small consideration compared to the inflated pay rates for those areas.

Now depending on how many kids you're traveling with, the way you'll school them, living arrangements for an entire family etc, you may spend any extra money you make as a traveler. Although if you just break even, the experience would be one you and your family would never forget. Not many careers can offer that to families.

guest769224 · Jun 9, 2015

Are you referring to a specific specialty? What's yours? Thanks -- B

Perfexion is a labor and delivery nurse.