Does being a Travel Nurse REALLY put more money in your pocket???

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The average starting salary of a RN is 26.50.

Travel nurses is $ 40-45.

But when you factor in travel cost to the destination, gas, having to keep paying on your apartment lease of where you left etc, is it actually more money in your pocket?

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For me it is. I get travel reimbursement and a very generous weekly stipend so it's almost like all of that stuff is free, plus my hourly wage is more than what I was making as a staff nurse. I have a specialty so my average salary is $50-$70.

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For me it is. I get travel reimbursement and a very generous weekly stipend so it's almost like all of that stuff is free, plus my hourly wage is more than what I was making as a staff nurse. I have a specialty so my average salary is $50-$70.

What is your specialty? if you don't mind me asking.

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I agree, we are dying to know!

And are you an RN or BSN?

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Labor and delivery. I didn't realize it was such a hot specialty until I started traveling. I thought only ICU and OR were high paying specialties.

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I'm not a BSN but I have 3 NCC certifications and I'm a breastfeeding counselor.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
And are you an RN or BSN?

Many nurses are both. Big, big difference between licensure and degree.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.
The average starting salary of a RN is 26.50.Travel nurses is $ 40-45.

Travel nurses need at least 1-2 years experience and typically have much more. They are not new grads.

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Travelers make more than your range in total compensation when you include housing, meals, travel, license reimbursements, health insurance (although often poor), and sometimes bonuses. This is a really bad example but I'm starting an assignment on Monday paying more than double your range. Bad example because I have a hot specialty and crisis needs.

However, it is very difficult to compare staff and traveler compensation. The starting pay you mention does not include experience/seniority (travelers are required to have a minimum two years of experience), differentials, sick pay, holidays, vacation, education, paid certifications, and excellent health insurance.

Travel pay pay more closely represents in-house per diem nurses who get a higher hourly in lieu of benefits.

Unless you you live in the south, don't travel for the money. There are lots of other great reasons to travel.

That said, I have a personal anecdote about travel. I worked out of school for three years finishing at $15 dollars an hour in 1995 - in the south. I barely had enough savings to buy an inexpensive used car to begin traveling. My first few assignments also paid $15 an hour! Plus housing, meals, travel, and licence. No health insurance, I went without. Yet the difference was striking. I went from almost no savings to banking well over half of my net pay - which has continued for the last twenty years.

Honestly, you can do well with a staff career. Travel if you think you will like the lifestyle.

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Travel agencies bill a hospital an all inclusive bill rate per hour worked. Bill rates do vary by specialty, location, and need, but not by shift or degree. The BSN craze hasn't really affected travel yet and there are lots of diploma nurses traveling still.

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Many nurses are both. Big, big difference between licensure and degree.

Please explain...

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Seriously? One shows academic achievement and the other grants you legal permission to practice nursing.

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