Travel nursing has become an increasingly popular profession in recent years, with many nurses looking for new experiences and higher salaries. Travel nurses are registered nurses who work temporary assignments in different locations, often filling short-term staffing gaps or responding to emergency situations.
What are the highest paid travel nurse jobs?
Travel nursing salaries can vary depending on a number of factors, including specialty, location, and experience level. However, there are a few travel nursing jobs that tend to pay higher than others. Here are some of the highest paying travel nurse specialties:
Specialty | Average Salary | Source |
---|---|---|
Operating Room (OR) Nurse | $2,000 – $2,500 per week | https://www.travelnursing.com/travel-nurse-salary/or-nurse/ |
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse | $1,800 – $2,400 per week | https://www.travelnursing.com/travel-nurse-salary/icu-nurse/ |
Cath Lab Nurse | $2,200 – $2,800 per week | https://www.travelnursing.com/travel-nurse-salary/cath-lab-nurse/ |
Emergency Room (ER) Nurse | $1,800 – $2,400 per week | https://www.travelnursing.com/travel-nurse-salary/er-nurse/ |
Psychiatric Nurse | $1,600 – $2,100 per week | https://www.travelnursing.com/travel-nurse-salary/psychiatric-nurse/ |
Factors that influence travel nurse salaries
While the highest paid travel nurse jobs are certainly appealing, there are several factors that can influence a travel nurse’s salary. Some of these factors include:
- Location: Travel nursing salaries can vary greatly depending on where the assignment is located. In general, travel nurses who take assignments in expensive cities or in rural areas with a high cost of living can expect to earn more money.
- Experience: Like with any nursing job, travel nursing salaries tend to increase with experience. Nurses who have been working in their specialty for several years can often command higher salaries.
- Facility: The type of facility where the assignment is located can also impact a travel nurse’s salary. For example, travel nurses who work in large academic medical centers or intensive care units may earn more money than those who work in smaller community hospitals.
- Specialty: As mentioned earlier, some travel nurse specialties tend to pay more than others. Nurses who work in high-demand specialties like operating room or cath lab can often earn higher salaries than those who work in more general specialties like medical-surgical nursing.
Benefits of travel nursing
While high salaries are certainly a draw for many travel nurses, there are other benefits to the profession as well. Some of the benefits of travel nursing include:
- Flexibility: Travel nurses have the freedom to choose their assignments and locations, giving them more control over their work schedules.
- Experience: Travel nursing allows nurses to gain experience in a variety of settings and locations, which can be appealing for those who enjoy new challenges.
- Networking: Travel nursing provides opportunities for nurses to meet new colleagues and healthcare professionals, potentially expanding their professional networks.
- Cultural experiences: Travel nursing assignments can take nurses all over the country (and even the world!), allowing them to experience new cultures and communities.
Conclusion
Travel nursing can be a rewarding and lucrative profession for those who are up for a bit of adventure. While there are certainly factors that can impact travel nursing salaries, there are plenty of high-paying specialties to choose from. So if you’re a registered nurse looking for a change of scenery (and a higher paycheck), travel nursing might be just the career move you’ve been looking for!