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Travel nursing is a popular career choice among registered nurses in the United States. Travel nursing provides a unique opportunity for nurses to explore different parts of the country while working in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. But how many travel nurses are there in the US? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a Travel Nurse?
A travel nurse is a registered nurse who takes short-term assignments in different healthcare facilities across the country. These assignments typically last between 8-13 weeks and can be found in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Travel nurses are often hired through staffing agencies that specialize in travel nursing.
How Many Travel Nurses are in the US?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 3.2 million registered nurses in the United States as of May 2020. It is difficult to determine the exact number of travel nurses in the US as they are not separately tracked by the BLS. However, it is estimated that there are approximately 25,000-30,000 travel nurses working in the US at any given time.
Why do Nurses Choose Travel Nursing?
Travel nursing offers a variety of benefits for registered nurses. One of the biggest benefits is the opportunity to travel and explore different parts of the country. Travel nursing also provides nurses with the opportunity to gain experience in different healthcare settings and work with different patient populations. Additionally, travel nurses often receive higher pay and benefits than staff nurses in the same facilities.
What are the Requirements for Travel Nursing?
To become a travel nurse, you must be a registered nurse with a valid nursing license in the state where you plan to work. You must also have at least one year of recent clinical experience in your specialty. Some travel nursing assignments may require additional certifications or training, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
How Much do Travel Nurses Make?
Travel nurses typically earn higher wages than staff nurses due to the short-term nature of their assignments and the demand for their specialized skills. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for registered nurses in the US as of May 2020 was $75,330. However, travel nurse salaries can vary widely depending on the location, facility, and specialty.
Conclusion
While the exact number of travel nurses in the US is difficult to determine, it is estimated that there are approximately 25,000-30,000 travel nurses working in the US at any given time. Travel nursing offers registered nurses a unique opportunity to explore different parts of the country, gain experience in different healthcare settings, and earn higher pay and benefits than staff nurses in the same facilities.