Staff Nurse vs. Travel Nurse: What’s the Difference?
Transitioning from a staff nurse role to a travel nursing position requires adaptation. With rising pay rates and attractive benefits, travel nursing has become increasingly popular. Some travel nurses can earn up to $5,000 weekly! If you're a Registered Nurse (RN) seeking fresh challenges, travel nursing could be an excellent option. It allows you to enhance your income without further education, making it a wise use of your skills and knowledge. Unsure about your next career step? This article covers: Key distinctions between staff and travel nursing, Advantages and disadvantages of staff nursing, and Pros and cons of travel nursing.
How do staff and travel nursing differ? Nursing is thriving with a projected 15% growth by 2026, far outpacing the average for other jobs. Both travel and staff nursing require your RN skills, but that's where the similarity ends. Each comes with unique benefits, drawbacks, facility commitments, and compensation. Let's explore both for a detailed understanding of what each offers.
Benefits: If you value stable benefits, staff nursing might be more appealing. Permanent, full-time roles usually include healthcare insurance, 401(k) plans, and paid leave. Travel nursing benefits can be less comprehensive. Some agencies provide sick pay and retirement plans, but paid leave is rare. However, the higher salary can sometimes compensate for fewer benefits. Weigh the options carefully.
Facility Commitment: Staff nursing involves a full-time commitment to one employer, offering stability but less flexibility for new experiences. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Travel nurses enjoy more flexibility, with assignments ranging from 4 to over 26 weeks. However, short contracts can make you feel like a perpetual newcomer.
Pay: Increased pay is a major draw for travel nurses. Earnings are higher due to hourly wages and tax-free stipends for meals and housing. Negotiation skills can secure free housing or stipends for accommodation, which are tax-free, so any surplus isn't taxable. But you might pay for housing at both your work site and your tax home. Some agencies offer enticing sign-on bonuses ranging from $5,000 to over $10,000 to attract top talent.
Pros and Cons of Staff Nursing: Deciding between staff and travel nursing can be challenging. A pros and cons list might help. Pros: Seniority can lead to increased pay and annual bonuses; time off is often seniority-based. Stability: Permanent roles offer security, with low chances of contract cancellations. Benefits: Comprehensive packages typically include medical insurance and retirement plans. Cons: Scheduling demands often require weekend and holiday work; vacation requests may be limited by seniority. Pay: Generally lower than travel nursing, with bonuses tied to long-term commitment.
Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing: Like staff nursing, travel nursing has its own set of advantages and challenges. Consider these when deciding if it's right for you. Pros: Pay: Though rates are decreasing from $10,000 weekly, they still surpass permanent staff wages, including tax-free stipends and relocation help. Flexibility: Contracts can include time-off requests. You can take breaks between contracts or align work with holidays. Experiences: Gain exposure to diverse work cultures and skillsets. Adventure: Travel allows exploration of new cities. Tax breaks: Tax-free stipends are common. Cons: Lack of seniority can make you feel like a constant newcomer. Scheduling may not align with your preferences. No guaranteed hours: Contracts can be canceled. Benefits: Vary by agency, often lacking PTO. Loneliness: Frequent moves can hinder relationship-building.
Next Steps: Ultimately, the choice between staff and travel nursing depends on your priorities. If you seek adventure and top earnings, travel nursing could be ideal. For those valuing security and seniority, staff nursing may be preferable. Goodwork offers RN career opportunities for all types of positions. Visit our job board for current openings. Regardless of your choice, you'll play a crucial role in healthcare.
