Consider a Career as a Traveling Nurse
There will always be a shortage of nurses all over the USA; even though the nursing schools are graduating nurses every year, they cannot keep up with the number of baby boomers who are leaving the nursing profession. Many administrators of hospitals and nursing facilities are willing to pay nearly one and a half times the salary of staff nurses. Due to the shortage of nurses, there are many positions to be filled. Many nurses consider a career as a traveling nurse to earn extra money to afford them the life they want to live.
Would you consider a career as a traveling nurse? Many nurses do part-time work with agencies that contract with traveling nurses to staff doctors' offices, hospitals, nursing facilities, and other health care facilities. If you consider a career as a traveling nurse, you will likely be an independent contractor. Travel nursing is a great job; you should be aware that the agencies you contract with may or may not take out your income taxes. As a travel nurse, you will likely have to provide your own health care benefits.
Many people who consider a career as a traveling nurse have part-time or full-time jobs, and contract with nurse staffing agencies to earn extra money. Some brand new nurses consider a career as a traveling nurse because they aren't yet ready to settle down to one job, or they have not found the type of job they want. Travel nursing is not for everyone; some nurses enjoy going from one nursing job to another, while other nurses want to be settled in one job.
Many single people will consider a career as a traveling nurse because they get to choose the types of nursing jobs they want. Some travel nurses take local jobs, and others take more exotic jobs, such as those in the travel industry. Many nurses don't want to change work locations, and get to know new routines and new people. If new nurses like challenges, being a traveling nurse might be a good option.
When you consider a career as a traveling nurse, you should think about per diem deductions. As a travel nurse you are paid per diem, which means that you are paid a set amount per day. Normally per diem pay has had no taxes taken out of it, unless the agency you work for takes taxes out for you. When you take an assignment, the agency will tell you about the job; the agency will inform you of how much you will be paid per diem. For instance, you may be hired to work in an intensive care unit for a total of three days. You may be offered per diem pay of $250 a day. As a traveling nurse, you are free to accept or reject the assignment.
If you consider a career as a traveling nurse, you should think about per diem pay and deductions. You can make per diem deductions on your income taxes. You will be able to deduct your travel costs from your taxes, and you will be able to deduct any unreimbursed expenses on your taxes. To educate yourself about the tax laws concerning traveling nurses, check with the IRS. Since travel nurses are usually independent contractors, they can use the 1099 form to report their income to the IRS.
Some traveling nurses who consider a career as a traveling nurse work with agencies that allow them to travel farther away from home. As an RN, with a valid license in any state, you can apply for a compact license, in which you can apply to any other state for a license with the endorsement of your existing license. There may be conditions or exceptions in some states depending on how long you have been working as a nurse.
If you have a license that allows you to work other states, you might want to consider a career as a traveling nurse. Besides just staffing hospitals and nursing homes in your immediate area, you, as a traveling nurse with the proper credentials can work in any state. You can work as a nurse on airlines, and cruise lines. If traveling appeals to you, you might want to consider a career as a traveling nurse.
Published: 2009-09-14
