Travel Nursing Guide 2026

Travel nursing offers flexibility, adventure, and often higher pay than permanent positions. With the Nurse Licensure Compact covering 40+ states, getting started is easier than ever. Here’s what you need to know about becoming a travel nurse in 2026.

What Is Travel Nursing?

Travel nurses take temporary assignments at healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages. Contracts typically last 13 weeks, and nurses work through staffing agencies that handle placement, housing, and benefits.

Travel Nursing vs Staff Nursing

Factor	Travel Nursing	Staff Nursing
Contract length	8-26 weeks (typically 13)	Permanent
Location	Changes with each assignment	Fixed
Pay structure	Base + stipends + bonuses	Salary or hourly
Benefits	Agency-provided (varies)	Employer-provided
Housing	Stipend or agency-provided	Your responsibility
Schedule flexibility	High (choose assignments)	Limited

Requirements to Become a Travel Nurse

Minimum Qualifications

Requirement	Details
License	Active, unencumbered RN license
Experience	1-2 years minimum (varies by specialty)
Certifications	BLS required; ACLS, PALS, or specialty certs depending on unit
Background	Clean background check
References	2-3 professional references

Experience Requirements by Specialty

Specialty	Minimum Experience
Med-Surg	1 year
ICU/Critical Care	2 years
ER	1-2 years
OR	2 years
L&D	2 years
NICU	2 years
Psych	1 year
Cath Lab	2 years

Facilities want travel nurses who can hit the ground running. The experience minimums exist because orientation is abbreviated compared to permanent staff.

The Nurse Licensure Compact Advantage

The NLC is a game-changer for travel nursing. With a multistate license from a compact state, you can accept assignments in 40+ states without obtaining additional licenses.

NLC vs Non-Compact States

Scenario	With NLC Multistate License	Without NLC
Accept compact state assignment	Immediate start	Immediate start
Accept non-compact state assignment	Apply for endorsement	Apply for endorsement
Number of states accessible	40+	1 (your state only)

Non-Compact States to Note

These states require separate licenses regardless of your compact status:

• California
• New York
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Oregon
• Washington
• Hawaii

California and New York are major travel nursing markets, so expect to apply for endorsement if you want assignments there.

Getting Your Compact License

If you live in a compact state, request the multistate license when applying or renewing. Key requirements:

• Primary residence in a compact state
• Meet all state licensure requirements
• Pass federal background check
• No license encumbrances

Check our compact state guide for current membership and details.

Travel Nurse Pay Structure

Travel nurse compensation is more complex than a simple hourly rate. Understanding the components helps you evaluate offers accurately.

Pay Components

Component	Description	Taxable?
Base hourly rate	Guaranteed hourly pay	Yes
Housing stipend	For maintaining tax home expenses	No*
Meals & incidentals (M&IE)	Daily per diem for food/expenses	No*
Travel reimbursement	For getting to/from assignment	No*
Completion bonus	Paid after finishing contract	Yes
Overtime	1.5x base rate after 40 hours	Yes

*Non-taxable stipends require maintaining a “tax home” - a permanent residence you pay for while on assignment.

Sample Pay Package Breakdown

Component	Weekly Amount
Base pay (36 hrs × $35/hr)	$1,260
Housing stipend	$1,400
M&IE stipend	$400
Total weekly	$3,060

High-demand locations and specialties pay significantly more. Crisis rates during nursing shortages can double or triple these figures.

Highest-Paying States (2026)

State	Avg Weekly Pay	Notes
California	$3,500-4,500	High cost of living, not compact
Oregon	$3,200-4,000	Not compact
New York	$3,000-4,000	NYC metro, not compact
Massachusetts	$3,000-3,800	Not compact
Washington	$3,000-3,700	Not compact

Notice a pattern? Many high-paying states aren’t compact members. Factor in the time and cost of obtaining additional licenses when evaluating assignments.

Choosing a Travel Nursing Agency

What Agencies Provide

• Job placement and contract negotiation
• Credentialing support
• Housing (company-provided or stipend)
• Health insurance options
• 401(k) or retirement benefits
• Licensure reimbursement
• Continuing education credits

Questions to Ask Agencies

1. Pay transparency: Will you break down all pay components in writing?
2. Benefits: When does health insurance start? What’s the 401(k) match?
3. Housing: Do you offer company housing or stipend? What’s the stipend amount?
4. Licensure: Do you reimburse for compact or state license fees?
5. Cancellation policy: What happens if a contract is cancelled?
6. Support: Will I have a dedicated recruiter? 24/7 support line?

Red Flags

• Unwilling to provide written pay breakdown
• Vague answers about cancellation policies
• Pressure to accept assignments immediately
• No health insurance offered
• Significantly lower pay than market rates

Working with Multiple Agencies

Many travel nurses work with 2-3 agencies simultaneously to compare offers. This is standard practice and agencies expect it. Just be upfront about your situation.

Your First Travel Assignment

Preparing for Your First Contract

Before you apply:

• Ensure you have 1-2 years of recent experience
• Update certifications (BLS, ACLS as needed)
• Gather professional references
• Obtain compact license if eligible
• Research agencies and apply to 2-3

After accepting an assignment:

• Complete credentialing paperwork promptly
• Arrange housing (if not agency-provided)
• Research the area and facility
• Plan travel logistics
• Notify your current employer (if applicable)

First Assignment Tips

1. Start with a familiar setting — Your first contract should be in a specialty and acuity level you know well
2. Consider location — Somewhere not too far from home reduces stress
3. Ask about orientation — Understand what training you’ll receive
4. Connect with other travelers — Many facilities have multiple travel nurses who can offer guidance
5. Document everything — Keep copies of your contract, pay stubs, and communications

Tax Considerations

Travel nursing tax situations are complex. The key concept is maintaining a “tax home.”

Tax Home Requirements

To receive non-taxable stipends, you must:

• Maintain a permanent residence
• Pay ongoing housing costs (rent/mortgage, utilities)
• Return to that residence between assignments
• Have legitimate reasons to maintain the home

What Happens Without a Tax Home

If you don’t maintain a tax home (sometimes called being an “itinerant worker”):

• All compensation becomes taxable
• You lose the tax advantage of stipends
• Your total tax burden increases significantly

When to Consult a Tax Professional

• Before your first travel assignment
• If you’re unsure about tax home status
• When your situation changes (selling home, moving)
• At tax time each year

Travel nurse taxes are specialized. Find a CPA or tax preparer who specifically works with travel nurses.

Common Concerns

”Will I get enough orientation?”

Travel nurse orientation is typically 1-3 shifts, much shorter than new grad orientation. This is why experience requirements exist. You’re expected to know nursing fundamentals and adapt quickly to new EMR systems and protocols.

”What if I hate my assignment?”

Most contracts have early termination clauses, but leaving early can:

• Forfeit completion bonuses
• Damage your relationship with the agency
• Make it harder to get future assignments
• Result in housing repayment obligations

Try to finish contracts when possible. If conditions are truly unsafe, document everything and work with your agency.

”Is travel nursing sustainable long-term?”

Some nurses travel for decades. Others do it for a few years then settle down. The lifestyle suits some people perfectly and exhausts others. Many nurses do a few travel contracts, then return to staff positions with broader experience.

Getting Started

Ready to explore travel nursing?

1. Assess your qualifications — Do you have 1-2 years of experience?
2. Get your compact license — If you live in a compact state
3. Update certifications — BLS, ACLS, specialty certs
4. Research agencies — Apply to 2-3 reputable agencies
5. Compare offers — Get written pay breakdowns before deciding
6. Start your first assignment — Choose something manageable

Travel nursing isn’t for everyone, but for nurses who value flexibility and adventure, it can be an excellent career path. The NLC has made it easier than ever to practice across state lines, opening up opportunities nationwide.

Check our state licensing guides for specific requirements in states you’re considering, and our compact guide for current NLC membership information.