Travel Nursing vs. Staff Nursing: Benefits and Drawbacks

Nursing is a career path full of possibilities, offering you jobs in various facilities with versatile schedules. Two of the many different careers you can pursue as a nurse are staff nursing and travel nursing. But if you are confused between staff nursing vs. travel nursing, you spot the right link. In this article, we will explore staff and travel nursing in detail and present the benefits and drawbacks of each. 

Let's jump in!

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is constantly changing places, hence the name. These are registered nurses who work as short-termed nurses in healthcare facilities such as hospitals or clinics worldwide. So, anytime there's a nursing shortage, travel nurses are there to fill in that gap.

However, as with any other job, there are certain benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind.

The benefits of being a travel nurse

If you love to travel around and add some excitement to your career, you might consider switching to travel nursing. Many nurses prefer to have freedom of choice and flexibility in their job.
Here we presented the four most common reasons nurses prefer to work as travel nurses. 

Flexible schedule

The most apparent benefit is engraved in the name – you get to travel. Besides, as a travel nurse, you are also in charge of choosing the location and schedule.

Since this job requires moving a lot frequently, you get to have a flexible schedule which means you can take breaks whenever you need one.

Well compensated and lots of benefits

Nursing is a well-compensated profession; however, the benefits ring higher for travel nurses. As a travel nurse, you can earn more money than staff nurses, primarily if you work overtime. Travel nurses, on average, earn a yearly salary of $108,170, with extra overtime pay of $13,750.

The job also comes with numerous benefits, 401(k) provided by almost all employers. Most travel nurse contracts include free housing, bonuses, relocation assistance, and mileage reimbursement.

At the same time, your salary depends highly on the location as some states and cities pay you more than others. For example, in California, travel nurses are paid an extra 16% compared to the national average, earning over $125,000. 

Explore other perks of nursing

Another good thing about being a traveling nurse is experimenting in different areas and becoming more confident once you decide to settle down.

As a travel nurse, you can experience various hospitals, centers, and other healthcare facilities and see what works best for you. After all, it's not like you have to commit to that hospital for your entire life.

Develop skills beyond nursing

Being a good nurse is not all about knowing the theory behind the care. Instead, if you want to lead a career in nursing, you need to develop essential skills and qualities such as communication, critical thinking, organization, and collaboration. 

As a travel nurse, you will work with teams from various hospitals and cities, which will teach you how to collaborate and communicate better. At the same time, you will encounter situations with patients that will sharpen your critical thinking skills. Being a travel nurse may put you in various situations that help you build these skills from real-life situations. 

The drawbacks of being a travel nurse

For beginners, being a travel nurse seems like a dream, but there are drawbacks. Weighing out the pros and cons is ideal if you have yet to decide about your career.

Being in unfamiliar environments

To some, traveling is no big deal; they get accommodated quickly. Others, however, may have a hard time familiarizing themselves with the new environment. 

As a travel nurse, you will often switch facilities you will be working, which means you will constantly be screening and remembering the policies and procedures every time you start a new contract.

At the same time, you will have to become familiar with the city or town you are working in and find out where the supermarkets, malls, or hairdressers are. As a travel nurse, once you get comfortable knowing your place, you will have to move again. 

Varying pay rates

If you are a person who likes consistency (especially with pay), then travel nursing may not be for you.

When you work as a travel nurse, each contract you undertake will have varying pay rates. One contract might pay one rate, while the next may compensate less for the same work. As a result, this will lead to a not-so-steady annual income. 

License issues

Every state you work in will have different requirements, but one thing they have in common is an active and unrestricted license. While you can get a compact license in some states, you will have difficulty obtaining your license in others, which can be time-consuming.

Your contract may be canceled

Sometimes, you might have difficulty working with an institution, and they might cancel your contract. Other times, the institution doesn't need you to fill in for that position anymore, leading to a canceled contract.

So, where does this leave you? It leaves you jobless, simple as that.

What Is a Staff Nurse?

Staff nurses are registered nurses who work as long-term nurses in hospitals, clinics, or nursing facilities. They have certain obligations, such as staff meetings, and are involved in decision-making processes.

The benefits of being a staff nurse

A staff nurse career path is ideal for people who enjoy having stability and working in a familiar environment. Here are some essential benefits of being a staff nurse:

Specialties

Nursing as a profession is very diverse, and staff nursing is no different. As a nurse, you can choose your specialty, such as pediatric, cardiac care, or neonatal.

Similarly, as a staff nurse, you have the flexibility to select the facility you will work that being a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or other. 

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Short workweeks 

A staff nurse's schedule varies, but usually, they work 12-hour shifts three days a week. This means you get shorter work weeks, giving you extra time to relax on your free days.

In-house advancement opportunities

Another benefit of working as a staff nurse is the advancement opportunities you get from your institution. After gaining some experience and working at the same facility, a staff nurse can move to a higher position, such as management, nurse leader, chief nursing officer, etc.

The drawbacks of being a staff nurse

Although there are many benefits of working as a staff nurse, there are some drawbacks as well. Below we presented the three most common ones. 

Long shifts

Yes, staff nurses have shorter work weeks, but working 10- to 12- hour shifts can be draining. Many nurses work on the weekends and holidays, which can be physically and mentally tiring.

Germ exposure

Since nurses take care of ill people, it makes sense that these patients may expose the nurses to germs. This can risk staff nurses' well-being and make them sick, so they must stay protected.

Stress

It goes without saying that staff nursing is a stressful job. Nurses have many tasks they have to finish within a single shift, which can be stressful. They are also required to make serious decisions about a patient's health, which comes with emotional stress.

Travel Nursing vs. Staff Nursing Similarities

The one similarity that a travel nurse and a staff nurse share are that they are licensed registered nurses. Other minor similarities might be gaining work experience or specializing in a specific nursing field.

Travel Nursing vs. Staff Nursing Differences 

It's evident that these two careers have their fair share of differences, but here's what you can expect from them.

Benefits 

Full-time and permanent positions for staff nursing mean stable income, medical insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.

Benefits can be less appealing for travel nursing since some travel nurse agencies rarely provide paid time off.

Commitment

Commitment isn't for everyone. If you get bored quickly and want more flexibility, then a travel nurse is the one since you only stay committed for 4-26 weeks. But, a staff nurse is a fully committed nurse in that they have permanent positions, so there's not a lot of room for flexibility.

Pay

If you didn't know already, one of the main reasons registered nurses opt for a travel nursing job is the high salary. They get stipends for meals and housing, plus hourly pay, so a big chunk of their income is not taxed. Travel nurses can expect bonuses ranging between $5,000 and $10,000.

On the other side, staff nurses may not receive bonuses and reimbursements. However, they receive paid time off and a pay raise over time.

Travel Nurse vs. Staff Nurse: Salary and Job Outlook 

Do travel nurses have a higher wage than staff nurses? The answer is yes, they do. A travel nurse's pay is relative because it depends on the assignments. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a travel nurse is $99,202, with an hourly wage of $48.

On the other hand, staff nurses are paid based on their education and experience and pay increases over time. The average base salary for a staff nurse ranges from $58,715 to $74,830, with an average base salary of $65,455.

Regarding job outlooks, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the job outlook for staff nurses can increase by 9% between 2019 and 2029 due to the growth of older patients who need hospital care. Due to nursing staff shortages, it is predicted that the travel nurse job outlook will be substantially higher than that of RN.

Bottom Line: Which One Should You Choose?

The bottom line is that these two career paths have pros and cons, which come down to personal choice. A travel nursing job is perfect if you don't mind switching facilities from time to time and you want to be tax-free. If commitment isn't your thing, this would be a great career path with a benefit salary and other life skills.

But, if you don't prefer to move your life every 13 weeks, you should consider a staff nursing job. This may be more stressful, but it offers stability in the long run. Plus, the money is good, and you can gain advancement opportunities.

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