Whether you’re looking into becoming a travel nurse or you are already a travel nurse but are exploring new options, you might be wondering, “Is it possible to be a travel nurse in your own state?”
The answer: Absolutely!
Local travel nursing is possible, but there are some important things you need to know before you start.
Keep reading to learn how to be a travel nurse in your own state, the benefits and drawbacks of hometown travel nursing, and more.
Table of Contents
- Can You Be a Travel Nurse Where You Live?
- Can You Be a Travel Nurse in Your Own City?
- Is Local Travel Nursing Worth It?
- Local Travel Nursing Benefits
- Disadvantages of Local Travel Nursing
- FAQs About Local Travel Nursing
- Can I Maintain a Regular Work Schedule With Local Travel Nurse Assignments?
- Can I Pursue Local Travel Nursing as a Part-Time Career?
- What Are the Advantages of Local Travel Nursing for Career Growth?
- Let Trusted Nurse Staffing Help You Find a Local Travel Nurse Assignment That Fits Your Needs
Can You Be a Travel Nurse Where You Live?
If a facility in your state is looking for contracted travel nurses, you can certainly be a travel nurse where you live.
The myth that travel nursing in your own state may have come from hospitals and other facilities that were trying to prevent their full-time staff from picking up contracted positions — but we’ll never really know if that’s true.
So, how can you be a local travel nurse? It’s easy.
All you have to do is connect with a travel nursing agency, like Trusted Nurse Staffing. From there, you can search Pronto for the positions that interest you in your state — or anywhere in the country.
But there’s a rumor about some radius rules for travel nurses that we feel would be helpful to address.
Breaking Down the “Radius Rules” of Being a Travel Nurse in Your Own State
The radius requirements for being a travel nurse can get a little confusing — oftentimes being blamed on IRS regulations, but these are generally established by staffing agencies or healthcare facilities.
For example, a facility in your state may require that any travel nurses they hire must have a tax home that is a certain distance away from the facility — it could be 50 miles, or it could be further.
But what about the tax-free stipends? How do those work if you’re travel nursing in your own state?
IRS Publication 463 states that accepting tax-free stipends is determined by whether a person needs to sleep or rest to meet the demands of their work while away from home — this must include an overnight stay.
Rules regarding travel nurses’ “tax homes” also come into play. This can complicate things for those nurses who take on continuous assignments without having a home base.
To ensure you’re doing the right thing when it’s time to file your taxes, it’s best to consult your tax professional about your specific situation.
Can You Be a Travel Nurse in Your Own City?
While the traditional notion of travel nursing involves working in different cities or states, it is possible to work as a local travel nurse in your own city. Much like working in your own state, you would still be employed by a travel nursing agency, but you’d take assignments within your local area.
This allows you to enjoy the benefits of travel nursing, such as competitive pay, diverse clinical experiences, and flexibility, without relocating.
It’s particularly advantageous if you prefer to stay close to home, maintain a familiar environment, or fulfill specific lifestyle needs while still enjoying the dynamic aspects of travel nursing.
Is Local Travel Nursing Worth It?
Local travel nursing can be extremely rewarding for those looking to experience the benefits of travel nursing without straying too far from home and family.
Below, we will dive into the benefits and potential disadvantages that come with local travel nursing.
Local Travel Nursing Benefits
Although it may not seem like it if you’ve never been a travel nurse before, local travel nursing offers a host of benefits — and some of them benefit you both financially and personally.
After you read the next section, we think you’ll agree that local travel nursing certainly has its perks.
Stay With Family
We get this question a lot:
“Can I be a travel nurse in my own state if I can’t travel with my family?”
And the answer is yes.
If you are someone who really enjoys the field but isn’t ready to leave — or can’t bring your family — local travel nursing is the perfect solution.
Whether you’re looking to start travel nursing in your own city or at least be able to commute home for weekends, being close to family is one of the primary reasons why many nurses choose to keep it local.
No Need for Additional Licenses
Another benefit of local travel nursing is that you don’t have to worry about applying for additional nursing licenses, especially if your state does not offer compact nursing licenses.
Although some travel nursing agencies cover the costs of applying for licensure in different states, obtaining them can be a hassle, especially on a time crunch.
Local travel nursing makes it easy to maintain one state license while still enjoying contracts throughout your city or state.
Receive Higher Pay Than Staff Nurses
As a travel nurse, even in your home state, you’ll receive higher pay than an average staff nurse.
Even as a local travel nurse, you may be required to take on a nursing role quickly, due to demand in certain areas or during times of need, with little to no training.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we understand how difficult it can be to sign on to an assignment and “jump right in.”
This is just one of the many reasons our travel nurses receive some of the highest pay in the industry.
We believe in offering our travel nurses the best because they provide the best for their communities, which is why they also receive:
- Part-time and full-time positions
- Referral bonuses
- Flexible contracts from as short as 8 weeks to as long as 52 weeks
- Sign-on and completion bonuses
- License, CEU, and certification reimbursements
- Insurance plans
- And more
Whether you’re a local travel nurse or a nurse who travels across the country for your assignments, we have a benefits package that will work for you.
Reduce Stress
Local travel nursing can significantly reduce stress for nurses in all fields by providing a more stable and familiar work environment. Unlike traditional travel nursing, which often involves frequent relocations, local travel nursing allows nurses to stay rooted in their own cities or nearby areas.
This continuity can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort and minimize the stress associated with adjusting to new living arrangements, communities, and workplace cultures.
The reduced need for extensive planning and adaptation to new surroundings enables nurses to focus more on their job responsibilities and patient care.
Open New Doors to Those Questioning if Travel Nursing Is the Right Career Path
Have you worked as a nurse, but you’re questioning if becoming a travel nurse is the right path for you?
Local travel nursing is one of the best ways to decide.
By staying local, you can experience different contracts throughout your city or state while still having the comforts of home, and learning about the best travel nursing opportunities for your wants and needs.
You’ll gain great experience for your resume and have the opportunity to decide if the fast-paced, ever-changing field of travel nursing is the right fit for you.
Disadvantages of Local Travel Nursing
Although there are many advantages of local travel nursing, there are also some things that you might consider to be disadvantages.
As a local travel nurse, you miss out on the opportunity to see new places around the country.
If you’re a homebody, this may not be a deal-breaker, but if you’re someone looking for adventure and don’t mind traveling outside your state, consider becoming a regular travel nurse instead of a local travel nurse.
Another disadvantage, one that can be a deal-breaker, is that contract options in your area may be limited.
Are you in a city that doesn’t have a high demand for nurses? Hospitals and other facilities in your area may not be looking for contracted employees. You may want to consider looking outside your local area to begin travel nursing.
And, finally, something important to consider, especially if your local travel nursing contract has you working farther from home than you’d like to drive regularly, is that you will likely have to maintain two living spaces.
Although you may be making a housing stipend, you may also have to maintain your family’s home, as well as your “work” home.
If you are considering becoming a local travel nurse, talk with local agencies. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to help you determine if local travel nursing is the right move for you.
FAQs About Local Travel Nursing
Can I Start as a Local Travel Nurse and Request an Assignment Away From Home at Another Time?
Of course! If you’re looking to get your feet wet or want to switch things up, becoming a local travel nurse and then requesting assignments outside your local area is pretty simple.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, for example, our recruiters are here 24/7 to support you.
If you’re currently in a local contract and it is coming to a close, you can use the Pronto job search to help you find the perfect fit for your next assignment — near or far.
As for other agencies, be sure to read your contracts and ensure that you have the option to ask for an assignment farther from home after your current contract ends.
Can I Choose Assignments in Specific Facilities or Areas Within My City?
Yes, one advantage of local travel nursing is the ability to choose assignments based on your preferences, including specific healthcare facilities or areas within your local community.
Whether you’re new to nursing and want experience in a specific facility, or you specialize in a particular area of healthcare, you can almost always find local travel nurse assignments.
How Long Can I Stay in One Location as a Travel Nurse?
Most travel nursing contracts last anywhere between eight and 52 weeks, and to be considered a travel nurse in the IRS’ eyes, you must change assignments at least once a year. After a year, the IRS considers your assignment permanent.
This doesn’t mean you have to move from location to location in a year, but you will be required to move to a different facility/contract.
How Much Can You Make as a Local Travel Nurse?
The average salary for local travel nursing can vary by state. Click here to view a table of average travel nursing salaries by state. Some factors that affect local travel nurse salaries include the:
- Specific assignment
- Location
- Healthcare facility
- Staffing agency
- And more
Generally, travel nurses, whether local or traditional, may receive higher pay rates than permanent staff nurses. This is because travel nurses often fill short-term staffing needs or address specific shortages, and the higher pay is intended to compensate for the flexibility, temporary nature of the assignments, and the potential need for rapid deployment.
Can I Maintain a Regular Work Schedule With Local Travel Nurse Assignments?
Local travel nursing often offers more predictable schedules, allowing for better work-life balance compared to frequent relocations associated with traditional travel nursing.
For many nurses, this is a huge advantage. Local travel nursing allows you to stay closer to family and friends, while building skills and networking within your hometown.
Can I Pursue Local Travel Nursing as a Part-Time Career?
Local travel nursing can be pursued on a part-time basis, providing flexibility for those who prefer a less demanding schedule.
Taking local travel nursing assignments is very popular among nurses who are just starting a family, nearing retirement, or looking to reduce their workloads while still receiving great pay and benefits.
What Are the Advantages of Local Travel Nursing for Career Growth?
Local travel nursing offers diverse clinical experiences, exposure to different healthcare settings, and the opportunity to build a strong professional network within your community — all of which can contribute to career advancement.
Do I Need To Work With a Travel Nursing Agency for Local Assignments?
Working with a travel nursing agency is common for both traditional and local travel nursing. Agencies help facilitate placements, negotiate contracts, and provide support throughout your assignments.
Let Trusted Nurse Staffing Help You Find a Local Travel Nurse Assignment That Fits Your Needs
Are you ready to dive into local travel nursing? Whether you’re looking for your first travel nurse contract or hoping to switch it up and stay local, Trusted Nurse Staffing is here to help you.
Our number one goal is to put our nurses first and help them reach their goals, professionally and personally. In addition to the support we offer all of our nurses, Trusted Nurse Staffing has both the best pay in the industry and these added benefits:
- 401(k) with a 4% match after 1,000 hours and one year of employment
- $1,500 referral program
- Sign-on & completion bonuses
- Weekly paychecks with direct deposit
- Overtime and double time
- Loyalty and discount programs
- Wellness benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- License, certifications & CEU reimbursements
- Housing, meal, and travel stipends
- Flexible contracts
- And much more
Check out the Pronto job search to find available local travel nursing assignments near you and let your adventure begin.