You worked hard to become a nurse and wouldn’t trade your profession for anything. But endless hospital hours and constant overtime are beginning to take a toll on you — mentally and physically.
Nursing is your passion. Your job is important and you love what you do, but you’re sacrificing a lot and saving little time and energy for yourself. If you’d like to continue working as a nurse without overloading yourself, a position as a part-time travel nurse may be the answer that you’re looking for.
But can travel nurses work part-time?
Learn how you can begin a career in part-time travel nursing and explore the many benefits of securing part-time travel RN jobs.
Table of Contents
- Can Travel Nurses Work Part-Time?
- How Does Part-Time Travel Nursing Work?
- Why Might Someone Be Looking for a Part-Time Travel Nurse Position?
- 3 Benefits of Part-Time Travel Nursing
- Part-Time Travel Nursing FAQs
- Find a Part-Time Travel Nursing Position With Trusted Nurse Staffing
Can Travel Nurses Work Part-Time?
Although most travel nurses work full-time, it’s possible to be a travel nurse and only work part-time.
Part-time travel nursing provides flexibility and allows travel nurses to enjoy a change of pace from the typical 13-week contract or full-time nursing position. Working a shorter assignment (although usually full-time daily hours) can equal part-time pay with more time off to relax and enjoy the other benefits travel nursing yields.
Whether you want a full-time career or are looking for supplemental income on your days off, travel nursing can open many doors for you — personally and professionally.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, our recruiters are trained and knowledgeable about helping travel nurses find the perfect contracts for them, whether they be part-time or full-time positions. No matter what you consider the best travel nurse assignment to be, we can help you find it. Use Pronto to help you discover available part-time travel nurse opportunities — where one is sure to fit what you’re looking for.
Ready to talk to someone about full or part-time travel nursing?
We’ve partnered with Pronto so that you can get access to a variety of positions all over the country. Find your dream part-time travel RN job today!
How Does Part-Time Travel Nursing Work?
Part-time travel nursing doesn’t work in the same way as a typical “part-time” job. Instead of working fewer hours in a week, you work shorter contracts.
The average contract length is 13 weeks. However, many staffing agencies, including Trusted Nurse Staffing, offer shorter contracts.
This may depend on a facility’s needs, but shorter contracts between 6-10 weeks are sometimes available. Occasionally, you might even find a contract that is shorter than that.
But whether you sign a 6, 8, or 13-week contract, part-time travel nursing works the same as full-time travel nursing except:
- You choose your contract
- You receive a non-taxable travel and housing stipend
- You work your contract and then plan what’s next
- You use your new experience and networks to enhance your resume
- You get to travel to new places and make new memories
Before your contract comes to an end, you’ll let your recruiter know what you want to do next and they will help you extend your contract or find another contract somewhere else.
You get to decide your next step — your recruiter will work to make it happen. In a way, you are like your own boss when it comes to:
- Where you work
- How long you work
- What position you’ll have
If you want to learn more about specific contract lengths, contact us at Trusted Nurse Staffing or search for jobs on the Pronto app.
Why Might Someone Be Looking for a Part-Time Travel Nurse Position?
One of the biggest perks of being a travel nurse is flexibility. You get the control to make decisions for your career that you might have access to as a full-time staff nurse.
Part-time travel nursing allows you the ability to:
- Take a lengthy vacation between assignments
- Have more time for family, friends, and yourself
- Supplement another job on days off
- Gain a variety of knowledge and career experience
Maybe you want to start planning for a family and would like to spend more. Maybe you want to take time off between contracts to go back to school and increase your credentials. Maybe you just need time off to do whatever it is you want to do.
We can help you do that.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, whatever your reason is for searching for a part-time RN job or a part time position in other nursing specialities— we will work hard to find you a contract that fulfills all of your wants and needs.
It is our mission to help nurses control where they work and how much they make.
3 Benefits of Part-Time Travel Nursing
#1: Flexibility With Supplemental Income
Some nurses might accept part-time travel RN positions to supplement their income from another job.
A nurse staffing agency provides options when it comes to contract lengths. You can expect a contract to last anywhere from 4-13 weeks. Remember, the length of part-time travel nurse contracts is dependent on the staffing needs of the facility.
You might be busy, but supplementing your main source of income with a part-time travel nursing contract could help you generate more money for future things like a wedding or vacation.
This allows a lot of flexibility in your schedule to supplement your income while working as a part-time travel nurse. Jobs that may be perfect for part-time travel nursing include:
- Teachers
- School nurses
- Teaching nurses and;
- Nurses who are continuing their education
#2: Avoid Work-Related Exhaustion
Nurse burnout is real.
According to a 2021 survey conducted by Incredible Health, burnout and stress led to around 40% of the 2,500 surveyed nurses looking for less stressful nurse-related positions and 90% reported that they considered leaving the field altogether.
How can part-time travel nursing alleviate the risk of burnout?
Travel nursing can help nurses:
- Explore new fields of nursing to find a department they love
- Help alleviate the staffing -related stress generated by the nursing shortage
- Change up their environment to disrupt some of the monotony
- Change the scenery by traveling to new and exciting places
- Have the ability to take time off when they need it for their physical and mental health
- Advance their pay and career
#3: Experience a Variety of Clinical Programs
A nurse may have a staff nursing position at one hospital or clinic and take a part-time position elsewhere in a different specialty to build experience.
You can work at and learn from top research and teaching facilities or small, rural hospitals that rely on little technology to solve problems.
There is not one facility that is like the other. You’ll learn new procedures and policies and have the opportunity to network with some of the top medical professionals in the field.
Working at different facilities enables you to broaden your nursing skills and expand your professional resume — all while enjoying exciting new places around the country.
Part-Time Travel Nursing FAQs
How Do You Get Started in Part-Time Travel Nursing?
Step #1: Earn Your Degree
Part-time (as well as full-time) travel nurses either have …
- An associate’s degree in Nursing (ADN)
- A bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BDN); or
- A master’s degree in n=Nursing (MSN)
An ADN might be all that is required to become a travel nurse. However, most travel nursing agencies and facilities often prefer their nurses to have BSNs.
Step #2: Obtain Licensing
Once you earn your degree, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
You’ll then need to meet state RN requirements for state licensure in each state you are contracted in. Some states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). This allows you to apply for licensure in multiple states.
States that are not included in the NLC are:
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Nevada
- Oregon
- California
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Mariana Islands
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New York
Step #3: Gain Experience
Next, you’ll need to gain nursing experience.
Most staffing agencies require one year of experience working in your desired field in a hospital setting.
Some agencies will hire fledgling nurses with a year of experience minimum However, it may be recommended that you get 2-4 years of core specialty before pursuing a position as a part-time travel nurse.
Step #4: Work With a Recruiter
The final step? It’s time to speak with a trusted and reliable nurse staffing agency that will meet your unique needs.
Your recruiter can help you with your:
- Part-time contracts
- Housing stipends
- Salary
- Benefits
- Bonuses
- Special requirements or policies
The travel nurse staffing agency you work with will influence all of these aspects of your contract. Consider your agency recruiters your negotiators that can get you the best deal — if you choose the right agency.
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we work hard for our nurses. We offer part-time travel nursing contracts to help you be in charge of your career. Work as little or as much as you want! Explore jobs on Pronto today.
How Long Do Part-Time Travel Nursing Contracts Last?
Since part-time travel nursing means that you decide how long you want to work for and how long you want to take breaks for — the answer depends on what you want to do.
Typical contracts for travel nurses last for 13 weeks. You can work a 13-week contract and choose to take off an entire month or more if you wish as a part-time travel nurse.
Or you can work a 6-week contract, take two weeks off, then start again.
The choice is yours.
How Much Money Can a Part-Time Travel Nurse Make?
Many travel nurses have the potential to earn over $3,000 per week.
With bonuses and housing accommodations, it’s possible to make well over $100k per year as a full-time travel nurse. According to Salary.com, the average travel nurse’s salary is $93,243. The annual salary you make as a part-time travel nurse may depend on how many hours you choose to work.
The average hourly rate for travel nurses is $50 an hour! Think about how much you could make even working 20 hours a week.
Salary also depends on factors such as:
- Education
- Additional skills and certifications
- Years of experience
- Location
- Type of facility
- Shortage needs
- Department
- If it’s a time of crisis, natural disaster, etc.
If you’re wondering — can travel nurses work part-time and still make big money — the answer is yes.
But how much money you earn is entirely up to you — as it depends on how much you want to work.
Is it Possible To Find a Part-Time Travel Nursing Position Close to Home?
Yes, many travel nurses, both part-time and full-time, accept contracts that are close to home.
Keep in mind: If you’re choosing part-time travel nursing in your own state, you might not be entitled to the same tax-free subsidies for lodging and meals depending on how far you travel from your home.
What Specialties Are Most Common for Part-Time Travel Nurses?
All travel nurses are in high demand.
However, those with a specialized nursing focus are sought after by medical facilities across the nation. Certain nursing departments are still feeling the aftershock caused by to covid-induced nursing shortage.
Some of these high-demand specialties include:
- NICU nurse
- L&D nurse
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner
- ER nurse
- ICU nurse
- Dialysis nurse
- Telemetry nurse
Where Are Part-Time Travel Nurses in Demand?
Part-time travel nurses experience the same adventure as full-time travel nurses — part-time travel nursing just allows more time to adventure. Every nurse needs a break from time to time, part-time travel nursing is like getting paid to go on vacation and only working a few days a week.
With so many amazing destinations to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to go first.
In terms of salary, demand, and amazing things to do, you can start your part-time travel nursing list by considering these top 10 picks:
- Maui, Hawaii
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Denver, Colorado
- Austin, Texas
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Burbank, California
- New York City, New York
- Dallas, Texas
- San Francisco, California
- Tucson, Arizona
Find Your Dream Part-Time Travel Nursing Position With Trusted Nurse Staffing
At Trusted Nurse Staffing, it is our mission to grant our nurses control over their contracts and careers. The world is your oyster, don’t worry about putting in the work to shuck it. Leave the heavy lifting when it comes to managing your contract with us.
And, with Pronto, we’ve made it even easier to find a travel nursing contract.
So whether you’re looking for a part-time or full-time travel nursing contract, Trusted Nurse Staffing and Pronto have you covered.
We believe in rewarding our traveling nurses and their families with well-deserved benefits. We are proud to offer:
- Flexible full or part-time contracts
- Medical benefits for the entire family
- Dental and vision benefits
- The highest in the industry
- Generous bonuses (sign-on and completion)
- License, certifications, and CEU reimbursements
- Housing, travel, and food stipends
- And more
We’re ready to help you begin your adventure expanding your career and getting paid more. Are you?
Contact us or use Pronto to begin the search for your part-time travel nursing position, pronto!