Salaries will vary for every contact and every travel nurse, depending on certifications, location, experience, and terms. But there are a few ways to maximize your compensation by making a few strategic shifts in what you are looking for and what level of effort you are willing to put in.

Be Open To Rapid Response Contracts

Many healthcare locations need to fill roles on an immediate basis. This could be due to expansion, staffing shortages, strikes, local catastrophes, and any number of unavoidable circumstances. This presents an opportunity for you to cash in if you’re willing to travel and operate on tight timelines. If you’re open to relocating quickly, this could ultimately lead to securing a more profitable position. 

Increase Certifications, Licensing, and Specialties

Thinking of travel nursing from a bigger picture, maximizing the longevity of your position could be as simple as adding a certification. Acquiring additional certifications could put you in a prime position for advancement or increased pay as it sets you apart from the rest of the competition. Licensing in multiple states also opens the door for more opportunities you potentially didn’t have before. Additionally, choosing high-paying specialties increases the range of diverse placements available to you and could offer a significant pay boost.

Get Creative With Housing and Retain The Stipend

Some contracts will include housing or a housing stipend which is tax-free money to be spent on housing at your discretion. By choosing to keep housing expenses as low as possible and pocket any excess, you can open yourself up to a more profitable contract job. Low-cost housing ideas for a travel nurse include:

• Rent a single room
• Get one or more roommates
• Stay in an RV
• Share an Airbnb or VRBO
• Try Furnished Finder for move-in-ready options
• Check out Transplant Housing 
• Explore Extended Stay America

Look For Contracts In High-Paying Areas or With Bonuses

Travel nurse salaries in New York City will be significantly different from salaries in small-town Georgia. Choose contracts in high-paying areas for premium compensation benefits. Plus, there’s generally more to do in larger cities, perfect for adventuring on your days off. Many contracts also offer bonuses to cover travel or referrals and can put a little extra cash in your pocket. 

Choose A Staffing Firm With Great Pay and Retirement Benefits

One of the best ways to make more money as a travel nurse is to work with a travel nursing staffing agency that offers tax-free stipends, travel bonuses, 401K, and ESOP benefits to complement your weekly salary. 

At IDR Healthcare, we add Flexible Savings Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, referral bonuses, and more to that list. We’d love to help you #TravelFarWtihIDR! Check current travel nurse contracts here.