Plenty of benefits come with being a travel nurse: flexibility, an expansive professional network, and the chance to gain experience in different healthcare settings across the country. However, having access to concrete benefits like health insurance, housing coverage, and other perks, ultimately depends on the travel nursing agency you partner with. 

So, do travel nurses get benefits? In many cases, yes—travel nurses can receive excellent benefits by working alongside a reputable recruiter.

If you’re newer to the field and eager to learn about how benefits work for travel nurses, it helps to understand the factors that may impact what you’re eligible for. From medical benefits to continuing education opportunities, let’s dive into the various assets that can make your next adventure that much more rewarding.

Do You Get Benefits As a Travel Nurse? Travel Nurse Benefits Basics.

Ultimately, answering the question “Do traveling nurses get benefits?” is a practical matter. The benefits you gain during an assignment can play a decisive role in your job satisfaction and overall well-being. 

In most cases, travel nurses may be eligible for all sorts of benefits, including:

  • Medical insurance
  • Health coverage between jobs and during time off
  • Reimbursements for expenses like travel fees, housing, and nursing equipment

These are just some of the possible benefits available to travelers, but when selecting new assignments, it’s crucial to remember that benefits can vary significantly. In fact, the types of benefits you’re eligible for can depend on:

  • The state you’ll be working in
  • The healthcare facility you’re considering
  • Your experience level and nursing specialty
  • The length of your contract
  • Your travel nursing recruiter

For example, if you hear that a colleague is receiving a generous benefits package (including healthcare coverage and a hosting stipend) for a job in Michigan, you may not necessarily be entitled to the same perks if you’re considering a position in Florida. 

An experienced nursing agency recruiter should serve as your advocate as you weigh your options, ensuring you receive a package that aligns with your values, needs, and long-term career goals.

6 Types of Benefits for Travel Nurses

Now that we’ve answered, “Do traveling nurses get benefits?” (the answer is yes!), it’s time to start asking, “What types of benefits do travel nurses get?”

From medical coverage to financial incentives, let’s take a look at the specific benefits you can ask your agency recruiter about.

#1 Healthcare Coverage

As a healthcare worker, one of the first benefits questions on your mind is likely to be, “Do travel nurses get health benefits?” But if you’ve been building a travel nursing career for a while, you’re probably well aware of how challenging it can be to find satisfactory healthcare insurance for your lifestyle.

Most comprehensive employer-sponsored insurance plans will provide coverage for medical, dental, and vision while you’re on assignment. Depending on your employer, you may also be eligible for benefits like:

  • Prescription drug services
  • Mental health services
  • Wellness services

One of the most difficult areas to navigate is maintaining health insurance coverage between roles. In fact, some travelers will opt for private health insurance coverage to bridge the gap. 

Fortunately, when you partner with Host Healthcare, you’ll keep your insurance plan for up to 30 days between assignments so that you can truly enjoy the time you take off.

#2 Housing and Travel

One of the best benefits of travel nursing is lighter loads when it comes to lodging costs. From not having to furnish your rental to earning your money back on work-related trips, possible housing and travel benefits include:

  • Lodging – Some employers will cover your rental costs entirely while you’re on assignment. In other cases, you may be able to secure a partial reimbursement or a housing stipend.
  • Airfare reimbursement – If your new role requires you to fly, you may be able to get your flights covered.
  • Other travel reimbursements – Some employers pledge to cover travel costs if you accept a role. When in doubt, save those receipts for any rental cars, planes, trains, and automobiles to maximize your savings.

Housing and travel coverage tend to be some of the most variable benefits, but periods of high demand present some of the best opportunities to maximize them. Some travel nursing contracts include tax-free housing stipends if your assignment is outside your local tax residence, which is typically defined as being 50-70 miles or more from your home. These stipends are a standard part of your pay package for non-local travel contracts, providing financial support during your assignment.

#3 Vacation and Paid Time Off

Many travel nurses treat their time between assignments as vacation time. However, select employers may offer perks like:

  • PTO (paid time off) for personal mental health days or if you fall ill
  • Extra compensation if you’re working on a holiday

That said, vacation and PTO policies tend to differ from employer to employer and agency to agency. If this is one of your priorities when searching for new roles, be sure to ask your agency recruiter what’s typical for roles in your top-choice states or facilities.

#4 Professional Development

Continuing education is essential for advancing your career, enhancing personal fulfillment, and maintaining your competitive edge. While not all agencies sponsor ongoing education, there are opportunities to support your growth, such as:

  • Reimbursement for specialty certifications
  • Access to courses and workshops to build new skills
  • Professional networking through conferences and events

These resources can help you stay ahead in your field and continue to develop your expertise.

#5 Tax Benefits

As a travel nurse, you may be eligible for reimbursements for various work-related expenses, helping to offset costs associated with your role. It’s a good practice to keep your receipts for nursing-related expenses, as some common reimbursable items include:

  • Licensing fees – Renewals of licenses or state registrations.
  • Continuing education – Career development options like courses or certifications.
  • Subscription fees – Medical or nursing journals, publications, or other professional development services.
  • Equipment – Medical tools and equipment you depend on in your role.
  • Clothing – Medical-grade wearables like scrubs, medical shoes, masks, and other protective garments.

#5 Retirement and Financial Benefits

No matter how long you’ve been working, it’s never too early to start thinking about saving for retirement. Certain agencies like Host Healthcare even offer competitive 401(k) plans and matching services with your employer.

Additional Perks and Incentives

To recap, the benefits you can expect as a travel nurse can depend heavily on your employer and location. Some other possible travel nursing benefits include:

  • Bonuses when you contract to a new position (sign-on bonuses)
  • Pet-friendly housing options for those traveling with furry friends
  • Daily meal stipends, which are typically included as part of your travel contract pay package under the GSA guidelines

When you work with a seasoned agency recruiter like Host Healthcare, you’re guaranteed ongoing support for any questions you have about employer- and location-specific benefits. After all, you never know when an employer has established perk packages like discounted sightseeing trips or museum passes to local cultural gems!

Tips for Comparing Benefits Across Travel Nursing Agencies

Finding the right travel nursing recruiter is one of the most effective ways to ensure you receive benefits that align with your needs and goals. When deciding on a recruiter, it can help to ask questions like:

  • Are there limits to the benefits you offer? – Benefits packages can often appear compelling at first glance, but many come with coverage limitations or eligibility restrictions that can disqualify you from claiming them. Ask your travel nursing agency recruiter upfront to take you through the fine print to ensure you’re entitled to the benefits you sign on for.
  • How might benefits differ depending on the different locations I’m considering? – Local regulations, tax laws, and costs of living can all factor into the types of benefits you’ll receive in any given state.
  • How much flexibility do your benefits packages offer? Can I customize mine to my needs? – Some travel nursing agencies allow a degree of personalization when it comes to selecting benefits. So, if you know that thorough healthcare coverage is a high priority but continuing education opportunities are on the lower end, you might ask if you can shift how your package is weighted to ensure your priorities are met.

Looking to your professional network can also provide some clarifying information on how benefits measure up in practice. Whether you tap into your LinkedIn connections or seek out other travel nurses within your agency, testimonials can help give you a sense of what life might look like (and cost) on your next adventure.

Get the Most Out of Your Next Role with Host Healthcare

Whether you’re wondering “do travel nurses get medical benefits?” or need expert guidance on taking the next step in your career, recruiters at Host Healthcare are here to match you to your next great adventure. Plus, when you partner with Host Healthcare, you can choose to receive medical, dental, and vision benefits from day 1, as well as priority access to top positions and locations across the country.

Host Healthcare recruiters are passionate about caring for those who care for others, helping you build the life, career, and benefits package you deserve. Find flexible and fulfilling travel experiences when you apply to Host Healthcare today.

 

Sources: 

Health Insurance for Travel Nurses | Ehealth, www.ehealthinsurance.com/resources/individual-and-family/travel-nurse-health-insurance-options. Accessed 23 June 2024. 

“The Best Travel Nurse Tax Tips & Deductions.” Nurse.Org, nurse.org/articles/tax-advice-deductions-nurses-students-travelers/. Accessed 23 June 2024. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing? (Plus Tips) | Indeed.Com, www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/pros-and-cons-of-travel-nursing. Accessed 23 June 2024.