What you make depends on certain things like if you go through a contract company or if you are independent, what area of the country you work in, if you work nights and weekends. I will tell you that as a brand new RN traveling is not the answer for you. Go to the floor, get some experience, become comfortable with procedures and then think about traveling.

You will make more as a travel nurse by far, but most companies will not take you unless you have two years experience on a med/surg unit. My suggestion is to get your BSN, work two years at a hospital then start looking at different travel companies. Good Luck

My daughter is a RN and working as a travel nurse – her specialty is Pediatric ICU. She graduated in Dec. 2006 with her BSN.

She became licensed and started working as a RN in Feb. 2007. She started directly as a brand new graduate nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The hospital she worked for hires a few graduate nurses every year and puts them through a terrific 9 month orientation / training program for the ICU. She learned a ton. She got the travel nurse bug at the time as she worked with a few travel nurses in the ICU, and knew it was something she wanted to try.

She started traveling this past March 2008 – took her first assignment just shortly after having 1 yr of experience as a RN. Her first assignment was in Washington State which was great for her as she is from the midwest. She has seen a ton and has had a wonderful experience. She signed another 13 week contract at the same hospital and is just finishing that assignment. She is now onto New Mexico to work and experience her next 13 week assignment. This is with a 2nd agency, as the 1st one was unable to get her an assignment in N.Mex. (so far all of her assignments have been for 13 weeks)

She has found the travel nurse experience to be very positive so far. Her wages have been more then what she made working full time previously. She works 3 days / week , 12 hrs each – so has alot of time off— often she will get 4 days off in a row and they take a mini vacation to see the sights. She has arranged to have 7 days off together for going away – still without taking any time off from work.

She gets a completely furnished apartment – meaning full furnishings, all kitchen supplies, bedding, towels, etc. All they need to do is personal belongs into the apt, unpack and enjoy. Her utilities are paid. Her travel expenses were paid for by the travel agency, as well as her licensing fee for each new state she goes to. With both agencies, she received a very nice sign on bonus also. In addition she gets full healthcare, 401K. There’s probably things I’m leaving out.

All in all , when you factor in everything, she is making well over $50.00 / hr. Hard to calculate with all the benefits that you receive. Her apartment is over $1000.00 / month – she is in a very nice area that the travel agency arranges for her. At the age of 25, she is doing very well!

Traveling might not be for everyone, but she is loving it totally. It looks like such a terrific opportunity to me and we are all envious of what she is doing and experiencing!

Hope this gave you a bit of insight into the field.

This article will be revisited by me as I travel for work. I’m impressed with the amount of information you were able to put in your article. It’s obviously skillfully written by a gifted writer.