Travel Nursing: Working Close To Home, Is It Possible?

Travel nursing is an appealing career path for many nurses. However, some nurses are hesitant to venture too far from home due to family obligations or personal reasons. So, is it possible to work as a travel nurse close to home? The answer is yes, it is possible, but there are some complexities and trade-offs to consider. While there is no IRS 50-mile rule as commonly believed, individual facilities or staffing agencies may have their own radius rules to prevent their full-time staff from picking up travel contracts. These rules can vary from 40 to 200 miles. Local travel nursing offers benefits such as lower travel costs, the ability to keep your day job, and the security of having friends and family nearby. However, it may also come with challenges like a longer commute and missing out on the true travel nurse experience. Ultimately, the decision depends on your personal preferences and circumstances.

Local travel nursing is possible, but there are tax implications

To maintain their tax-free status, travel nurses must be aware of the "tax home" concept. A "tax home" is defined by the IRS as "the entire city or general area in which your business or work is located…regardless of where you maintain your family home." Travel nurses who remain in one location for an extended period may find that their tax home shifts to that city or area, and they will be required to pay taxes retroactively on any tax-free reimbursements received during that time. To avoid this, travel nurses should not work in the same place for more than 12 months in any rolling 24-month period.

Additionally, travel nurses who take on continuous assignments without a permanent residence may encounter tax complications. It is recommended that travel nurses consult with a tax professional to ensure they are compliant with IRS regulations and avoid unexpected tax bills.

While local travel nursing may limit the financial benefits typically associated with travel nursing, it offers other advantages such as lower travel costs, the ability to maintain a primary job, and the comfort of remaining close to home and family.

Hospitals often enforce a radius rule to prevent their staff nurses from becoming travel nurses

Travel nursing is a dynamic career option that offers nurses the opportunity to explore new places, gain diverse clinical experiences, and enjoy benefits such as competitive pay and flexible contracts. While the idea of travel nursing often evokes images of far-off destinations, it is possible to work as a travel nurse in your own city or state. This option is known as local travel nursing.

Local travel nursing allows nurses to enjoy the perks of travel nursing while remaining close to home. However, one of the most common misconceptions about travel nursing is the "50-Mile Rule." This fallacy suggests that travel nurses must be located at least 50 miles away from their permanent residence to collect tax-free stipends. In reality, the IRS does not mandate a specific distance requirement for tax-free reimbursements. The 50-mile or 100-mile radius rule is often used by hospitals as a guideline to prevent their full-time staff nurses from transitioning into travel nursing roles within the same facility.

Hospitals enforce radius rules for several reasons. Firstly, they aim to maintain a clear distinction between their full-time staff nurses and travel nurses in terms of bill rates, shift/staffing processes, and contract perks. By enforcing a radius rule, hospitals can prevent their existing staff from opting for travel assignments, thereby avoiding the creation of additional vacant positions. Secondly, radius rules help hospitals cast a wider net for nursing candidates by ensuring that travel nurses are not considered local. This enables hospitals to attract a broader pool of applicants from outside the local area.

It is important to clarify that radius rules are not dictated by IRS regulations but are established by individual healthcare facilities or staffing agencies. These rules can vary, with some hospitals requiring a minimum distance of 50, 75, or even 100 miles between the travel nurse's tax home and the facility. Additionally, tax-free stipends provided to travel nurses are not contingent on adhering to a specific mile radius rule. Instead, the IRS determines the eligibility for tax-free stipends based on whether an individual needs to sleep or rest away from their primary home to meet the demands of their work.

In conclusion, while local travel nursing provides the flexibility to work close to home, it is subject to the radius rules set by individual hospitals. These rules are implemented to maintain a clear differentiation between staff nurses and travel nurses, as well as to ensure that travel nursing positions are filled by candidates from outside the local area. By understanding these radius rules, nurses can make informed decisions about their career paths and explore the benefits that local travel nursing has to offer.

Travel nurses are paid more than permanent staff

Travel nurses are usually paid more than permanent staff nurses. The average salary for a travel nurse in 2023 was $114,591, compared to $86,070 for a staff nurse. Travel nurses are often paid a "total pay package" that includes an hourly base wage plus additional monetary incentives. These incentives can include sign-on or referral bonuses, travel reimbursements, stipends for housing, food, mileage, or job-related expenses. As these extra stipends are classified as reimbursements rather than income, they are non-taxable, allowing travel nurses to take home a higher total pay.

There are several reasons why travel nurses are generally paid more than staff nurses. Firstly, travel nurses work in various healthcare facilities, constantly adapting to new working environments and clinical practices. Their flexibility and adaptability are valuable skills that healthcare organisations are willing to pay for, especially during times of increased demand or staff shortages. Secondly, healthcare facilities may offer higher pay rates for travel nursing jobs as an incentive for nurses to accept short-term assignments, which can be less appealing than more stable staff nursing positions. The financial benefits of travel nursing can motivate nurses to take on these temporary roles and help address staffing needs during periods of high demand, such as public health crises or seasonal fluctuations in patient volume.

It is important to note that the pay rates for travel nurses can vary significantly depending on location, specialty, and facility needs. For example, travel nurses working in metropolitan areas or high-cost-of-living states like California, New York, and Massachusetts tend to receive higher pay rates than those in rural settings or lower-cost-of-living states. Additionally, certain nursing specialties, such as intensive care unit (ICU) or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), typically demand specialised skills and certifications, resulting in higher pay rates.

While travel nurses often earn higher salaries, it is essential to consider the challenges and drawbacks of this career path. Travel nurses must adapt to new facilities, unfamiliar colleagues, and different policies and procedures with each new assignment. They may also experience loneliness and spend significant time away from loved ones. Therefore, each nurse must weigh the benefits of higher compensation against the difficulties inherent in travel nursing before deciding if it is the right choice for them.

Local travel nursing can be a good way to get your feet wet

Local Travel Nursing: A Good Way to Get Your Feet Wet

Local travel nursing is a great way to get a taste of the travel nursing lifestyle without fully diving in. It's perfect for those who are hesitant to relocate or are unable to travel far from home due to family obligations. By taking on a local travel nursing contract, you can “test the waters” and see if the travel nursing life is for you.

The Benefits of Local Travel Nursing

There are several advantages to local travel nursing. Firstly, you get to enjoy the benefits of travel nursing while remaining close to family and friends. This is ideal for nurses who face challenges due to the distance from home that comes with traditional travel nursing assignments. Local travel nursing also allows you to take on a second short-term job to earn extra money. You can choose to commute each way or try to block your schedules and return home on days off between shifts.

Another perk of local travel nursing is the higher pay rate compared to staff nurses. You also won't need to apply for an additional state license, especially if you're not part of a compact state. Local travel nursing gives you the freedom to choose where and when you want to work.

Things to Consider

While local travel nursing offers many benefits, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you may encounter radius rules set by healthcare facilities, which require travel nurses to live a certain distance from the facility, typically ranging from 50 to 200 miles. These rules are in place to prevent their own full-time staff nurses from taking on travel assignments. As a result, you may need to establish a temporary residence to qualify for tax-free housing stipends.

Additionally, local travel nursing may limit your access to assignments, especially if you live in a rural area. It's important to stay flexible and consider extending your search to nearby cities to increase your options. You may also need to be patient in finding an assignment that fits your specialty and schedule preferences.

Making it Work for You

Despite the challenges, local travel nursing can be a rewarding experience. It allows you to gain valuable experience, build connections with local healthcare professionals, and boost your income. Remember to stay open-minded, work with a recruiter, and be willing to compromise on some of your needs to find the best fit for your local travel nursing journey.

There are pros and cons to local travel nursing

On the other hand, taking a local travel nursing position may narrow your opportunities for future travel nursing contracts. You also won't get to explore new places, and you may face a longer commute. There may also be tax implications, as local travel nurses may not qualify for the same benefits package as other travel nurses, including tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals.

It's important to note that while there is no IRS "50-mile rule", individual healthcare facilities may have their own radius rules that prevent hiring local travel nurses. These rules are in place to ensure appropriate compensation for both travel nurses and permanent staff, as travel nurses often earn more.

Frequently asked questions