For many nurses, the idea of travel nursing conjures up visions of cross-country adventures, exploring new states, and living out of suitcases. But what if adventure is closer to home?
Local travel nursing allows you to enjoy the flexibility, competitive pay, and variety of travel nursing without uprooting your life. It’s an excellent option for those who want to explore new facilities while staying close to family, friends, or other responsibilities.
Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a local travel nurse, including the benefits, potential challenges, and how to get started.
What is Local Travel Nursing?
Local travel nursing involves taking assignments within a commutable distance from your home rather than relocating to a new city or state. These contracts are typically for short-term assignments (four to 13 weeks) and are designed to fill temporary staffing needs at nearby hospitals or clinics.
Instead of crossing state lines, local travel nurses often drive to their assignments, making it possible to return home after each shift.
Benefits of Being a Local Travel Nurse
Local travel nursing offers several advantages:
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Flexibility Without Relocation
One of the biggest perks of being a local travel nurse is that you can take advantage of travel nursing flexibility without leaving your community. This is ideal for nurses with family commitments, homeownership, or those who simply prefer staying in a familiar environment.
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Competitive Pay
Travel nursing, even locally, often comes with higher pay rates than permanent staff positions. Hospitals may offer lucrative hourly rates, completion bonuses, or housing stipends (though these might vary based on your proximity to the facility).
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Variety in Work Environments
As a local travel nurse, you’ll have the chance to work in different hospitals and healthcare settings. This allows you to expand your skill set, learn new workflows, and experience various patient populations — all without long-distance moves.
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Lower Housing Costs
Since you’re commuting from home, you don’t need to worry about finding temporary housing or navigating stipends. This can significantly reduce your expenses compared to traditional travel nursing.
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Balancing Adventure and Stability
Local travel nursing lets you enjoy professional variety while keeping your personal life stable. You get the best of both worlds — new job experiences and the comfort of your home.
Drawbacks of Local Travel Nursing
While local travel nursing has its benefits, it’s not without challenges:
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Limited Tax-Free Perks
One of the biggest financial benefits of traditional travel nursing is the tax-free housing and meal stipends for those working away from their tax home. Local travel nurses who commute from their permanent residence typically do not qualify for these tax-free benefits.
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Commuting Can Be Tiring
If your assignment requires a long daily commute, you may find yourself spending significant time on the road. This can lead to burnout, especially if you’re working long or overnight shifts.
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Noncompete Clauses
Some hospitals include noncompete clauses in contracts, which may restrict you from working at specific nearby facilities after your assignment ends. This can limit your options if you want to return to a permanent role locally.
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Fewer “Travel” Perks
For nurses drawn to the travel lifestyle for its adventure and novelty, local travel nursing might not provide the same sense of exploration.
Getting Started as a Local Travel Nurse
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Assess Your Qualifications
Like traditional travel nursing, local travel nursing requires at least one to two years of experience in your specialty. Make sure your skills and certifications (e.g., BLS, ACLS, PALS) are up-to-date and that your resume reflects your adaptability and proficiency.
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Find a Boutique Travel Staffing Agency
Working with a boutique travel staffing agency can be especially helpful when pursuing local opportunities. These agencies specialize in personalized placements and can help you:
- Navigate Noncompete Clauses: Ensure you understand any restrictions before signing a contract.
- Find the Best Pay Rates: Boutique agencies often have insider knowledge about local hospitals’ staffing needs and can negotiate on your behalf.
- Secure Assignments Quickly: Local travel roles can be competitive, and smaller agencies often have access to opportunities before they’re widely advertised.
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Be Flexible and Open-Minded
To increase your chances of landing assignments, be open to varying shift times, facilities, and specialties. Your willingness to adapt will make you a more attractive candidate.
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Understand the Tax Implications
Because you’ll be working within commuting distance of your tax home, your entire income will likely be taxed. While this eliminates the tax-free stipends enjoyed by traditional travel nurses, the higher hourly pay often offsets this difference.
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Plan for the Commute
A manageable commute is essential for maintaining a work-life balance. Factor in travel time, gas expenses, and potential fatigue when considering assignments.
Is Local Travel Nursing Right for You?
Local travel nursing is an excellent choice if:
- You want flexibility without relocating.
- You’re looking for higher pay and diverse work environments.
- You want to test out travel nursing before committing to long-distance assignments.
- You have personal or family obligations that keep you tied to a specific location.
How a Boutique Agency Can Help You Succeed
- Personalized Placements: Agencies like Luminous Travel Staffing understand the local job market and can match you with assignments that suit your schedule and preferences.
- Support with Noncompete Clauses: They can help you review contracts to avoid unnecessary restrictions.
- Ongoing Guidance: Whether it’s finding the right commute or negotiating pay, boutique agencies provide hands-on support to ensure your success.
The Bottom Line
Local travel nursing offers the flexibility and excitement of travel nursing without requiring you to leave your home base. By partnering with a boutique agency, staying informed about tax implications, and being open to new opportunities, you can thrive in this unique nursing niche.
Check out the Luminous job board today.
