Best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023
Nurse understaffing has been prevalent in healthcare facilities and exacerbated with the pandemic's onset. While the healthcare industry is slowly recovering, staff shortage remains a problem. Thanks to travel nursing, workloads are eased. Not all states are the same in terms of work, pay, and benefits. This list will share the best conditions to travel nursing assignments in 2023.
What is travel nursing?
Travel nursing fills the gaps of nurse shortage in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities.
Nurses who choose travel nursing are deployed to facilities on a short-term basis, performing the roles of their staff nurse for a certain period. They act as relievers who hold temporary positions to counter the brunt of nurse shortage nationwide.
Travel nurses are often affiliated with an agency that connects with facilities and gives nursing assignments. There are also cases where nurses directly contact the facilities themselves.
Best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023
Aside from the salary, consider the location as a travel nurse. Choose an area where you can still achieve work-life balance even with the hustle of travel nursing.
We have rounded up the best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023 to help you out:
1. New York
The city that never sleeps is not only attractive to art enthusiasts and corporate professionals who wish to go up the ladder. New York City — and the entire state — is also an excellent hub for travel nurses.
New York is among the best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023, especially for those who enjoy the metropolitan lifestyle. There is so much to see and do.
Work-wise, it is the home of many great medical centers. Depending on your assignment, you get to see a variety of cases that will train you to become a better nurse. Expect an annual salary higher than the average at $131,800.
2. Massachusetts
With history, culture, urban life, and advanced hospitals, Massachusetts has what you are looking for. This state has many tourist attractions and recreational establishments to explore in your free time.
When it comes to work, Massachusetts is one of the best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023 because of the healthcare opportunities their facilities can offer. At $2,249 a week or roughly $116,948, travel nursing pay in this state is good, too.
3. Florida
The Sunshine State is known for its beaches, clubs, and reputation as a retirement hub. If you’re the type who enjoys the sun and the sea, then this is one location you should consider.
Also, in this state, you can find hospitals with superb healthcare, such as the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and AdventHealth in Orlando. This is also the home of plastic surgeons making their mark in the industry.
While the best facilities in the area might not need travel nurses, other hospitals certainly do. In a year, your salary will be $102,000, which is lower than in other states.
4. California
The West Coast is another state that lands a spot in our list of best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023. With warm temperatures, Disneyland, a wide array of restaurants, and fun attractions, there is so much to love about this state. You might even bump into a celebrity in the streets of Los Angeles!
You can also find healthcare facilities with quality care and service in this area. This includes UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco and UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
California hospitals have a nursing shortage, especially in the specialization of trauma. With this, travel nurses are in demand — and compensated well, might we say, at $177,000 a year.
5. Connecticut
Whenever you need a change in environment, Connecticut offers a quiet yet rich experience with its rural and coastal charm. It may not be as loud as the urban centers of New York and Massachusetts, but it is a beautiful place to pace down.
Talking about healthcare, it has Hartford Memorial Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital, and Manchester Memorial Hospital,, which often need travel nurses. The yearly salary is also good in this state at about $124,000.
Other locations to consider
Some states are also worth considering. Maine has been dealing with nurse understaffing, so many opportunities exist.
South Carolina faces the same problem, even with the MUSC Health University Medical Center in their area. Consider looking into Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and Virginia.
Finding the best states to travel nursing assignments in 2023
If you wish to travel to the best states for nursing assignments in 2023, your top options might be New York, Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Connecticut. Also, consider Texas, Illinois, and Virginia, which offer good opportunities. Identify your preferred salary range and the type of lifestyle you wish to experience, as this varies per location from busy urban to quiet and calming rural.