How long are travel nurse assignments?

Travel nurse assignments can vary from as short as four weeks to up to a year.  

Generally, assignments last for around 13 weeks (about 3 months).  

You might be wondering - why do travel nurse contracts last for 3 months on average? 

• This gives nurses the chance to become properly acquainted with their facility and to explore their new area
• Facilities also get adequate time to address their staffing problems or train permanent members of staff, as travel nursing is often used to bridge this gap
• This also is convenient for the travel nurse in terms of finding short term rentals (the majority are for 3 months) 

“How long are travel nurse contracts in my specialism?” 

The length of a travel nurse contract is down to the facility’s needs or the nurses’ specialism. If there is considerable need for a specific nurse to remain in a facility, likely due to internal staffing shortages, then they can have their contracts extended (providing the nurse and the facility both agree to the revised terms).  

However, travel nurse contracts should never exceed 1 year. This is for tax reasons, and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) has specific guidelines relating to this.  

Firstly, if you remain at one facility for over a year, this is not classified as being a ‘temporary’ travel nurse placement.  Additionally, you will lose your stipends and increase your taxes if you stay at a facility for longer than one year- this will be due to your ‘tax home’ shifting as the IRS will assume you have relocated. For more specific tax guidance relating to your situation, ensure that you consult a qualified and experienced financial advisor. 

It’s not all about the money though. It’s also important that travel nurses have periods of time off, to ensure they avoid burnout and maintain their peak professional performance. 

How long do travel nurses stay in one place? 

Travel nurses tend to not stay in one facility for longer than a year- however, you can stay in the same state. This is known as local travel nursing and these placements are usually within 50 miles from your home.  

While you won’t be eligible for a tax stipend as you’re not duplicating your expenses by travelling, this is an excellent option for nurses who wish to be able to commute from their homes or to stay in the same state.  

There are countless options available to you- and there is no one answer to the question ‘how long are travel nurse contracts?’. No travel nurse contract is the same across specialisms and locations. Why not check out the travel nurse positions we have available now and see for yourself if there’s a good fit? 

However, whether you have your heart set on a local travel nurse assignment or multiple assignments across the country, our expert team of recruiters will match you with your perfect placement every time- get in touch to start your travel nursing journey with Advantage Medical Professionals.