One of the most common myths about travel nursing is you have to travel across the country, or even work out of state
The IRS does not have a specific ‘50-mile rule’ describing a certain distance you have to work away from home. This 50-mile or 100-mile radius is used by many hospital facilities as a general rule of thumb, to prevent their full-time staff nurses from picking up the contracts themselves.
If you’re considering this local travel nurse/technician strategy, here are some of the pros and cons of taking a travel nursing assignment in your home state.
Travel Nursing Outside of 50 Miles of Your Home of Record
If your home of record (your tax home) is not within 50 miles of your assigned facility, you are entitled to special government subsidies for lodging and meals that are tax-free.
The distance must be far enough to require you to rest at a location near your assignment for you to fulfill your position at the medical facility.
For more specifics on actual tax deductions you can claim while working on local contracts, and more information about “tax home”, consult with a tax professional who can give you the most accurate information about the laws in your state.
Travel Nursing Within 50 Miles of Your Home of Record
As far as the IRS is concerned, you may sign on with a facility as a travel nurse within your home of record (your tax home), however, you will not receive the same subsidies (stipends) for lodging and meals. The IRS does not want to pay for lodging and meals if it not necessary or required. Without the added subsidies, is it worth becoming a local travel nurse instead of a full-time employee? Definitely. Read on to see why.
You’ll Receive Higher Pay Than Staff Nurses
As a travel nurse, even in your home state, you’ll receive higher pay than an average staff nurse — even without the housing and meal stipends.
Even as a local travel nurse, you may be required to take on a nursing role quickly, due to demand in certain areas, or during times of need, with little to no training. This is one of the many reasons our travel nurses receive some of the highest pay in the industry.
Added benefits are:
- Flexible scheduling (choices for part-time, full-time, holidays, and weeks off at a time)
- Flexible contracts (short as 8-week contracts to as long as 52 weeks)
- Referral Bonuses
- Sign-on & completion bonuses
- and more
Whether you’re a local travel nurse or a nurse who travels across the country for your assignments, we have benefit packages that will work for you.
Start as a Local Travel Nurse & Explore the Opportunity to Travel Outside your State With Your Next Contract
One way to make a trial run of travel nursing or travel dialysis jobs, consider becoming a local traveler, then a month before your contract expire, ask your recruiter to search for you a job in your favorite state. If location is not a priority for you, you can ask your recruiter to look for jobs that pay a certain amount. You have the power and flexibility to search criteria that is worth moving around from contract to contract.
How Long Can I Stay at One Location As a Travel Nurse?
Most travel nursing contracts last anywhere between 8 to 52 weeks. On average a nurse or dialysis technician may stay on one job for 13 to 26 weeks, renewing contracts every 8 to 13 weeks. Most travel nurses and travel dialysis professionals will not stay at a facility for more than 52 weeks because the IRS considers a travel nurse a resident after a year, therefore you will lose the tax-free benefit of your stipend. If you want to continue to receive your tax-free benefits, you must change assignments at least once a year. You don’t have to move your housing location if your next assignment is within a desirable driving distance, but you will be required to move to a different facility/contract.
Let Onyx & Jasper Healthcare Help You Find The Right Travel Nursing Assignment for Your Needs
Are you ready to begin local travel nursing? Whether you’re looking for your first travel nurse contract or hoping to switch it up and stay local, Onyx & Jasper Healthcare is here to help you.
Submit your resume and register with us today to start your local travel nursing adventure now. Still, have questions? Contact us online or call us at (832) 509-1517
Have you experienced local travel and have additional tips to share with your fellow traveler?
Researching travel nursing and travel dialysis while jobs while sorting through all the information collected can be stressful and cause the process to be more terrifying than it is, talking to one of our dedicated recruiters, that have walked in your shoes, are sure to guide you and put you at ease.
By following these simple tips, you will always know what to expect, where your passport is at all times, how much money you’re spending on flights and accommodations (and when), and most importantly, that you are ready in case of emergency.
What are some of your own best traveling healthcare hacks? Share them with us below!