History

• According to travelnursing.com, the travel nursing industry began in the early 1980s due to the seasonal and regional healthcare shortages that healthcare facilities began to experience.
  
  

Potential

• Registered nurses, dialysis nurses, advanced practical nurses, experienced licensed practical and vocational nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse managers have the potential to become traveling nurses.
  
  

Working Hours

• The hours a traveling nurse work are contingent on the company for which the traveling nurse she works. For instance, the Nurse Choice Agency requires traveling nurses to work 48 to 60 hour work weeks, including overtime.
  
  

Time Frame

• Travel nurses have the right to choose the time length of assignments. A travel assignment can range from 8 to 52 weeks in length (13 weeks being the average, according to travelnursing.com).
  
  

Hourly Pay Scale

• The hourly pay rate for a traveling nurse varies. The Nurse Choice Agency offers nurses $35 to $40 an hour (depending on the assignment location and nursing specialty).