Travel nursing continues to be popular throughout the country. Healthcare facilities are still feeling the effects of the mass nurse exodus that began in 2020 and is expected to continue until at least 2027, and they depend on the support that travel nurses offer. That’s not showing any signs of stopping in the coming year.
If you’re a travel nurse, or if you’re thinking about becoming one, knowing what to expect from the job market can help you decide what your next career steps should be. Take a closer look at the current travel nursing job market and what the field might look like in 2025 so you can tackle the new year correctly.
The current travel nursing job market
There has been a lot of fluctuation in the travel nursing market in the past year.
Travel nursing by the numbers
Around the country, there are 4.3 million registered nurses (RNs) with active licenses. However, only 3.5 million are providing care to patients. In 2022, only 5% of registered nurses were working as travel nurses.
Now that a few years have passed since the pandemic, the nursing market has settled into a new normal. The travel nursing industry isn’t growing as rapidly as it was in 2020, but it is still worth more than it was pre-pandemic.
Nurses, including travel nurses, continue to leave the industry. Burnout remains a concern, and Arizona is the state in which the highest burnout levels occur. The rates of emotional burnout are about the same between local and travel nurses, but travel nurses tend to experience more physical burnout.
The rate of registered nurses who are planning to try travel nursing has also dropped. In 2023, only 7% of RNs planned to try travel nursing. This was a change from 2022, when as many as 18.1% of nurses were interested.
Of all of the states, California has the highest demand for travel nurses, mostly due to the state’s large population. Also, California is one of only a few states that must meet mandatory patient-nurse ratios. Other states with high demands include Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New York.
Travel nursing salaries in 2025
On average, travel RNs make about $2,106 per week, which is about $109,000 per year. By comparison, local nurses make about $86,070. Alaska is the state that pays travel nurses the most, but the cost of living there is higher. California, New York, New Jersey, and Maine also pay well.
This year, travel burn care nurses were the specialty that got paid the least, while travel first assist nurses got paid the most. Other high-paying specialties include travel operating room nurses and nurse managers.
Nursing job market outlook for 2025
A number of factors continue to make travel nursing an excellent career path in 2025.
Persistent shortage of staff nurses
Staff nurses are predicted to continue leaving the industry this coming year. An aging population as well as nurses who are approaching retirement combine to make nurse demand much higher. Until 2033, there are 197,000 predicted registered nurse job openings per year, but by 2032, it’s expected that only 177,440 new nurses will enter the workforce.
These numbers mean that travel nurses will remain relevant in the field for many years since facilities will depend on them to fill critical positions. The areas that will continue to be hardest hit by shortages are rural ones, but even in large cities, the approaching retirement of a significant number of nurses prompts the need for staff.
Increased demand for home health care travel nurses
The American population is rapidly aging. Today, one in six people in the United States is 65 or older. The baby boomer generation faces a crisis in healthcare because of the nursing shortages, especially in the home health care sector.
When compared with older generations, baby boomers have higher divorce rates, leaving many alone as they age. There has also been a rise in Alzheimer’s disease numbers, increasing the need for nurses.
All of these factors combine to increase demand for travel nurses who specialize in home healthcare. That is predicted to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the field, along with emergency nursing care options.
Need for behavioral health travel nurses
Behavioral health travel nurses will also be sought out in 2025 and beyond. Psych travel nurses of all types are needed for facilities and even home care. These are nurses who help patients with substance use disorders and behavioral or mental health conditions.
One of the challenges of this field is that employers often seek psych travel nurses with four to five years of experience. This slows the process of getting new people into these roles. Because of the huge demand for these professionals, 2025 can offer a number of opportunities if you have the necessary experience.
Expected increased use of technology
The expected further reliance on technology opens more doors for travel nurses. More providers offer telehealth services, and travel nurses can have even more opportunities to help rural or isolated communities without necessarily having to live there.
Telehealth services allow nurses to take on more patients, and this plays a significant role in helping nursing shortages. At the same time, telehealth services assist nurses in maintaining work-life balance and preventing burnout.
Another important factor to consider is artificial intelligence. AI technology will continue to expand in the medical field, and this means that travel nurses, as well as staff nurses, will need to learn to use it. Those who master the use of AI tools early may find themselves with a leg up versus the rest of the talent pool.
Travel nursing market stabilization
In 2025, the travel nursing market is expected to stabilize after all of the fluctuations of recent years. That could mean a slight dip in compensation for travel nurses, because there won’t be the same level of competition among hospitals and other facilities as there was during the pandemic.
Hospitals are doing their best to find contract nurses to take on long-term positions, and this means that travel nurses have to be strategic about their job search. It’s more important than ever to work with a leading staffing provider with access to top job opportunities in a variety of markets.
Prolink is your gateway to the best travel nursing assignments across the country. Enjoy comprehensive benefits and relationships with recruiters who really care. Connect with a recruiter today to get started.
In-demand travel nurse specialties for 2025
In 2025, a number of specialties in the travel nurse field will be in high demand.
ICU travel nursing
ICU travel nurses are expected to be in great demand in the coming year. ICU nurses help critically ill patients in intensive care units, but they are versatile team members who can work in a variety of settings. Rural areas as well are in particular need, but most hospitals need travel ICU nurses to supplement their staff.
Medical-surgical travel nursing
Med-surg travel nurses help patients who are about to undergo surgery, are recovering from a procedure, or have serious medical conditions. They can perform a variety of tasks and are needed in any facility where surgeries are performed. States like Alaska, California, and Hawaii are searching for travel med-surg nurses.
Emergency room travel nursing
ER travel nurses provide immediate care to patients who come into the emergency room. These patients are typically critically ill or injured people. ER nurses must be able to assess injuries quickly and decide which people require immediate attention. They must also be able to act calmly in a chaotic environment and coordinate care with other professionals.
Home health travel nursing
Home health travel nurses offer care to patients in their homes. They monitor vitals, perform basic tests, care for wounds, and administer injections and other treatments. This field of nursing can pay very well, especially if you have a few years of experience.
Telemetry travel nursing
Because telemetry travel nurses monitor patients’ cardiac rhythms, they are essential team members in a cardiac care unit. They keep records of oxygen levels, breathing patterns, heart rate, and blood pressure, and they maintain patient records. These nurses also provide patient education for those facing cardiac issues.
Begin your travel nursing adventure in 2025
Travel nursing can be a highly rewarding experience that not only allows you to help patients in high-need areas but also lets you travel across the country and meet new people. Although the industry is expected to change a bit this coming year with employers continuing to look for long-term workers, the demand for travel nurses remains high.
If you want to take the next step in your career, turn to our knowledgeable and dedicated Prolink recruiters. Prolink connects healthcare providers with employers from across the country. Because we get to know all of our clients and nurses, aligning with their personal and professional goals, we can pair you with the perfect position.
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