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The New Normal in Travel Nurse Salaries After COVID

Travel Nurse Salaries: A Beacon of Hope

As we emerge from the long and arduous battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for travel nurses.

Travel Nurse Salaries According to:

Travel Nurse Salaries Stablize

Travel Nurse Salaries - from Soaring to Plummeting

 These dedicated healthcare professionals who answered the call for help during the darkest days of the pandemic are now getting the recognition they deserve. The travel nurse salaries, which soared to unprecedented heights during the height of the crisis, are now stabilizing at a respectable level.

Travel Nurse Salaries See 99% Increase Between 2020 & 2021

According to data from healthcare recruitment platform Vivian Health, travel nursing salaries reached a staggering $3,500 per week by December 2020. However, it was in the following year that these salaries truly skyrocketed, reaching a peak of nearly $4,000 per week. This tremendous growth in wages reflected the high demand for travel nurses as hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of COVID-19 patients. Between January 2020 and December 2021, average travel nurse pay increased by an astonishing 99%.

Now Dropping to $3100/week, a New "Floor" is found

While it is true that travel nursing salaries have started to plateau since December 2022 at around $3,100 per week, this should not be seen as a cause for concern. Tim Needham, senior vice president of product at Vivian Health, reassures us that these new salary trends will become the “new floor” of travel pay. In other words, even as rates may dip slightly in the early months of 2023, the overall outlook for travel nurse salaries remains optimistic.

Which Specialties Have the Best Travel Nurse Salaries?

To delve deeper into the subject, let’s take a closer look at the top four nursing specialties and their corresponding salaries. Intensive Care nurses, who played a vital role in saving lives during the pandemic, are now seeing their pay stabilize at an impressive $2,746 per week. Meanwhile, Surgery nurses, who worked tirelessly to ensure that critical procedures could continue amidst the chaos, are now experiencing weekly pay rates closer to $2,428. Emergency room nurses, who confronted the frontlines of the pandemic head-on, are also faring well with a weekly salary of $2,428. Lastly, Home Health nurses, who provided invaluable care and support to patients in the comfort of their own homes, are closing the salary gap at $2,240 per week.

Travel Nurses Are Paid More But Also Have More Financial Responsibilities

While these salaries may not reach the dizzying heights witnessed during the height of the pandemic, they still represent a significant increase compared to pre-COVID levels. The fact that travel nurses continue to earn higher gross wages than permanent staff nurses is encouraging, as it reflects the growing recognition and value placed on their specialized skills and flexibility. Furthermore, it is important to note that travel nurse salaries are inclusive of stipends for housing, meals, and other contract-related expenses incurred on assignment. This comprehensive compensation package ensures that travel nurses can focus on what truly matters—their patients—without worrying about the additional financial burdens of relocation and temporary housing.

Travel Nurse Salaries Have Stabilized And Advanced Post COVID

In conclusion, as we move forward in the post-COVID era, the future looks bright for travel nurses. The stabilization of salaries at a respectable level and the recognition of their invaluable contributions is a testament to their unwavering dedication and resilience. While the golden era of exorbitant travel nurse salaries may be behind us, the current salary trends offer a glimmer of hope and security. Travel nursing is still an attractive career choice, allowing nurses to explore new environments, expand their horizons, and make a meaningful impact on communities in need. With these new salary levels, travel nursing continues to be a beacon of hope for nurses seeking both professional growth and financial stability.

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