Over the last few years, travel nursing has surged in popularity, prompted by overwhelming hospital nurse staffing shortages. For nurses, travel roles promise generous pay, flexible locations, and adventure. For healthcare employers, travel nurses help fill pressing workforce gaps. But even as demand booms, many still wonder – how does the travel nurse industry actually work?
The nursing profession stands at a critical juncture, with a substantial portion of its workforce approaching retirement age. More than half of the healthcare industry’s nurses fall into this demographic, and their impending mass retirements present a dual challenge that cannot be overlooked. It’s not merely a matter of losing numbers; it’s the sudden depletion of invaluable knowledge and experience these seasoned professionals have accumulated over decades of service. As these experienced nurses bid farewell to their careers, healthcare organizations are confronted with the daunting prospect of losing: