Staying Close to Home as a Travel Nurse

As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to take jobs all over the country. But it’s not a requirement. You can also take local contracts that keep you closer to home! Here are the benefits of staying local and what to keep in mind when taking a local contract.

Benefits of local contracts

Local contract assignments offer you guaranteed work schedules at facilities close to home or in your area. This gives you the security of knowing there’s a schedule set directly by a client in your city or neighborhood. Another advantage to local contracts is that you don’t have to apply for additional nursing licenses. As a travel nurse, you’ll receive higher pay than staff nurses. At ECMStaffing, employees with local contracts are also eligible for benefit programs and increased pay rates.

What type of jobs are available locally?

Local contract assignments are available for Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants and Allied Healthcare Professionals. There are opportunities to work in a variety of facilities including hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, assisted living facilities, rehab and detox centers and even school districts. Contract assignments range from 4 to 26 weeks, or longer!

What’s a radius rule?

Facilities may have certain radius rules in place that stipulate how far you must live from the facility in order to be considered a travel nurse. For example, a hospital may require that you live 40 miles or further from their facility. These rules can vary so if you choose a local contract it’s important to know the rules for the positions you’re interested in.

This means that while you’re working locally, you may experience longer commute times or still have a need for additional temporary housing.

The advantage of working with a staffing agency like Emerald City Medical Staffing is having dedicated industry experts that know all the rules when determining eligibility for local contracts and can help you find available positions.

Still debating the pros and cons of local vs. travel contracts? Read Nursing Contracts: Travel vs. Local

Take the guesswork out of finding a local contract position

Reach out and connect with a recruiter today. View current travel nursing opportunities or call us at 253.475.0695.