Considering travel nursing but unsure about the lifestyle? Good news—you don’t have to live out of a suitcase to enjoy the perks of travel nursing contracts. Local contracts offer a great alternative.
Are you juggling family responsibilities? Worried about paying rent in two places? Local nurse contracts give you the best of both worlds. You get the flexibility of travel nursing without leaving your hometown. It’s like having your cake and eating it too!
Let’s dive into the world of travel nursing vs. local nursing contracts. This guide will help you decide which path is right for you.
What’s a Local Nursing Contract?
You’ve probably heard about travel nursing. But what about local nursing contracts? How are they different?
Think of a local nurse contract as travel nursing’s homebody cousin. The main difference? The mileage rule. Each facility sets a maximum distance you can live from work to qualify for a local contract.
If you’re within this range, you’re eligible for a local nursing contract. Live further away? You’d be looking at a travel nursing gig instead.
A typical local nursing contract covers all the important stuff:
Pay – Like travel contracts, local ones usually pay per day worked (per diem). While rates vary, per diem nursing often pays well.
Length – Both local and travel contracts usually last about 13 weeks, but can stretch to 26 weeks depending on the job and place.
Schedule – Your contract will spell out your work requirements, including shifts per week and time off. Many local nurses enjoy block booking, letting you pick your shifts in advance and adjust week to week.
Perks – Want family health insurance? Thinking about a 401(k)? You don’t need a staff job for great benefits. Agencies like MAS Medical Staffing can help you find local nursing jobs with the perks you want.
Overtime – All nursing jobs, staff or contract, offer overtime pay. The weekly hour threshold for overtime is set by state law, not the facility. Usually, it kicks in after 40 hours.
The “50 Mile Rule” Myth
Ever heard of the “50 mile rule” in nursing? Let’s clear that up. There’s no universal 50-mile cutoff between local and travel nursing. Each facility sets its own mileage rule. It could be 40 miles, 60 miles, or any other distance.
Let’s bust a common myth in the travel nursing world. Many believe there’s a universal “50 miles rule” for healthcare facilities. The idea is that if you live more than 50 miles away, your contract must include travel nursing perks like tax-free housing stipends. But that’s not true.
The IRS has only two requirements for tax-free stipends:
- Your work makes you leave your tax home area longer than a normal workday.
- You need to sleep or rest away from home due to your job.
If a nursing contract meets these conditions, it’s a travel job by default, not a local one. The facility should then offer tax-free stipends for housing, food, or other basics. But if you turn down these stipends (maybe you already have a place to stay nearby), the contract might become a local nurse contract instead.
Travel Contract vs Local Contract: What’s the Difference?
First off, travel and local nursing contracts have a lot in common. Both typically offer:
- Short-term durations
- Per diem pay
- Competitive wages
- Employee benefits
- Flexible schedules
But there are some key differences too. A far-off travel nursing job might not fit your family life or personal needs. On the other hand, a local contract might not give you the guaranteed hours you want.
To choose between them, you need to understand each contract’s “package” – the guaranteed benefits and requirements. Let’s look at the main differences between travel and local nursing contract packages.
Living location – The main difference between travel and local contracts is where you live. Local contracts need you to live within the facility’s mileage limit. Travel contracts require you to live outside this limit or need nearby housing for work.
Taxable income – Travel jobs offer tax-free stipends to help with costs. These cover housing, meals, and other living expenses from moving. Local contracts don’t provide this tax-free income.
Extra time payment – All nursing jobs offer overtime pay. But not all offer extra time pay. Extra time is when nurses get a higher rate for hours above their contract, but less than overtime. Most travel contracts have extra time pay, but many local ones don’t.
Guaranteed hours – Travel nursing jobs often guarantee hours because you move away from other work chances. This means you’ll always get your scheduled shifts, ensuring your daily pay. Local contracts might not offer this guarantee.
Travel nursing is a unique and exciting healthcare career path. For nurses who can move around, these jobs can broaden your horizons and build valuable experience.
If you’re drawn to new places, here are some travel nursing perks:
- New locations – The biggest plus is, of course, travel. In a year, you can experience many local cultures across the country while growing your nursing career.
- Larger network – Like in most fields, a strong network can boost your nursing career. Travel nurse jobs let you meet more healthcare workers nationwide, building a bigger professional network.
- Top-tier pay – Travel contracts often pay the most among nursing jobs. Nurses can earn up to twice the national average yearly income.
- Paid living costs – Healthcare facilities know travel nursing can be stressful and fast-paced. That’s why most offer tax-free stipends for your living costs, including food and housing.
Pros of Being a Local Nurse
Like the idea of travel nursing but want to stay close to home? For nurses who want job flexibility without moving far, a local nurse contract might be perfect.
As a local nurse, you get some great travel nursing benefits without leaving home. Here are some top perks of a local nurse contract:
Competitive pay – Local nursing jobs offer great pay without needing to move. Per diem nurses can earn about 33% more than the average registered nurse salary.
No extra licenses – Travel nurses need a license for each state they work in, which gets costly and time-consuming. Local work eliminates this need, saving you money and hassle.
Stable home life – Many nurses say the best part of local contracts is keeping their home base. If you have family, kids, or another job, you can stay put while enjoying per diem or PRN nursing perks.
Zero moving costs – No relocation means no moving expenses. Local jobs don’t require any out-of-pocket travel costs.
Build local connections – If you plan to stay in your area long-term, it’s smart to grow your local network. Local contracts help you get to know nearby healthcare systems, coworkers, and job options.
Find Your Ideal Nursing Job with BOS Medical Staffing
Whether you want to travel or stay local, there’s a nursing contract that fits your needs—and we’re here to help you find it.
At BOS Medical Staffing, we work with you to pick the best location, pay, and benefits for your career goals.
With BOS Medical Staffing, you’re in charge of your nursing career. Reach out to our team today, and we’ll help you take control of your healthcare path. As a top travel nurse agency, finding the perfect nursing job for YOU is what we do best.
