Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM
April 15, 2021
Healthcare Travelers are feeling the crunch of lower rates. Here we look at some of the highest paying jobs in the highest-paying specialties and how Covid-19 has affected specialties.
Due to Covid-19, the need for ER nurses and ICU nurses significantly increased. And then two new specialties came about where you are hired to do Covid-19 testing or give Covid-19 vaccines. Right now, there are tons of vaccination jobs throughout the United States ranging from $2084 to $2399, but then you have to answer the question, “Can you switch back to a hospital floor after a vaccine assignment?”
Yes! The only thing is, you must be careful not to extend your time past six months. The best situation would be to take a 13-week assignment in vaccinations and then go back to the hospital floor for 13-weeks. Working a Covid-19 assignment drains you because of being in isolation every day and wondering if you will get sick. With vaccinations, this keeps you in the Travel Healthcare ring but lessens your risk of getting Covid-19 because the people coming to be vaccinated are supposed to be free of disease.
Where are the great rates right now?
- Surprisingly, I found the highest rates are for step-down, progressive care, and the direct observation with take home ranging from $6192 in New York to $2800 in Texas.
- ICU is slowing down but still has some great rates. We are seeing current ICU trends, ranging from $4930 in Michigan to $3878 in Maryland.
- ER assignments are paying in the $4752 in New York to $3325 in Michigan.
- MST is the next highest ranging from $4692 in Michigan to $3024 in Delaware.
- OR rates have stabilized at $4208 in New Jersey to $3580 in Massachusetts. We also see a rise in elective surgeries which should help increase the number of available assignments.
- Labor & Delivery seems to have flattened out, ranging from $4037 in California to $2262 in Massachusetts.
We have found that the three best paying agencies were TotalMed, Fastaff, and Nomad with Emerald, Wellspring Nurse Source, USSI, Republic, and Nurses PRN not too far behind. With over 30 agencies, Wanderly can guarantee that you will find the best assignment for YOU. Why search a gazillion websites for jobs when you can get all that in one website?
The process is simple and starts with talking to a recruiter anonymously. Then we invite you to take the cyber-talk into reality! Working together, you can go on some fantastic assignments and adventures.
Again, we have everything you need right here through our jobs search, partnerships, and informational blog. Don’t be stuck at home making a mediocre salary. Come and join Wanderly on an excellent assignment and make what you are worth.
By Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM author of the Highway Hypodermics: Travel Nursing 2019, CEO of Highway Hypodermics®, LLC. Founder of the Travel Nursing Newbies website & Facebook group.