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Top 10 Tips for Travel Healthcare Professionals in 2025 – Staff Relief Inc.

10 Tips for Travel Nurses

07/16/2025|Staff Relief Inc|

The Top 10 Things All Travel Healthcare Professionals Should Know

Travel healthcare is more than just an assignment, it’s an opportunity to expand your skills, explore new places, and make an impact where it matters most. Whether you’re a seasoned travel nurse, a respiratory therapist, or a surgical technologist, knowing how to navigate contracts and maximize your experience is key to success.

Here are ten essential tips every travel healthcare professional should keep in mind.

1. The Demand for Your Skills is Higher Than Ever

In 2025, healthcare facilities across the Southeast in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the Carolinas are experiencing critical staffing shortages. High-demand specialties like CT Tech, ER RN, Surgical Tech, RRT, PCU RN, Mammo Tech, Home Health RN, and M/S RN are seeing unprecedented opportunities.

Travel nursing jobs and allied health contracts are plentiful, but competition can be fierce for the best assignments. Staying flexible and proactive will help you secure roles that match your expertise and goals.

2. Understand Tax Implications of Travel Assignments

Many clinicians overlook how travel pay affects their taxes. Housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and per diem allowances can all impact your taxable income. It’s wise to consult a tax professional who understands healthcare contracts to ensure you’re planning ahead and taking advantage of eligible deductions.

3. Credentialing and Compliance Take Preparation

Every state has different licensure and credentialing requirements. Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas all have their own rules around background checks and health records.

Be prepared to provide:

  • A TB test (valid for 1 year)
  • A current physical exam (valid for 1 year)
  • Titers and immunization records
  • A background check
  • A drug screen

It’s smart to get your TB test, physical, and immunizations done while you’re applying so you’re ready as soon as you receive an offer. Keep your immunizations updated, including your flu shot in the fall and COVID vaccinations where required. This will prevent delays when it’s time to start your contract.

Working with a healthcare staffing agency like Staff Relief ensures you’ll have help coordinating these documents and understanding what’s required for each facility.

4. Housing Options Vary by Assignment

Some contracts include housing stipends, while others offer pre-arranged accommodations. It’s critical to understand:

  • What your stipend covers
  • Whether you’ll be responsible for utilities, deposits, or furniture
  • How your housing affects your taxable income

If you prefer to find your own place, Staff Relief can help source local housing options and connect you to reputable providers in your assignment area.

5. Your Reputation Will Follow You

Healthcare facilities often work with the same staffing partners across regions. Showing up on time, being adaptable, and maintaining professionalism will build your reputation and make it easier to secure future assignments.

Positive references can help you access competitive roles in specialties like ER, PCU, and surgical services.

6. Flexibility is Your Superpower

The most successful travel clinicians are those who can pivot quickly. Being open to night shifts, rural contracts, or high-demand specialties often results in higher pay and priority placement.

If you’re willing to work in critical areas, you’ll find more opportunities and stronger negotiating power.

7. Pay Packages Can Be Complex

Your compensation may include:

  • Base hourly pay
  • Travel stipends
  • Housing allowances
  • Completion bonuses

Make sure you understand the full picture, not just the hourly rate. This is essential so that you can budget effectively. A reputable healthcare staffing agency will always be transparent about how your pay is structured.

8. Burnout is Real so Take Care of Yourself

Long shifts and adapting to new teams can be stressful. Protect your mental health by:

  • Scheduling regular downtime between contracts
  • Accessing telehealth services offered through Staff Relief for confidential support
  • Staying connected to your support network

Prioritizing self-care helps you bring your best to every assignment.

9. Smaller Agencies Can Get You Into Hidden-Gem Facilities

Smaller agencies can often place clinicians into smaller community hospitals and rural facilities where patient loads are more manageable, but pay rates remain competitive. These positions are available through Staff Relief in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Only Staff Relief and one or two other boutique firms serve these facilities, so you won’t find these assignments through large national agencies like Aya, Medical Solutions, or AMN Healthcare.

10. Choosing the Right Staffing Partner Matters

Your agency isn’t just your employer, it’s your advocate. The best healthcare staffing partners:

  • Have deep relationships with respected hospitals and clinics
  • Offer personal support before, during, and after your assignment

Staff Relief has decades of experience supporting clinicians across the Southeast, combining local expertise with a commitment to transparency and respect.

Ready to Start Your Travel Healthcare Journey?

If you’re exploring travel nursing jobs or allied health contracts in Georgia and beyond, now is the time to take the next step. With the right support and preparation, your travel career can be rewarding, sustainable, and full of growth. Contact Staff Relief today to learn about current opportunities and find the right fit for your skills and goals.

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