r/TravelNursing

I tried to post about this in r/nursing but it's apparently against the subreddit rules :/

I'm transitioning from travel to staff and applying for permanent positions. I'm feeling extremely frustrated at the amount of almost instant rejections I'm getting which makes me suspect that my application is not getting past the keyword weed out filters. I have 12 + years of experience that's mostly ICU with some stepdown. I've been at every size hospital from large level I teaching hospitals in major cities to small 30 bed rural hospitals and I've worked in every ICU specialty except burn. I can't help but feel like at this point it's not an issue with my qualifications. I just don't know how to optimize my resume to get it on an actual human's desk. As an elder millennial, I have no idea how to up my application game for 2026. Has anyone been in a similar situation recently and had success?

EDIT: thank you all much for sharing your advice/insight and experiences. I'm reading through these and it's so so helpful

I’ve been waiting for my MA license for the last two months with no end in sight. I am about to say screw it and close my eyes and pick a state that allows me to practice with a temp license.

I recently started a contract as Kaiser with the understanding that they float travelers first and sometimes multiple times in a shift. No big deal. But I got my schedule and they are already scheduling me on other units. Can they do this? Usually when I float I clock into my home unit and THEN they tell me I’m floating, not already being scheduled there. For reference I work labor and delivery and am being floated to postpartum, so well within my scope. I’m more so just unsure about the way they’re going about it? This was not a labor & delivery and pp joint contract. It almost seems like they are using me as a float pool when that’s not what I’m contracted for. Esp with the 1 day of orientation to postpartum. Am I reading to hard into this?

For those that take call (cath lab, IR, OR) and traveling to major cities like New York, do you look for housing close to the hospital so you can be close by and take public transit? Or stay overnight instead of commuting in if you are called in the middle of night? Just curious how call works in a major cities where it can be pricy to find housing closer to the hospital, but also where it might not be the most practical to bring a car.

My goals and life dreams do not fit into a traditional lifestyle and I’m torn between going to nursing school or just trying to find whatever seasonal jobs I can. I want a home base somewhere eventually but ultimately want to travel, work seasonally, and eventually have my own business on the side, are these some of the motivations you had with this career? Has it allowed you to achieve your goals? Do you regret it? Any advice is appreciated.
(Also I’m a bit older, I have had jobs this would not be my first career I am currently in F&B/hospitality, but desire more freedom and something that pays more)

So I am currently on a nursing contract 3 hours away from my home. I get a stipend. My question was how do I get into local travel nursing?? I want to be closer to home.

Any websites you all recommend/ recruiting agency? On my current agency(AMN) Website it only shows stipends and travel contracts.

I DJ as a hobby and try to fit into the scene wherever there is one. It's a love/hate thing for me because as soon as I get traction with the local scene my contract is up and I'm moving on.

This kinda stinks because the scene is always networking/word of mouth. So I'm always the odd one out and having social anxiety doesn't help!

Do y'all start looking into the social aspects of an area before you go?

My last contract I had built up a small following in the city and had a good connection with the local DJ community, so it was bittersweet when my contract was up.

Hello,

Does anyone know/have a list of hospitals in Texas that will accept applications and give a contract without an SSN? First time Canadian RN traveller with. Texas license wanting to go to hospital there. TYIA!!

Has anyone recently worked UNMH PACU/pre-op, especially as an Aya traveler? I'd love to hear about the unit culture, staffing, orientation, traveler treatment, floating, scheduling flexibility, weekends and especially call/callback requirements.

I'm also curious whether travelers were generally able to cluster their four shifts together and whether your guaranteed hours were honored.

For anyone who relocated to Albuquerque, where did you stay and did you feel that having a car was necessary if living close to UNMH?

I'm particularly interested in recent 2025–2026 experiences, since I know units and management can change. Thank you!

Hello Everyone! I am a travel nurse who is moving agencies. Right now I pay $120 a week for health insurance with CC. My next contract with MS does not start until a month after my last day. I need health insurance bridge recommendations plz! Preferably a nationally accepted insurance plan. I'm from Texas traveling to Arizona. Any advice or recommendations appreciated!

"Hi [Name], thank you for working on this one. After thinking it over, I've decided this assignment isn't the right fit for me, and I wanted to let you know right away before anything moves forward. The setting and location just aren't what I'm looking for. I really appreciate the opportunity and would love to be considered for future contracts, particularly [hospital/acute care/specific specialty, ideal distance or region, etc.]. Let me know what else you have coming up."

All that's left is to sign the contract but I've been thinking about it and it's a correctional facility in a small town a few hours away from me. How would you decline while not making the recruiter think you aren't reliable for future opportunities? Thanks!