Travel Nurse Agency USA

StaffBank places internationally trained travel nurses in US hospitals and health systems, managing NCLEX, VisaScreen and multi‑state compact licensing from brief to start date.

Travel Nurse Agency USA —

International Travel Nurses With Full Licensing Managed

Travel nursing is one of the most significant workforce mechanisms in US healthcare. Travel nurses currently fill approximately 18 percent of all registered nurse vacancies across US hospitals. Travel nurse agencies earn $2.3 billion annually from US healthcare staffing shortages — up 45 percent since 2020. For hospital administrators managing persistent vacancy rates that average 9.6 percent nationally, travel nurses are not a supplement to permanent staffing — they are a structural component of how US hospitals function.

Hourly rates for travel nurses averaged $78 in 2023, up 32 percent from 2021, and continue to rise with demand. International travel nurses — properly licensed through NCLEX and VisaScreen — represent a growing and largely untapped source of qualified travel nursing talent that offers US health systems access to global clinical expertise alongside domestic supply.

StaffBank as a trusted healthcare RPO company in USA places internationally trained nurses into US health systems in travel and contract roles – managing NCLEX, VisaScreen, multi-state compact licence applications, and immigration coordination so our US healthcare clients receive nurses who are licensed, compliant, and ready to work from day one.

Travel nurses fill 18 percent of all RN vacancies in US hospitals. International travel nurses properly licensed through NCLEX and VisaScreen represent the fastest-growing pipeline supplement for US healthcare organisations facing domestic supply constraints.

Nurse Licensure Compact — Multi-State Licensing

The Nurse Licensure Compact allows registered nurses to hold a single multi-state licence permitting practice in any of the 40-plus compact member states. For travel nurses moving between states, compact licensure significantly simplifies the licensing process and reduces time between engagement and first shift. StaffBank advises on compact state eligibility for every international travel nurse candidate and manages the compact licence application.

Specialties in Highest Demand for US Travel Nurses

ICU and critical care — consistent high demand across all US markets
Emergency department — ED nurses with triage and major trauma experience
Operating theatre — scrub nurses, PACU nurses, perioperative specialists
Medical-surgical — general ward nurses for acute care settings
Telemetry and step-down units — cardiac monitoring specialists
Labour and delivery — obstetric and postpartum nursing
Paediatrics and psychiatric nursing — specialist demand across all states

Frequently Asked Questions

How does travel nursing work for internationally trained nurses coming to the USA?

Internationally trained nurses entering the US travel nursing market follow the same licensing pathway as permanent nurses — CGFNS, VisaScreen, NCLEX-RN, and state board licensing. International travel nurses typically begin on longer-term contracts of 6 to 12 months initially, with flexibility to move to shorter travel contracts once state licensure is established. StaffBank manages the full licensing and immigration pathway for every international travel nurse we place.

What does a travel nurse package typically include in the USA?

US travel nurse packages for internationally trained nurses typically include a tax-free housing stipend, a travel allowance, health insurance, and a competitive hourly rate. Hourly rates averaged $78 in 2023 and continue to rise. For internationally trained nurses the total compensation package — including housing stipend and allowances — represents significantly higher take-home value than equivalent nursing positions in most source countries. StaffBank briefs every candidate thoroughly on package structures before commitment.

Which US states have the highest demand for travel nurses?

Travel nurse demand is highest in California, Texas, Florida, and New York — the largest US healthcare markets. However states with the most acute shortages relative to their populations are typically rural states — Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, rural Appalachia — where domestic nurse supply is most constrained. StaffBank places travel nurses across all US states.

How long does it take for an internationally trained nurse to be ready to start travel nursing in the USA?

From first contact to first shift, the realistic timeline is 9 to 18 months — primarily determined by the CGFNS evaluation and NCLEX examination timeline. StaffBank begins the process at the earliest possible stage. Nurses from the Philippines have the most proven track record of US nursing licensure and tend to have the most streamlined pathways from established source markets. Ready to close your clinical vacancies? Book a 20 minute strategy call with our team today.