Healthcare Community Blog | Fusion Marketplace

The Best-Paying States for Home Health Travel Nurses

Written by Jazmyn Brown | 9/21/23 11:00 AM

When it comes to being a home health travel nurse, you want to check out the most in-demand locations and best-paying states that offer competitive salaries. According to recent data, certain states offer particularly high-paying registered nurse positions for home health travel nurses.

These areas can provide great pay and a wide range of job prospects, making them excellent destinations for a registered nurse who wants a taste of adventure. Keep reading to see the job outlook for a home health RN and the best states for travel assignments.

The job outlook for home health nurses

The job outlook for a home health nurse is promising, as the demand for their services is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of home health and personal care aides is projected to grow by 25% from 2021 to 2031. While there isn't specific data for home health nurses, the demand will also increase, based on the expected growth rate of aides.

This growth is due to the aging population and the increasing need for healthcare services in the comfort of patients' homes. As a result, home health RNs can anticipate a steady stream of job opportunities for years to come. As for a registered nurse who's thinking about traveling, there are so many opportunities in high-paying states.

Highest-paying locations for traveling home health nurses

As a traveling home health nurse, it's nice to prioritize locations that offer higher weekly pay. By selecting the highest-paying cities and states, you can maximize your earnings as a home health nurse on the move. So if you're looking to make the most money as a traveling home health nurse, keep these places in mind:

  • California

  • Oregon

  • Indiana

  • Massachusetts

  • New York

California

Gross weekly salary: Up to $3,717 a week

For a traveling home health nurse considering California, there are some important things to know about the state. First, California has a relatively high cost of living, especially in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. However, certain pay perks for a travel nurse (like a tax-free housing stipend) can offset the high cost of living.

Transportation can be tricky in major metropolitan areas due to heavy traffic and limited parking. Consider public transit or carpooling options to navigate more easily. California offers excellent job opportunities for healthcare professionals, with a growing demand for quality healthcare services.

Here are a couple of cities to consider when searching for home health travel nurse assignments:

  • Hayward

  • San Francisco

Oregon

Gross weekly salary: Up to $3,317 a week

If you're a traveling home health nurse considering Oregon as your next destination, here are a few things to know first! Oregon has a relatively lower cost of living compared to other states on the West Coast, making it more affordable for a travel nurse like yourself. Getting from place to place is pretty convenient, thanks to the well-connected public transit systems and bike-friendly cities.

Oregon is where it's at for healthcare professionals like you. The demand for exceptional healthcare services is sky-high, creating an amazing chance to make a real impact on the wellness of local communities.

Here are a couple of cities to consider when searching for home health nurse jobs:

  • Portland

  • Medford

Indiana

Gross weekly salary: Up to $3,168 a week

If you're a traveling home health nurse wanting to take an assignment in Indiana, here's what you should know. Indiana has a relatively lower cost of living compared to many other states in the U.S., making it an affordable option for a registered nurse. The transportation in Indiana is convenient, with well-maintained road networks and public transit systems in major cities like Indianapolis.

Consider these cities when searching for health health nurse jobs in Indiana:

  • Lafayette

  • Jasper

Massachusetts

Gross weekly salary: Up to $3,144 a week

Massachusetts has a higher cost of living, especially in cities like Boston and Cambridge. It's important to factor in this higher cost when searching for jobs by weekly pay as a registered nurse.

Transportation in Massachusetts is efficient, with a well-connected public transit system including the MBTA subway and bus network. Massachusetts offers excellent job opportunities, with renowned hospitals and medical centers throughout the state.

Here are a couple of cities in Massachusetts to consider when searching for home health nursing jobs in the state:

  • Boston

  • Pittsfield

New York

Gross weekly salary: Up to $2,984 a week

Ready to move to the Big Apple? If you're considering New York, there are some important things to know about the city (and the state). As you probably already know, New York has a high cost of living, especially in the major cities. Be prepared for higher housing costs and expenses compared to other areas. However, transportation in New York is well-developed, with an extensive public transit system including the subway, buses, and trains. This makes the state perfect for home health nurses who are traveling without a car.

Keep an eye on these cities when searching for home health nursing jobs in the city that never sleeps:

  • Hawthorne

  • Garden City

FAQs about home health nurses

What is a home health nurse?

A home health nurse is a registered nurse who specifically works in home health care, providing specialized care to patients in the patients' own homes. They may sometimes be referred to as a home nurse, and spend time taking care of anyone from the elderly to clients undergoing special therapy programs and learning skills to aid in recovering from their injury.

What does a home health nurse do?

These nurses perform physical assessments, administer medication, monitor patients, and follow physician plans of care. Home health nurses are responsible for delivering personalized and essential healthcare services to patients who require medical assistance outside of settings like a hospital, especially when a patient requires more involved skilled nursing like wound care, for example.

This home health care may be coordinated with support from the family of the patient, or built for a person who lives alone full time. The very nature of the home health experience means that the care plan for one patient will drastically differ from one with other needs.

Home nurses' schedule may change day to day, depending on how many patients in a community require home health care treatment.

How to become a home health care nurse

To become a home health care nurse, you need to complete an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. After that, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. From there, you can apply for jobs to join fellow home health nurses.

Should I become a home health RN?

If you feel confident to complete the necessary programs, you value communication and care for patients, and are looking for a nursing position with the ability to exercise more independence and flexibility than in a hospital environment, being a home nurse could be ideal for how you live your life.

Benefits of home health care nursing for patients

Home health care nursing, performed by registered nurses, offers many benefits. It allows patients to receive personalized care in the comfort of their own homes, promoting a sense of familiarity and comfort. Home health care nurses monitor vital signs, manage medication, and coordinate with other healthcare professionals to provide care, all while serving multiple patients in a home setting. This approach enhances convenience, promotes patient autonomy, and can lead to improved health outcomes.

Where do home health nurses work?

Home health nurses work primarily in patients' homes. They visit multiple patients in their homes, offering essential medical services such as basic life support and other specialized skilled nursing care the patient needs. These in-home nurses play a vital role in ensuring the well-being and comfort of home health patients in their own residences.

Find home health nursing travel assignments with Marketplace

If you're searching for home health nursing assignments in specific locations, utilizing a job-search platform like Marketplace can simplify your job search. With its advanced filtering options, you can easily find jobs that match your desired pay and location criteria. By leveraging this tool, you can access a wide range of job listings and connect with recruiters and agencies in high-paying states.

So, whether you're looking for a change of hospital scenery or aiming to maximize your earning potential, Marketplace is a valuable resource for finding high-paying home health assignments in your dream location. Good luck!