Travel Nurse Glossary (50+ Terms)
General Travel Nurse Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Travel Nurse | A registered nurse who takes short-term contracts (usually 13 weeks) at facilities across the country. |
| Assignment | A single contract with a hospital or facility, usually lasting 8–26 weeks. |
| Staff Nurse | A permanent, full-time hospital nurse (vs. contract nurse). |
| Crisis Assignment | High-demand, short-term assignment with elevated pay due to staffing emergencies. |
| Float Pool | A group of nurses who rotate across units; travelers may be required to float to similar units. |
| Guaranteed Hours (GH) | The minimum hours you’ll be paid each week, even if you’re called off within policy limits. |
| Extension | Staying at the same facility for another contract after the current one ends. |
Pay & Tax Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | The taxable base pay for your work hours. |
| Stipend | Non-taxable allowance for housing, meals, or travel expenses (when you maintain a qualifying tax home). |
| Per Diem | Daily stipend or reimbursement for meals and incidentals. |
| Blended Rate | The average of taxable and non-taxable pay combined, expressed as one hourly number. |
| Tax Home | Your permanent home base used by the IRS to determine eligibility for tax-free stipends. |
| Bill Rate | The hourly amount the facility pays the agency; your pay package is a portion of this rate. |
| GSA Rate | Federal per-diem rate used to cap tax-free stipends based on assignment location and dates. |
| Pay Package | Total compensation including base pay, stipends, reimbursements, and bonuses. |
| Reimbursement | Money paid back to you for approved expenses such as travel, licensing, or scrubs. |
Want to go deeper? Many of these pay and stipend terms are covered in detail in our Travel Nurse Salary Guide 2025.
Contract & Job Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Contract | The legal document outlining assignment pay, duties, schedule, and terms. |
| Start Date | The date your assignment officially begins. |
| Cancellation Clause | Defines when and how a contract can be ended early by you, the agency, or the facility. |
| EMR (Electronic Medical Record) | The charting system used by the facility (e.g., Epic, Cerner, Meditech). |
| Orientation | Onboarding or training period before full job duties begin; may be paid. |
| Shift Type | Specifies days, nights, rotating shifts, weekends, and related scheduling. |
| Call-Off Policy | Rules for when the facility can cancel your shift and whether you’re paid. |
Housing & Logistics
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Agency-Provided Housing | Furnished living arranged and paid for by your agency. |
| Housing Stipend | Non-taxable weekly pay to secure your own housing (if you meet tax-home rules). |
| Furnished Finder | A short-term rental platform popular with travel healthcare workers. |
| Extended Stay | Hotel-style housing often used for short assignments or fast setup. |
| Travel Reimbursement | Partial payment for mileage, flights, or relocation to/from your assignment. |
Facility & Unit Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Med-Surg | Medical-Surgical unit; common entry point with broad patient care. |
| Telemetry (Tele) | Unit monitoring patients with cardiac or respiratory needs. |
| ICU | Intensive Care Unit; requires specialized experience/certifications. |
| Stepdown | Progressive/Intermediate Care unit between ICU and Med-Surg. |
| L&D | Labor & Delivery; maternity and childbirth care. |
| OR | Operating Room. |
| ER/ED | Emergency Room/Emergency Department. |
| PACU | Post-Anesthesia Care Unit; immediate post-op recovery. |
| NICU | Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; critical care for newborns. |
People & Agencies
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Recruiter | Your primary agency contact who helps find jobs and negotiate terms. |
| Compliance Team | Agency department that manages credentials, background check, and drug test. |
| Vendor Management System (VMS) | Platform connecting hospitals with multiple staffing agencies. |
| Managed Service Provider (MSP) | An agency that manages traveler hiring for a facility or system. |
| Internal Staff | Employees who work directly for the hospital. |
Certifications & Licenses
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Compact License (NLC) | Multistate license allowing RNs to work in participating compact states. |
| BLS | Basic Life Support; required for nearly all assignments. |
| ACLS | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support; common in Tele, ICU, and ER. |
| PALS | Pediatric Advanced Life Support; needed for pediatric and ER roles. |
| NIHSS | Stroke scale certification used in neuro and related settings. |
| CEUs | Continuing Education Units required to maintain licensure. |
