The Whats, Wheres, and Whys of Travel Nursing.
Everything you need to know before making the switch!
Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions in healthcare — but it can also be one of the most demanding. For many staff nurses, long shifts, heavy workloads, and the emotional toll of care delivery can lead to burnout and fatigue. If you’re starting to feel like you’re stuck in a routine that no longer excites or energizes you, you’re not alone.
That’s where travel nursing comes in. More and more Canadian nurses are making the switch to travel nursing as a way to rediscover their passion, see new places, and feel supported while doing the work they love. But travel nursing is still an evolving profession and remains a mystery to some.
So in this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know — what travel nursing is, where travel nurses go, and why it might be the right next step for you. Whether you’re just curious or ready to pack your bags, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
What is a Travel Nurse?
A travel nurse in Canada is a licensed, experienced healthcare professional — typically a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Health Care Aide (HCA), or Allied Health Professional (AHP) — who accepts temporary assignments in healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages. These shortages can be due to seasonal spikes, increased patient loads, or staffing gaps from leaves of absence and vacancies. In any case, the travel nurse is sent to fill the staffing gap.
Most contracts last between 1 to 6 months, but there’s often flexibility to extend if the placement is a great fit. There are many contributing factors that play a part in determining the duration of an assignment, which comes in part thanks to different provincial nursing requirements, so a travel nurse should expect a multitude of distinct travel opportunities to choose from.
Rather than hunting for roles themselves, travel nurses partner with staffing agencies like Goodwill Staffing, who help match them to assignments that suit their skills, preferences, and goals. By providing your recruiter with their resume, credentials, and preferences, the travel nurse will have all the assignment details shared with them; moreover, the agency stays with the nurse all throughout the process, attending to any travel or housing bookings and beyond.
And the best part? You’re never on your own. From the first call to your final day on assignment (and beyond), we’ve got your back.
Travel nursing can be a spontaneous and adaptation heavy field of work that asks a nurse to explore new places while keeping an open mind. Yet it’s that spontaneity of the work that allows for so many possibilities and adventures. A travel nurse is an explorer in their own right, taking on all that the country has to offer and learning on the way. It’s a dynamic option unlike any other for nurses who enjoy flexibility, variety, and the chance to explore Canada’s vast and diverse healthcare landscape.
Where Does a Travel Nurse Go?
Travel nursing is as much about the journey as the job. While some assignments are in larger city hospitals, many are in rural, northern, or remote communities, where healthcare needs are especially urgent. This gives you a chance to make a real difference while experiencing new landscapes, cultures, and lifestyles across Canada.
Here are just a few of the places where Goodwill Staffing sends travel nurses:
Alberta – From the Rockies to the prairies
Prince Edward Island – Small-town charm and coastal beauty
Manitoba – Urban health hubs and remote First Nations communities
Ontario – Large-scale hospitals and seasonal demand
Each assignment includes comfortable accommodations tailored to your needs — whether you’re bringing a pet, prefer a private space, or want to be close to nature. Our team works with trusted housing providers to find the right fit. We look across multiple platforms to find what fits, and even have dedicated housing providers for quick placements.
Language skills also play a big role, especially in a country as linguistically and culturally diverse as Canada. If you’re bilingual in English and French, your ability to connect with patients and providers across the country opens up even more opportunities — and deeper cultural experiences. Bilingualism is not just a resume boost, it’s a bridge to better outcomes and deeper community connection.
Why become a Travel Nurse?
There are a plethora of unique positives that come with travel nursing, many of which can’t be found anywhere else. Here are a few of the top reasons nurses choose to travel:
1. Higher Pay and Perks
Travel nurses often earn significantly more than their staff nurse counterparts — sometimes 20–30% more per hour. In addition to competitive wages, you’ll receive:
- Travel reimbursements
- Living stipends
- Paid onboarding
Travel nursing is considered a more flexible option that offers higher pay in exchange for the temporary and sometimes unpredictable nature of assignments. These perks make travel nursing a financially smart move, especially for those looking to build savings, pay off debt, or just have more freedom.
2. Career Growth and Variety
Every new contract brings a new opportunity to learn. From ICUs and ERs to long-term care and community clinics, you’ll work with diverse patient populations, technology, and teams. This variety can help sharpen clinical skills and make nurses more adaptable and resourceful. A seasoned travel nurse will boast both clinical confidence and a flexible skillset.
Looking to move into leadership or specialize in a new area? Travel nursing is one of the fastest ways to grow your experience — and your resume.
3. Adventure and Exploration
It goes without saying that the ability to travel to new places would be a great opportunity. For those that don’t like sitting in one place or that thrive on the chance to experience new things, being a travel nurse is an opportunity that shouldn’t be overlooked. What better way to spice things up than experiencing a completely new side of life. From coastal British Columbia to the Arctic tundra of Nunavut, travel nursing offers the chance to experience the stunning landscapes and diverse cultures of Canada. It is one of the few careers that provides the opportunity to combine work with travel and discover communities you might never have visited otherwise.
Whether you’re an experienced nomad or a first-time traveler, Goodwill Staffing ensures your transition is smooth and supported.
4. Burnout Prevention
Burnout is a growing concern in the nursing profession, especially in high-pressure, understaffed environments. But changing your scenery can change everything. Travel nursing lets you take intentional breaks between contracts, explore new environments, and rediscover joy in your profession.
If you’ve been feeling emotionally drained, you’re not alone — but you do have options. Engaging and stimulating work helps keep nurses motivated and connected to their passion for care, without the chronic stress that often accompanies permanent roles.
Feeling burnt out? Listen to our podcast episode on burnout in nursing; Care That Never Quits, Episode 2: Shift Happens. Watch to hear real talk and encouragement from our community of healthcare professionals.
Ready to Make the Switch?
The switch from staff nursing to travel nursing can be a scary decision to make. But it doesn’t have to be one you make alone. When you partner with Goodwill Staffing, you gain a team that cares about your goals, preferences, and well-being.
Travel nursing can be a great next step in your career and an even better step towards exploring the most life has to offer. So if you think now’s the time to make the switch — let us know. Because we’re ready when you are.
Want to chat with a recruiter? Reach out to our team — we’d love to hear from you.
