Benefits of Travel Nursing After Retirement

Retirement is finally here! After all the years of anticipation, you might be asking yourself, “What’s my next adventure?” If you’re in healthcare, have you ever thought about travel nursing?

While some may think it’s only for younger professionals, retirement can be the ideal time to explore a new chapter through travel nursing.

Here are some of the benefits you could see as a travel nurse:

1. The Growing Demand for Nurses

Healthcare is facing a continuing, growing shortage of nurses, making this an ideal time to consider staying in the workforce, even in retirement. In a Health Affairs blog posted in May 2017, Dr. Peter Buerhaus and colleagues projected that more than 1 million registered nurses will retire from the workforce by 2030. This looming shortage of nurses presents a significant challenge for the healthcare industry.

Your experience brings exactly what so many of these hospitals need. You are more valuable than ever and have an opportunity to teach new nurses how to provide exceptional care. Not only can you continue helping the facilities that need nurses the most, but travel nursing allows you the freedom of travel adventures – likely a little bit of what you wanted to do in your retirement anyway. Choose where you want to go and with assignments anywhere from 8-13 weeks or longer, it’s the perfect amount of time to explore a new city.

2. Earn Extra Income While Still Receiving Social Security

One question many retirees have is, “can I work while receiving Social Security benefits?” and the answer is yes! You can receive Social Security retirement or survivors benefits while continuing to work at the same time. In fact, working can potentially increase your benefits over time.

However, it’s important to be aware of the income limits. For 2024, the limit on your earnings while still receiving full benefits is $59,520. If you earn more than this amount, a portion of your benefits may be withheld, but once you reach full retirement age, the earnings limit no longer applies. You can continue working and earning as much as you want without affecting your benefits.

For more information, visit the Social Security Administration’s website.

3. Create a Lifestyle That Works With Your Schedule

One of the greatest advantages of travel nursing is the flexibility it offers. You have the freedom to choose when and where you work, allowing you to fit your assignments around personal commitments, family obligations, or even a desire to just explore the country.

As you enter retirement, this flexibility becomes really valuable when you want to plan your travels around family visits, holidays, or other significant life events.

Say your daughter has moved away to New York and is expecting her first baby. Why not take a 13-week assignment there? You’re considering buying a retirement home in Florida? Use your time off during your assignment to scout areas you’d like to buy in.

Travel nursing doesn’t have to be done in just a hospital either. You can find travel nurse jobs in every setting, including long-term care, residential care, outpatient surgery, schools, vaccine clinics, and more. Retired nurses now have more flexibility than ever, with diverse options and schedules that can fit any lifestyle.