At some point in the career of just about any travel nurse, there comes a point where you begin to wonder if working outside of a travel nurse agency is for you; whether or not it will pay off, and what kind of risk is associated with it.

Here’s a quick look at the benefits of working for an agency as well as the benefits of working for yourself.

Pros for travel nurse agency:

• You get private, furnished housing, ready to move into (although I’ve had furniture delivered late on occasion).
• You don’t have to handle negotiating directly with hospitals for your rates and other aspects of your contract.

Pros for being a self-employed travel nurse/contract travel nurse

• Travel nurses who work outside the traditional nurse/agency arrangement usually make more money.
• There are more deductions that can be taken on your tax return.