How Long Are Travel Nursing Assignments?
Travel nurses thrive on flexibility. Whether you're planning your next adventure or just starting out, one of the most common questions we hear is, how long are travel nursing assignments? The answer can vary, and that’s the beauty of it. 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, 20 weeks, and even up to 52 weeks are available.
Travel nursing is built to adapt to your lifestyle and goals. Whether you're chasing coastlines, saving for something big, or just looking for a professional change of pace, we will help you understand how assignment lengths work and how to make the most of them.
What is the standard travel nurse assignment?
The typical travel assignment is 13 weeks, but lately, we’ve seen more and more nurses opting for shorter assignments with the ability to extend. It’s all about clinician preference.
Facilities often need support for a full scheduling cycle or during peak seasons. A 13-week contract provides enough time for onboarding, orientation and meaningful clinical impact.
The 13-week travel nursing assignment has become a popular choice, especially in high-demand specialties like:
If you're a nurse looking for a little more stability with a built-in finish line, a 13-week assignment might be right for you.
Can travel nursing assignments be shorter or longer?
Absolutely. Flexibility is one of the biggest perks of travel nursing.
Some assignments are as short as 4 to 8 weeks.
These tend to be:
- Critical fills
- Strike coverage roles
- Crisis response assignments
They’re ideal if you’re between long-term roles, exploring a new specialty, or want to test the waters in a new city.
Other travel nurse assignments can be as long as 20-52 weeks if extended.
Extended assignments offer more consistency and deeper relationships with the inter-disciplinary team. An extension often occurs when:
- A facility anticipates a longer staffing gap
- You are working in a hard-to-fill location
- A clinician and a facility agree to continue the working relationship
- You are meeting and/or exceeding performance expectations
- You are a strong fit with the unit’s team culture and values
At Nomad, we make it easy to extend your current contract or find a similar opportunity nearby if you’re not ready to move on just yet.
How to choose the right assignment length
There’s no one-size-fits-all, just the one that fits you. Ask yourself…
How much time can I commit?
Am I trying to explore a new area of the country?
Do I need downtime between assignments?
Does it help me achieve a goal—whether financial, clinical experience or something else?
What affects travel nursing assignment lengths?
Several factors can shape the duration of your assignment. The length of your assignment may depend on facility needs, licensing requirements, your specific goals and the assignment type.
Facility needs: Some hospitals and clinics know they’ll need long-term coverage, while others may only need help for a few weeks.
Licensing requirements: Compact state licenses make it easier to travel across state lines without delays. More on that later!
Your goals: Whether you want to spend more time with family or stack shifts for a financial goal, your preferences matter.
Assignment type: Seasonal surges (like flu season) or natural disaster response can affect timing.
Can you extend a travel nursing assignment?
Yes, and many travelers do. There are four common scenarios when it comes to extending your travel nursing contract.
You love the facility and want to stay longer
The facility loves you and wants you to extend
The facility still needs urgent support
You’re hoping to line up future assignments nearby
Our team has made this process easy. If an extension is available, a Nomad Navigator can help you review the new contract and continue with your assignment without missing a beat.
Thinking about extending your contract?
If you’re enjoying your current assignment and want to stay longer, here are a few proactive steps that can help:
Start the conversation early. The sooner you let your Nomad Navigator know, the more time we have to explore extension options on your behalf.
Loop in your nurse manager. Letting them know you're interested in staying can open the door for a facility-led request.
Lead with professionalism. Showing up on time, communicating clearly, and being a team player can go a long way when a facility is considering an extension.
That said, even the most dedicated clinicians aren’t guaranteed an extension. Sometimes it comes down to staffing needs.
Chart your path, your way
Every travel nursing assignment is an opportunity to grow, earn, and explore. Whether you're mapping out your next few months or looking for a long-term opportunity, knowing your options helps you move forward with clarity.
At Nomad, we remove the guesswork. We give you complete autonomy and visibility into pay, facility details, and assignment duration before you apply. Just you, your goals and Nomad Navigators standing by just in case you need a little extra help.
Whether you want to build your resume, explore new clinical settings or travel light and fast, we can help you get you where you want to go. 4 weeks in Phoenix or 26 weeks in Seattle, Nomad helps you find the right fit—faster.
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Frequently asked questions
- Assignments can be as short as 4 weeks, especially for urgent staffing needs.
- Yes! Extensions are common and depend on facility needs and mutual agreement.
- Absolutely. You can build in rest days, take a vacation, or immediately book your next gig—it’s up to you. Just be open and communicative with the facility.
- Not necessarily. Longer assignments offer stability, but shorter ones give flexibility. The best length is the one that fits your lifestyle best.
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