As U.S. hospitals adapt to post-pandemic realities, internal travel nurse programs or seasonal programs—once a vital solution to staffing concerns—are undergoing major changes. While some health systems are scaling back or eliminating internal travel contracts, others are refining or expanding them as part of a broader strategy to maintain staffing flexibility and reduce reliance on agency contracts.

 

What is an Internal Traveler 

An internal traveler is a healthcare professional, often a nurse, employed directly by a hospital or health system to work short-term assignments across various units or locations within that organization, providing staffing flexibility without working through an outside agency. They typically work on contracts lasting several weeks to months, helping hospitals address staffing needs while maintaining a degree of stability and familiarity within the same system.

Not a Universal Phase-Out

Contrary to popular belief, internal travel programs are not being scrapped across the board. Large health systems like Mayo Clinic, UPMC, and AdventHealth continue to offer internal travel options. In many cases, hospitals are “right-sizing” their programs rather than eliminating them altogether, seeking a balance between budget constraints and patient care demands.

From Emergency Response to Budget Reality

Internal travel programs surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering hospitals an alternative to high-cost agency contracts while giving nurses short-term assignments with higher pay and flexibility. These programs allowed health systems to shift staff across facilities and regions quickly, stabilizing care in overwhelmed units.

However, as patient volumes have normalized and emergency funding has dried up, many hospitals are finding these programs increasingly expensive to maintain. Nurses in several online forums report that hospitals are ending internal travel options altogether or reducing them to just one or two contracts before requiring nurses to either transition to full-time staff roles—or leave.

“We were told we could finish our current internal contracts, but after that, it’s staff or nothing,” shared one nurse in an internal travel nurse Facebook group.

Declining Pay and Benefits

Nurses in a popular FB group say the appeal of internal roles has diminished with steep cuts in compensation and benefits. What once paid up to $85/hour during the height of the pandemic has now dropped to $60/hour, with some facilities planning to reduce pay further to $50/hour in the coming months. 

Additional concerns include:

• No Housing or Meal Stipends Typically Offered: Unlike agency contracts that meet specific IRS requirements, internal travel roles usually provide a flat, fully taxed hourly wage without tax-free stipends for housing or meals.
• Limited or No Benefits: Some hospitals are offering staff roles with no health insurance, retirement contributions, or PTO.
  
  
• Elimination of Shift Differentials: Night, weekend, and holiday shift bonuses are disappearing.
  
  
• Short-Term Contract Caps: Many nurses are being offered just a few internal assignments before being forced into permanent roles.

Recently, Mission Hospital, an HCA Healthcare-owned hospital, has reduced the hourly pay by $25 for at least 63 nurses who are part of the hospital’s “Weekender Program”, according to interviews with nurses as well as staffing and contract documents and emails obtained by Asheville Watchdog.

Many of those nurses, known as weekenders, were hired last year in the wake of the hospital being placed in immediate jeopardy, the most severe federal sanction a hospital can face.

These changes have prompted many internal travelers to reconsider their options—and some hospitals to rethink their approach.

@wereoutnabout have you taken an internal travel nurse contract? if yes ⬇️⬇️⬇️ ➡️ how long have you been at your facility? ➡️ have they changed/tried to change your initial agreement? if yes ➡️ what did you do? did you stay or push back? how did it end? what additional questions do you have for us? FOLLOW @wereoutnabout for the latest TRAVEL NURSE news & tips #nursesoftiktok #travelnurses #travelnursing #travelingnurse #nursetips #travelnurselife #newgradnurse #nursingschool #travelnurse #nurse #fyp #ernurse #icunurse #travelnursesoftiktok ♬ original sound - Lindsay 🩺 Travel Nurse Expert

@Wereoutnabout Lindsay RN (Travel Nurse Expert) speaks out on Tiktok

@lindseys_leisures 👀 what yall seeing out there in the internal travel nurse world #nurse #nursetok #nursesoftiktok #travelnurse ♬ original sound - Lindsey | Travel RN Coach |

@Lindseys_leisures Lindsey RN speaks out about pay drops on Tiktok

Many Hospitals Return to Agency Partnerships

After experimenting with internal travel staffing, some hospitals are returning to agency partnerships, particularly for hard-to-fill specialties and critical care roles. According to insiders, the administrative burden of credentialing, onboarding, and managing internal travelers has proven more costly and time-consuming than initially expected.

Some nurses also report on Facebook in an Internal Travel Nurse Group that hospitals are hiring newer, less experienced staff to replace both internal and external travelers—a shift that, they argue, may impact care  and team dynamics.

Agency Travel Nursing Remains a Resilient Option

While agency travel nursing remains viable, demand and pay have also decreased from pandemic highs, and competition for desirable assignments has increased. However, traditional travel nursing continues to offer strong incentives and flexibility

• Competitive Pay: According to Vivian weekly earnings range from $2,100–$2,400, with some specialties earning $2,700+, depending on location and demand.
  
  
• Tax-Free Stipends: Housing, meals, and travel reimbursements boost take-home pay.
  
  
• Full Benefits: Most full service agencies offer health insurance, retirement plans, mental health resources, clinical support and license reimbursement.
  
  
• Flexible Scheduling: Nurses can take breaks during and in between assignments and choose where and when they work.
  
  
• Skill Building: Exposure to various clinical settings enhances nurses’ adaptability and career development to grow their resume.
  
  
• Travel Perks: Travel nurses can explore new cities, national parks, and bucket-list destinations.
  
  
• Supportive Communities: Strong connections with fellow travelers and recruiters help reduce burnout and create a sense of camaraderie.

If you're interested in travel nursing, check out this informative guide: How To Become A Travel Nurse In 6 Steps

A Hybrid Future for Nurse Staffing

As the healthcare industry continues to stabilize, many hospitals are adopting hybrid staffing models that include a mix of permanent staff, float pools, internal travelers, and agency nurses. Per diem staffing is also on the rise, offering hospitals flexibility without long-term commitments.

While internal travel nurse programs are no longer as widespread or generous as they were during the height of COVID-19, they remain a part of many systems’ broader staffing strategies. For nurses, the shifting landscape offers both challenges and opportunities.

In an industry still recovering from unprecedented stress, one thing is clear: the demand for skilled, flexible, and experienced nurses isn’t going away. Whether through agency assignments or refined internal programs, travel nursing continues to evolve—and remains a critical part of the healthcare workforce.

🤔What do you think about Internal Travel Nurse Contracts? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.