May 19, 2025
May 20, 2025
Steve Vittorioso
Travel nursing is undergoing major changes—driven by shifting healthcare demands, evolving nurse expectations, new compliance rules, and increasingly advanced technologies. It’s been a volatile year.
According to Staffing Industry Analysts, travel nurse revenue dropped by 37% in 2024. The slowdown was largely due to declining assignment volumes and downward pressure on pay rates. And with further declines projected for 2025, many in the industry are bracing for what’s next.
Despite the slowdown, the nursing shortage persists. In fact, demand remains strong—particularly for nurses with specialized skills in emergency care, telemetry, and ICU settings.
At the same time, mobility is improving: 43 U.S. jurisdictions now participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact, making it easier for nurses to work across state lines. Pennsylvania and Guam are partially implemented, and new legislation is under consideration in Alaska, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.
In our webinar, “The Future of Travel Nursing: Key Trends to Watch in 2025,” Karen Rodriquez, Founder and Owner of Eternal Medical Services, helped us make sense of these shifts—and what they mean for the future of staffing.
Here are a few takeaways from the conversation:
As cross-state mobility grows, so does the complexity of staying compliant. Karen emphasized that navigating these requirements takes more than manual tracking. It demands close relationships with background screening providers, real-time awareness of regulation changes, and an ATS that can adapt quickly. For agencies, compliance isn’t just a process—it’s a capability.
AI and automation are playing a bigger role across the board. For recruiters, that means automating busywork and improving workflows. For nurses, it means mastering new tools while maintaining high-quality patient care. Karen noted that today’s nurses are expected to be more tech-savvy than ever, and staffing firms need to support them as they adapt.
Nurses who invest in continuing education and develop niche expertise—in areas like critical care, hospice, home health, and telehealth—are better positioned for long-term success. These specialties are seeing growing demand, and agencies that help clinicians upskill will be able to offer greater value to healthcare clients.
While the travel nursing market is facing headwinds, it’s also full of opportunity. Nurse mobility is increasing, technology is getting smarter, and specialized talent is more essential than ever. The staffing firms that succeed will be the ones that double down on compliance, embrace the right tech, and build lasting relationships with both clinicians and clients.
Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording on-demand here.
