The TravelNurse Rate blog
Practical breakdowns on contracts, taxes, stipends, and negotiation.
August 21, 2026
Your Recruiter Says the Stipends Are Maxed. Here's How to Check.
Federal per-diem rates are public. Here's how to check whether your travel nurse housing and meal stipends actually hit them — and what to say if they don't.
Read postAugust 2, 2026
Why the Higher-Paying Contract Isn't
Two offers, $400 a week apart. The lower one pays more. Here's the arithmetic that flips it — state tax and housing, not the headline rate.
Read postAugust 1, 2026
Do You Actually Have a Tax Home?
Your stipends are only tax-free if you have a tax home. Here's what the IRS actually looks at, which agency 'rules' are myths, and what it costs if you're wrong.
Read postAugust 1, 2026
Travel Nurse Blended Rates Explained (With Real Math)
What 'blended rate' actually means on a travel nurse contract, why it can be misleading, and how to calculate your real take-home pay.
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