Updated June 2026
Ask almost any healthcare leader about their staffing challenges, and you’ll likely hear some version of the same thing: staffing needs don’t stay predictable for long.
Whether it’s a sudden vacancy, seasonal census changes, or increased demand in a specific department, organizations need workforce strategies that allow them to adjust quickly while continuing to deliver quality patient care. One question we continue to hear from healthcare leaders is, “How do we stay flexible when staffing needs can change from month to month, week to week, or even day to day?”
That’s where travel nurses can help.
Recently, we reviewed findings from the KPMG U.S. Nursing, Allied Health and Therapy Labor Costs Study, which surveyed 100 healthcare executives across the country. The findings reinforce something many healthcare leaders already know: travel nurses aren’t just there for emergencies. They can be an important part of a flexible healthcare staffing strategy.
How Do Travel Nurses Support Flexible Healthcare Staffing?
When patient volumes shift, vacancies appear unexpectedly, or a department experiences a surge in demand, healthcare organizations need staffing options that allow them to respond quickly. Travel nurses help provide that flexibility.
Travel nurses are often used to help facilities:
- Fill short-term coverage gaps caused by vacancies, leaves, or turnover
- Support seasonal patient volume increases
- Staff specialized units experiencing increased demand
- Reduce reliance on overtime and minimize staff burnout
- Maintain continuity of care while permanent recruitment efforts continue
In fact, the KPMG study revealed that travel clinicians are already a meaningful part of many workforce strategies, with travel nurses representing approximately 11% of nursing staff across surveyed organizations. In addition, the study found that travel clinicians are often less expensive than permanent staff when all cost components are included. Below are a few key takeaways from the study:
- Travel nurses help facilities respond quickly to coverage gaps. According to the study, 78% of healthcare organizations fill travel nurse positions within 21 days, helping reduce disruptions caused by vacancies and staffing shortages.
- Travel nurses support surge and seasonal staffing needs. Healthcare organizations most commonly utilize travel nurses in Medical-Surgical, Emergency Department, ICU, and Float Pool settings—areas where patient demand can shift quickly and staffing flexibility is critical.
- Travel nurses can help ease pressure on existing teams. Healthcare leaders surveyed reported an average nurse attrition rate of 12%, and newly hired permanent nurses require about 150 hours of orientation and training before becoming fully productive. When vacancies occur, travel nurses can help maintain coverage while organizations continue recruiting and onboarding permanent staff.
- Travel nurses give facilities room to adjust. The study found that approximately 10% of a permanent nurse’s paid time is spent on non-productive activities such as training, education, and administrative requirements. Travel nurses provide healthcare organizations with another staffing option when patient demand changes or workforce challenges arise.
Travel Nurses Provide Flexibility When It Matters Most
Effective nurse staffing solutions are rarely one-size-fits-all. Many healthcare organizations use a combination of healthcare workforce solutions to create a workforce strategy that can adapt to changing operational needs.
Whether it’s filling a vacancy while a permanent position is recruited, supporting a busy emergency department during a seasonal surge, or helping maintain staffing levels during periods of turnover, travel nurses provide healthcare staffing flexibility when and where it’s needed most.
At Medical Solutions, we understand that every healthcare organization faces unique staffing challenges, but the one thing that unites us all is patient care. We look forward to the opportunity to learn from you, listen to you, and most importantly, continue being a trusted healthcare partner in helping you build a more flexible workforce strategy.
