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My Travel Nurse Contract. A real testimony.

  • danielsiajromero
  • Mar 25
  • 3 min read

How much did I save on housing with Nomad World? How much did I get paid? How much did it cost me? Was it worthy? This post will give you a break-down of my travel nurse contract with real numbers and real facts of a travel nurse experience.


Introduction


Hello! My name is Dani and I am writing this post to share my experience as a travel nurse in Washington, DC, which is a fascinating city for travel nurses—offering high pay, a rich history, and plenty of things to do. But it also comes with unique challenges, from high living costs to complex commuting. In this post, I'll share my real experience working as a travel nurse in DC, covering pay, expenses, highs and lows, and essential things to know before taking an assignment here.


💰 My Travel Nurse Pay in Washington, DC


One of the biggest draws for DC is the high travel nurse pay, but is it enough to keep up with the cost of living? Here's a breakdown of my earnings:


💡 Pro Tip: DC has multiple hospitals with different pay scales. Some assignments include better stipends but lower hourly wages, so choose wisely!


Hourly rate

$20/hour

Lodging rate

$380/shift

Meals & Incidentals (M&I)

$92/day

Weekly stipends

$1,783/week

Total weekly pay (Before taxes)

$2,503/week (aprox.)


🏠 My Expenses in Washington, DC


Even with solid pay, DC is expensive. Here's how my costs added up:

Expense

Cost (per month)

Rent (2bd/1ba apartment, Mount Pleasant) found through Nomad World

$2,250/month

Utilities & Wi-Fi

Included

Transportation (Metro & Uber)

$250/month (average)

Groceries & Eating Out

$500/month (average)

Entertainment & Misc.

$500/month (average)

Exercise (gym, sports...)

$300/month

Total Expenses

$3,800/month

💡 Pro Tip: Finding affordable housing is tricky. Look beyond Airbnb and use midterm rental platforms (like Nomad World) to find furnished housing at a better rate.


🎢 Highs & Lows of Travel Nursing in DC


✅ Highs (Why I Loved It)

  • Competitive Pay: One of the best-paying cities for travel nurses.

  • Great Hospital: Worked at Children's National Medical Center—busy but excellent for experience and the facilities are top!

  • City Life & Attractions: Loved exploring DC, Smithsonian Museums, The National Mall, and Georgetown. Lots of restaurants, bars and the famous speakeasies of DC made every week memorable!

  • Public Transportation: Metro system made commuting easier (but not perfect).


❌ Lows (The Challenges)

  • High Cost of Living: Even with stipends, DC rent is pricey.

  • Traffic & Parking: If you have a car, expect insane parking costs.

  • Complex Licensing: DC requires a separate nursing license (not covered by compact state licenses).


🔍 Things to Know Before Travel Nursing in DC

  1. Apply for your DC Nursing License Early!

    • DC is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The application process takes 4-6 weeks (make sure to check your Nursys.com page, I thought it was just advertisement, but it is mandatory).

  2. NO PARKING AT THE HOSPITAL

    • Children's National does not have on-site parking during the week. There is a dedicated parking lot 10 min drive from the Hospital, and a free shuttle will take you to the main building. There are multiple free shuttles around the city that will take you to the campus.

  3. Consider Living Outside the City

    • If you’re okay with commuting, look for housing in Arlington, VA or Silver Spring, MD to save money. I, personally, prefer to pay a little more and live closer to the hospital.

  4. Use Public Transportation

    • DC’s Metro & bus system can save you hundreds on parking fees. Get a SmarTrip card!

  5. Parking situation

    • You will find extremely difficult to park your car in Washington, DC without having a resident parking pass or a visitor pass (you can get these through your landlord).

  6. Explore on Your Days Off

    • DC is walkable, and MOST OF THE MUSEUMS ARE FREE!



🏁 Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?

Despite the high costs and fast-paced work, I absolutely recommend travel nursing in DC. The pay, experience, and city life make it a fantastic destination—just plan housing & licensing carefully!


📩 Thinking of working in DC? Have questions? Drop a comment below! 😊


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