Travel Nursing Jobs in
New Jersey
Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career path, especially in a vibrant state like New Jersey. From acute care facilities to specialty hospitals in urban towns and along the coast, the Garden State has many assignments to choose from. If you’re looking to refine your skills through challenging yet fulfilling nursing positions while experiencing the unique energy of the East Coast, travel nursing in New Jersey could be the right next step for you!
Our award-winning team at Gifted Healthcare is here to support you every step of the way. With competitor pay packages, personalized guidance, and assignments that align with your goals, lifestyle, and preferences, we help make your travel nursing journey seamless. We we’re founded by nurses—so working with us means you're backed by a team that truly understands your needs.
Featured Jobs in New Jersey
Benefits of Travel Nursing in New Jersey
New Jersey is known for its high quality of life, beautiful scenery and beaches, and bustling boardwalks. As a travel nurse in this state, you can enjoy the convenience of suburban and small-town life while being a short distance from places like the Jersey Shore, New York City, Atlantic City, and Jersey City.
Here are some of the top benefits of travel nursing in the Garden State:
Access to specialty nursing positions in top healthcare facilities
Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Morristown, Rochelle Park, and Willingboro, NJ, are often looking for skilled travel nurses in various specialties, including NICU, PCU, LTAC, L&D, and MedSurg. These challenging yet rewarding roles give you the opportunity to deepen your skills.
Competitive pay, stipends, and benefits packages
New Jersey has a higher cost of living than most states, which means assignments often come with higher pay, valuable benefits, generous housing and meal stipends, and other perks. Plus, working in specialty positions also translates to higher wages.
Flexible travel nursing contracts
Most New Jersey hospitals offer 13-week contracts with options to extend or take breaks between assignments, giving you the flexibility to balance work with travel and personal time. The state is small—so you’re never far from work or adventure.
Easy access to beaches, comforts, and adventure
here’s so much to see and experience in New Jersey. You can enjoy hiking and historic sites in Morristown, walk along the beaches and boardwalks near the Jersey Shore, or take advantage of the comforts of suburban areas like Rochelle Park. It's also easy to take ferry rides to nearby cities.
Experience the best of East Coast culture
New Jersey is known for its strong Italian influence, including fresh local seafood, pasta, pizza, and bagels. Depending on where you’re assigned, you can attend events like the Morristown Festival, Italian Festivals in Newark and Hoboken, and the Jersey Shore Seafood Festivals.
What Impacts Travel Nurse Pay in New Jersey?
Travel nursing pay in New Jersey tends to be higher than the national average. Your exact pay will depend on several factors, including location, specialty, hospital staffing needs, experience level, and what’s included in your pay package.
While housing and living expenses in New Jersey are higher than other states, many facilities offer competitive stipends and added benefits to attract top talent. That means you can still take home a strong weekly paycheck—especially in high-demand areas like Morristown, Willingboro, and Rochelle Park.
Here’s what influences how much you’ll make as a travel nurse in New Jersey:
Where You Work
Pay varies depending on the city and healthcare facility you work in:
- Larger cities like Morristown and Willingboro often offer higher base rates because of the higher cost of living and patient volume.
- Rural areas and smaller towns like Rochelle Park typically pay slightly less but have more affordable housing options and less competition for assignments.
What's Included in Your Pay Package
How much you get paid as a travel nurse in New Jersey isn’t just dependent on hourly rates. Total compensation also includes:
- Tax-free housing stipends, which are often higher in cities like Morristown.
- Travel reimbursements for mileage and airfare.
- Bonuses, including sign-on and completion bonuses, depending on the hospital, demand, and specialty.
If your assignment is in an area with higher rent costs, like Morristown, you may receive a larger housing stipend than you would for a contract in a less expensive area, such as Willingboro.
Timing and Demand
New Jersey travel nurse pay can fluctuate throughout the year. Demand often rises during flu season (late fall through early spring), around major holidays when staff nurses take time off, and during periods of high patient volume or staffing shortages. Assignments in high-demand months or in facilities with urgent needs typically come with higher weekly rates and bonuses.
Specialty and Experience
Travel nurse pay in New Jersey can vary significantly based on specialty and level of experience. For example, travel nurses working in high-acuity specialties (such as ICU, ER, PCU, and L&D) typically earn higher wages due to the advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, and rapid decision-making these roles require.
Additionally, experience plays a major role; seasoned nurses with years of bedside experience, specialized certifications, or leadership backgrounds often receive higher wages than newer graduates.
Living and Working in Louisiana as a Travel Nurse
If you’re thinking about taking a contract in New Jersey, here are some cities to consider that are often in high demand for travel RNs:
Morristown
Morristown is a great location for travel nurses who want access to top-tier hospitals and a lively community. Morristown Medical Center, one of the highest ranked hospitals in the state, often has open travel positions in specialties like NICU, PCU, MedSurg, and L&D.
Living and working in Morristown as a travel nurse also means you get to immerse yourself in a thriving arts scene and enjoy cultural attractions like the Mayo Performing Arts Center. On your days off, explore nearby hiking trails at Jockey Hollow or take a short train or ferry ride to the center of New York City for endless activities.
Average cost of living: The cost of living in Morristown is higher than the national average. You can find short-term, furnished rentals in Morristown for anywhere between $1,400-$4,800, depending on the number of bedrooms, locations, and amenities.
Housing tips: Look for furnished rentals near the Morristown Green for walkability or in quieter neighborhoods like Morris Plains if you don’t mind commuting. If you drive, confirm that the rental includes parking or research parking permits if you move downtown.
Willingboro
Willingboro is an ideal place for travel nurses who want a larger suburban community with a lower cost of living than Morristown. Facilities in the area and nearby hospitals in Burlington County regularly hire travel nurses for in-demand specialties like ER, MedSurg, and Telemetry.
Willingboro offers close proximity to Rancocas State Park’s hiking trails, as well as local shopping and dining options. If you prefer to stay close to home, take advantage of Willingboro’s central location with easy access to Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.
Average cost of living: Willingboro is a more affordable place to live than Morristown, helping your travel nurse paycheck stretch further. Short-term, furnished rentals cost anywhere between $1,250-$3,200, with more options than in smaller towns like Rochelle Park.
Housing tips: Look for rentals near major highways (like I-295 or Route 130) for an easy commute. Nearby towns like Mount Laurel or Burlington also have housing options at similar price points.
Rochelle Park
Rochelle Park is an appealing place for travel nurses looking for a slower pace of life in a suburban area. It has a lower cost of living than Morristown with plenty to offer, while still being close to major hospitals in northern New Jersey. Healthcare facilities in the area regularly hire travel nurses to fill staffing shortages, especially in specialties like PCU, MedSurg, and ICU.
When you aren’t working, plan a hike on one of Saddle River County Park’s scenic trails, shop at the Garden State Plaza, or enjoy the dining and nightlife in Hoboken or Manhattan, which are both just a short drive away (30-45 minutes!)
Average cost of living: While still higher than the national average, Rochelle Park is generally more affordable than Morristown. Short-term, furnished rentals in the area typically range from $1,000-$3,500, depending on home size, amenities, and location.
Housing tips: Look for furnished rentals near major highways for easy commuting. Many suburban options include parking, which is a bonus if you plan to drive to nearby hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Jobs in New Jersey
What are the minimum requirements for becoming a travel nurse in New Jersey?
Most agencies (including Gifted Healthcare) require at least two years of experience in your specialty. You’ll also need an active RN license from the New Jersey Board of Nursing, which requires a background check and paying applicable fees. Apply early, as processing times can vary! Also, make sure you have up-to-date certifications like BLS, ACLS, and others based on your unit.
How much does a travel RN make per hour in New Jersey?
Travel nurse pay in New Jersey is higher than the national average, with strong base rates and stipends. Pay depends on specialty, experience, timing/demand, and location, with larger cities like Morristown typically offering more substantial pay packages.
What are the most in-demand specialties for travel nurses in New Jersey?
Critical care (ICU and NICU), long-term acute care (LTAC), emergency medicine, progressive care (PCU), telemetry, and L&D are consistently in demand. Larger hospitals with high patient volumes, like those in Morristown and Hackensack, often need experienced travel nurses to fill these challenging yet rewarding positions.
Does New Jersey participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)?
Yes, New Jersey is part of the NLC. If you hold a multistate license from another compact state, you can work in New Jersey without a separate license.
Are there seasonal pay differences for travel nurses in New Jersey?
Yes! Pay typically increases during flu season, major holidays, and during seasonal staffing shortages. Hospitals may offer higher rates or bonuses to fill urgent needs.
Start Your Travel Nursing Career with Gifted Healthcare
Ready to find your first or next travel nursing assignment in New Jersey? Gifted Healthcare’s passionate recruiters are here to support you every step of the way. They take the time to understand what matters most to you, matching you with travel nurse jobs in New Jersey that support your career goals and lifestyle.
The results speak for themselves. We’ve earned recognition as a Best Travel Nurse Agency by The Gypsy Nurse, the world’s largest online community for travel nurses, and as a Top 20 Travel Nursing Company by BluePipes, the leading professional networking platform in healthcare.
