Hospitals are stricter than ever with time-off requests. Longer commitments are becoming the new norm. If you’re planning to travel this fall or winter, now’s the time to strategize.
Nurses Are Talking: 20,000+ Views in 48 Hours
A recent thread in the r/TravelNursing community sparked more than 20,000 views in just two days. The conversation confirms what many travelers are already experiencing: holiday travel nurse contracts are shifting, and the way you position your time-off request could decide whether you land the job.
What We’re Hearing from Travel Nurses
- “I was up for an extension… offered to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They told me I needed to work Thanksgiving too.”
Hospitals are asking for more holiday coverage, often requiring nurses to be available across multiple holidays. - “I’ve seen more 26-week contracts than usual. 16–17 weeks is becoming the new standard.”
Facilities are prioritizing stability with longer commitments, especially for October start dates. - “If you’re asking for time off around the holidays, it’s an automatic denial. That never used to be the case.”
Time-off requests around the holidays are tighter than ever, with many hospitals treating them as non-negotiable.
Trends to Know Before You Apply
- Longer contracts are becoming the norm: 16–20 week assignments are increasingly common.
- Time-off requests are capped: most hospitals are limiting total RTO to 3–7 days max.
- Holiday RTO is harder to secure: even flexible nurses are being declined if they request time off around Christmas.
- Strategy matters: the way you phrase and position RTO can make or break your submission.
How Axis Can Help
The market has shifted, but with the right approach you can still land contracts that fit your lifestyle. Our recruiters work with you to:
- Strategize your RTO requests before submission.
- Identify facilities most open to flexible scheduling.
- Navigate extensions and longer-term opportunities without surprises.
Click Here to Schedule a quick intro call with Charity
Senior Healthcare Recruiter at Axis Medical Staffing, Inc.
Charity has been in the travel nurse industry in one form or another since 2008! Despite her years of hard work and advocacy on behalf of her Rock Star travelers, she doesn’t look a day over 25! (According to her, anyway.) A hardcore traveler herself, Charity recently spent 2.5 years abroad visiting several countries. She taught English in Thailand for a year and volunteered in Peru. She loves to swap traveling stories and share helpful hints and tips for her fellow traveling addicts!
Latest posts by Charity Crawford (see all)
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