Travel nurse staffing has been on a roll with revenue growing 185% in 2021 to a total of $27.6 billion, and it’s estimated to grow 20% this year, according to data from Staffing Industry Analysts.

It’s by far the largest segment in healthcare staffing. Per diem nursing generated revenue of $6.4 billion in 2021, while allied healthcare revenue reached $8.0 billion and locum tenens hit $4.8 billion in revenue.

Travel nurse staffing is also this week’s word of the week.

SIA’s Lexicon formally defines travel nurse staffing as:

“A class of staffing found in North America of primarily registered nurses on assignments of four weeks or more. A travel assignment can involve temporary relocation and staffing firm coverage of housing expenses, but not always. Despite the use of the word ‘travel,’ local nurses are sometimes used for travel assignments. The most common assignment length in the US is 13 weeks, which may be renewed.”

The full Lexicon is available online for free.

Travel nurse staffing will also come up for discussion at the 2022 SIA Healthcare Staffing Summit scheduled for next week in Houston.