DYK that as of 2022, male nurses make up about 12% of the U.S. nursing workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics?

While the number is growing, there’s still plenty of room for men to step up and shake up the nursing world. And what better way to do that than through travel nursing? It’s the ultimate combo of meaningful work, solid pay, and adventure.

Whether you’re already scrubbing in or starting your nursing journey, travel nursing is your ticket to see new places, level up your skills, and challenge outdated stereotypes about who belongs in healthcare. Time to pack your bags — travel nursing could be your next big move, and these are some reasons why.

• Travel to destinations across the country
• Access competitive pay and benefits
• Build your resume and enhance your skills
• Enjoy career stability
• Experience personal growth
• Accomplish work-life balance
• Attain job and personal fulfillment
• Challenge nursing gender stereotypes
• Be a positive role model for aspiring male nurses
• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of others
• Get the chance to partner with Fusion Medical Staffing

11 Reasons Why Travel Nursing is the Next Big Thing for Men

Travel to destinations across the country

What if we told you that you could potentially cross every destination off your bucket list just through a travel nursing career? The truth is that could be you.

A travel nursing career gives male nurses who crave adventure and a change of scenery the chance to experience new places, whether you thrive in bustling cities like New York or Los Angeles where you can soak in the culture, nightlife, and endless entertainment or live for the quiet comfort of small towns.

Related: Urban vs Rural Healthcare Traveler Jobs: What’s Right for You?

As a male travel nurse, the country becomes your playground, giving you the freedom and opportunity to explore new destinations while advancing your career.

Access competitive pay and benefits

Fact: traveling male nurses tend to earn more than staff nurses, thanks to housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and higher hourly rates in high-demand areas.

On a mission to pay off your student loans? Dreaming of buying your ideal home? Want to accomplish general financial security? The competitive pay and benefits from travel nursing can help you achieve your financial goals, no matter what they may be.

Even better? We take the perks a step further with extras like paid time off, short-term disability, free mental health resources, day-one health insurance, and more.

Related: Fusion Traveler Benefits Breakdown 2025

At Fusion Medical Staffing, we make your life on the road easier and more secure so you can focus on helping patients, experiencing new places, and living your best life.

Build your resume and enhance your skills

If you’re all about leveling up, being a traveling male nurse could be where it’s at for you. With each assignment, you’ll gain experience in different hospital or healthcare settings, patient populations, and collaborating with additional care professionals. Travel nursing offers hands-on learning at its finest and shows how you can adapt, think on your feet, and handle whatever comes your way.

But it’s not just about learning skills to enhance your resume, travel nursing’s about real growth. Step out of your comfort zone, tackle new challenges, and collect the type of experience that doesn’t just make you a better nurse, but a better person.

Enjoy career stability

Job security is a big deal, and the good news is that travel nursing has it in spades. With the seemingly never-ending nursing shortage, skilled male nurses like you are almost always in-demand, giving you the stability to keep your career moving forward regardless of where life takes you.

“I remember about 10 years ago talking to another male nurse about the recession,” said one male travel nurse on Reddit. “A lot of people lost their jobs but as nurses, there’s always jobs. We are recession-proof.”

Plus, as the American population ages (with more people over 65 years old than ever before), male and female nurses will remain essential. For travel nurses, this trend means job security as facilities keep up with the increasing demand for healthcare professionals.

Experience personal growth

Life as a male travel nurse is more than a career decision — it’s a lifestyle that offers both professional and personal growth. Travel nursing isn’t just about mastering your clinical skills, but about building resiliency, independence, and confidence in who you are and what you bring to the table.

With the opportunity to travel comes the chance to meet people from all walks of life, experience new cultures, and see the country in ways that broaden your perspective on a deeper level.

Accomplish work-life balance

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving work-life balance has become more important than ever. And you could accomplish that goal as a traveling male nurse.

With the flexibility to choose your assignments, you can plan your career around your lifestyle instead of the other way around. Between travel jobs, you can take breaks to recharge, explore new interests, spend quality time with loved ones or on the other hand, extend your current assignment to continue the adventure!

No matter what your travel nursing journey looks like, this career choice empowers you to create a life that works for you.

Attain job and personal fulfillment

Fact: travel nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession in and out of the healthcare system and offers the rare opportunity to find fulfillment both on and off the clock.

For male nurses, the unique perspective and approach you bring to patient care can leave a lasting impact, fostering trust and compassion, and genuine connection. Travel nursing allows you to build those meaningful relationships across the country, while also enjoying the flexibility to pursue your personal goals and passions along the way.

“The thing I love most about being a male nurse is the reception I get from patients who are facing tough situations,” said Ben Stevenson, RN. “As a male nurse, I will give my best to give you your life back. I don’t judge. I will shoot you straight and give you the facts as simply or as complicated as you need them. And then I will give you the freedom to make your decisions as you see fit. I will be your brother, your good friend, your strong angel. I will be your nurse.”

The fulfillment of being a male nurse doesn’t just come from caring for patients, but also from your diverse experiences, growing skill sets, and understanding of healthcare in varied settings. Travel nursing gives you the power to make a lasting impact, not just on your patients, but also on your own life.

Challenge nursing gender stereotypes

Chances are, you’ve heard the gender stereotype in nursing — that it’s a “woman’s profession.” Not only is this an outdated idea, but it’s also a harmful one.

The misconception that nursing is for women come from the perception that women tend to be gentler and more compassionate.

“You can’t put a gender on loving care,” said Larry Meneghini, RN. “The good thing about nursing is that I’ve never been out of work. I never worried about where my next paycheck would come from.”

Traits like empathy, compassion, and caregiving aren’t exclusive to women — they’re simply human. Although history and societal norms often box nursing into a “woman’s profession,” men today are stepping into nursing roles to prove that caring for others isn’t about gender.

Be a positive role model for aspiring male nurses

When you step into nursing as a man, you’re not just changing lives, you’re changing perceptions. By being visible in a field that’s stereotyped as “for women,” you become a role model for other men who might hesitate to pursue the profession.

Whether it’s mentoring younger male nurses, connecting with patients in unique ways, or just showing that compassion and competence know no gender, men in nursing break down barriers every day and send a clear message to the next generation of aspiring male nurses that they belong here, too.

Make a meaningful impact on the lives of others

Nursing is about showing up and making a difference when it matters most. For men in nursing, that impact hits on another level.

For some patients, seeing a male nurse might make it easier to open up or feel understood, especially in situations where they might otherwise hold back. You’ve got the chance to be a steady hand and a calming presence.

“I’m not here to do this for me,” said Roosevelt Davis, MSN, RN. “I do this for them — my patients.”

Beyond patient care, you can leave your mark on your teams, as well as the profession itself.

“I started my professional career as a chef and nutritionist, and I never thought in a million years I would ever be a nurse,” said Craig Lanzillotti, RN. “I have to say I love being a murse. I get to geek out at work every day. I get to help people out of some of the darkest times of their lives. I get to save people’s lives; and help them make the transition to their next one (whatever that may be). There are ups and downs every day and I get to work with some of the most caring, intelligent, trusted, and dedicated people on earth. I’m not just a nurse, I’m a murse!”

Just by being a nurse, you demonstrate that it’s more than a job — it’s a passion for doing good for others. Every shift, every patient, every life you touch is a testament to the difference men make in nursing.

Get the chance to partner with Fusion Medical Staffing

If you’re a male nurse looking for a staffing agency that gets what you need, you’ve come to the right place.

From the moment you sign on with us, you’re taken care of in more ways than one. Day-one insurance? ✅ $0 counseling copay? ✅ Retirement planning? ✅ License, certification, CEU, and travel reimbursements? ✅ Brand deals and discounts? ✅ Scholarships and awards? ✅ Referral bonus? ✅ Online community groups? ✅ Access to these perks, programs, and benefits could be yours!

Another way we stand out from others is through our Clinical team and their passion for traveler advocacy, guidance, and support. From navigating a tough patient to updating credentials, the experienced nurses on our Clinical team are here for you.

With us, you’re not just clocking hours — you’re part of a community that values what you bring to the table. For male nurses, working with Fusion Medical Staffing gives you the chance to break barriers while making a real impact, all with the support of a team who truly has your back (and front and sides). We’re not just a travel nurse staffing agency, we’re your partner in building the career and life that you’ve always wanted.

The nursing world is changing, and there’s never been a better time for men to join the movement. With a national average ratio of 9.5 female nurses to every one male nurse, there’s plenty of opportunity to shake up the status quo, and travel nursing lets you do that while checking all the boxes. The only thing standing in your way is you.