Travel Nurse Program

Your next adventure awaits. Explore South Dakota with purpose and advance your career as a traveling nurse for Avera.

Caring for others is a rewarding career. Add traveling with purpose, great pay and benefits, and you get a meaningful job working as a registered nurse with the Avera Travel Nurse Program. As a travel nurse, your assignments will typically run 13 weeks per location. Depending on your experience, you'll be placed in ICU, emergency, women's and children's, medical or surgery.

“Unlike other nurse travel agencies, we are hands-on and accessible to assist nurses who step up to the challenge. We’re readily available to answer any questions — or find the answers to your questions."
Sheila Ulrich, Director of Avera Education & Staffing Solutions

Avera Travel Nurse Program

In South Dakota, Avera has five regional hospitals and many departments where travel nurses are needed.

Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD
Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, Mitchell, SD
Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, Pierre, SD
Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sioux Falls, SD
Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD

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Avera Travel Role Fits This Nurse’s Life and Family

For Avera nurse Christy Lee, it just works. She lives in Tea, SD, but enjoys the adventure of working exactly where she’s needed – even if it’s across the state.

As an internal travel nurse, she gets the professional growth opportunities of learning new roles on new teams at different hospitals.

Yet she also has the advantages of being a full-time nurse with a health system, including a full range of employee benefit options. “For me, it’s the best of both worlds,” Lee said. “I had a lot of pediatrics experience, and I wanted to work with more adult patients, and this program let me do that,” said Lee, a registered nurse who took on a travel role on medical-surgical floor at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.

Two women in a hospital room, focused on a computer screen.

South Dakota, Best Travel Nurse Destination

On your days off, enjoy everything South Dakota has to offer. Come explore a state known for beautiful sunrises, quiet country escapes, family attractions and convenient shopping from east to west. There’s an abundance of outdoor adventures with a variety of fun during all four seasons. Besides the breathtaking beauty of our landscapes, we have a great quality of life in South Dakota. Here’s why:

Affordable place to live and raise a family
Cost of living is lower than national average
Recreational outdoor activities all year long
Historic travel destination, fine arts, restaurants and culture

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I make a great fit?

Live out your values to help others by positively impacting the health of individuals, families and communities. Avera considers health care a ministry. We invite you to bring your best self and deliver compassionate care to those in need across South Dakota. Many Avera employees find it rewarding to become part of something bigger than themselves. If hired, you will work in a key role as part of an integrated care team.

What kind of health insurance will I have as an Avera travel nurse?

As a full-time employee working for Avera, you will be offered all the same health benefits that all our full-time employees receive. Our health plans come with multiple coverage options. You’re welcome to pick the best plan that works for you.

What is there to do in South Dakota?

Besides being an affordable place to live, South Dakota has plenty to offer. Enjoy the weather of all four seasons, and take part in recreational activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and site-seeing. Multiple cities like Omaha, Minneapolis and Rapid City are within driving distance.

What is available for affordable and safe housing?

Multiple options are available through each community in South Dakota. As a traveler, you may be looking for something different depending on your preference. You’ll find options for short stays at apartments and houses. If you’re looking for adventure, camp sites at state and recreational parks are another option.

What is taxed for the pay and the allowance?

In addition to competitive pay, we offer a generous monthly allowance should you live outside the 75 mile range, to assist with costs related to the traveling position. Both your hourly wage and monthly allowance are taxable income. Also, South Dakota does not require an income tax.

Can I choose my own work schedule?

Avera cannot guarantee blocked scheduling at each of our respective clinic and hospital locations. You may work with your leaders at your assignment location for schedule requests.

What is there to do for me and my family?

Every travel nurse chooses to travel for different purposes. If you’re a solo traveler, you’ll have options to experience new people and new places. Exploring South Dakota can also be a wonderful experience to share with your family. Bring them along and make lasting memories together.

Consider a Career as a Travel Nurse

You belong at Avera. If you have questions on applying, contact our team for assistance by phone or email travelteamAESS@avera.org to learn more.

605-668-8480 Email Us

Why Avera?

Your treatment as an employee translates into the compassionate care you deliver to patients or represent in your day-to-day work. Because Avera considers health care a ministry, you can live your faith, uphold the dignity and respect of all persons, all while providing high-quality services for everyone in need. Come see why positively contributing to the health of others in your town or rural community makes a difference.

Our Ministry Quality Care

Avera Health Employee Health Plan is working with our Third-Party Administrator to prepare Machine Readable Files for posting to its website to meet the Transparency in Coverage rules.

Avera is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.