Healthcare Staffing Glossary: 50+ Terms Every Traveler Should Know
Healthcare staffing has its own vocabulary that can confuse first-time travelers. This glossary covers 50+ essential terms — from pay package components (bill rate, stipend, blended rate) to industry structure (MSP, VMS, PRN) to compliance and credentialing terms you will encounter throughout your travel healthcare career.
Last updated 2026-02-17
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Pay & Compensation Terms
Understanding how money flows in travel healthcare is critical to evaluating job offers.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | Your taxable hourly wage on your W-2. Typically $20–$35/hr for RNs. Overtime is calculated from this rate. |
| Bill Rate | What the hospital pays your staffing agency per hour ($65–$120/hr for RNs). Your pay comes from this minus the agency margin. |
| Blended Rate | A single hourly rate that combines base pay and stipends. Red flag if an agency won't break this down. |
| Completion Bonus | A taxable bonus ($500–$2,000) paid when you finish your full contract. Not all agencies offer this. |
| GSA Rate | Government per diem rates (General Services Administration) that set the maximum tax-free housing and meals stipends by location. |
| Housing Stipend | Tax-free monthly allowance for housing while on assignment ($1,200–$2,400/mo). Must maintain a tax home to receive tax-free. |
| M&IE | Meals & Incidentals Expense — a tax-free daily stipend for food and supplies ($50–$80/day based on GSA rates). |
| Pay Package | Your total compensation offer, combining base rate + stipends + bonuses + benefits. |
| Stipend | A non-taxable allowance (housing or meals) paid to cover expenses while working away from your tax home. |
| Tax Home | Your permanent residence that you maintain while traveling. Required by the IRS to receive tax-free stipends. |
Use CatSol's GSA-compliant pay calculator to compare your real take-home across any location — with tax-free stipend breakdowns.
Try the pay calculator →Industry & Business Terms
Understanding how the staffing industry works helps you navigate relationships between agencies, hospitals, and technology platforms.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ATS | Applicant Tracking System — software agencies use to manage candidates and job orders (e.g., LaborEdge, Bullhorn). |
| Compact License | A multistate nursing license (NLC) valid in 40+ states. Available for RNs and LPNs, not CNAs. |
| Compliance | The credentialing and documentation process — licenses, certifications, immunizations, background checks — required before starting an assignment. |
| Extension | Continuing your assignment beyond the original end date (usually in 4- or 13-week increments). |
| Float | Being assigned to a different unit than your primary posting during a shift due to staffing needs. |
| Guaranteed Hours | A contract clause ensuring you're paid for a minimum number of hours per week, even if the facility cancels shifts. |
| Joint Commission | The national accrediting body for healthcare staffing agencies. Joint Commission certification is the gold standard. |
| MSP | Managed Service Provider — a company that manages all staffing vendors for a hospital. They sit between you and the facility. |
| PRN | Pro re nata (Latin for "as needed") — working on an as-needed, per diem basis rather than a set schedule. |
| Rapid Response | Emergency/crisis staffing assignments that pay premium rates. Often shorter (4–8 weeks) with fast start dates. |
| VMS | Vendor Management System — technology platform hospitals use to manage multiple staffing agencies (e.g., ShiftWise, Medefis). |
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Professions & Certifications
Healthcare staffing spans many disciplines beyond just RNs.
| Abbreviation | Full Name |
|---|---|
| RN | Registered Nurse |
| LPN / LVN | Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse (same role, different state terminology) |
| CNA | Certified Nursing Assistant |
| NP | Nurse Practitioner |
| PA | Physician Assistant |
| CRNA | Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist |
| PT / PTA | Physical Therapist / Physical Therapist Assistant |
| OT / OTA / COTA | Occupational Therapist / Occupational Therapy Assistant / Certified OTA |
| SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist |
| RT | Respiratory Therapist |
| ACLS | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (certification) |
| BLS | Basic Life Support (certification — required for all healthcare travelers) |
| CCRN | Critical Care Registered Nurse (certification for ICU nurses) |
| CEN | Certified Emergency Nurse |
| NLC | Nurse Licensure Compact (the multistate license agreement) |
Use CatSol's GSA-compliant pay calculator to compare your real take-home across any location — with tax-free stipend breakdowns.
Try the pay calculator →Assignment & Contract Terms
Terms you will encounter when reviewing and signing travel contracts.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 13-Week Contract | The standard travel assignment length. Some contracts are 8 or 26 weeks. |
| Census | The number of patients in a facility. Low census can lead to shift cancellations or contract terminations. |
| Credentialing | The process of verifying your licenses, certifications, education, and work history before an assignment. |
| DNR (Do Not Return) | A facility designation that prevents you from being placed there again. Usually due to serious issues. |
| Orientation | Training period at the start of an assignment (typically 1–3 days for travel nurses). |
| Profile / Submission | Your candidate packet (resume, skills checklist, certifications) submitted to a facility for consideration. |
| Skills Checklist | A self-assessment document where you rate your competency in specialty-specific clinical skills. |
| Time to Fill | How long it takes from job posting to a traveler starting — typically 2–4 weeks for most positions. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a staffing agency and an MSP?
What does "blended rate" mean and why is it a red flag?
What is the difference between PRN and travel?
This glossary covers the essential vocabulary of healthcare staffing — from pay components like bill rates and GSA stipends, to industry terms like MSP and VMS, to profession abbreviations and contract terminology. Bookmark this page as a reference throughout your travel healthcare career.
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