Travel Nurse App: Navigating Apps For Your Next Assignment

Travel nursing is a rewarding, yet demanding field that requires flexibility, organization, and efficient management of time and resources. To assist travel nurses in managing their professional and personal lives, various mobile apps have been developed. These apps offer a range of features from job searching and housing to expense tracking and networking.

What should you search for in the best travel nurse apps?

Here are the features and things to look for in the best travel nurse apps:

1. Job search

Travel nurses will want to search for job listings at some point across multiple locations and specialties with the ability to filter jobs by location, pay rate, and shift type. Ideally, these would be furnished short-term rentals near healthcare facilities. Apps should list prices and what’s included in the rent (e.g., utilities, internet).

2. Expense tracking

An app to scan and store receipts digitally for tax season is just as important. For travel nurses who drive between assignments, an app that tracks mileage automatically is a bonus

3. Credential and document storage

An app that securely stores important documents like licenses, certifications, and contracts is beneficial, so all documents are at your fingertips when needed.

4. Networking and community

Apps that connect you with other travel nurses and healthcare professionals for support, advice, and job referrals are handy.

5. User interface

The app should be user-friendly so even if you’re not tech savvy you can navigate and use the app. Make sure the app is Android and iOS compatible and works on mobile devices since travel nurses use their phones on the go.

Choosing the right travel nurse apps means considering features for job searches, travel nurse housing, expense tracking, credential management, and networking. By focusing on these features, travel nurses can be more efficient, stay organized, and make the most of their career using mobile tools.

What are the top travel nurse apps?

Here are our top picks:

1. Shoeboxed - best travel nurse app for expense tracking and document management

Shoeboxed allows users to scan and organize receipts, making it easy to keep track of expenses. The platform also includes a free-time mileage tracker that logs trips and calculates deductions. Shoeboxed allows users to securely store and manage their credentials and documents within the app.

Shoeboxed is a digital expense tracking and management app designed to help travel nurses stay organized and track expenses for deductions. It is especially useful for professionals who are frequently on the move, such as travel nurses, because it provides an efficient way to keep track of their expenses, documents, and credentials.

Features:

Receipt scanning and digitization

Shoeboxed turns receipts and expenses into digital data.

Mobile phone app

What's better for travel nurses than a mobile phone app?

Nurses who want to scan receipts themselves can use Shoeboxed's mobile phone app and their mobile phone camera.

The mobile phone app allows users to digitize and organize receipts. Again, this simplifies tracking expenses for travel nurses who are always on the go because they can scan the receipt as the expense is incurred.

Magic Envelope service

One of the best things about Shoeboxed is its Magic Envelope. Shoeboxed is the only receipt-scanning service that provides this feature. With the Magic Envelope, travel nurses can stuff this prepaid postage envelope full of receipts or other documents and mail it to Shoeboxed. Shoeboxed will then scan, human-verify, and upload receipts into your account.

With a travel nurse's busy schedule, what could be better than only having to mail receipts in and having Shoeboxed take care of the rest? The Magic Envelope makes it easy and convenient for travel nurses to keep up with receipts so they don't get misplaced or damaged. 

The Magic Envelope can easily be kept in a briefcase, purse, or on top of your car's dashboard, which makes it easily accessible, especially when purchasing gas, meals, supplies, etc.

Gmail receipt sync feature for capturing e-receipts

Importing e-receipts to your account is as easy as using Shoeboxed's special Gmail Receipt Sync feature.

Shoeboxed’s Gmail Receipt Sync grabs all receipt emails and sends them to your account for automatic processing! These receipts are then labeled as Sent to Shoeboxed in your Gmail inbox.

In short, Shoeboxed pulls the receipt data from your email, including the vendor, purchase date, currency, total, and payment type, and organizes it in your account.

Your purchases will even come with images of the receipts attached!

Credential and document management from anywhere

All documents and receipts stored in Shoeboxed are secure and can be accessed anywhere with the internet.

Organizes and categorizes receipts

Once scanned, the receipts are automatically uploaded to your account and organized into 15 different tax or customized categories.

Mileage tracker for logging business miles

After you sign up for Shoeboxed, you can start tracking miles in seconds:

• Open the Shoeboxed app.

• Tap the “Mileage” icon.

• Click the “Start Mileage Tracking” button.

• And drive!

Shoeboxed tracks your location and miles whenever you start a trip and saves your route as you drive.

As you make stops, you can drop pins to make tracking more precise.

At the end of a drive, click the “End Mileage Tracking” button to create a trip summary. Each summary will include the date, editable mileage and trip name, and your tax-deductible and rate information.

Click “Done” to generate a receipt for your drive and get a photo of your route on the map. Shoeboxed will automatically categorize your trip under the mileage category in your account.

Integrates with accounting software

Shoeboxed integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and many more. Export data in various formats, including PDF, Excel, and CSV.

Automatic expense reporting

Shoeboxed generates comprehensive expense reports with receipt images that can be created from the web or mobile phone. This streamlined process saves travel nurses time and reduces the hassle of managing paper receipts.

Easy reimbursement process

Shoeboxed makes the reimbursement process quick and easy.

Shoeboxed makes it simple for travel nurses to file for travel reimbursements from their agency. They can quickly provide organized, digital copies of receipts when needed.

Tax prep

Travel nurses may need to file taxes in multiple states and handle complex tax situations due to their travel schedules.

Travel nurses may need to file taxes in multiple states and handle complex tax situations due to their travel schedules.

Shoeboxed makes filing taxes much more straightforward for travel nurses, especially since business-related expenses are automatically placed in tax categories. Shoeboxed also ensures that all deductions are accounted for accurately, potentially reducing tax liabilities.

Shoeboxed also helps by keeping all tax and expense-related documentation in one place, making tax preparation easier during tax season.

Simplified expense tracking

For a travel nurse, expense tracking doesn't get any simpler than with Shoeboxed.

Shoeboxed makes tracking their expenses simple for a travel nurse.

Travel nurses frequently incur various living expenses, such as travel, accommodations, and meals. With Shoeboxed's receipt scanning service, nurses can track their expenses in three steps: signing up for a Shoeboxed account, sending receipts in for scanning, and logging into their accounts to view their receipt data.

Pros:

• Efficiency: Automates organizing receipts and tracking expenses, saving time and reducing manual effort.

• Accuracy: Digitizing receipts and using OCR (optical character recognition) technology reduces errors associated with manual entry.

• Accessibility: Cloud-based storage allows access to your documents from anywhere, anytime.

• Compliance: Helps ensure compliance with tax regulations by providing IRS-compliant documentation.

• Comprehensive management: Combines expense tracking with credential and document management, offering an all-in-one solution for travel nurses.

Cons:

• Mileage tracker: The mileage tracker is not automatic, but it just makes it easier to keep personal and business expenses separate.

Pricing:

• Plans: Plans start at $18 monthly, with higher tiers available based on volume and features.

Why Shoeboxed is the best travel nurse app for expense and document management

Shoeboxed is a service that can be particularly beneficial for travel nurses who file and pay income tax because it can streamline receipt management and track expenses efficiently. This is crucial for travel nurses, who incur various expenses while on assignment.

2. Travel Nurse Source - best travel nursing app for your next assignment

Travel Nurse Source has thousands of jobs to choose from so you can find your next travel nurse assignment.

Features:

Job Listings

Features include job listings with thousands of travel nursing jobs across the US, by specialty and location. Search and filter by location, specialty, pay rate, and more.

Job Details

Each job listing has detailed information about the assignment including job description, requirements, benefits, and compensation. Details also include information about the healthcare facility or travel nursing agency so you can make an informed decision.

Application tools

The platform offers an easy online application process. You can upload and manage your resume to apply to multiple jobs.

Resources and support

There are articles, tips, and advice on travel nursing, including guides on how to get started, what to expect, and how to succeed. The resources are to help you find housing near your assignments.

Pros:

• Specialized: Only travel nursing, so relevant and tailored job listings.

• Complete listings: Thousands of jobs with detailed information so you can find the perfect one.

• User-friendly: It is an easy-to-use platform to search and apply.

• Resources: Resources to support you throughout your travel nursing career.

Cons:

• Only travel nursing: Good for travel nurses, not for permanent or non-travel nursing positions.

Price:

• Free app for job seekers: Travel Nurse Source allows nurses to search for travel nursing jobs. No subscription fees or hidden costs to access job listings and resources.

Why Travel Nurse Source is the best app for job searches

Travel Nurse Source is the best app for travel nurses to find their next assignment because it specializes in travel nursing, has thousands of job listings, is user-friendly, and has resources to support your search.

It simplifies the job search process so you can find the best travel nursing assignment that fits your preferences and qualifications. Travel Nurse Resource is great for planning your next travel nursing assignment

3. Furnished Finder: best travel nurses app for housing

Furnished Finder is a travel nursing app for short-term rentals for healthcare professionals.

Features:

Furnished properties

Various types of furnished housing are listed, including apartments, houses, and shared spaces. There's an interactive map to search for housing by location and proximity to healthcare facilities or workplaces.

Direct contact with property owners

Users can contact property owners to ask questions, negotiate, and finalize rental agreements. Listings have full property details, including amenities, photos, and rental terms.

User reviews and rating

There are reviews and ratings from previous tenants to help you gauge the property and landlord. Reviews often have information about the neighborhood and living experience.

Flexible rental terms

Listings are for short term stays so perfect for travel nurses and other healthcare workers with temporary assignments. Many properties offer month-to-month rental agreements for more flexibility.

Safety and security

Some listings have information about background checks on landlords for extra security for tenants. Properties are verified by Furnished Finder to meet certain standards and are accurately represented.

Pros:

• Travel Professionals: Specialized for travel nurses and other traveling professionals so relevant and useful listings.

• Direct Contact: Allows direct contact with landlords which can lead to better rental agreements and clearer expectations.

• Flexible and Short Term: Designed for those who need temporary accommodations, flexible rental terms.

Cons:

• Varying Quality: Quality of listings vary and not all properties may meet the high standards of some users.

• Limited Availability: Fewer listings in less populated or rural areas.

Price:

• Free for renters: Furnished Finder app is for travel nurses to search for rental properties. Free for both Apple and Android devices.

• Subscription for landlords: Landlords pay a subscription fee to list their properties. It typically runs around $99 for a 12-month listing.

Why it’s the best travel nurse app for housing

Furnished Finder is the best app for travel nurses and other traveling professionals because it specializes in short-term, fully furnished housing. The app is designed to meet the needs of these professionals and is a reliable and convenient way to find housing near their assignments.

4. BluePipes - best travel nurse app for networking and community features

BluePipes is one of the best travel nursing apps for fellow travel nurses to connect and share.

Features:

Professional networking

With BluePipes, travel nurses can create a detailed professional profile with their skills, experience, and certifications. Connect with other healthcare professionals, recruiters, and potential employers to grow your network.

Job search and application

There are job listings for healthcare professionals, including travel nursing positions. All you need is one application to apply to multiple positions.

Educational resources

Nurses will find articles and blog posts on travel nursing, career development, and industry trends. Continuing education opportunities help to maintain and improve skills.

Community

There are forums and discussions with other healthcare professionals to share, ask, and learn. BluePipes is a community of peers for support, mentoring, and advice.

Pros:

• Comprehensive networking: Connect with other healthcare professionals, recruiters, and employers to build your network.

• Streamlined job applications: One application to apply to multiple positions saves time and effort.

• Educational resources: Resources and information for career development and continuing education.

• Community: Forums and discussions with other healthcare professionals.

Cons:

• Learning curve: New users may need time to get used to all the features.

Pricing:

• Free: Basic features like profile creation, networking, and job listings are free.

• Premium: Additional features and services for a subscription fee, details on the BluePipes website.

Why BluePipes is the best app for networking and community features

Travel nurses have challenges building a professional network and accessing resources due to their mobile lifestyle. BluePipes solves this through a platform connecting healthcare professionals, streamlining applications, and providing career resources.

Frequently asked questions

1. Does Shoeboxed integrate with other financial tools?

Shoeboxed integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero. This integration automatically syncs expense data so financial management is simplified and records are accurate. Users can export their digitized receipts and expense reports to these platforms, eliminating manual entry and errors.

2. Are there apps to find short-term rentals for travel nurses?

There are apps for travel nurses to find short-term rentals on their next assignment. Furnished Finder is one of the most popular and offers a wide range of furnished housing options for healthcare professionals on short-term assignments.

The app has map-based search and direct communication with property owners so travel nurses can find housing near their work.

In conclusion

Travel nursing involves managing many things, from finding the right job and housing to tracking expenses and networking. Using mobile apps for travel nurses like Shoeboxed, Furnished Finder, Travel Nurse Source, and BluePipes, can make these tasks easier. Each app has its own features to serve different needs.

Caryl Ramsey has years of experience assisting in different aspects of bookkeeping, taxes, and customer service. She uses a variety of accounting software for setting up client information, reconciling accounts, coding expenses, running financial reports, and preparing tax returns. She is also experienced in setting up corporations with the State Corporation Commission and the IRS.

About Shoeboxed!

Shoeboxed is a receipt scanning service with receipt management software that supports multiple methods for receipt capture: send, scan, upload, forward, and more!

You can stuff your receipts into one of our Magic Envelopes (prepaid postage within the US). Use our receipt tracker + receipt scanner app (iPhone, iPad and Android) to snap a picture while on the go. Auto-import receipts from Gmail. Or forward a receipt to your designated Shoeboxed email address.

Turn your receipts into data and deductibles with our expense reports that include IRS-accepted receipt images.

Join over 1 million businesses scanning & organizing receipts, creating expense reports and more—with Shoeboxed.

Try Shoeboxed today!