.jpg)
How Travel Nurses Can Run Their Assignments Like a Business (Even If They’re W-2)
- Michelle A Wilson, EA, MSA
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
Every contract you take as a travel nurse is more than just another assignment — it’s a financial opportunity. Whether you’re W-2 or 1099, the way you manage your money determines whether your travel career builds wealth or simply covers expenses.
Running your nursing career like a business means organizing your finances, planning ahead, and treating your assignments with the same professionalism hospitals expect from you. And that’s where my firm comes in.
Who I Am — and Why I Work with Travel Nurses
I’m Michelle A. Wilson, EA, MSA — an Accountant, Enrolled Agent, and Business Advisor who helps traveling nurses and medical professionals across the U.S. transform their finances from “reactive” to strategic.
Through my firm, In & Out Accounting and Business Services, LLC, I provide:
Monthly bookkeeping that keeps every expense categorized and tax-ready.
Payroll and tax compliance for nurses who form LLCs or S-Corps.
CFO-level financial strategy — including tax forecasting, budgeting, and entity analysis.
Personal and business tax preparation to align your professional income with your personal goals.
Our firm is based at Cornerstone Coworking in Lawrenceville, GA, but we serve travel nurses across the East Coast — from Florida to New York — helping them take control of income, taxes, and profitability year-round.
Think Like a Business, Even If You Receive a W-2
Just because you get a W-2 from your agency doesn’t mean you can’t operate strategically. Every decision — from where you stay to how you manage stipends — affects your financial outcome.
When you think like a business owner, you:
Document your expenses to maintain your tax home and protect stipend eligibility.
Forecast cash flow between contracts so you never rely on credit cards or high-interest loans.
Set profit goals rather than hoping for refunds.
Even if you don’t file as self-employed, you can use the same structure I teach my business clients: pay yourself intentionally, separate personal vs. professional expenses, and review your numbers monthly — not once a year.
Real-World Example: How a W-2 Nurse Turned Structure into Savings
One of my clients, a Georgia-based travel nurse, came to me frustrated after owing taxes two years in a row. She wasn’t self-employed, but she received stipends and bonuses that her agency hadn’t taxed correctly.
After implementing monthly bookkeeping, we:
Reviewed every pay stub and contract for accuracy.
Created a “reserve account” to automatically save for taxes and travel downtime.
Adjusted her W-4 and tracked deductible state-to-state moving costs.
In one year, she reduced her IRS bill by more than $4,200 and built a $9,000 savings cushion between assignments — without changing her income.
What to Budget for Professional Support
Just as hospitals hire travel nurses for specialized skill sets, you should hire professionals for your financial management.
The best part? Each level pays for itself through smarter tax planning, better budgeting, and fewer mistakes.
How I Help Travel Nurses Operate Smarter
Working with In & Out Accounting and Business Services gives you a year-round financial partner — not a once-a-year tax preparer.
We help travel nurses:
Stay compliant with multi-state tax laws.
Protect stipends and per diems from becoming taxable income.
Track deductible expenses (licensing, CEUs, uniforms, mileage).
Plan ahead for taxes and downtime between assignments.
Evaluate whether forming an LLC or S-Corp could reduce self-employment taxes.
Even if you’re W-2, CFO-style planning gives you the structure to create consistent savings and intentional spending.
Why This Approach Works
Travel nurses are often high earners but poor planners — not by choice, but because they’re too busy caring for patients to manage complex finances. When you outsource bookkeeping and CFO oversight, you gain:
Accuracy: Every transaction categorized and ready for taxes.
Clarity: Real-time understanding of cash flow and profit.
Confidence: No more surprises at tax season.
This is how you turn short-term contracts into long-term wealth.
Ready to Treat Your Career Like the Business It Is?
If you’re ready to take control of your travel nursing income, I can help you create a plan that fits your lifestyle — whether you’re just starting out or managing multiple state contracts.
In & Out Accounting and Business Services, LLC Cornerstone Coworking, 279 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046Serving clients across Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the Carolinas, Florida, and the entire East Coast.
Comments