Travel nursing is taking temporary nursing assignments in different healthcare facilities in various locations. It offers flexibility, higher pay and the opportunity to work in different environments. Typically, travel nurses work through staffing agencies that manage the logistics of each assignment, including contracts that can range from a few weeks to several months. This article will explain how does travel nursing work, what qualifications are needed and what to expect from a travel nursing career.
Quick Facts
- Travel nursing is temporary roles in various healthcare settings, driven by staff shortages and typically requires at least 2 years of clinical experience and relevant licensure.
- Assignments can be from a few days to 6 months or more, giving nurses flexibility in duration and location while maximizing their earning potential.
- Travel nurses get higher pay and diverse experiences but may face financial complexities, lack of job security and emotional isolation.
What Does a Travel Nurse Do?
At its core, travel nursing is stepping into temporary nursing roles in healthcare facilities with staff shortages. This could be working in a city hospital one month and a rural clinic the next. The demand for travel nurses skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting their importance in the healthcare system. Travel nurses offer flexibility and adaptability, often working with little orientation and quickly fitting in to new environments, making their nursing work essential.
Travel nurses work through staffing agencies that manage the logistics of their assignments. These agencies handle everything from housing and transportation to the details of each travel nursing job. Contracts can vary in length, from a few days to several months, so nurses can choose assignments that fit their personal and professional goals.
Personal traits that benefit travel nurses are resilience, flexibility in scheduling and ability to build strong support networks. The financial rewards can be big, travel nurses often get higher pay than permanent nurses, sometimes up to $5,000 a week in high demand situations. This combination of professional growth, financial benefits and adventure of exploring new places makes travel nursing a great career choice.
How long is a travel assignment?
Travel assignments usually last around 13 weeks, same as onboarding a permanent nurse. However, assignments can vary from as short as 2 weeks to as long as 6 months or more depending on the facility’s needs. Rapid response assignments, often filled quickly due to immediate staffing needs, can be 1-2 weeks or 8 weeks.
Several factors affect the length of a travel assignment including nursing shortages, changes in staffing needs and the nurse’s personal goals. Medium term contracts 1-6 months require more planning for housing and transportation. Short term assignments also play a role in determining the overall length of a travel assignment.
Long term contracts can go beyond 6 months but must be under 12 months to be considered temporary for IRS purposes. This variety in assignment lengths allows travel nurses to choose the duration that fits their lifestyle and career goals.
What Are the Qualifications for Travel Nursing?
To start a travel nursing career you must first be a registered nurse (RN). This means completing a nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN exam and getting licensed. Most travel nursing agencies require at least 2 years of clinical experience before applying for travel nursing positions. This experience ensures travel nurses can adapt quickly to new environments and provide quality care from the start, become a travel nurse.
Travel nurses can hold either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing but agencies prefer those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN degree) or nursing degree. Travel nurses must also maintain essential certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
Nationally recognized certifications like Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) can further increase job opportunities. Licensure in the nurse’s home state is required and thanks to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) they can often work in other states without needing additional licenses.
When Can I Become a Travel Nurse?
To start a travel nursing career you typically need to have at least 2 years of experience as a registered nurse (RN) before applying for travel positions. This experience is crucial in developing the skills needed to adapt to the diverse and often unpredictable environments in travel nursing. Also, maintaining licensure in your home state is required, with the NLC allowing practice across state lines without the need for multiple licenses.Key traits and requirements for travel nurses:
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Generally a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Keeping up with essential certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Any relevant specialized certifications
This combination of experience, education and adaptability prepares you for the dynamic world of travel nursing and nursing experience.
What are the pros and cons of travel nursing?
Travel nursing offers a unique mix of opportunities and challenges. On one hand it provides flexible schedules, higher pay and the chance to see new places and cultures but it can be a bit tricky.
On the other hand it can lead to feelings of loneliness, financial complexities and lack of long term career advancement opportunities. Understanding these pros and cons will help you decide if this career path is for you.
Pros of Travel Nursing
One of the biggest perks of travel nursing is the financial benefit. Travel nurses often earn significantly higher wages than staff nurses, some making over $100,000 a year depending on location and contract specifics. The flexibility to choose assignments allows nurses to pick locations, departments and shifts that fit their preferences, giving them unparalleled control over their work-life balance.
Travel nursing offers:
- The chance to work in various healthcare environments, broadening professional experience and skills.
- Networking opportunities to establish contacts in multiple regions, benefiting their careers.
- The experience of working in different locations and immersing in different cultures, which can be enriching personally and professionally through travel nursing work.
Cons of Travel Nursing
Despite its many benefits, travel nursing comes with its own set of challenges. Financial complexities, such as managing a mix of taxable and non-taxable income can be overwhelming and require a good understanding of tax implications. Travel nurses miss out on healthcare and retirement benefits offered by permanent positions, so they need to plan financially proactively.
Emotionally travel nursing can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation as nurses are away from friends and family for extended periods. Building rapport with new colleagues can also be tough, affecting teamwork and communication.
High wages for travel nurses can sometimes create tension among permanent staff nurses, exacerbating staffing shortages and creating resentment.
How are travel nurses hired?
Travel nurses are hired through travel nursing agencies which establish contracts with healthcare facilities to fill temporary nursing positions. These agencies handle all the logistical details making the hiring process smoother for both the nurses and the healthcare facilities. Typically the application process involves submitting a resume, references and a skills assessment.
Once a candidate expresses interest in a role the recruiter will send potential job opportunities along with compensation details. Candidates will usually have a phone interview with the hospital before final placement.
Travel nursing agencies manage most of the placement work through a travel nurse agency making it easier for the nurses.
What Are the Salary and Benefits for Travel Nurses?
The average annual salary for travel nurses in the US is around $101,132, much higher than staff nurses. Salaries can vary widely with top earners making about $59,000 more than those at the lower end of the pay scale. New York is the highest paying state for travel nurses with an average travel nurse salary of $120,132 per year.
In addition to competitive salaries travel nurses get benefits such as paid housing and travel reimbursement. Travel nurses in specialty roles like NICU can earn up to $154,500 per year. However, travel nurses usually have less job security and benefits than staff nurses which can impact their overall compensation experience.
Typical Agency Benefits
Travel nursing agencies often provide comprehensive benefits including housing stipends or fully furnished accommodations for travel nurses. Many agencies offer health insurance including medical, dental and vision coverage which is crucial for nurses on contract assignments.
In addition to standard benefits agencies may offer:
- Bonuses for high demand placements, to incentivize nurses to take on challenging assignments.
- Reimbursement for licensing fees and travel expenses to help offset costs associated with their assignments.
- Continuing education opportunities or reimbursements for certifications to support nurses’ professional development.
How Do I Find an Agency and Apply?
To find a travel nursing agency follow these steps:
- Research various agencies and their reputation in the industry.
- When applying provide a detailed profile that highlights your skills and experience.
- Connect with recruiters from multiple agencies to compare opportunities and benefits.
Most travel nursing agencies have online platforms for easy job searching and application submissions. Consider agencies that offer comprehensive support like housing and travel reimbursements as part of their packages.
Agency and Job Application Process
Travel nursing involves:
- Applying to a staffing agency that places nurses in temporary positions in various healthcare settings.
- Having at least two years of clinical experience as a registered nurse before applying for travel nursing roles.
- Getting state licensure for the location where the nurse will be working when applying for travel nursing jobs.
Many travel nursing agencies prefer candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for better job opportunities. Some states offer expedited process for temporary rn license which can help travel nurses start assignments faster. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows travel nurses to practice in multiple states without needing separate licensure in each state.
How Do You Get Started?
To start a career as a travel nurse you need to be a registered nurse which requires completing a nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Most agencies require travel nurses to have at least two years of clinical experience before they can start applying for travel nursing positions.
Travel nurses must:
- Apply for licensure in the state of their permanent residence.
- Get additional licenses for states that are not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
- Maintain essential certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
Flexibility and strong communication skills are key traits for travel nurses as they adapt to new environments and teams frequently.
Conclusion
Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career for those who want to explore new regions, gain diverse professional experience and enjoy financial benefits. Knowing the roles, qualifications and hiring process will help you prepare for a successful travel nursing career.
Whether you’re drawn by the financial incentives, the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings or the chance to travel, becoming a travel nurse can be a great choice. Go for it and you’ll find that travel nursing is a way to build a robust and varied nursing career.
FAQs
What qualifications do I need to become a travel nurse?
To become a travel nurse you must be a registered nurse (RN) with a completed nursing program, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and get licensure. Agencies also look for candidates with at least two years of clinical experience and certifications like BLS and ACLS.
How long do travel nursing assignments typically last?
Travel nursing assignments typically last about 13 weeks but can be as short as two weeks or as long as six months depending on the facility’s needs.### What are the advantages of working with an agency?
Working with an agency gives you housing stipends, health insurance and travel reimbursements and simplifies the logistical part of assignments. This support enhances your experience and lets you focus on patient care.
How much can I earn as a travel nurse?
As a travel nurse you can earn around $101,132 per year, with top earners making more depending on location and specialty. Plus benefits like housing stipends and travel reimbursements can add to your overall compensation.
What are the challenges of travel nursing?
Travel nursing has financial complexities, limited health and retirement benefits and feelings of loneliness. Adapting to new workplaces and building relationships with colleagues can also be tough.
