Are Short-Term Travel Nurse Contracts Right for You?

Maybe you’re a Registered Nurse who is starting to feel bored working at the same hospital day after day.

You love what you do, but you could really use a change of scenery.

Your lifestyle is pretty flexible, you enjoy traveling, and you have a desire to help wherever there is a need.

Short-term travel nurse contracts could be perfect for you.

This guide explains why travel nurses are so important, the major benefits of taking on short-term nursing assignments, and how you can get started with your travel nurse career today.

 

 

Table of Contents

• 2 Types of Short-Term Nursing Assignments 
• 3 Reasons Why Hospitals Need Short-Term Travel Nurses for Rapid Response 
• 3 Big Benefits of Short-Term Nursing Assignments for Travel Nurses
• Possible Cons of Short-Term Travel RN Assignments 
• Ready to Look for Short-Term Travel Nurse Jobs? What Staffing Agencies Need From You
• How Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Offer You Short-Term Travel Nurse Assignments 

2 Types of Short-Term Nursing Assignments

Travel nurses are trained Registered Nurses who are sent to hospitals and facilities that have short-term staffing needs. To qualify for short-term nursing assignments, you must:

• Hold a nursing degree and have passed the NCLEX exam
• Generally have a minimum of 12 months of recent acute care experience in your specialty of choice
• Have references, licenses, and certifications

Short-term travel nurse contracts are typically about 13 weeks long, but they can vary depending on the job and facility.

The two most common short-term travel nurse jobs are:

1. Rapid response travel nurse
2. Strike nurse travel jobs

Trusted Nurse Staffing can help place you with a short-term travel nurse assignment across the nation when the demand is high and there is a need for nurses.

 

 

Type #1: Rapid Response Travel Nurse

A rapid response travel nurse is the most common type of travel nurse because they are typically needed the most when there is a sudden increase of patients.

Rapid response nurses are typically:

• Able to start very quickly – typically within two days to two weeks.
• Good at working under pressure.
• Flexible in their assignment length

As a rapid response travel nurse, you might be able to negotiate for a better contract since you are usually needed quickly and on short notice.

Type #2: Strike Nurses

Strike nurse travel jobs are usually used to help fill regular hospital staff positions while they are off of work due to a labor dispute.

In September 2019, nearly 6,500 nurses at 12 healthcare hospitals across four different states went on strike advocating for better patient care.

Then, around 2,000 nurses went on strike in Chicago.

Within one week, more than 8,000 nursing positions were left vacant, causing hospitals across 5 different states in need of help caring for patients.

As a strike nurse, you:

• Might have a few weeks notice (hospitals usually know a few weeks in advance if their staff will be striking)
• Are probably needed very short-term, maybe a few days to a few weeks.
• Can earn a lot of money due to the major need of the hospital to have staff.

 

 

3 Reasons Why Hospitals Need Short-Term Travel Nurses for Rapid Response

Short-term nursing assignments for rapid response happen quickly and are often an unexpected need.

There are three common reasons that hospitals tend to need short-term travel nurses for rapid response situations. 

They are:

1. When hospitals update medical software
2. Filling remote positions
3. An increased need for staff due to a crisis, natural disaster, etc.

Reason #1: Electronic Medical Records Conversions

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) conversion is when a hospital does an update on their medical software.

This means the hospital is having to pull staff members from the floor to do the necessary training, which leaves them with a need for nurses. 

For example:

Nicole is an ICU nurse at a busy hospital. Every few months, her and her coworkers must undergo training to ensure they’re up-to-speed on how all of their medical software works.

These different trainings can last hours, sometimes even the length of an entire shift, depending on what exactly they are for.

Instead of operating understaffed, rapid response travel nurses can be used to fill in during these times.

Reason #2: Remote Positions

Remote positions are considered “hard to fill” because they are not highly desired by nurses.

A remote position is a job at hospitals or clinics considerably far away from civilization, like many travel nursing jobs in Montana.

 They are often secluded and typically not as busy, so they can be hard to fill with steady full-time staff.

Because they’re hard to fill, they are often in need of extra staff.

As a short-term travel nurse, you can take on a remote position and be on your way after the average contract length of 13 weeks.

Reason #3: Unexpected Fluctuation in Staffing or Patient Loads: 4 Crisis Scenarios

Sometimes hospitals experience an unexpected fluctuation in their staff or patients which leads to an increased need for more nurses. These fluctuations often happen when there is a crisis scenario, like:

1. Flu season
2. Natural disasters
3. Man-made disasters
4. Pandemics

Trusted Staff Nursing works hard to help find your dream contracts, whether they are rapid response contracts or not,  across the country. Click here to start today.

 

 

Scenario 1: Flu Season

Flu season generally begins around October, is most active between December and February, and can last as late as May.

Although the flu mostly resolves on its own, it can also cause complications that can create an influx in hospitals.

During this heavy season, short-term travel nurse jobs might be in demand.

Scenario 2: Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can cause major injury or illness that might cause an increase in patients at hospitals.

The following qualify as natural disasters:

• Earthquakes
• Landslides or mudslides
• Volcanoes
• Extreme heat
• Lightning
• Wildfires
• Floods
• Tornadoes
• Winter weather
• Hurricanes
• Tsunamis

In the event of a natural disaster, nurses can help with:

• Blood drives
• Health education (CPR, First Aid)
• Staffing hospitals
• Providing extra resources
• Alleviating the strain of other care facilities like nursing homes

Scenario 3: Man-Made Disasters

A man-made disaster results from man-made hazards. They can be:

• Civil disturbance
• Terrorism
• Cyber-attacks
• Biological or chemical threat

Scenario 4: Pandemics

A pandemic is a global illness that affects a large number of people, like Coronavirus. 

They typically cause hospitals to be at or over capacity, which creates a large demand for more nurses.

 

 

3 Big Benefits of Short-Term Nursing Assignments for Travel Nurses

Short-term nursing assignments might not be for everyone. 

Maybe you don’t do well being distanced from your friends and family for any length of time.

Maybe you get lonely or homesick.

Maybe the continual job searching is stressful and not as stable as you’d like to be.

But if you’re committed to taking on short-term travel nurse contracts, there are some big benefits that come along with the job.

Benefit #1: Shorter Assignments and Flexibility

If you like to travel and have flexibility in your schedule and your life, short-term travel nurse contracts might be right for you.

The short contract lengths allow you to work in different hospitals doing different types of care all of the time. You get to travel, see new places, and make new friends.

It’s also a flexible job because when one contract ends, you can take the time you want or need before seeking out another contract. Sometimes you have the option to extend your current contract, too.

Benefit #2: Great Pay

Being a travel nurse comes with great pay.

In normal situations, travel nurses can make around $3,000 per week. When there is a crisis, pay typically increases.

They also receive:

• Travel and housing accommodations
• Food stipend

If the demand is there, travel nurses can easily make over $100,000 per year.

Travel nurses also often have the ability to negotiate contracts so there is an increased potential to make more money with each new assignment.

Benefit #3: Travel More Often

Short-term travel nurse jobs allow you to see many different parts of the country or world. 

If you love to travel, this is a great way to get paid to do it.

You can check out different parts of the world, learn what and where you like or don’t like, and spend your free time exploring your new areas.

 

 

Possible Cons of Short-Term Travel RN Assignments

While the benefits of short-term travel RN assignments are appealing, the job might not be for everyone.

Some cons to short term travel nurse jobs include:

• Feelings of homesickness or loneliness
• Navigating the logistics of travel (time changes, language barriers, travel stress)
• The many new contracts you have to negotiate, which means varying pay rates
• Always learning how to work with a team who already knows one another well
• And more

Ready to Look for Short-Term Travel Nurse Jobs? What Staffing Agencies Need From You

Do you think working short-term travel nurse jobs are right for you? A staffing agency can help find you great contracts and get you to work.

To become a travel nurse, you must:

• Have a nursing degree (LPN, ADN, BSN)
• Pass the NCLEX exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing
• Have at least 12 months of experience in your specialty
• Choose your preferences (setting, location, assignment length)
• Keep records of your licenses, certifications, and clinical records
• Have a great resume 

A staffing agency is likely looking for someone who is:

• Knowledgeable
• Adventurous
• Willing to go at a moment’s notice
• Experienced
• Holds multiple state licenses
• A team player
• Adaptable

How Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Offer You Short-Term Travel Nurse Assignments

Working short-term travel nurse assignments can be a fun and rewarding job. You can travel, negotiate your contracts, make good money, and have some flexibility with work.

Trusted Nurse Staffing has flexible contracts in all 50 states and can help find your dream job opportunities across the country. 

Our agency has recruiters who work hard and are motivated to find you steady work at positions that you want to be in.

If you’re ready to take on short-term travel RN assignments, click here to get started.