How to Become a Travel Nurse 101
What is Travel Nursing and why should I consider it?
Travel nursing is your dream nursing job! (On your own terms)
Travel nurses are RNs or LPNs who fill in on temporary assignments at hospitals, long term care facilities and more while they have nursing shortages. There are so many great reasons to consider becoming a travel nurse, check them out below.
It is estimated that around 50,000 travel nurses are currently working in the U.S. These nurses have the same jobs and responsibilities as their settled colleagues, but unlike traditional nurses, they tend to earn higher wages, enjoy bigger bonuses, and receive stipends for meals and housing. With all of these advantages, it’s clear why you might wonder how to become a travel nurse. Here’s travel nurse 101 to answer all of your questions.
Benefits of Travel Nursing
- Earn more money
- Sharpen your clinical skills
- Work with a wide variety of patient populations
- Learn new EMR systems
- Travel the country and get paid to do it
- Spend more time with family and guarantee yourself the time off you need
- Have your licenses and credentials paid for
- Have the freedom and flexibility to work where you want/ when you want
What your Trusted representative does for YOU:
- Analyzes your education, experience, and work history to help you fully customize your resume for the position you want
- Listens to your goals, interests, and availability
- Creates a list of possible assignments based on your conversations and skillset
- Connects you with and submits you to your top choices
- Arranges a phone interview with the facilities hiring manager
- Consults with you on the offer details to ensure you are getting exactly what you want/need and confirms start date
- Assists with all pre-hire compliance, including setting you up for drug screens, appointments, assisting with getting your certifications up to date and guides you through the sometimes-tedious onboarding process at each new facility you are placed at
- Acts as your go to for all of your questions and concerns during your assignment, whether that be for moral support or something relating directly to the facility or position. You will always feel like your trusted representative has your back
- Negotiates and extends your current assignment or helps you choose and plan for the next adventure
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Trusted for a Reason
Trusted Nurse Staffing is the premier provider of travel nursing positions throughout the U.S. We place nurses, allied health professionals, and therapists in coveted travel assignments with desirable employers. Clinicians interested in pursuing a position with Trusted Nurse Staffing can rely on our reputation, resources, and travel nurse 101. Rather than funnel you along to the next job, we pair you with a team member who will guide you through every assignment to ensure you’re confident, comfortable, and compliant. Check out what our travel nurses have to say about us here.
How to Become a Travel Nurse
If you’re wondering how to become a travel nurse, the answer is likely easier than you’d expect! Licensed RNs and LPNs seeking a travel assignment can get started by completing an application. We will then process the application, and you will be matched with a Trusted team member who will guide you through the placement process, learn more about your goals, and help you find the assignment that’s perfect for you.
What to Expect
There are a lot of questions that aspiring travel nurses should ask before accepting an assignment. Most of these questions can be answered by travel nurse 101 and reviewing your contract carefully to see what benefits you are contractually guaranteed. Typically, though, travel nurses can expect the following:
- Assignments lasting an average of 13 weeks
- Benefits such as subsidized housing
- Stipends for meals and other necessities
Though all travel nursing assignments have common conditions, one of the biggest appeals of travel nursing is the constant change of scenery it offers. Many nurses are drawn to the unexpected and enjoy it more than the routine of a fixed position.
How to Find Job Opportunities
Finding travel nursing opportunities is simple. Trusted Nurse Staffing provides prospective candidates with a dedicated tool for finding and applying to the most lucrative and exciting travel assignments in the U.S. To find the best travel opportunities, ask yourself what your priorities are — for example, whether you want to find the best pay, travel to an exciting location, or find the most flexible assignment. Answering these questions and consulting travel nurse 101 will help you narrow down your options and find the best job opportunity for your needs.
Travel Nursing Requirements:
Who We Are Looking For:
- Licensed LPN, RN or BSN in the state or compact state where you will be working
- Tenured professionals with a minimum of 1-2 years of experience in their specialty (preferably in a hospital setting)
- Proven professionals who are flexible and open to new opportunities
What You Will Need:
- Necessary certifications for your specialty (BLS, ACLS, PALS etc)
- Vaccination Records/ Drug Screen/ Background Check and Testing will be required (but don’t worry, Trusted has dedicated Compliance Associates to help you navigate this part of the journey)
- commitment to providing compassionate, skilled medical care with a focus on patient satisfaction
- Completion of CEUs for state licensure, if looking to be licensed in a new state
FAQs
1. What are the educational requirements for travel nurses?
To pursue a travel position, nurses should hold either an associate degree (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree (BSN). Some facilities, though, will only hire candidates who have earned a BSN. Additionally, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN assessment and received licensure in their state.
2. What do travel nurses do?
Travel nurses go to different locations and facilities to mitigate staffing shortages. These nurses then accept short-term assignment contracts that help ensure facilities remain adequately staffed even when the facility’s staff is insufficient.
3. Can a travel nurse bring a pet or family?
The answer to this question depends on what kind of housing you plan to seek, but typically, the answer is yes. Some housing facilities for travel nurses impose restrictions. However, there are often alternatives such as housing stipends that allow you to find your own housing arrangement while still subsidizing its cost.
Take Your Nursing Career on the Road
Nursing is a promising career, with over 3 million positions becoming available in a single year. Many of these positions will be filled by travel nurses, so if you’ve ever considered taking your skills on the road, now is the time to do so. Trusted Nurse Staffing is your source for the top travel assignments. Contact us for more information.