Did you know you can combine your love of travel with your wound care nurse skills?
For those who want to explore the country while doing a job they love, wound care travel nursing may be what you’ve been looking for.
If you’re not sure what’s involved in being a travel wound care nurse, we’ll fill you in on all the details, including:
- How to become a wound care travel nurse
- Qualifications and duties of a travel wound care nurse
- How much a wound care travel nurse can make
- Cities where wound care travel nurses are in demand
- And much more
Table of Contents
- What Is a Travel Wound Care Nurse?
- How To Become a Wound Care Travel Nurse
- FAQs About Wound Care Travel Nursing
- Are You Ready To Be a Travel Nurse? Wound Care Could Be for You — Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Help
What Is a Travel Wound Care Nurse?
A wound care travel nurse is a registered nurse who travels for temporary assignments. Assignments can last for various lengths, but 13-week assignments are the norm. Working in a variety of healthcare settings, travel wound care nurses care for patients with different kinds of wounds, including:
- Pressure ulcers
- Surgical wounds
- Diabetic ulcers
- Trauma wounds
- And more
What Does a Travel Nurse in Wound Care Do?
Travel nurses specializing in wound care perform a range of critical duties aimed at assessing, treating, and managing patients with various wound types. Their responsibilities often align with those of permanent wound care nurses but may also involve adapting to new healthcare settings and patient populations with each assignment.
Some duties that a wound care travel nurse may perform include:
- Providing direct patient care
- Assessing and documenting wound status
- Changing wound dressings
- Performing specialized procedures
- Performing diabetic foot care
- Following and updating care plans
- Monitoring for infection
- Educating families and patients
- Charting information
- Staying informed about the most current wound treatments
- Working with the care team
These tasks are only an example of the kinds of duties a travel wound care nurse may be responsible for performing. Every facility is different, and duties may vary from assignment to assignment.
Use Pronto to find the travel wound care nurse assignment that fits your specifications in your desired location and let Trusted Nurse Staffing support you along your travel nurse journey.
How To Become a Wound Care Travel Nurse
Education
A travel nurse specializing in wound care needs a nursing degree — either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Since wound care nursing is a specialized area of nursing, some travel wound care nurses may also pursue certification to become certified wound care nurses (CWCN).
Experience
Experience is crucial for wound care travel nurses as it provides the foundation for specialized wound care skills. Ideally, travel wound care nurses should have several years of experience in general nursing, with a focus on:
- Wound care
- Acute care; or
- Critical care
Depending on the type of degree and certifications earned, it can take four to six years to become a wound care nurse.
In addition to those educational requirements, most healthcare facilities will also require at least one year of recent experience in wound care nursing to work as a wound care travel nurse. Nurses can get this necessary experience working in:
- Home health facilities
- Nursing homes; and
- Hospitals
Licenses and Certifications
A wound care travel nurse can receive certification by passing the wound, ostomy, or continence exam(s) given by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Certification Board or the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy.
After passing the exam(s), nurses can receive credentials in:
- CWOCN (Certified Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse)
- CWCN (Certified Wound Care Nurse)
- COCN (Certified Ostomy Care Nurse)
- CCCN (Certified Continence Care Nurse); or
- CWON (Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse)
These certifications need to be re-established every five years. Not only do these certifications put travel wound care nurses at a significant advantage, but some employers may require them.
In addition to these specialized certifications, wound care travel nurses must receive a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and have a valid nursing license in the state where their assignment will be or have a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Continuing Education
Staying updated on the latest advancements in wound care is important for providing the best care possible. Ideal candidates should be committed to ongoing education and professional development.
According to the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy, to complete recertification, wound care nurses must complete 60 contact hours of continuing education. All of those hours must be earned during the five-year certification period.
FAQs About Wound Care Travel Nursing
How Long Are Contracts for Travel Wound Care Nurse Jobs?
The average contract is thirteen weeks, but travel wound care nurse contracts can last anywhere from two to thirteen weeks. Extending contracts may also be possible if you enjoy your current assignment and location and want to work there a little longer.
Trusted Nurse Staffing offers flexible contracts lasting six, eight, or thirteen weeks. If you want to seek a contract extension, we will work with your current employer to arrange all the details necessary to keep you working in a location and specialty you enjoy.
Who Is the Optimal Candidate for Wound Care Travel Nurse Jobs?
Excellent Communication Skills
Effective communication is vital in wound care. Candidates should be able to communicate clearly with patients, their families, and the healthcare team. They must educate patients about wound care and provide support and guidance.
Good communication involves not only effectively passing on information but also listening to the patient or family members regarding their concerns and medical history.
Knowing that your nurse and other medical professionals are listening to you and making communication a priority goes a long way in establishing rapport, trust, and mutual respect.
Critical Thinking Skills
Wound care nurses must be skilled in critical thinking and problem-solving. They need to assess wounds, determine appropriate treatments, and make decisions quickly to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
They may often need to work under pressure and be able to make independent decisions while working with other healthcare professionals on the team.
Empathy and Patience
Wound care nurses often work with patients who have chronic or complex wounds, which can be physically and emotionally challenging. Having empathy and patience is essential for providing compassionate care and supporting patients through their healing process.
Highly Organized
Wound care nurses are responsible for managing multiple patients, treatments, and schedules. In addition, they will need to communicate effectively with doctors and other members of the healthcare team. Strong organizational skills are necessary to prioritize tasks, plan for timely communication, and ensure effective wound care.
Attention to Detail
Paying attention to detail is critical in wound care, as small oversights can lead to serious complications. Candidates should be meticulous in wound assessment, documentation, and care.
Some wounds are similar in appearance but have different causes. To provide the correct treatment, travel wound care nurses must be able to analyze these differences and take the proper treatment steps.
Paying careful attention to details also means nurses can better follow the progress of the patient’s healing to alter treatment plans as necessary.
Where Are Wound Care Travel Nurses Typically Placed?
The Top 10 Cities for Wound Care Travel Nurse Jobs
Travel wound care travel nurses are needed across the country, particularly in these locations:
- Lebanon, Oregon
- Glendale, California
- Richmond, California
- Gallup, New Mexico
- Anaheim, California
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Everett, Washington
- Sacramento, California
- Austin, Texas
- Springfield, South Dakota
How Much Is a Typical Wound Care Travel Nurse Salary?
The range of pay for a wound care travel nurse is $3,208 to $14,750 per month, though the average pay is $8,969 per month. The yearly salary range is $38,500 to $177,000. Factors like experience, education, certifications, and location can affect the amount a wound care travel nurse makes.
What Are the Benefits of Travel Wound Care Nurse Jobs?
Professional Growth
Travel nursing assignments often expose wound care nurses to complex cases and diverse patient needs. This can enhance their clinical skills, deepen their wound care expertise, and contribute to their professional growth.
When traveling to different facilities for assignments, travel wound care nurses also have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and gain experience with different treatment options, like negative pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
And when your work takes you across the country, you have the amazing experience of meeting people and forming new relationships, which increases your professional network.
Variety of Cases
Wound care nurses encounter a wide range of wound types and conditions, from pressure ulcers to surgical wounds. The variety of cases they handle can be intellectually stimulating and challenging, keeping their work interesting and engaging.
And because wound cases can be so varied, wound care nurses are always learning new things about treatment strategies, techniques, and equipment.
Job Security
The demand for wound care nurses remains relatively constant, offering job security in a field that addresses the ongoing needs of patients with chronic wounds and complex health conditions.
On top of that, the aging Baby Boomer generation means that by 2035, most of them will be over the age of 65 and may be dealing with health issues that require regular wound care.
What Are the Drawbacks of Travel Wound Care Nurse Jobs?
Emotionally and Physically Demanding
Travel nursing jobs, in general, can be emotionally and physically draining. Long hours, patients with serious health conditions, and emergency situations that occur on a shift can wear down even the most undaunted of nurses.
Wound care nurses often work with patients who have chronic or severe wounds, some of which may not heal despite extensive treatment. Witnessing patients’ suffering and slow progress can be emotionally taxing.
Because wounds can be extremely unpleasant to treat, wound care nursing is not for the faint of heart. Seeing the extreme kinds of wounds day in and day out can certainly take a toll.
Lifting and turning patients, changing dressings, and maintaining proper body mechanics can also be physically taxing to a wound care travel nurse.
Heavy Workload
Not only does managing complex wounds require frequent dressing changes, but wound care travel nurses must also keep up with thorough assessments, accurate coding, and meticulous documentation. Wound care nurses may also have heavy workloads, especially in acute care settings.
Are You Ready To Be a Travel Nurse? Wound Care Could Be for You — Trusted Nurse Staffing Can Help
If you’re ready to kick off your travel nursing career, Trusted Nurse Staffing is here to help guide you each step of the way.
Our team of recruiters and representatives can help you find the job you’re looking for in your desired location, whether you’re a travel nurse pro or are transitioning to travel nursing from a staff position. Because our relationship with you is our top priority, we will work hard to help you achieve your goals as you grow in your nursing career.
Maintaining clear communication is vital in our relationship with our nurses so that we can:
- Keep you at the level of work you desire
- Help solve problems quickly; and
- Help you get the contracts that will advance your career
The best way to foster this type of communication is to be available, and that’s the feature that makes us stand out above other nurse staffing agencies. When you need us, we are here — whether it’s to help arrange housing, extend a contract, or negotiate the terms of your contract.
Trusted Nurse Staffing also provides some of the most competitive benefits you’ll find, including:
- Sign-on bonuses
- Flexible contracts
- High pay rates
- Stipends for travel, housing, and meals
- Full or part-time work
- Dental, health, and vision benefits
- Referral and completion bonuses
- Loyalty program
- Welcome gift box
- 401(k) with a 4% match after 1,000 hours and 1 year of employment
- And more
Trusted Nurse Staffing can help get you on the road and explore the country while doing a wound care nurse job that you love. Search Pronto today for travel wound care nurse job openings around the country.