HOW TO BECOME A TRAVEL NURSE
Are you ready for an exciting career as a TRAVEL NURSE? It’s a great choice whether you’re an experienced RN or just starting out. We’ll guide you through the steps and benefits of becoming a travel nurse in this guide.
Key Takeaways
- Travel nursing offers flexibility, higher pay, and opportunities to explore new cities and healthcare facilities.
- Registered nurses need at least one year of experience in their specialty before becoming a travel nurse.
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is often preferred by travel nurse agencies and healthcare facilities.
- Obtaining the necessary state nursing licenses and certifications is crucial for travel nurses.
- Travel nurse salaries can vary significantly based on location, specialty, and contract duration.
What is a Travel Nurse?
A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works for a staffing agency. They don’t work directly for a healthcare facility. These nurses take on short-term assignments, usually lasting 8 to 26 weeks, at various places like hospitals and clinics across the country or even internationally.
The main job of a travel nurse is to help healthcare places that are short on staff or have a lot of patients. They bring extra support and skills to these places. Travel nurses are often needed in areas like critical care, emergency, and surgical nursing because they are in high demand.
Travel nursing lets nurses try out different healthcare settings and gain a wide range of experiences. They also get to earn more money. The average salary for a registered nurse is $94,480 a year, but travel nurses can make about $100,000 a year.
There is a big need for travel nurses because the nursing field is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032. This is because more older nurses are retiring and there are more older people needing healthcare. Travel nurses can fill this gap.
Travel Nurse Job Responsibilities
Duties and Roles
Travel nurses have different jobs and tasks, depending on the assignment. They can work in many healthcare settings or focus on certain areas of medicine. With the right skills and experience, they might work in a neonatal unit one day and an emergency department the next.
The duties of a travel nurse vary based on the healthcare facility’s needs, the nurse’s expertise, and the job’s requirements. But, there are some common tasks they often do:
- Administering medication and vaccines (approximately 30% of responsibilities)
- Conducting wound inspections, changing dressings, and monitoring patients’ wellbeing (around 35% of responsibilities)
- Addressing patient concerns and providing healthcare and nutritional advice (roughly 25% of responsibilities)
Travel nurses need to adapt quickly to new places, work on their own, and use their analytical skills. They are in high demand, helping to fill staffing gaps and meet patient needs.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Work Experience | Proven work experience, relevant licensure, completion of apprenticeship |
| Skills | Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to work independently |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent |
The travel nursing field is set to grow by 6% from 2020 to 2030. This shows the ongoing need for these professionals. Travel nurses earn an average of $2,130 weekly or $49 an hour, making it a rewarding career for those with the right skills.
Education Requirements for Travel Nurses
To become a travel nurse, you can start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). But, many agencies prefer a four-year BSN degree. This can make you more appealing for the jobs you want.
You must be a registered nurse (RN) and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to work as a travel nurse. This exam checks if you know how to give safe, effective care to patients.
There are no special programs for travel nurse training in U.S. nursing schools. But, you can get the skills you need through your nursing education and work experience. Many agencies also offer training and support to help you do well in this career.
| Degree | Advantages |
|---|---|
| Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) | – Shorter program duration (2 years) – Lower tuition costs |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | – More job opportunities – Higher earning potential – Preferred by many travel nursing agencies |
Choosing your travel nurse education path is important. Make sure you have the RN licensure and clinical experience needed to succeed in travel nursing.
Licensing and Certification
As a travel nurse, understanding licensing and certification is key. You need a valid state license to work as a registered nurse (RN). This license is the base of your career. Travel nurses also often need special certifications to boost their skills and get more job offers.
Nurse Licensure
All RNs must have a license in the state where they work. Travel nurses usually get a license in their home state. But, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), now called the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), makes it easier to work across states. This lets licensed RNs work in other eNLC states without extra licenses.
If your work state isn’t in the eNLC, you’ll need a state license. Getting this license can take weeks or months. So, plan ahead to get your license on time.
Additional Certifications
- Travel nurses often need certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
- Certifications like Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) can also make you more attractive to employers.
- It’s wise for travel nurses to keep physical copies and digital backups of their ID, medical records, and nursing credentials.
Getting licenses fast can help travel nurses find jobs in a competitive field. It’s important to know the licensing needs and timelines for the states you might work in. This helps ensure a smooth start and opens up more job options.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual salary for travel nurses | $83,386 (Source: Payscale, May 2024) |
| Percentage of travel nurses with a BSN degree | 47% (Source: Zippia data) |
| Number of traveling nurses currently employed in the United States | 1,733,502 (Source: Zippia data) |
| Estimated number of registered nurses (RN) employed in the U.S. in 2023 | 3.2 million (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
“Keeping physical copies of personal identification, medical records, and nursing credentials is recommended for travel nurses.”
Gaining Clinical Experience
Starting your journey to become a travel nurse means getting a lot of clinical experience. Most agencies want you to have at least two years of nursing experience before they consider you for travel jobs. This helps you learn the skills you need to fit in with different healthcare teams.
Having a special area of nursing expertise can make you more wanted for certain jobs. For example, if you know a lot about critical care or pediatric nursing, you might get asked for those jobs more often. Programs that focus on special areas can also open up more job options for you at top hospitals.
Longer travel nursing jobs, lasting 13 or 26 weeks, let you really get to know a healthcare system. These jobs help you grow your skills and make you a key part of a care team. This makes your travel nurse experience and travel nurse clinical experience even better.
“Assignments in high-acuity settings typically offer increased pay and benefits compared to other travel nursing jobs.”
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) lets nurses work in 39 states and more are joining. Getting a license that lets you work in many states can open up more job options for you across the country.
| Location | Travel Nurse Pay Rates |
|---|---|
| Northern California | Higher pay rates |
| Central Valley, California | Favorable pay rates compared to cost of living |
Whether you’re new to nursing or have years of experience, getting a lot of travel nurse experience and travel nurse clinical experience makes you stand out. It makes you more appealing in the world of travel nursing.
HOW TO BECOME A TRAVEL NURSE
Starting a career as a travel nurse needs a solid plan and hard work. First, you must get your nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Then, you need at least two years of clinical experience. After getting your licenses and certifications, you can look for a good travel nursing agency to find jobs that match your skills and likes.
- Earn your nursing degree: Get an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a recognized nursing program. This usually takes about four years.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam: After your nursing education, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to get your nursing license.
- Gain clinical experience: Most travel nurse agencies want candidates to have at least one year of recent experience in their specialty before starting travel nursing jobs.
- Obtain the necessary licenses and certifications: Make sure you have the right nursing licenses. Also, think about getting extra certifications, like the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) or Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), to boost your skills.
- Find a travel nursing agency: Look for and work with a respected travel nursing agency. They can help you find jobs in different healthcare settings, offering good pay and benefits.
By taking these steps, you can make your way to becoming a travel nurse. This path lets you explore various healthcare settings, improve your skills, and enjoy a more satisfying job with better pay.
| Certification | Number of Certified Nurses | Exam Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) | Over 30,000 | $300 + $100 non-refundable registration fee |
| Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) | Over 41,000 | $380 or $285 for ENA Members |
| Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) | Over 41,000 | $255 for AACN members, $370 for non-members |
Remember, becoming a travel nurse takes hard work, determination, and a commitment to learning and improving your skills. By following these steps and getting the right credentials, you can start a rewarding career in travel nursing.
“Travel nursing assignments can range from short-term engagements lasting a few weeks to extended contracts lasting several months or more, offering flexibility and varied healthcare settings.”
Finding a Travel Nurse Agency
Looking into travel nursing can be thrilling and a bit overwhelming. Picking the right travel nurse agency is key. These agencies offer health insurance, retirement plans, and more. But, not all agencies are the same. It’s crucial to research to find one that suits your needs.
When looking at travel nurse agencies, consider several things. Think about base pay, overtime, and non-taxable stipends. Also, look at insurance, retirement plans, and time off. These factors help you choose the best agency for you.
Travel nurse agencies focus on different areas, like operating room or oncology. It’s important to find one that offers what you want. Pay rates vary a lot, based on the agency, location, and specialty.
Getting help with licensing is key. Agencies should assist with state requirements. Having strong recruiter support and good communication during your assignment is also important.
Finding the right agency can be a big help in your travel nursing journey. By researching and comparing options, you can start your travel nursing career with confidence.
Explore the travel nurse application processanddiscover the best nursing specialtiesto boost your career as a travel nurse.
See also
- WHERE IT PAYS TO BE A NURSE
- LAST-MINUTE NCLEX TIPS & DAY-BEFORE STRATEGIES
- REQUIREMENTS FOR TAKING THE NCLEX IN 2024
- DO LPNS NEED TO TAKE THE NCLEX?
Travel Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
The nursing shortage in the U.S. keeps growing, making travel nurses in high demand. Their salaries vary a lot because they work in different places and do various nursing jobs. But, they usually make more than regular registered nurses (RNs).
Salary Expectations
In 2022, travel nurses made about $100,000 a year on average. This is more than the $82,750 average for RNs. Travel nurses get extra pay and benefits to take on short-term, high-demand jobs. But, they might end up with less money after paying for temporary housing and other costs.
The need for travel nurses is expected to stay strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says we’ll need over 275,000 more nurses by 2030. This is because of the ongoing nursing shortage and the need for skilled, flexible nurses. The number of RNs is expected to grow by 6% in the next ten years. Advanced nursing fields could grow by 40%.
There’s a big demand for travel nurses in areas like med-surg, radiology, emergency rooms, telemetry, and step-down units. These nurses can earn between $1,668 and $2,320 a week.
The job outlook for travel nurses is good, with strong demand and competitive pay. While travel nurse salary and travel nurse pay can change, the travel nurse job outlook looks promising for those wanting flexible, high-paying nursing jobs.
Conclusion
Becoming a travel nurse is a great way for registered nurses to see new places, learn new skills, and make more money. You need to meet certain requirements like education, licenses, and experience. With the right agency, you can work in different healthcare places across the country or even abroad.
If you’re good at adapting, communicating, and love nursing, this career might be for you. The number of registered nurses is expected to go up by 15% from 2016 to 2026. This means there will be more jobs for skilled travel nurses.
You can work in areas like critical care, emergency medicine, or others. Travel nursing lets you use your skills in various healthcare settings, from big city hospitals to small clinics in rural areas. By networking and keeping up with new healthcare practices, you can succeed in this exciting career.
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