How to become a travel nurse? Starting a career as a travel nurse opens doors to a unique and fulfilling professional journey. As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to explore diverse healthcare settings, contribute to patient careers, and explore different regions across the country.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps on how to become a travel nurse, their roles, and how much they earn. Let’s dive right in!
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What is a travel nurse?
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A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works temporarily, usually within 13 to 26 weeks, at various healthcare facilities across different locations. They are hired to fill staffing shortages, particularly in areas where there is a high demand for healthcare professionals.
They can contribute their skills to various communities while embracing a dynamic and rewarding career path. Travel nurses enjoy the flexibility of exploring diverse work settings, gaining experience, and frequently receiving competitive compensation packages.
Types of travel nurses
1. Medical-Surgical Travel Nurses: These nurses provide care for patients who are recovering from surgery or who have urgent medical issues in a variety of medical-surgical settings. They work with a wide variety of cases and acquire extensive clinical experience.
2. Critical Care Travel Nurses: Critical care nurses work in ICUs and critical care settings. They care for patients with severe medical conditions who need advanced life support and monitoring.
3. Emergency Room Travel Nurses: ER nurses work in fast-paced emergency departments, handling urgent medical situations. They assess patients, give treatments, and work with multidisciplinary teams to stabilize individuals in life-threatening conditions.
4. Labor and Delivery Travel Nurses: L&DÂ travel nurses work in maternity units and assist expectant mothers during labor and childbirth. They give support, monitor fetal health, and team up with obstetricians to ensure safe deliveries.
5. Pediatric Travel Nurses: Pediatric nurses care for children and adolescents. They work in pediatric wards, clinics, or hospitals, and address the unique healthcare needs of young patients.
6. Psychiatric Travel Nurses: Psychiatric nurses work in mental healthcare settings, providing care for people with mental health disorders. They can work in psychiatric hospitals, clinics, or community mental health facilities.
7. Rehabilitation Travel Nurses: These nurses help patients who are recovering from injuries or surgeries in rehabilitation facilities. They collaborate with physical therapists and other medical specialists to promote patients’ recovery.
8. Home Health Travel Nurses: Home health nurses provide medical care to patients in their homes. They may work with diverse patient populations, including the elderly or people with chronic illnesses.
9. Oncology Travel Nurses: Oncology nurses are experts in providing care for patients with cancer. They work in oncology units, assisting with treatments, managing symptoms, and providing support to cancer patients and their families.
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How to become a travel nurse
1. Earn an Accredited Nursing Degree
The first step to becoming a travel nurse is to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program. While an ADN offers a quicker route to RN licensure, a BSN provides a more comprehensive education and more job prospects.
2. Pass the NCLEX Exam
Obtain RN licensure by passing the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN). This exam evaluates knowledge of patient communication, healthcare systems, ethics, nursing practice, and education.
3. Gain Clinical Experience
Get a clinical nursing experience of at least one year. Some agencies may require over two years of experience. Travel nurses need to be able to swiftly adjust to new situations and tasks without requiring a lot of on-the-job training.
4. Research and Choose a Travel Nursing Agency
Check out reputable travel nursing agencies that suit your preferences for locations, assignment types, salary, benefits, and housing arrangements. Research agency reputations, compare contract offerings, and make sure they align with your goals and expectations.
5. Submit Your Application
Apply to your chosen travel nursing agency. Agencies usually recruit through nursing school career offices, professional associations, and online platforms. Provide the required documents, including your nursing license, certifications, and professional references.
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What are the roles of travel nurses?
Travel nurses’ roles and responsibilities change with every assignment because they work in a variety of locations with a wide range of patient demographics.
Oftentimes, they don’t get much on-the-job training. Your first shift may start with a thorough orientation or just a quick rundown of the facility’s policies and procedures, depending on the employer.
For the first few days, you might be teamed with a nurse, but you’ll soon be expected to work on your own.
However, here are some common job responsibilities of travel nurses:
1. They deliver high-quality patient care across various settings and populations.
2. They apply specialized nursing skills across different specialties.
3. They prioritize patients’ rights and needs.
4. They work seamlessly with other healthcare team members.
5. They give immediate support during healthcare crises or emergencies.
6. They educate patients and their families on treatment plans and post-discharge care.
7. They keep accurate patient records and care documentation.
How much do travel nurses earn?
Travel nurse salaries vary depending on factors like setting, location, and specialization. According to Vivian, a healthcare hiring service, travel nurses’ average weekly pay is $2,200, which is equivalent to $61.20 per hour.
However, top-earning travel nurses earn up to $2,703 weekly, and those at the lower end earn around $1,764. Although travel nurses usually earn more than typical RNs, they may have to cover additional expenses like healthcare benefits and rent that aren’t covered in their contracts, impacting their overall compensation.
Can travel nurses choose where they work?
Yes, travel nurses can choose their work locations. They can select assignments based on preferences like geographic location, healthcare facility type, and the patient population they want to work with.
This flexibility allows travel nurses to explore different regions, experience diverse healthcare settings, and achieve their personal and professional goals.
