What qualifications do I need
to work as a travel nurse? Nurses who hold up-to-date licenses qualify to work
as travel nurses. While placements are available for LPNs, RNs, and nurse
practitioners, the most opportunities exist for RNs.
Travel nurses find their placements through specialized agencies,
which generally require at least one year of recent critical-care experience
and solid work references.
Key to getting the travel nurse placement you want is having
several certifications and solid experience in different practice areas. Many
nurses who know they'd like to travel find that working as a floating nurse
for a year in their local hospital allows them to gain the experience they
need.
How much can I expect to earn
and what benefits will I receive? The personal rewards are clear. How else can you travel,
do what you love, and get paid for it? In addition, a good travel placement
agency will offer excellent benefits, including bonus programs, healthcare
insurance, travel reimbursement, and retirement programs. They'll work with
your assigned hospital to provide you with housing, or they'll provide a housing
stipend if you prefer to strike out on your own.
Pay rates for travel nurses depend on the facility, location,
and clinical specialty, but will range anywhere from $11 per hour for LPNs,
up to $35 per hour for RNs. The average for RNs in most locations is mid-$20s.
What is a typical assignment
like? Hospitals use travel nurses to fill in staffing gaps
during situations such as seasonal tourism influxes, maternity leaves, or
staff shortages. Because of this, they want well-qualified people who can
jump in quickly (often with little orientation time) and fit in easily with
the permanent team.
Travel assignments generally last for three months at a time.
At the end of the assignment, you may have the opportunity to renew at the
same hospital or, if you'd like, you can move on to a new placement in a new
city.
How can I find work as a travel
nurse? Most travel nurses find work through reputable agencies
that help them find the right placement, secure housing, and reimburse travel
costs. Start your search with our sponsors, who have made it easy with one
application that lets you apply to several
companies at once.
Where can I
travel as a nurse?
Because of the current shortage, opportunities
exist all over the United States, from small towns in upstate New York
to larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles. Where you travel is really
up to you. Do you want warm weather or cold, a teaching facility or a community
hospital, a large city or rural area? A good recruiter will match you with
the right placement.
Can I travel with my family? Yes. Travel nursing is an excellent way to explore the
country or spend school vacation time. In fact, you can even bring your pets.
Just let your agency know who will be traveling with you so they can work
to help you find appropriate housing.
What about licensing requirements in the states where I'd
like to work?
You will need to have the necessary state
license for the areas where you travel. Your agency can help you obtain
up-to-date information and applications from the appropriate state board.
How can I learn more? Check out the National
Association of Traveling Nurses. You also can contact travel nurse
placement agencies—start with our sponsors, which include some of the industry's
most respected travel nurse agencies.
Peggy Van Fleet
"I knew I needed to be a nurse,
but I wasn't prepared to commit long-term somewhere."
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