What if you had the ability and flexibility to plan your nursing career as you saw fit? When you decide to become a travel nurse you are doing just that. As a travel nurse, you will be meeting new people, living in different countries, and creating a resume with a variety of professional experiences that are not the norm.
What is Travel Nursing?
A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works on a contract basis for various medical facilities. They typically work 13-week assignments, but some contracts can be as short as four weeks or as long as 26 weeks. Travel nurses are responsible for providing direct patient care, managing patient records, and collaborating with other health care professionals.
Benefits of Becoming a Travel Nurse
There are many benefits to becoming a travel nurse. First and foremost, it allows you to have control over your career. You can choose the locations you want to work in, the hospitals you want to work for, and the types of patients you want to care for. In addition, travel nursing offers a great opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience in different aspects of nursing. For example, you may work in a trauma unit one week and an intensive care unit the next.
Another benefit of travel nursing is that it allows you to experience different parts of the country (or even the world). If you love to travel, this is a great way to see new places while getting paid to do what you love. And, if you get homesick, most travel nursing agencies will try to place you closer to home.
Let’s recap 4 of the top benefits of becoming a travel nurse.
- You’ll get to experience new places and cultures.
- You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and make friends from all over the world.
- You’ll gain valuable experience in different healthcare settings.
- You’ll be able to see more of America (or whichever country you choose to work in).
What are the Steps to Become a Travel Nurse?
If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse, there are a few steps you’ll need to take.
- Get a degree in nursing from an accredited school.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse.
- Meet any state specific requuirements.
- Apply to a travel nursing agency.
- Complete a short-term training program at a medical facility.
- Start your first assignment!
What does the Current Job Market look like for Travel Nurses?
The current job market for travel nurses is very strong. There are many hospitals and medical facilities that are looking for nurses to fill short-term assignments. In addition, the number of travel nursing jobs is growing each year, as more and more nurses are choosing to take advantage of the benefits offered by this career path.
How Much Money can Someone Earn as a Travel Nurse?
Travel nurses (average US salary is $92,000 based on Ziprecruiter data) typically make more money than staff nurses. This is because they are often given higher-paying assignments and receive stipends for housing and other expenses. In addition, travel nursing offers a variety of other benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and continuing education opportunities.
What are Some of the Disadvantages of Being a Travel Nurse?
There are a few disadvantages to being a travel nurse.
First, it can be difficult to get settled in one place when you’re constantly moving around.
Second, you may not have the same support system as you would if you were working at a traditional hospital or medical facility.
Third, you may have to work long hours or odd shifts.
However, the advantages of being a travel nurse far outweigh the disadvantages.
Should You Become a Travel Nurse?
If you are a registered nurse who is looking for an exciting and flexible career, travel nursing may be the perfect option for you. With the ability to choose your assignments, work in different parts of the country (or world), and make more money than staff nurses, travel nursing offers a variety of benefits that other nursing careers simply cannot match.
So, if you’re thinking about a career in nursing, be sure to check out travel nursing!