Travel Nursing: Embarking on a Journey
Traveling nurses are just what the name implies: nurses who travel. First and foremost, the duties of a traveling nurse are much the same as a regular nurse; he or she works within a hospital setting, attends to patients, and takes care of the paperwork associated with a standard nursing shift.
However, unlike traditional nurses, traveling nurses travel all over the country, working in a variety of medical settings and visiting places that others have only dreamed of.
Benefits of Travel Nursing
Almost all travel nurses are employed by an agency specializing in travel nursing. There are many of these currently in operation around the United States; some offer travel to all 50 states, while others are more limited in their scope of travel opportunities. One of the primary benefits of being a travel nurse is having flexibility in choosing which agency to work for. By finding one that aligns with the places you want to go and the job opportunities you wish to pursue, you have much more control over your career than a nurse who stays within a single facility for many years after graduating from nursing school.
The perks of being a traveling nurse depend primarily on the person taking the job. If you are a single individual with few ties to a specific location and a wanderlust to see new places, travel nursing can be an ideal way to make a good living and have fun doing it.
Some programs offer nurses a rotating schedule every four or six weeks, with quite a bit of “off time” in between. This means that you work for a few weeks, take a few weeks off to see the sights, and then pack back up to visit a new location. Most relocations are fully paid for by the agency, and things like your housing costs, utilities, and even food expenses are covered in addition to your regular salary. In this way, travel nursing is a little bit like being a flight attendant.
Drawbacks of Travel Nursing
It's important to note that travel nursing isn't for everyone. For some individuals, working with what is essentially two employers can be a difficult path to navigate. Although you officially work for the travel nursing agency – not the hospital or health-care facility – you do have to follow the standard rules and regulations of each facility individually. This can present problems if you are asked to take on more patients than your contract allows or if you are asked to perform duties you are not qualified to take on.
Professional relationships can also be difficult to forge. Traveling nurses rarely have time to develop the same level of camaraderie that standard nurses enjoy with the hospital staff, and resentments can arise by the staff's knowledge that a traveling nurse is not only there temporarily, but that he or she is probably bringing in a higher salary than they are.
Travel Nurse Salaries and Job Prospects
The future of travel nursing presents incredible opportunities for those looking to make money doing what they love. Recruitment bonuses bring in thousands of dollars right away, and salaries are only expected to rise as more and more hospitals around the country experience nursing shortages.
Most travel nurses can expect to make between $30 and $40 per hour, not including relocation and living expenses as well as bonuses. The better agencies also offer long-term benefits like 401(k) plans and continuing education opportunities.
Getting Licensed for Travel Nursing
Education requirements for travel nursing are virtually identical to those for standard nurses. However, you may be required to have a certain number of years of experience before you are able to become a part of the agency. Most agencies look for at least 18 months of acute-care experience.
Many states require specific licenses and certifications before nurses can practice within their borders, and traveling nurses are no different. However, most agencies will help you to make sure you have the proper licenses long before you transfer to a new location.
Hitting the Road
When it comes time to make the choice, it's best to find a travel nursing agency that aligns with your own goals and preferences. Depending on what you want out of your experience, you should look for:
• Flexibility in assignment length: Most travel assignments last between 4 and 13 weeks. Depending on how much travel you want within the year, you may wish to end on the shorter or longer end of this spectrum.
• Type of facility: From large teaching hospitals to smaller rural clinics, there are numerous types of facilities looking for travel nurses. You should be able to designate what type of environment you'd like to work in.
• Opportunity to decline: Once you have been approved for travel nursing, you should work with a recruiter who matches you to the best assignments. If you are unhappy with a prospect, you should be allowed to decline it before signing a contract.
• Choice of location: Many agencies also provide flexibility in terms of assigned locations. This means that you may get to submit requests regarding where you want to work within the United States. Even traveling within your own city – simply moving to different nearby hospitals and facilities – is possible, as long as you state your preferences in advance.
• Good housing: The housing you get when you are on a new assignment is typically private and fully furnished, although some agencies do require you to live with a roommate. Most of these accommodations are within close proximity to your future workplace, and many of them allow you to bring along pets. Individuals with more particular housing demands (such as bringing along spouse or child) can often find their own lodgings and receive a housing subsidy in return.
Travel nursing is a high-demand career, which means that the reins are in your hands. As long as you work with an agency that is reputable and employee-focused, you should encounter great opportunities for growth and exploration in your career – and your life.
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