A travel nurse is sent to different hospitals and medical facilities not only around the country, but also around the world. Their assignments usually last for a month to a year (or more). You also have the opportunity to work in a variety of specialties to help expand your nursing resume such as pediatrics, labor and delivery, operating rooms and more. If you want to become a medical professional and travel the world while you’re at it, why not consider becoming a travel nurse? Use these tips to learn how to meet the educational requirements and enter the available nursing programs for traveling nurses.
Education and Training
In high school, you will want to focus your general education in science and math. It would also be helpful to take a few foreign languages in case you want to travel to another country. After your high school graduation you can apply for a nursing program at a local college, university or online. Follow these steps to get your nursing license and experience:
- Become a registered nurse. The first step is to be trained under a nursing program, either via the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (which is the most ideal as it opens up the most opportunities for promotion later on), a two-year Associate’s Degree from a community college (a very popular option), or a hospital diploma plan (which offers the minimum training to qualify you to take the nursing board exams). Whatever path you choose, you have to make sure that the program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC).
- Take the nursing board exams. Obtaining a nursing degree under an accredited program will qualify you to take the nursing board exams. In the United States, this is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing this examination, you will be qualified to practice nursing as a profession.
- Obtain at least one year of experience working as a nurse in a hospital setting. While the minimum is one year, it is best to get as much as two to three years experience before seeking travel nurse employment opportunities. Try to get experience in a variety of units such as medical or surgical, pediatrics, labor and delivery and emergency room. This will better equip you to handle the demands of this medical career.
Skills Needed
Becoming a traveling nurse requires skills besides those learned during your training. Here are some of the skills required to be a travel nurse.
- Be able to adapt fast to new environments.
- Be a team player.
- Have good communication skills.
- Have nursing skills in a variety of settings i.e. telemetry, critical care, medical or Surgical.
- Be dependable. Once you accept a travel assignment, you have to be ready to pack and go.
Job Opportunities
Travel nurses have the exciting opportunity to practice nursing in a variety of settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, medical offices, surgical centers and more. You will have the opportunity to visit places all over the country or the world. Travel nurses work out of an agency that recruits nurses and places them in open positions for short, long-term or permanent hire.
Salary and Job Outlook
While the base travel nurse salary is around $63,000 per year, you can expect to earn more with your job. This compensation will make up for having to move around the country or the world a lot. They usually pay travel expenses and housing while you are on assignment. They sometimes also offer full health, dental and vision benefits.
Because travel nursing is a job that fills temporary open positions in hospitals, if you are willing to travel, there will always be a job for you. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this type of nursing is expected to grow through 2018.
Travel nursing is an exciting field that can take you many places in both location and your nursing career. The travel and adapting to new environments can be demanding at times, but the rewards and benefits more than make up for the demands of the job. Travel nursing is a great way to see the world and expand your nursing resume, while meeting new and exciting people along the way.