Travel Nursing

Nurses who want the chance to set their own pace and the opportunity to explore new places may consider becoming a travel nurse. Nurses who work in the travel nursing role take short-term assignments across the United States and in other countries. Travel nurses are in great demand as the current nursing shortage continues.

Persons wishing to pursue a career as a travel nurse must first graduate high school with a diploma or GED. They must then enroll in either a community college, technical school, allied health school, or a college or university. After graduating with a degree in nursing, they must take and pass the nursing boards. Although both LPN’s and RN’s are eligible to be travel nurses, RN’s may find it easier to gain a position as a travel nurse. This is because a RN‘s license is issued through a national board, while a LPN’s license is issued by their respective state. Nurses wishing to become travel nurses must generally register with a traveling nurse agency.

Traveling nurse agencies require that a nurse has at least one year of clinical and practical experience. Traveling nurse agencies offer the additional benefits of negotiating with the hospital or clinic wishing to hire a traveling nurse on the nurses behalf. The nursing agency can generally get an allowance for housing expenses or even get a nurses housing supplied. Travel nurse agencies can also help a LPN obtain a temporary state license.

Benefits of becoming a travel nurse include the opportunity to see new places, work with different people, and in a different environment. Travel nurses can also make the decision as to how long they would like to work an assignment. They may opt for anywhere from three months to one year. Often, if the hospital or clinic is satisfied with the travel nurses performance, they will offer the nurse a permanent assignment. Travel nurses may be permitted to bring their families and pets along. Many nursing agencies offer the opportunity to travel and room with a fellow nurse friend.

Pay for travel nurses is usually dependent upon geography and size of the hospital or clinic. Those nurses who are skilled in the emergency room and in surgical skills are usually in higher demand, which means their earning potential is greater. Travel nursing staff are also awarded travel bonuses, and receive health care and retirement benefits either through their assignment or through the nurse agency.