Traveling Nurse Job Openings: What You Need to Know

Travel nurses are licensed registered nurses who move between positions. Rather than taking a permanent position, they accept short-term contracts to fill staffing gaps in hospitals and clinics. How can a person become a travel nurse? What qualifications do they need? 

Travel Nursing

Travel nurses provide temporary assistance when staff members are unavailable for any reason. They may take over for a nurse on maternity or paternity leave, fill a vacancy until a permanent replacement is found, or cover for someone on a sabbatical. The listings for traveling nurse job openings typically don’t explain why help is needed; they share what the organization seeks. 

Assignments typically range from eight to 26 weeks, although most nurses work for three months. The nurse determines which assignments they take. Regardless of their chosen jobs, travel nurses’ pay tends to be higher. 

Travel nurses must be registered nurses with experience in the desired specialty. These individuals must be able to step in with little training or supervision and provide the same care a permanent nurse would. 

Job Duties

Travel nurses care for patients just as all nurses do. Although they may work in several specialties when taking on this role, they perform the same duties they would if they had a permanent job. 

Travel Nurse Salary

Travel nurse pay varies by specialty, level of education, and experience. Contract lengths also vary, but most travel nurses work full-time. They may also be asked to work nights, weekends, and holidays. Private-sector employees typically pay more than their public counterparts. Many employers also provide stipends for housing and travel expenses. 

Becoming a Travel Nurse

The first step in becoming a traveling nurse is to become licensed as a registered nurse. A person might pursue an associate degree in nursing, obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or participate in an accelerated nursing program. The accelerated nursing program is for men and women with bachelor’s degrees in another field. However, the student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 54 transferrable college credits to enroll in the accelerated program. 

Licensing Requirements

To work as a travel nurse, the RN must be licensed in their state. They cannot obtain this license until they pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Additional licensing requirements vary by state, so the applicant must learn what they are. Fortunately, the nurse licensure compact allows these individuals to work in most other states once they have a license from their home state. 

Voluntary Certifications

Nurses might wish to pursue voluntary certifications to open up more job opportunities. Once they have a year of experience, they can become certified in Advanced Diabetes Management, Oncology Nursing, or Pediatric Nursing. Other certifications are also available, so nurses should research the options and choose which they feel will most benefit their careers. 

Prepare a Resume

Before searching for nursing travel contracts, the individual should have a resume and cover letter ready to share. Include qualifications and work experience in these documents and show competency with measurable results where possible. Most nurses work with a staffing agency to make finding open positions easier. Consider sharing the resume and cover letter with one or more agencies to reduce the time needed to find work. 

Many individuals find working as a travel nurse is ideal for their needs. They love the flexibility, variety, and pay that come with this work. Anyone looking to make a career change should consider this option, as the rewards are immense.