Travel Nursing: Everything You Need to Know

Are you considering diving into the world of travel nursing? Well, you're in for an exciting, rewarding, and dynamic career. Let's take a closer look at what travel nursing entails and the requirements to become one.

Understanding Travel Nursing

A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who is hired by a nursing employment agency, rather than directly by a hospital or other healthcare facility. These nurses have the flexibility to work across various locations, be it local, national, or even international. On average, a travel nursing assignment lasts around 13 weeks, but this can vary.

What Do Travel RNs Do?

Travel nurses play a pivotal role in filling temporary staffing gaps in medical facilities across the nation. The responsibilities of a travel RN can be diverse. Depending on their specialty, experience, and the needs of the hiring facility, they might be working in a neonatal unit one day and an emergency department the next.

What are the requirements to become a Travel Nurse?

Education: All travel nurses must be registered nurses. This means you'd need to complete a nursing training program, pass the NCLEX-RN examination, and secure licensure. While both BSN and ADN degree holders can be travel nurses, those with a BSN often have a competitive edge, especially when applying to larger hospitals.

Experience: Most agencies prefer nurses who have a minimum of two years of clinical experience.

Adaptability: As travel nurses often transition between environments, they need to be adaptable. They should be quick learners and integrate seamlessly into new teams and systems.

Valid License: A travel nurse must possess a valid license in the state they wish to work. Obtaining a new license can be time-consuming, but many travel nurse agencies assist with the process.

Certifications: While Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) are standard, additional certifications like the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) can be valuable assets.

Why Choose Travel Nursing?

Travel nursing isn't just about hopping from one place to another; it comes with a myriad of benefits:

Competitive Salary: Travel nurses earn generous hourly pay rates and most companies offer shift differentials, overtime and some facilities offer completion bonuses. Often, travel RNs earn a lucrative salary when compared to staff nurses.

Travel Discounts: From hotel deals to car rental discounts, travel nurses often enjoy a variety of travel-related perks.

Freedom and flexibility: Travel nursing offers unparalleled freedom and adaptability, allowing nurses to decide their work location and schedule. They have the luxury to pause between assignments, reconnecting with loved ones or indulging in a long vacation.

Professional growth: Exposure to diverse health settings, ranging from premier research and teaching institutions to quaint rural hospitals, offers a rich opportunity to diversify skills and pick up novel methods. Travel nursing paves the way for nurses to enrich their professional portfolios as they soak in fresh experiences across the nation.

No workplace politics: Travel nurses remain untouched by office politics or administrative hassles. Their primary goal is patient care. Should they find themselves in a less-than-perfect environment, the promise of a new posting is always around the corner

Avoid burnout: Opting for a role as a travel nurse can be an effective strategy to sidestep the fatigue and exhaustion often felt by those in permanent nursing positions. If you're weary of internal hospital dynamics or sense that your professional growth has paused, travel nursing could be the refreshing change you crave. Meeting new people and exploring different locales, all while passionately attending to patients, is a unique experience that not many professions provide.

Looking for a Travel Nursing Position?

Finding the right travel nursing jobs can be challenging, but with the right partner, it becomes a breeze. Cambay Healthcare is among the fastest-growing travel nursing staffing agencies in the USA. We specialize in connecting travel nurses with the best opportunities, backed by a legacy of superior customer service. So, if you're ready to embark on a rewarding travel nursing journey, partner with Cambay Healthcare today!