Travel nursing is a growing career choice for nurses across the country. But before you take the plunge, consider a few things. For starters, ensure you can meet the licensing requirements for the state where your assignment is located. This will help you avoid any delays or hassles with paperwork.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a crucial skill for all nurses but essential for travel nurses. This is because they will be working a lot and must be able to work different hours, move to new locations quickly, and more. Fortunately, many travel nursing jobs in Ohio offer flexible contracts so nurses can choose when and where they want to work. This allows them to have a greater degree of control over their career and gives them time off when they need it. Nurses can also earn more money as travel nurses because they fill short-term vacancies in areas with high demand for healthcare services. These positions often offer subsidized housing, a stipend for travel expenses, and bonuses. Some of the skills that travel nurses need to include flexibility, adaptability, and communication. These skills allow them to adjust quickly to their new assignments and communicate with patients and coworkers.

Experience

When you apply to become a travel nurse, you should have a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN). You must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination and get your state nursing license. After an appointment, you can find travel nurse assignments with many different agencies. These assignments are typically in healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical centers, or clinics that experience staffing shortages. Most assignments are short-term. They can last days, weeks, or months and may only sometimes be in the exact location. These positions offer high salaries and accessible housing. Travel nurses work with a staffing agency to sign contracts with healthcare facilities to find these temporary positions. The warranties vary and are usually negotiated on an individual basis. The agency is responsible for ensuring all parties involved are satisfied and meeting expectations.

The contract also specifies what is included in the pay and benefits, such as travel reimbursement and health insurance. As a travel nurse, you can earn excellent compensation in various locations throughout the United States. Some positions can be in academic medical centers, specialty practices, or small community health centers. While most travel nurses perform the same duties as registered nurses, they can learn unique skills based on their assignment and the needs of the area. For example, a nurse working in a mosquito-heavy region may learn how to treat the spread of diseases like malaria or dengue fever. A successful travel nurse should have an upbeat, cooperative personality and strong interpersonal skills. This can be important in a job where the environment constantly changes, and you’re expected to adapt quickly to new protocols and people.

Certifications

Travel nurses are professionals who fill short-term staffing gaps in hospitals and medical facilities. Contracts generally last eight to 22 weeks, but some travel assignments are longer. Getting the proper certifications to become a travel nurse is critical to your success. These qualifications can vary from state to state, but many employers expect travel nurses to have current certificates and certifications.

Licenses

As a travel nurse, you must have a valid RN license. This is a requirement of most travel nurse jobs, showing that you have the qualifications to practice nursing in a healthcare setting. You should also consider any additional certifications or licenses that may be required for the specific travel job you’re interested in. Several states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows you to practice nursing in multiple states with one license, saving you time and money. The NLC also benefits patients and healthcare facilities by eliminating the need for a separate state license and reducing the risk of disciplinary action. Many travel nurses work in clinics, hospitals, private practices, ambulatory surgical centers, and residential care settings. They also travel internationally to provide medical care in war and disaster areas. The average salary for a travel nurse is $2,300 per week. This is significantly higher than a full-time staff nurse’s wage, and it’s an excellent opportunity for those with the right skills to advance their career. Some travel nurses choose to go back to school and earn their BSN degree. You must complete a college-level nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain your BSN. Getting your BSN is the most advanced degree a nurse can achieve, and it will help you pursue leadership positions in healthcare and beyond.

Travel Opportunities

As the healthcare industry struggles to find qualified nurses to fill gaps due to unexpected leave, seasonal population fluctuations, or planned absences such as maternity leave, travel nursing is an integral part of the solution. Typically, travel nurses work on assignments for short-term contracts with independent healthcare staffing agencies. Depending on their assignments, nurses may travel to various locations within the United States and abroad. Some nurses are sent to specific areas of the country where a shortage of nurses is standard, while others may travel to foreign countries in need of skilled medical personnel. During their travels, nurses may learn unique specialties, practices, and skills that they would not be able to acquire in their standard home setting. When applying for travel nursing jobs, it’s essential to make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork in order. This includes your resume, references, skills checklists, license, and other documents. Once you have all this information, you can apply with your travel nurse agency. They’ll help you complete the paperwork and submit it to hospitals in your desired locations.