What Is a Travel Nurse and How to Become One
Table of Contents
What Do Travel Nurses Do?
Travel nurses are healthcare employees who travel to areas in need of nursing staff. Travel nurses assist physicians, perform administrative work in hospitals, and take care of patients. As a travel nurse, you will perform the same duties as the permanent nurses, but only for a few months or years. You then move on to the next facility in need. If you have a specialty, as a travel nurse, you can focus on the needs of the patients within your skillset.
What Are The Best Paying Travel Nurse Jobs?
The best paying travel nurse jobs are for nurses with a specialty. Some nursing specialties that are in demand for travel nurses, and so may pay better are labor and delivery, NICU, and PICU. One great benefit of all travel nursing jobs is that travel nurses can often live rent-free while fulfilling their contracts because employers often provide housing and travel reimbursement. Some nursing agencies offer sign-on bonuses and compilation bonuses. Travel nurses can work at competitive pay rates, and move on to jobs that pay more when they complete their contracts.
What Are the Education Requirements to become a Travel Nurse?
The education requirements to become a travel nurse are the same for general nursing jobs. You must have completed an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing or a nursing specialty to be a nurse or registered nurse. All travel nurses must have a valid nursing license, and if moving to another state, meet all the requirements for the new state’s nursing license.
What Are the Types of Travel Nurse Jobs?
There are many types of travel nurse jobs across the country. There are travel nurse jobs on ZipRecruiter from California to South Carolina. Registered nurses are needed across the healthcare industry, from home care nurses to operating room nurses. Specialty nurse skills like pediatric nurses and emergency room nurses are often needed. Travel nurses have the opportunity to work in small offices or large hospitals.
Travel Nurse Job Description Sample
With this Travel Nurse job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Travel Nurse role.
Job Summary
Our agency is seeking a Travel Nurse who can relocate to areas with an urgent need for medical staff. In this position, you may travel to a hospital or clinic in a rural or high-demand area and assist with both patient care and administrative responsibilities. You will perform all of your regular nursing duties, but we will have you move between facilities. This means you need the ability to adapt to new environments quickly. Our ideal applicant has a nursing degree and a registered nurse license. You must also have basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certifications. Experience in a niche specialization, such as medical-surgical nursing, trauma, or pediatrics, is beneficial.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Travel to a medical facility with a staffing shortage
- Gather medical information from patients
- Record and monitor vital signs
- Order tests to aid the doctor in diagnosing patients
- Administer medications
Requirements and Qualifications
- At least an associate degree in nursing
- A registered nurse license
- Strong communication and patient care skills
- The ability to adapt quickly to new situations
- A willingness to travel as needed
