A travel nurse job guide can benefit you well when it comes to being acquainted with what you need to be qualified to work as a travel nurse and if it is the right job for you. Although a travel nursing job is a great way to get higher pay, excellent benefits, and incredible travel opportunities, it may not be a job that every nurse is suitable for.
What Are the Basic Qualifications to Become a Travel Nurse?
The qualifications of a travel nurse are typically similar to that of the regular nursing professionals in a medical facility. The common responsibilities of a travel nurse, whichever healthcare facility he or she is assigned to, include the following:
- Administering medication on time
- Preparing nutritionally-specific meals
- Coordinate laboratory and other workup needed with the right facility
- Communicate the patient’s condition precisely to the attending doctor
Travel nurses can work in facilities like hospices, hospitals, healthcare organizations, clinics, and schools. The requirements to be a travel nurse include the same guidelines for all regular nurses:
- Have a degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program (Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree or Associate of Science in Nursing degree for entry-level RNs)
- Pass the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination)
- One year of experience in the specialty that you would like to practice for. High-demand specialties in travel nurse jobs include:
- Operating room nurses
- Intensive care Unit and Pediatric Care Unit Nurses
- Emergency room nurses
- NICU, MBPP, and L & D nurses
- Medical-surgical nurses
- Telemetry nurses
- LTAC nurses
- Be licensed in the state where you choose to work.
- Certifications in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Other certifications for other nursing specialties, if needed like CCRN certification or Neonatal Resuscitation certification
Apart from these requirements, there are certain skills that you would also need to possess to be able to thrive in various working environments with different people and cultures. The top skills that you will need to be a successful travel nurse include:
- Flexibility
- Adaptability
- Language skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Teamwork
Is it Worth it to Become a Travel Nurse?
Being a travel nurse can have outstanding benefits. But, there are important things to consider before committing to the job. The three major factors that you will need to consider before you accept an offer to become a travel nurse are:
- Location
The demand for travel nurses is skyrocketing. More and more states in the country are in need of nurses in different specialties. The location of the job affects other factors like the pay and the demand.
For example, there are states that pay travel nurses higher like California, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington.
However, pay may not be the major consideration for all nurses who want this job. Some nurses would like to work in their desired states for scenery and sights that draw attention and may seem less stressful for them. The sandy beaches of Florida and Hawaii can be attractive to some travel nurses.
Demand is another factor that is affected by location. In a report by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, the states that will continue to have a high demand for nurses through 2030 include California, Texas, New Jersey, and South Carolina.
- Salary
Most travel nursing jobs get higher pay than their regular and permanent counterparts. This is one factor that makes travel nursing jobs very attractive and beneficial. The average pay for a travel nurse, according to ZipRecruiter, as of November 3, 2020, is $99,202 a year.
This pay comes with attractive bonuses and benefits like paid housing accommodations, license reimbursement, scrub reimbursement, travel reimbursement, non-taxed stipends, referral bonuses, and retention bonuses.
- Demand
There has been a steady growth in the demand for travel nursing jobs in the country. The explanation for the high demand for travel nurses include:
- Aging population
- Pandemics
- Nursing strikes
- Natural disaster and crisis situations
- Areas with greater needs
- Nursing shortages and absences
Now that you know the basics of a travel nurse job from this travel nurse job guide, you are in a better position to decide whether a travel nurse job is perfect for you. Contact the nearest travel nurse job agency if you have questions that will help you better understand the benefits you can enjoy by being a travel nurse.