How to Become a Travel Nurse (2024)

FAQs

How do I prepare to be a traveling nurse? ›

One thing that nurses need to evaluate closely when considering travel nursing companies is the number, and type, of travel nursing jobs they have available. Nurses should look at the number of job openings, the locations of the contracts, and the types of assignments available in their specialty.

Travel nurses frequently work in different healthcare facilities, each with its own protocols, charting systems, and routines. Adapting to these new environments can be challenging, and nurses must quickly learn to work effectively within different teams.

Travel Nursing is one of the most rewarding experiences, but it also comes with hard work, long hours, flexibility, and the ability to adapt quickly to a lot of things. Everyone responds differently, and oftentimes it's just an adjustment that you get used to after the first or few assignments.

Like all nurses, travelers will assess patients, administer medications, change dressings, assist with procedures, provide patient education, support and advocate for their patients, and document the care provided. They also might assist with discharge planning.

Travel nurse contracts are typically about 13 weeks long but may vary depending on the job and facility. Most recruiters consider short-term travel nurse contracts less than 13 weeks in length — generally, anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks.

Some contracts may offer scheduling flexibility, allowing travel nurses to express their shift preferences or request certain days off. However, this is not typical and is at the discretion of the facility.

The term “travel nurse” most commonly refers to Registered Nurses (RN). However, it could also refer to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN) or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). Some people use it to refer to Nurse Practitioners (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA).

Why would you become a travel nurse? ›

As a travel nurse, you are not restricted to just one population and can see a variety of patients and procedures, while learning new on-the-job skills. This gives you the opportunity to broaden your skillset and practice your nursing critical thinking skills.

Con: There's a lot of packing, moving and unpacking when you're a travel nurse. And assigned housing might not be in the best neighborhood. Work with your agency and research the area before you commit.

So, is travel nursing worth it? Yes! With more money, flexibility, career options, travel perks, and personal growth, it's still one of the most exciting nursing opportunities in 2024. If you're thinking of level up in your nursing career now, travel nursing jobs might just be the adventure you're looking for.

It's just a fact of life. Seasoned travel nurses will likely recall bad experiences and stressful assignments that left them with burn out. If you find yourself in one of these situations, don't let it sour your experience with travel nursing — especially early in your career.

Becoming a travel nurse

Once you are fully accredited and ready to rumble, you will need to consider that this is a competitive part of the healthcare industry, and so positions are not as easy to snag as other types of nursing jobs.

How often do travel nurses travel? Since a typical 13-week travel contract is about three months, you could technically work four travel nurse contracts in a year. However, most travel nurses opt to take time off between contracts, and there's no limit to how long a break you can take in between assignments.

Many travel nursing positions will require a BSN, but you can still do a lot with an ADN and it can also be used to progress toward a BSN. What You Need: A high school diploma or GED with passing grades in math, biology, and chemistry.