Travel nursing how does it work

For example, if you like to hike and enjoy new scenery, you may be able to find a temporary job in a state with multiple hiking trails.

Or, you may enjoy meeting people from other areas and exploring a variety of cities and towns. If you enjoy having a sense of personal freedom, you should consider a career as a travel nurse. In many cases, you will have the freedom to choose when and where you work and select from jobs lasting a few weeks or even just a few days.

You may be able to find work in an area in which you know you have an upcoming special event, a wedding, graduation, birthday, or the like. Travel nurses are often compensated handsomely, depending on the location of the job and the facility. Moreover, agencies sometimes provide housing, pay many of the expenses, and offer numerous other tax-exempt perks. A large variety of nursing recruitment agencies exist that maintain active job boards, which provide multiple opportunities to find employment in the area of specialization of your choice.

Angelina Gibson, reporting for Nurse. Every experience helps you grow as a nurse and makes you more attractive to prospective employers. Common problems encountered by traveling nurses include, but are not limited, to:.

Travel nurses have access to a number of excellent online resources that feature helpful information on almost every topic, including job postings, blogs, packing tips, tax information, checklists, networking hints, certification resources, and more. Find a comprehensive list here. At some time, almost every travel nurse becomes homesick. If you have to leave your spouse, children, pets, or close relatives behind, Skype or FaceTime may not be enough.

Even for single nurses with no children, being away from home for extended periods of time can take its toll. However, as Registered Nursing. The Gypsy Nurse blog provides hints to help combat loneliness during your life on the road, including getting a pet, using the Meetup app, joining a gym, learning a new hobby, volunteering at an animal shelter, getting out and about in your new area, and socializing with your new coworkers.

Typically, travel nurses are required to have active licensure for each state in which they work, which can require the necessity to plan ahead and obtain a license before accepting a job.

If you work for an agency, the agency may not only help you obtain your license, but even pay the licensing fees.

Obtaining licensure is a fairly straightforward procedure. You must provide a background check, proof of an active license, and a fee, which you or the agency will make payable to the state nursing board.

Travel Nursing reports that some states allow faster processing of temporary licenses, so you can take an assignment on short notice. Every time you accept a position, you sign a new contract, which means varying rates of pay. You may need to supply proof of your nursing license, additional certifications and references.

After your paperwork has been processed, if you are accepted, you will likely be assigned a recruiter. Your recruiter will be your contact person and help guide you through the rest of the process. Think about where you would like to go, the type of nursing you would like to do and the size of the facility you hope to work in. Providing all of the above information to your recruiter will help him find the right assignment for you. You still have to interview for the position.

The interview will likely be by phone or video chat. Housing: You may wonder how you will find a new place to live every 13 weeks. Most travel nursing staffing agencies set your housing up for you before you start your assignment.

Agencies vary in the type of housing they offer. For example, you may be provided a private fully furnished apartment. In other instances, you may have shared housing with another nurse traveler.

If you prefer to find your own place to live, some agencies will provide you with a housing allowance to pay for an apartment. Agencies may vary on whether they pay full utilities and expenses for you to get to your travel assignment. Benefits: Although packages may vary, most staffing agencies will offer some benefits. Benefits may include health and dental insurance and retirement savings.

Paid time off may be limited since assignments are usually only a few months. License Requirements: You will need to obtain a nursing license in the state you will be working. If you will be taking an assignment in a state where you do not have a nursing license, your staffing agency will help you obtain a license and may also cover costs.

Travel nurses have the luxury of choosing the destination, the hospital, and the healthcare setting they desire for each assignment. So, what about that sunny destination with the killer waves and white sand beaches? Or do you prefer big city nightlife or even small-town charm? It can be yours.

The average travel nursing assignment is 13 weeks, but with Trusted Nurse Staffing you can choose contracts that range anywhere from 8 to 52 weeks. Nurses are commonly given the opportunity to extend their contract one or more times depending on the needs of the facility, often with additional benefits. As it is with everything, there are pros and cons to consider before you take the plunge and accept your first assignment.

So, what can you really expect on the road? Sounds like a dream job, right? We think it is, but there are some things you should consider before you decide to hit the road. If you think the pros outweigh the cons, then travel nursing may be for you.

Trusted Nurse Staffing can help you find travel nursing positions that fit your professional, personal, and adventuring needs. You can still create an online profile and our team will analyze your:. Your longing for adventure can end today. Click the link below to get started.

For more information on starting your career as a travel nurse check out our Career Resources page. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How Does Travel Nursing Work? So, exactly how does travel nursing work?

Do Travel Nurses Get Insurance? At Trusted Nurse Staffing, in addition to the highest pay rates in the industry, our nurses enjoy a customized benefits package that includes: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Insurance k Housing, meals, and travel reimbursements Loyalty rewards And more 3 Factors That Affect A Travel Nurses Pay Travel nurses who can remain flexible, are available immediately, and can manage well in crisis situations often do very well financially.

Shift Oftentimes, hospitals and healthcare facilities have a harder time keeping nightshift staff on contract and as a result, will hire travel nurses to fill temporary vacancies during their hiring process. Location Location, location, location. Travel nurses have two options when it comes to lodging during their assignments : Agency provided housing.