subject: What It Takes To Be A Travel Nurse [print this page] Travel nursing is a fast growing industry which offers the benefits of high pay, travel, medical benefits, and a chance to meet lots of people, and experience lots of new things. If you are a nurse who is looking for a new location and better pay, consider travel nursing.
To become a travel nurse, you must be a graduate of an accredited health care professional program in the United States or Canada. You also need to provide a valid license or certification and proof of the right to work in the United States.
If you are wondering how much experience you will need, the minimum experience requirements depend on your area of specialty, the facility, unit and sometimes even the location. The facilities we work with have different requirements and preferences, but the majority request a minimum of eighteen months of experience.
For some specialties such as Med-Surg, Psych and Rehab, the minimum can be as high as two years, and for LPN/LVN the minimum is typically six years. This kind of experience is very important and will help you to be more competitive and hirable.
To be a desirable candidate you will need a sense of flexibility, a positive outlook, excellent clinical skills, and an eagerness to enjoy a new adventure. You need to be open to change and a quick learner-good communication skills are also important in this exciting nursing field.
Traveling can look very good on your resume, Changing locations as a traveler demonstrates your dedication to your profession as well as flexibility in your clinical practice.
The travel health care industry is appreciated and well-understood by nurse managers and hospital human resource professionals, so when you apply for a permanent position, your resume will be strengthened by your list of travel assignments. It will also give you much more practical experience than you would normally experience by staying in one place.
When it comes to choosing which company you want to work for, this is a very important step. Each company is different with regards to the benefits and services it provides, so it's important to do your homework.
Ask each company what it offers in terms of available assignments, pay and benefits, including health insurance and 401(k), housing, loyalty programs and clinical support. Our travel partners can answer any questions you have about what company is best suited to your needs.
If you are currently with a travel health care company but are not happy with their service or the assignments they offer, it is easy to find one that is better suited to you. With previous traveling experience, you won't have any trouble finding a company that will appreciate your skills and experience.
You may be wondering exactly how much flexibility you have when it comes to your assignments. Remember, you are in charge of your career. Just let your recruiter know what you want with regards to the location of your assignment, the facility, the clinical setting and any other details that are important to you.
Your recruiter will work to make sure your requests are met. When their nurse is happy, their company runs more smoothly.
If you love the place you live, companies have plenty of local "travel" opportunities, many of which could be right where you live. When you work as a travel nurse in your hometown, you can still enjoy all the benefits of travel nursing, without packing your bags and driving to a new destination-it's a great way to balance your home life with a flexible and rewarding career.
However, if you do choose to travel the country, you may be wondering if you will need a new license for every state you travel to. Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding licensing.
The best travel nursing companies have specialists who will work with you to ensure that you obtain the required license for your assignment state well before your start date. Generally you will not need to sign long term contracts with your company, as your employment is based on an assignment-by-assignment basis.
If this sounds at all desirable to you, do your own research on the rate of pay, the accommodations, and all the other benefits which can be yours. Travel nursing could be the answer to your call for adventure!
by: Tom Selwick
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