Are you thinking of becoming a travel nurse? Are you a recent nursing school graduate looking for employment options? Are you looking to retire but aren’t sure where? Exploring travel nursing is a great idea, no matter where you are in your career. With 1-2 years of experience as a staff nurse, you may be eligible for travel nurse positions. In this article, we explore becoming a travel nurse FAQ, but we also have positions for Allied Health professionals and other specialties. Check out our Job Board for more information.
What is travel nursing?
Travel nursing is a specialty wherein nurses of varying backgrounds work for a staffing agency like AB Staffing, taking contract work where they are needed at locations and facilities across the nation. Hospitals, community clinics, medical offices, prisons, and schools are among the places where we have placed travel nurses. These positions typically offer higher pay than staff nursing positions but do require 1-2 years of experience first. We also have a Housing Department that will help you find available places to live.
How does travel nursing differ from traditional nursing?
Travel nursing differs from travel nursing in many ways. The first is that you’re the new person every time you accept a new contract. If you’re working 13-week contracts, that means you could be at a new location every few months. While this can feel daunting, our travelers tell us it is also an adventure; they meet people across the country. The power of social media keeps them connected to their friends and colleagues. If you’re looking for a place to settle, you can reach out to your network.
Second is that travel nursing affords the opportunity to expand your skills and gain experience with different processes and systems. You won’t get stuck in a rut, that’s for sure!
Lastly, while you may have chosen the place where you are working, you may not be able to choose your shifts. Remember, you’re there to support the shift nurses, so you may be a floater or work varying shifts, but you will also be in a city or town that you can explore on your days off.
What are the benefits of travel nursing?
Each year we put a list together of top travel nursing blog posts in which we have written about the benefits of travel nursing. These include the ability to potentially earn more than staff nurses, opportunities to travel to places on your bucket list, experience new cultures, serve in underserved areas like the Navajo Nation, be part of a different team, and expand your skillset and network.
What are the requirements to become a travel nurse?
If you’ve recently graduated from nursing school, you are required to be a staff nurse for one to two years. The reason is to build your skills as a nurse and get a feel for the processes and responsibilities of the job. Once you’ve got your feet wet, so to speak, you’re better able to serve patients as a traveler. Then you will need to find the right agency for you and have your travel nursing documents ready to send to your recruiter.
How often can travel nurses switch assignments?
As a travel nurse, you can switch assignments every 13 weeks or you can choose to extend a travel contract. Before deciding to extend, ask yourself if you enjoy the staff at the current facility, if you’re flexible in terms of night shift vs. day shift if you’re enjoying the culture of the area, and if it is the right place for your partner/family/pet.
Are travelers offered benefits?
It depends on the travel nurse agency. At AB Staffing, we do offer health benefits to travelers. Some contracts offer paid medical benefits and others do not, but most reputable agencies at least offer the ability to contribute to a 401K and medical coverage.
As far as vacation time goes, most travelers ask to take time off between contracts unless it has been agreed upon at signing that you will be taking time off during your contract.
How do travel nurses get licenses for different states?
Licensing for different states is the responsibility of the travel nurse, but often times your agency can help you through the process. Check to see if your current license works in other states through the Nursing License Compact (NLC) agreement. NLC allows nurses to work in multiple states with the same license, but not all states are part of this.
What are the top travel nursing specialties?
The top travel nursing specialties include Corrections, Med/Surg, Emergency Room (ER), Psychiatric, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Labor and Delivery (L&D), and Operating Room (OR).
How do travel nurses handle relocating to new cities?
Travel Nurses work with their Recruiters and Housing Departments to relocate to a new city. We also have articles about thriving in a new city (spoiler alert: Just explore!), packing list recommendations, and managing stress. Our travelers tell us they love to explore on their days off. Whether it’s attending a cultural event, outdoor activities, museums, or feeding their inner foodie.
How do travel nurses find new assignments?
Search agency websites to see what positions they currently have open. Check out our Job Board to see where there are opportunities in your specialty!
