Career Guide: Travel Nurse
Overview of a Travel Nurse Career.
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A Career in Travel Nursing
Do you have a gift for caregiving, a sense of adventure and the drive to take on a new career? A future as a travel nurse may be the perfect fit for you. Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who take on short-term assignments in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country 鈥� sometimes even internationally. With the high demand for professional care, competitive salaries and a chance to explore new places while doing meaningful work, travel nursing is one of the most exciting paths in the nursing profession.
In this travel nursing career guide, we鈥檒l walk you through what a travel nurse does, how to become one, salary expectations and how 番茄视频 (ACE) can help you take the next step in your nursing career.
What Is a Travel Nurse?
Travel nurses are licensed RNs who work in temporary nursing positions at hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities, often due to those facilities experiencing staff shortages. These nursing jobs are typically arranged through a travel nurse staffing agency and can last anywhere from 8 to 13 weeks, though the length of the contract can vary.
Unlike traditional RNs, travel nurses relocate frequently and work in different clinical settings. While traditional nursing positions are more permanent and localized, travel nurses fill urgent gaps caused by nursing shortages, seasonal demand or staffing transitions. With their valuable skills and adaptability, travel nurses offer quick support while gaining broad experience in a wide range of environments.
What Does a Travel Nurse Do?
It鈥檚 important to recognize that travel nurses perform many of the same duties as traditional RNs. While some travel nurses may work in emergency departments or intensive care units, others may serve in labor and delivery or post-operative departments. The variety in travel nurse assignments helps keep their work dynamic and engaging while helping them hone their skills and experience. Some of the most common travel nursing core responsibilities include:
- Patient Care: Monitoring patient conditions, administering treatments and recording medical information.
- Administering Medication: Ensuring patients receive the correct medications at the right time and dosage.
- Collaboration: Communicating with doctors, specialists and support staff helps ensure continuity of care.
- Adapting to Hospital Protocols: No two care facilities are the same. Travel nurses are able to learn and follow different hospital policies, technologies and patient care practices with each assignment.
Benefits & Challenges of Travel Nursing
Benefits:
- Higher salary compared to other nurses: Travel nursing positions often pay more due to the temporary nature and urgency of the role.
- Travel and housing stipends: Many agencies offer stipends for accommodation, meals and transportation.
- Opportunities to work in various healthcare settings: Gain diverse clinical experience by rotating through different hospitals, specialties and geographic locations.
- Flexibility: Travel nurses often choose where and when they want to work.
Challenges:
- Frequent relocation: Moving every few months can be stressful and may involve adjusting to new housing and unfamiliar cities.
- Adjusting to a new environment quickly: Learning hospital systems, policies and new team dynamics in a short time requires high adaptability.
How to Become a Travel Nurse
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Travel Nurse
Becoming a travel nurse takes planning, licensure and nursing experience. Here is a step-by-step breakdown you can follow as you consider this role as a future career:
- Obtain a nursing degree: Most travel nurses earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam: To become a licensed Registered Nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
- Gain clinical experience: Most agencies require at least one year of nursing experience in a hospital setting.
- Earn specialty certifications: Some of the most common and sought-after certifications include Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC).
- Apply through travel nurse staffing agency: Agencies help match nurses with available assignments and can even assist with licensing, housing and relocation costs.
- Secure a compact state nursing license: Nurses residing in Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states can practice in other participating states without needing additional licenses.
- Select and apply for assignments: Once you鈥檙e cleared to travel, you can begin choosing your contracts in a way that matches your preferences and qualifications.
Finding Travel Nurse Jobs & Choosing the Right Agency
Agencies such as AMN Healthcare, Aya Healthcare and Cross Country Nurses regularly help travel nurses find the positions that best fit their needs. As you consider the agency you want to work with, be sure to inquire about licensing support and continuing education benefits 鈥� these can make a big difference as you continue to develop your career. When comparing your contracts, it鈥檚 also important to review:
- Hourly rate or salary
- Housing and meal stipends
- Bonuses and benefits
- Assignment duration and location
Education Requirements
Required Education, Licensing, & Certifications
To qualify for most travel nursing positions, you鈥檒l need:
- An ADN or BSN degree: While an ADN is the minimum requirement, a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) is often preferred by hospitals and agencies.
- NCLEX-RN exam: This test is required to receive your RN license in any U.S. state.
- Licensing: Each state has its own licensure process. Nurses living in Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) states can practice in other compact states without additional licensing.
- Certifications: Specialized certifications can boost your pay and open the door to more advanced nursing positions. Common options include:
- BLS (Basic Life Support)
- ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support)
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
- TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course)
- CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)
Degree Options to Become a Travel Nurse
Flexibility is not just an option 鈥� it’s a requirement in the daily lives of anyone looking for a better career. It鈥檚 the reason why ACE prioritizes this feature in all our education models. Whether you鈥檙e just starting your nursing career or ready to take your existing role to new heights, ACE offers online degree programs designed with your everyday responsibilities and healthcare aspirations in mind.
Explore ACE鈥檚 nursing programs:
Our programs are:
- Affordable and online-first
- Aligned with industry standards
- Designed to support your career goals
Travel Nurse Job and Salary Outlook
The nation鈥檚 aging population and the overall need for highly trained nurses and point toward a strong job outlook for RNs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the registered nurse employment rate is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033 鈥� a much faster rate than all other occupations.1
The median annual salary for RNs is approximately $93,600. 1
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 197,200 positions coming available between 2023 and 2033. 1
1
Advance Your Nursing Career
If you鈥檙e ready to combine your love for patient care with your passion for exciting new experiences in new places, travel nursing may be the right environment to grow your nursing career.
Travel nurses are more than flexible professionals. They’re problem-solvers, caregivers and the lifeline for hospitals and clinics during critical moments. In many ways, travel nurses represent the heartbeat of healthcare: always moving, always adapting and always showing up when and where they’re needed most.
At ACE, we鈥檙e ready to help you take the first step. From choosing your flexible degree and affordable tuition, to experiencing the comprehensive support you鈥檒l receive throughout your journey, we鈥檙e here to see your goals through.
The next level of your career is ready when you are. All you have to do is apply!