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How to Become a Travel Nurse
Wondering what it takes to be a traveling nurse? Read on to discover a few basic requirements to get started in a travel nursing career!
Discover your next adventure with travel nursing! Whether you're seeking extreme thrills like snowboarding and rock climbing, or you find adventure in simply meeting new people and exploring places you’ve only dreamed of visiting, then becoming a travel nurse may be what you’re looking for. Read on to see if you’re ready for a career in travel nursing.
Education Travel Nursing Requirements
Ensuring you’re on the right educational track is key to becoming a travel nurse. Your first must-have to fulfill your travel nurse qualifications is a nursing degree from an accredited program, with some facilities favoring candidates with a BSN. Passing the NCLEX exam is another travel nursing requirement, qualifying you for state RN licenses. In addition, most travel positions require certifications like the American Heart Association's BLS.
Nursing students who have their eye on a travel career can register with us early to stay ahead of the game and explore future opportunities. Once registered, your recruiter can tell you exactly what’s required for the type of assignments you’re interested in.
Work Experience Travel Nurse Requirements
Once you have the education needed to be a travel nurse, then you can acquire the necessary work experience. Most healthcare employers typically require travelers to have one to two years of recent experience in the specialty and setting similar to the desired travel nursing assignment, depending on the specialty, to meet their traveling nurse qualifications. Advanced healthcare certifications open up a broader range of job opportunities. Traveling registered nurses are sought after in virtually every specialty, with those in high-demand fields like Critical Care, Emergency Room, Medical Surgical, Telemetry, Labor and Delivery, or Operating Room enjoying more employment options and higher pay. To practice, every travel nurse must hold an active professional license as required by the state they wish to practice in and be eligible to work in the U.S.
Documentation Needed to Become a Travel Nurse
While specific documents vary for each position and facility, certain documents are consistently requested. Key documents typically include:
- An active professional license as required by the state you wish to practice in, as well as documentation for any certifications required for the position
- Titer results showing immunity to Rubella, Rubeola and Varicella, and proof of recent vaccines
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
- A recent physician's statement and respirator fit test
- Nursing school transcripts and proof of degree
- A copy of your driver's license
Rest assured, our professional team is here to guide you through the documentation process seamlessly. Your dedicated recruiter will keep you informed on the specific requirements for your assignment. Check out our more comprehensive list of required paperwork for travel jobs here at American Traveler.
How long does it take to become a travel nurse?
If you’ve obtained the minimum required experience, becoming a travel nurse could be a matter of a few days. But, there are a few factors that play a role:
- Flexibility: Having flexibility in destination, healthcare setting, shift, start date, and other assignment specifications will open up more job options available for a quick start.
- Healthcare Provider Needs: Is there an urgent demand for your specialty to start immediately?
- Traveler Preparedness and Availability: The traveler must have the appropriate documentation, licensure, and certifications on hand and ready to go. And, it’s up to each traveler to decide when they are ready to accept an assignment.
Is Becoming a Travel Nurse Right For Me?
Considering a travel career and wondering if it’s the right career path for you? There are numerous benefits to traveling. For RNs starting their careers, travel nursing provides an excellent opportunity to explore various healthcare settings, models of care, and places to live. Experienced RNs often turn to travel nursing to prevent burnout, elevate their clinical skills, and gain exposure to new procedures and practices. Many clinicians even travel with family and friends.
Regardless of career stage, travelers agree that the lifestyle benefits and the potential for increased compensation are powerful incentives!
The salary of a travel nurse depends on the specialty, location, and hospital facility. But, on average, travel nurses earn more than their on-staff counterparts. If pay is a priority, a recruiter can help you find the best-paying assignments in your specialty. Whether pay is your primary motivator or not, as a traveler, you'll still enjoy the intangible benefits of travel nursing: freedom, adventure, a flexible schedule, the ability to work when and where you want, skill building, and the confidence that comes with achieving personal and professional goals. Start your journey today!
Learn More About Travel Nursing
Learn more about the career and search our wide variety of specialties and locations for travel nursing. Perfect place to find your next assignment ...
Look for a first job in your target specialty, and get as many advanced nursing certifications as feasible.
We get questions from new travelers, seasoned travelers, and ‘some day’ travelers all the time. Here are the answers to our most recently asked questions.
A travel nurse is an RN hired to work on a temporary basis - typically for 13 weeks - to fill hospitals urgent staffing needs.
