Travel Nursing FAQs

Who can become a travel nurse? 

If you’re passionate about helping people and exploring new places, you can become a travel nurse! You’re on the right track as long as you pursue the minimum requirements.  

What are the specific requirements? 

There are several steps to building a career in travel nursing. Schooling may take 2-4 years, and then you build experience and gain certifications.  

The basic requirement is a registered nurse (RN) license, which you can get with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.  

However, a staffing agency may only consider your application if you also have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing(BSN) from an accredited university, which you can complete after becoming an RN.  

Following your university studies, successful travel nurses must have two basic certifications in life support and advanced cardiac life support.  

How much prior work experience does a traveler need? 

Healthcare recruiters and staffing agencies vary in how much experience they require from hopeful travel nurses. However, two years in a hospital facility is the general consensus.  

To get a leg up on the competition, a registered nurse may try working as a float nurse before taking on their first travel assignment and signing with an agency.  

A float nurse is similar to a travel nurse; they’re reassigned from their regular positions to temporarily help in short-staffed areas. However, it’s on a smaller geographical scale and doesn’t require extensive travel.  

What benefits are available to travelers? 

Travel nurses take a risk with every trip they take. They must adapt to new areas quickly and efficiently and perform their job well. As a result, the career comes with good benefits.  

Travel nursing comes with great pay and benefits compared to many other healthcare professions.  

Your staffing agency pays for fully furnished housing and other expenses, so you don’t have to worry about anything other than maybe waiting a short time for reimbursement. You could even completely rid yourself of housing expenses if you decide to sublet your primary apartment or house while you travel.  

Pay is also competitive, and your salary should increase as you gain experience. Consistently working travel nurses have the potential to earn close to $3000 per week.  

Travel nurses also get to experience new adventures while building their careers at the same time. Since assignments can last anywhere from three months to one year, there is plenty of time to enrich one’s life with local culture.  

While on the job, travel nurses also have access to worldly educational opportunities. You can learn different medical procedures and grasp different communication styles and languages.  

Can I take a travel assignment close to my home? 

This depends on the staffing agency and healthcare facilities they’re working with. Some have rules that don’t allow for local hires. They may also require that the travel nurse has a principal address at least 50 or 100 miles away from their travel assignment.  

If you desire to work close to home, communicate with your recruiter and agency.  

Does the staffing agency pay for my living expenses? 

Yes, staffing agencies provide their nurses with a stipend to pay for housing and living expenses. These amounts will vary depending on the region’s cost of goods and housing.  

It’s important to always hold onto receipts and documentation if there is a waiting period for reimbursement.  

Where Can Travel Nurses Go On The Job? 

Anywhere.  

Some of the most common locations for travel nurses include US states like California, Texas, New Jersey, and South Carolina. 

You can also find international opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, China, and the Middle East. International assignments will be longer, lasting up to a year. A domestic assignment can last a few months or longer.  

Travel nurses are welcome to explore new cities and regions in their free time.  

How long does it take to get an interview and a job offer? 

This depends on when you apply.  

Is there a certain area in dire need of a nurse? If so, you’ll probably start interviewing and communicating with the agency immediately. The entire process can take a few weeks, but it’s difficult to pinpoint a specific time length.  

Your recruiter will contact you in advance so you can prepare for the interview.  

A travel nurse may encounter three interviews: one with unit managers and supervisors, one with a Managed Service Provider(MSP), and maybe an interactive voice recording questionnaire.  

To keep your candidacy in mind, follow up with everyone involved in the interview process and thank them for their time. You can also follow up with your recruiter.  

Is Travel Nursing Good For Career Advancement? 

Yes, building a career in travel helps a registered nurse stand out from the crowd and is an excellent step towards advancement.  

Networking opportunities grow when you introduce travel assignments. You also learn different hospital systems and policies, unlike other nurses who are only familiar with one facility. Travel nurses also get paid more, as hospitals have more incentive to keep them due to staffing shortages.  

Do Travel Nurses Get Paid Time Off? 

Travel nurses negotiate paid time off and paid vacation packages with their assigned facility, not their agency.