Share:
If you've ever wondered whether you can have a successful nursing career while traveling and providing patient care around the world, the answer is yes! Travel nursing may be the perfect opportunity for you!
It is an excellent way to see new places while also providing crucial support to other healthcare settings, especially those that might be understaffed. Travel nurses play a vital role in maintaining the quality of care and ensuring patient safety.
There are many benefits to this role especially if you are able to travel and move on short notice. Travel nurses earn significantly more than traditional registered nurses (RNs), so you'll take home a bigger paycheck each week. If you're interested in exploring different parts of the country (or even the world), then it's almost a no-brainer.
Another benefit of travel nursing is the level of flexibility it offers. Travel nurses can choose when and where they want to work, which gives them a high degree of control over their careers. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for nurses who have family obligations or other commitments that make it difficult to work a traditional 9-5 job.
Finally, travel nursing offers nurses the opportunity to experience a variety of different healthcare settings. This exposure can help travel nurses develop new skills and knowledge that they can use in their careers. It also allows travel nurses to find the perfect fit for their unique skillset.
What are a Travel Nurse's Responsibilities?
The responsibilities of a travel nurse are similar to those of a staff nurse, but there are some key differences. As you may have guessed, you'll be responsible for providing care to patients in a variety of changing settings, which may include hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and long-term care facilities.
Travel nurses help staff shortage issues in various healthcare environments by using their specialized skills and varied experiences. These nurses typically work in temporary roles, so they must be adaptable to new systems and documentation procedures. Here are a few generalized tasks travel nurses do on a daily basis:
- Assessing patients' health status and needs
- Developing and implementing nursing care plans
- Administering medication and treatments
- Monitoring patients' progress and response to treatment
- Providing support and education to patients and their families
What are the Differences Between a Travel Nurse vs. a Staff Nurse?
The main difference between travel nurses and staff nurses is that travel nurses work in temporary assignments, while staff nurses have more permanent positions. Travel nurses typically work 13-week assignments in various locations around the country (or even the world), while staff nurses usually work in one facility for an indefinite period of time.
Travel nurses are also generally more experienced than staff nurses. The average travel nurse has 3-5 years of experience, while the average staff nurse has 1-2 years of experience. This difference in experience means that travel nurses are often able to provide better patient care and are better equipped to handle unexpected situations.
How to know if you should be a travel nurse?
If you're considering a career in travel nursing, there are a few things you ought to keep in mind -because of the unique set of challenges involved, travel nursing is not for everyone.
First, travel nursing requires a high level of flexibility and adaptability. If you're not comfortable with change or are unable to handle last-minute travel plans, then this particular career path may not be the right fit for you.
Second, travel nurses must be able to work independently and take initiative. Working in new environments with new staff frequently puts you outside of your comfort zone.
Third, even though nursing is already a taxing job, travel nurses must be able to handle an even higher level of stress. The job can be emotionally and mentally taxing, so it's important to be aware of your stress tolerance levels before you make the decision to pursue travel nursing.
The best advice we can give to those sitting on the fence is to talk to a travel nurse recruiter who can give advice and insight into the role. In addition to this they can help you assess your skills and qualifications and match you with the perfect travel nursing job should you take the leap.
How much does a travel nurse make in the U.S.?
Travel nurses in the United States make an average salary of $38 per hour. However, salaries can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including experience, location, and type of position.
Travel nurses who work in high-demand areas or have multiple years of experience can earn significantly more than the average travel nurse salary. For example, travel nurses who work in California or New York tend to make more than travel nurses who work in other states. Similarly, travel nurses with 5+ years of experience can earn $10-$20 per hour more than travel nurses with less experience.
How to become a travel nurse
If you're interested in becoming a travel nurse, the first step is to contact a travel nursing agency. Travel nursing agencies are businesses that help match travel nurses with open positions at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Once you've found an agency that you're comfortable with, the next step is to submit your application. Your application will include your resume, CV, and other important documents. It's important to be honest and upfront about your qualifications and experience when you're applying to be a travel nurse.
After you've submitted your application, the next step is to interview with the travel nursing agency. During your interview, the agency will ask you questions about your qualifications, your goals, and your availability.
Once you've been matched with a travel nursing job, the next step is to complete any necessary paperwork. This paperwork will include your travel nursing contract, which outlines the terms of your employment. Be sure to read your contract carefully before you sign.
If you're interested in a career that offers travel, adventure, and higher pay, then travel nursing might be right for you! So what are you waiting for? Start your travel nursing journey today.
