Have you ever wanted to explore the U.S. but felt tied down because of a nursing job? Then, travel nursing may be the right path for you.
With travel nursing, you can choose the length of your stay, take extended holidays and vacations when you don’t wish to work, and enjoy traveling to many different locations. Who knows? You might find somewhere so incredible you want to make it a permanent home.
Is Travel Nursing Right for You?
Here are our top 7 tips for BSN students and nurses interested in a travel nurse position.
1. Make Sure you are Certified in an NLC State
After earning your BSN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and be licensed in the state where you work. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows state-licensed nurses to work in any state that is an NLC member.
With nursing ranked #2 on the U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs of 2022 and the overall need for nurses growing, having an NLC-state license gives you the freedom to take these increasing travel nurse job opportunities. Because of the coronavirus, hospitals are experiencing nursing shortages, so take advantage of this to help fill the gaps.
2. Get Some Experience Under Your Belt
Traveling nurse agencies like prospective employees to have at least two years of experience as an RN before applying. If you are a specialist nurse, expect to need two years in your specialty.
A great way to get paid experience is with a summer externship while in nursing school. You’ll get hands-on experience and a possible reference as well!
3. Use a nursing staffing agency
Finding the right job that fits your specialty and personality can be difficult. If you are looking for travel nursing assignments, an agency that maintains a list of excellent hospitals and other work environments can screen out unsuitable matches and ensure you have a fantastic time as a traveling nurse!
Meeting new people by networking to help your career
4. Network
You might not think networking is important in a nursing career, but it can help you find jobs, make friends who can refer you, and allow you to help people as well.
Use your time management skills to pinpoint the best networking opportunities, and participate in nursing organizations, groups, and committees to meet other skilled professionals. Networking has its rules, so practice as much as possible while still in school.
5. Learn to Ask for Help
If you are serious about travel nursing, you will be working in many situations where you don’t know the layout, policies and procedures, and unwritten rules. Therefore, it’s much better to ask for help if you are unsure than to spend time searching for something you could have known in a few minutes just with a question!
6. Specialize
Specialty nurses generally have higher salaries than RNs. Top-paying specialties include Labor & Delivery, Operating Room, ICU, and NICU nurses. Combine the aspect of nursing you love with a specialization in a higher-paying job.
7. Learn Organization and Time Management Skills
An essential part of being a traveling nurse is flexibility. If you have children or pets, you’ll need to be organized in getting everyone and everything ready for travel.
If you’re preparing to go from one travel assignment to the next, you’ll need to make sure your first assignment is completed and you are organized for your next one.
What are you waiting for? Explore the benefits and get ready for a career in which something new is always happening!
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