How Much do Traveling Nurses Make? Although it doesnt list travel nursing as a unique occupation separate from registered nursing, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, reports median pay for registered nurses for the year 2020 was $80,010 per year, or $338.47 an hour, with a growth rate of 9 percent, which is higher than average for all occupations as a whole. AMA I'm always looking to help get any new nurse into traveling or provide info/advice to experienced nurses curious about travel nursing but not sure how to get started. If youre wondering how to be a travel nurse, you should know that travel nurses have the same credentials as any nurse; so earning a degree in nursing would be the first step to becoming a travel nurse. Assignments typically last 13 weeks, at which time the travel nurse is free to accept another position, take some time off between assignments, or, possibly, get an extension on the current contract. Doing so means they'll quickly need to adjust to new environments so that they can help the hospital's employees and patients to the best of their ability. to make the transition to travel nursing seamless. If you already have a bachelor's degree, you could earn anAccelerated Bachelor's in Nursing degree, which is an accelerated degree for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree in another field. All trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. Do any of these ring a bell? Also, some agencies only offer benefits like health insurance while you're on assignment. Trust me, you can do anything for 13 weeks. Is a Medical Assistant Considered a Nurse? How Hard is it to Become a Travel Nurse - (10 Biggest Challenges & Ways Education. The most important element to becoming a travel nurse is experience. EveryNurse is a trusted resource for nursing students and professional nurses. If you are familiar with the city youre sent to, you may be able to find housing on your own. First, nurses need to be aware of where their tax home is, as stipends are tax-free if working away from the tax home. Earn a degree Many nursing agencies and employers prefer to hire nurses with bachelor's degrees, though you can typically start your career with an associate degree. A travel nurse should have the following characteristics to excel in the role: Additionally, travel nurses should have supportive families and friends. How To Become a Travel Nurse (Plus Salary and Tips) Table Of Contents These are valid for specific lengths of time, so nurses must visit each states Board of Nursing website to determine specific temporary license requirements. In summary, international travel nurses: As with any career, there are positive and negative aspects to working as a travel nurse. It's difficult to either pack up and move an entire family or leave your family and friends behind. Your clinical background will determine the specific openings youll qualify for as a travel nurse. The Hardest Things About Being a Travel Nurse - Wanderly All of these factors, while they also can be considered benefits, make it difficult to plan and stick to a budget. What Are The Disadvantages Of Being A Travel Nurse? Hosted by Michael Barbaro. In this Article About the Job | Benefits of Travel Nursing | Salary | Educational Requirements | Finding Work Overseas | Living Abroad A career in overseas nursing can come with a lot of questions, from where you can go to how much money you can make. Travel nurse contracts can last three months or more. Who can become a travel nurse? It can also be more difficult to build work relationships. How hard is it to become a travel nurse? - Zippia The Cons of Travel Nursing Some of the cons of travel nursing are unique to this profession, others are true for the nursing sector on the whole. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth. By opting in, I authorize Herzing University to deliver SMS messages and I understand that I am not required to opt in as a condition of enrollment. How long are the assignments? Recertification is done by either examination or CERPs and a nominal fee. Obtaining an associate's degree (ADN) or bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing is required. Working in a clinical setting during your education will start your first hands-on experience within the nursing field. A critical care nurse earns around $76,788, with a projected job growth of 12% from 2018 to 2028 (Zippia, 2023). Some travel nurses can find a temporary assignment they love and have it turn into a full-time position. Moving to different states or overseas and being the new nurse repeatedly is challenging. States that participate in the compact agreement can be found on the NCSBN website. Staff nurses earn an average of $93,676 per year, while travel nurses earn an average of $133,376 per year. Having a tax home is necessary to receive tax-free housing. Regardless of where you currently find yourself on the nursing continuum, theres a path at Herzing University to help you earn the credentials you need: Note: enrollment requirements and availability are different based on campus location. These include: Housing is one of the most significant concerns for a travel nurse. You find your own housing without the help of the travel nurse agency. And if youre that worried about it, travel with a friend or family member! In other cases, certain jobs may require you to attain or renew certifications. TheNational Council of State Boards of Nursingkeeps track of what states have enacted and implemented the NLC. Travel Nurse Salary by State Source: Ziprecruiter Show Me Nursing Programs How Does Travel Nurse Pay Differ From Staff Nurse Pay? Working as a travel nurse offers an exciting opportunity for qualified registered nurses (RNs) to combine a career in nursing with a passion for travel. If you feel like you cannot stay at a placement, you have the option of canceling your contract. For starters, youll need to at least be a registered nurse (RN) with some hospital experience. CEUs generally can be used for multiple states; however, some states require specific courses such as Child Abuse, Communicable Diseases, and Bullying in the Workplace. Another role is that of a pediatric travel nurse, who . New Delhi is a big city with a population of over 12 million. International travel nurses can face different challenges. What Is A Travel Nurse? | Nursejournal.org Did I mention you have 50+ days off per most 13-week travel nurse contracts? This is especially true if you have a specialty or work overtime. The next step in the travel recruitment process is the submission process. Earn a nursing degree. It is important for nurses to check their states RN credentialing body for exact CEU requirements. Currently, 39 states participate in, or are in the process of implementing the NLC.Unfortunately for travel nurses, not all states are members of the compact. possible. How Long to Become 2-4 years Degree Required ADN or BSN Certification Basic Life Support (BLS) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) What Is a Travel Nurse? Get a storage unit, or get a pod that someone else will haul away to storage for you. The difference is in the examination material. In fact, some travel nurse agencies offer higher hourly wages instead of housing stipends. It's crucial to be able to adapt quickly. The travel agency has a list of nearby housing that rents to travelers. Which agency do I choose? Hospitals, clinics, and other care areas had unfilled positions, yet had patients needing care. All registered nurses must be licensed in the state where they practice. To find skilled nurses to fill these typically short-term assignments, these facilities often hire travel nurses. Nurses with training in specialty areas are often more in demand and enjoy many options for employment. One of the benefits of travel nursing is the opportunity to expand your knowledge base and to network and form valuable, strategic relationships with decision-makers in the work environment. However, finding time to form professional relationships that could lead to advancement may be difficult, particularly on short assignments. The pay varies based on the state, the travel staffing agency used, and the department the nurse works in. How To Become An International Travel Nurse - NurseJournal.org If you enjoy having a sense of personal freedom, you should consider a career as a travel nurse. However, in-demand, nationally recognized certifications like Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) can make it easier to find and qualify for jobs through your agency. As Brittany Hamstra, BSN, RN, says in a blog post, as a travel nurse, youll gain exposure to new environments, new coworkers, new clinical skills [that] will enable you to reach the next level of your potential.. P.S. Helpful Organizations, Societies, & Agencies, Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs (AGNP), Womens Health Nurse Practitioner Programs, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), increased patient safety and lower patient mortality, The Hottest Job During a Pandemic? You wont automatically be paired with a hospital; youll have to interview for the job by phone or video chat. But Ill wager youll want to continue this adventure for a while. 1325 Sumneytown Pike P.O. Generally speaking, and depending on your nursing specialization, your shifts will be spent: When youre not actually tending to your patients, youll probably spend some time researching where youll go next and coordinating your professional goals with your staffing agency. International travel nurses are also highly appreciated. This was a direct result of the increase in patients, a decrease in healthcare staff due to the virus, and the ongoing staffing shortages. The NLC doesnt cover the entire U.S., so be sure to check your states licensing requirements to become a travel nurse. What are This type of resume-boosting experience helps in gaining admission to graduate schools or a permanent position at another prominent hospital. To try and attract nurses to the open positions, employers offered higher pay, housing, and covered the cost of relocating. The travel agency may or may not directly pay the landlord. We are proud to offer our first doctoral degree, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), designed for nurses who hold an MSN. Produced by Rachelle Bonja , Will Reid and Rob Szypko. What You Need To Know About Becoming a Travel Nurse Nurse.org has a comprehensive list of CEUs by state for RNs here. Kyle Leffel, RN, suggeststhat travel nurses use apps on their smartphones to find lower gas costs and to learn the cost of living in the new area before accepting a new assignment. This person will get in touch with you to talk about your skills and experience, expectations for the job, and your preference of cities. Its too hard to get an RN license in each state.. If you work for a travel nursing recruitment company, they may provide a travel allowance, health insurance, and even a condo or apartment for your contract period. There are a plethora of nationally recognized certifications including. True, you might not know anyone to start. Travel nurses often incur extra expenses like temporary housing for a job that's far away. Travel nursing provides the opportunity to explore new environments. Several states also require HIV/AIDS education such as New York, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Additionally, if youre hired for a specialty position, such as a job in medical/surgical nursing, intensive care, labor/delivery, or the emergency room,additional certification(s) may be required. In addition to state licensing, youll also need to become certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) before you can sign on to a travel nursing agency. Travel nursing skills: The top 6 requirements - CareerBuilder With the proper certifications and experience, you might be working in a neonatal unit on one job and filling in at an understaffed emergency department on the next. However, if you already hold a bachelors degree in another field and are interested in how to become a travel nurse, you can earn a degree such as GMercyUsAccelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursingdegree, which is an intensive full-time 15-month program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that RNs earn $80,010 on average annually. * Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2021. These nurses are responsible for performing a wide array of duties. There are several resources you can use to help find the right agency for you: The benefits offered by each staffing agency will vary, along with the alliances they may have with specific hospital or healthcare networks, specific geographic areas or even specific nursing specializations. Nurses can suffer from stress as they may carry a heavy patient load and have many critical decisions to make. Obtain a license to practice nursing in your state. However, any experienced travel nurse will tell you that the Recruiter is far more valuable than the travel nursing agency. The top specialties for travel nursing are those with the highest demand and the highest pay. In the past three years (due to the COVID pandemic) travel nursing has seen a tremendous surge in demand. Additionally, travel nurses may suffer from feelings of isolation since they tend to relocate often. The nationwide nursing shortage makes travel nursing an appealing career option for both full- or part-time nurses. Travel nurse agencies often have liaisons with the boards of nursing, or know how to grease the wheels and get you started working sooner. 2023 Registered Nursing.org All Rights Reserved | About | Privacy | Terms | Contact Us. Advantages of Being a Traveling Nurse Steps to Becoming a Travel Nurse Requirements for Traveling Nurse What Is a Travel Nurse? An unencumbered nursing license in the United States, Two years of ER experience is recommended, but not required, Current, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN license, Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients during the previous two years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application OR, Practice as an RN or APRN for at least five years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application, Current, valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered Registered Nurse license. Does not show you the full pay package before submitting you to a job. Having a strong sense of independence and a support system available, even remotely, can help. There are currently more than 34,000 Certified Emergency Nurses. Part of passionately pursuing a career goal is turning negatives into positives. Let them walk you through it. Permanent licenses are also required for states that don't grant licensure by endorsement and don't participate in the NLC. Is Travel Nursing the Right Adventure for You? International travel nurses tend to have lower salaries than domestic, except for assignments in some middle eastern countries. Plus, if your initial RN license is in a compact state and you want to work in any of the other compact states, youre golden! Its important to note that these VERY high rates are not expected to last. Even if you stay put. Travel nursing is also very enticing to those that want increased flexibility within the nursing sector that traditional bedside nursing might not offer. The two years of experience in nursing also gives you the time you need to receive a specialization in your area of expertise should you choose to take the certification exam. You can also invite friends and family to visit on your many off days. Second, they must obtain the candidate's approval to be submitted for an assignment. And that also means you have 52 days off to explore and do things you like. You can now earn the terminal degree in nursing with Herzing University. Most of my important belongings I packed up to come with me, and stuff I couldnt pack I fit into a small, temperature-controlled storage unit. Earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree to expand your eligibility for different contracts and positions. International travel nurses should have excellent communication skills, should be open to new experiences and challenges, and should have a strong desire to learn. If youre interested in learning how to be a travel nurse, check out our guide for travel nurse requirements. Travel nurses usually earn somewhat higher salaries than staff nurses. Whether youre traveling for a long or short assignment, frequent travel is not easy; in fact, any profession is difficult when travel is part of the job duties. All exams follow similar eligibility criteria and examination guidelines. Travel nurses can help in staffing issues but can also come in to fill in temporary gaps when nurses take a vacation, go on leave or get hired by a different hospital or medical facility. Travel nurses can receive non-taxed stipends for housing and living expenses. She arrived in New York City in April, on one of the worst days of. Due to these shortages, health care facilities have vacancies that need to be filledand travel nurses are often the ones to fill open positions. It was just a few bucks, and a small price to pay, especially when bringing home a good travel nurse salary! In addition, youll need to make sure you are certified to practice in the state where your assignment is. Travel nurses are often compensated handsomely, depending on the location of the job and the facility. Here are the steps you should follow: Qualify as a registered nurse. It's up to you, your recruiter, and what your life, skills, and professional interests allow. Many hospitals prefer nurses with aBachelor of Science in Nursing, like the one offered at Gwynedd Mercy University. You must provide a background check, proof of an active license, and a fee, which you or the agency will make payable to the state nursing board. Compensation is typically based on a number of factors, including job location; timing of the contract period not many nurses want to live in Alaska during the winter, for example; staffing shortages at the medical facility; and/or contract completion bonuses.