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The Benefits of Travel Nursing

Alex Acton — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 10:49:52 +0000

Are you a recent nursing graduate with a passion for adventure? If so, a career as a travel nurse might be the perfect fit for you. There are many benefits to travel nursing: the chance to combine your nursing skills with your love for travel, work in diverse healthcare settings, and experience new cultures and environments. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to kickstart your journey as a travel nurse, from the basics to practical tips for success on the road.

What is Travel Nursing?

Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who work temporary assignments at healthcare facilities in different locations. These assignments typically last between 8 and 26 weeks, although they can vary in length depending on the facility’s needs.

Why Chose a Career in Travel Nursing?

There are many reasons why nursing graduates may be drawn to the world of travel nursing:

Adventure: Travel nursing allows you to explore new cities, states, and even countries while getting paid to do what you love.
Professional Growth: Working in various healthcare settings exposes you to diverse patient populations and medical practices, enhancing your skills and broadening your clinical experience.
Flexibility: As a travel nurse, you have the flexibility to choose where and when you work, allowing you to create a schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Competitive Pay and Benefits: Travel nurses often receive higher salaries and lucrative benefits, including housing stipends, travel allowances, and healthcare coverage. Salary estimates in 2022 for travel nurses was around $100,000 per year, compared to an average of $82,750 for RNs as a whole, according to the American Nurses Association.

Steps to Becoming a Travel Nurse

Now that you’re familiar with the perks of travel nursing, let’s dive into the steps to kickstart your career:

Obtain Your Nursing License: To work as a travel nurse, you must be a registered nurse (RN) with a valid license in the state(s) where you plan to practice. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain licensure in your home state.
Gain Clinical Experience: While travel nursing is open to nurses with varying levels of experience, having at least one year of clinical experience is typically required by most travel nursing agencies.
Research Travel Nursing Agencies: There are numerous travel nursing agencies out there, so take the time to research and compare their offerings. Look for agencies with a solid reputation, competitive pay packages, and a wide selection of job opportunities.
Submit Your Application: Once you’ve chosen an agency, submit your application and provide all required documentation, including your resume, nursing license, certifications, and references.
Interview with Recruiters: After reviewing your application, you’ll likely have an interview with a recruiter from the agency. Use this opportunity to ask questions, discuss your preferences, and learn more about available assignments.
Select Assignments: Once you’re accepted into the agency’s network, you can start browsing available assignments and selecting ones that align with your interests and career goals.
Prepare for Your Assignment: Before starting your assignment, make sure you’re ready. Preparations may involve obtaining additional certifications, arranging housing, and familiarizing yourself with the facility and local area.

Make the Most of Travel Nursing

Stay Flexible: Flexibility is key in travel nursing. Embrace new challenges, adapt to different work environments, and remain open to new experiences.
Build Relationships: Take the time to build relationships with your colleagues and patients. Networking can lead to future job opportunities and enrich your travel nursing experience.
Communicate Effectively: Clear communication is essential in travel nursing, especially when working with new teams and patients. Be proactive in communicating your needs and expectations.
Take Care of Yourself: Travel nursing can be physically and emotionally demanding. Maintain a healthy work-life balance, get enough rest, and seek support when needed.
Keep Learning: Take advantage of continuing education opportunities, attend workshops, and stay updated on the latest advancements in healthcare.

Ready to Begin Your Adventure?

Embarking on a career as a travel nurse is an exciting journey filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Begin your search for the perfect travel nursing gig today and prepare to make a difference in the lives of patients across the country! Contact us today and apply online for your next assignment.

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Tips from Seasoned Travel Nurses

Alex Acton — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:51:10 +0000

Do Your Homework and Prepare

Before you become a travel nurse, you’ll want to figure out what you want out of travel nursing and do some research on the opportunities that are out there. You should research travel nursing agencies and locations to find out what will work for you. It’s important to consider the cost of living and housing options in your new home away from home too. Once you start traveling, keep track of all your documentation so you’re ready to go for your next assignment.

“Take the time needed to prepare well and have a bit of funds for back up. Do some research on the agencies and locations you want to go.” -Lucie

Have an Open Mind

You may have a specific idea about what you want travel nursing to look like, but sometimes it pays to be open to different locations you may not have thought of. It’s also important to note that every facility or hospital you work in will operate differently, so you will need to be adaptable to learning new approaches and processes. Since you’re in a new environment, it’s important to roll with the punches and remain flexible. You’ll learn so many new things about nursing and yourself along the way!

“Be open to jobs that are offered. I have gained so much experience from being open to different fields of nursing. It truly opens the door to loving a specific field that maybe you never thought of trying.” -Teri E.

Build on Your Experience

As a travel nurse, it’s essential to continue learning. You already have solid nursing experience, but you can always discover new methods and skills throughout your travel career. Even though you’ll be moving on after your assignment ends, treat your time at each facility like a probationary period; it will help you make the most out of your time. Every assignment offers you a chance to gain new skills, references, and maybe even an extension if you’re looking to stay in your new location a little longer. You became a nurse to care for your patients, so continue to remind yourself why you’re in the profession to begin with. It will keep you grounded and prevent burnout.

“Always do the best job wherever you go! For me, taking care of my patients is the same wherever I go and the best experiences of my nursing career. Always have compassion and empathy with every assignment” -Lorry M..

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Even though you have plenty of nursing experience under your belt already, you’re still the new kid on the block when you start out on each new assignment. Make sure you know the facility’s codes, procedures, and policy as soon as you start; you wouldn’t want to find yourself in an emergency without the answers. Your coworkers are thankful for the extra hands and happy to help get you up to speed, so don’t be afraid to ask them! IT is also just phone call away if you have computers issues or trouble logging in on your first day.

“First thing, no matter where you land: ask these questions. Where is your crash cart? Where is your first dose machine and who can access it for me? What are the facility codes/phone directory? The rest you can kind of build in as you work there but if you don’t know these bare bones policies you may find yourself up a creek with no paddle.” -Lydia D.

Partner With a Recruiter

A great resource you may overlook is your travel nursing agency and recruiter. Agencies have years of experience in the industry and your recruiter will act as your career advocate throughout the entire process. They place nurses in jobs every day, so they can help you understand how travel nursing works and answer any questions you may have about your schedule, pay, housing, and compliance. They also have close relationships with the facilities they place nurses in. Find a great recruiter and they’ll take care of the rest so you can find your dream assignment.

Build Your Community

Just like our seasoned travelers, the rest of the travel nursing community is happy to share their tips and tricks with newbies. Social media groups specific to travel nursing are a great place to learn more and meet other travelers. While on assignment, you will also meet nurses in your unit and other travelers at orientation that can become lifelong friends. Take advantage of the opportunity to find others that have your same passion for nursing and travel!

Meet other travelers at orientation who may be at other hospitals within your system. Two of my closest traveler friends worked at different hospitals but we made time to get together and see each other during our 26-week assignments. We still stay in touch and see each other.“ -Ellen

Build Your Community

At the end of the day, if you’ve been thinking about travel nursing for awhile and are nervous about making the leap, just do it! Now is the perfect time to start our on your travel journey. There are plenty of travel nursing opportunities and resources to get you started. So many of our travelers say their only regret is not starting sooner. Contact us today to learn more about travel nursing in general and openings in your desired location and specialty!

““If your tired of cards you’ve been dealt, change the deck entirely. Take control of your life and join travel nursing.” -Damone T.

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Housing Options for Travel Nurses

Alex Acton — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:43:15 +0000

You found the perfect travel assignment! Now, you’ll need a comfortable living space, a home away from home while you have your adventures. This can be daunting when you don’t know the area and if you aren’t sure how to get started. Don’t worry – there are many different housing options for travel nurses. Depending on your location, be it in a big city or rural town, there are several ways to approach finding the perfect refuge. We’ve put together a few suggestions to start you off on the right foot.

Housing Search Tips

It’s important to decide what size space you need during your assignment; are you a minimalist or do you like to bring your ongoing craft projects with you? After you have an idea about space requirements, think about what you are looking for in a lease agreement.

Not knowing neighborhoods, traffic, or access to public transportation can be frustrating and even a little scary at times. There are a lot of apps out there to help take the mystery out of a new area. You can learn how “walkable” a neighborhood is, including information about crime and safety as well as real advice from the locals that live there.

Most people also forget to ask their new manager if they have any suggestions on living arrangements. They may even know of a few staff members that rent to travelers like you. This can be a crucial option if you’re heading to a rural area that doesn’t appear to have much available online. You never know until you ask.

Get started today!

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6 Steps to Becoming a Travel Nurse

Alex Acton — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:39:31 +0000

Supplemental Health Care empowers you to start a new adventure by connecting you with high-quality travel nursing positions from coast to coast. This guide will help you know where to start.

Travel Nursing Requirements

Complete Your Education

If a nursing candidate has hospital experience, a facility will sometimes accept a nurse who has an Associate degree. But it will depend on the particular hospital and what they are looking for. Some hospitals require their RN candidates to hold a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to be considered for a travel position.

Get an Active License

Every state is different when it comes to applying for an RN license. If the state is part of the eNLC (Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact), it will allow a nurse with a license in one of those states to practice in another member state without additional applications or fees. States that are not part of the eNLC have different guidelines and processes to apply for a license in that state. The easiest way to find out how to apply for a license in a state is to go visit that state’s Board of Nursing website for further details.

Gain Experience

Typically, you will need at least two years of hospital experience working in the specialty that you are inquiring about. There are facilities that will take a Registered Nurse with less experience, but the general rule is 2 or more years of recent hospital experience.

Decide What You’re Looking For

There’s a bit more to finding your first travel assignment than throwing a dart at a map of the US. Keep in mind that some locations are highly competitive. Of course Honolulu would be the perfect location to spend a few weeks over the winter, but I promise you aren’t the only one to think of that.

In addition, scope out the cost of living in your desired new location. Some of the most competitive destinations are expensive, and your salary can go much further if you take an assignment a little further off the beaten path. Stay open to opportunities and keep the Compact States in mind. The states that participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact recognize the state nursing licenses of all other participating states.

Partner With a Travel Nursing Agency

Travel Nursing agencies empower you to start a new adventure by connecting you with high-quality travel nursing positions from coast to coast. You’ll be connected with exciting opportunities that match your unique skill set and offer the flexibility to explore new cities while growing your career. Recruiters will connect with you personally and help with all of your travel and placement needs, from compliance and transportation to housing and more.

Find Assignments You Want and Apply

You’ve picked the perfect location, done all your research, and now you need to decide what you want to gain out of your assignment. It’s important to understand that travel nursing pay packages are very different from pay packages for permanent jobs. These arrangements can include housing, travel stipends, medical benefits, 401Ks, rental cars, and more. Is the location and proximity to state parks what really matters to you or are you looking for experience in a particular hospital? What is important to you and your “work-cation”? Once you make that decision, don’t be afraid to negotiate to get it!

Accept an Assignment

Once you accept an assignment, you still have a few things to finalize. You’ll need to collect the correct compliance documents for your assignment and make sure you know where you’re staying while on assignment. You do have options when it comes to finding housing. At Supplemental Health Care, we have a dedicated Travel Nursing housing department that will assist you in locating housing that is safe, comfortable and affordable.

How To Keep Track of Your Nursing Credentials

Start Your Assignment!

Once you’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s, you are on your way to an exciting career as a travel nurse. Pack your bags and get ready to make new friends. One of our Travel Nurses, Rachel Jones, suggest you “just put yourself out there. Try a new activity, do something on your own, or ask for a recommendation.”

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How Travel Nurses Get Paid

Alex Acton — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:23:31 +0000

Understanding how travel nurses are compensated can be confusing. There’s a lot of information out there about taxes, stipends, and hourly rates; enough to make your head spin. To help you get started, we’ve broken down some of the common factors that may impact a travel nurse’s pay and organization tips for managing your taxes as a traveler. Keep in mind, there are many variables that impact each traveler and each assignment, so when it comes to the specifics, you will need to evaluate your circumstances on an individual basis.

Staff nursing compensation is relatively straight forward and you may be more familiar with that process. Travel nurses, on the other hand, may receive non-taxable expense reimbursements to help cover housing, meals and other costs while on their travel assignment. A traveler can also receive travel reimbursements for getting to and from their next assignment. In addition to the composition of the compensation package, other job specific variables can weigh in on the potential value to each assignment.

What Affects Your Wages?

Location: States with higher costs of living (like California and New York) and big cities usually offer higher rates for travel nurses.
Demand: Rates can also be higher if a facility has a critical need to fill or the destination of the assignment is considered less desirable.
Shift: Flexibility is crucial as a travel nurse, especially if you want to fill your bank account. Hospitals usually offer higher rates for less desirable shifts (nights, weekends, etc.).
Bonuses: Bonuses are quite common in the field of travel nursing. Some common types include sign-on, completion, retention, and referral bonuses.

Taxes

Determine Your Tax Home

A portion of your take home pay includes the non-taxable meals and lodging stipend as you are away from home and duplicating your regular living expenses from your Tax Home. For taxation purposes, it is crucial to determine where yours is.

Understand Your State Responsibilities

Chances are that you have worked in multiple states throughout the year, each with a different tax requirement. Some, like Texas, Florida, and Washington have no state income tax. Knowing state tax information is part of your filing responsibilities.

Save Your Documents

Make sure you keep track of your receipts for all your living expenses like meals, utilities, and other expenses so you can include these in your tax returns. Stay in the habit of keeping each contract you work in case it is needed come tax time. You can use apps like Expensify or CamScanner, or go old-school with a shoebox. Whatever you choose, just make sure you’re keeping track.

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Find Your Dream Gig with Travel Nurse Recruiters

Alex Acton — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:52:00 +0000

If you’re a nurse with a passion for adventure, travel nursing might be the perfect fit for you. But navigating the world of travel nursing can be daunting, with numerous opportunities and locations to choose from. This is where working with a travel nursing recruiter can make all the difference. From streamlining your job search to providing support throughout your assignments, a recruiter can be your greatest ally in landing your dream gig.

Benefits of Working with a Travel Nurse Recruiter

Specialized Matching: Recruiters specialize in matching nurses with assignments that align with their skills, preferences, and career goals. Whether you’re seeking a specific location, a particular healthcare facility, or a certain type of unit, a recruiter can help you find the perfect fit.

Insider Knowledge: Recruiters have their finger on the pulse of the travel nursing industry, including current job openings, market trends, and salary expectations. This expertise can be invaluable when navigating the job market and negotiating contracts.

Logistics Expertise: Recruiters handle the administrative tasks associated with travel nursing, such as licensing, credentialing, and housing arrangements, allowing you to focus on what you do best – providing exceptional patient care.

Education Requirements: As a travel nurse, you’ll need to expand your knowledge and skills to meet emerging requirements. Recruiters can connect you to the learning required to keep growing as you keep going.

Advocate: Recruiters act as your advocate, ensuring that your needs are met and your voice is heard. Whether you’re experiencing challenges on assignment or seeking opportunities for professional growth, your recruiter is with you every step of the way.

Personalized Support and Guidance: One of the most significant advantages of working with a travel nursing recruiter is the personalized support and guidance they provide throughout the entire process. From the moment you express interest in travel nursing to the completion of your assignment, your recruiter is there.

The SHC Advantage

When it comes to travel nursing, not all recruiting agencies are created equal. Supplemental Health Care (SHC) stands out as a trusted leader in the healthcare staffing industry, known for its commitment to excellence and dedication to client and candidate satisfaction. We’re one of the largest Travel Nurse agencies in the U.S., with the reach to offer high-paying, fulfilling travel nurse jobs, supporting travel nurses with nearly 40 years of experience.

SHC’s team of experienced travel nurse recruiters goes above and beyond to ensure that every nurse receives personalized attention and support throughout their travel nursing journey. So why wait? Partner with SHC today and take the first step toward an enriching and rewarding travel nursing experience.

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