What is Travel Nursing? Travel nursing involves taking short-term assignments in different locations, typically for a few months, though timing can vary. Travel nurses fill in staffing gaps in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country. There are important requirements to be a travel nurse. An active RN license is essential. You may need additional licenses for different states, known as the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) or individual state licenses. Specialty certifications can enhance your job prospects and pay rate. Also, most travel nursing agencies require at least one to two years of clinical experience.

Start by creating a detailed checklist of everything you need to accomplish before your departure. This includes gathering all necessary documents such as nursing licenses, certifications, employment contracts, and identification. Set up a system to keep these documents easily accessible, whether digitally or in a dedicated folder. Streamline your finances by setting up direct deposit for your paychecks so you can reliably manage expenses on the road. Organize your healthcare needs by refilling prescriptions and transferring medical records if necessary. The more you get these housekeeping items in order, the more you can focus on your assignment and caring for patients.