Contract Registered Nursing 101

As a contract registered nurse, you can take your healthcare career to the next-level by creating your own professional path in your preferred locations. This article will give you a peek into the life of this profession.

Introduction to Travel Nursing

What is a travel nurse?

Travel nurses are skilled healthcare workers who are sent on assignments to different hospitals throughout the U.S. to fulfill short-term staffing shortages. The traveling aspect of this job makes it a perfect choice for nurses wanting to advance their careers, increase their salary, or simply change up their lifestyle. A travel nurse will build their clinical skills by visiting the highest-rated facilities throughout the country and even abroad, all the while measuring their competency and meeting a diverse range of healthcare field professionals to learn from.

What do travel nurses do?

For a travel nurse, the “travel” part refers to various activities, from working at different hospitals within their city to building a reputation among hospital administrators and visiting other states or countries to help with surgeries and specialized procedures.
Another possible assignment could be working for a company supplying staff to community health clinics. These and many more activities help nurses hone their skills and knowledge within their specialties, such as intensive care, rehabilitation, surgery, and more.

One of the most attractive aspects of travel nursing is, of course, the excellent living wages. Still, there are other great perks attached to it, such as great benefits packages, free housing or housing cost reimbursement, and the chance to build a reputation with the best hospitals in the country.

Why are travel nurses important?

The travel nurse is a critical figure in the US healthcare system because of the constant shortage of qualified nurses in many specialty and non-specialty fields. This situation creates several vacancies that employers need to fill, which makes a need for highly trained nurses willing to work full-time schedules in different hospitals throughout the year.

Travel nurses are also of great importance in healthcare institutions where there aren’t enough nurses with the required education or experience in specific fields. The American Association of Colleges of Nurses estimates that there will be almost 2 million vacant positions for registered nurses in the US by 2022, primarily due to the aging of the current nurse workforce. In other words, travel nurses need to be available for hospitals that cannot hire the nursing staff required to handle their day-to-day patient care operations. This need causes many reputable hospitals to develop close relationships with travel nurse staffing agencies that prove to be committed to excellence, hold their nurses to the highest standards of professionalism, and that can fill their staffing needs at a moment’s notice.

High Demand for Travel Nurses

Since there is such a high demand for qualified registered nurses with different specialties and training, travel nurses are some of the most in-demand healthcare professionals in the US. The state of chronic medical care demands that seasoned nursing veterans keep moving from one hospital to another while staying up to date with the latest developments in patient care. This demand also makes travel nursing a highly sought-after career since the need for them comes with high compensation and speedier professional growth.

Types of Travel Nurses

In most cases, travel nurses are hired on a per-assignment basis, or at least for agreed periods. These can range from a few days to years, but it mostly depends on the employer’s needs.

Registered Nurses (RNs)

The most common type of nursing professional is the registered nurse (RN). These can fall into many categories, such as helping people with cancer, heart disease, surgical procedures, post-operative rehabilitation, and many more. They are primarily found in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and nursing homes. The breadth of their knowledge and education makes them desirable for any healthcare provider to give care to patients with all sorts of health needs.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) defines nurse practitioners as licensed, autonomous clinicians who focus on managing people’s conditions and preventing disease.

These types of nurses are often specialized practitioners focused on specific types of patients, such as pediatric and women’s health, or subspecialized in dermatology, oncology, etc.

The main difference between RNs and NPs is the educational background of each. A registered nurse needs an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), while the minimum requirement to become an NP is a master’s degree.

Since being an NP allows for a more considerable degree of independence, they are considered primary care providers and take on a more holistic view of healthcare, providing physical and emotional care. Frequently, an RN will become an NP to advance their careers, get better career opportunities and higher salaries.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)

An LPN performs more basic nursing duties generally, and is responsible for the comfort of the patient. On the other hand, an RN will take on duties such as administering medication, give out treatments, and even offer medical advice to the general public. While these two jobs may be similar on the surface, RNs and LPNs have less in common than it might seem.

An LPN usually takes on a more basic range of care responsibilities than RNs, which generally means comforting the patient, treating minor injuries, pain, interpreting charts, inserting IVs, and taking vital signs.

Assignment Duration

A travel nurse should always be aware of how long their assignment will be to plan their next step.

Regular jobs can last anywhere between 2 weeks and up to 3 months, but the actual duration depends on many factors, such as what position you’re being assigned to, your employer, if your RN license is still valid, etc. Sometimes you will stay for an extended time in a single place but separate assignments with breaks in between them.

The duration of your shifts is another critical consideration. This aspect is also dependent on different factors, but an average day for a travel nurse or travelers can include shifts starting at 7:00 am and lasting until 3:00 am the next day. Although, again, this depends on the assignment and your employer and can even be negotiated before signing your contract.

Life of a Travel Nurse

The most often cited reason by travel nurses for choosing their line of work is the opportunity to visit different parts of the country (and even the world) while doing the job they enjoy. This perk, coupled with the higher salaries and meeting new people, are probably the most attractive parts of being a travel nurse.

Another reason for travel nurses to take assignments is the opportunity to practice at some of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the United States and abroad. The fact that they can potentially visit several of these in a single year allows them to build quite a reputation and resumé for themselves. Still, it should go without saying that travel nurses have quite a demanding job for all of its benefits and excitement.

Travel nurses not only need to be intelligent, skillful, and patient but should also be emotionally strong to handle being away from home for months at a time. The need for inner focus is especially true if you consider how often you will be moving, meeting new people or teams, and dealing with new cultures as well as organizations.

It can be a very rewarding and unforgettable experience each time, but only if you love the lifestyle. Also, while it’s true that being a travel nurse does not require much more education than being a regular staff nurse, some institutions or assignments will require you to have a specific degree or training program before even considering you for a position.

Working Conditions

Aside from the regular working environment that you can expect from nursing, travel nurses’ conditions depend on the agency they signed with. Many travel nurses can face a steep learning curve to adapt to their new employer, which can be compounded by the fact that they might have signed for longer days.

Still, challenging as it can be, being a traveling RN leads to many personal and professional rewards that cannot be overlooked. As in virtually all other jobs out there, it’s a trade-off between what you can stand and what you want to get out of it.

Higher Pay and Benefits

Travel nurses usually receive higher pay rates and much better benefits than other employees in similar positions within the same hospital. In most cases, travel nurse salaries will be higher than their peers with no extra education required; for example, an ICU travel nurse can make between $60k-$150k a year. This higher pay is on top of the added benefits like tax-free housing stipends, transportation, and even health coverage options.

Benefits of Travel Nursing

  • Freedom and Flexibility
  • Diverse Practice Environments
  • Near-Endless Job Security
  • Save For Your Retirement Easily
  • Plentiful Growth Opportunities
  • Learn Skills Beyond Nursing
  • Try As Many Towns As You Want Before Settling Down

Becoming a Travel Nurse

“What does it take to become a travel nurse?” The short answer is that there are no hard-and-fast requirements for becoming a traveler; however, certain factors will make your transition more manageable than others.

Educational Requirements For Travel Nurses

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AAP), a bachelor’s degree in nursing is not required for someone to become a licensed nurse practitioner. However, they do suggest that “graduating from a university is helpful.” Still, it helps!

Some nurses have completed their bachelor’s degree and earned their state certification to become dual-certified nurses. This double certification means they can practice independently within the US and their home state (regular CNPs are not usually allowed to practice outside of the state they are licensed).

Regarding the educational paths to becoming a nurse, the American Nurses Association (ANA) recognizes two different nursing degrees: The BSN and ADN.

ADN Degree

The ADN is closer to what people recognize as traditional nursing practices like ICU care or operating room nursing. Completing an ADN will allow students to understand many medical procedures and allow nurses to focus on specific fields, such as surgery or anesthesia. Frequently it is necessary to have an ADN concentration with a general focus before students are eligible to take the national board certification exam.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for an ADN vary by school, but they mostly include:

  • Writing an application essay.
  • Writing a career statement.
  • Going through an in-person interview.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75.
  • Academic and professional recommendations.
  • High ACT or SAT scores.
  • Getting a passing score on the HESI Admission Assessment Exam.
  • Pass the Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) assessment test.
  • Pass the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination (NLN-PAX) standardized entrance exam for prospective nursing students.
Program Curriculum

Prerequisites and nursing classes make up the ADN. Exact titles and requirements vary, but each school must meet the criteria outlined by the state’s nursing board. The ADN curriculum is made up of several prerequisite classes and nursing-related classes. While the exact courses and their titles may vary by program, each school must meet the requirements outlined by the state’s board of nursing of their respective state.

General prerequisites for an ADN program:
Nursing classes for the ADN program include:
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Statistics
  • Psychology
  • Communications
  • Foundations in Nursing
  • Nursing Care of Adults
  • Behavioral Health
  • Pharmacology
  • Maternal and Child Nursing Care
Time to Complete

The ADN is considered the quickest option for those getting started in a registered nursing career. An accredited Professional Nursing ADN program can be completed in as few as 18 to 24 months. The next step would be to pass the NCLEX-RN. Then, after you meet all your state licensure requirements, you become a registered nurse able to work in a plethora of healthcare settings.

Skills Learned

Time to Complete

The ADN is considered the quickest option for those getting started in a registered nursing career. An accredited Professional Nursing ADN program can be completed in as few as 18 to 24 months. The next step would be to pass the NCLEX-RN. Then, after you meet all your state licensure requirements, you become a registered nurse able to work in a plethora of healthcare settings.

Skills Learned

You will be taught all the basic nursing skills during your rotations, which should start in your second or third semester. These will include performing tasks like sterile dressing changes, suctioning, bathing, and using O2 tanks. Then, as your abilities grow, you will also learn how to work with IVs, administer medications, routing the patient, inserting NG tubes and catheters, and much more. Of course, for a precise list of all the skills you will develop, be sure to investigate the nursing board governing the state in which you want to become licensed.

BSN Degree

Considered a higher level of education than the ADN, a BSN degree allows individuals to enter the profession as nurse practitioners. A nurse with a BSN degree can be in charge of small health clinics, diagnose patients, and treat illnesses using prescription medications, amongst other methods.

Admission Requirements

Considered a higher level of education than the ADN, a BSN degree allows individuals to enter the profession as nurse practitioners. A nurse with a BSN degree can be in charge of small health clinics, diagnose patients, and treat illnesses using prescription medications, amongst other methods.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for BSN degree vary by university and include general education requirements to complete prerequisites before nursing school admission and nursing school admission requirements. As with the ADN degree, requirements for a BSN degree vary by state and university and include general education and nursing school prerequisites.

General prerequisites for an ADN program:
Nursing classes for the ADN program include:
  • Completing the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR), which is made up of 6 subjects: English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, World Languages, Lab Science, Senior Year Math-Based Quantitative Course
  • Fine, visual, or performing arts
  • An academic elective
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA (number required for a first year student is not always specified)
  • Personal achievements
  • After-school activities
  • Community service
  • Leadership activities
  • Foundations in Nursing
  • Nursing Care of Adults
  • Behavioral Health
  • Pharmacology
  • Maternal and Child Nursing Care
Program Curriculum

Prerequisite coursework is completed during the first two years of the traditional BSN program then the student can apply to nursing school for the last two years. The BSN program begins with two years of prerequisite coursework, after which the student can apply to nursing school for the remaining two years of the program.

General education requirements:
Nursing prerequisite classes:
  • General education subjects
  • Nursing prerequisite subjects
  • Nursing school coursework
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Math
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Microbiology
General education requirements:Nursing school curriculum:
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Natural sciences
  • Social sciences
  • Foreign language
  • Humanities
  • Computer literacy
  • Communications
  • Maternal & newborn health
  • Nursing care of infants, children, and adolescents
  • Nursing care of adults
  • Nursing care for geriatric adults
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Nursing ethics
  • Wellness promotion
  • Research and evidence-based practice
Time to Complete

The ADN is considered the quickest option for those getting started in a registered nursing career. An accredited Professional Nursing ADN program can be completed in as few as 18 to 24 months. The next step would be to pass the NCLEX-RN. Then, after you meet all your state licensure requirements, you become a registered nurse able to work in a plethora of healthcare settings.

Skills Learned

Since this is the longest out of the two programs, the skills and education of a BSN-educated nurse also include the basic nursing skills that an ADN provides, but also goes much further in many areas, allowing you to specialize in many medical fields and to advance your career down the line quickly.

Best BSN Online Programs
Best ADN-to-BSN Online Programs
  1. University of Central Florida
  2. Western Carolina University
  3. Florida International University
  4. New Mexico State University
  5. University of Florida-Online
  6. Rush University
  7. University of South Carolina
  1. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
  2. Azusa Pacific University
  3. Ferris State University
  4. Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
  5. Florida Gateway College
Pass the NCLEX Exam

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is an exam that determines if it’s safe for you to practice as an entry-level nurse after graduation from your program. Unlike nursing school exams, which are knowledge-based, the NCLEX-RN is applied based on critical thinking to make accurate judgments about many nursing situations.

Certifications and Credentials

You need to be CPR certified. Usually, this is taken care of when you attend nursing school. It is also recommended that you take your boards while in school in order to have them ready once you graduate.

You will have to be licensed by the state in which you will be working as a nurse, requiring licensing tests or an application process (which includes time limits on how long you can be out of state, such as six months).

You will also need a multistate license.

The eNLC Multistate License

The eNLC (Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact) is, as the name suggests, the enhanced version of the NLC—which was active until 2018. The eNLC was streamlined and added licensure standards that were lacking in the original.

The eNLC is an agreement between states that allow nurses to practice in other states within the pact while holding only one license. You can find an up-to-date list of eNLC members here.

Requirements For A eNLC Multistate License?

The requirements for an eNLC Multistate License as outlined by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) are as follows:

  1. Meets the requirements for licensure in the home state (state of residency)
  2. a. Has graduated from a board-approved education program; or b. Has graduated from an international education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credentials review agency)
  3. Has passed an English proficiency examination (applies to graduates of an international education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual’s native language)
  4. Has passed an NCLEX-RN® or NCLEX-PN® Examination or predecessor exam.
  5. Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license (i.e., without operational discipline).
  6. Has submitted to state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks.
  7. Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law.
  8. Has no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing (determined on a case-by-case basis).
  9. Is not currently a participant in an alternative program.
  10. Is required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program.
  11. Has a valid United States Social Security number.

Online Travel Nursing Programs

One of the best ways to see what travel nursing is all about is to sign up for an online travel nursing program. This option will allow you to transition into the industry, and continue your education if you so wish. The skills you can learn from this experience are invaluable, as are any new certifications you pick up along the way if you want to further your career.

Becoming an International Travel Nurse

Usual Assignment Locations:

When it comes to traveling abroad, you will find that assignments will most commonly take you to Australia, New Zealand, China, and the Middle East. These areas are prone to high rates of disease and natural disasters that create a demand for rapid response nurses to care for patients in the aftermath. However it’s important to note that an agency will rarely send nurses to a country where they don’t speak the language. They will expect you to have at least a working knowledge of the local language before considering you for a nursing role in a foreign country.

Educational Requirements for International Travel Nursing:

No matter where you go, you will need a valid license and have a degree from an accredited school to practice anywhere abroad. If everything is in order, the specific requirements will vary depending on your country, city, and hospital (pretty much like in the US). That will allow you to find work as an RN, APRN, or LPN.

Compensation and Benefits:

The only way to know for sure what your benefits package will include is to ask your agency or employer directly. You will usually receive hourly wages, housing, stipends for meals and travel, and even insurance, as well as paid time off. Not too different from back in the US most of the time, but it’s better to be sure beforehand.

Licensing and Certification Requirements For International Travel Nurses

The requirements for licensure in the country where you’ll work need to be met in full. These requirements could go from taking a short test to completing an entirely new nursing program. Also, you might be required to take a test demonstrating that you speak the country’s primary language (this is true even in countries where the primary language is English for work visa purposes).

A passport, visa, and work permit are all necessary, and in some cases sponsorship is required. Carefully check what documents you need for each country, as all packages are different. The process can seem slow, and it sometimes takes up to a year to complete depending on your situation.

Living Abroad as a Travel Nurse

Depending on the contract you are under, you might be allowed to bring along a significant other when working abroad. Still, you can also travel with another nurse on assignment to share living expenses and provide companionship for each other. Pets are another choice, but remember that the rules that apply to them vary from one country to another. Don’t forget to study up on the country where you’ll be staying. Anything you can learn from the local culture before arriving there can be invaluable during your stay.

Finding Travel Nursing Jobs

There are a variety of options to find the perfect travel nursing job you want. The key to success is to keep your options open and to try different avenues before deciding on which route to take. You will see that some options are more appealing than others, depending on your preferences. Here are some of the most popular choices.

Using Traditional Recruiters

Nurse recruitment is, essentially, a sales job. Their function is to be an intermediary between healthcare providers and travel nurses, meaning they will be your link each time you need to deal with your employer before and during an assignment. On top of that, their responsibilities include:

  1. Handling paperwork.
  2. Talking to the hospital for you.
  3. Providing you with housing, among other things.
Pros of Using Traditional Recruiters
Cons of Using Traditional Recruiters

It’s in their best interest to find you a job

Have a network and connections that can benefit you

Feeling like just a number

You need to plan for your own retirement.

 

Using Online Platforms

Using an online niche platform to find job opportunities as a nurse can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your outlook. Here are a few pros and cons of going at it yourself in the nursing job market.

Pros of Using Online Platforms
Cons of Using Online Platforms

No commission – your pay is yours to keep completely.

You won’t be hounded to take up another job as soon as you finish your assignment.

You are essentially on your own on the job search.

No support or advice if you get stuck in a rut.

Using Blended Online Platforms with Support

You may also opt to use a combination of online and real human connections. Here are some pros and cons of this blended option.

Pros of Using Blended Online Platforms with Support
Cons of Using Blended Online Platforms with Support

Get help understanding the quirks of all platforms.

Get advice on what traits to look for in a job.

Support (usually) has a price.

What support says might contradict the lived experiences of other nurses.

 

The Ultimate Pros and Cons List of Travel Nursing

Suppose you are starting to consider becoming a travel nurse; congratulations! That’s the first step towards a fantastic period of your career — and even your life. However, it should be noted that not all nurses can just become travel nurses for one reason or another. It might be because they’re not eligible for licensure in some states, or because they simply don’t like the “globetrotting” aspect of this profession. So before you make any binding commitments, go over these pros and cons that will show you the good and not-so-good aspects of travel nursing.

Pros of Travel Nursing
Cons of Travel Nursing
1. Get Variety In Your Career Experience

A new assignment means honing your skills and getting experience at different healthcare facilities, from large urban centers to small rural hospitals. No matter your specialty or set of skills, you will always find a way to put them to the test and grow professionally. This growth will make you much more attractive to prospective employers in the future.

1. Difficulty In Forming Professional Relationships

The opportunity to expand your knowledge, network with healthcare professionals, and build your resume is all part and parcel of being a travel nurse. However, the downside is that constantly moving around the country makes it difficult to form lasting personal relationships that can help you advance your career, especially if on short assignments. A travel nurse could constantly feel like the “new kid” in each workplace they visit, leading to isolation and it may be hard to connect and gain a new friend. In this sense, nurses who travel could feel like they are caught in a pattern when trying to advance their careers.

2. Choose When And Where You Work

Travel nursing comes along with a sense of personal freedom seldom found in other healthcare professions. For the most part, travel nurses have the freedom to choose where, when, and for how long they will work. You might select an assignment in a city you are familiar with or always wanted to visit or where people you know live. Also, nurses working with an agency will have access to its job boards, meaning they can choose a schedule, benefits package, and even negotiate a salary sometimes.

2. Having To Manage Multiple Licenses

Travel nurses must have an active license for each state they work in, which means that you are responsible for planning ahead and obtaining said licenses before you accept a job in a new state. Also, if your position is related to surgical nursing, intensive care, the emergency room, or labor/delivery, you will require additional certifications. Luckily, obtaining licensure is relatively straightforward in most states. You need to provide a background check, proof of an active license, and pay a fee to the state nursing board (a cost that your agency may take care of). Luckily, there is such a thing as the Compact RN license, under which the majority of US states fall.

3. Get Affordable Housing

Housing is becoming increasingly problematic for many people in America, so you will be happy to know that one of the biggest perks of being a travel nurse is being provided with housing with each job you take. That means you don’t have to worry about looking for a new home each time you move. And as if that wasn’t good enough, ordinary living expenses are significantly reduced. It’s a fantastic opportunity to visit many places before settling down.

3. Maintaining Your Tax Home As A Travel Nurse

Even if you realize that you qualify to set up a tax home and that you would benefit from having one, that doesn’t mean it’s not costly and a little challenging to keep it. Potentially, this could be one of the cons of travel nursing for someone who is not financially savvy or simply doesn’t want the trouble.

4. Health Insurance Options

Travel nurses have the following options when it comes to health insurance: 1. Agency-provided health insurance 2. ACA compliant individual or family health insurance 3. Short-term health insurance Medicaid or CHIP are not listed as options for insurance because nurses usually make more than the maximum allowed income to qualify for insurance through Medicaid or CHIP, especially if they’re travel nurses earning higher wages.
4. Potential To Be Negatively Perceived By Permanent Staff

While networking and professional relationships are one important benefit of travel nursing, there are some unfortunate situations where the staff of a few hospitals might hold a negative view of travel nurses in general. It’s definitely not the norm or widespread, but some staff members might feel as if travel nurses are “taking their hours” or encroaching on their place depending on the nature of the assignment, which might make the latter feel unwelcome.
5. Travel Nurse Housing Stipends Are Tax-Free

The requirements for travel nurses to qualify for tax-free stipends are as follows (remember that you only have to meet two of the three requirements): You earn a minimum of 25% of your income in this geographical area. You have a permanent residence here, paying rent or mortgage, utilities, etc. You have not abandoned your tax home.
5. Cultural Barriers

Everything from time zone changes, language, the local culture, unfamiliar weather, and many more aspects of traveling to a new place might feel like barriers to a newly arrived nurse. After all, travel nursing is not a vacation, even though the perks are fantastic, so the fact that you have to perform a demanding job while living in an unfamiliar place might be hard on a few nurses at the beginning.

Introduction to Travel Nursing

What is a travel nurse?

Travel nurses are skilled healthcare workers who are sent on assignments to different hospitals throughout the U.S. to fulfill short-term staffing shortages. The traveling aspect of this job makes it a perfect choice for nurses wanting to advance their careers, increase their salary, or simply change up their lifestyle. A travel nurse will build their clinical skills by visiting the highest-rated facilities throughout the country and even abroad, all the while measuring their competency and meeting a diverse range of healthcare field professionals to learn from.

What do travel nurses do?

For a travel nurse, the “travel” part refers to various activities, from working at different hospitals within their city to building a reputation among hospital administrators and visiting other states or countries to help with surgeries and specialized procedures.
Another possible assignment could be working for a company supplying staff to community health clinics. These and many more activities help nurses hone their skills and knowledge within their specialties, such as intensive care, rehabilitation, surgery, and more.

One of the most attractive aspects of travel nursing is, of course, the excellent living wages. Still, there are other great perks attached to it, such as great benefits packages, free housing or housing cost reimbursement, and the chance to build a reputation with the best hospitals in the country.

Why are travel nurses important?

The travel nurse is a critical figure in the US healthcare system because of the constant shortage of qualified nurses in many specialty and non-specialty fields. This situation creates several vacancies that employers need to fill, which makes a need for highly trained nurses willing to work full-time schedules in different hospitals throughout the year.

Travel nurses are also of great importance in healthcare institutions where there aren’t enough nurses with the required education or experience in specific fields. The American Association of Colleges of Nurses estimates that there will be almost 2 million vacant positions for registered nurses in the US by 2022, primarily due to the aging of the current nurse workforce. In other words, travel nurses need to be available for hospitals that cannot hire the nursing staff required to handle their day-to-day patient care operations. This need causes many reputable hospitals to develop close relationships with travel nurse staffing agencies that prove to be committed to excellence, hold their nurses to the highest standards of professionalism, and that can fill their staffing needs at a moment’s notice.

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Should You Become A Travel Nurse?

If you are looking for a solid livelihood with multiple benefits, then you might want to consider becoming a travel nurse. The pay is excellent, and the work is good. There is just one thing that people need to be mindful of when considering being a travel nurse: It can be hard leaving for long periods to go all around the country or world to accommodate your client’s needs and give solutions. If you think you can handle that, then this is a great job for you.

Start building your career today!