Travel nursing professionals work through travel nursing agencies. There are several hundred such agencies in the United States. Many of them hold Joint Commission certification. If you wish to work for a Magnet hospital or a major academic teaching hospital, it is best to choose a certified agency.
Once you are signed on with an agency, the agency staff works with you to help you find an assignment that fits your qualifications and preferences. Expect an application process for each assignment, including a remote interview. As you prepare for your interview, bear in mind that you are interviewing the healthcare facility staff just as much as they are interviewing you.
In other words, you should ask specific questions designed to help you determine whether the assignment would be a good fit for you. You may wish to ask about the ratio of patients to staff, for example, or whether there will be mandatory overtime.
It is customary for travel nursing agencies to offer housing options close to healthcare facilities. These are typically one-bedroom apartments that you may choose to rent. If you opt to find your own housing, you can expect to receive a housing stipend. If you rent a place that costs less than the housing stipend, you can bank the difference.
Any qualified registered nurse can become a travel nurse. There is no specific travel nursing degree you are required to earn. Rather, you should be a licensed registered nurse, ideally with at least a BSN degree. A nursing degree is required when you apply for a position as a travel nurse.
There is a demand for registered nurses with all types of specializations, including NICU, ER and orthopedic nurses. Note that travel nursing agencies typically require their nurses to hold basic certifications, such as the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and the Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
It is easier than ever to become a travel nurse, thanks to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) initiative. The NLC is comprised of states that have passed legislation recognizing the licenses of nurses who obtained their original licensure in other member states. For example, if you are licensed in Arizona — an NLC state — you can also practice in any other NLC member state with a multi-state license. If you wish to take an assignment from a non-NLC state, you will need to obtain appropriate state licensure first.
Being a travel nurse offers unique advantages. Arguably, the top perk of travel nursing is the opportunity to explore new places. Although you can take a vacation anywhere you wish, most vacations typically last for only a week or less.
Since a travel nursing assignment is much longer, you have time to see more sights and engage in more activities when you are not working. Furthermore, travel nurses may enjoy the immersion in a different regional culture.
Beyond the opportunity to travel, this job path offers perks for one’s career. Travel nurses are in a position to learn from many different colleagues. They can work with varied patient populations and explore the differences in procedures from one hospital to the next.
Lastly, this career offers a high level of flexibility. A travel nurse does not have to accept a contract that does not appeal to them. Nursing professionals can choose the hospitals in which they prefer to work. Furthermore, they can take as much time off between contracts as they wish.
Your path to a rewarding career begins at Grand Canyon University, where you can choose from a wide range of nursing degree programs. Apply to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure) program if you’re new to nursing, or enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program if you’re actively working as a nurse. Complete the form on this page to learn more about our dynamic learning community.
Approved with changes by the assistant dean of the College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions on April 24, 2023.
