what is Travel Nurse?

What is Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse with a clinical background who works in a non-permanent or temporary nursing role. A traveling registered nurse has one year of acute-care experience in a specific specialty, and a travel nursing assignment is an opportunity to build their career and explore the country. It may also be a chance to try out a location or facility before moving there permanently.

Travel nursing provides the nurses with some unique experience and the opportunity to work with prestigious doctors and practitioners and help them gain exposure to various nurse leadership practices.

What Do Travel Nurses Do?

Travel nurses are hired to fill in the gap in staffing needs for hospitals for some specific period. The staffing requirement at a hospital or facility can be due to a shortage of registered nurses for various reasons, including seasonal population fluctuations, unexpected leave of absence, or maternity leave. The US Bureau of Labour and Statistics estimates there may be a significant shortage of nurses in the future; thus, the hospitals need to fill the needs faster, and this is where the travel nurses are hired.

What kind of Degree is required for a Travel Nurse?

There is no specific “Travel nurse” degree to become a travel nurse. Travel nurses require the same kind and level of education as traditional nurses who work in clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. The most common type of travelling nurse is the registered nurse. The nurses are required to hold an associate degree in nursing, but there are some employers who require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Common Travelling Nurse Specialties

A travel nurse is required across dozen of specializations, but there are some common areas of need that include the nurse specialties

  • Medical Surgery
  • Emergency Room
  • Operating Room
  • Med-Surg Tele
  • Telemetry
  • Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Benefits of Travel Nurse

  • Earn more money and benefits
  • Have the opportunity to work with wide variety of patients
  • Travel across the country and get paid for it
  • Get time to spend with family and have time for yourself
  • Have licenses and credentials paid for
  • Have the flexibility and freedom to work where the travel nurse wants

How Travel Nurses Find Assignments

Travel nurses find Registered Nurse jobs through a staffing company where the recruiters help them build their profiles and search for open assignments. They can also find assignments through various online job boards. Travel nurse assignments are not the same as the normal per diem assignments that are generally by the day. Per Diem nurses have more flexibility with the schedules and are able to take assignments that are closer to their homes.

How to Take Your Nursing Career Ahead

Today, Nursing is a promising career and there are over 3 mn positions that are vacant in a single year. Most of these positions are expected to be filled by travel nurses. Hence if you are considering taking your skills on the road, then this is time to do so.  Capleo Global is your go to source for top travel nurses and nursing assignments. Contact us for more information.