Why Nurses Become Travel Nurses

Why Nurses Become Travel Nurses

by | Aug 26, 2023 | Travel Nursing

Why Nurses Become Travel Nurses

These days many nurses are leaving bedside nursing to pursue travel nursing. With the many perks and benefits of travel nursing, we can’t blame them too. Travel nursing allows nurses to explore and experience diverse practices and new environments.

It is also a great way to connect and work with nurses in different nursing communities. With great pay, free housing, and many more, it is no wonder nurses are packing up their bags to become travel nurses. 

As a travel nurse, you can work in all 50 states as your assignments vary and can be as long as 13 weeks. You also have the liberty to choose which assignment works for you based on many factors. These factors include:

  • Climate
  • Nursing opportunities
  • Payment and incentives
  • Location
  • Proximity to friends and family
  • Activities to do
  • Compensation

Besides having this option, there are also many pros to travel nursing, which makes it more favorable. Among these include:

  • There are fewer nursing responsibilities.
  • Many assignments have higher pay.
  • You have free housing or housing options with bigger discounts.
  • There is flexibility to work as much or as little as you want.
  • You get to explore different work cultures.
  • All your travel expenses are reimbursed when moving from one contract to another. 
  • You get to explore different places. 
  • There are work bonuses. 

So Many Reasons Why

Another good reason why many nurses pack up and leave the bedside is stress. There are many reasons why nurses are stressed at work. It could be due to nursing shortages, unfair nurse-to-patient ratios, workplace politics, and exhaustion. If you are a nurse yearning for better pay and a less stressful environment, this could be a great opportunity to grab. 

The idea of working in a different place is also awesome. You get to explore new places, and if you’re the adventurous type, you can explore so many places as a travel nurse. Activities like hiking, camping, trekking, and even going to the beach are only among the recreation you can do as a travel nurse. Depending on where you are assigned, adventure awaits many travel nurses! 

You can also choose the nursing specialty or unit you want to work as a travel nurse. There are many special areas that you can apply to. If you have experience as an ICU nurse, you can look for assignments that allow travel nurses to work in ICU. The same goes for those with experience in PICU, ER, and many others. 

It is no secret that many travel nurses are paid more than staff nurses. Most of your travel nurse salary is tax-free simply because you travel more than 50 miles from home. However, hourly wages are usually non-negotiable. But you will be given bonuses and benefits as it fits. 

Conclusion

We can’t blame nurses who are packing up to become travel nurses. Many reasons may affect their decisions too. Whether for their clinical experience, money, or adventure, it is a good way for nurses to get some weight off their backs and see the world.

Travel nursing offers adventures, reliable income, and flexibility; as a nurse, this sounds like the freedom you’d want to get your hands on. 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

6 Travel Nursing Specialties That Are in Demand

6 Travel Nursing Specialties That Are in Demand

by | Jul 22, 2023 | Travel Nursing

6 Travel Nursing Specialties That Are in Demand

Do you know what travel nursing specialties you want to work in? Travel nursing is a nurse who travels for work, but did you know that there are many areas of nursing where travel nurses can thrive? If you have been considering working as a travel nurse, this is a sign to find a travel nurse recruiter and begin your journey to be one. 

Travel Nursing Specialties 

Working as a travel nurse is one of the best areas of nursing. You can work in different places where you can mix work and recreation. If this sounds like the kind of work you’d enjoy, here are six areas of travel nursing you will enjoy working in. 

1. ICU or Intensive Care Unit Travel Nurse

One of the best unit travel nurses can work in is the ICU. It is one of the most requested assignments for travel nurses. ICU nurses care for high-acuity, high-risk patients with the skills to monitor them closely.

As an ICU nurse, you are responsible for patients with life-threatening diseases or injuries. You must be able to communicate with your patients, their families, and physicians. 

If you like challenges, then this particular area is for you. Here you will handle frequent changes and must be able to manage stress and use your critical thinking skills to resolve issues within the ICU.

Travel nurses specializing in ICU must know how to adapt quickly to a new environment and be familiar with the hospital’s electronic medical record system. 

2. ER or Emergency Room Travel Nurse 

Another travel nurse specialty that is in high demand is ER nursing. These nurses work in a fast-paced environment where they care for critically ill patients and patients who have experienced trauma.

An emergency nurse must provide emergency care to various patients with different injuries, illnesses, and mental health issues. 

Travel nurses working in this unit must have good communication skills, diffuse tensions, and quickly assess any volatile situations.

It is also crucial that travel nurses who want to work in this position can start working with minimal orientation. 

3. Telemetry Travel Nurses

A telemetry nurse’s job is to monitor their patient’s vital signs, and heart rhythms, closely in an intermediate care unit. One of the best examples is when a patient is placed on an electrocardiogram.

Telemetry nurses monitor patients with cardiovascular abnormalities or complications and those recovering from cardiac surgery. They also help and assist doctors in administering medications and procedures as needed. 

One of the specialties of telemetry nurses is they are trained to use and interpret technological devices.

They also monitor a patient’s internal functions and vital signs. You can quickly secure this position if you already have certifications in telemetry. 

4. PCU or Progressive Care Unit Travel Nurse

PCU is another nurse specialty unit that is often in demand for travel nurses. Among their responsibilities include monitoring patients who don’t need intensive-level care but are not ready to move into a regular bed or be discharged from the hospital. 

A PCU is a unit that is sometimes called intermediate care unit or step-down unit. The patients who come to PCU often have chronic health conditions or are recovering from surgeries.

In many cases, these patients are on multiple medications and are at high risk for complications. Progressive care unit nurses monitor and assess these patients and communicate with members of the care team and patients to provide them with care toward recovery. 

5. L&D or Labor and Delivery Travel Nurses

Working in a Labor and Delivery unit will be a fun experience as a travel nurse if you’re a nurse with a specialty in the maternity unit. Nurses in this area help women through the birthing process and assist during Cesarean sections.

They also provide patients with antepartum care, especially women with high-risk pregnancies. Nurses also provide postpartum care, instructions, and how to care for their newborns. 

As a travel nurse in the L&D unit, your responsibilities include monitoring maternal and fetal health. They also provide encouragement and support to patients.

Travel nurses interested in this position must have basic or advanced life support and neonatal resuscitation program credentials to qualify for this area. 

6. Pediatric Travel Nurses

Pediatrics is one of the best travel nursing specialties you should also consider. Travel nurses working in pediatrics attend to patients from birth to 18 years of age. Working in pediatrics requires impeccable clinical skills paired with infinite amounts of compassion, patience, and the ability to have fun.

Remember that your patients are children, so having a playful quality is ideal. 

Pediatric travel nurses must also know how to communicate effectively with children, teens, and adults. One of your qualities is dispelling your patient’s fears, especially when dealing with different procedures.

You are also responsible for educating the patient’s families on managing their child’s special needs or chronic conditions. 

In addition, you may also be assigned to work in subspecialties like pediatric oncology nursing, pediatric ER, PICU, and many others. 

In Closing

Working as a travel nurse is a lifetime experience; honestly, we enjoy our time as travel nurses. If you love the idea of working as a nurse and traveling, then this is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Talk to a travel nurse recruiter today and find out where your assignment will be. 

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

Preparing for Your First Travel Nursing Job

Preparing for Your First Travel Nursing Job

by | Apr 29, 2023 | Travel Nursing

Preparing for Your First Travel Nursing Job

Your first travel nursing job is an exciting time. Think of the places you can visit and things to do while being a travel nurse. It’s mixing work and pleasure!

But before you get carried away with excitement, you must know how to prepare for your job as a travel nurse. 

Plan Your Steps

So how do you prepare for your first travel nursing job? Here’s how you become an expert in traveling as a nurse:

Explore what travel nursing is

 If you have plans to join the travel nursing bandwagon, exploring what this job is all about is your first step. Again, researching is your key. Learn what travel nursing is. Read blogs about people who are travel nurses or follow travel nurses like Cup of Nurses. 

If you have a friend who is a travel nurse, you can also ask them about their experiences. It’s also a good idea to talk to someone already in that field as they can tell you first-hand about the profession and what to expect from it. 

Do your research

Before you plan your life as a travel nurse, do your homework and research. Check out different travel nurse agencies and the services they offer. Finding an agency to help you while you are on your contract is always good. Make sure to check the ones that offer the best options. 

Make connections with other travel nurses

Travel nurses are the best people to engage with if you plan on becoming one yourself. Connect with them through social media or join groups, Facebook pages, or forums of travel nurses and meet those working in the field already. 

There may be travel nurses in your unit as we speak. Talking to them may give you a good idea of how travel nursing is.

Ask about the agencies to work with or how to prepare your documents if you ever become a travel nurse like them. 

Consider the area of work you want

As a travel nurse, you will be assigned to different specialties most of the time. And if you are a nurse experienced in particular areas, travel nursing will favor you.

While there are many areas you can work in as a travel nurse, you still need to consider which area you would like to work in as a travel nurse. It will also help narrow down the jobs you can apply for, and travel nursing agencies can easily find you a job.

Update your certifications

Certifications can be your advantage. Although you don’t need it, it can help you stand out. Ensure your certifications (especially if you have a specialty) are updated.

Update your nursing license; even better if you have multiple licenses in other states too. It will be an advantage to your career as a travel nurse. 

Certifications like PALS, ACLS, and BLS must also be updated. Keep a copy of all your certifications and licenses as a paper document and digital if possible. It will be easier to print copies and update them whenever possible.

Have a savings bank

It’s a fact that many travel nursing agencies offer housing and allowance to travel nurses, but you will always have expenses to pay upfront. Of course, agencies will reimburse you, but you must also have cash.

Having a savings bank is always a good backup. You will never know what will happen to you once you get to the first assignment, so having cash is always helpful.

Always ensure what is written in your contract and what is not. And ensure that you have money in the bank for emergencies. 

Be healthy and fit for work

Before your travel nurse job:

  1. Ensure you’re in the best condition.
  2. Make sure you’re not sick, eat healthy food, and exercise.
  3. Get a check-up to ensure your body is as healthy as possible.

It’s also a good idea to have your vaccinations updated. If you take medications, have them refilled before leaving for work. 

Learn to pack light

Once you have your assignment, learn the art of packing lightly. If your assignment is for 13 weeks, ensure you have enough clothes to last you around those weeks. Sure, you can shop for new clothes, but if you want to save money, you must know what to bring.

Remember your scrubs and bring your comfy shoes. It will make your life easier as a travel nurse. List down also everything necessary that you need to bring. It will save you time packing your things. 

Enjoy the Experience

Travel nursing is exciting, but it takes a lot of planning and paperwork to get to your first assignment. Once you have your assignment and have done everything accordingly, it will run smoothly.

As you do, enjoy the experience. Meet new friends. Enjoy the scenery and have fun too. You will be a pro at travel nursing in the long run! 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

by | Mar 18, 2023 | Travel Nursing

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

Being a travel nurse is not for everyone. This is one of the only areas in healthcare where you can simultaneously travel and work around the US.

If you have doubts about becoming a travel nurse, here are the reasons why you should consider becoming a travel nurse in the future. 

1. There is career growth.

One main reason some nurses enjoy being travel nurses is the career opportunities. When you travel to different medical facilities, there is always a chance to meet other healthcare professionals.

It allows you to build your network and learn new skills while on the job. Creating connections as references for future work is excellent when you are a travel nurse.

Also, working in different locations shows how adaptable you are to change, and there is a chance you can land a permanent position. 

 

2. The schedule is flexible.

As a travel nurse, you will work for short-term employment. It means you get hired to work within a specific timeframe. Because of this setup, you can choose the days for your vacation and work.

You have time to do other things or focus on yourself and rest. This kind of freedom is not something you see in other jobs, so if this is not a good reason to become a travel nurse, I don’t know what is. 

 

3. You have higher pay. 

By standards, travel nurses earn around $25 to $40 per hour more than staff nurses [1]. However, since most hospitals are short-staffed, travel nurses are in high demand.

You can expect higher offers and more opportunities to work overtime with shift differentials each time you get hired.

Sign-on bonuses and contract renewal incentives further increase your income.. 

 

4. There are fewer workplace politics. 

It is not uncommon for a workplace to have some drama. When you work in a permanent hospital setting, tensions can arise. It can cause conflicts and arguments among staff nurses. However, if you are a travel nurse, you can avoid these situations.

You don’t need to be involved in whatever drama happens in your work setting.

All you have to do is go to work and fulfill your duties as a nurse. You can focus on your position and provide better care for your patients. 

 

5. There is a chance to live your dreams. 

Becoming a travel nurse gives you a chance to live out your best life. If you are into adventures, meeting people, and going to different places, this is the perfect job.

You can choose the location for your next assignment, which means you can have time to do whatever you want.

Whether hiking or checking local brunch spots, it is good to know that you are not so tied down with a staff job. 

 

6. They have reimbursements.

As a healthcare professional traveling to work can seem expensive. However, plenty of travel nurse agencies can reimburse you for your expenses on gas, scrubs, and other things you need for traveling.

They can arrange everything for you; even better, some agencies allow you to bring your spouse or beloved pets. 

 

Your Takeaway

The outlook for travel nurses has never been better. As the pandemic continues to roll, more and more nurses are needed across the country. If you are a registered nurse looking for something more, becoming a travel nurse is an excellent opportunity.

With the increasing demands and higher pay, this could be an opportunity of a lifetime. Send us an email or reach out on social media, and we can help you get started. 

We hope that you find this post enlightening; good luck out there!

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

 

Travel Nurse and Recruiter Relationship

Travel Nurse and Recruiter Relationship

by | Oct 19, 2020 | Travel Nursing

Travel Nurse and Recruiter Relationship

Your travel nursing recruiter is the middleman between your facility and you. Creating a good nurse and recruiter relationship will make or break your travel nursing experience. Imagine having a recruiter that’s not on top of it or not picking up the phone.

This only creates frustration and stress on top of an already exhausting shift.   

Interviewing Your Recruiter

Yes, you will interview your recruiter! You have every right to choose who you work with. During this time, addressing any questions you have about the company or the recruiter is important.

If you’re organized, you want your recruiter to be just as accountable so you don’t run into any frustration.

Questions to Ask Your Travel Recruiter 

  • What’s the history of the company (how long in business, how many office locations)?
  • How long has the recruiter been with the company?
  • How many nurses do you typically work with at once?
  • Describe yourself and who you are
  • Name some cities where you have assignments. 
  • What assignments do you have that many travelers seem to like the most, and why?   
  • Do you submit nurses to assignments without permission? 

 

Things to Look for in a Recruiter

 

Honesty

    • Honesty is the best policy. You don’t want the recruiter to make false promises and be disappointed during your contract. It’s a good sign when your recruiter says, “I don’t have the answer for that, but let me find out and get back to you.” 
    • During your contract, if there are issues (no matter how small), be sure to touch base with the recruiter and inform them

Advocacy

    • If your travel nurse recruiter goes above and beyond for you, cherish them. An awesome recruiter will have your back, no matter what. They may be unable to fix everything, but they’ll try their best.

Respect for your time

    • A recruiter should respond to you in a timely manner. Some will provide their personal cell number for quicker access. You decide the relationship and what type of contract works best for you.
    • You shouldn’t have to wait for a response for longer than 48 hours. 

An interest in you 

    • Your travel nurse recruiter should get to know you as a person and understand your life. They should know your passions and vice versa. Those are the recruiters that truly care. It’s not all about business. 

Building and maintaining a solid relationship with your travel nurse recruiter is an important aspect of your professional career. Your travel nurse-recruiter relationship is key to your travel nursing experience.

Having someone who is a great communicator, honest, organized, and interested in your career will be key to your experience. 

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!