Things to Know About Being a Crisis Travel Nurse

Being a crisis travel nurse has its perks, but it comes with real responsibilities too. One of these responsibilities is when you respond to a crisis.

As a crisis travel nurse, you must assist wherever this crisis calls you. If you are interested in working as a travel nurse, it is best to understand what you are getting into and how it can help you as a travel nurse.

Things to Know About Being a Crisis Travel Nurse

As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to go to different parts of the country and offer assistance. That said, it is also one of your jobs to answer in times of crisis.

A crisis contract is crucial to get things started. But what do you need to be qualified as a crisis travel nurse? Here’s what you need to know.

There are no additional requirements for travel nurses with crisis contracts. However, you are most likely able to qualify further if you have the following RN certifications:

Certification in Critical Care Nurse
Certified Emergency Nurse
Certification in Pediatric Nurse

To become certified in these departments, you must have an Associate’s Degree, BSN or MSN. Higher degrees are even better.

You must also have experience working in Cardia Care units, Surgical ICUs, ICUs, trauma units, transport, and flight operations, specializing in emergency or life-threatening conditions [1].

Differences

Every job has a contract to follow, and a crisis contract is no different. However, there are a few differences that you should know. They are as follows:

The crisis assignment of travel nurses often comes without warning. An event can happen anytime, like a natural disaster. The pandemic is one example of a crisis that went without any notice.

Often, a crisis assignment is face-paced and involves high-stress levels. The duration of your job will also depend on how long the crisis is at hand. While the pay is higher for crisis travel nurses, it can be demanding.

Benefits of Being a Crisis Travel Nurse

The crisis assignment of travel nurses often comes without warning. An event can happen anytime, like a natural disaster. The pandemic is one example of a crisis that went without any notice.

As a crisis travel nurse, there are benefits when you accept the job. One of them is the benefit of a high paid salary. Because of the demands, you can receive 10-100% more than regular nursing staff jobs [2].

You also get to obtain housing, food, and incidental allowances, as well as bonuses for extra shifts. There are also additional shift incentives, primarily if you work night duty or when the health care facility is short-staffed.

While this sounds good, there are also some downsides to being a crisis travel nurse. For one, you don’t know how long your contract will last or if it will be dropped at the last minute.

It can also be an inconvenience because a crisis is not planned. The work is also demanding and often involves critical situations. So, you don’t know what you are in for.

Before Agreeing to Be a Crisis Travel Nurse

Before agreeing on the job and taking on the risks, remember these three things before signing your contract.

Always consider the location – before you agree on the job, always consider the place of your assignment first. Take the pandemic, for example; some states have higher Covid-19 cases than others. It is also essential to do your research before signing up for the job.

Follow safety protocols – taking a crisis travel nurse job always involves risks. It is also why the pay is higher compared to other nursing jobs. If you are deployed for a job during this pandemic, wearing the proper PPE while at work, wearing face masks, and social distancing are vital.

Of course, each crisis differs, so it is best to observe safety protocols.

Consider the pay – crisis travel nurses are paid higher than usual because of the risks involved. However, be on the lookout for agencies that offer ridiculous salary amounts.

Often, these contracts are cut off short because of budget reasons. It is also why you should consider contracts with reasonable pay to avoid losing them.

Being a Crisis Travel Nurse Today is Vital

If you are already a travel nurse, you don’t need many requirements to work in this field. However, working with a good travel nursing agency is a must to set you up with the right job.

Your recruiter can help guide you and provide insight on your next crisis travel nursing assignment. Make sure to work only with the best.

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