An aging population is driving an anticipated surge in home healthcare. It’s thought that there are nearly 200,000 new home health nursing positions are needed to cater to the needs of individuals opting to stay in their homes as they age. For those considering a career as a home health travel nurse, the timing couldn’t be better. Here’s what you can expect from a home health travel job.
Home Health Nurses Have Some Diversity in Their Schedules
Home health travel nurses have pretty unique schedules. Unlike nurses in hospitals who might see the same faces every day, you’ll be bouncing around, meeting new patients all the time and in their own homes. Sometimes you might cover for another nurse has the day off, so every day could be a different set of patients. As you travel through a new city, just make sure you’ve got a good GPS app on your phone to navigate those unfamiliar streets. And don’t forget to find an agency that covers your travel expenses—no one wants to foot that bill for driving between homes!
While some assignments involve caring for a set group of patients over a 13-week period, others may require attending to new patients daily. Before you sign a contract, talk to your recruiter to get an idea of how you’ll actually be spending your days.
Mo’ Money For Home Health Travel Nurses
Let’s talk money. Home health travel nurses make some serious cash. The average hourly rate for a home health nurse is about $40 an hour according to ZipRecruiter (realize though that this varies greatly by location). However, if you’re in the travel game, you could be looking at around $113,000 a year, according to NurseProess.org. While that can vary by location, it’s still some serious dough!
Major Independence for Home Health Travel Nurses
If you’re the independent type, this gig is perfect for you. Unlike hospital nurses who work in teams, you’ll often be flying solo, working directly with patients. You’ve gotta be confident in your skills because there won’t always be someone to back you up. But don’t stress—pick a travel agency like Triage with a solid support system, and you’ll be good to go.
So, if you’re ready for an adventure, consider becoming a home health travel nurse. With Triage’s long-term care division offering placements in all sorts of healthcare settings across the country, there’s never been a better time to hit the road. Find home health travel nurse jobs and more, on our site.