Hey you. Yeah, you wanna be a travel nurse? Before you dive right in, you’re going to want to know the details: who, what, when, where, why and how. That’s why we’ve put this travel nurse job description together to help you know what’s expected and, more importantly, how you can make it happen.
Who: Who Can Be a Travel Nurse?
It’s one of the questions our Triage recruiters get asked most—who can be a travel nurse? The short answer is any registered nurse, however Triage typically works with nurses who have at least two years of direct hospital experience. Been out of the gig for a while, but have experience? You may need to spend some time at a hospital to make sure your skills are up to the task. Got questions about your specific situation? The easiest thing to do is to schedule a conversation with a Triage recruiter and walk through your resume and experience. Quick apply here or even chat with an actual human at our travel nurse agency on our website.
What: What’s a Travel Nurse?
In a nutshell, a travel nurse is someone who takes a 13 week assignment at a hospital away from their home. They’re nurses in a variety of specialties, from Meg/Surg, to ICU, to PACU, to Labor and Delivery. Needs can vary by specialty.
When: When Are Travel Nurses Needed?
The need for travel nurses is constant so there’s no set time. Maybe a hospital is generally short-staffed. Maybe they have a need because some of their staff is on maternity leave. Assignments can start at any time, so lots of facilities have a constant stream of travelers in and out of their doors.
Where: Where do Travel Nurses Go?
Travel nurses are typically needed around the country so whether you want to spend time in a rural location or you want to check out city life, there’s likely an option for you. Want to experience Alaska or go to Hawaii? Like to spend time somewhere warm in the winter? Travel nursing could be for you. Though, since we’re always Real with you so you can be Ready, we’ll give you the honest truth. Everyone is looking for a warm weather assignment in the winter, which means the rates might be lower than somewhere cold.
Why: Why do Nurses Travel?
There are lots of reasons nurses travel and your reason may be different than someone else’s. Travel nurses typically have a higher rate of pay, as well as a tax-free stipend that they can use for housing and meals while on the road (if they’re duplicating expenses and paying housing costs at home). Spend less of your stipend than you’re given and you’ll be able to pocket tax-free money.
Others travel for the experiences. They have a bucket list of places they want to see and spend their time off exploring. There’s no right or wrong reason to travel and Triage recruiters understand that each traveler has his or her own reasons for traveling so they can find assignments that work for each person. After all, it makes no sense to send you highly paid assignments in a cold weather climate if you’re chasing the sun. This is what your recruiter is for—take advantage of their expertise!
How: How to Become a Travel Nurse
Becoming a travel nurse isn’t easy, but it’s definitely rewarding. The first step is to connect with a travel nurse agency like Triage. We know, we’re totally biased, but we’re convinced we’re one of the best. Our recruiters treat travelers with candor and honesty and we do our best to make the time you spend on the road worth it.
If you’ve been thinking about traveling, but haven’t taken the first step, get in touch with a Triage recruiter. They’re experts in working with first time travelers and are available to answer any question you may have. To connect with a Triage recruiter today, quick apply for a travel nursing job.