Vital Signs of Adventure: Your Prescription for Becoming a Travel Nurse (2024)

Between travel nurse influencers, staff shortages across the nation, and news articles about their salaries, travel nurses have become a trending topic. It’s no surprise that there are many people out there considering whether becoming a travel nurse may be just the career move they need. Here’s how to become a travel nurse.

While this specific type of nursing seemed to have totally blown up online since the start of the pandemic, the idea has been around since the ’70s.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a skilled professional who relocates to fill positions in healthcare facilities that experience staffing shortages. Typically, travel nurses will be employed by staffing agencies rather than individual hospitals or clinics. These agencies specialize in connecting understaffed medical facilities with travel nurses looking for their next post.

Positions for travel nurses are temporary and can range from a few days to multiple months (even years!). They are required to perform the same duties as traditional, full-time nurses but must continuously adapt as each institution may have different systems, rules, or norms.

Becoming a travel nurse has allowed many professionals to live and work in locations across the country -sometimes the world. It also allows them the opportunity to make more money than full-time nurses. However, there is much more to travel nursing than hopping from city to city and living your best life. There is a long road to becoming qualified for this position.

How To Become a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is not a job you can decide to do one day and get a position overnight. If you’re already a nurse, you can jump to step 5. But, if you’re just getting started with your degree, you must put in the work before reaping the rewards.

1. Hit the Books

The first step towards becoming a travel nurse is getting your nursing degree. You will need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). However, many hospitals show a preference for nurses with a BSN, and therefore many staffing agencies require it.

2. Secure Your Licensing

Once you graduate, you’ll have to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse. You will need to obtain licensure in the state where you wish to work, so you’ll have to check for all the requirements in that state.

Some states are a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses licensed in one of the included states to work in another. This agreement makes travel nursing easier for some. If the state you want to work in is not a compact state, you’ll need to obtain a license there.

3. Snag Additional Certifications

Staffing agencies will likely require nurses to be certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Those who work in specialized care might need additional certifications or licenses.

4. Get Some Experience at Your Home Base

Those interested in specializing in a specific area such as NICU, trauma, surgical, or others should gain some experience before applying as a travel nurse. Typically two years on the job will give you the time needed to receive a specialization.

5. Find the Right Staffing Agency

Every agency offers travel nurses different benefits and has agreements with different healthcare networks. Ask around to other travel nurses if they have an agency they recommend, or search Facebook groups or rating services to get info on various options available to you.

6. Land Your Dream Job

The next step is to start interviewing! Your agency will help you find open positions that align with your needs. You’ll likely have to go through a few interviews before finding the perfect fit for you. Once you do, it’s time to pack!

Character Traits for Travel Nurses

It’s not just about getting a nursing degree. This career is not for everybody. It can be unstable and unpredictable. While these things excite some and stress out others, it’s important for you to consider whether your personality meshes well with this lifestyle. On top of the typical characteristics that nurses need, some other features that make a good travel nurse include:

• Adaptability
• Organized
• Fast learner
• Positive attitude
• High emotional intelligence
• Multiple languages

Why Is Travel Nursing So Popular

Travel nursing has become extremely popular in the past four years thanks to two things specifically:

1. Changes in the industry
2. The perks of being a travel nurse

First, the pandemic caused massive shortages in hospital staff due to an influx of patients and burnout among employees. Plus, the demand for travel nurses is expected to continue to grow as the population of the country ages and many nurses start to retire.

While the need continues to grow, many nurses see the benefits of working this way. Temporary nurses are often offered higher wages than the full-time staff at the same institution. Add on to that benefits such as housing allowances, meals, and travel reimbursem*nt, and travel nurses can potentially increase their income substantially – all while traveling around the country and exploring new cities. Win-win.

RV Life as a Travel Nurse

Many travel nurses have realized this lifestyle blends perfectly with RV or van life. Some things that put potential travel nurses off about moving around constantly are not having their own space and having to continuously pack up all their belongings. But, if you’re living in an RV, you can create your own tiny home that can move with you to your future job locations.

Also, living in an RV will see much lower expenses than staying in a city apartment. Many posts offer a housing stipend. If there’s leftover money at the end of the month, you can use it on RV remodels, repairs, or save it.

Popular Locations for Travel Nurses

Where travel nurses are needed the most can change all the time. For example, the effects of the pandemic caused a need for nurses all over the country. However, the demand for travel nurses often follows the snowbirds! When retirees head to the southern states for the winter, those hospitals often need a seasonal increase in their nursing staff as well.

Demand isn’t the only thing that makes a good destination, though! Here are some popular destinations among travel nurses.

• New York City: NYC offers some of the highest salaries in the country. With such a high cost of living, travel nurses can take advantage of housing allowances and get a feel for the city without taking up permanent residence.
• Alaska: Alaska is another state that can feel like a whole different country. While not for everyone, it offers some wild experiences to enjoy on your time off.
• Florida: Follow the snowbirds down to Florida for the winter, where you can enjoy some of the country’s finest weather and most beautiful beaches.
• California: Although California isn’t a compact nursing state, it is still a favorite for travel nurses who love to explore. There are endless natural gems throughout the state, and salaries are higher than national averages.

Wrapping Up

Travel nursing is an exciting and dynamic field that offers unique opportunities and challenges. It’s not just a job—it’s a lifestyle that combines the rigor of nursing with the adventure of travel. Whether you’re drawn to the high pay, the chance to see different parts of the country, or the flexibility to explore new clinical environments, becoming a travel nurse can be a profoundly rewarding career choice.

However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and consider whether your personality and lifestyle are suited for the uncertainties and constant movement associated with travel nursing. Remember, while the perks are significant, the role demands adaptability, resilience, and a robust support system.

If you’re already a travel nurse, especially one living the RV life, we’d love to hear from you! Do you have any tips or stories to share? What advice would you give to someone considering this career path? Your insights could be invaluable to others thinking about diving into this vibrant field. Join the conversation and help guide future travel nurses on their journey!