I’m curious about exploring travel nursing as a career option. I understand it involves temporary nursing assignments, but I want a deeper understanding. What exactly is travel nursing? Can you explain the typical arrangement – how long are assignments, how does one find and secure them, and what are the roles and responsibilities generally expected? Also, I’m interested in the logistics of travel nursing. How does housing work? What about licensing in different states? And finally, what are the pros and cons compared to staff nursing, in terms of pay, benefits, career growth, and lifestyle?

Answer

Travel nursing is a nursing profession where nurses work temporary assignments, typically lasting 13 weeks, at healthcare facilities in different locations. These locations can be across their home state, in a different state, or even internationally. The travel nurse is employed by a travel nursing agency, which acts as the intermediary between the nurse and the healthcare facility.

How it Works:

1. Nurse Application and Screening: A registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) applies to a travel nursing agency. The agency screens the nurse’s qualifications, including their license, certifications, experience, skills, and preferred locations. They might also conduct an interview to assess the nurse’s personality and suitability for travel work.

2. Job Matching: The agency presents available travel nursing assignments to the nurse that match their skills, experience, and preferences. These assignments are offered by hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities that have temporary staffing needs. Assignments are often available to cover staff shortages due to leaves of absence, census fluctuations, or difficulty filling permanent positions.

3. Contract Negotiation: Once the nurse expresses interest in an assignment, the agency negotiates the contract details with the healthcare facility. The contract specifies the assignment duration, pay rate, housing arrangements (if provided), benefits, and other important terms and conditions. The agency then presents the contract to the nurse for review and acceptance.

4. Licensing and Credentialing: The travel nursing agency assists the nurse with obtaining the necessary nursing licenses and credentials required to work in the assignment location. This often involves navigating the licensing requirements of different states, which can vary significantly. Some states are part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses with a compact license to practice in other compact states without obtaining an additional license. The agency typically handles verification of licenses, certifications, and other credentials needed by the facility.

5. Housing and Travel Arrangements: Travel nursing agencies often provide or assist with housing arrangements for the nurse during the assignment. This can include furnished apartments, single-family homes, or stipends for the nurse to find their own housing. The agency may also cover or reimburse travel expenses to and from the assignment location. Some nurses prefer to arrange their own housing.

6. On-Assignment Support: Throughout the assignment, the travel nursing agency provides ongoing support to the nurse. This may include a dedicated recruiter who serves as a point of contact for any questions or concerns, assistance with resolving any issues that arise, and access to benefits such as health insurance and professional liability coverage.

7. Assignment Completion and Extension/New Assignment: At the end of the contract, the nurse can choose to extend their assignment at the same facility (if the facility has continued need), take a break, or accept a new assignment at a different location. The travel nursing agency continues to work with the nurse to find suitable assignments and manage the logistics of each transition.

Key Aspects and Considerations:

• Higher Pay: Travel nurses generally earn higher hourly rates than staff nurses due to the temporary nature of the assignments and the increased demand for their services.
• Flexibility and Variety: Travel nursing offers flexibility in terms of location, schedule, and type of healthcare setting. Nurses can experience different work environments and expand their skills.
• Housing and Benefits: Housing is often provided or subsidized by the agency. Benefits packages, including health, dental, vision insurance and sometimes retirement plans, are generally offered.
• Licensure Requirements: Nurses need to ensure they have the appropriate licenses for the states they wish to work in. Compact licenses streamline this process for eligible states.
• Adaptability: Travel nurses must be adaptable and able to quickly integrate into new teams and environments.
• Agency Relationship: The choice of travel nursing agency is important. Nurses should research agencies thoroughly, comparing pay rates, benefits, housing options, support services, and the types of assignments offered.
• Taxes: A portion of travel nurse pay is often considered a non-taxable stipend for housing and meals, but the tax implications can be complex and nurses should consult with a tax professional.
• Experience Requirements: Most agencies require at least one to two years of experience in a specific nursing specialty before considering a nurse for travel assignments.
• Common Specialties: High-demand specialties for travel nurses include critical care, emergency room, operating room, labor and delivery, and medical-surgical nursing.
• Compliance: Travel nurses must comply with all facility policies and procedures, as well as all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Contractual Obligations: Adhering to the terms of the contract is essential to maintain a good relationship with the agency and the healthcare facility. Breaking a contract can have negative consequences.
• Continuous Learning: Travel nurses are responsible for staying up-to-date on the latest nursing practices and advancements in their field.
• Professionalism: Maintaining professionalism and a positive attitude are crucial for success as a travel nurse.
• Documentation: Accurate and thorough documentation is essential for providing quality patient care and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Networking: Travel nursing provides opportunities to network with other healthcare professionals and expand professional contacts.
• Personal Life: The demands of travel nursing can impact personal relationships and require careful planning and communication with family and friends.
• Emotional Challenges: Being away from home and constantly adapting to new environments can be emotionally challenging. Nurses should have strategies for coping with stress and loneliness.
• State Regulations: State regulations regarding travel nursing can vary, including rules about licensing, scope of practice, and agency requirements.
• Agency Reputation: Research the agency’s reputation by reading reviews and talking to other travel nurses.
• Assignment Locations: Some assignments are in desirable locations, while others may be in more remote or less appealing areas.
• Cancellation Policies: Understand the agency’s and facility’s cancellation policies in case an assignment is terminated early.
• Float Requirements: Travel nurses are often required to float to different units within the healthcare facility based on staffing needs.
• Call Requirements: Travel nurses may be required to take call, depending on the facility’s staffing policies.
• Orientation: Facilities provide an orientation to familiarize travel nurses with their policies, procedures, and equipment.
• Joint Commission Compliance: Healthcare facilities that are accredited by the Joint Commission have specific requirements for travel nurses, which must be met.
• Malpractice Insurance: Travel nursing agencies typically provide malpractice insurance to cover nurses during their assignments.
• Recruiter Relationship: A strong relationship with a recruiter is essential for a successful travel nursing career. The recruiter should be responsive, supportive, and knowledgeable.
• 24/7 Support: Agencies should offer 24/7 support to address any issues or emergencies that may arise during an assignment.
• Credentialing Process: The credentialing process can be lengthy and require a significant amount of paperwork. Be prepared to provide all necessary documentation in a timely manner.
• Drug Screening and Background Checks: Travel nurses are typically required to undergo drug screening and background checks before starting an assignment.
• Physical Demands: Nursing can be physically demanding, and travel nurses should be in good physical condition to meet the requirements of the job.
• Continuing Education: Travel nurses are responsible for maintaining their continuing education requirements to keep their licenses current.
• Travel Logistics: Travel nurses are responsible for coordinating their own travel arrangements, including flights, rental cars, and accommodations (if not provided by the agency).
• Financial Planning: Travel nurses should have a solid financial plan to manage their income and expenses, especially during periods of unemployment between assignments.
• Patient Population: The patient population can vary significantly between assignments, and travel nurses should be prepared to work with diverse patient populations and healthcare needs.
• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Travel nurses should be proficient in using electronic health records systems, as most healthcare facilities have transitioned to EHRs.
• Time Management: Effective time management skills are crucial for managing workload and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are essential for communicating effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
• Teamwork: Travel nurses must be able to work effectively as part of a team, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Travel nurses must be able to think critically and solve problems effectively in challenging situations.
• Leadership Skills: Travel nurses may be asked to take on leadership roles, such as charge nurse, and should have the necessary leadership skills to supervise and mentor other staff.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Travel nurses should be culturally sensitive and respectful of the beliefs and values of patients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Emergency Preparedness: Travel nurses should be prepared to respond to emergencies, such as natural disasters or mass casualty events.
• Ethical Considerations: Travel nurses must adhere to the highest ethical standards and maintain patient confidentiality.
• Legal Considerations: Travel nurses should be aware of the legal implications of their practice and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Self-Care: Travel nurses should prioritize self-care and engage in activities that promote their physical and mental well-being.