Travel nurses are valuable members of the healthcare workforce. The demand to fill travel nurse jobs has always been steady but reached new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic due to short staffing and a high volume of critically ill patients. Today, travel nurse jobs remain a top priority for facilities to fill. That’s why Nomad Health helps nurses find high-paying travel nurse jobs across the country with facilities who need support. Our travel nurse job database includes jobs in popular RN specialties including:
The requirements for travel nurse jobs are not much different from staff travel nurse job requirements, with a few exceptions. Below are the key requirements you will need to have in order to qualify for a travel nurse job.
Travel nurses must have either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program.
To secure a travel nurse job, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain state licensure. Depending on your home state, you may be eligible to apply for a compact license, which would allow you to work in all states that are part of the nurse licensure compact (NLC). Having a compact license could be beneficial if you plan on taking travel nurse jobs in multiple states. If the state is not part of the compact, you must obtain an individual license.
Nomad Health usually requires at least one to two years of experience working in the field before you can qualify for a travel nurse job. However, every facility has their own unique requirements for travel nurse jobs, so make sure you read up on the job description to make sure you have enough experience required for the role.
Depending on the specialty, you may need to obtain certain certifications to qualify for a travel nurse job. Some of the most common certifications travel nurses need to have include:
Travel nurse jobs require you to possess specific hard and soft skills. Depending on the specific travel nurse job you’re applying for, some of these skills may be more essential than others. In general, facilities hiring for travel nurse jobs want you to have the following skills:
Travel nurse jobs require applicants to have an up-to-date physical examination in addition to immunizations. Depending on the facility, you may also be required to take and pass a drug test such as a urine test.
Each specialty within travel nursing has its own unique set of job duties and responsibilities. However some duties and responsibilities are common across most specialties, including:
Travel nurses provide direct patient care using the training and skills from their area of specialization. Travel nurses may assist with medical procedures, administer medications and treatments, respond to emergencies, and assist patients with activities of daily living.
Travel nurses conduct assessments to determine the patient's status and needs. They also monitor patient vital signs, symptoms, and responses to treatment.
Travel nurses develop tailored care plans in collaboration with other healthcare team members. They work together to adjust care plans based on the progress of the patient.
Travel nurses maintain up-to-date and accurate patient records by documenting treatments, interventions performed, patient responses, and patient progress notes.
Travel nurses educate patients and their families about health conditions, medications administered, treatment plans, and discharge care.
Travel nurses respond quickly during medical emergencies and coordinate with other healthcare professionals.
Travel nurses adhere to facility policies along with any state-wide nursing regulations. This can include things like maintaining patient confidentiality and following proper infection control guidelines.
Travel nurses know how to operate medical equipment and technology used for patient care and monitoring.
Travel nurses stay up to date with the latest nursing practices and standards.
There are plenty of good reasons why considering a travel nurse job is a smart move. From financial incentives to personal growth, a travel job might be just what you need to take the next step in your nursing career.
With persistent nursing staff shortages, travel nurse jobs remain in demand. Because the demand is high, you can sleep easy knowing that your job is secure and less susceptible to economic downturns.
Travel nurse jobs may pay more than staff nurse jobs. Many things can impact travel pay including your experience, education, location, credentials, and facility needs. When you browse travel nurse jobs on Nomad, you’ll see a pay breakdown (including the travel stipend) of every job to know what you can earn before you apply.
Travel nurse jobs provide an opportunity to work with new technologies. Common technology that travel nurses get exposure to may include:
Travel nurse jobs allow you to collaborate cross-functionally with interdisciplinary healthcare staff such as physicians and staff nurses to allied health professionals. When you work closely with these teams, you’ll get a broader perspective on patient care which you can add to your skill set.
Travel nurse jobs can put you on the fast track to learn about the latest education, techniques, treatments, and equipment used in the field. If you’re interested in getting ahead of the curve, applying for a travel nurse job might be right for you.
One of the biggest perks of travel nurse jobs is deciding where you want to work. From the city to the facility, it’s up to you. Accepting travel jobs in new locations also exposes you to new facilities and patient populations you may not experience in a regular staff position.
Most nurses agree that the best travel nurse jobs offer a combination of high compensation and opportunities to expand your clinical experience. However, what makes a travel nurse job the “best” usually depends on personal preferences, career goals, and financial goals.
To find the best travel nurse job for you, research is key. First, you need to determine which travel agencies offer travel nurse jobs. Unfortunately, not all agencies work with travel nurses.
Next, you should consider the reputation of the agency you’re considering working with. Use a search engine to read testimonials and reviews other travel nurses have left about the agency. These reviews should give you a general idea of whether the agency meets your standards, and if other travel nurses recommend them.
While pay may often be the most important factor in travel nurse jobs, remember that additional perks such as stipends for scrubs, licenses, and travel, along with health insurance and the option to invest in a 401(k) should be factored into the equation. Unlike Nomad, not all agencies offer these types of benefits, so it's important to compare the additional perks before you accept a travel nurse job.
The demand for travel nurse jobs varies across different states based on factors such as the overall demand for nurse support, the number of healthcare facilities, and the demographics of the regional population. Additionally, states with larger populations and an advanced healthcare infrastructure may need more travel nurses than others.
As one of the biggest states, California has multiple medical facilities in densely populated areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco that often hire for travel nurse jobs. California also has strict nurse-to-patient ratio laws, which bodes well for patient safety and nurse satisfaction. Additionally, California has a high cost of living, which may result in attractive pay rates.
Like California, certain high-growth metropolitan areas in Texas have travel nurse jobs available including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. Because Texas regularly experiences public health emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, the need for travel nurses may be high.
Because Florida has an older-than-average population and an expansive medical system, the demand for nurse travelers is high, especially in cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando. Like Texas, Florida also experiences several natural disasters, including hurricanes, which often result in spikes in demand for travel nurses.
The dense population and high number of healthcare facilities in New York make it a hotspot for travel RN jobs, especially in New York City. Additionally, due to extremely cold winters, there may be an increase in cold-weather emergencies that require medical attention.
Because Arizona experiences a yearly influx of winter visitors, there is a seasonal strain on healthcare systems there which can increase the demand for travel nurses.
If it’s your first time accepting a travel nurse job, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind that will help you feel prepared and ready to go on your first day. Every travel nurse job is different, but excelling in one or more of these areas may ensure you are set up for success.
One of the most important questions you can ask your hiring manager is about the orientation and onboarding process for your travel RN job. Knowing how much support you will have at the beginning and during your assignment will help you set realistic expectations for your first week on the job.
Being adaptable is the key to starting any travel RN job. You will need to be prepared for ambiguity and performing tasks that you may not have much experience with.
Along the way, remember to network and build relationships with your new colleagues. Connect with other travel nurses and learn about their experiences with the facility and traveling in general.
Remember to pack all the essentials you will need for the duration of your travel assignment. Depending on where your travel nurse job is, it may be difficult to find a drug store or other convenience stores for items at the last minute, especially if you’re working in a rural area. We recommend packing extra pairs of scrubs, toiletries, and anything else to make you comfortable during your stay.
Yes, travel nurse jobs remain in high demand. Because the number of patients that require care continues to increase, facilities may need extra clinical support from travel nurses.
Travel RN job contract length varies depending on the needs of the facility. In general, most travel nurse job contracts are 13 weeks long, although it’s not uncommon to find contracts that last eight weeks.
To qualify for a travel nurse job, you will need a two or four-year college degree, an RN license for the state where you want to work, at least two years of experience working in a specialty, and basic certifications like BLS and ACLS. However, each facility has different requirements for travel nurse jobs, so make sure you review the individual qualifications before you apply.
Yes, you can choose the location for your travel nurse job. Nomad Health features travel RN jobs across the United States. Some are in desirable locations like Hawaii, California, and Florida.
How soon you can start your travel nurse job will depend on the needs of the facility. Sometimes facilities need you to start quickly, while others may allow you to negotiate a start date based on your convenience.
You’ll have ongoing support from Nomad Navigators. Once you’re on assignment, you will also have access to Clinical Navigators who are clinicians who have been in your shoes and are equipped to help you navigate any facility or clinical-related issues that may arise.
Yes! Travel nurse jobs are an excellent way to fast-track professional growth. When you accept a travel nurse job, you can get exposure to new environments, patient populations, and technology that may help level up your skillset and compensation.