How to become a travel nurse
A nursing job which is becoming more and more popular among nurses these days is as at ravel nurse. The travel nursing industry began more than 20 years ago. There were a few agencies which began to offer hospitals a short-term solution for their staffing shortage and seasonal fluctuations of the population. Especially in places like Arizona, California, Florida and Texas the demand was high. Nowadays the demand of travel nurses is still high, because of the staffing problems which still exist in the United States.
A travel nurse is sent to different hospitals and medical facilities not only around the country, but also around the world. Their assignments usually last for a month to a year (or more). You also have the opportunity to work in a variety of specialties to help expand your nursing resume such as pediatrics, labor and delivery, operating rooms and more. Another choice which you will have as a travel nurse is the period of time you want to stay in a certain area. Some nurses prefer to travel every few months, while others rather stay in one area so they can experience all the seasons of the area. Choosing to be a travel nurse is an excellent nursing job to meet new people and experience different ways of life while enhancing your career. It will also provide you the opportunity to increase your earnings and allows the flexibility to select a new employment situation every few months.
If you are lucky enough to speak a foreign language, your nursing job could even take you abroad! You should be comfortable where you are working though and bearing this in mind, it is important to do research. If possible, arrange a weekend away to the place you are considering working in and try to imagine yourself with a job there, going about daily life .
Job Opportunities
Travel nurses have the exciting opportunity to practice nursing in a variety of settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, medical offices, surgical centers and more. You will have the opportunity to visit places all over the country or the world. Travel nurses work out of an agency that recruits nurses and places them in open positions for short, long-term or permanent hire.
Salary and Job Outlook
While the base travel nurse salary is around $63,000 per year, you can expect to earn more with your job. This compensation will make up for having to move around the country or the world a lot. They usually pay travel expenses and housing while you are on assignment. They sometimes also offer full health, dental and vision benefits. Because travel nursing is a job that fills temporary open positions in hospitals, if you are willing to travel, there will always be a job for you. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this type of nursing is expected to grow through 2018. Travel nursing is an exciting field that can take you many places in both location and your nursing career. The travel and adapting to new environments can be demanding at times, but the rewards and benefits more than make up for the demands of the job. Travel nursing is a great way to see the world and expand your nursing resume, while meeting new and exciting people along the way.