How to Become a Travel Nurse

Imagine combining your passion for nursing with the thrill of travel. Not only do you get to explore new places, but you also make a significant impact on patient care in diverse settings. Welcome to the world of travel nursing.
In this blog post, we will examine how to become a travel nurse. Whether you're an experienced nurse or a fresh graduate, this guide will illuminate the path to a rewarding career filled with adventure and professional growth.

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What is a Travel Nurse?

Travel nursing began in the late 1970s as a solution to nursing shortages. Today, it has evolved into a lucrative and flexible career option that appeals to many healthcare professionals. Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) employed by travel nursing agencies. They are dispatched to various healthcare facilities to fill temporary staffing needs, which could be due to seasonal patient increases, staff vacations, or natural disasters. 

Derick J., BSN, RN, CCRN, who travels with AMN Healthcare, highlights the flexibility inherent in travel nursing. "We have the flexibility you won't find in many other fields," he said. "If I want to go to a specific place, I just have to get my license and talk to my recruiter. If I work for three months and decide I want to take a break, I simply don't take my next contract until I'm ready. I have a lot of friends in other career fields, and they don't have that flexibility. They have the 9-to-5 grind, and they can't just take a month or so off as we can."

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Apart from flexibility, travel nursing offers numerous benefits such as free, company-paid housing, comprehensive health insurance, travel reimbursements, 401(k) retirement plans, and continuing education opportunities.

Steps to Become a Travel Nurse

Step 1: Obtain a Nursing Degree

The first step is to earn a nursing degree. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) makes you more marketable, especially for ANCC Magnet hospitals and large academic teaching hospitals.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

After earning your degree, you'll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests the competency of nursing school graduates in the United States and Canada.

Step 3: Obtain RN licensure

Once you've passed the NCLEX-RN, it's time to obtain your RN licensure. This involves submitting an application, fingerprints, and a criminal background check to your state board of nursing.

Step 4: Gain Clinical Experience

Before your first travel assignment, you'll need some real-world nursing experience. While you can start applying for travel nursing jobs after 6-9 months, most agencies require at least one year of experience.

Step 5: Connect with a Travel Nursing Agency

Finally, connect with a reputable travel nursing agency like AMN Healthcare. Your recruiter will help you find suitable assignments and guide you through the remaining steps.

Just take it from Derick, who credits his recruiter at AMN with helping him become a successful travel nurse: "One of the most important things in traveling is finding a recruiter who really understands you, what you're looking for, and is willing to do what they can for you," Derek said. "I've been very fortunate that my recruiter has always done what she can to make an assignment work for me. She has done an amazing job working with me."
To get started, explore our travel nursing job search for available opportunities. Then, fill out our quick online application to connect with a recruiter!

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