How to Prepare for a Career in Travel Nursing
One of the most desired roles in the healthcare industry at the moment is being a travel nurse – where nurses can work in any region of their choice where they’re needed on a contractual basis which can last for a few weeks or months.
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Some of the other perks include getting paid by the hour (which means that you can save a lot even if you’re just starting out as a nurse), getting your weekends off, choosing which shift you’d like to work in, traveling to a country or state of your choice, exploring new places while on a work trip, and getting most of your travel expenses reimbursed – these are just some of the reasons why many Millennials are choosing to become travel nurses this year.
If you’re looking to start a career in this field, then good for you! In this article, we’re going to be highlighting some of the things you’ll need to keep in mind and get ready before you begin your journey as a travel nurse – now let’s get started!
1. Make sure the role is right for you
Even though travel nursing is a highly sought-after role in 2022, it obviously won’t work out for everyone, especially if you’re someone who would rather work in a long-term role in a particular hospital or clinic.
Travel nursing comes with a lot of benefits, one of the main advantages being that you’ll be able to spend more time with your family, have a good work-life balance, practice a hobby on the side, and travel to new countries for work.
However, it involves working on a contract, so once the contract expires, you’ll likely have to apply for a new role in the same region or a different one. If you love experiencing new cultures and meeting new people, then this is a job you’d fit right into!
2. Some of the must-haves
There are a few must-haves when it comes to becoming a travel nurse – this includes having either an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program. This degree is essential, so you’ll have to find a way to obtain it before you apply for the role of a travel nurse. There are many different programs that offer nurses BSN programs if they already have an ADN.
3. Apply for a license
One of the licenses you need to have to work as a travel nurse is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). In order to be a practicing nurse in different states, you’d need to have a license to work in that particular state. However, an NLC will allow travel nurses to hold a single license which will be valid in numerous states.
4. Find the right agency
Once you have all your documents in check, you can start looking out for good agencies where you can apply to be a travel nurse.
Before applying, it’s a good idea to do your research because you’ll want to find a place where you get the freedom and flexibility you’re looking for to truly enjoy your role as a travel nurse.
It’s good to find an agency that will allow you to travel abroad if you wish since you’ll have a wide variety of regions to choose from, especially if you love to travel.
It’s also a good idea to look at the other benefits you get from the agency – such as the hourly pay, the time you get off, the travel and stay policy, the reimbursement policy, and so on. Once you’ve found an agency that works for you, you can go ahead and apply and begin your career as a travel nurse!
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