If you have experience as a nurse and also a desire to travel then take your skills on the road and become a travel nurse. The demand for travel nurses is great as there are plenty of hospitals and medical facilities that regularly need health care professionals to fill in on a substitute or temporary basis. Sometimes referred to as locum tenens, travel nurses can work as close or as far away from home as they would like to.
The opportunity to have a travel nursing career is exciting and lucrative. Not only will you gain exposure and experience in a variety of health facilities but you will also earn a good income and enjoy free living accommodations. Many nurses enjoy this nomadic type of existence either at the beginning of their working careers or near the end.
If this appeals to your adventurous side then you must ensure that you have the proper qualifications. You must have graduated from an accredited learning institution either in the United States or Canada and you must have your nursing license. You are also required to have worked at least 12 months minimum in the area of specialty you have chosen.
There are companies that you can sign up with to work as a traveling nurse. The company will provide you with a list of the contracts that are available. While some may be for longer durations of time than others be aware when working as a nurse in this capacity that none of the contracts are long-term nor are any permanent positions. Each contract is on a per project basis. Once you accept a contract you will be on your way in a short span of time and will be expected to report for work in a week’s time or thereabouts. For many nurses that travel from contract to contract the prospect of a new location can be very exciting to prepare for!
A nursing license is not the same from state to state. If you take a position outside of the state where you live then in most instances the company you are working for will take care of the paperwork for you and all of the legalities attached to it.
A traveling nurse will work similar hours to a nurse who does not travel. Expect to work on average 8 to 10 hour shifts with some occasional overtime. The amount of money you will earn is contingent upon the facility you are working in and your nursing specialty. A resident nurse will make around $40 an hour while a licensed practical nurse (LPN) will earn a slightly lower amount. Most companies offer a sign on bonus to nurses that are equal to in the range of $4,000 to $6,000. However be aware that the company will receive a percentage of your earning for the part they played in securing your employment.
When you work as a travel nurse the company you sign on with takes care of your housing needs. In most cases you will be living in a comfortable apartment or a condominium that is close to your job. If you take it upon yourself to find accommodations then your housing allowance will be given to you in cash. However you will be responsible to pay for all of your own utilities including power, heat, water, etc.
