Are you looking for a fulfilling job that offers a great salary, plenty of vacation time and the opportunity to see different parts of the world? Becoming a travel nurse may be the perfect choice for you. Travel nursing is rapidly growing in popularity, thanks to its generous wages and incredible benefits - from housing allowances to flight reimbursements- all while giving nurses the chance to experience new places around the globe. Whether you're an experienced registered nurse or just getting your career started, read on to learn more about why becoming a travel nurse might be right for you!
Making money is one of the biggest concerns for job seekers, particularly in this economy, which is why interested nurses might want to consider this growing job opportunity. In 2023, the top-earning travel nurses are making as much as $150,000 annually, which turns out to be a whopping $12,500 per month. The average annually salary is about $106K according to ZipRecruiter with a monthly pay of $8,835. That’s nearly over $3,000 more than a typical nurse makes each month. And none of this includes sign-on bonuses and completion bonuses that you can look forward to.
Travel nurse salaries are highly competitive due to the high demand of travel nurses, which is part of the reason why they make so much more. The position also comes with great flexibility, allowing travel nurses to choose where and when they work, giving your greater control over your work schedule. Its also important to note that there’s the added benefit of having your travel expenses and even housing in many cases paid for. Many will spend thousands of dollars on a single trip but you’ll be able to travel many places throughout the year as just another day on the job, saving you a ton of money on travel.
Even as a short-term career path, a job as a travel nurse will provide you plenty of opportunity for professional growth. Working as a travel nurse will expose you to a variety of practices and healthcare systems, giving you invaluable work experience within your field and plenty of networking opportunity as well, which in this job market is everything.
Requirements
In order to be hired as a travel nurse, there are numerous job requirements to consider. The industry standard is to have not only a registered nursing certification but to have at least one year of in-hospital or other health facility experience. Some travel nursing positions may require that you have certification in a specialty field such as emergency care or pediatrics. On top of that, you’ll need to be licensed in every state that you plan to work in. If you are an international travel nurse, you’ll need a passport, visa, work permit sponsorship. Additionally, you may be subject to background checks, drug screenings and certain immunization requirements.
How to Apply
The best way to apply as a travel nurse is through a staffing agency. A travel nurse staffing agency such as American Mobile or Cross Country can help you find travel nurse opportunities pretty much anywhere, provided you meet the qualifications. These agencies can help you find the opportunities with the best benefits, optimal travel locations and competitive salaries among providers across the country. From there the application process is simple. Be prepared to list all your contact information as well as your relevant degrees, certifications, specialties and references to increase your chances of success. Find a job that suits you and prepare yourself for a world of opportunity.
