Supplemental Health Care empowers you to start a new adventure by connecting you with high-quality travel nursing positions from coast to coast. This guide will help you know where to start.
Travel Nursing Requirements
Complete Your Education
If a nursing candidate has hospital experience, a facility will sometimes accept a nurse who has an Associate degree. But it will depend on the particular hospital and what they are looking for. Some hospitals require their RN candidates to hold a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) to be considered for a travel position.
Get an Active License
Every state is different when it comes to applying for an RN license. If the state is part of the eNLC (Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact), it will allow a nurse with a license in one of those states to practice in another member state without additional applications or fees. States that are not part of the eNLC have different guidelines and processes to apply for a license in that state. The easiest way to find out how to apply for a license in a state is to go visit that state’s Board of Nursing website for further details.
Gain Experience
Typically, you will need at least two years of hospital experience working in the specialty that you are inquiring about. There are facilities that will take a Registered Nurse with less experience, but the general rule is 2 or more years of recent hospital experience.
Decide What You’re Looking For
There’s a bit more to finding your first travel assignment than throwing a dart at a map of the US. Keep in mind that some locations are highly competitive. Of course Honolulu would be the perfect location to spend a few weeks over the winter, but I promise you aren’t the only one to think of that.
In addition, scope out the cost of living in your desired new location. Some of the most competitive destinations are expensive, and your salary can go much further if you take an assignment a little further off the beaten path. Stay open to opportunities and keep the Compact States in mind. The states that participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact recognize the state nursing licenses of all other participating states.
Partner With a Travel Nursing Agency
Travel Nursing agencies empower you to start a new adventure by connecting you with high-quality travel nursing positions from coast to coast. You’ll be connected with exciting opportunities that match your unique skill set and offer the flexibility to explore new cities while growing your career. Recruiters will connect with you personally and help with all of your travel and placement needs, from compliance and transportation to housing and more.
Find Assignments You Want and Apply
You’ve picked the perfect location, done all your research, and now you need to decide what you want to gain out of your assignment. It’s important to understand that travel nursing pay packages are very different from pay packages for permanent jobs. These arrangements can include housing, travel stipends, medical benefits, 401Ks, rental cars, and more. Is the location and proximity to state parks what really matters to you or are you looking for experience in a particular hospital? What is important to you and your “work-cation”? Once you make that decision, don’t be afraid to negotiate to get it!
Accept an Assignment
Once you accept an assignment, you still have a few things to finalize. You’ll need to collect the correct compliance documents for your assignment and make sure you know where you’re staying while on assignment. You do have options when it comes to finding housing. At Supplemental Health Care, we have a dedicated Travel Nursing housing department that will assist you in locating housing that is safe, comfortable and affordable.
Start Your Assignment!
Once you’ve dotted all the i’s and crossed all the t’s, you are on your way to an exciting career as a travel nurse. Pack your bags and get ready to make new friends. One of our Travel Nurses, Rachel Jones, suggest you “just put yourself out there. Try a new activity, do something on your own, or ask for a recommendation.”
