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Travel nursing is having a moment right now. High-paying crisis contracts, huge weekly stipends, and flexible contract lengths are extremely appealing and may have you considering your first travel contract. But where do you start? What do you need to know?
What are the Requirements to Become a Travel Nurse?
To start travel nursing, you need an unencumbered nursing license. Start by creating a list of your top nursing travel contract destinations and researching their state licensing requirements. Especially with COVID 19-related shutdowns, some state nursing boards are taking months to process license applications, and you won’t be able to accept a contract unless you have your license in hand.
If you happen to already live in a state that is part of the Nursing License Compact (eNLC), your license will be valid in 33 states. Some hospitals are also accepting any valid license depending on the contract and if they are considered in ’emergency’ status. Save your receipts, as most agencies will reimburse your licensing expenses.
How Much Experience is Needed to be a Travel Nurse?
Another fundamental requirement for a travel nurse is experience. Although you may be excited to start a travel assignment as a new grad nurse, you should wait until you get at one or two years of experience before deciding to travel. As a traveler, you’ll be expected to hit the ground running with very little orientation to your new unit and hospital. Expect 1-2 days of unit orientation—four if you’re lucky.
Remember that these hospitals are hiring travelers because they don’t have the staff to meet the needs of a particular unit, so spending a lot of time on orientation isn’t a luxury you’ll have. Plus, the experienced nurses will pick up quickly if you aren’t qualified and that may not be a pleasant experience. Most agencies will require at least one year of experience in your specialty, but to protect your license, make sure you feel comfortable handling a complex assignment on your current unit. I tell nurses that if they can anticipate what’s going to happen with their patient population and can prevent it, and can quickly rattle off the treatment without an MD order in front of them—they may be ready. If you can’t, hold off on travel nursing until you have some more experience under your belt.
How Do you Find a Travel Nursing Agency?
You should research travel nursing agencies. Vivian Health is a great place to start comparing rates and experiences with various agencies. Think of the travel nursing agency as a matchmaking service. You have a specific set of skills and preferences for a travel nursing assignment. Your agency and recruiter will help pair you up with a hospital that needs your skillset and has open contracts that match your preferences. Just like in any relationship, nothing is 100% perfect, but you also don’t want to be miserable for your entire assignment. Your recruiter will be your advocate throughout the process of finding, negotiating, and securing your first travel nurse contract.
Finding a travel nursing contract is like buying a car. You will want to have an idea of what you are looking for before you start shopping.
- Days/nights/rotating
- Specialty
- Number of shifts per week
- Location
- Pay
Make sure you read the fine print of any contract offered to you! Are your hours guaranteed?
Expect to float, but know which units you can be floated to. You’ll need all of your nursing and medical record documents before the agency can submit you for contracts, including:
- Current nursing license for that state
- BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc.
- Any nursing or specialty-specific professional certifications
- Vaccine records
- References (make sure to have all their contact information)
- An updated resume or CV
- Any additional paperwork required by the agency or facility
Know what you want. Plan to work in your current specialty, research geographic areas, and facilities you would like to work in and keep an eye out for those contracts.
What Should I Know Before Taking a Travel Contract?
Online job boards and apps like Vivian allow you to submit to contracts you’re interested in. It also helps to understand the cost of living in the areas you are considering taking a travel nursing contract. The cost of living will change how you look at the weekly pay rate and stipend. For example, a location like San Francisco usually offers high-paying contracts, but housing prices are also very high. Consult a tax professional about the rules for where you will need to live and how you pay rent. This is important during your contract to justify your tax-free stipend and prevent being audited.
The highest-paying and most sought-after contracts will go fast, so plan to keep an eye on emails or agency job boards. If the hospital wants to interview you, be prepared to make yourself available. Again, these are hospitals looking for someone as soon as possible to make decisions quickly. Once you accept the contract and sign it, congrats! You’re on your way to a new adventure.
