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In the United States (US), there are approximately 1.7 million traveling nurses who work in various specialties. Not only do travel nurses gain experience in different patient populations, travel to new places, and experience different cultures, but they’re also compensated very well. Because of sky-high rates and the COVID-19 pandemic, travel positions are currently at an all-time high due to the nursing shortage, and the interest in travel nursing is also the highest it has ever been. Nurses still have to apply and compete for the highest-paying opportunities.
Throughout the last year, there have been anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 open travel nurse positions in the U.S. It isn’t a requirement for travel nurses to have specialty certifications, but obtaining certifications can make you more desirable to healthcare organizations.
Having advanced certifications in nursing is a super powerful way to not only show that you really know your stuff but it opens up more job opportunities and better compensation packages.
There are many certifications that travel nurses can obtain. Some are required, and some may enhance the chances of securing a travel nurse job when compared with other applications. Here are some of the most in-demand nursing certifications that could open up better job opportunities for travel nurses.
Top Certifications to Enhance Your Travel Nurse Career
Basic Life Support (BLS) | Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) | Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- BLS is a basic requirement for all travel agencies and travel nursing jobs
- ACLS may be required depending on specialty and setting
- PALS focuses on the pediatric population
- Renewal is required every two years for all certifications
- Covers cardiac and respiratory emergencies consistent with the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross guidelines, and teaches you how to perform highly-effective CPR, operation of an AED, and how to administer medications used in resuscitative efforts for adults, children, and infants
Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification
- Credential: CMSRN
- Trained to care for and recognize symptoms of many medical and post-surgical conditions
- Certifies that you are an expert in seven different domains of nursing practice
- Renewal required every 5 years
- Med-surg job opportunities include:
- Medical-Surgical Unit
- Stepdown Unit
- Progressive care unit
- Home Health
Critical Care Nursing Certification
- Credential: CCRN
- Critical care nurses provide high-quality comprehensive care for patients that have serious, life-threatening medical problems, and this certification provides specialized knowledge that allows the nurse to stay focused and function well under intense pressure.
- Requires renewal every 3 years via exam or CEUs
- CCN job opportunities include:
- Intensive Care: Cardiac, Surgical, Neuro, Trauma, Medical
- Pediatric/Neonatal have separate age-appropriate certifications
- Emergency room
- Telemetry unit
- Progressive care unit
- Flight nurse (will most likely also require CFRN)
- Cardiac catheterization lab
Trauma Nursing Core Course
- Credential: TNCC
- This certification gives you specialized competencies and knowledge to stabilize life-threatening trauma patients by using your knowledge, critical thinking skills, and hands-on training to assess and be able to implement interventions for optimal patient outcomes.
- Requires renewal every 4 years
- ER job opportunities include:
- Emergency Room
- Trauma ICU
- Trauma center
- Interventional Radiology
- Flight nurse
- Cardiac catheterization lab
Wound Care Certification
- Credential: CWOCN, CWON, CWCN, COCN, CCCN or CFCN
- Learn how to assess and provide care to patients with chronic and acute wounds, as well as develop a plan of care with the appropriate treatment plans for patients
- Allows you to secure the most competitive wound care travel nursing jobs, as not many have this certification
- Requires renewal every 5 years
- Wound care nurse job opportunities include:
- Hospital wound care specialist
- Outpatient wound & rehabilitation facilities
- Home care
- Long term care
Perioperative Nurse Certification
- Credential: CNOR
- Certification validates that you’re an expert in pre-, intra-, and post-operative care and providing the Hughes standards of care
- Requires renewal every 5 years
- OR nurse job opportunities include:
- Hospital perioperative services
- Outpatient surgical practices
Oncology Nurse Certification
- Credential: OCN
- Certification shows your expertise in the care of patients with cancer and helping them navigate complex treatments, manage cancer symptoms and side effects
- Requires renewal every 4 years
- Oncology nurse job opportunities include:
- Hospital infusion center
- Medical-surgical unit
- Cancer center
- Heme/Onc unit
Progressive Care Nurse Certification
- Credential: PCCN
- Certification shows you’re an expert in the care of patients who are acutely ill
- Requires renewal every 3 years
- PCU nurse job opportunities include:
- Telemetry unit
- Step down/progressive care/intermediate unit
Labor and Delivery Nurse Certifications
- Credential: RNC-OB
- Certification shows you’re an expert in providing care to hospitalized pregnant women during the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn periods
- Requires renewal every 3 years
- Labor and delivery nurse job opportunities include:
- Labor and delivery units
- Mother-baby/postpartum units
- Birth centers
Remember that certifications show your expertise in your specialty and improve your chances of getting the travel assignment you want. The more certifications you have, the more your overall value increases, which increases the compensation received.
Interested in travel nursing jobs? Vivian Health is the best app to search for your next travel nursing job and keep up with current trends in travel nursing.
