Travel Nurse Job
A travel nurse job is a career choice that allows you to take short-term positions across the United States. Being a licensed nurse during a time where there is a shortage of nurses in the industry, you will find yourself in high demand. Clinics and hospitals are willing to pay you top dollar to fulfill their nursing needs.
The travel nurse positions usually span a couple of months up to a year. Depending on the length of your assignment and distance from your place of residence, the employer will often supply and pay for your housing
Many travel nurse jobs are for just a short period of time where a full-time nurse has left and a replacement has not yet been found. Many times, however, travel nurses are recruited into a full-time position if they are satisfied with your performance. This becomes a desirable situation for the travel nurse to be in where you are compensated well for your short term position and have the flexibility to decide if you want to turn it into a long-term position.
What does a Travel Nurse Job Pay?
Salaries for a travel nurse vary depending on your experience, the location of the position and the specialty. The pay range is usually between $25 to $50 per hour, with additional subsidies for housing and travel expenses. The pay rate is higher in areas of the country with a high cost-of-living such as New York and San Francisco
Benefits
It is important to shop around for the best travel nurse company. Each has their strengths and weaknesses and offer different benefits. Some of the common benefits you may receive are:
- Excellent pay: $25 to $50 per hour
- Free furnished housing with utilities paid
- Travel allowance
- Guaranteed hours
- Signing bonuses
- Paid time off
- Free continuing education
- Free health, dental and life insurance on day one
- 401k plan that starts on day one
Requirements
Every state has their own licensing requirement for nurses. However, each state offers temporary licenses that are valid for up to a year. RNs are at an advantage in this respect over LVNs or LPNs because RNs take national exams that every state is familiar with. Most companies that recruit travel nurses will help you with obtaining a temporary license.
How do I get a travel nurse job?
If you are looking for adventure and to see other areas of the country than a travel nurse job may be a perfect fit for you.
Many large medical facilities advertise directly for nurses that are willing and have the flexibility to travel. Some of the easiest ways to find a position is to sign up with one of the numerous recruiters out there looking for someone in your situation. Following the recruiter path allows you several employment options as well as guaranteed minimum quality living conditions. The downside is they usually charge a hefty fee. Still many find going this direction worth the money because of the added benefits.
NurseTV.com has an interesting online reality series about 6 travel nurses who are relocated to Orange County California and live in a beautiful mansion for 13 weeks. Enjoy the first part of episode 1 below. You can go to nursetv.com to catch the rest of the episodes. Enjoy!
