The term “travel nurse” is used broadly when referring to nurses who work in one place for an extended period of time and then move on. These nurses move from one care setting or workplace, hospital, etc. to another, often to other countries as temporary workers in private hospitals, clinics, etc. Some travel nurses work in health care facilities around the world due to their specialties while others work for a single hospital or company. Travelnursing.io is a travel nursing company that provides travel nurses to various medical facilities around the world. Our company is dedicated to providing our clients with this service by matching the right candidate with the right facility. Travel Nurses are performing vital roles in all aspects of healthcare, thus they are crucial to patient care and represent a diversity of cultures and interests. Here is a list of frequently asked questions that will help you to better understand why travel nursing is a great option for your future career:
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?
This is a very common question for healthcare professionals. The answer is varied as each company will have its own requirements that determine the amount of travel experience. Some may require 5 months of experience while others may require up to 8 years of experience. Each facility has its own set of requirements and standards that they establish specifically for their nurses. There are also some positions that do not require travel experience while other roles do.
2.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I APPLY FOR A TRAVEL NURSING ASSIGNMENT?
This is also one of the most common questions that we receive from students who are interested in travel nursing. There are a few job postings online and sometimes on a Facebook page. The number one tip that you can do to help yourself at this point is to always search by location and company names instead of just keywords, as that will increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters or hiring managers.
3.
CAN I TRAVEL WITH FAMILY, A SIGNIFICANT OTHER OR FRIEND?
Travel nurses aren’t required to travel alone. Travel nursing is a great way to travel with friends and family as well. Nurses are generally able to travel with their spouses or significant other for an additional fee, but these costs vary from company to company. It’s best to contact the company, explain your situation and ask them about rates or additional fees that will be associated with having a travel partner or family member along.
4.
HOW LONG ARE ASSIGNMENTS?
This is also a very important question when trying to decide on travel nursing as this can directly impact the amount of money you’ll make or spend on your trip. Most travel assignments last between 3 months and 1 year, depending on the type of assignment, contract length, and location. Moreover, travel nurses can also find short-term assignments, which can last between a few weeks to a few months. These shorter assignments may be more appealing if you’re not looking for something too long, but still want to make some money.
5.
CAN I TRAVEL WITH A PET?
This can definitely be an important factor to consider before applying for a travel nursing job. Every hospital has different rules and regulations regarding individual pet policies, but most hospitals allow you to bring a small number of pets with you while on assignment. Some may also allow you to bring an animal that is already familiar with your pet, but please remember that it is always best to check the company’s website or contact them directly in order to confirm whether or not they allow pets on their care unit.
6.
HOW MUCH ORIENTATION WILL I RECEIVE?
Most travel nurses do have an orientation before they leave for their assignment, but it is important to make sure that the company you are working for has its own unique spin on the orientation process. This can vary from company to company, so do your research and ensure that you are orientated properly.
7.
WHAT SPECIALTIES HAVE THE MOST JOBS AVAILABLE?
This is one of the first questions that many travel nurses are faced with. Many travel nurses will apply for any and every job that is available, no matter what type of experience they have. Some companies or even hospitals are looking for specific specialties such as OB/GYN, ICU, Cardiology, Dialysis, Dialysis trained RNs/NPCs, and so on. Thus it is important to consider a specialty before applying to a position.
8.
WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?
While there are many well-secured and secure jobs, there are still others that may require you to travel to a less secure area of the world. This is normal for travel nursing. Placing your trust in a company can be very important if you’re considering this as a career option. Some companies will offer insurance benefits such as baggage insurance and medical evacuation when something does go wrong.
9.
WHEN DO I GET PAID?
Travel nurses will receive a set salary before they leave and this salary is normally paid in your local currency. Some companies may also offer additional bonuses or incentives based on performance and/or client satisfaction. You will have the chance to negotiate your benefits and salary, but most travel nurses don’t have too much problem negotiating their contracts.
10.
DO I NEED A SPECIFIC LICENSE IN ORDER TO TRAVEL?
Many states require their nurses to have a CPR certification or license, but it is always up to the employer and nurse. Some countries or areas may require that you hold a certain license before travel can take place. In addition, some countries may require you to have a certain level of security clearance and vaccinations as well.
8.
CAN I SPECIALIZE?
Yes, but not all travel nurses are able to do this. There are many travel nurses that prefer to work in the same specialties while they’re traveling. This way they can better their skills and experience in the specialty that they already have training and experience with. Furthermore, if you’re a highly-skilled nurse, but happen to travel all over the world, there could be opportunities to work within your specialty while also providing great exposure and experience to others in your field.