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Erline
Student
Davenport, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How long does it take to become a travel nurse ?
What are the steps of becoming a travel nurse and how long does it take to become a travel nurse . What are the pros and cons of being a travel nurse what do you need to have an associate or bachelor degree to be a travel nurse? What is the best medical school in Florida for student that are interesting in nursing how many years does it take to become a travel nurse ? Do travel nurses have to pay for their own housing on every assignment they get ? What nursing field is the harder to work in
1 answer
Jenny Lytle BSN, RN
Registered Nurse/Holistic Nurse Coach
2
Answers
Kokomo, Indiana
Updated
Jenny’s Answer
Becoming a travel nurse starts with a nursing program (degree needed depends on the position) and licensure, then typically at least one year of experience in the specialty. There may be additional qualifications and experience required, but this is the minimum for most positions.
Here are some pros/cons - I'm sure there are more, but these are off the top of my head.
Pros:
traveling to new places, having new experiences
meeting new people
exposure to new ways of doing things
minimal commitment - most positions are 8-13 week contracts, often with the option to extend. If it's not a good fit you aren't stuck for long.
pay is often higher than staff positions
flexibility - you can take breaks between contracts and don't have to worry about vacation time
many companies offer benefits
can request unpaid time off when negotiating a contract
Cons:
traveling to new places, needing to learn your way around
some staff members aren't welcoming to travelers (although my experiences have all been good)
lack of long-term connections with coworkers
orientation can be short - need to be able to hit the ground running
no paid time off in general
affordable accommodations can be difficult to find in some areas
need to drive a long distance to your location (or find local transportation if flying)
As far as paying for your own accommodations, there are housing stipends that are included, but you don't have to use all of that money for housing (or sometimes you need to spend more).
Specialties - it depends on your unique skills and experiences, as well as how you're wired. Some people love the structure of a hospital. I have worked in hospice for 17 years and love end-of-life care and the unpredictableness of going into patients' homes. I've also enjoyed the pace and adrenaline rush of ER, but it's not for everyone.
If you're someone who likes change and experiencing new things, and you're open to different ways of doing things, give traveling a try! I learned a lot about myself on my first assignment.
Here are some pros/cons - I'm sure there are more, but these are off the top of my head.
Pros:
traveling to new places, having new experiences
meeting new people
exposure to new ways of doing things
minimal commitment - most positions are 8-13 week contracts, often with the option to extend. If it's not a good fit you aren't stuck for long.
pay is often higher than staff positions
flexibility - you can take breaks between contracts and don't have to worry about vacation time
many companies offer benefits
can request unpaid time off when negotiating a contract
Cons:
traveling to new places, needing to learn your way around
some staff members aren't welcoming to travelers (although my experiences have all been good)
lack of long-term connections with coworkers
orientation can be short - need to be able to hit the ground running
no paid time off in general
affordable accommodations can be difficult to find in some areas
need to drive a long distance to your location (or find local transportation if flying)
As far as paying for your own accommodations, there are housing stipends that are included, but you don't have to use all of that money for housing (or sometimes you need to spend more).
Specialties - it depends on your unique skills and experiences, as well as how you're wired. Some people love the structure of a hospital. I have worked in hospice for 17 years and love end-of-life care and the unpredictableness of going into patients' homes. I've also enjoyed the pace and adrenaline rush of ER, but it's not for everyone.
If you're someone who likes change and experiencing new things, and you're open to different ways of doing things, give traveling a try! I learned a lot about myself on my first assignment.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Erline
You're so welcome!
Jenny Lytle BSN, RN
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