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What is It like being an International Travel Nurse?
How do you get into this field? Can you practice any nursing specialty and go into this field? Competitiveness and average job salary? Any other general advice?
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4 answers
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Bill’s Answer
Rhianna,
My daughter-in-law is a nurse here in Australia and is traveling around the country nursing at different hospitals. Here at least we have nurse agencies that find placements for you. The more of a generalist you are the easier it will be to find placements. If you do a search online for Nurse Agency you will find that most western countries have agencies that will help you. They should also be able to advise you on work visa issues and other things you may need.
All the best and I hope this helps.
Bill
My daughter-in-law is a nurse here in Australia and is traveling around the country nursing at different hospitals. Here at least we have nurse agencies that find placements for you. The more of a generalist you are the easier it will be to find placements. If you do a search online for Nurse Agency you will find that most western countries have agencies that will help you. They should also be able to advise you on work visa issues and other things you may need.
All the best and I hope this helps.
Bill
Updated
Megan’s Answer
I’ve never heard of travel nursing internationally. Just within the United States. I guess it’s possible but I’m sure it’s a very long complicated process to get a work visa and make sure your credentials transfer over. Countries have vastly different health care guidelines and even different medications all together. While I’m sure it’s possible I doubt there are companies that solely do this. Travel nursing you usually have to be a nurse in acute care for two years usually ICU will get you the best rate but usually all floors and all shifts are available around the US
Updated
Julie’s Answer
I found this comprehensive answer by Nurse Journal:
What to Know About Working as an International Travel Nurse
portrait of NurseJournal Staff
by NurseJournal Staff
Updated August 29, 2022
Reviewed by Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC
"Registered nurses (RNs) from various clinical backgrounds and specialties can find well-paid positions as international travel nurses in settings throughout the world. Rather than apply directly to overseas medical facilities, they find placements by working with recruiters from independent staffing agencies.
The recruiter finds the best placement based on skills, prior work experience, and preferred destinations. Once the nurse agrees to commit to the placement, the agency arranges the salary and benefits package. Depending on the contract, benefits include housing stipends, direct deposit and currency transfer fees, referral bonuses, meal or travel reimbursements, and paid time off.
While travel nurses working in the U.S. usually take assignments that last six months or less, international travel nursing jobs require longer commitments. International nursing jobs in Europe and Australia require nurses to work at least a year. Nurses placed in Middle Eastern countries often take contracts that last a minimum of two years."
What to Know About Working as an International Travel Nurse
portrait of NurseJournal Staff
by NurseJournal Staff
Updated August 29, 2022
Reviewed by Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC
"Registered nurses (RNs) from various clinical backgrounds and specialties can find well-paid positions as international travel nurses in settings throughout the world. Rather than apply directly to overseas medical facilities, they find placements by working with recruiters from independent staffing agencies.
The recruiter finds the best placement based on skills, prior work experience, and preferred destinations. Once the nurse agrees to commit to the placement, the agency arranges the salary and benefits package. Depending on the contract, benefits include housing stipends, direct deposit and currency transfer fees, referral bonuses, meal or travel reimbursements, and paid time off.
While travel nurses working in the U.S. usually take assignments that last six months or less, international travel nursing jobs require longer commitments. International nursing jobs in Europe and Australia require nurses to work at least a year. Nurses placed in Middle Eastern countries often take contracts that last a minimum of two years."
Updated
Andy’s Answer
I've worked at a hospital where there are some nurses that travel internationally, and I have worked with them during my hospital shifts. We call these nurses Passport Nurses. Like Bill said above there are different nurse agencies that find placements for you. I don't really know the process and all of the behind the scenes stuff that you would have to go through to be a international travel nurse. All I know is that there are some here in the US, since I worked with a few of them!