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What is the best trade to enter in the medical field if I want to become a traveling nurse?
for a beginner what would be the best trade to enter the medical field if I want to become a traveling nurse?
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Emily!
Understanding the Path to Becoming a Traveling Nurse
To embark on a career as a traveling nurse, it is essential to understand the foundational steps and qualifications required. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to enter this rewarding field.
1. Educational Requirements
The first step toward becoming a traveling nurse is obtaining the necessary education. Most traveling nurses start with one of the following degrees:
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): This typically takes about two years to complete and provides the basic nursing education needed to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A BSN program usually lasts four years and offers more extensive training, including leadership and management skills, which can be beneficial for travel nursing positions.
2. Obtain Licensure
After completing your nursing education, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam assesses your knowledge and skills necessary for safe and effective nursing practice.
3. Gain Experience
While some travel nursing positions may accept new graduates, most require at least one year of clinical experience in a specific area of nursing. Gaining experience in high-demand specialties such as:
Emergency Room (ER)
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pediatrics
This experience not only enhances your skills but also makes you more marketable as a traveling nurse.
4. Consider Specialization
Specializing in certain areas can significantly boost your employability as a traveling nurse. Some popular specialties include:
Critical Care Nursing
Telemetry Nursing
Operating Room (OR) Nursing
Certifications in these areas can further demonstrate your expertise and commitment to potential employers.
5. Research Travel Nurse Agencies
Once you have gained sufficient experience and possibly specialized certifications, research reputable travel nurse agencies that can help place you in assignments across various locations. Look for agencies that offer:
Competitive pay
Comprehensive benefits
Supportive resources for transitioning into new roles
6. Understand Contract Details
Before accepting any travel nursing position, carefully review contract details such as:
Duration of assignment
Pay rates
Housing stipulations
Benefits offered
Understanding these details will ensure that you are adequately prepared for each assignment.
7. Prepare for Travel
As a traveling nurse, you’ll need to be adaptable and ready for change. This includes being comfortable with relocating frequently and adjusting to different healthcare environments quickly.
Conclusion
In summary, if you’re looking to become a traveling nurse as a beginner, pursuing an Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing followed by obtaining your RN license is crucial. Gaining experience in high-demand specialties will enhance your opportunities significantly.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Nurses Association - Provides comprehensive information on nursing education requirements and licensure processes.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing - Offers detailed guidelines on the NCLEX-RN exam and state licensure requirements.
Travel Nurse Central - A resource dedicated to travel nursing that includes insights on agencies, contracts, and tips for success in this field.
God Bless!
JC.
Understanding the Path to Becoming a Traveling Nurse
To embark on a career as a traveling nurse, it is essential to understand the foundational steps and qualifications required. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to enter this rewarding field.
1. Educational Requirements
The first step toward becoming a traveling nurse is obtaining the necessary education. Most traveling nurses start with one of the following degrees:
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): This typically takes about two years to complete and provides the basic nursing education needed to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A BSN program usually lasts four years and offers more extensive training, including leadership and management skills, which can be beneficial for travel nursing positions.
2. Obtain Licensure
After completing your nursing education, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam assesses your knowledge and skills necessary for safe and effective nursing practice.
3. Gain Experience
While some travel nursing positions may accept new graduates, most require at least one year of clinical experience in a specific area of nursing. Gaining experience in high-demand specialties such as:
Emergency Room (ER)
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pediatrics
This experience not only enhances your skills but also makes you more marketable as a traveling nurse.
4. Consider Specialization
Specializing in certain areas can significantly boost your employability as a traveling nurse. Some popular specialties include:
Critical Care Nursing
Telemetry Nursing
Operating Room (OR) Nursing
Certifications in these areas can further demonstrate your expertise and commitment to potential employers.
5. Research Travel Nurse Agencies
Once you have gained sufficient experience and possibly specialized certifications, research reputable travel nurse agencies that can help place you in assignments across various locations. Look for agencies that offer:
Competitive pay
Comprehensive benefits
Supportive resources for transitioning into new roles
6. Understand Contract Details
Before accepting any travel nursing position, carefully review contract details such as:
Duration of assignment
Pay rates
Housing stipulations
Benefits offered
Understanding these details will ensure that you are adequately prepared for each assignment.
7. Prepare for Travel
As a traveling nurse, you’ll need to be adaptable and ready for change. This includes being comfortable with relocating frequently and adjusting to different healthcare environments quickly.
Conclusion
In summary, if you’re looking to become a traveling nurse as a beginner, pursuing an Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing followed by obtaining your RN license is crucial. Gaining experience in high-demand specialties will enhance your opportunities significantly.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Nurses Association - Provides comprehensive information on nursing education requirements and licensure processes.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing - Offers detailed guidelines on the NCLEX-RN exam and state licensure requirements.
Travel Nurse Central - A resource dedicated to travel nursing that includes insights on agencies, contracts, and tips for success in this field.
God Bless!
JC.
Updated
Rowan’s Answer
Hello!
I would encourage you to work in the healthcare field while in nursing school. This experience can range from EMT, to tech, to CNA, to unit clerk.
As a travel nurse, I recommend 2-3 years of staff nursing experience prior to traveling. You must be skilled and an expert in your field prior to traveling. When you take a travel assignment you only get 2 days of orientation to the unit and hospital then you are on your own, expected to jump right in! So you must be prepared. To become comfortable with this, experience is definitely necessary. Also, many travel companies are changing their initial requirements of 1-2 years of experience to 3-5 years of experience.
Regarding what type of nursing you should go into, follow your true interests. Do not seek the more “profitable” positions because the travel market is always changing. Enjoy your job and the type of nurse you are, otherwise burnout is more likely.
Good luck! I’m sure everything will turn out right.
I would encourage you to work in the healthcare field while in nursing school. This experience can range from EMT, to tech, to CNA, to unit clerk.
As a travel nurse, I recommend 2-3 years of staff nursing experience prior to traveling. You must be skilled and an expert in your field prior to traveling. When you take a travel assignment you only get 2 days of orientation to the unit and hospital then you are on your own, expected to jump right in! So you must be prepared. To become comfortable with this, experience is definitely necessary. Also, many travel companies are changing their initial requirements of 1-2 years of experience to 3-5 years of experience.
Regarding what type of nursing you should go into, follow your true interests. Do not seek the more “profitable” positions because the travel market is always changing. Enjoy your job and the type of nurse you are, otherwise burnout is more likely.
Good luck! I’m sure everything will turn out right.
Updated
Maureen’s Answer
Emily,
Traveling Nurse positions are a great way to see the world, get a feel for other cultures, homelands, and patient populations.
Most nurses I know would say...get some experience as a nurse prior to jumping into traveling nurse-ship.
Here are the reasons:
1. Like the old song, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone." Bottom line you need nursing experience because you will be assigned nursing jobs in other cities, countries, rural areas. You need to get your nursing skills down pat and learn prioritizing. Start in a job such as: emergency department, medical-surgical, intensive care, family nursing. You need to develop a "routine" to your nursing care as you will face a great deal of emergencies or heavy patient days where you will need to prioritize your care, your day and your patients.
2. The above answers are correct: volunteer at a hospital or clinic, go to classes to become a certified nursing assistant. Both of these ideas will give you exposure to the health field to see if you even are interested in nursing. Many students in my nursing school jumped into nursing with NO background and left the first year as it was "not for them".
3. Spend a day with a nurse. My neighbor thought she wanted to be a nurse while in high school. I brought her along with me to shadow me, to see if she liked nursing. (She ended up going into dentistry.) TV is not how nursing is in real life. Most of the heart to heart talks that doctors perform on these shows are actually done by nurses. Nurses do the majority of physical work with patients. It can be mentally & physically taxing but very rewarding. Good luck Emily!
Traveling Nurse positions are a great way to see the world, get a feel for other cultures, homelands, and patient populations.
Most nurses I know would say...get some experience as a nurse prior to jumping into traveling nurse-ship.
Here are the reasons:
1. Like the old song, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone." Bottom line you need nursing experience because you will be assigned nursing jobs in other cities, countries, rural areas. You need to get your nursing skills down pat and learn prioritizing. Start in a job such as: emergency department, medical-surgical, intensive care, family nursing. You need to develop a "routine" to your nursing care as you will face a great deal of emergencies or heavy patient days where you will need to prioritize your care, your day and your patients.
2. The above answers are correct: volunteer at a hospital or clinic, go to classes to become a certified nursing assistant. Both of these ideas will give you exposure to the health field to see if you even are interested in nursing. Many students in my nursing school jumped into nursing with NO background and left the first year as it was "not for them".
3. Spend a day with a nurse. My neighbor thought she wanted to be a nurse while in high school. I brought her along with me to shadow me, to see if she liked nursing. (She ended up going into dentistry.) TV is not how nursing is in real life. Most of the heart to heart talks that doctors perform on these shows are actually done by nurses. Nurses do the majority of physical work with patients. It can be mentally & physically taxing but very rewarding. Good luck Emily!
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
In order to pursue a career as a travel nurse, it's essential to first gain experience in the nursing field. Most agencies mandate a minimum of two years' experience in a hospital setting. This ensures you're well-versed in a wide range of nursing procedures and patient treatments.
When transitioning between hospitals, you'll typically undergo a two-day orientation and training period. By the third day, you'll be expected to work a standard shift. This is a stark contrast to new nurses who are usually given a three-month orientation period and can request additional time until they feel at ease in their new role.
Travellers can include CNAs, LPNs, RNs, Physicians, and Nurse practitioners. While the pay scales vary, the opportunities are plentiful.
If you're considering becoming a travel nurse, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on different Travel Nurse Agencies to find those that value and treat their employees well. Joining Facebook groups for travel nurses can also be beneficial.
With two years of experience under your belt and a clear expression of interest, you can anticipate receiving around five job offers daily. You might even find yourself fielding up to 30 calls from recruiters, sometimes even when you're not actively seeking a contract.
When transitioning between hospitals, you'll typically undergo a two-day orientation and training period. By the third day, you'll be expected to work a standard shift. This is a stark contrast to new nurses who are usually given a three-month orientation period and can request additional time until they feel at ease in their new role.
Travellers can include CNAs, LPNs, RNs, Physicians, and Nurse practitioners. While the pay scales vary, the opportunities are plentiful.
If you're considering becoming a travel nurse, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on different Travel Nurse Agencies to find those that value and treat their employees well. Joining Facebook groups for travel nurses can also be beneficial.
With two years of experience under your belt and a clear expression of interest, you can anticipate receiving around five job offers daily. You might even find yourself fielding up to 30 calls from recruiters, sometimes even when you're not actively seeking a contract.
Updated
George’s Answer
If you are interested in becoming a travel nurse, then you might want to consider starting as a medical assistant or a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) while you are in nursing school. The next step would be to earn your nursing license and apply for jobs through one of the many travel nursing agencies.