What Do Travel Nurses Do?
At its core, a travel nurse is a registered nurse who works short-term assignments in different locations and healthcare facilities. Hospitals and other facilities bring in these dedicated nurses to support shifting demands and staffing shortages, such as those caused by peak seasons, medical and family leaves, or temporary closures. With high demand in specialties like critical care, emergency room, labor and delivery, and telemetry, travel nurses play a vital role in the healthcare landscape.
Travel Nursing: A Journey Like No Other
Travel nursing is an innovative approach to healthcare that allows registered nurses to travel to different locations to provide care where it's needed most. Whether you're an experienced nurse seeking a change of scenery, or a recent graduate craving a unique start to your career, travel nursing offers unparalleled experiences.
For example, as a travel nurse, you could be helping communities recover from a natural disaster one month and the next, lending your skills to a state-of-the-art hospital in a bustling city. The opportunities are endless, and the choice is yours when you're a travel nurse.
Travel nurses typically find assignments through travel nursing agencies, like FlexCare, that connect them with healthcare facilities needing temporary staff. To start, travel nurses should research and select a reputable agency that offers a wide range of job opportunities and support services. Once registered with an agency, travel nurses can review available assignments, discuss preferences with a recruiter, and accept assignment offers that match their desired location, duration, and specialty.
Travel nurses must hold an active and unencumbered RN license in the state where they plan to work. In the United States, travel nurses can apply for a compact nursing license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows them to practice in multiple NLC member states without needing individual licenses. At FlexCare, your S1NGLEPOINT Recruiter will ensure you are fully educated on licensure requirements to allow adequate time for processing and approval before starting an assignment.
One of the most frequently asked questions we encounter is, "How much do travel nurses get paid?" The answer varies based on several factors, including specialty and location. However, travel nursing provides exceptional financial benefits compared to traditional nursing roles. Check out our Pay Package FAQ page for more information.
Travel Nurse Specialties
FlexCare staffs dozens of travel nurse specialties; browse our specialty list! Don't see your current specialty? Reach out to a S1NGLEPOINT Recruiter, and they will let you know if we ever start staffing that specialty.
Travel Nurse Specialties
First-Time Travel Nurses
Thousands of travel nurses have created extraordinary lives for themselves on the road. Read some of the most common questions we get from new travel nurses.
Travel Nursing FAQs
So, How Do I Become a Travel Nurse?
If you've read all the information above, you're ready to start searching for your first travel nurse job. Download the FlexCare 360 mobile app to jumpstart your travel nursing career!
FlexCare 360
We're more than just an agency; we are your partner on this unique journey. Our goal is to make your travel nurse experience as seamless as possible. We help with all aspects of your transition, from finding the perfect assignment to helping you find comfortable accommodations in your new location.
Our extensive network across the United States ensures a continuous supply of exciting opportunities for you. We're also committed to offering highly competitive compensation packages without the need to negotiate for what you deserve, making us the top travel nurse agency in the industry.