What Is a Travel Nurse? Job Responsibilities, Skills, and Salary

A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) with clinical experience in a temporary nursing role. These nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings, providing critical care to patients in need.

If you’re curious about what travel nursing is, how it works, or the average salary for a travel nurse, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about this exciting and rewarding career path.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

Travel nursing is a career that offers flexibility, adventure, and the opportunity to gain diverse clinical experiences while earning competitive pay and benefits.

A travel nurse is an RN who works on a temporary basis in various healthcare facilities across the country or internationally. These professionals typically work for a few weeks to several months at a time, filling in during staff shortages, assisting in high and unpredictable patient volumes, or providing specialized skills in certain areas of healthcare.

What does a travel nurse do?

A travel nurse is a highly trained healthcare professional who fills temporary roles in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. Their primary responsibility is to provide nursing care to patients who are underserved or require additional support due to a lack of healthcare professionals in the area.

Travel nurses have similar responsibilities to traditional nurses, including wound examinations, changing bandages, and monitoring patients’ vital signs. They may travel to patients’ homes, schools, or other settings to administer medication and vaccinations and complete various tests. So, travel nurses must be comfortable working in fast-paced and chaotic circumstances and adapt to new environments quickly.

Characteristics and skills of a travel nurse

Travel nursing is a unique and challenging career that requires a specific set of skills and characteristics. To succeed in this field, a travel nurse must possess the following qualities:

1. Adaptability: A travel nurse must be comfortable adapting to new environments, medical facilities, and patient populations. They should be able to handle various challenges, including unexpected changes in the work schedule or new medical equipment.
2. Flexibility: Travel nurses must be flexible and able to work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. They may also need to work varying shifts, including nights and weekends, to meet the needs of their patients.
3. Language skills: Travel nurses should be proficient in English and potentially other languages to communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
4. Emotional intelligence: Travel nurses must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to connect with their patients, establish trust, and manage their emotions in high-stress situations.
5. Critical thinking: Travel nurses must possess strong analytical skills to assess patients’ conditions quickly and develop effective treatment plans.
6. Passion for travel: Travel nurses should be passionate about traveling and be willing to live and work in new locations every few months. They should be excited about exploring new cities and cultures while also performing their duties as healthcare professionals.

Education and qualifications

To become a traveling nurse, you generally need to have the following education and qualifications:

1. A nursing degree: Most traveling nurse positions require a minimum of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), although many employers prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Some positions may also require specialized certifications or training, such as in critical care, emergency nursing, or pediatrics.
2. A nursing license: You must hold an active nursing license in the state where you plan to work. You will need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and meet your state’s licensing requirements.
3. Clinical experience: Many travel nursing positions require a minimum of one or two years of clinical experience in a hospital or healthcare setting.

Note that the exact requirements for becoming a traveling nurse may vary depending on the healthcare facility, state, or country. It’s important to research the specific requirements and qualifications for the position you want to pursue.

Where Do Travel Nurses Work?

Travel nursing is an exciting career path that typically requires a few years of prior experience working as a nurse. However, due to the current nursing staff shortage, some agencies may be more flexible and willing to work with nurses who have less experience.

Travel nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings. While hospitals are a common option, staffing agencies often send nurses to underserved locations, such as rural communities. Travel nurses can find opportunities in emergency units, adult intensive care units, medical-surgical floors, and telemetry units, among other areas experiencing a nursing shortage.

What Is the Average Salary of a Travel Nurse in the U.S.?

The salary of a travel nurse in the United States can vary depending on several factors, including the location, the nurse’s experience and qualifications, and the specific healthcare facility where they work.

According to recent data, the average salary for a travel nurse in the U.S. is $105,818 per year. However, this can range from around $31,000 to over $185,000 per year, depending on the factors mentioned above. It’s also worth noting that travel nurses typically receive additional compensation, such as housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and bonuses, in addition to their base salary.

Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse

As a traveling nurse, you can enjoy a range of benefits that go beyond traditional nursing roles. From adventure and flexibility to job security and personal growth, here are the top advantages of being a traveling nurse:

1. Opportunities to explore new places: As a travel nurse, you can visit new cities and countries while doing the work you love. This can broaden your horizons and give you a chance to experience different cultures.
2. More freedom and flexibility: This job offers more freedom and flexibility than traditional nursing careers. You can choose where and when to work, allowing you to plan your schedule around your personal life.
3. Professional growth: This career can expose you to new and innovative approaches to healthcare. Working in different healthcare facilities can enhance your clinical skills and make you a well-rounded healthcare professional.
4. Job security: With the demand for healthcare professionals at an all-time high, travel nurses have a secure job outlook. This means you can enjoy job security while pursuing your passion for travel and adventure.
5. Socialization: Working in new environments with different people can broaden your social circle and provide opportunities for networking and professional connections.
6. Competitive salary: Travel nurses generally earn more than traditional nurses, thanks to the demand for their specialized skills and willingness to relocate.
7. Minimal workplace politics: As a travel nurse, you can avoid the office politics and drama that often come with working in one facility for an extended period.
8. Find the perfect place to settle down: By exploring different locations and environments, you can discover the ideal place to call home in the future.
9. Avoid burnout: By taking breaks between assignments and escaping the monotony of a more traditional nursing profession, you can avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
10. Develop new interests and hobbies: This career can expose you to new hobbies and interests that you might not have otherwise discovered. From outdoor activities to local cuisine, every location has something unique to offer.

Challenges of Being a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing can be an exciting and rewarding career, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges. Here are some common challenges that travel nurses may face:

1. Job insecurity: Travel nursing assignments are typically short-term, which means that you are constantly looking for your next job. This can be stressful and can make it difficult to plan for the future.
2. Adjusting to new environments: Each new assignment will require you to adjust to a new hospital, new coworkers, and a new city or town. This can be overwhelming and can take time to get used to.
3. Loneliness and isolation: Travel nursing can be a lonely experience, particularly if you are away from friends and family for extended periods of time. Making new connections can be challenging, especially if you are introverted or shy.
4. Cultural differences: Different parts of the country or even different hospitals can have their unique culture and ways of doing things. As a travel nurse, you need to quickly adapt to these differences, which can be challenging.
5. Burnout: Travel nursing often involves working long hours and taking on high-stress assignments. This can lead to burnout, which can be detrimental to your mental and physical health.
6. Lack of support: As a travel nurse, you may not have the same level of support as you would in a permanent position. This can make it challenging to advocate for yourself or to access resources when you need them.
7. Housing issues: Finding affordable and safe housing in a new city or town can be challenging, particularly if you are on a tight budget.
8. Personal finances: Depending on your assignment, you may need to cover travel expenses and other costs, which can put a strain on your personal finances.

The Bottom Line

Becoming a travel nurse can be a rewarding and exciting career path for those interested in experiencing new cultures and meeting different healthcare professionals every few months. It offers a unique opportunity to grow personally and professionally while positively impacting the lives of patients in need.

If you are considering a career as a travel nurse, the first step is to pursue the necessary education and become a registered nurse. Consider enrolling in our holistic nursing program that emphasizes patient-centered care and the development of psychomotor skills. With the right training and mindset, you can embark on a fulfilling journey as a travel nurse and enjoy all the benefits this career has to offer.