Learn about the benefits and salaries of travel nurses in the most lucrative industry in the U.S. right now and become a part of it.

What is a travel nurse?

As skilled professionals, travel nurses take temporary nursing positions in high-demand areas. They go into hospitals, clinics, and other facilities to provide quality care to patients across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a nationwide staffing crisis and has led to a surge in demand for travel nurses. Many nurses are leaving stable jobs for high-paying temporary work, netting $5,000 or more per week through travel nursing agencies.

Travel nurses sign contracts to fill temporary positions. This can last for a few days, weeks, or months—or even longer. When their contracts expire, travel nurses either extend their stay in the same location or move on to new destinations and opportunities. The length of their contracts can vary, but most internships range between eight and 26 weeks. Some travel nurses find temporary jobs they love and work toward full-time employment, but many continue to travel and keep flexible hours.

Why become a travel nurse? There are many benefits:

1: Assistance in obtaining a passport/work visa (if working internationally)

2: Bonuses

3: Choice of location

4: Competitive pay

5: Free housing

6: Above average pay for registered nurses

7: Medical, dental, and vision insurance

8: Retirement plan

9: Choice of work hours/shifts

10: Travel reimbursement

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Skills needed to become a travel nurse:

1: Ability to learn quickly. Travel nurses have experience working in traditional nursing settings, but they need to be able to draw on their broad knowledge base as they adapt to new healthcare facilities. Some healthcare settings have different standards of practice and different technologies to learn. Travel nurses need to quickly adopt new practices and technologies.

2: Flexibility. Travel nurses have the freedom to create their own schedule with the organization they work for. For example, a travel nurse might work an intense nine weeks on the other side of the country and then take a month off.

3: Strong support. Travel nurses may need to be away from family and friends for long periods of time to work temporary jobs. Having a supportive person or group of people who can serve as emotional listeners is essential to working long-term in the chaotic assignments of travel nurses.

How to Apply to Become a Travel Nurse:

1: Earn an ASN or BSN Degree

2: Pass the NCLEX to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

3: Gain Work Experience

4: Obtain a License

5: Sign with a Travel Nurse Staffing Agency

6: Obtain a Nursing Degree

Any nurse who has earned an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing program is eligible to become a travel nurse. There are several pathways to meet this educational requirement:

▸ Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree

▸ Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Degree for entry-level RNs

▸ LPN to BSN Pathway Program for Licensed Practical Nurses or Vocational Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses

▸ LPN to ASN Degree for Licensed Practical Nurses

▸ Pass the NCLEX to Become a Registered Nurse

After earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, the next step to becoming a travel nurse is to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, also known as the NCLEX-RN exam.

Once the NCLEX exam is passed and the state board of nursing requirements are met, the candidate will be eligible to become a registered nurse.

Partnering with a Travel Nursing Agency

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The final step to becoming a travel nurse is to sign with a travel nursing agency.

The benefits offered by each staffing agency will vary, and they may be aligned with a specific hospital or healthcare network, a specific geographic region, or even a specific nursing specialty.