Is Travel Nursing for You?
Do you want to practice your profession as a nurse and fulfill your desire to travel and explore other places? One field of nursing will let you enjoy both worlds: travel nursing.
The severe nursing shortage makes travel nursing one of the most in-demand nursing fields today in United States of America (USA). To cope with the shortage the US healthcare industry had to assign and relocate nurses in various hospitals for short-term nursing positions.
The typical work schedule of full-time travel nurses are forty hours per week with eight or 10 hour shifts. Some work for 36 hours per week with 12-hour shifts are considered. The demand for travel nurses is high in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.
To attract qualified registered nurses and Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVNs), US hospitals offers attractive benefits such as relocation assistance, free housing, allowances and bonuses.
If you are considering the idea of travel nursing, read on to gain an overview of this nursing field.
Why Apply as Travel Nurse
The job offers many benefits besides the privilege of free travel. You will receive high salary with bonuses and enjoy free accommodation too.
Qualifications:
- BSN Graduate
- CGFNS/ NCLEX passer
- At least one year of work experience in one's specialty
- Licensure in the state of employment
- Passers of English tests like TOEFL and IELTS
Note that the one year work experience is only the minimum requirement because preference is given to those with two or more years of work experience. This is because travel nurses rarely receive in-depth orientation as hospitals expect them to have extensive experience and knowledge.
Nature of Work
The usual work contract offered to travel nurses in America is only for a period of 4 to 13 months. If the work assignment will require you to travel outside of USA, the contract can be as long as 1 to 2 years. A travel nurse is often offered for an extension or a permanent post.
The hospital setting where you will be assigned varies from prominent teaching
Accommodation that the company or hospital provides include: one bedroom apartment, utilities (electricity, water, etc.), telephone, cable TV, travel allowance, healthcare insurance, and others
The Skills Required
Travel nursing are for nurses who loves new things and adventure. The perfect applicant should have a positive attitude, fast learner, flexible, with outstanding clinical knowledge, excellent communication skills
Published at: 10/31/2015
