More About Travel Nursing
Travel nursing offers nurses the opportunity to see the country while working at various hospitals on a short term contract basis. There are even some opportunities to travel to other countries.
If you live in a large metropolitan area such as Los Angeles, you can even live in your own home and be a travel nurse. Your commute has to be at least 50 miles one way, but in large cities and counties that is quite possible. And there are probably several hospitals you can rotate through.
Even in a rural community, if you live at least 50 miles from the local hospital you can contract through a travel nursing agency to work as a travel nurse in that facility. Some restrictions may apply and can vary from agency to agency and hospital to hospital.
Most travel nurses want to see the country, meet new people and learn about the cultures in the various regions of the U.S. They sign on with a travel nursing agency and accept an assignment in the region they want to explore for the next few weeks or months.
A travel nurse may reside in the northeast, and want to get away for the winter. Travel nursing positions are plentiful in California, Arizona and Florida. But they are available in all 50 states as well as a few foreign countries such as Spain.
The travel agency will negotiate the contract, help you with licensure in the state you wish to travel to and assist in finding housing nearby. They may also assist in your travel arrangements and in finding means of transportation in your new city.
Some travel nurses may choose to drive to their new location to ensure they have a familiar car. Some travel nurses have RVs which they take on the road with them. This minimizes the need to pack and unpack frequently. The agency will then assist you to find RV hookups for the duration of your contract.
Any special needs should be discussed well in advance with the travel agency such as pets or family or friends who will accompany you to ensure appropriate housing can be arranged.
Many travel nurses are married and/or have children. Sometimes the couple may both be nurses or one is a nurse and the other a physical or occupational therapist. Therapists can also find travel assignments and the same agency may be able to place both of you. Or they may work in cooperation with a travel therapist agency.
Children usually need school and after school care arrangements made. The travel nursing agency may or may not be prepared to assist you with these arrangements. Be sure to discuss this option when deciding on an agency to represent you.
Always be sure you understand an assignment before accepting it. Hospitals depend on these agencies for staffing and there may be serious penalties for failing to carry out a contract.
By Kathy Quan RN BSN
Kathy is the author of The Everything New Nurse Book, and author/owner of TheNursingSite.com.
Tags: travel nurse, Travel Nursing