Transitioning from a staff nurse role to a travel nurse position is an exciting but potentially overwhelming process. For many nurses, the allure of travel nursing lies in the adventure, higher pay, and flexibility it offers. But making the switch requires careful planning, adaptability, and the right partner. Below, we’ll explore the essential steps to help you navigate this transition and embark on a successful travel nursing career.
1. Assess Your Readiness
While your daily tasks may stay the same as a travel nurse, it’s still considered a career change. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess if you are ready to make the leap. Ask yourself:
- Am I comfortable being away from family and friends for weeks or months at a time?
- Do I thrive in fast-paced, changing work environments?
- Am I willing to handle the logistics of traveling, such as housing, transportation, and contracts?
- Do I have at least 1-2 years of experience in my specialty?
These are important questions to consider because if you feel mentally and emotionally prepared for the changes, you’ll be more equipped to handle the challenges of travel nursing.
2. Gain Experience in a High-Demand Specialty
There are a ton of opportunities for travel nurses of all disciplines, but some specialties are more in demand than others. For example, ICU, emergency room, labor and delivery, and MedSurg/Tele nurses are highly sought after, especially in understaffed hospitals.
If you are looking for the largest range of assignments, it can be helpful to gain experience in one of these areas. Keep in mind that many healthcare travel agencies require a minimum of one to two recent years of experience in your specialty before offering you assignments. The more experience and expertise you bring to the table, the more options you’ll have as a travel nurse.
3. Research Healthcare Staffing Agencies
Choosing the right travel nursing agency is crucial to your success. There are many agencies out there, and each one offers different benefits, contract terms, and levels of support. It’s essential to do thorough research to find one that aligns with your goals and values. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating agencies:
- Reputation: Read reviews from other travelers about their experiences with the agency.
- Support: Does the agency offer comprehensive support with onboarding, benefit enrollment, and travel arrangements?
- Pay and Benefits: What is the agency’s pay structure? Do they offer benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses?
Start by reaching out to a few agencies and speaking with recruiters. Ask questions to understand the agency’s process and ensure they’re a good fit for your travel nursing journey.
4. Get Your Licenses in Order
One of the logistical hurdles in transitioning to travel nursing is ensuring that you have the necessary licenses for the states where you plan to work. If you’re already licensed in a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, this process may be easier. The NLC allows you to practice in other compact states without obtaining additional licenses.
However, if you plan to work in a non-compact state, you’ll need to apply for licensure in each state individually. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the state. Be proactive and start the licensing process early, especially if you have your eye on a specific assignment.
5. Understand Your Compensation and Benefits
Compensation is a significant draw for many nurses transitioning to travel nursing, but it’s important to fully understand how travel nursing pay works. Travel nurse compensation typically includes:
- Hourly Pay: This can vary greatly depending on the assignment, location, and even the time of year.
- Tax-Free Stipends: Travel nurses often receive tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and incidental expenses. Understanding how these stipends work is crucial to maximizing your earnings.
- Bonuses: Some agencies offer referral bonuses.
Be sure to clarify your total compensation package with your recruiter, so you know exactly what to expect.
6. Seek out Temporary Housing
Finding a new place to live every assignment can be one of the more challenging aspects of transitioning from a staff nurse to a travel nurse. Many agencies will provide a housing stipend in your pay package that will help cover the costs of temporary housing, but how do you find it? We’ve got great traveler housing resources available that can help you find reliable sites for housing, tips on negotiating a rate, and even bring your furry friend along!
7. Stay Organized and Flexible
One of the keys to success as a travel nurse is staying organized. From licensing paperwork to housing arrangements, travel contracts, and health records, you’ll need to keep track of numerous documents. Creating a system—whether digital or physical—can help ensure you have everything in order before each assignment.
Additionally, flexibility is essential. You may not always get your top choice of location or shift, and you’ll need to adjust to different hospital cultures, policies, and coworkers quickly. Being adaptable and maintaining a positive attitude will make the transition smoother.
8. Build a Professional Network
Travel nursing can be isolating at times, as you’re constantly moving and working in new places. Building a professional network of other travel nurses can provide you with valuable support, advice, and camaraderie. Join online communities, such as Facebook groups and connect with other professionals in your field. Having a network of peers who understand the unique challenges of travel nursing can be invaluable.
Travel with Ventura MedStaff
The transition from staff nurse to travel nurse isn’t just about logistics and professional readiness. It’s also important to prepare mentally and emotionally for the changes ahead. If you’re ready to make the change, our recruiters are here to help. Contact us today to start your adventure today.
