Travel Nurse Tips and Insights
Being a travel nurse is a hot topic lately. Nurses feel both burnt out and undervalued for their skills. Even the news headlines have frequented nursing as a topic: capping pay, nursing strikes, and nurses as “heroes” during the pandemic. If you’re considering travel jobs, this is for you.
1. Can I travel with any nursing specialty?
Yes, you can travel for pretty much any nursing specialty. I’ve seen postings for hospice, infusion, psych, mother-baby, OR, L&D, ER, ICU, telemetry, step-down, home care, occupational health, school nursing, etc. I’ve known nurses to take contracts for simply giving vaccine injections all day, or even virtual assignments which include calling people to notify them of test results. Ultimately, travel nursing is comparable to regular nursing. Therefore, if the job exists you can likely find a travel job for it.
2. Do I have to travel alone?
You can take your spouse, kids, and your pets. I travel with my husband and dog. He works as an online high school teacher, so it’s easy for him to tag along. Nurses also sometimes travel in pairs. If you have a friend, adventure together. You can even ask your recruiter to find an assignment that will hire both of you. Travel nursing is also a good option if you’re looking for an opportunity to stay with long distanced family or friends. Of note, Krucial Staffing does have a rule that doesn’t allow boarding with family.
3. Is it true I won’t get any training as a travel nurse?
This is basically true. I received only 8 hours of training for my most recent assignment. The max amoutn of training I’ve received was one week. I did not receive any hospital orientation. But honestly, nursing is nursing wherever you go. You’ll figure it out. You actually learn quicker out of orientation because when you’re in a situation and don’t know something, you’ll ask. Companies will sometimes specifically require prior documentation experience with their particular charting system. Chances are, if you’re worried about training, you’re really worried about doing things properly…probably the type of person who will work hard to figure it all out. It’s the people who have barely any nursing experience and no worries about training that I’m concerned about.
4. Do travel nurses get the worst patient assignments?
It depends. Yes and no. Nurses at my current assignment treat me equally. Actually, people can be unfair anywhere you work, including a full time job. I’ve worked at a hospital as a full time float nurse before, and overheard the charge nurse verbalizing plans to give me all the worst patients “because she gets paid more than we do, so she should have to work harder.”
To be completely honest, all of my travel assignments have been easier than any full time job I’ve ever worked. The hospitals in the mid-west are typically better staffed and have more support staff than I’ve ever experienced at home in GA. I have 3-5 patients on my assignment in Milwaukee, and I always have CNAs who take only 6-8 patients each. And as more and more nurses are beginning to travel intermittently, the attitude towards travelers has become more welcoming. People want to treat others they way they hope to be treated on their next assignment.
5. What are the best agencies for travel nurses?
My opinion on the best overall agencies to work with is based on my personal experience, traveling groups on facebook, and personal stories from friends. Krucial, Favorite, Aya, and NuWest are ones I recommend. I’ve heard rave reviews for Krucial and Favorite from my traveling buddies. But NuWest is who I use and I highly recommend them. The recruiter makes or breaks the travel experience. Some recruiters are highly engaged and follow up with you frequently. Others get you in with the high offers and then disappear. Try to find a recruiter recommended by a contact rather than going with whoever contacts you first.
https://www.favoritestaffing.com/
6. I’m not a nurse. Can I find a travel assignment?
Yes!!! You can travel with other skills besides nursing. I see job postings all the time for environmental services, CNAs, RTs, PT/OT, transport, etc. If it’s a job in healthcare, there’s likely an opportunity to travel.
7. How long will my contract be as a travel nurse?
Contracts are negotiable. They typically range from 4 weeks to 13 weeks. Extending the contract is usually an option near the end of the term. Many nurses prefer to sign an 8 week contract and then extend if they are treated fairly. Additionally, if you’ve had a good experience and the company offers for you to stay longer, you can sometimes continue extending for years. I’ve met travelers who had worked on the same unit for over 2 years, still under their original contract, but continued to extend. My current contract was 12 weeks, but I extended an additional 4 weeks. They have already offered for me to extend again, and they just hired a group of travel nurses for their floor.
8. Are travel nurses picked first to float to other units?
The traveler is usually the first to float. Anticipate this and try to have a good attitude about it. Businesses do expect the travel nurse to be flexible. It’s not ideal, but that’s why they pay us the big bucks.
9. How does scheduling work for travel nurses?
Some companies will allow block scheduling and others not. Managers will occasionally be flexible and ask you up front how you’d like your schedule to look. You may choose to write these preferences into your contract. Also, your working hours will vary. Depending on your contract, some companies require six 12 hour shifts per week (Krucial), some are four 12 hour shifts per week. But most contracts are for three 12’s or five 8’s.
10. Is the contract guaranteed?
It’s kind of a joke they call it a contract. The truth is that the company may cancel on you at any time without consequences. However, if you cancel or leave early, there will be consequences. For example, canceling may result in not being hireable again within that company, or a clause that states you will owe them $1000 for canceling early. Granted, rumor is they cannot legally enforce this payment.
11. Are there other perks?
One of the most common misconceptions I hear is that all travel nurses have housing provided. This is not true. Some companies include housing. Alternatively, a company may provide weekly untaxed housing and food stipends. Additionally, a relocation bonus may be offered on arrival, and a completion bonus at the end of the assignment.
12. What else can I expect as a travel nurse?
Traveling gives you the opportunity to escape the toxic political atmosphere that accompanies working for a company long term. When you enter into a long-term committed relationship with a business, it’s kind of like a relationship with a person…But, a business relationship is even harder due to the number of people involved and so many different roles. The lack of commitment involved in traveling is quite freeing. Yes, committed relationships can be great. But maybe it’s time to try a love ‘em and leave ‘em approach.
If you found these tips helpful, check out this other blog for more travel nursing tips.
https://teatimewithsummershelain.com/
Should you be a travel nurse?
Well, what do you have to lose? Because you’re a nurse, your skill set is in high demand. Above all, know your worth and encourage others to do the same. If you don’t love it, you can always find another job. The longer I’ve been a nurse the more I love and admire our profession. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard work. But the women and men who stay in healthcare are true rockstars. I’m honored to know each of you.
