Travel nursing becomes especially relevant because of the current pandemic situation. That’s why more and more students are considering such a career option as a future. Now, this job can offer not only a tempting salary but also the opportunity to see new cities and even countries, and of course, taking care of people in need.
What does a student need to know to become a travel nurse? What steps to take and how to get started? Below you will find a guide to travel nursing and advice that will come in handy to get a position as a travel nurse.
Student Guide to Travel Nursing
Before finding out how a student can become a travel nurse, it is worth briefly highlighting the essence of such specialists. Travel nurses are nurses who can provide additional support to patients, fill the shortage of personnel in other cities/countries and provide timely and high-quality services. Below you will find a short guide on how to become a travel nurse.
Get Started With BSN Degree
It will take 4 years to complete this degree. However, note that some schools have programs such as RN-to-BSN for those nurses who already have an ADN.
Prepare and Pass NCLEX Exam
You will also need an RN license. So, you must first pass the corresponding exam. This test covers such topics as nursing practice, treatment conditions, healthcare system, legal and ethical issues, communication with patients, and even education.
Obtain an RN License
As already mentioned, you need to start obtaining a license. Please note that obtaining a license in one state may not be relevant for all states. Therefore, be sure to check at this point as you may need to apply for a license in the other states too.
Get Experience
If you are interested in the best vacancies and offers, then some experience will be your competitive advantage as a student. Most travel nursing agencies require a minimum of one year of nursing experience. Therefore, it is worth considering getting a good experience before you become a travel nurse.
Prepare a Quality CV
Of course, you will need to create a high-quality CV with up-to-date data. If you don’t know how to write a proper CV, see examples or use the services of professional writers. For example, you can get in touch with the Best Writers Online on the Writing Judge custom writing services reviews platform.
Keep in mind that the first impression your future employer gets is driven by your CB only. Make sure to fill it with relevant education, additional courses, and certifications, and dwell on your practical experience in detail, highlighting the tasks you faced and challenges you solved.
Partner with a Travel Nursing Agency
The last step is choosing the right agency to help you with your employment. Some schools help their graduates in this matter. Therefore, check out those agencies that are recruiting in your city or state. Get started with online research, send them your CV and wait for the response a little. You can also call the recruiters directly and offer to consider your candidacy – it will speed up the process significantly.
Essential Tips for Students Who Want to Be Travel Nurse
Now you know where to get started to become such a specialist. But since this type of activity is slightly different from the usual nursing practice, it is worth discussing some additional points that every student who wants to become a travel nurse should know about.
- Get ready for total life changes. If you are planning to become a travel nurse, then you should understand that you will have to leave your loved ones, family, or children for a certain time. It is important to understand that in the event of any emergency, you may not always be able to get home without violating your work contract.
- You must have savings. Before you become a travel nurse, you need to have good savings. Sometimes you can face a sudden termination of the work contract, the need for additional expenses, and so on. Having a savings account would be a good insurance policy in such a profession.
- Buy quality clothing and shoes. Quality footwear is a must-have for all nurses, not just for traveling caregivers. But when we talk about travel nurses, it is vital to get not only high-quality shoes but also clothes too.
- Set the right expectations. Students often assume that becoming a travel nurse is an opportunity to see the world. But in practice, it is hard work in a new environment, especially if you are going abroad. Leave romantic expectations behind and look at this profession with a sober look. Indeed, such specialization as travel nurses has many advantages, but this does not alleviate the often difficult working conditions.
- You shouldn’t burn bridges with your previous job at home. When you enter the world of travel nursing, it will be wise to have a place to return. Discuss with your employer the possibility of a job recovery after the end of the contract.
The Bottom Line
Use this guide to travel nursing to start your travel nursing career. Do not forget that this is a rather difficult position, and you need to be mentally prepared for this to enjoy all the benefits of this profession. And always keep your main task in mind – you should deliver quality healthcare and sincerely love what you do to succeed as a travel nurse.
We hope this guide to travel nursing helps you along your way to a travel nursing career. Are you ready to start your travel nursing career but need an assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have the assignment but need housing? Click here to view our housing page.
