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By Nurse First Travel Agency

August 27, 2022

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How to Change Your Travel Nursing Specialty

Nurse First Travel Agency provided this article.

It’s no secret that the nursing industry is currently facing a staffing crisis. Hospitals are overflowing with patients, and the stress of the pandemic is taking its toll on nurses. As a result, burnout rates are at an all-time high. 

If you’re feeling burnt out and are considering a change, you’re not alone. Many travel nurses are exploring other specialties and for good reason. The nursing industry is constantly evolving, and there are now more travel nursing specialties than ever before. 

How to Change Your Travel Nursing Specialty

If you’re looking for a change, here are a few things you may want to consider: 

Continuing Your Nursing Education 

If you’re looking to switch travel nursing specialties, it’s important to note the different requirements and certifications for said specialty. Continuing your education is a great way to start and ensure your specialty change will come with higher pay or better benefits.  Additional education can include anything from certification courses or classes at a local college to getting an advanced degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). If you’re looking to step into a leadership role such as a nurse practitioner, an MSN is a necessary requirement to look into beforehand.  

How Travel Nurse Agencies Can Lend a Helping Hand 

When considering a new specialty, it’s important to do your research and understand what’s involved. One great way to do this is to work with a travel nurse agency or travel advocate. These organizations can help you navigate the process of obtaining the necessary certifications and finding the right position. They can also provide valuable information on what to expect in terms of the work itself and living and working in a new location. 

If you’re thinking about making a switch to a new specialty, working with a travel nurse agency or advocate is a great way to get started. These organizations can provide valuable insight and support as you make the transition to a new field. 

5 Travel Nurse Specialties Worth Your While

When it comes to nursing specialties, it can be a bit confusing to pin down one due to the handful of options. Stuck on what to do next? 

Consider these top five nursing specialties:

ER Nurse

ER nurses provide care to patients who are experiencing a medical emergency. They work in hospitals and clinics and provide care for patients who are in the ER or in the trauma unit.

Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric nurses provide care to patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis. They work in hospitals and clinics and provide care for patients who are in the psychiatric ward.

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse anesthetists are registered nurses who have undergone special training in anesthesia. They work in hospitals and clinics and provide anesthesia services to patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures.

Pediatric Nurse

Pediatric nurses provide care to children and adolescents who are ill or injured. They work in hospitals and clinics and provide care for patients who are in the pediatric ward or the ER.

Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses provide care to patients who are battling cancer. They work in hospitals and clinics and provide care for patients who are receiving cancer treatment.

Next Steps

Are you ready to make the change? If so, you should be ready to dig deeper into your chosen specialty combined with the basic knowledge you already have.  Make sure to find out whether or not you need any extra education or classes far before so you can sign up as soon as possible.

Take the time to network with other nurses within the specialty you have chosen to change too. Not only will this prepare you for what you’re getting into, but it helps establish connections far before you make the change. Following the tips above, your transition to a new nursing specialty will go smoothly and successfully. Best of luck on your journey!

We hope you found this article on how to change your travel nursing specialty helpful. Do you have any tips or advice for fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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