How to Find Travel Nursing Jobs

Becoming a travel nurse can be an exciting way to expand your skills and explore different places. Travel nurses fulfill the needs of medical facilities by working short-term assignments. The ability to practice nursing in a variety of environments compels many nurses to leave traditional fixed assignments. Finding travel nursing jobs is the first step in exercising your career freedoms.

1 Review your qualifications. A valid LPN or RN license is needed to be considered for a travel nursing position. Most facilities prefer candidates that have at least one year of experience in a fixed clinical setting. Specializing in critical care or emergency areas may make you a more viable job candidate, due to high demands in these areas. Ensure your resume is up to date and free of errors. Make copies of your license and other applicable certifications such as your CPR card.

2 Determine your needs. Answer questions such as what your top travel destinations are and the amount of agency support you desire. Travel nursing opportunities for both work in country and abroad are available. Decide how much you want to travel and the amount of down time you’ll need between assignments. Assignments lengths usually range from a few months to a year.

3 Attend nursing job fairs. Bring an updated resume to connect with recruiters and medical facilities at these events. Receive information regarding current assignments as well as detailed facility information. Medical facility personnel may be able to recommend their preferred travel nursing agencies and give you advice on getting hired. Take travel nursing brochures home for future reference. Sign up for email alerts from the travel nursing agencies.

4 Contact travel nurse staffing agencies. Speak with travel nursing recruiters to discover specific information about each agency. Since restrictions may apply depending on which state you’re licensed to practice nursing, it’s important to know your options. Internet sites provide helpful information about travel nursing companies and applicable opportunities. The best sites have information from a variety of companies to help you make the best decisions (see Resources below).

5 Ask nursing colleagues. Spend time gathering information and experiences about travel nursing jobs from respected associates (see Resources below). This will give you a realistic picture of what to expect from your assignments. Use this information to narrow down possibilities and choose the assignments that best match your ideals and skills. Make a list of highly recommended travel nursing companies for follow up.