How to Get a Travel Nursing Job

You’ve decided you’re ready for a change and interested in travel nursing jobs — but where do you start? How do you begin applying for open positions? What does your contract include, and how do you find housing?

Fortunately, there are just a few steps to follow before you can land the job of your dreams. Check out senior recruiter Samantha Wines’ tips below:

Connect with a recruiter

Your first step in getting a travel nursing job is to call a staffing agency. You’ll then begin talking with a recruiter who understands your specialty and wants to know more about your nursing experience, the types of units you’ve worked for, and your reasons for wanting to travel.

Your recruiter will determine whether you’d be a good fit for travel nursing jobs and ask about the types of jobs you’ve held in the past.

Complete an application and create a profile

Once you’ve talked to a recruiter for the first time, you’ll fill out an application, including a skills checklist, and send in at least two references as well. After all paperwork is complete and references check out, you’ll talk to your recruiter again and figure out which jobs you’re qualified for and where you’d like to work.

You’ll then create a profile with your recruiter based on your application and skills checklist.

Apply to and interview for available jobs

You and your recruiter will review travel nursing jobs you’ve decided are a good fit and apply to them by sending your profile to the hospitals. Once your paperwork leaves the building, you’ll have to wait for the nurse managers to call you for a phone interview. After interviewing, you should receive an offer within 24 to 48 hours.

Discuss the job offer with your recruiter

Once you have an offer, you can talk about the details of the pay package, shifts and other options included in your contract with your recruiter. You generally have 24 to 48 hours to accept or decline that offer. If you accept the offer, you’ll begin working with your recruiter again on the details of your assignment.

Work with the licensing and credentialing teams

You’ll be aligned with a specific credentialer once you’ve accepted an assignment to help walk you through the credentialing process. However, once you’ve done the initial paperwork, most of it is valid for a year. The licensing team will help you not only apply for a new state license if you need one but get in contact with the board.

Note: If you work in a compact state, you’re eligible to work in more than 25 other states and will not need to get a second license.

Set up your housing

You may prefer to take the housing stipend and find your own place. However, if you decide to stay in agency housing, a coordinator who specializes in the area where you’ll be working will set housing up before you start your assignment.

He or she will ask whether you’re bringing any pets along and if you have any special preferences such as a first-floor or top-floor apartment. The housing team will also do research to make sure you’re in a safe community, close to the hospital and have a great stay during the 13 weeks you’re there.

Get more tips from Samantha in her video below!