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One of the best ways to gain experience as a new nurse — or enjoy a change of pace as a seasoned nurse — is to work as a traveler. But how do you become qualified for this career and find travel nursing jobs? Check out these five steps to get started.
1. Work as a nurse for at least one year.
Facilities are happy to hire new nurses who’ve just graduated from nursing school, but they’d like you to have a little experience before jumping right into a job in a brand-new place. Clinical experience is preferred; however, the type of experience you have also depends on the specialty you’d like to work in.
If you’re struggling to land a full-time job that will give you the nursing experience you need, get in touch with other nurses who attended school with you to see if they have any leads. You can also get your foot in the door by volunteering at a hospital or clinic so that you know when new positions are opening (and they know you).
2. Determine how you’d like to travel.
Some nurses prefer taking assignments on their own, while others want to travel with another nurse or bring their spouse or partner along for the ride. If you’ll be traveling alone, start preparing now by buying a reliable car (or fixing the one you already own), looking at mass transit options in places you’d like to work and simplifying your routines by signing up for online bill pay, ordering three-month supplies of prescriptions and subscribing to online magazines instead of print publications.
If you’ll be traveling with another person, figure out what your schedules look like and which locations are most appealing to both of you. It’s also a good idea to determine whether you’ll be living in the same or separate housing and sharing transportation.
3. Begin researching travel nurse staffing companies.
Once you know who, if anyone, will be traveling with you and have a bit of a plan, start looking for a staffing agency you can work with. While there are many to choose from, some companies only offer jobs in certain states and regions and others don’t provide comprehensive insurance or help with licensing. Look for an agency, like RNnetwork, that provides health insurance, a 401(k) plan, continuing education, paid housing and assistance with licensing, credentialing and travel.
4. Start working with a recruiter to find a job.
After you pick an agency to work with, you’ll be assigned a dedicated recruiter who’ll get to know you and find out what you’re looking for in a travel nursing job. Tell him or her which states and cities you’re interested in, how long you’re available to work, whether you prefer day or night shifts, and who will be traveling with you (including pets). You’ll also need to send your recruiter your CV and have copies of your license and school records available as well.
If you know you want to work in a certain state but don’t have a license yet, now is the time to apply for one, as some states take months to process applications. Your recruiter should know the industry and your specialty well so he or she can help you find the right job that fits your qualifications and must-haves.
5. Decide on a position and begin your journey.
When you and your recruiter find the perfect job for you, he or she will present your CV and credentials to the client, who will then schedule a phone interview with you to determine whether you’re a good fit. If you’re accepted for the position, you and your recruiter will work together with other teams to book your housing and help you with travel, licensing and credentialing needs in time to start your new job. Your recruiter will keep in touch with you before, during and after your assignment to make sure everything is going well and help you decide on the next place to go.
While landing your first travel nursing job takes a little planning, there are plenty of resources to help you get started. Check out “Reasons to Work With a Nurse Staffing Agency” and “10 Questions Your Travel Nurse Recruiter Will Ask Over the Phone” for more tips.
Interested in learning more about travel nursing? Call us for more information at 800.866.0407 or view today’s job openings.
