Travel nurses only work for three months out of the year. The travel nurse enjoys a life of luxury and is able to help people at the same time. If you have a passion for helping people heal and overcome illnesses, then being a travel nurse may be the right choice for you. You can work for a variety of medical entities, such as a teaching facility or research center. You may also work in the emergency room or in a small community hospital. You will have the opportunity to explore new countries and take part in other cultures. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a travel nurse?” When you want to become a travel nurse, it is important to consider the type of education that you want to receive in order to become a travel nurse.
What’s it like to be a travel nurse?
As a travel nurse, you are sent to various locations throughout the world to help patients. Your work may involve treating patients who have been injured in natural disasters. You may also need to help people who have been injured in violent outbreaks throughout the world. Your job is exciting and is always changing, which is one of the main attractions for individuals choosing this career path. As a travel nurse, you can also choose where you want to work. If there is a particular country that you have always wanted to visit, then you can choose this type of assignment as a travel nurse. During the three months in which you are working, you may have to work extended hours. Volunteer travel nurses frequently have to work overtime in order to help patients.
Education Requirements
To become a travel nurse, one should obtain a degree to become a registered nurse. If one does not want to make the commitment to a four-year bachelor’s degree program, then he or she can obtain a nursing degree in an associate’s program. Hospitals frequently have nursing programs that offer nursing programs for individuals. The degree programs at hospitals usually take about four years to complete. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an individual may also want to choose a specialty for his or her practice. One may choose a specialty like cardiac care or pediatrics. Having a specialty will help you to distinguish yourself from a crowd of applicants for a travel nurse position. You will also need to obtain a certain number of continuing education requirements if you want to work as a travel nurse. Knowing a second or third language can also be beneficial for individuals who want to work as travel nurses throughout the world. It is also essential for a travel nurse to have superb communication skills in order to excel in this profession, since a travel nurse deals with people from a variety of cultures every year.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a travel nurse is about $65,000 a year. An individual can obtain a position as a travel nurse by seeking out opportunities with travel nurse agencies. A travel nurse agency will place a nurse at another location in the world for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months.
References:
1. http://www.healthedsolutions.com/articles/traveling-nurses-bls-acls-pals
2. http://www.ehow.com/how_2107995_be-travel-nurse.html
3. http://www.nursezone.com/Explore-Travel-Nursing/travel-nursing-faqs.aspx#4
4. http://www.miracleworkers.com/Article/CB-169-Nursing-Working-as-a-Travel-Nurse/