Travel Nursing
Article Outline
In this economic crisis, many OR nurses are staying with their current employers, postponing retirement, or rejoining the workforce—all of which ease the nursing shortage to a certain degree. However, supplemental or travel nurses are still needed to help hospitals meet their demands. The unique and skilled nature of travel nurses stands out at times like these, and becoming a traveler can help you build a better résumé and make you more marketable as an OR professional.
A major nurse recruiting company advises OR nurses considering a travel career to make sure you have the following:
How do you start a career as a travel nurse? How do you pick an agency to represent you, choose an assignment, find a place to live, obtain licensing in another state, and tie up multiple loose ends? First decide what you really want—specific location, better benefits, flexible schedule, diverse work experience, whatever—and prioritize that list. Then start exploring travel nursing agencies. Find a recruiter who really connects with you, because this person will not only be your professional representative but can also be your best friend on the road! The recruiter will walk you through everything you need to know, but be sure you clearly understand the basics of salary, travel allowances, housing arrangements, licensure, and any termination penalties. Don't take anything for granted and thoroughly discuss what is expected before agreeing to an assignment.
Some more established companies offer other professional services in addition to the basics of insurance and housing. One company's travel nurse program includes a 401 (k) savings program with company match, free business cards and email, and free online continuing education courses. Another has a program for experienced and credentialed travelers that can make placements in 48 hours and another program that offers specific schedules for short-term (2–12 weeks) local assignments.
The Joint Commission now certifies health care staffing firms, a recognition that verifies quality to both the health facility clients looking for temporary employees and the nurses seeking reputable agencies. At this time, 184 travel nurse agencies are certified, and working for one of these agencies may increase your credibility as a travel nurse.
Working as a traveler offers other benefits besides potentially higher salaries and new environments. Experienced OR nurses who are also seasoned travelers can become valuable resources about best practices and ways to improve work processes. Being a traveler can help you stay current on the latest medical technology (increasing your chances of getting the hands-on training necessary to excel in your specialty) and can help you land assignments at prestigious OR facilities, enabling you to work with top healthcare professionals to learn new skills and gain confidence in your own abilities.
What about life outside of work while on assignment? Going to new places can be lonely, so veteran travelers recommend taking a pet with you, having a hobby that you can enjoy wherever you go, finding activities to interact with your new coworkers outside of the OR, and staying in touch with friends and family through blogs. Some agencies encourage OR nurses to pair up with a friend and take jobs together in the same city.
Whether accepting a long or short temporary position to be close to relatives, boost a bank account, or explore a new environment, OR travel nurses fill an important role in healthcare staffing. Peruse the following positions to find something right for you.
PII: S0001-2092(09)00443-8
doi:10.1016/S0001-2092(09)00443-8