Travel Nursing FAQS

• What are the requirements to be a traveler?
  To become a Nurse Traveler, you must be a graduate of an accredited healthcare professional program in the United States or Canada. Travel assignments are available for nursing professionals with a minimum of 1 year of clinical experience however many companies demand two years of experience with the last year in the area you wish to practice travel nursing in. You will also need to provide a valid professional practice license, and proof of the right to work in the United States. You will need at least two good Supervisory references from previous employers.

• What does it take to be a successful traveler?
  Flexibility, a positive outlook and an eagerness to enjoy a new adventure coupled with excellent clinical skills. Making an effort to fit into the routines of the unit, becoming a part of the team are mandatory.

• Will traveling look good on my resume?
  Certainly! Changing locations as a traveler demonstrates your personal adaptability and the flexibility of your clinical practice. You will have plenty of opportunity to work in both large and small hospitals and expand your nursing knowledge.

• Where will I work?
  Almost all hospitals, from prestigious teaching facilities to small, rural ones, use travel nurses. If your only job so far has been in a small hospital and you wish to continue at a similar facility, your travel nurse company should be able to find an assignment that is right for you. Whatever your goal, there is a travel nurse assignment that meets your needs.

• How will I learn about the hospital at which I will be working?
  Each hospital has its own way of orienting and integrating travelers, depending on the size of the facility, how many travelers they use, how they orient their permanent staff, the orientation procedures of your individual assignment unit, etc. Your recruiter at your travel nursing company will be able to provide you with many of these orientation details when you discuss potential assignments. These are questions to bring up during your interviews with the hiring managers at potential assignment locations. Make use of the Hospital interview form available here

• Do I need a new license for each state I travel to?
  Quality Assurance specialists at your travel nurse agency will work with you and your recruiter to ensure that you have all the necessary information to obtain the required license for your assignment well before your start date. As each state does have its own rules and regulation we encourage you to contact the individual state boards directly to obtain the most up-to-date information and application paperwork. Click here to find a list of the state boards and links to their websites 

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• What is the typical length of travel assignments?
  The majority of assignments are 13 weeks. On occasion shorter 4-8 week assignments are available. It is possible to renew an assignment beyond its original length,  which many travelers frequently do if they enjoy the assignment.

• Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
  No. The contractual relationship between you and your travel nurse agency is based on an assignment-by-assignment basis.

• What is a full-time schedule for a travel nurse?
  Forty hours per week is considered full-time for travelers working 8 or 10-hour shifts. Travelers who work 12-hour shifts are considered full-time at 36 hours per week. Overtime is often available at your assignment should you want to do some.

• Where are the assignments?
  Assignments are available in all 50 states in small rural towns as well as in the major cities and in all types of healthcare facilities.

• Can I travel with family, friends or pets to my assignments?
  Yes! Traveling as a healthcare professional is a fantastic way to explore the country as a family.

• Is it possible for a friend and I to take an assignment together?
  Yes! Many "travel partners" select their assignments together and either work at the same hospital or at different hospitals in the same city. Some share apartments while others arrange to have their own private apartments in the same complex. Many married couples also travel together.

• How long will it take before I can start my first assignment?
  Much of it depends on you and when you want to start. After your application has been accepted and processed, your travel nurse agency will immediately present you as a possible candidate to hospitals. Some travelers have started an assignment one week after sending in their initial application others are arranged up to several months ahead of time.

• Will I have flexibility in choosing my assignments?
  Please let your recruiter know about any specific requests, needs and wants you have concerning the locations and jobs that interest you. Your recruiter will work to make sure that your requests are met.

• What will my pay rate be?
  Pay rates depend on the facility, location and clinical specialty. The pay rates for RNs generally range between $20 and $40 per hour. The pay rates for LPN's are between $11 and $22 per hour.

• How is my travel reimbursement determined?
  Travel reimbursement is usually paid at the rate of 30-35 cents per mile with a one-way round trip cap and generally is paid to the traveler directly by your travel nurse agency. Many companies will fly you to an assignment if that's your wish. Some will cover the cost of a rental car for the length of your assignment

• Are continuing education hours offered?
  Your travel nurse agency may offer courses to travelers on assignment at no charge.

• What about a 401K program?
  Yes some agencies offer a 401K plan, however they usually require that you be on your second or subsequent assignment before you can avail yourself of this benefit.

• Will I receive medical and dental insurance?
  Most travel nurse agencies offer full healthcare coverage. The date this insurance starts to cover you varies from Day 1 on assignment to the first of the month after your assignment starts. Health Insurance varies from an HMO to PPO type plans, Many companies offer both options to their staff with you paying for any rate differences that might be there. You also can cover your family on either plans, once again you pick up the extra costs of this.

• Am I eligible for bonuses?
  Occasionally  travel nurse agencies usually offer bonuses, paid at the end of your assignment. Your travel nurse agency will also offer referral bonuses to get other nurses to join the company.

• What type of housing accommodations can I expect?
  Most travel nurses companies will offer you single private housing in a one bedroom furnished apartment, unless you request to share a two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment or condominium with another traveler. Apartments are always fully furnished and your travel nurse agency sets up and pays for all utilities. You are usually responsible only for Cable TV and your telephone service. Sometimes a company will offer a corporate apartment which will be furnished but also include dishes, pots & pans, cutlery, linens, shower curtains etc. These usually also have televisions and basic cable and local phone service is pre arranged by the agencies. These are good for the traveler that just wants to fly in and out from an assignment carrying only their suitcases. Occasionally, if the healthcare facility owns a house or apartment building, you may stay in hospital-provided housing. You also usually have the option of receiving a monthly housing stipend and handling your own arrangements, wonderful if you want to stay with relatives nearby your assignment hospital.

• Can I travel with a friend?
  Absolutely. your travel nurse agency can arrange for you and your friend to be roommates if that's your desire.

• Can I bring along family members?
  No problem. Many nurses travel with their spouses or children. You would be responsible for any extra housing costs involved with larger apartments as well as with any extra travel costs.

• If I don't use the company's housing, will I receive a housing allowance?
  You should receive a monthly housing stipend if you arrange for your own housing.

• Can I bring my pet?
  Yes, The apartment complexes often require a separate pet deposit for which you would be responsible.  You may also be responsible for a nominal co-payment at times. 

• How do I keep up with my mail?
  Travelers deal with their mail by many different means. One solution is to forward your mail with the postal service each time you move. Some travelers maintain a permanent address for their mail at a friend's or family member's house and have their mail forwarded to them on a weekly basis. Other travelers prefer to rent a private post office box, and the proprietor forwards all mail on a predefined basis.

• What happens to my banking as I move every few months?
  One of the most popular benefits offered by travel nurse agencies is the direct deposit service, which enables you to stay with your current US bank. Of course you might choose to open a new account each time you move as well.

  
  

  

  peter@nursetraveler.org

  

  Peter Mentz