How to become a travel nurse

How to become a Travel Nurse

Becoming a travel nurse involves a combination of education, licensure, clinical experience, and often working with a staffing agency. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Complete High School or Equivalent
Start by earning a high school diploma or GED. Focus on science courses such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy, as they provide a sound foundation for nursing studies.

Enroll in an Accredited Nursing Program
You’ll need to complete an approved nursing program to qualify for licensure. This can be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or a nursing diploma from a hospital-based program. Four-year BSN programs, increasingly preferred by employers, are often required for specialty or high-demand travel nursing positions. ADN and diploma programs usually take two to three years.

Program coursework should cover anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care.

Gain Clinical Experience
During your nursing education, you’ll complete supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. These hands-on experiences in specialty areas such as ICU, ER, and med-surg help you apply what you’ve learned and develop essential patient care skills.

Pass the Licensing Exam
After completing your program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam tests your knowledge and ability to work independently, handle complex cases, and provide safe, effective care across various patient situations.

Apply for Licensure
Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, apply for licensure through your state’s nursing regulatory board. Each state has its own process and requirements, which may include background checks and proof of education.

Acquire Licensure in Multiple States (If Required)
If traveling across state lines you may need the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), an agreement between states that allows nurse to have one compact state nursing license which gives them the ability to practise in other states that are part of the agreement. Nurses who travel to jurisdictions which do not participate in the NLC are required to obtain individual state licenses for each assignment location.

Begin Your Nursing Career
After obtaining your license, you can start working as a registered nurse in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, schools, or community health organizations.

Find a Travel Nursing Agency
Apply to staffing agencies that place travel nurses in short-term assignments.

Consider Earning a Graduate Degree
While not mandatory, some travel nurses pursue advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), to qualify for higher-paying or highly specialized assignments.

Certifications
Travel nurses can earn specialized certifications in various healthcare sectors, typically requiring a combination of clinical experience, continuing education, and passing an examination. Here are some key credentials and professional designations for RNs and travel nurses:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) / Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) / Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – Offered by the American Heart Association (AHA), these certifications are essential for nurses who work in hospitals or emergency settings. They teach critical skills for responding to cardiac and respiratory emergencies.
• Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) – Administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), this certification is for nurses who provide care to acutely or critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), cardiac care units (CCUs), or trauma centers.
• Registered Nurse Certified in Inpatient Obstetrics (RNC-OB) – This is the most common certification for registered nurses who care for hospitalized patients during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. It is offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) – Offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), this certification recognizes expertise in emergency nursing and is ideal for RNs and travel nurses working in emergency departments.
• Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) – Administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), this certification is for RNs, including travel nurses, who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents.
• Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) – Administered by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), this certification is for nurses who work in general medical and surgical hospital units, demonstrating advanced knowledge in adult health.
• Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) – Offered by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC), this certification recognizes RNs with expertise in caring for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
• Certified Perioperative Nurse / Certified Nurse-Operating Room (CNOR) – Provided by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI), this certification is for perioperative nurses who assist before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Certified in Public Health (CPH) – The CPH credential is the only credential of its kind for public health that demonstrates knowledge of key public health sciences, but also a commitment to the field through continuing education focused on emerging and established public health issues.
• Other Helpful Certifications – Various organizations and institutions offer training and certification in other areas, including IV therapy, wound care, and telemetry.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the travel nursing and wider nursing communities:

• American Nurses Association (ANA) – ANA is the national organization representing all RNs working in the US. It offers resources on licensing, ethics, continuing education, and professional development.
• Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) – TNAA supports travel nurses with education, networking, and assignment resources.
• American Travel Health Nurses Association (ATHNA) – Recognized by the ANA in 2020, travel health nursing is the specialized nursing practice that advances the wellbeing of all travelers in all phases / stages of travel, both domestic and international.
• Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) – ENA focuses on emergency nursing, offering resources and support for travel nurses in ER settings.
• Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) – AORN provides education and certification for nurses in surgical settings.
• National Association of School Nurses (NASN) – NASN supports nurses working in school health settings, including those on temporary assignments.