How Do You Become a Travel Nurse? (Requirements, Degree, Experience)
What this post will cover
ADN vs. BSN — what hospitals actually require for travel contracts.
How many years of bedside experience you really need (and why some agencies stretch the truth about this).
Compact license vs. single-state license, and which states are worth the extra paperwork.
The certifications that move your rate up: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NIHSS, and the specialty-specific ones.
What the first 90 days of being a traveler actually look like.
ADN vs. BSN: what hospitals actually require
I used to have a girlfriend, believe it or not. She was also a nurse — a travel nurse, with me. The only difference was that she had an ADN and I had a BSN. It made absolutely no difference in finding travel contracts. If you specifically want to become a nurse to get into travel nursing, an ADN will be just fine, and it is much more affordable and time-effective.
How much bedside experience you really need
Anywhere from one to two years of staff/full-time bedside experience will be plenty to find a travel assignment. Agencies are willing to round up your experience for the most part — they want you hired. As long as you are confident in your specialty, that is what matters most. Are you good with the pressure that can be put on you in a 12-hour MS/Tele shift or a demanding ED/ICU shift? If so, you are good. Make sure you are confident in your practice. That is what matters most.
Compact license vs. single-state license
Get the compact license if possible. This means you must reside in a compact state long enough to pay taxes there and get a driver's license there. And while you are at it, get new licenses paid for by your travel agency while you are under assignment with them. Do you want a license in Alaska, Hawaii, or New York? Apply and pay for the licenses during an assignment and ask your agency for reimbursement.
The first 90 days of being a travel nurse
The first 90 days of being a travel nurse — from finding a job with recruiters to your last week of a contract — is quite consistent and predictable, having gone through it more than 12 times now. The start is always the same predictable uncertainty. There is the excitement of applying to potential hospitals from New York to Hawaii and not knowing which hospital will accept you first. You have to live life on your toes. Be ready to drive or fly in any direction. Construct a mini game plan for each possible contract: affordable rentals, good gyms, grocery stores, and whether the area you found housing in looks decent enough to live in. I prioritize contracts and areas based on how much I could potentially save if I don't DoorDash every meal.
It goes like this. You get an offer in a novel city. You get excited — “yay, I'm going to San Diego!” You quickly browse your housing options and reach out to a few landlords. Then you have to do education and hospital onboarding, which always consists of modules, education, a drug test, a TB blood test, and a physical. Every. Time. You'll know the Concentra lab workers on a first-name basis. I buy them cookies sometimes, which helps move you up in line more quickly.
By the time you are all caught up on compliance and onboarding, you just have to secure that housing rental. Make sure you speak with property owners on Furnished Finder and get a sense that they are real and legitimate. Once you have some certainty, send them your deposit and documentation, and sign the lease. This often feels like a leap of faith, but most landlords understand the nature of our profession, and I haven't been scammed yet. Some travelers prefer to get to the city first and rent a hotel room for a week or two while exploring the area and finding longer-term housing rentals. Pack light and be flexible. It's quite the adventure.
You then start the contract. The first week is easy money — more modules and training/orientation. Sit back and enjoy the repetitive reminders on how to wash your hands and perform a POC blood glucose test. Once you get through that, you may get anywhere from one to three shifts with a preceptor. This is important to make sure you know the charting requirements and the location of supplies. Ask your questions here. Be confident and not afraid to ask for help. You then spread your wings and do your nursing thing for 11 more weeks on your own. Before you know it, it is time to extend or do it all over again.
One of the best things about travel nursing is that you do not have to commit to a place you don't like. You always have more excitement right around the corner. New hospital, new coworkers, time off, and a new city — all just an offer away.