If you want to become a travel nurse, you will need some credentials and a solid plan. Find a travel nursing agency that offers healthcare coverage, paid personalized housing and state license reimbursement.
Texas is a travel nurse hot spot that offers big-city living with an easy commute.
Find a Recruiter
When you’re ready to jump into travel nursing, the first step is finding a recruiter. Staffing agencies can help you sort out medical licenses, drug screens and other legal issues. They can also walk you through finding and signing a contract. Choosing the right agency will depend on your preferences, including geographic area, specialty and duration. You’ll also want to think about your circumstances, such as whether you need to find housing or other benefits like insurance while on assignment. You can research staffing agencies online or ask colleagues for recommendations. A smaller, boutique travel nurse agency may offer a more personalized experience. It has a highly dedicated travel nurse recruiter who prioritizes nurses, contract after contract. They understand that each nurse has unique skills and wants to explore the country in their way. This kind of personalized attention is rare in the world of travel nursing.
Get a Degree
Travel nursing is a great way to see the world, gain new skills, and make a difference in people’s lives. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires working well under pressure and adapting quickly to hospital-specific situations. It also requires flexibility since travel nurses often sign contracts for assignments that last several days, weeks, or even months and then move on to another location when their contract expires. In addition, many travel nurse agencies offer specialty certifications that can help boost their salary. These credentials show hospitals that nurses have expertise in a specific nursing area, making them more desirable workers. This can lead to higher pay rates and opportunities in more prestigious healthcare facilities. Negotiating your travel nurse pay package is crucial for this career path. It’s important to remember your bottom lines so you can say no to offers that aren’t a good fit for you. Plus, it helps to have strong organizational skills to manage changing schedules, licensure, housing, and contracts.
Negotiate Your Pay Package
Several factors can influence how much you earn on a travel nursing contract. A specialized certification can command higher wages. So can taking extra shifts or working overtime hours. Another factor is a state’s pay scale. Some states pay significantly more than others for travel nurses. A good way to determine if a salary is high enough is to compare it against what your peers earn in that same specialty in that location. But it’s also a good idea to talk to your recruiter about salary rates for other agencies in the area and things you are interested in. Becoming a travel nurse offers many benefits, including working in diverse healthcare settings and gaining valuable clinical experience. Travel nurses enjoy the flexibility to choose their assignments and locations, allowing them to explore new cities and cultures while advancing their careers. Additionally, travel nursing typically comes with competitive pay, bonuses, and benefits, making it a financially rewarding choice for healthcare professionals.
Find Housing
A travel nurse in TX offers plenty of opportunities to experience this amazing state. The high demand for nursing talent and competitive pay rates make Texas an attractive destination for travel nurses. Depending on your specialty, the types of hospitals you’re interested in, and the locations you prefer, travel nurse positions are available all over the state. The best way to find the job that’s right for you is to speak with a recruiter. The recruiter will ask about your desired travel destinations, skillsets, and preferences. Then, they’ll match you with an available assignment that meets your qualifications. Most travel nurse companies will provide free housing or a stipend to help you pay for your lodging. But you can also choose to find your place to live. This is especially convenient for travel nurses needing a permanent home base. This is because most travel nurses are contracted to a specific unit and then “float” to other teams that require their skill set.
Get Going
If you’re ready to start as a travel nurse, begin by finding a nursing agency. They’ll send you job opportunities and act as your go-between for the hospital that needs you. The average travel nursing contract lasts 13 weeks so you can experience new hospitals every few months. Some states require that you hold a license to work in them. But if you have a compact nursing license, you can work in any form that’s part of the nurse licensure compact. That’s especially important in Texas, where many hospitals are very busy. If you’re an RN with a bachelor’s degree, consider pursuing a master’s through WGU’s online programs. You can start the first of any month—no need to wait for a fall or spring semester.
