How to Train to Be a Travel Nurse
Nurses are a vital part of the health care profession. A nurse may choose to work in any number of fields and settings and for different employers such as hospitals and nursing homes. One such employer is a travel nursing agency. Travel nursing agencies specialize in the temporary employment of nurses in all 50 states. A nurse may work in one state for three months, and then go to an entirely different region on the next job. Most nurses first gain work experience in a hospital or other setting before they become travel nurses.
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Instructions
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Complete your undergraduate training. Most travel nurse agencies prefer to hire registered nurses. The quickest way to become an RN is to complete a 2-year program in a school of nursing or community college. During this time you will learn the basics of nursing procedures and gain a foundation in medical sciences.
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Pass your state's National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, to get your nursing license. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that measure your knowledge of nursing subjects.
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Pass licensing exams in other states as needed. Some states have reciprocal licensing agreements, but others require you to pass an additional NCLEX. Investigate the requirements for the states where you would like to work and be prepared to travel there to take the tests. Some countries might have additional requirements if you want to work abroad. A staffing agency can help you find such opportunities and let you know the requirements for work overseas.
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Work for a hospital full-time. Many travel nursing agencies prefer candidates who have at least two years of full-time experience. Many travel nursing jobs are hospital assignments. The experience will help you better understand how a hospital works and improve your patient care skills. As a travel nurse you may be in an unfamiliar setting and need to adjust quickly. Full-time staff work can also prepare you to work with supervisors who expect you to assume job responsibilities with minimal training and supervision.
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Work for a temporary nursing staffing agency. These agencies specialize in providing nurses with local assignments on a per-diem basis. As a temporary nurse you will have the opportunity to gain exposure to different hospital settings and practices. Such experience can help you learn to work well in surroundings that may be unfamiliar at first.
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