The Hottest Job During a Pandemic? Travel Nurse
COVID-19 has caused head-spinning census shifts resulting in shortages of nurses in COVID “hot spots”, while other facilities furloughed nurses as they preserved resources for the predicted surge in cases. America quickly realized that there were not enough nurses in the areas that were hit hardest by the pandemic.
Travel nurses are a unique part of the nursing industry. While they make up only about 1% of nurses, their ranks are growing as increased numbers of nurses sign on to assist facilities in COVID-19 hot spots. American Mobile Healthcare, a travel nurse staffing agency, reports that more nurses have taken on travel assignments in 2020 than at any other time in their 30-year history. This shows just how far our nation’s nurses will go to help their fellow healthcare workers and provide excellent patient care.
Why Travel Nursing? Why Now?
- Travel nurses are in demand. Hospital staff is overwhelmed with COVID-19 and other patients while some nurses are falling ill with the virus, creating a tremendous need for a flexible nurse workforce to fill in the staffing gaps. Aya Healthcare, a travel nurse agency ranked as one of the top 150 places to work in 2019 by Becker’s Healthcare, currently lists over 12,000 nursing and allied healthcare jobs on their website.
- Travel nursing pays very well. The pre-pandemic salary for travel nurses averaged $1,673 per week. The pandemic has driven travel nurse pay to more than $4,000 per week (in some cases), with the average around $3,500. Keep in mind that these “crisis pay” rates are due to the pandemic, and the highest rates may only be available in areas with large numbers of COVID-19 cases.
- Travel agencies are providing more support for their travelers, including 24/7 hotlines and mental health resources.
Is Travel Nursing a Good Fit?
Travel nursing can be a fulfilling career, but it isn’t for everyone. Travel nurses must be able to adapt to new environments easily and have confidence in their nursing skills. Always being the new nurse and spending months away from home at a time can be stressful.
Additionally, travel nursing has shifted due to the pandemic. Despite the spike in compensation, many seasoned travel nurses are declining assignments out of fear of the virus or after experiencing burnout while working on the front lines. Today’s travel nurses have to be committed to their patients and constantly prepared to encounter a range of difficult situations. However, if you’re a nurse who enjoys traveling and thrives on challenges, a career in travel nursing may be the perfect fit.
Choosing a Travel Nursing Agency
When considering a travel nurse agency, it’s important for nurses to ask questions to ensure that they have the information they need to make the best decision for themselves. These questions might include:
- Does the agency provide a 24/7 hotline for clinical questions, as well as offer debriefing and mental help assistance?
- Can an incoming nurse speak with a nurse who is currently working in that area before committing to the assignment?
- How likely is it that a contract will be cancelled, and what does that mean for the employee?
- If I have to quarantine, will I still be paid?
- What expenses are paid by the agency?
- Can I go on an assignment with a friend?
Licensing Requirements
Most travel nurse agencies require an active registered nurse license (RN) in the state of residence. Some facilities request Bachelor’s-prepared nurses only. Typically, a travel nurse from a non-Nurse Licensure Compact state obtains a separate license in every state that they wish to work in. Nurses with compact nursing licenses can work in any compact state, but a new license is needed if they work in a non-compact state. However, the pandemic and its tendency to surge in various locations has resulted in states relaxing their compact licensing rules to allow out-of-state nurses to have rapid access to assignments.
Experience Counts
Most agencies require at least a year of experience, and some specialty areas are in higher demand than others. According to Cross Country Healthcare staffing agency executives, the agency has seen an increased need for travel nurses in ICU, telemetry, med-surg, and ER, with some new opportunities in the screener, contract tracer, and triage roles.
As long as the country continues to experience outbreaks of the virus, travel nurses will remain in high demand. Even if hospitals return to normal, this could result in a surge in elective surgeries and short-term staffing shortages.
If you’re an adventurous nurse seeking to make a difference in patients’ lives, now may be your time to shine in a demanding yet rewarding career as a travel nurse.
Nurses Influence the Health and Wellbeing of Patients Every Day
As individuals, nurses directly influence the health and wellbeing of patients every day. Through frequent contact, nurses are best placed to encourage lifestyle changes in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Changes in Nursing
Changes in nursing involve a major shift in higher education standards, requiring more nurses to hold a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Trades make a comeback with Gen Z Workers
America’s skilled trades — from nursing and plumbing to welding to construction — need more workers as boomers retire. Gen Z-ers are stepping up to fill…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Congratulations, Sumner College Graduates: Embracing New Beginnings
Congratulations to the new Sumner College nursing graduates. As the tassels are flipped and mortarboards soar into the sky, a chapter closes, and another begins.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
April BSN Info Sessions
Have you considered being a nurse and working in the healthcare industry? Attend an information meeting with Sumner College to learn more about the BSN…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The State of Wellness: Everything You Need to Know About the Oregon State Board of Nursing
You have likely heard about the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), but how does the organization interact with and support Oregon nurses? Join us…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
OCN Explores Nursing Wages in New Research
Article & Photo Shared from Oregon Center for Nursing How much do Oregon nurses really make? The well-being of Oregon’s nursing workforce is a guiding initiative for…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Classes Start Today!
March classes start today! Welcome to our new BSN, PN and RN-BSN students.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Alex – Sumner College Graduate
Alex, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Alexandra – Sumner College RN to BSN Graduate
Alexandra, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Renee – Sumner College Graduate
Renee, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Serena – Sumner College Graduate
Serena congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Amanda – Sumner College Graduate
Amanda, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Natalie – Sumner College Graduate
Natalie, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Now Hiring
Are you a healthcare educator? Sumner College is looking for our next Nursing Educator to join our team. This is a part time position. Read…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Erin – Sumner College Graduate
Erin, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Exploring the Vital Role of Nurses in Heart Health
Article Shared from DiversityNursing.com February is American Heart Month. It's important to promote cardiovascular health and explore the many ways Nurses are engaged in these…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Anne Marie – Sumner College Graduate
Anne Marie, congratulations on your graduation! As you've embarked on your nursing journey, remember: 'Nursing is not just a profession, it's a calling to serve,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Ranked Most Trusted Profession for 22nd Year
Article Shared from DiversityNursing.com In Gallup's 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll, Americans' evaluations of almost all 23 professions have experienced a decline compared to previous years.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Helpful Apps Every Nurse Should Have
Article shared from DiversityNursing.com Mobile apps have transformed how Nurses provide care to their patients. Smartphones allow Nurses easy access to applications designed to assist…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
DiversityNursing.com – Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources DiversityNursing.com is a Career Job Board, Community and Information Resource for all Nurses regardless of age, race, gender identity, religion, education, national origin,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How to Prepare for College – Oregon Goes to School
Article shared from Oregon Goes to College It’s a plan! No matter what grade you’re in, you can get ready for your future. Getting ready…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Clinical Partners
Sumner College clinical partnerships play a crucial role in advancing medical education and training. By offering opportunities for hands-on experience and mentorship, these collaborations help…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Commencement Ceremony
Save the date - April 6, 2024 for Sumner College's Commencement Ceremony. Celebrating cohorts: PN54, PN55, ADN23, RN-BSN10 and RN-BSN11 Congratulations to you all!! Tickets…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Healthcare Hero
Are you aspiring to be a healthcare hero? A common question from our nursing students at Sumner College is about the role of ER nurses…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Dynamic – Interactive – Rich with Real-world Relevance
RNs are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level with a BSN? Guess what - at Sumner College, you can achieve…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
ER Nursing
Have you been thinking, “How can I start my nursing career in an ER?" Begin by obtaining a solid understanding of nursing through an approved…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
LPN
At Sumner College, we understand the importance of every role in the nursing field, including the dedicated work of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). LPNs are…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Flexible – Balanced – Online RN to BSN
Wondering what it's like to pursue a nursing degree online? At Sumner College, our RN to BSN program fits the busy lives of working nurses…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing, beyond direct patient care
Thinking about a career in nursing but interested in roles beyond direct patient care? At Sumner College, we recognize that nursing offers diverse career paths,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn