What does a Travel Nurse do?

Travel Nurses play a vital role in helping hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and private practices maintain a full staff by accepting short-term positions. They fill vacant positions during staffing shortages, which ensures medical facilities can maintain high standards of care and continue to see patients according to their regular schedules.
 
As a result, a Travel Nurse can directly affect patient outcomes and satisfaction rates. Travel Nurses also positively contribute to employee morale by alleviating stress and strain on other care team members.

Travel Nurse skills and qualifications

Travel Nurses need a mix of technical nursing and people skills to build trust and rapport with patients. Examples of skills and qualifications of Travel Nurses include:

• Effective communication skills to interact with patients and other healthcare providers
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and diseases
• Flexibility to work in different departments and take on tasks assigned in each location
• Familiarity with medical equipment commonly used in healthcare settings, such as vital signs monitors, ventilators and infusion pumps
• In-depth understanding of the latest standards of care for treating medical conditions
• Attentiveness to detail when administering medications, updating records and performing other tasks accurately
• Computer skills for scheduling, emailing, managing patient records and using software programs
• Ability to remain upright and mobile for long periods and move patients and heavy equipment

Travel Nurse experience requirements

While Nurses receive hands-on training during nursing school programs, Travel Nurses may benefit from additional work experience. Candidates with more nursing experience may be better able to quickly adapt to their assigned duties and meet your practice’s staffing needs.
 
The required experience necessary for success depends on the nature of the open position. If your new hire will be responsible for supervising other nurses or performing more complex tasks independently, you may prefer to hire a Travel Nurse with several years of experience. One or two years of experience may be adequate for positions that involve more routine responsibilities.

Travel Nurse education and training requirements

To work as a Travel Nurse at your practice or facility, a candidate must typically hold an RN license in your state. In most cases, licensing rules require prospective Nurses to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree from a state-approved nursing program and pass a national examination called the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

If you’re hiring for a position that requires specific skills or experience with a certain patient population, you may wish to prioritize candidates who hold relevant certifications. For example, a Travel Nurse working in oncology may benefit from having the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) certification granted by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCN). However, a Travel Nurse whose shifts will be in the emergency department may need the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification from the American Heart Association.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description isn’t what you need for your organization, consider these descriptions for similar positions:

• Registered Nurse
• Nurse Manager
• Home Health Nurse
• Nurse Practitioner

Travel Nurse job description FAQs

Who does a Travel Nurse report to?

A Travel Nurse usually works for an agency, which handles the assignments and administrative part of the job. The agency serves as a point of contact for questions or concerns. Once at a job site, the Travel Nurse reports to the Charge Nurse, Nursing Supervisor or another department lead as they would in any healthcare setting. The Physicians who work in the facility also direct Travel Nurses as needed to carry out patient care plans.

What should you look for in a Travel Nurse resume?

When reading applicant resumes, look for diverse nursing experiences. Candidates who have worked in different healthcare settings or departments can bring a wide range of skills to their short-term assignments. A Travel Nurse who has completed advanced or continuing education classes also brings more to the table, as does someone with a certification in a specific nursing field.

What qualities make a good Travel Nurse?

A good Travel Nurse loves change and experiencing new places. Every assignment is different, so they need to be able to adapt to change and jump into new assignments quickly. It’s also important for them to exercise patience and empathy when working with patients.