{"id":18,"date":"2025-07-03T04:34:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T04:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/?p=18"},"modified":"2025-07-03T04:34:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T04:34:38","slug":"how-to-become-a-travel-nurse-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/?p=18","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Travel Nurse: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nursing field is currently\u00a0experiencing a shortage\u00a0that is expected to increase: studies show 100,000 nurses have left the field since 2020, and more than half a million plan to go by 2027.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aha.org\/news\/headline\/2023-04-13-study-projects-nursing-shortage-crisis-will-continue-without-concerted-action\"><sup>1,<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37035777\/\"><sup>2\u00a0<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0Fortunately, travel nurses are working to fill these gaps and are reaping the benefits of higher pay and better work-life balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn the steps to become a travel nurse and explore how the\u00a0University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences School of Nursing\u00a0can help you achieve your career dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/How-to-Become-a-Travel-Nurse-1024x536.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/How-to-Become-a-Travel-Nurse-1024x536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/How-to-Become-a-Travel-Nurse-300x157.webp 300w, https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/How-to-Become-a-Travel-Nurse-768x402.webp 768w, https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/How-to-Become-a-Travel-Nurse.webp 1201w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is a Travel Nurse?<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/content-hub\/resources\/nursing-resources\/how-to-become-travel-nurse\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A travel nurse works a temporary contract to fill gaps in coverage in underserved areas<\/strong>.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/content-hub\/resources\/nursing-resources\/how-to-become-travel-nurse\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;For example, you might fill in for a nurse in a pediatrics office who is on maternity leave for ten weeks, or you might work in an ER for two weeks while they hire a full-time employee after a suddenly vacant position. These temporary jobs are also common in underserved locations, such as urban or rural areas, or areas with significant patient fluctuation, such as tourist areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can opt to renew your contract or move on to another position at the end of your contract.<strong>&nbsp;If you love the job and facility, you may be able to sign on full-time.<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/content-hub\/resources\/nursing-resources\/how-to-become-travel-nurse\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Do Travel Nurses Do?<a href=\"https:\/\/nursejournal.org\/careers\/travel-nurse\/\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Care for the patients on your caseload<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interact with patients and their families<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Administer medication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborate with other members of a patient\u2019s care team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As a travel nurse, you\u2019ll be expected to fully engage from day one.&nbsp; You\u2019ll have to adapt quickly to new systems, technology and expectations.<\/strong>&nbsp;As part of your travel nurse job description, you\u2019ll report to the lead nurse, just like every other nurse on the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Become a Travel Nurse<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/content-hub\/resources\/nursing-resources\/how-to-become-travel-nurse\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re wondering what the steps are to become a travel nurse, here are the seven steps to follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Earn a BSN Degree<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Travel nurse education requirements start with a degree in nursing. One of the main qualifications for travel nurse opportunities is an&nbsp;<strong>associate\u2019s degree (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)<\/strong>. This process can take two to four years, depending on the travel nurse degree and program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Prepare to Sit for the NCLEX-RN Exam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply for licensure or registration to your state\u2019s nursing regulatory body (NRB) to start the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) registration process.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nclex.com\/register.page\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;Once you meet these travel nurse qualifications,&nbsp;<strong>you have one year to register to take the test with Pearson VUE and pay your testing fee.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Take and Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next,&nbsp;<strong>take the NCLEX-RN<\/strong>. The exam, which is one of the key travel nurse requirements, covers the management of care, pharmacological and parenteral therapies and basic comfort and care, and you\u2019ll take it online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Obtain RN Licensure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next in the steps to become a travel nurse is to apply for RN licensure. If you only want to practice in your state, you can apply through your state board of nursing. If you want to\u00a0practice in multiple states,\u00a0<strong>apply for a multistate license from the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which includes 43 member jurisdictions.<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursecompact.com\/\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To apply, you\u2019ll pay a fee, pass a background check and submit evidence of degree completion and your NCLEX-RN scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Gain Field Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As most nurses need to be able to hit the ground running, one of the requirements to be a travel nurse is to gain at least one-two years of field experience.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/content-hub\/resources\/nursing-resources\/how-to-become-travel-nurse\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a>&nbsp;<strong>Most nurse staffing agencies have travel nurse requirements of at least one year of experience in your specialty, but some may require more.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common travel nurse specialties include:<a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelnursing.org\/nursing-specialties\/\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emergency Room (ER)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intensive Care Unit (ICU)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Neonatal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Labor and Delivery (L&amp;D)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pediatric<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Level Up Your Travel Nurse Degree<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To maximize your success as a travel nurse, earn an advanced travel nurse degree or a\u00a0post-graduate nursing certificate\u00a0in your role specialty.\u00a0<strong>A travel nurse certification or advanced degree may qualify you for more positions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the terminal degree for nurses, the\u00a0DNP\u00a0includes training in system leadership, evidence-based practices and healthcare policy. This level of travel nurse schooling prepares you for leadership roles in the nursing field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earning an advanced nursing degree\u00a0will also help you maximize your travel nurse qualifications, which can increase your earning potential.\u00a0<strong>For example, an RN makes an average base salary of $91,000, but an RN with a master\u2019s degree earns $106,000 and a DNP earns $115,000.<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Certification=Registered_Nurse_(RN)\/Salary\"><strong><sup>8<\/sup><\/strong><\/a><strong><sup>,\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Degree=Master_of_Science_in_Nursing_(MSN)\/Salary\"><strong><sup>9<\/sup><\/strong><\/a><strong><sup>,\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.payscale.com\/research\/US\/Degree=Doctor_of_Nursing_Practice_(DNP)\/Salary\"><strong><sup>10<\/sup><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Find a Nurse Staffing Agency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the last steps to become a travel nurse is to find a nurse staffing agency. These agencies work with healthcare providers to find travel nurses to fill short-term positions in exchange for a percentage of your contract.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nursingworld.org\/content-hub\/resources\/nursing-resources\/how-to-become-travel-nurse\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>While you can find travel nurse positions on your own, it\u2019s a time-consuming process.<\/strong>&nbsp;Nurse staffing agencies make this much more manageable. They may also provide health insurance and retirement benefits you wouldn\u2019t receive working a short-term job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve signed up with a nurse staffing agency, they\u2019ll send you job opportunities and serve as the go-between for you and the facility that needs you. They can help you find housing and advocate on your behalf if any problems arise in your contract.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The nursing field is currently\u00a0experiencing a shortage\u00a0that is expected to increase: studies show 100,000 nurses<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18\/revisions\/20"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studyguideinfo.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}