How Travel Nurses Can Secure Hospital Work Directly

can a travel nurse contact a hospital directly for work

Travel nurses are temporary workers who are hired to fill in staffing gaps at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They are usually employed by a travel nursing agency, which acts as a middleman between the nurse and the hospital. However, in some cases, travel nurses can become independent contractors and contact hospitals directly for work. This option gives nurses more control but also requires them to handle additional responsibilities such as taxes, housing, insurance, and finding their next assignment. While working with an agency is often the more convenient choice, going independent can be advantageous for nurses who want to maximize their income and have more flexibility.

Characteristics Values
Work Travel nurses are temporary workers who fill in staffing gaps at hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Contract Length Contracts traditionally last 13 weeks but can be shorter or longer.
Qualifications RN License, 1-3 years of clinical nursing experience, strong clinical skills, adaptability, excellent communication skills, and certain certifications.
Pay Travel nurses earn higher salaries than staff nurses, averaging $114,560 per year.
Housing Travel nurses can choose between agency-placed housing or a housing stipend to find their own accommodation.
Benefits Travel nurses may receive medical, dental, and retirement benefits, but these typically end when the assignment ends.
Taxes Travel nurses employed by an agency have taxes deducted from their pay, while independent contractors must handle their own taxes.
Work Environment A positive work environment, including appropriate challenges, collaboration, control, and support, is key to improving patient outcomes.

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Hospitals offering internal travel nurse programs

In recent years, hospitals and health systems have increasingly turned to third-party staffing agencies to address shortages of clinicians and other healthcare professionals. However, this approach has several drawbacks, including high costs and a constant turnover of unfamiliar nurses. To overcome these issues, many hospitals are now offering internal travel nurse programs, which allow nurses to work for the same employer while enjoying the flexibility and higher pay associated with travel nursing.

Internal travel nurse programs offer short-term contracts and high pay, often without the same benefits as full-time permanent staff. These programs are designed to attract healthcare professionals to hard-to-fill areas and retain local staff, ultimately lowering costs for hospitals.

  • Bronson Healthcare, Kalamazoo, MI
  • UPMC
  • Mercy Health System (across four states: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana)
  • Advent Health (in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin)
  • UC Health Colorado
  • OSF HealthCare, Illinois
  • Banner Health, Phoenix, AZ
  • HonorHealth, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Bon Secours Mercy Health
  • Mercy Health, Portland ME
  • University Hospitals Health Systems, Cleveland, Ohio
  • UVA Health Charlottesville
  • MON Health Morgantown, WV

The above list is not exhaustive, and more hospitals are expected to launch internal travel nurse programs in the future.

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Pros and cons of signing with a travel nursing agency

Pros of signing with a travel nursing agency:

  • Higher pay: Travel nurses typically earn more than staff nurses.
  • Tax-free benefits: Travel nurses receive tax-free benefits for lodging, travel, and meals when working away from their home state.
  • Travel opportunities: Travel nurses can work and live in a variety of locations, allowing them to explore new places and experience different living environments.
  • Flexible schedule: Travel nurses have control over their income and work-life balance by choosing when and where to work. They can also take breaks between assignments.
  • Networking opportunities: Working in various healthcare settings and meeting professionals from different medical fields allows travel nurses to expand their professional network.
  • Agency perks: Travel nursing agencies may offer perks such as high pay rates, flexible contracts, full/part-time options, recruiter support, overtime availability, weekly pay, allowances, customised benefits packages, insurance, and reimbursements for licenses and certifications.
  • Work-life balance: The option to take breaks between assignments means travel nurses can spend more time with family and friends when not working.
  • Minimal work politics: Travel nurses can generally avoid workplace politics, such as committees and meetings, as they are not tied to a specific organisation.
  • Negotiable contracts: Travel nursing contracts are often negotiable, allowing nurses to have a say in their pay and working conditions.
  • Job security: As travel nurses are in high demand, there is a constant need for their services, providing job security.

Cons of signing with a travel nursing agency:

  • Unfamiliar environments: Travel nurses constantly find themselves in new and unfamiliar work and living environments, which can be challenging and lonely.
  • Inconsistent salary: Pay rates vary depending on the contract, location, and employer, leading to inconsistent income.
  • Job searching: Travel nurses need to actively seek new contracts and may have to interview for each one, which can be time-consuming and uncertain.
  • Multiple state licenses: Working in different states may require obtaining multiple state licenses, which can be a complicated and slow process.
  • Varying benefits: Benefits may differ depending on the location and whether an agency is involved, and some benefits may be lacking compared to staff nurses.
  • Housing challenges: Finding suitable housing for each assignment can be tricky, even with a housing stipend provided.
  • Less control over schedule: Travel nurses may not always get their preferred work schedule and may have to work night, weekend, or holiday shifts.
  • Career development limitations: As travel nurses are not full-time staff, they may miss out on career advancement opportunities offered to permanent staff.
  • Homesickness: Constant travelling and being away from family and friends can lead to homesickness.

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Qualifications and experience needed to become a travel nurse

To become a travel nurse, there are several qualifications and a certain level of experience you need to meet. Here is a detailed list of the requirements:

Education

To become a registered nurse (RN), you must first earn an undergraduate nursing degree. You can either obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN typically takes two years to complete and offers a faster route to becoming an RN. On the other hand, a BSN is a four-year degree that provides a higher level of training and clinical experience, making it the preferred choice for many travel nurse agencies and large healthcare systems.

Licensure

All registered nurses must be licensed in the state where they practice. As a travel nurse, you will need to apply for licensure in the state where you have permanent residency. However, with the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), you can practice in other participating states without obtaining additional licenses. Currently, 39 states are part of the NLC or are in the process of implementing it. If your destination state is not part of the NLC, you will need to apply for a license in that specific state before starting your assignment.

Certification

In addition to the required RN licensure, travel nurses need to maintain common certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS). While there are no specific certifications required to be a travel nurse, obtaining in-demand, nationally recognized certifications like Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) or Certified Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) can enhance your job prospects and qualifications.

Clinical Experience

Most travel nurse agencies require a minimum of one to two years of clinical experience as an RN. Some healthcare facilities or contracts may mandate even more experience, especially for high-acuity specialties. This experience is crucial because travel nurses often have limited orientation and training periods before starting their assignments.

Skills

Travel nursing demands a particular set of skills due to the frequent changes in work environments. Besides the fundamental nursing skills, travel nurses should possess exceptional communication skills and a high level of adaptability to seamlessly integrate into diverse teams and settings.

Specialization

While not mandatory, specializing in certain areas can increase your employability and salary as a travel nurse. In-demand specializations include intensive care unit (ICU), medical-surgical, operating room, and emergency room nursing. Additionally, specializations in neonatal nursing and pediatrics are often sought after.

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Pay and benefits of travel nurses

Travel nurses can expect to earn more than the average staff nurse. The average salary for a travel nurse in 2023 was $114,591, compared to $86,070 for a staff nurse. Travel nurses can expect to earn up to $2,300 per week, with an average of $2,096 per week, or $107,016 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on location, type of nursing position, length of contract, and specialty. For example, travel nurses in Nevada earn a median rate of $2,486 per week, while in New Jersey, the average weekly contract for travel nurses was $4,405 during a nurse strike.

Travel nurses are often paid a "total pay package", which includes an hourly base wage plus additional incentives such as sign-on or referral bonuses, travel reimbursements, stipends for housing, food, and mileage, and non-taxable reimbursements. These extra stipends can add up to a significant amount, especially when combined with the higher base pay.

In terms of benefits, travel nurses may receive health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as retirement options such as 401(k) plans. They may also receive licensing reimbursements if they need to get licensed in a new state, and some agencies offer certification and licensure reimbursements. Additionally, travel nurses have more control over their careers, choosing where they want to work, the communities they serve, and their time off.

Travel nursing also offers non-monetary benefits, such as exposure to diverse patient populations, hospital environments, and clinical experiences, which can enhance their skills and confidence. They can build a diverse resume, gain independence, and experience different places and cultures without long-term commitments.

For hospitals, offering internal travel nurse programs can be a way to attract healthcare professionals to hard-to-fill areas, retain local staff, and lower costs that would otherwise be paid to external travel nurse agencies. These programs typically offer short-term contracts, high pay, and sometimes limited benefits.

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How to become a travel nurse

While travel nurses are usually hired through staffing agencies, some hospitals do offer internal travel nurse programs where nurses are directly employed by the hospital. In this case, travel nurses can contact the hospital directly for work. However, it is more common for travel nurses to be employed by external staffing agencies that specialise in providing temporary nursing staff to various healthcare facilities.

  • Understand the role of a travel nurse: Travel nurses work for independent staffing companies that recruit registered nurses (RNs) to fill positions across the United States and abroad. They help address staffing issues and fill temporary gaps when nurses take vacations, leaves, or move to different hospitals or medical facilities. Travel nurses work on short-term contracts that can last from a few days to several months, with potential opportunities for international work.
  • Earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): To become a travel nurse, you must first obtain your nursing degree. An ADN offers the fastest pathway to becoming an RN, typically completed in two years or less. On the other hand, a BSN provides a higher level of training and clinical experience, enhancing your employment opportunities. It usually takes four years to complete.
  • Pass the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) and obtain your state nursing license: After earning your degree, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse. This exam covers various topics, including nursing practice, patient education, legal and ethical issues, and patient communication. Once you pass the exam and meet the board of nursing requirements in your state, you will be eligible to apply for RN licensure.
  • Gain clinical nursing experience: Most travel nurse staffing agencies require applicants to have a minimum of one to three years of clinical nursing experience. This experience allows you to develop the skills and background necessary to work independently in different specialisations, such as surgical, neonatal, critical care, or pediatrics.
  • Find a reputable travel nurse staffing agency and apply: Research and compare different travel nurse staffing agencies based on their available positions, benefits packages, alliances with hospitals and healthcare networks, and geographic areas they serve. You can use online rating services, lead generation websites, colleague referrals, and professional networking sites to find and evaluate potential agencies.
  • Interview and prepare for your travel nurse assignment: After completing the necessary paperwork and interviews, your agency will help you find placements. Once matched with an organisation, you will need to make housing arrangements, as some organisations only provide basic accommodations.
  • Maintain certifications and licences: As a travel nurse, it is important to maintain your RN licence and any relevant certifications, such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Additionally, if you work across multiple states, you may need to apply for licensure in each state, depending on their specific requirements.
  • Adapt to new environments: As a travel nurse, you will frequently change work environments, so it is crucial to adapt quickly and effectively. Develop exceptional communication skills to integrate smoothly into new work settings and become a valued member of the team.

By following these steps, you can embark on a rewarding career as a travel nurse, enjoying the flexibility to work in diverse locations and gain a variety of professional experiences.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, a travel nurse can contact a hospital directly for work. Travel nurses can either sign up with a travel nursing agency or, in some cases, become an independent contractor. Hospitals offer internal travel nurse programs to attract healthcare professionals to hard-to-fill areas and offer high pay.

Travel nursing provides advantages to nurses who value flexibility in their careers and don't want to be locked into one facility or specialty. It also helps nurses gain new skills and valuable experience by exposing them to different regional nursing procedures and patient populations. Additionally, travel nurses generally earn higher salaries than staff nurses.

To become a travel nurse, you need to be a Registered Nurse with typically 12-18 months of hospital-based RN experience in your field. Some facilities may require more experience, especially for high-acuity specialties.

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