Travel Nursing: Exciting Career Opportunities For Nurses

If you're a nurse who loves to travel, you're in luck! There are numerous opportunities for you to combine your passion for healthcare with your sense of adventure. One option is to become a travel nurse, where you can work in various locations, fill staffing shortages, and enjoy flexible assignments. Travel nurses are typically registered nurses who work on a contract basis for specified periods before transitioning to new job assignments. They can choose when and where they want to work and often receive benefits such as competitive pay, housing stipends, and travel reimbursements. Another option is to pursue a career in international travel nursing, where you can find opportunities in destinations like Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. International travel nursing allows you to experience new cultures and gain exposure to different medical procedures. So, whether you want to explore new cities or experience life in a different country, there are plenty of exciting possibilities for nurses who love to travel.

Flight/Transport Nursing

Flight nurses, also known as transport nurses, are registered nurses who are trained to provide medical care while transporting patients in rotorcraft (helicopters) or fixed-wing aircraft (planes). They work with other medical professionals, such as paramedics and physicians, to ensure the safe transport of patients, often in critical or emergency situations.

Qualifications and Experience

To become a flight nurse, you must first be a Registered Nurse with a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Gaining experience in the ICU or ER is essential, with most employers seeking candidates with 3-5 years of combined experience in these areas. Familiarity with basic navigation and flight aspects is beneficial.

Certifications

Certifications are a crucial aspect of becoming a flight nurse. The following are often required:

• Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certificate (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certificate (PALS)
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Trauma program certifications such as Transport Nurse Advanced Trauma Course (TPATC) or Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS)

Daily Duties and Challenges

The daily routine of a flight nurse involves checking aircraft and equipment, including cleaning and ensuring the expiration of medications. They are on call and ready to respond to transport requests, often in emergency or trauma situations. Flight nurses must be adaptable, quick-thinking, and calm under pressure, as they work with limited resources and space.

Professional Organisations and Resources

The Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA) is a valuable resource for flight nurses, offering support, education, and advancement in the field. Other organisations include the International Association of Flight Paramedics (IAFCCP) and the National EMS Pilots Association (NEMPSA).

Salary and Work Hours

The average salary for a flight nurse is $81,093 per year, with some earning up to $105,000. They may work 24-hour shifts and be on call for 6 to 8 shifts a month.

Flight nursing is a challenging but rewarding career, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on patients' lives. It requires dedication, a strong medical background, and the ability to remain calm and proactive in high-pressure situations.

Cruise Ship Nursing

Job Description and Responsibilities:

Nurses on cruise ships are responsible for providing basic and emergency nursing care. They work closely with the ship's doctor to attend to patients visiting the clinic and provide individualized outpatient, inpatient, and ICU care. They act as first responders, triaging emergency calls, assessing and treating patients on-scene, and transferring them to the medical center if needed. In addition to patient care, cruise ship nurses also perform technical and non-clinical administrative tasks, such as equipment checks, medicine and inventory management, and participating in drills, audits, and inspections. They may also be involved in training other crew members and learning new technical skills, such as X-ray acquisition.

Work Hours and Rota:

The main working hours for nurses on a cruise ship are typically morning and evening clinics, with a couple of hours at the start and end of normal business hours. Outside of these clinic hours, nurses share a duty rota, with a designated nurse on call to respond to any out-of-clinic medical calls. If there are in-patients, a nurse is required to remain in the medical center to provide ongoing care.

Benefits and Perks:

Nurses on cruise ships usually enjoy a range of benefits and perks. They are typically provided with a single cabin and have access to ship amenities and entertainment. They may also have free gym access and discounted prices in onboard shops and spas. Additionally, cruise ship nurses often have a good amount of free time to enjoy the entertainment and go ashore at the various destinations the ship visits.

Qualifications and Requirements:

To work as a nurse on a cruise ship, you must be a registered nurse with a valid license from an appropriate government or national regulatory body. Most cruise lines also require at least three years of postgraduate clinical experience in emergency medicine, acute care, or ICU, with the most recent work experience in a clinical setting. Strong interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills are essential, and computer literacy is often preferred.

Application and Onboarding Process:

The application process for cruise ship nursing positions typically involves submitting a cover letter, resume, and certified copies of professional qualifications and licenses. Interviews are usually conducted virtually, and successful applicants will go through a comprehensive onboarding process, including credentialing, medical fitness examinations, and obtaining the necessary travel documents and visas.

Contract Length and Salary:

Contract lengths for cruise ship nurses can vary, typically ranging from 8 to 16 weeks, with a similar amount of time off between contracts. The salary and benefits for cruise ship nurses can differ depending on the company and role. While specific salary information for cruise ship nursing is not readily available, it is worth noting that travel nurses, in general, can earn an attractive salary, with the potential for additional benefits such as medical coverage, sign-on bonuses, and stipends.

Camp Nursing

During a nursing camp, students can expect to engage in a variety of activities and learning experiences. One of the highlights is job shadowing, where they get to spend time with Registered Nurses (RNs) and observe their daily routines and responsibilities. This gives students a realistic glimpse into the life of a nurse and helps them understand the challenges and rewards of the profession.

Nursing camps also offer a range of healthcare-themed activities and simulations. Students may have the chance to experiment with different medical equipment, tour simulation labs, and even try their hand at giving injections to mannequins. These practical experiences provide a deeper understanding of the skills required in nursing and can be both educational and fun.

Some camps also focus on teaching pragmatic skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which can be invaluable in emergency situations. Additionally, students may gain valuable insights into the college application process and a better understanding of college life in general. Overnight camps may also include recreational activities like bowling, fostering a well-rounded experience.

The cost of nursing camps varies widely. While some elite camps can be expensive, there are also free or low-cost options available, ensuring that students from diverse economic backgrounds have access to these valuable opportunities. Scholarships may also be available for certain camps. Nursing camps can be found in various states across the US, including Washington, Ohio, and Wisconsin, each offering a range of programs to suit different needs and interests.

Humanitarian Nursing

Humanitarian nurses address an enormous need worldwide. According to the United Nations, nearly 168 million people needed humanitarian assistance and protection in 2020, and this number is projected to increase to over 200 million by 2022. Climate-related disasters, such as storms, floods, earthquakes, and droughts, displace millions each year, and humanitarian nurses are crucial in responding to these crises. For example, during the cyclones that hit Southern Africa in 2019, humanitarian nurses set up mobile clinics, supplied clean water, distributed medical supplies, and fought cholera and other waterborne diseases.

In addition to natural disasters, humanitarian nurses also respond to man-made emergencies, such as transportation disasters, industrial accidents, and health crises caused by armed conflicts. They may work in refugee camps, providing primary care, disease prevention, and reproductive health services. Nurses working in conflict zones often have to treat large numbers of patients with severe injuries and are more likely to encounter victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

The work of humanitarian nurses extends beyond immediate crisis response. They also play a vital role in fighting infectious and non-communicable diseases, such as cholera, Ebola, COVID-19, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. These diseases disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, and humanitarian nurses help fill the gap in healthcare access.

To become a humanitarian nurse, individuals must first obtain a degree in nursing and a valid license to practice in their country of residence. Organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) typically require nurses to have a minimum of three years of experience, along with specialized post-degree clinical experience or recent field experience. Proficiency in English is essential, and knowledge of other languages, such as French, Arabic, Spanish, or Russian, is advantageous.

Resort Nursing

Working in resort nursing offers a unique opportunity to combine a passion for travel and nursing in a hospitality setting. Resort nursing involves providing nursing care in a resort-style environment, often including additional amenities and services to enhance the well-being of guests or residents.

Job Description

Resort nurses typically work in senior living communities, rehabilitation centres, or holiday resorts. They are responsible for providing comprehensive nursing care to guests, residents, or patients, ensuring their comfort and safety. This may include performing nursing tasks according to individual care plans, administering medication, educating patients on their health, and overseeing daily first aid operations.

Qualifications and Requirements

To become a resort nurse, you generally need to be a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing or a related field. Previous experience in nursing, preferably in a similar setting, is often preferred. Employers may also look for skills such as strong interpersonal and communication abilities, organisation, and a dedication to providing excellent patient care.

Benefits and Perks

Examples of Resort Nursing Employers

• The Medical Resort at Willowbrook, Houston, TX
• Ignite Medical Resort, Fort Worth, TX
• Mirabella, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA
• The Healthcare Resort of Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
• Gateway Recovery Center, Brooklyn Park, MN

Frequently asked questions