4 Key Travel Nursing Questions Answered
By Aaron Moore, MSN, RN-BC, travel nurse expert
Frequently asked questions, or FAQs, are popular on websites--and among nursing colleagues. So I thought I would share some of the top travel nursing questions that I am commonly asked.
If you’ve ever had questions about travel nursing, read on to get the scoop from someone who’s been there, done that.
Answers to 4 top questions about travel nursing
1. Can I take a travel assignment with a friend?
Heck yes! And I recommend it. Adventure is much better shared.
If you want to travel with another travel nurse, a recruiter can work with both of you to find assignments. (The taxable status of your housing benefits could be affected if you’re sharing accommodations, though, so check out your options thoroughly.)
If you prefer to “go it alone,” you’ll obviously still have the opportunity to meet people and make some amazing lifelong friends as you travel. But if I were to choose, I would opt to travel with a friend. There are many benefits to traveling with a friend or family member.
2. Do travel nurses receive insurance?
Yes, most travel nursing companies offer medical, dental and life insurance for the traveler. Other coverages may be optional.
I was lucky enough to travel with my wife. I just opted to pay the co-payment for her to have the same plan as me with the company.
It is important to ask about all your travel nursing benefits when looking for a staffing agency, including whether you are covered between assignments. Many offer great coverage to fit their nurses’ mobile lifestyles.
3. How does a travel nurse job look on my resume?
Amazingly good! My resume screams talent, and trust me I’m no better than any other ER nurse out there. I come to work and do my job.
But when a manager looks at your resume and you have references from travel nursing jobs at places like Johns Hopkins, Georgetown and NYU, they usually give it a second look.
Here is an expert tip: When building your resume, group all your travel jobs under one heading of Travel Nursing. This keeps it neat and shows potential managers that you aren’t a job hopper, you are a professional travel nurse!
4. Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
Most agencies do not have long-term contracts. Each travel nursing job has its own contract, and a typical assignment is 13 weeks. But they can vary from 4 to 26 weeks.
The flexibility to choose where and when you want to work is part of the beauty of travel nursing.
Some agency contracts may have special stipulations, though—such as when you can accept a permanent job at the facility where you traveled—so read carefully before you sign.
Where to find more answers
When I began traveling several years ago, there wasn’t a ton of information about travel nursing out there on the web. I relied heavily on my recruiter and other travelers I met along the way.
I still call my recruiter to answer specific travel nursing questions; after all, he has over 20 years in the business!
Finding a recruiter you can trust is a great way to get answers to your travel nursing questions.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS about travel nursing? APPLY today to get connected with a top recruiter.