How to Get Started with Travel Nursing: Step-by-Step Guide

Want to travel, work as a nurse, and earn good money? Travel nursing lets you take short jobs in different states across the USA while getting paid well. If you’re wondering how to get started with travel nursing, this guide makes it easy.

BlueSpace Healthcare helps nurses start their travel careers. We’ll cover the requirements to be a travel nurse, simple steps to become a travel nurse, and tips to do well. Let’s get you started!

What Is Travel Nursing?

Travel nursing is the job of working as a nurse in hospitals or medical clinics for small durations of time for short term placements in different parts of the USA. You’re helping people, you’re making money, you’re traveling to new places.

Why Do Travel Nursing?

• Good Pay: Make more than many regular nursing jobs.
• Travel Help: Get money for housing and travel costs.
• Learn More: Work in new places to improve your skills.
• Choose Your Schedule: Pick jobs that fit your life.

Curious about what are the requirements to be a traveling nurse? Here’s what you need.

Requirements to Be a Travel Nurse

In general, here’s what you will need to become a travel nurse: 

• Nursing Degree:An Associate’s (ADN) or Bachelor’s (BSN) in nursing as an RN, or a diploma as an LPN.
• License: Must hold an active RN or LPN license, preferably from a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state.
• Experience: 1-2 years of work in a hospital – typically in med-surg or ICU.
• Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) required; Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) often required.
• Qualifications : Quick at learning, good talker, Hasty at adapting to even new places.

Most jobs ask for 1-2 years of travel nursing experience requirements. Don’t have that yet? Keep reading to learn how.

Steps to Become a Travel Nurse

Wondering how long to become travel nurse? It usually takes 1-2 years after nursing school, plus a few months to apply for jobs. Here are the steps to become travel nurse:

1. Get Your Degree and License

• Finish an ADN or BSN, or an LPN program.
• Pass the NCLEX-RN (RNs) or NCLEX-PN (LPNs) to get your license.
• A BSN helps you get better jobs.

2. Work in a Hospital

• Get 1-2 years of experience in a hospital to build skills.
• Try specialties like med-surg or ICU for travel nursing experience requirements.
• New nurses can start with regular hospital jobs.

3. Earn Certifications

• Get BLS (required) and ACLS (often needed for RNs).
• Extra certifications, like Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), make you stand out.

4. Find a Travel Nursing Agency

• Work with BlueSpace Healthcare to find jobs that match you.
• Agencies help with requirements to be a travel nurse, like licenses and paperwork.
• Talk to your recruiter about pay and locations.

5. Build Your Application

• Make a resume with your skills, experience, and certifications.
• Get references from bosses or teachers.
• Keep papers like vaccine records ready.

6. Apply for Jobs and Licenses

• Apply for jobs in states you want with your agency’s help.
• Use an NLC license for states like Texas or Arizona.
• For states like California, get a state license (takes 2-3 months).

These steps can get you travel nursing in 1-2 years. BlueSpace Healthcare makes it easy.

Tips to Do Well as a New Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is exciting but can be new. Here’s how to succeed:

• Choose a Good Agency: BlueSpace Healthcare gives you support and good jobs.
• Start Nearby: Try jobs close to home first.
• Be Open: Take jobs in places that need nurses, like small towns.
• Talk to Others: Join The Gypsy Nurse or Vivian Health to learn from other nurses.
• Check Pay: Use Vivian Health to make sure your pay is fair.
• Get Ready: Learn about the hospital and pack light for moves.

Is it hard to become a travel nurse? It takes work, but with help, it’s not too tough.

Why BlueSpace Healthcare?

BlueSpace Healthcare is the best place to start how to get started with travel nursing. 

Here’s why:

• Helps New Nurses: We guide you through requirements to become a travel nurse.
• Lots of Jobs: Find work in states like California, Texas, or Arizona.
• Great Perks: Get good pay, housing help, travel money, and health insurance from day one.
• Friendly Team: Our recruiters help you find the right job.

Conclusion: Start Travel Nursing Today

Figuring out how to get started with travel nursing opens the door to a fun career with good pay and new places to see. Get your degree, work in a hospital, earn certifications, and team up with BlueSpace Healthcare to become a travel nurse in 1-2 years.

Don’t worry about is it hard to become a travel nurse. With a plan, you can do it! Visit BlueSpace Healthcare to find your first job and start traveling.

FAQs: How to Get Started with Travel Nursing

1.What does it take to become a travel nurse?

You will need a degree in nursing, a nursing license such as LPN or RN, 1-2 years of hospital employment, and certifications such as ATLS, BLS or ACLS.

2. How many years does it take to be a travel nurse?

A year or two after nursing school, including licensure and job applications.

3. Is it hard to become a travel nurse?

It takes effort, like getting experience, but agencies like BlueSpace Healthcare make it easier.

4. Can I start travel nursing with no experience?

Most jobs want 1-2 years of experience, but some agencies have jobs for new nurses in busy areas.

5. What are the requirements to be a traveling nurse in NLC states?

An NLC license works in states like Texas, but you still need experience and certifications.