For NPR News, I'm Shalina Chatlani in Jackson, Miss. In the past, travel nursing wages varied widely by state and region and were often higher than permanent staff salaries (though some of that difference came from the free housing or housing stipend and other incidentals that were often included). NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Shalina Chatlani, with the Gulf States Newsroom, reports hospitals are asking the White House to do something. Travel nurses are in high-demand across the United States as hospitals work to treat surges of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. And it also has access to top-ranked hospitals such as Porter Adventist Hospital. All travel nurses must be licensed RNs by earning an undergraduate nursing degree, either a BSN or an ADN, and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. Then the travel nurse lifestyle is right for you! During the nationwide public health emergency due to COVID-19, some statutes and regulations regarding licensure portability may be relaxed or waived, so it is important for nurses to be aware of what the requirements are both during and following the emergency period. Travel nursing is a short-term and unsustainable solution for medical understaffing. For a lot of people it's life-changing money.. By traveling, you gain exposure to a little bit of everything, meaning that when and if you finally decide to settle down, youll have a far more vast array of professional experience than your peers. The stress levels are probably some of the highest I've ever seen in my career, Nadworny said. finding the perfect location that matches your career goals and lifestyle needs can be difficult. Correction, March 4, 3 pm: Due to a copy-paste error, an update to this article previously transposed the last names of Mary Jorgensen and Kelly OConnor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. But there are systemic issues at work as well. Twice a week, well send you a roundup of the best ideas and solutions for tackling the worlds biggest challenges and how to get better at doing good. Mobley also sees the novelty with each contract as a perk, offering nurses (and by extension the hospitals they normally work for, and in the past at least, usually returned to) the chance to learn how other hospitals operate. SEE ALSO: 4 Ways to Reduce Stress While Traveling as a Nurse. But given the pandemic challenges of working in healthcare, money is whats driving most travel nursing now. Each state may vary in its licensing requirements. After you fully explain your situation and reasoning to your recruiter, then its your turn to listen. Instead, you can choose assignments only in the best places to live as a nurse. Currently, there are certain state and federal regulations, declarations, and orders that extend liability immunity in the fight against COVID-19. For example, have you ever considered being a labor and delivery nurse? They can work in any type of healthcare setting, including hospitals, residential care settings, and private practices. Is the main purpose to alleviate burnout of the frontline workers? Explore how to become a travel nurse. Since there is lack of clarity in terms of immunity, it is prudent for nurses to not presume they have any immunity. This is the most common Tax Questions of Travel Nurses we receive all year. Its hard to find a con when it comes to adventure! Failing to make an effort to cope with these rapid changes can have a negative impact on personal wellness and patient care. Earn a BSN Degree. include many incredible nursing opportunities as well. In travel nursing, rather than working directly for a hospital as permanent employees, nurses are hired by a staffing agency, which then arranges time-limited contracts with hospitals to meet temporary or seasonal staffing needs. Nick has gained a mass following of over 100,000 travel nurses. Nursing shortages existed well before the pandemic and have reached an all-time high across the country, according to the American Hospital Association. Basically, as a travel nurse, you can base your travel assignment on anything youd like: Some travel nurses enjoy the snowbird lifestyle, while others travel to where they can hike, scuba dive, surf, or explore their favorite historical museums to their hearts content. Most BSN courses take four years. I know two amazing nurses who are some of my best friends, who are travel nurses and they are single mothers, but they still make travel work because they just want to give their kids the best life possible, Mobley told me. Explore our full list of Integrity Network members. The worsening personnel shortage, with many nurses retiring and leaving the profession entirely, is a symptom of a system that prioritizes the short term at the expense of sustainability. 7 Tips for Making Your Travel Nursing Resume Stand Out, and youll find yourself with budding friendships and relationships all around the country. For many, travel contracts present a way out they never thought theyd Thats around double what a regular licensed nurse earns, Why the Average Travel Nurse Salary Will Surprise You, Basically, by the time you add everything up. Most are using it to hire travel nurses. During their studies, nursing students choose a specialization that determines their elective courses and where they perform clinical rotations. Travel nursing puts you in touch with people that you would never meet otherwisepeople from different places, cultures, neighborhoods, interests, and hobbies. CARSON: Like, where were you at, at the beginning when we really needed you? Or, perhaps, a small town with charm and a slow lifestyle has more appeal (think: New England). ), Increasingly relying on travel nurses more often can also warp the inner workings of a hospital. The current challenge in the nursing workforce is "a widespread, national problem without a solution until supply-demand equilibrium is achieved," according to a recent report from the Organization of Nurse Leaders, a five-state membership organization that includes Massachusetts. Working in a new environment is inherently stressful. But, most travel nurse staffing agencies and clients prefer nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Basically, by the time you add everything up, including your housing, health insurance for travel nurses, and competitive salary package, its a very lucrative career. I've had a lot of people, a lot of staff members ask me about my travel agency, ask me about my recruiter, and then I'll be open and honest, said Piper. It boils down to money. And if you end up having a hard time finding new travel nurse jobs in your current location, you can easily pack up your bags and move to a new location and facility that better fits your changing needs. While generally not required for entry-level positions, other certifications are helpful for placement in specialized areas. CHATLANI: Some states, like Massachusetts, are trying to create rate caps, but Malara says that could drive nurses away. Travel nursing jobs can be found in any city imaginable. It lists a number of specific policy recommendations, such as mandated staffing ratios and better workplace safety regulations, that they believe will help create sustainable, rewarding jobs and keep nurses in the field. The traditional route for gaining professional experience often includes a lengthy stint with a single employer. The average travel nurse salary could reach as high as $103,893 a year, according to Payscale.com. You can do that. Georgia Reiner, Senior Risk Specialist, Nurses Service Organization (NSO), gave us the latest information about whats happening with travel nurses, what the risks are, and what they can do to protect themselves. The phenomenon of inappropriate nurse staffing as a reason for nurses to leave their jobs is an epic catch-22: Poor staffing causes nurse attrition, and nurse attrition sustains poor staffing. As a travel nurse, you dont have to depend on location. Whats more, its an in-demand career field. Recent survey data indicates that travel nursing can improve nurse mental health! If youre curious about which locations are searching for travel nurse positions, make sure you contact recruiters at MAS Medical Staffing to learn about our retirement savings, travel reimbursement, and long-term contracts that we provide. Learn more about travel nurse schooling. As a healthcare professional, you agreed to a contract and should have a good reason for wanting to sever it. It is also the most important since the determination of whether per diems, stipends, allowances or subsidies are taxable. Multi-state licenses are available for nurses who meet the requirements, which include elements like background checks and education criteria. It's now been a year since the American Hospital Association alleged price gouging and asked the White House to investigate and act. When it comes to pay, the only potential con for travel nursing is minimal: no salary. Students with a bachelor's in a field other than nursing can usually transfer some credits towards an accelerated BSN. They can work in clinics, hospitals, private practices, ambulatory surgical centers, and residential care settings. Travel nurses are in high-demand across the United States as hospitals work to treat surges of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. (Texas has recently resorted to banning nurses currently in permanent positions from accepting contracts in-state in an attempt to circumvent this dynamic. When Cat Piper started her career as a registered nurse in Massachusetts, she wasnt sure where she wanted to work. Resources and articles written by professionals and other nurses like you. Liz Neisloss is a reporter for GBH News' Greater Boston. Travel nursing didnt begin with the Covid-19 pandemic. If not, please consider making a contribution today from as little as $3. Texas alone has spent $7 billion on temporary medical staff. As a result, travel nurses have seen a massive pandemic jump in pay, causing resentment among staff nurses and what many see as unsustainable burden to budgets. From. For most nurses, you see the same people and issues day in and day out, meaning youre constantly embroiled in drama, whether you want to be or not. MALARA: Increase federal funding for nursing schools. But its not fair to either travel nurses, or the patients they care for, to ask them to take on so much of the ongoing essential duties of running a hospital unit. The latest nationwide survey of nurse staffing found hospitals face a nearly 10% vacancy rate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for registered nurses is expected to, Lets take a look at the ten excellent pros and cons of travel nursing to determine if, If youre curious and want to learn more about beginning your, , make sure to contact us now to speak to a recruiter. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Musculoskeletal injuries The major source of injuries for RNs is musculoskeletal Some Countries Pay More Than Others. Students who attend part time can take longer, usually up to six years. As we enter the third year of Covid-19, the staffing shortage is only getting worse. If youre curious about which locations are searching for, contact recruiters at MAS Medical Staffing. In most other professions, bouncing around from employer to employer is frowned upon. Theres no limit to the type of experience you can gain as a travel nurse. The COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving, and there is much we still do not know about the virus. MALARA: If the federal money is used to pay and retain nurses and pay them bonuses, that could be helpful. When it comes to the pros and cons of travel nursing jobs, time spent with family and loved ones is an important thing to note. But during the pandemic, hospitals have increasingly relied on travel nurses to fill the gaps.
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