Travel nurses are highly skilled and experienced professionals with the same qualifications and training as other Registered Nurses. They must have at least one year of experience in their specialty, and certain specialties, such as Labor & Delivery, may require more. (link to How Do I Become a Travel Nurse) They typically work for a staffing agency and are temporarily assigned to different care areas based on their specialty to fill short-term employment gaps.
The primary purpose of travel nurses is to address healthcare staffing needs in various regions, particularly those with high demand or seasonal fluctuations such as cold, flu, RSV seasons, or during a pandemic. The demand for travel nurses has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 275,000 additional nurses will be needed from 2020-2030, which indicates a significant nursing shortage and proves a dire need for nurses to fill positions. Hospitals will continue to have needs to fill quickly and will utilize travel nurses.
The staffing needs may also be due to a lack of experienced nurses, an unexpected leave of absence such as maternity leave, or extended illnesses. There are travel nurses for every specialty, including managerial positions; however, it is a supply and demand-driven industry. They can work in any healthcare setting, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, schools, prisons, clinics, etc.
What Do Travel Nurses Do?
Travel nurses perform a wide range of duties and responsibilities similar to regular registered nurses, such as planning, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of patient care. Their primary role is to provide direct patient care and support.
Their responsibilities may include:
- Provide patient care and perform various nursing duties such as administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with procedures.
- Collaborate with the healthcare team of doctors, therapists, and social workers to ensure the well-being of their patients and develop and implement patient care plans.
- Educate patients and their families on various health-related topics, including medication management, self-care techniques, disease prevention, and post-discharge instructions. Travel nurses are vital in empowering patients to take charge of their health.
- Maintain cultural competence: Travel nurses often work in diverse communities and encounter patients from different backgrounds. They must demonstrate cultural sensitivity, respect, and understanding to provide effective care and communicate effectively with patients and their families.
- Documenting all aspects of patient care and maintaining an accurate and timely medical record.
The main difference is that travel nurses’ locations vary, and they can gain diverse experience but must adapt quickly to new environments, learn facility-specific protocols, and familiarize themselves with the local healthcare systems. They must be flexible, independent, and able to seamlessly integrate into different healthcare teams while providing quality patient care. It’s important to note that the specific responsibilities of travel nurses may vary depending on the facility, specialty area, and assignment requirements. However, their core function of delivering high-quality patient care remains consistent while adapting to different healthcare settings and locations. They can gain diverse experiences throughout their careers by having the flexibility to work in other locations.
Happy Travels!