The travel nurse information on this page is based on my experiences. There is a list of travel nurse questions.I am sure you will find helpful.
NCLEX
NCLEX is a acronym for The National Council Of State Boards of Nursing. Every nurse must pass an NCLEX exam to work in the US.
Below are frequently asked questions that nurses have asked me about becoming a traveling nurse.
Who Can Be a Traveler in the U.S.?
You can travel if you are a qualified health-care worker licensed and certified in your specialty. The four specialties below are the ones I am most familiar with, but there are several other specialties.
Registered Nurse
Physiotherapist
Nurse Practitioner
Pharmacist
Travel Registered Nurse
What are the requirements to be a travel-registered nurse
Most agencies require a travel registered nurse to have one to two years experience in their specialty, with references.This will depend on the traveling nurse staffing requirement. These requirements are usually set by the agency or healthcare center.
I am a Canadian Traveling Nurse and I have passed my NCLEX. What do I need to do to get my Nurse Visa?
Travel nurse information regarding visas and licensing vary depending on your citizenship status.
Does a Canadian Traveling Nurse need a American Social Security Card?
NOTE:
Since 9-11 everyone is required to have proper documentation to enter and live in the US as a resident. All health-care workers and their families require passports. You must apply for an SSN (social security number), as you will be considered a resident of the U.S. while legally working and paying taxes.
When is the best time to travel?
One of the best perks of being a traveler is that you can work when you choose. Most assignments last 13 weeks and you can either move on or renew the contact. Your choice becomes where and what time of year to travel.
John and I traded roles six months a year. He did the cooking and cleaning, shopping, etc. while I worked. We would start a contract in the fall in Hawaii and stay until the spring. We returned to Canada (no snow) in the spring and John would work.
One year we expanded our cottage ourselves instead of hiring a contractor. This would have been difficult to do if we were tied to full time jobs
How do I get started?
The very first thing to do is to take a few days and put together a resume. If you already have a resume,you need to take some time to reflect on where you have been before you decide where you are going.
Most agencies have an application that can be filled out online. If you are prepared with a good resume you will have all the information you need at your fingertips. Also, if you decide to apply for a full-time position,your resume can be easily updated.