A BSN degree takes at least four years, though many schools have RN-to-BSN programs for nurses with an ADN. On Curtin's website, theres talk about the staffing shortages and pay disparities, according to Curtin. Other states have their own requirements, so you may have to apply for licensure in multiple states. For example, what happens if an emergency family situation comes up that requires you to take months off of work? A hospital relying too heavily on travel nurses will lose institutional knowledge, be less able to fit in new hires or provide nursing students with a strong education, and will end up being a frustrating and draining work environment, leading to more burned-out nurses and a worsening staff shortage at a time when the US can least afford it. You can also partner with a travel nurse agency like MAS Medical Staffing who offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes relocation stipends, health insurance, 401(k) plans, and so much more! With an endless number of pros and very few cons, a travel nursing career equates to great pay and limitless opportunities! Theres no limit to the type of experience you can gain as a travel nurse. Just remember, these deductions can vary by location. Some areas might be cheaper while others may outweigh the pay offer. Time to get involved and help public media make an impact. Learn more about travel nurse schooling. You know what it takes to learn from others at every job and how to take control of situations because youre used to walking into a hospital and learning as you go. As a travel nurse, you can work at some of the top hospitals that prepare women and their families for the stages of birth, and help patients with breastfeeding after the baby is born. And given shortages, theres been a rise in those like Piper who dont have to travel very far to get to their next contract. 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. 2023 NurseJournal.org, a Red Ventures Company. Due largely to the increase in contract nurses, Thomas Health is now roughly From the earliest days of the pandemic, registered nurses bore the brunt of the increased strain on the health care system. WebBenefits offered by many travel agencies include: free housing (with paid utilities or housing stipend) 401K contributions. Graduates of an ADN course can perform testing and monitoring, such as taking blood pressure and other vital signs; safely lift and move patients; communicate effectively with patients; understand the healthcare delivery system; and address legal and ethical aspects of nursing. Pay varies widely depending on experience and geography, making precise numbers difficult to pin down. 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. SHALINA CHATLANI, BYLINE: Last year, Kimberly Carson got tired of the nursing job she'd had for eight years at a hospital in Illinois.