If you’ve been wondering when the “perfect” moment is to become a travel nurse, here’s the simple truth: the best time is right now.

There’s always a demand for travel nurses and healthcare travelers. Facilities across the country rely on travelers to fill staffing gaps, cover seasonal surges, and keep patients cared for when teams are stretched thin. That means whether you’re considering your first travel contract or returning to the road after a break, opportunities are waiting.

The key to knowing when it’s time to start is preparation.

How to Prepare to Become a Travel Nurse:

Set Yourself Up for Success as a Travel Nurse

Everyone’s journey looks a little different, but the most successful travelers often share the same foundation. Here’s how you can be prepared to hit the road, no matter when you choose to take the leap:

Choose the Right Agency: Not all agencies are created equal. The right agency will offer strong recruiter support, transparency, benefits, and resources to guide you through every step of your journey.
Research Locations: Think about where you’d like to travel—urban hospitals, rural communities, coastlines, or mountain towns. Your lifestyle preferences matter just as much as the clinical side.
Understand Your Why: Are you traveling for adventure, higher pay, career growth, or flexibility? Knowing your “why” will help you choose the right contracts.

Stay Flexible: Being open can help you land contracts faster and open doors you might not have considered.
Keep Your Documents Ready: Have your licenses, certifications, references, and immunization records organized and up to date. A traveler “binder” (digital or physical) makes applying for assignments faster and smoother.
Stay Financially Prepared: Save up a small cushion before your first assignment to cover travel costs, temporary housing deposits, or gaps between contracts.
Build Your Support Network: Connect with other travelers through online groups, mentorship programs, or professional organizations. A community of people who “get it” can be invaluable.

Finding the Best Assignments

Getting those dream assignments isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. Working closely with your recruiter, staying organized, and acting quickly when the right job comes up are all part of the equation.

Want insider tips? Check out our on-demand webinar with Brandy Pinkerton, seasoned travel nurse and mentor at Travel Nurse 101. She shares how to stand out, secure top contracts, and set yourself up for success—even if you’re brand new to travel nursing.

Watch On Demand Now

Start Your Travel Nurse Journey Today

The truth is, there’s never a bad time to become a travel nurse—but starting out with the right mindset, support, and preparation makes all the difference. If you’re waiting for the perfect time to start, you might miss out on some amazing opportunities. Think through your goals, plan ahead, and find the right agency to make your travel career successful—and then get ready to embark on your first travel adventure!

Travel nursing is one of the most exciting and rewarding career paths in healthcare. It offers licensed nurses the opportunity to explore new places, gain diverse clinical experiences, and often earn higher pay than traditional staff nurses. But how do you become a travel nurse? What qualifications do you need, and what steps should you take to get started?

In this blog, we’ll break down the essential qualifications, certifications, and skills required to become a travel nurse, along with tips to help you thrive in this dynamic profession.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a nurse who takes temporary assignments in different locations, typically through a staffing agency. These assignments usually last between 8 to 26 weeks and can be in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities across the country—or even internationally.

Travel nurses are in high demand, especially in areas experiencing staffing shortages, seasonal surges, or specialized care needs.

Basic Qualifications to Become a Travel Nurse

To become a travel nurse, you must first meet the foundational requirements of being a registered nurse. Here’s what that entails:

1. Earn a Nursing Degree

You must complete an accredited nursing program. There are two main paths:

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Typically a 2-year program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – A 4-year degree that may offer more opportunities and higher pay.

While both degrees qualify you to become an RN, many hospitals and travel nursing agencies prefer or require a BSN due to the complexity of care and leadership skills it provides.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

After earning your degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain your RN license. This is a standardized exam that tests your knowledge and readiness to practice safely and effectively as a nurse.

3. Gain Clinical Experience

Most travel nursing agencies require at least 1 to 2 years of recent clinical experience in your specialty area. This ensures you’re prepared to jump into new environments with minimal orientation.

Common specialties in high demand include:

Emergency Room (ER)
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Labor and Delivery (L&D)
Operating Room (OR)
Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg)
Telemetry

Licensing and Certifications

1. State Licensure

You must be licensed to practice in the state where your assignment is located. Fortunately, many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in multiple states with one license. If your home state is part of the NLC, you can work in other compact states without obtaining additional licenses.

For non-compact states, you’ll need to apply for a temporary or permanent license in that state before starting your assignment.

2. Certifications

Depending on your specialty, you may need additional certifications. Common ones include:

Basic Life Support (BLS) – Required for all nurses.
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – Often required for ICU, ER, and telemetry nurses.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) – For nurses working with children.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – For labor and delivery or NICU nurses.

These certifications must be current and from recognized providers like the American Heart Association.

Soft Skills and Personal Traits

In addition to clinical qualifications, successful travel nurses possess a unique set of soft skills and personality traits:

Adaptability – You’ll be working in new environments with different teams and protocols.
Strong Communication – Clear communication with patients, families, and staff is essential.
Problem-Solving – You may encounter unfamiliar situations and need to think on your feet.
Cultural Competence – Understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds is key in different regions.
Independence – Travel nurses often receive minimal orientation, so confidence and self-reliance are crucial.

Steps to Start Your Travel Nursing Career

Gain Experience – Work in your specialty for at least 1–2 years.
Research Agencies – Choose a reputable travel nursing agency that aligns with your goals.
Get Licensed – Ensure your RN license is active and apply for additional state licenses if needed.
Update Certifications – Make sure your BLS, ACLS, and other required certifications are current.
Build a Strong Resume – Highlight your clinical experience, specialties, and adaptability.
Apply and Interview – Work with your recruiter to find assignments that match your preferences.
Prepare for Travel – Organize housing, transportation, and documentation before your assignment begins.

Becoming a travel nurse is a fulfilling way to combine your passion for nursing with a love for adventure. While the path requires dedication, education, and experience, the rewards—both personal and professional—are well worth it.

Whether you’re drawn to the flexibility, the opportunity to explore new places, or the chance to make a difference where it’s needed most, travel nursing offers a unique and impactful career path.

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel healthcare gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities. We have opportunities for all travel healthcare professionals.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel healthcare assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

This article was provided by Cross Country Nurses.

As a travel nurse, an incredible personal and professional adventure awaits you. Travel nursing is attractive because it allows you to create your path and choose the journey to arrive successfully.

You will satisfy your wanderlust if you enjoy exploring as many new cities as possible while working at multiple facilities on a short-term contract for above-average pay. If you like to feel more settled and stay in one place for longer than 12-14 weeks while continuing to build relationships for above-average income, you can have the best of both worlds.

If travel nursing is the career you want to pursue to help others thrive while scratching your travel itch, how do you get there?

Steps and Stages to Become a Travel Nurse

Step 1: Earn a Degree

To be considered for travel nurse positions, you are required to have a registered nurse (RN) license through either an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a two-year program, or a bachelor of science (BSN), a four-year commitment.

The latter provides more job opportunities, career advancements, and stepping stones for continuing education. RN-to-BSN programs with an accelerated timeline are an option for those who have their ADN already and desire to earn a BSN degree.

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Test for Success

As a nursing school graduate, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which tests your ability and competency to provide safe and effective nursing practice at the entry-level. As a travel nurse, you will need a license to work in any state outside of your home state.

Step 3: Get a Licensure

The next step of licensure, defined by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), is “the process by which boards of nursing grant permission to an individual to engage in nursing practice after determining that the applicant has attained the competency necessary to perform a unique scope of practice.”

Thirty-five compact states in the U.S. participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means you can receive one multi-state license. For the 13 non-compact states, you are required to have that specific state’s licensure.

Here is where it can get tricky. Just because you have a state license in a state that becomes compact doesn’t mean your license automatically becomes multi-state. As a nurse, you have to apply specifically for a multi-state license. To learn more on how healthcare professionals like you can get licensed in any U.S. state, click here.

Step 4: Gain Work Experience

Most hospitals and healthcare facilities prefer travel nurses to have at least one year of nursing experience in the specialty they will be contracted for, although some require two years of experience.

Volunteering, enrolling in a shadowing or mentor program, and finding an internship through your school are great ways to achieve hands-on experience while earning your degree. Your school may be a great resource and have paid student nurse positions. If you’ve already graduated, some employers are specifically looking for new graduates to train.

Step 5: Partner with a Travel Nurse Employment Agency

Choosing the right staffing agency is critical because they will become more than a resource for jobs. Your recruiter is someone you should be able to trust with all your travel nurse needs, including helping you navigate the compliance steps and regulatory paperwork.

Vaccination records and a physical exam
Copies of your license and certifications
A drug test and background check
Additional documentation required by healthcare facilities

An agency should also support your growth as a travel nurse, which may include furthering your education and expanding your skill set. Here are some examples of when you become part of the Cross Country family.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accredited Cross Country University, CCMSN provides CE Direct® online Continuing Education (C.E.) and Certification Review that will fulfill your C.E. requirements.
Access to over 700 award-winning continuing education (E.D.) courses
Advanced degree (BSN, MSN, DSN) tuition reimbursement of up to 20% from accredited academic partners

Good luck with your career as a travel nurse, and enjoy all those adventures coming your way soon.

To dive deeper into the world of travel nursing and read the answers to commonly asked questions, click here. To fill out an application to work with Cross Country, click here or call (800) 530-6125 to speak with a recruiter who will walk you through the application process and answer any additional questions.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

As a travel nurse, you take short-term assignments in hospitals around the country, potentially even around the world, when those facilities have a need. There are many different reasons why professional nurses take up the travel lifestyle, and all of them are completely valid. If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse but are not yet convinced that it is right for you, here are some of the potential benefits.

1. Avoiding Burnout

Nursing is a rewarding career but also a very demanding one. Becoming a travel nurse allows you to vary your routine, which may be just what you need to get yourself out of the dismal gray doldrums of hospital politics and let some light in to recharge your internal solar battery.

2. Developing New Interests

As a travel nurse, you can work in many different places, including those that are very different from where you came from. This gives you the opportunity to try new activities or hobbies that were unavailable to you before. For example, if you came from the Midwest, you can work in a coastal location, giving you the opportunity to try surfing. If you came from Florida, you can take a post in the Rockies and try downhill skiing for the first time. Developing new activities also gives you the opportunity to meet people with the same interests and potentially make new friends.

3. Escaping Bureaucracy

Hospital politics and bureaucracy can be some of the worst parts of the nursing profession. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with this as a travel nurse. Your contract with an agency that handles all the onboarding and associated paperwork for you. It is understood from the beginning that you are only there on a short-term basis. Therefore, you’re usually at least one step removed from any political posturing or intrigue that may swirl around you.

4. Enjoying Freedom and Flexibility

A traditional nursing job can sometimes feel like a prison sentence. You may feel that you are always on call and don’t get enough time to yourself. As a travel nurse, you have the freedom to choose your own assignments. When you finish one stint, you can choose your next one on your own time. If you wish, you can take a long break in between assignments for a much-needed vacation. Not only that but as a travel nurse, you have total freedom to choose where you want to go to work. If there’s a particular place where you have always wanted to travel, here’s the opportunity to go there and get paid for it.

5. Growing as a Professional

As a travel nurse, you go to work where there is a need, whether that be a remote rural hospital or a top research facility. Each of these settings offers you the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques that contribute to your professional growth. You will become more well-rounded as a result, which can open up more options for you if and when you decide to return to full-time work at a single facility. Performing different jobs as a travel nurse may also give you an idea of a specialty in which you would particularly like to work long-term.

6. Earning More Money

Nursing salaries are not known for being exorbitant, but travel nurses often make more money than their non-traveling counterparts. Not only do the hourly pay rates tend to be more generous, but there are also bonuses and the opportunity to earn more through overtime or shift differentials. Some travel nursing companies also provide private housing to travel nurses free of charge, drastically cutting down on the cost of living and essentially putting more money in your pocket.

The experience you gain as a travel nurse can help you gain a clearer idea of what you want in life. You may find that traveling and working in many different places helps you decide where you ultimately want to settle down, establish some roots, and work out the rest of your career.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

How to Prepare to Become a Travel Nurse:

Set Yourself Up for Success as a Travel Nurse

Finding the Best Assignments

Start Your Travel Nurse Journey Today

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Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

What Is a Travel Nurse?

Basic Qualifications to Become a Travel Nurse

1. Earn a Nursing Degree

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

3. Gain Clinical Experience

Licensing and Certifications

Soft Skills and Personal Traits

Steps to Start Your Travel Nursing Career

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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Travel Healthcare Jobs

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Steps and Stages to Become a Travel Nurse

Step 1: Earn a Degree

Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Test for Success

Step 3: Get a Licensure

Step 4: Gain Work Experience

Step 5: Partner with a Travel Nurse Employment Agency

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1. Avoiding Burnout

2. Developing New Interests

3. Escaping Bureaucracy

4. Enjoying Freedom and Flexibility

5. Growing as a Professional

6. Earning More Money

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

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