What are the top Travel Nurse Specialties?

Looking into travel nursing? Are you a new grad trying to decide on a specialty or a veteran nurse looking for a change? Here are a list of the top 5 travel nurse specialties and some information on each specialties. Currently, there is a considerable opportunity for growth and development in the nursing field. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the RN position outlook will increase by 15% from 2016 to 2026. Choosing or transitioning to the ideal position can be rewarding and life changing. Here are the top 5 in-demand Travel Nurse Specialties right now.

Labor and Delivery

If you’re a travel nurse looking for a position that focuses on the labor and birth of a newborn, this may be the right fit for you. There are approximately 4 million babies born in the United States each year. There will always be a need to help those mothers and their newborns. Because there is a need, L&D Nurses have great job security. There is also a high likelihood for contract extensions. This specialty is one of the top paying and most rewarding.

Emergency Room

Emergency room nurses, also known as trauma nurses, are responsible for patient care in emergency situations. An ER nurse is prepared for any situation and needs to have a wide range of skills! Emergency nurses are on the front lines. On any given day ER nurses see patients that have been in car accidents, fractured bones or suffered gun-shot wounds. Most importantly, an ER nurse thrives on chaos and is able to handle stressful environments quickly and efficiently.

Medical Surgical/Telemetry

These positions are ideal for someone who is starting their career and is new to travel nursing. Because there is high demand, there are many more locations to choose from when looking for a job as a Med Surg or Telemetry Nurse. This position is a highly trained, dedicated role to medical and postoperative care. Skills related to intravenous therapy drips, arterial lines, and central venous pressure lines are needed for these specialties.

Critical Care – ICU/SICU/MICU/NICU

The intensive care unit role demands an understanding mind, quick thinking, and dedication to achieving the skills necessary. Ready for a learning experience? ICU nurses are constantly exposed to different types of patients, procedures, and disease processes.

Additionally, our travel nurses tell us that this is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding specialties. Job security is positive, the demand is high, and because this position treats higher-acuity patients, it is also one of the top paying specialties. Another plus to choosing this specialty is the patient count is very low giving you more time to spend with those who need it.

Operating Room Registered Nurse

The Operating room nurse or perioperative nurse as they are now called, are involved in multiple stages of surgery. From before, during, and after, this is a position that is no stranger to responsibilities and tense work environments. Because surgeries generally only occur during the day, this position has daytime hours and often works 4 10-hour days. Furthermore, there are several jobs within this specialty. Scrub Nurse: works directly with the surgeon in the sterile field a Circulating Nurse: observes the surgical team in the non-sterile field to help maintain a safe, comfortable environment.

For additional role and salary information, refer to web resources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or Top Registered Nurse. Education and experience requirements may vary by position.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Not all nurses work in a hospital or clinic setting. There are many Non-Traditional Nursing Careers to choose from. Travel Nursing is one of them!

Travel Nurses are nurses that work temporary contracts for hospitals or other medical facilities. Most commonly, a travel nurse works through an agency. There is also the option to work as an independent contractor or as a seasonal employee for a facility. I’m going to focus on working as a travel nurse through an agency.

Why is there a need for Travel Nurses?

The need for travel nurses is primarily due to the National Nursing Shortage. Other reasons that a travel nurse may be needed in a facility may be for staff training, strikes, multiple staff out on medical or pregnancy leave, some other Rapid Response need, etc.

Are the pay and benefits the same as a staff nurse ?

Generally travel nurse pay is slightly higher than a full-time employee at a medical facility. Depending on the severity of need; pay can be higher to attract healthcare professionals. If you figure in the housing, travel reimbursements, bonuses, the “package” may seem much higher. However, you must also consider if the company offers other benefits that a full-time employee enjoys.

Some of the larger Travel Nurse Companies have the same or comparable benefits as hospitals such as 401K, health Insurance provided or a reimbursement, CEU reimbursements, Licensure reimbursement, Life Insurance, Disability, Loyalty Rewards, Referral Bonuses, Completion Bonuses, Tax Advantage Programs, Travel reimbursement, Contests, Extension Bonuses.

What areas of nursing can you practice in as a traveling nurse ?

Travel nurses are contracted in a variety of settings including all specialties and facilities which may include: ICU, OR, ER, Med-Surg , Dialysis, Psych, Cath, L&D, PEDS, PICU, STICU, Home Health, Management, Supervisors, Long Term Care, Nursing Home, Rehab, Step Down, and Case Management.

What are the benefits and perks of being a traveling nurse ?

-Increased financial reward.
–Travel and seeing the World while you are still young and get paid.
-Learning new skills and working in different settings.
-Expand your horizons.
-Freedom to take off between assignments and the money to do things.
-Getting out of the rut and always experiencing new things in your work and environment.

Where do you live as a traveling nurse ?

Most companies provide a private one bedroom apartment or an extended stay hotel depending on what you negotiate, what is available in the assignment location and what you need. Housing can be quite varied. There is a growing number of travel nurses that provide their own housing via a housing stipend and choices may include shared apartment rentals, vacation rentals, or privately owned RV’s.

What is the typical term of a Travel Contract ?

Generally, travel nurses contract for 13 weeks at a time. Many travel nurses choose to extend another thirteen weeks if the need is there and they like the facility. Contracts or Assignments can range anywhere from 4 weeks to 26 weeks and overseas assignments generally range from 1 -2 years.

Can you choose any state in the country to work in ? Even Hawaii and Alaska ?

Yes; you will need a license for the state you will work in.

Do you get to choose where you want to go ?

Yes depending on the availability of assignments among the 300 Plus Travel Nurse Companies in the United States. One of the greatest benefits of being a travel nurse is that you are in control. There are Companies in other Countries as well Generally the English Speaking Countries and the Middle East. The Department of Defense and the Military contracts with Nurses and other Healthcare Professionals in other countries such as in Europe, Japan, Germany, Italy etc.

What about a transportation ?

Many people Travel by their own car so it is important to have a reliable vehicle. Some people fly and use a car rental or public transportation on contract. This is more common in larger cities where parking can be expensive. Some travel nurse agencies will fly a person to their assignment and provide a car rental; however this is becoming less frequent except contracts in Hawaii and Alaska.

How Do I get Started?

You’ve already started your journey for a non-traditional nursing career by researching the above information! To learn how to be a successful Travel Nurse, Check out the Step by Step to Travel Nursing Guide!

So, Are you a Gypsy Nurse? There are qualities that you might already possess that indicate travel nursing might be your next adventure. This article will help you identify the Gypsy Nurse that might be lurking inside of you. With the current economy in the dumps and jobs becoming harder and harder to find as some places are over-saturated with nurses, there is a move for more and more nurses to hit the road and leave families and friends behind to begin a life as a Gypsy Nurse. People who live like gypsies while working are a minority, but they’re not uncommon. Admittedly it’s not for everyone. Some people instinctively know that it’s not for them and avoid it. Some people, myself included, love the lifestyle and wouldn’t live any other way.

Many people travel for work. The difference between a person who travels as part of their job and a gypsy is that the former is always looking forward to returning home, while the gypsy is at home in their travels. It’s largely an attitude.

Let’s take a look at what it’s like to be a gypsy. Maybe you are a gypsy and don’t know it, or maybe there is a gypsy inside of you waiting to be released. For me, certain characteristics define gypsies. When I think of a Gypsy, I think of someone who has the following characteristics:

A sense of Community

For me, this involves a mindset to be willing to rely on the kindness of friends, strangers, and new co-workers. Being willing to assist another while on contract. Being open to sharing a tip or two regarding a facility that you’ve experienced. When I think of Gypsy life, I think of a tight group willing to help, guide, and share. In most of the travel assignments that I have had, I’ve experienced this sense of community with other travel nurses and the friends that I have met along the way. Open yourself up to sharing, whether it’s an apple from your lunchbox or a couch for another travel nurse passing through. You will find that the travel nursing community is a strong one.

One good example of this:

I was in between contracts and headed out on an Across the Country Road Trip. I was getting ready to leave for a two-year stint in Germany with the DOD and wanted to get in touch with the friends I had met throughout the US before I left. I ended up being on the road for 32 days. Due to the kindness of travelers that I had met previously and a traveler friend of a friend and another friend of a friend…I only spent two nights out of 32 in a hotel. This was an amazing experience.

A love for the Simple Life

I envision Gypsies as simple living people….minimalists of a sort. They carry only what they need or can sell, and they trade their skills or labor for necessities. In a way, this is exactly what we do as travel nurses. We trade our nursing skills and time for facilities with a need. In return, we are provided not only a wage but a place to live. As a Travel nurse, it’s important to become somewhat of a minimalist. You will be traveling away from your primary home for large periods of time. Because of this, we have to simplify our belongings and determine what we need to have with us as we travel away from home.

When I first began traveling in 2004, this was a difficult task for me. Now, I travel with very little. You can read about how to pack to travel in Step #15. I have managed to downsize my life and become a minimalist. I find that living this way has allowed me to see life differently. I enjoy experiences much more than I enjoy ‘things. I have very few worries about theft or loss. Most of what I have is replaceable. Living a simple/minimalist life has allowed me to place a greater focus on living. Because I can focus on living, I can experience the next characteristic of a Gypsy…

Living Life to the Fullest/The Mindframe.

You must remember, spontaneity is the gypsy’s friend. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want (just so long as you don’t hurt anybody)! Spontaneity can define the travel lifestyle, whether that consists of wandering the streets in a new city or taking on a weekend trip to Mt Rushmore just because it’s close.

I think of Gypsies as being carefree, happy, full of dance and song….in fact, when I think of a Gypsy, it always makes me smile and long for life so carefree. But, I don’t have to think of living a carefree and happy life longingly; I already live it. Understand, I do have problems, and there are bumps in the road along the way, but overall the life that I live is a happy one.

Deciding at the last minute that I am going to take a contract on the beach in North Carolina for the summer or take the entire month of December off to spend it with family is a great perk to travel nursing. My family has finally gotten used to the fact that I probably do not know where I’ll be next year, let alone next week.

The Wanderlust.

This is probably the most instinctive characteristic thought of when contemplating a Gypsy Life. Gypsies are never content to stay in one place for long, and, as a gypsy nurse, you will constantly be moving too! To make this coming and going easier, many travel nurses choose a home that moves with them. The original gypsies used horse-drawn caravans or vardos. (I don’t recommend this as in today’s culture of fast-paced travel and interstates). The gypsies basically used them the way some people use SUVs on camping trips today. You can go the authentic route and use the caravans (with or without the horses) or use an RV or an SUV. You can also use a regular car; you’ll have to pack smaller. Just remember to keep moving wherever the wind takes you.

If you don’t enjoy travel, this isn’t the lifestyle for you. Gypsy living is a perfect life for those (like me) that suffer from Hypertravelosis.

Above all….have Fun!

The whole point of being a gypsy is to have fun! Don’t concentrate so much on these steps that it seems like a chore. That would ruin the purpose!

I don’t recommend the Gypsy life for everyone. Your either going to love it, or you’re going to hate it. There really isn’t much of an in-between.

Nursing Specialties

Top 5 Travel Nurse Specialties

What are the top Travel Nurse Specialties?

Labor and Delivery

Emergency Room

Medical Surgical/Telemetry

Critical Care – ICU/SICU/MICU/NICU

Operating Room Registered Nurse

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles