August 11, 2022

3688 Views

Specialties To Consider as a Travel Nurse

Posted on August 11, 2022August 2, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

If you’re a nurse looking to change it up, you may consider becoming a traveling nurse. Travel nurses are always in demand, and there are many benefits to going this route on your career path. Travel nurses have job security, make more money than traditional nurses, and are able to visit a wide range of places all over the country, which makes it easier to avoid burnout. The key is determining which type of travel nurse you want to become. There are a wide variety of specialties.

NICU Travel Nurse

Sometimes, new families experience birth trauma that sends them to the neonatal intensive care unit. NICU travel nurses are responsible for providing care to babies who were born prematurely or who are otherwise too sick to go home right away. The parents of these babies are often distraught, which means it’s important for nurses in this field to be compassionate, kind, and willing to communicate with parents often. NICU nurses must have a wide variety of certifications, including the BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications. NICU travel nurses can make an average of just under $80,000 per year.

Operating Room Nurses

Nurses who can work in operating rooms are highly sought after. Typically, operating rooms are the biggest source of income for a hospital, which means traveling OR nurses are usually very highly paid. There are three types of OR nurses. Circulating nurses take care of post-op patients and document their progress. Scrub nurses are responsible for assisting surgeons during operations. Finally, RN first assistants help with surgeries under the supervision of a surgeon. They can make incisions, suture wounds, and more. Operating room nurses must be calm in high-stress situations and have strong attention to detail.

Oncology Travel Nurse

Oncology nurses are in high demand all over the country. Oncology travel nurses are responsible for traveling to different areas of the country and providing care for cancer patients who are either in remission or terminal. These types of nurses must be highly educated about cancer treatment procedures and the side effects that can occur due to chemotherapy, radiation, or other types of cancer treatments. You must be highly compassionate and great at communication if you wish to do well in this role. You will need to be licensed and have at least one year of experience as well. The typical traveling oncology nurse will make nearly $101,000 annually.

Pediatric Travel Nurses

If you love to work with children, becoming a pediatric travel nurse may be for you. Pediatric nurses are responsible for caring for children, pre-teens, and teens. They may monitor vitals and administer medications, but they also perform developmental screenings. Because many children are afraid of going to the doctor, it is important that a pediatric nurse understands children and is compassionate. Pediatric nurses are also responsible for educating parents and children after a diagnosis. The job, which covers a wide range of skills and abilities, earns you about $98,000 annually.

ER Travel Nurse

Emergency rooms are always overcrowded and understaffed, so if you like a job that is fast-paced and always has something new to offer, becoming an ER travel nurse may be just right for you. ER nurses must be quick on their feet, well-organized, able to communicate well, and compassionate. You often need t make quick decisions and are what most people consider the front lines of a hospital. Many ERs require you to have PALS, BLS, and ACLS certifications in addition to your license and experience. ER nurses typically make nearly $107,000 per year.

Whether you want to work with children or are interested in the compassionate task of working in oncology, there is a travel nurse job for you. The key is to find the specialty that speaks to you. These are just a few of the specialties you can choose from. There are hundreds of specialties for travel nurses to choose from.

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.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By ONESTAFF MEDICAL

June 2, 2022

5122 Views

How to Land a Travel Nursing Supervisor Position

Posted on June 2, 2022June 2, 2022 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

Onestaff Medical provided this article.

While there are many different types of travel nursing specialties to choose from, some travel nurses may choose to take on supervisor positions at a hospital or other healthcare facility. Between providing compassionate care and supporting other nursing staff, travel nurse supervisor jobs are important positions that need to be covered in order for a hospital to run smoothly.

There are a number of responsibilities and duties that travel nurse supervisors take on that can be challenging, which is why it’s important that nurses in this position exhibit excellent communication, organization, and adaptability skills.

If you’re looking to work in a higher-level nursing position and travel at the same time, a travel nursing supervisor position may just be perfect for you.

What Are Nursing Supervisors?

Nursing supervisors play a large role in coordinating and managing nurses and other hospital support staff. Having a supervisor in each care unit of a hospital or clinic ensures that all patients are adequately treated and that the right care coverage is being provided.

Nurses may take on many responsibilities in their day-to-day role as a supervisor. They must be extremely organized in order to juggle multiple tasks, people, and patients, as well as ensure all hospital protocols are both efficient and up to standard.

The responsibilities of a nursing supervisor may include:

Coordinating and communicating with physicians, as well as patients and their families
Managing patient medical records and data
Maintaining smooth operations at the healthcare facility by monitoring patient flow
Handling various administrative responsibilities and clerical work, as well as managing budget
Creating schedules for nursing and support staff, and resolving staffing issues
Educating nursing staff on proper care protocols
Providing clinical support and care for patients, including in emergencies
Responding to patient complaints or concerns from senior administrators
Evaluating staff performance

Among other things, nursing supervisors should exhibit both leadership and conflict-resolution skills. While some nurses may already have these skills in the bag, others might not; fortunately, these skills can be learned over time through training and experience.

Can You Get These Jobs as a Travel Nurse?

If you are a traveling nurse and you’re wanting to become a supervisor, you’re in luck! It’s definitely possible for a travel nurse to move into this type of position, as long as they have the experience and education to be successful. Additionally, all kinds of medical facilities need nursing supervisor roles, including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions. This means that if you are a traveling nurse, there are still a range of different locations for you to choose from to work in this type of managerial role.

Supervisor travel nurse jobs require both managerial and patient care skills. Besides skills we’ve already discussed, travel nurse supervisors should also be:

Proficient at using patient management and recordkeeping systems
Knowledgeable of healthcare best practices to perform a variety of clinical work
Adaptable and flexible in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
Interpersonal with exceptional written and oral communication skills
Skilled in listening to others and promoting a collaborative environment
Able to teach, delegate, make decisions, solve problems, and resolve conflicts

If you’re ready to become a travel nursing supervisor, let’s found out what steps you need to take to get there.

5 Tips for Landing a Nursing Supervisor Role as a Travel Nurse

Just like any other managerial position, nursing supervisor roles require a certain level of education, licensing, healthcare knowledge, and other important skills. Individual healthcare facilities like hospitals may also have their own qualifications and requirements for nursing supervisors, so it’s important to consider this as you choose locations to travel to.

Fortunately, if you’ve been working in the healthcare field, you may already have some of this covered. If not, here are some tips we recommend for landing a nursing supervisor position as a travel nurse.

1. Get a Master’s Degree

Some travel nurses working in supervisor positions have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is a great program to learn patient care protocols as well as critical thinking, leadership training, and communication skills. Many healthcare facilities require nursing supervisors to have an MSN because the degree program can effectively prepare you for the demands of executive leadership and the administrative side of the position.

Although a master’s degree isn’t required for becoming a travel nurse supervisor, having a higher level of education can help you to stand out from a large group of qualified candidates. A higher degree shows that you’ve achieved a certain level of knowledge and experience to be successful in the nursing field. It also demonstrates that you are passionate and proactive about taking a step forward in your career and creating new opportunities for yourself.

2. Focus on Your Experience

Before stepping into a travel nurse supervisor position, you will likely need a certain level of experience. As a supervisor, you’re expected to have a certain skill level, which includes problem-solving, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills. Having clinical experience that’s both proven and mature is essential for being successful in a managerial role.

Many healthcare facilities ask that nurses have at least three to five years of experience before pursuing a leadership position. This is because having multiple years of clinical experience allows you to have a larger perspective of the responsibilities of a nursing team.

As you focus on gaining experience, think about what in-depth medical knowledge you can glean from performing day-to-day tasks, dealing with patient concerns, and solving problems that arise. You can also work with a mentor who can guide you as you transition to a higher-level nursing role.

3. Obtain the Proper License

As a traveling nurse, you may already have some licensing to work in certain units or specialties. When looking to become a travel nurse supervisor, there may be extra licensing to consider to give you the deep knowledge you need to provide patient care.

Besides a degree, travel nurses must also have a nursing license for the state in which they are employed. Keep in mind that your travel nursing agency can also help you obtain certain licenses—and may even pay the fees for you—if you wish to travel and work in other states. In addition, you may also consider acquiring the following licensing:

Basic Life Support
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Neonatal Resuscitation Training
Trauma education
Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) and Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC), both through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, as well as Certified in Executive Nursing Practice, through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

4. Showcase Your Leadership Abilities

One of the most important skills that a travel nursing supervisor must exhibit is leadership. Travel nursing leaders play a huge role in influencing the work environment, whether through safety measures, quality of care, or patient outcomes. This is a large responsibility, which is why it’s so important for nurses in this role to have stellar leadership skills.

Being able to effectively lead other nurses and support staff means mentoring them and giving them a space to comfortably express their opinions and ideas, especially regarding improvement or protocol modifications. If an environment can be created where ideas thrive, your nursing staff will see that you empathize with them, meaning you understand the personal and professional stress that accompanies the long hours of being on the job.

Travel nurses wishing to become supervisors shouldn’t be afraid to express their ideas or visions for change in the workplace. In fact, their ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses of others and how they can be improved is crucial for being a successful visionary in the healthcare world.

Travel nursing supervisors who can challenge the status quo, engage in change, and listen and encourage other nurses will be more successful in their position than those who aren’t. That’s why it’s important for them to share their ideas with others.

While travel nurse supervisors do have more responsibilities and duties they must take on, it can be a really rewarding position that offers new challenges and can help to improve patient care.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Sources:

By Jenny Hart

February 18, 2022

4538 Views

What Specialties of Nursing are in Highest Demand?

Posted on February 18, 2022February 1, 2022 by Jenny Hart

Are you looking into becoming a nurse? The nursing field is currently bursting with opportunity.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates nursing demand will increase by almost 10 percent between 2020 and 2030. That number is even higher for specialties of nursing, like nurse practitioners (45 percent).

If health and wellness are important to you, now is an excellent time to pursue a nursing career. Some of the most in-demand specialties include neonatal nursing and renal nursing.

Specialties of Nursing in High Demand:

Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal nurses take care of babies who are born prematurely or who have a variety of medical ailments, such as congenital disabilities, cardiac malformations, infections, and other functional problems. The first month of life is considered the neonatal period. Babies born too early are predisposed to health issues. When the babies are healthy enough, they are able to go home with their parents.

These nurses often work in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). Jobs require a bachelor’s degree in nursing and sometimes a master’s degree.

Renal Nurse

A dialysis nurse, or renal nurse, works with people who have chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal failure. Dialysis patients require care because their kidneys no longer function. When loss of kidney function occurs, a dialysis machine is used to filter waste from the blood.

Dialysis nurses treat patients receiving hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. These positions require a bachelor’s degree, and nursing students pursuing this field should look for courses focusing specifically on dialysis.

Nephrology nurses, who specialize in kidney care, look after patients who have kidney-related health issues stemming from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse, or other causes.

Clinical Nurse

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) work in a wide variety of health care settings. For example, a CNS may have specialties in:

Type of care, such as psychiatric or rehabilitation
Type of problem, such as pain, wounds, or stress
Population, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health
Setting, such as critical care or emergency room
Disease or medical subspecialty, such as diabetes or oncology

The four primary roles for a CNS are expert clinician, educator, researcher, and consultant. A CNS has advanced degrees and training. A master’s degree is required.

Nurse Practitioner

As a result of a shortage of doctors in the U.S., nurse practitioners are among the most in-demand jobs in healthcare. In fact, according to the BLS, employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all other occupations.

Nurse practitioners typically work under the supervision of a doctor, and administer tests, prescribe medications, and diagnose certain ailments. Depending on the state, nurse practitioners can have their own standalone practices.

Nurse practitioners are required to hold bachelor’s and master’s level degrees in nursing and pass a licensing examination.

They may also be referred to as ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) or APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).

Nurse Advocate

Instead of providing care, a nurse advocate represents the interests of a patient’s family in a care setting. These nurses work to maintain quality care and protect the patient’s rights. They also intervene should concerns arise and resolve issues. Nurse advocates also help clarify questions about care, billing, or treatments.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing, a few years experience, and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam are required for licensure to become a nurse advocate.

Eldercare Nurse

A geriatric or eldercare nurse specializes in the care of older adults. They typically care for frail or elderly patients with long-term, chronic medical conditions that are not related to an acute illness or injury. Eldercare nurses work to maximize patient comfort, ensure safety, prevent deterioration and maintain function.

This role is common for entry-level nurses.

The most common career paths for eldercare nurses include:

Geriatric Nursing Assistant
Geriatric Staff Nurse
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Home Health Nurse
Hospice Nurse

A certification in gerontology is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is awarded to registered nurses who meet specific requirements, including having at least three years of experience working with aging patients.

The need for this role is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years as the population of older adults grows. For instance, in 2019, the U.S. population of people age 65 and older numbered 54.1 million – a 36 percent increase from the 39.6 million counted in 2009.

Mental Health Nurse

Nursing students who wish to work in mental health can become Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMH) registered nurses (RN) or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). People in this role enjoy career flexibility and strong compensation as a result of the high demand for their services. Mental health nurses represent the second largest group of behavioral health professionals in the U.S.

Mental health nurses employ a range of expertise within their role, including nursing, psychosocial, and neurobiological.

Mental health nurses have the following roles:

Conduct intake screening, evaluation, and triage
Provide case management
Coordinate care
Partner with individuals to achieve their recovery goals
Provide health promotion and maintenance
Teach self-care activities
Administer and monitor psychobiological treatment regimens
Practice crisis intervention and stabilization
Engage in psychiatric rehabilitation and intervention
Educate patients, families, and communities
Work within interdisciplinary teams

Each of these specialties of nursing is in high demand. Those looking to explore travel nursing can find increased job security by pursuing one of these specialties.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need to find housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Chandler Rosemont

January 28, 2022

8928 Views

Specialized Excellence: Pediatric CVICU Nurse Expertise Unveiled

Posted on January 28, 2022December 18, 2023 by Chandler Rosemont

Traveling Pediatric CVICU Nurse

Hey guys! I am Chandler, and I have been a Pediatric CVICU Traveling nurse for 1 year. I started travel nursing in the CVICU after I completed 2 years in my specialty as a staff nurse. Most agencies require that you have 1-2 years of experience before they can contract you with a hospital. This is because, as a traveling nurse, you are expected to be an expert in your niche. Usually, the more specialized the unit, the more years of staff experience they prefer.

CVICU stands for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. Most of the patients we see and take care of have congenital heart diseases requiring surgical intervention. These patients are extremely sick. Some children come back from the operating room with their chests open for easy emergent access. These patients are on multiple drips that are titrated by the nurses to perfection. Their labs and arterial blood gasses are constantly assessed so we can meet their body’s needs. The patients have lines coming out of every crevice that are all managed by the nurse.

Here is what you can expect a typical CVICU patient to have:

Endotracheal tube- a machine breathing for the patient. This is managed by the nurse and Respiratory Therapist.
Arterial line- measuring constant blood pressures and serves as easy blood access for labs and arterial blood gasses.
Central Venous Catheter (CVC)- a medication line that goes into the heart delivering medications to the patient.
Intracardiac Pressure Line- a medication line that is used to measure pressures within a heart chamber. Some patients have multiple.
Drip medications- these include medications like inotropes, sedation, paralytics, and diuretics that are titrated to meet the patient’s needs.
Rectal Temperature tube- constantly measuring patient’s temperature
Chest tubes- removing excess fluids or air from the lungs
Neers- monitoring forehead and renal temperatures and oxygen flow
Foley catheter- drains urine from the patient’s bladder
Other IV access- this can be in the form of a PICC line or even a Peripheral IV. All the kids have emergency IV access elsewhere

I hope you are starting to see just how sick these patients are. This isn’t even a conclusive list of all the things a patient could have attached to them; however, it is the most frequently seen combination in a semi-stable post-operative case. Some patients have ECMO cannulas, a CVVH catheter for dialysis, or a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) helping their heart beat. All these devices require training by the specific facility, so it is uncommon to get patients with these devices on a short 3-month travel contract.

Pediatric CVICU travel assignment

A typical Pediatric CVICU assignment depends upon what state you are working in. In California, the patient-nurse ratio for an intubated patient is 1:1. However, in New York, it is 2:1. As mentioned before, traveling nurses typically do not take the advanced medical devices because of the required hospital trainings. Because of this, we tend to get the de-escalating patients. A de-escalating patient is one that is being weened off or having devices removed (the items I had mentioned in the list above). These patients are ready to soon be transitioned out of the ICU, so they no longer require all their lines and measuring devices. These patients are very tasky and busy…and we are usually given 2 of them. They require a lot of forward-thinking not to become overwhelmed. For instance, a patient being extubated will have all of their sedation turned off abruptly. Ensuring we have rescue dose medications ordered before extubation can create an easier shift. This is why experience is pivotal to travel nursing success in an ICU setting.

As a pediatric CVICU nurse, I have been floated to the PICU, NICU, and Neuro ICU. I felt more than prepared in these settings with my training as a Pediatric CVICU nurse. If you are interested in traveling, EXPECT to get floated and EXPECT the taskier assignments. Doing so will make your transition into traveling so much easier.

Here is the moral of the story as a traveling nurse: go into your shift expecting a tough and busy assignment. After all, traveling nurses are there to fill the gaps. We sometimes make double what staff nurses make, so in my opinion, we should be the first floated! Expect the taskier, busier, and less-than-ideal assignments, and you will crush it as a Pediatric CVICU traveling nurse.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Host Healthcare

November 3, 2021

14496 Views

In-Depth Insight: Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of a PACU Nurse

Posted on November 3, 2021December 19, 2023 by Host Healthcare

This article was provided by Host Healthcare.

Looking to switch careers or plan a nursing specialty and wondering which unit is better? If your talents include a great deal of empathy and an eagle-eyed level of detail and focus, then PACU nursing might be a great fit for you.

PACU, or post-anesthesia care unit, nursing is a unique position that requires close monitoring and care of critical patients who have just completed surgery or other procedures involving anesthesia.

Also known as recovery or perianesthesia nurses, PACU nurses must observe patients during critical stages of care, assist patients during the physical and emotional recovery process, and communicate with surgeons or doctors if medical intervention is needed.

What Do PACU Nurses Do?

The responsibilities of a PACU nurse can differ from day to day depending on patient intake and surgery schedules. However, most often the daily duties of a PACU nurse include:

Being assigned to 1 to 2 patients at a time
Monitoring patients’ vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate)
Changing dressings or bandages
Administering antibiotics, pain treatment, or other medications
Helping patients understand where they are and what is occurring
Communicating progress and patient needs to the family and care team

For patients, recovering from anesthesia, the process often involves fluctuating emotions and confusion in addition to feelings of pain and nausea. Patients may not recall what is happening or why they are in the hospital.

As the anesthesia wears off, they may begin to experience the pain of the surgery or procedure they’ve just undergone, and panic at not knowing why they’re hurting or being able to communicate it clearly.

An effective PACU nurse can stay calm and understanding under these circumstances to communicate with patients and make them feel comfortable, even when patients are experiencing intense mood swings or not responding to logic.

What Are Traits Successful PACU Nurses?

Oftentimes PACU nurses must have a preference for variety and be effective communicators. Additionally, to work as a PACU RN, you need:

Advanced clinical skills – This includes Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Detail orientation and organizational skills – PACU nurses must facilitate close monitoring of patient vitals and adhere to delicately timed medication and recovery plans.

Empathy and compassion – One of the most important roles of a PACU nurse is to understand patient needs when they are unable to communicate effectively, help patients stay calm following procedures, and connect with family members to inform them of their loved one’s progress.

Critical thinking and decision-making – Nurses must respond to changes in their patient’s health and administer variable treatment for patients with a limited ability to communicate. As such, PACU nurses must be able to troubleshoot and problem solve at the drop of a hat.

How Do You Become a PACU Nurse?

PACU nursing is a specialty open to registered nurses (RNs). To become a PACU nurse, you must complete:

Associates’ or Bachelor’s Degree – Completing studies for an Associates’ degree in nursing or a Bachelor’s degree is needed to be a PACU nurse. When embarking on becoming a PACU nurse, select a perianesthesia concentration or opt for courses in anesthesia-related care, if available.

RN exam – Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

RN licensing – Meet state licensure requirements to become an RN.

RN experience – Gain general experience working as a registered nurse.

While a licensed RN with post-anesthesia care education is qualified to apply for PACU positions, most RNs have broader job experience prior to PACU nursing. Along with critical care nursing, you can increase your wages and the likelihood of being hired with certification courses.

This involves applying with the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification after completing a minimum of 1,800 hours of relevant experience for either a:

Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN)
Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)

Your certification must be renewed every three years. This involves either retaking the exam or completing a combination of activities such as continuing education, teaching, authorship, and leadership.

Do PACU Nurses Make More Money?

So, why PACU nursing? Specialization pays off! The national average salary for current PACU RN job openings is $92,397, compared to a $70,335 average for RNs.

Plus, there are additional factors that can increase your income as a PACU nurse, including:

Travel nursing – PACU nurses earn $124,195 per year on average in the U.S. based on current travel PACU nurse job openings.

Location – As with most careers, earnings fluctuate based on both state and county. Currently, the highest wages for PACU nursing are found in California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Education – While the percentage of PACU RNs with associate and bachelor degrees is fairly similar, the average wage for those with BSNs is $8,712 higher than those with ADNs.

Nursing is a reliable career path with 7% projected growth from 2019 to 2029. Additionally, the need for PACU RNs with specialized experience will remain in high demand.

Are You Ready to Become a PACU Nurse?

PACU nursing requires compassion, advanced nursing expertise, and great communication skills to care for patients at their most vulnerable. While the day-to-day responsibilities of a PACU nurse are intricate, the rewards can be high—PACU nursing opens the door to honing your skills as a caretaker and provides you with an opportunity to fully engage in a vital patient care role.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to provide care and see the country, while also finding the best-paying jobs to increase your earnings, take a look at the travel PACU nurse jobs available through Host Healthcare, our partner here at Gypsy Nurse.

As the top-ranked travel nursing agency in the country, Host Healthcare takes a personalized approach to partner travelers with best-match locations and positions. Visit their website or talk to a recruiter today at (844) 812-6757.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Sources:

“FAQ – CPAN® and CAPA® Recertification.” ABPANC, 2 Mar. 2021, https://www.cpancapa.org/recertify/faq/.

“$75k-$119K Pacu RN Jobs (Now Hiring) | ZipRecruiter.” ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/PACU-RN.

“Registered Nurse in Pacu Demographics and Statistics [2021]: Number of Registered Nurse in Pacus in the US.” Registered Nurse In Pacu Demographics and Statistics [2021]: Number Of Registered Nurse In Pacus In The US, 9 Sept. 2021, https://www.zippia.com/registered-nurse-in-pacu-jobs/demographics/.

“Registered Nurses : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 Sept. 2021, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.

By Medely

October 21, 2021

8788 Views

Highest Paying Travel Nursing Specialties

Posted on October 21, 2021January 14, 2022 by Medely

This article was provided by Medely.

Think about the reason you went into Nursing… It probably wasn’t for fame and fortune, was it? Instead, most Nurses we talk to found their way into this field because they want to make a difference in the world and have an aptitude for giving care to those in need. Nursing is just one of those fields that attract bright individuals who’d like to leave the world a little better than they found it. It may sound idealistic, but it’s true.

That being said, you can still earn a great living while you’re at it.

Nursing is often a labor of love, but it does involve a good amount of labor. And Nurses deserve to be compensated for their work, as well as the years of training, education, and practice that have gone into making them the medical powerhouses they are today. General practice Nursing is already a lucrative career choice. And if you choose to specialize, you can earn even more.

So let’s take a look at some of the most highly paid Nursing specialties out there and what they involve to see if one might be a good fit for you. Keep in mind that the salary for each will vary depending on when and where you decide to work.

Labor, Delivery and Infant ICU RN

Up to $7,614* per week for travel assignments (California), or $190 per hour

Education: ADN minimum, BSN preferred

L&D Nursing and NICU Nurses are not typically the same people, but we’re counting them both here because they are one of the highest-paying nursing specialties.

Labor and Delivery Nurses’ primary responsibilities involve:

Caring for patients during pregnancy.
Assisting the birth-giver and the family during labor.
Working alongside the doctor to provide initial care to the infant after delivery.

They monitor both the infant and the birth-giver for signs of complications and illness during labor and the postpartum period.

NICU Nurses are responsible for caring for sick infants in an intensive care setting. They monitor infant vital signs, administer medications, and keep infants clean and fed until discharge.

In addition to a Nursing degree, L&D Nurses should have the following certifications: RNC-BC, C-EFM, and C-ELBW. In addition, NICU Nurses need RNC-IC and CCRN-Infant.

ER RN

Up to $6,238* per week for travel assignments (California), or $156 per hour

Education: ADN or BSN acceptable

Emergency Room Nurses treat patients in need of urgent and immediate medical care. They must be quick on their feet and may handle a high degree of stress. Different ERs often provide further services, and ER Nurses may choose to specialize in pediatric, geriatric, cardiac, or trauma-related emergency medicine. ER Nurses should feel comfortable handling a variety of patients that may come their way.

ER Nurses will perform triage, administer medication and other treatments, monitor vital signs, assess vital signs and patient status, document, collaborate with emergency physicians to plan patient care, and communicate with patients and their families.

ER Nurses should have the following certification: CEN.

Oncology RN

Up to $6,429* per week for travel assignments (Iowa), or $161 per hour

Education: ADN minimum, BSN preferred

Oncology Nurses are experts in general care but work primarily with cancer patients. Because many cancers affect different parts of the body, RNs working in Oncology may specialize in treating specific iterations of the illness, and their duties will vary.

In general, day-to-day tasks include:

Administering medication.
Monitoring patient pain and comfort levels.
Educating your patient about care and treatment options.
Collaborating with the patient’s physician to provide adequate care.

Oncology Nurses must also possess a high degree of emotional intelligence as they will often need to communicate difficult news and provide added emotional support while at the bedside.

Oncology Nurses should have the following certifications: OCN, and either CPHON, CBCN, BMTCN, AOCNP, AOCNS, CPON, or AOCN, depending on specialty.

Cardiac Cath Lab RN

Up to $5,970* per week for travel assignments (Arkansas), or $149 per hour

Education: ADN minimum, BSN preferred

Cardiac Nurses primarily assist with cardiac catheterization, but their expertise extends more generally into cardiology. Nurses in this discipline provide care to patients with long-term or acute illness in the heart and significant valves. They may be especially active during cardiac surgical operations.

Cardiac Nurses perform diagnostic tasks during heart surgeries, including identifying blockages and assisting with other cardiac surgical procedures, including angioplasties, pacemaker installation, and stents.

Cardiac Nurses should have the following certifications: CMC and CV-BC.

Medely’s Highest Paying Nursing Specialties

Medely offers travel and per diem positions to qualified Nurses who want to live their best lives and make a difference while doing it. Medely’s job options include many of the specialties listed above, in states across the country — and the pay is excellent! Nurses working a travel position as a Telemetry RN in Iowa, for example, can take home as much as $5,970 per week. Visit us today to see if we have your dream job listed.

More into the mental side of things? Learn more about finding psychiatric travel positions in our other article: Psychiatric Nursing Jobs.

*All rates shown are posted weekly payments for positions listed for September 2021. Rates may vary depending on date, position, and location. Check Medely travel rates for current earning potential.

We hope you found this article on the highest-paying travel nursing specialties helpful. If you think we missed any please comment below.

Are you looking for your next assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your next assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By AB Staffing Solutions

August 16, 2021

8490 Views

Changing Travel Nurse Specialties

Posted on August 16, 2021January 14, 2022 by AB Staffing Solutions

This article was provided by AB Staffing.

Have you ever considered changing travel nurse specialties? If you have, you are not alone. COVID has made us all adapt in ways we never dreamed of. From how we travel or communicate with loved ones to thinking about our careers. Many nurses have been inspired to continue giving back. We’ve had staff nurses move to travel so they can serve in hard-hit areas of the country like New York City at the height of the pandemic or move to a new specialty to serve where they are most needed. Before you make the change, consider the following:

What are your strengths? As a travel nurse, there are different skills that are needed, and some required, that may be different from what you experience as a staff nurse or even a traveler. If you like to stay busy and are fast on your feet as a Med/Surg or Tele nurse, then maybe the emergency room would be great for you. If you enjoy working with the older population, you may also have the patience to work with younger patients in the NICU or PICU. When it comes to changing your nursing specialty, it is important to think about your strengths and where they can be translated into a different area.

What specialties are you considering? Research areas in which you are interested to see how your skills, experience, and certifications would transfer. While you may want to move to a particular area, it may require additional credentialing that could take more time than you desire, while another may require minimal re-education and training. The Johnson & Johnson Discover Nursing site is a great resource to learn about more than 100 different nursing specialties. Reviewing job postings and job descriptions will also help you decide where – or if – you will want to move to a new specialty.

What experience is needed to switch? Most positions require that you have experience in an area before becoming a traveler in that specialty. That may mean remaining a staff nurse in order to gain that experience. If you’re looking to become a traveler sooner rather than later, you may need to stick to where you already have the experience.

Have you talked to your Recruiter? Before changing travel nurse specialties, talk to your Recruiter and ask questions about hours, day-to-day tasks, type of patients, and skill requirements. It is rare, but you may find you can build your resume with skills that translate to the desired position while in your current contract.

Who do you know? The four words you need in a job search are – who do you know? What we really mean is to network with travel nurses who are working in the specialty you desire. Asking questions and learning more about their experience is a great way to learn whether or not it is right for you. You may learn that working with geriatric patients can be rewarding because they offer their stories and experiences or that your original excitement for ICU goes away when you think about dealing with trauma patients and death. It’s worth a few conversations to figure it out.

Have you told your Agency? In the process of exploring options with your Recruiter, be sure to update your information and let them know you’re open to opportunities in the top nursing specialties. That way, they can be researching a new contract for you while you’re completing your current one.

As a travel nurse, you will likely find the opportunity to move within your contracted facility challenging. This is because they’ve hired you for a certain job to fulfill a need they had at the time they hired you. While talking to your manager may be a good idea if you have a good relationship with them, it may be better to talk to your Recruiter. They will know more about upcoming contracts at the facility and/or needs in area hospitals that would fit your desire to change specialties.

If you’re meant to be a travel nurse, AB Staffing can help you find or change travel specialties to meet your needs and goals. Contact us today to learn more!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Are you looking for housing for your next assignment? Click here to view our housing page.

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

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Karl Murphy

May 17, 2021

12609 Views

Top 5 of the Most In-Demand Travel Nurse Specialties

Posted on May 17, 2021January 16, 2023 by Karl Murphy

When it comes to the topmost in-demand travel nurse specialties, there are two things to look out for. One is the demand for nurses’ services in that field, and the second is how much they get paid. It follows the economic rule of “The higher the demand, the more the price.” This article brings you the top in-demand travel nurse specialties and what makes them so special.

5 Most Sought-After Travel Nurse Specialities

Travel nurses are registered nurses who work in short-term roles at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities globally. They help fill gaps in areas where there are nursing shortages. An independent nursing staffing agency employs them instead of a single hospital.

According to Trusted Nurse Staffing, knowing the nursing specialty in demand would help you choose the direction to take your nursing career. This is why we put together the best five options to help you decide.

1. Intensive Care Nurses

Intensive care (ICU) nurses are the most sought-after in nursing specialties. The need for ICU nurses increased due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Generally, the high demand for nurse practitioners in this specialty is because they have experience with:

Severe accident cases
Significant and delicate surgeries
Trauma and other life-threatening situations

To become an ICU nurse, you must pass the NCLEX-RN and get licensed in the state where you practice. You must have at least one year of clinical experience and have BLS/CPR and ACLS certifications. Meeting these requirements qualifies you as a Critical Care Registered Nurse, and you can work in:

Pediatric ICU
Cardiac care unit
Telemetry units
Neonatal ICU
Progressive care units

2. Telemetry Nursing

Due to the shortage of ICU beds, and the increased need for progressive care, there’s high demand for telemetry nurses. Nurses working in this specialty constantly monitor patients experiencing cardiac, respiratory, or renal issues. They are quick to act and communicate effectively with healthcare providers.

If you can accurately assess a situation and act accordingly, then consider telemetry nursing. To become one, you must possess:

RN license
ADN or BSN degree
ACLS, BLS, and PCCN certifications

3. Emergency Room Nursing

This specialty is in demand because emergency room nurses are among the first to attend to trauma patients when they arrive at the hospital. Hospital ERs are always filled with diverse types of ailments and need proactive nurses. If you are not afraid of past-packed action and split-second decisions, consider this specialty.

To become an emergency room nurse, you must have the following qualifications:

A year of experience in an acute care facility
ACLS, PALS, and BLS certifications
NIH Stroke certification

If you desire to distinguish yourself during the application process, it will help to have or take part in the following:

Emergency Nursing in Pediatrics Course
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
Trauma Nurse Core Course
Crisis Prevention Training

4. Labor and Delivery Nurses

There is an increased need for labor and delivery nurses. While many see it as a satisfying and fulfilling career choice, not everyone has what it takes to be one.

The required qualifications to become a labor and delivery nurse include:

Possessing an ADN and BSN
Passing the NCLEX
Having BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications
Being experienced in electronic fetal heart monitoring
Having a one-year experience in an acute care facility

5. Operating Room Nursing

Operating room nursing is both high in demand and offers a good salary. This is because they are needed in hospitals and surgical centers, day-surgery centers, and clinics. To be an OR nurse, you need to be highly skilled and keep operating rooms clean and sterile always.

Also, nurses working in this specialty are patient advocates and pay key attention to their safety. To qualify for this position, you must:

Earn an ADN or BSN
Obtain an RN license in the state you work
Have clinical or OR experience
Have BLS and ACLS certifications

Conclusion

The opportunities available to travel nurses are vast. Whether you are a specialty nurse looking to diversify or increase your pay, there’s something for you. All you need to do is find your perfect fit, such as with online dating. So, feel free to begin today.

By CareerStaff Unlimited

March 25, 2021

6900 Views

Dreaming of a Spring Refresh? What to Consider When Changing Your Specialty

Posted on March 25, 2021May 19, 2021 by CareerStaff Unlimited

This article was provided by CareerStaff Unlimited.

Spring is a time of change and renewal. In any year, the warmer weather is a welcome change from the dark winter months that came before. And this year, spring is especially anticipated as we emerge from a tough winter.

Like many other nurses, you may wish to embrace this spirit of change by shifting your career to a new specialty or setting. After all, what better way to renew your love of nursing than by taking on a new challenge — one that’s better suited to your skills and preferences?

The fact is, nurses, make career adjustments all the time as they pursue new and better opportunities and attempt to improve their prospects. It could be a matter of moving from the intensity of a hospital ICU to delivering general patient care in a skilled nursing facility. Or, it could involve shifting to a different facility type — like from a clinic to an LTAC facility.

For travel nurses, there’s even more value in working in new settings. The pandemic has caused a huge rise in the use and recognition of full-time travel nurses. On the other hand, this higher profile is likely to inspire many new nurses to start traveling. As the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) continues to expand, the number of nurses traveling to other states for assignments will only continue to grow.

While that’s mostly good news, it could also mean more competition for existing travel nurses. And that’s all the more reason to consider expanding your specialty or facility experience. Before you consider making that kind of change, below are a few questions you should ask yourself.

4 questions to ask yourself before changing your nursing specialty

1. What’s your motivation?

First, it’s important to nail down what you’re looking for in a career change. Are you seeking a new experience or a chance to work with patients at different stages of the care continuum? Are you feeling burned out in your current role, dissatisfied with your environment, or have you reached a level you can’t advance beyond? Maybe you want to move from a big city to a small town?

There are a number of possibilities here. But if you feel like what you’re really looking for is an escape from your existing situation, then you may want to consider a short-term travel assignment (most are about 13 weeks). That way, you’ll have a chance to sample a new career path before committing to a huge life change that you may not necessarily be ready for.

2. How does the change line up with your personal situation?

If you do have your heart set on an entirely new type of specialty, there are some serious personal factors to consider. For example, how will the salary of the new specialty affect your personal finances — both today and in terms of future goals like retirement or homeownership?

Will you need new certifications for your new job? Will you need to go back to school? In most instances, this probably won’t be necessary. However, if you’re looking to shift to an advanced practice position like a nurse practitioner or certified nurse anesthetist, then you’ll want to factor in the time and cost of heading back to school.

3. Are you up for the challenge?

Some of the nursing specialties that have become in demand due to the pandemic (especially post-acute care) are, by their very nature, intense and stressful. In addition to the physical endurance required, do you have the personality type to manage that type of lifestyle? Will you need to take a step backward in your career path to get the basic entry-level experience you need to land a job — and if so, are you prepared to do that?

Do your research — ask other nurses you work with, or do some networking on social media. (Or browse the huge, highly informative archive at the Gypsy Nurse Blog.) Other nurses will be happy to tell you what it takes to succeed in a given specialty. At that point, it’s up to you to be honest with yourself as to whether you’re really ready for that kind of change.

4. Do you know how to find a job in your new specialty?

The chances are that if you have your sights set on a new specialty, you have a pretty good idea of where you’d like that job to be. If not, it’s easy to check — nursing job companies offer regularly updated job listings that can show you what’s available at any given time and in any given location.

If you’re seeking to refresh your nursing career, CareerStaff Unlimited has various opportunities across the United States. Visit CareerStaff.com to learn more or to see what nursing jobs we have available right now.

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

START HERE

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

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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