Great Opportunities for Travel Nurses
Travel Nursing Helps Fill Staffing Shortages Across the USA
Travel nurses are registered nurses who work in temporary nursing roles. Rather than being hired by a healthcare facility directly, they typically work with staffing agencies to fill in-demand positions. Travel nurses are a critical part of healthcare, and many medical and hospital facilities just can’t operate as smoothly without them.
A travel nurse can gain extraordinary experience by working in different departments and with diverse patients and providers. It’s an exciting career path for those who want to explore new places while helping others. With high demand and competitive pay, it’s no wonder that more healthcare professionals are choosing this dynamic profession.
Travel nurses are in high demand
Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023-2033, faster than the average increase in almost every other occupation. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 200,000 additional nurses will be needed year-over-year for the next decade.
Like other registered nurses, travel nurses can do everything from administering medication and educating patients to monitoring serious medical conditions. A psychiatric nurse is also a registered nurse who has specialty experience in treating patients with mental health problems.
Travel nurses can specialize in behavioral health or psychiatric nursing, just as other travel nurses specialize in emergency department care or home health nursing.
Registered nurses who are open to travel make higher wages
For travel nurses, the urgency to arrive on the job quickly (usually within a couple of weeks) and the flexible potential to stay for long or short periods of time is reflected in higher wages. In addition to earning a bigger salary at higher hourly rates, other unique benefits of being a travel nurse include:
- Exploring different cities or regions across the country
- Creating your own monthly calendar schedule
- Planning vacations and time off months in advance
- Meeting new people and experiencing other cultures
- Gaining experience in multiple healthcare settings
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States currently has the highest population of Americans 65 years old in its history. This number is projected to continue growing, and so is the sky-high demand for nurse practitioners, registered nurses and travel nurses.
Different types of travel nurses
Travel nursing isn’t a one-size-fits-all career. As a travel nurse, you might work in the ICU of a busy urban hospital or in the maternity ward at a rural medical center. Other travel nursing specializations include:
- Psychiatric nurses
- Critical care nurses
- Emergency nursing
- Labor and delivery
- Operating room nurses
- Home health nursing
Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse
Travel nursing offers numerous advantages beyond a bigger salary. Depending on the independent work contract, other travel nurse perks might include:
Adaptable schedule
Enjoy the freedom to choose assignments that fit your lifestyle and year-long family demands. Whether you want to take extended breaks between jobs or work back-to-back contracts, your travel nursing schedule offers versatility.
Professional growth
Working in diverse environments allows the healthcare provider to gain a broad range of skills and experiences. This not only enhances your resume but opens up new career opportunities. Specialty travel nurses (like psychiatric nurses) are even more in demand.
Career opportunity
As with any career, earnings and employee benefits are always a key factor to the career path you choose.
Travel nurses typically have access to many attractive work benefits, including:
- Easy mobile payroll
- Housing stipends and agency housing
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Biweekly tax-exempt living stipend
- Travel and meal reimbursement
- Orientation prior to the first assignment
- Collaborative network of nursing leaders
Adventure RN is an in-house travel program exclusive to Universal Health Services (UHS) behavioral health division. Continue your nursing adventure at over 200 UHS locations in 39 states and Washington, DC.
Horizon Health Adventure RN
Horizon Health and our travel nurse partners offer full-time and part-time opportunities in the behavioral health field. Call 800-727-2407 for career information or contact Adventure RN today.
Contact us
Horizon Health, a subsidiary of Universal Health Services (UHS), is a leading health and hospitals management company with extensive behavioral health facilities. Horizon Health Adventure RN, the Travel Nurse Program, offers flexible employment opportunities across our national network of more than 200 behavioral health facilities. We have full-time and part-time positions (20 hours per week) available.