how do you become travel nurse

How to Become a Travel Nurse

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• Career Overview
• Steps to Become
• Education Options
• Certification and Specialization

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Are you interested in a financially rewarding nursing career that offers the flexibility to take short-term assignments across the country and abroad? The nursing shortage has increased the demand for travel nurses in every type of healthcare setting, often in underserved communities in both urban and rural locations. Employers offer higher pay and more generous benefits to travel nurses with specialties, such as ICU or neonatal nursing, or those holding advanced practice registered nursing licenses.

Keep reading to learn how to become a travel nurse, what kind of license and certifications you need to enter the field, and what to expect on the job.

How Long to Become 2-4 years

Degree Required ADN or BSN

Average Weekly Salary $2,109

Source: Vivian , April 2024

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a skilled nursing professional willing to take short-term assignments both across the U.S. and internationally , lasting from a few weeks to several months. Instead of seeking permanent positions in healthcare facilities, these licensed and registered nurses find temporary placements using the services of staffing agencies that specialize in travel nursing. Travel nurse contracts outline the start and end dates for the placement, total compensation for the duration of the assignment, and work expectations.

The demand for registered nurses has increased throughout the healthcare industry, along with critical nursing shortages in some geographic locations and in high-demand specializations. Travel nurses have stepped in to fill these gaps. According to the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey , 6% of RNs work as travel nurses.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Steps to Becoming a Travel Nurse

A travel nurse must meet the same educational and clinical requirements as all registered nurses (RNs). You must first earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Once you earn your degree, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and acquire your state nursing license. Because employers expect travel nurses to immediately begin working, travel nurse staffing agencies typically look for applicants with at least one year of clinical experience. Specializations and certifications can give you an advantage.

Earn an ADN or BSN Degree From an Accredited Program.

Travel nurses must earn an ADN or a BSN to qualify for RN licensure. An ADN offers the fastest pathway to an RN nursing career. However, a BSN, which typically takes four years to complete, provides graduates with a higher level of training and clinical experience, leading to broader employment opportunities. The major travel nurse staffing agencies and large healthcare systems prefer to hire RNs with a BSN degree.

Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure.

You need to pass the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to earn an RN license. This computer-adaptive test takes up to six hours and covers nursing practice, conditions and treatments, how the healthcare system works, legal and ethical issues, and patient communication and education.

Gain Clinical Nursing Experience.

The more clinical experience you have, the more likely you will find a placement. Most agencies only consider applicants with a minimum of one year of experience. However, some healthcare contracts require two years or more of clinical experience. Travel nurses must have the skills and background to jump into assignments without on-the-job training or orientations, adjusting to new environments, staff, and procedures.

Find a Travel Nursing Agency.

Nurse staffing agencies have grown in popularity, filling the nursing shortage gap resulting from RNs who retire or leave the workforce. Consequently, many agencies have emerged that specialize in travel nurse staffing. Travel nurse agencies advertise for specific positions, often recruiting at nursing school career offices, professional associations, and online. Before working with a travel nurse agency, it is important to research its reputation. When evaluating agencies, you should compare if the contracts they offer meet your expectations about available locations, types of assignments, salary and benefits, and travel and housing arrangements.

Begin Your First Travel Nursing Assignment.

Because travel nurses work in multiple settings with varied patient populations , duties and responsibilities differ for each new assignment. In most cases, you will receive little on-the-job training. Depending on the employer, your first shift may begin with a full orientation or just a brief introduction to the facility’s procedures and policies. You may be paired with a nurse for your first few days, but then you will be expected to work independently soon after.

While some travel staffing agencies handle housing arrangements to help you settle into your new environment, you may decide to find your own accommodations to save on living expenses.

Travel Nurse Education

Different employers and positions have different travel nurse requirements. Generally, it takes at least two years to earn an ADN, the minimum requirement to become an RN.

Most travel nurse positions require a BSN, but some nurses start with an ADN, which takes two years to complete rather than the four years required for a BSN. Many BSN programs offer RN-to-BSN bridge programs .

Admission Materials

Program curriculum, time to complete, skills learned.

All travel nurses must be licensed RNs by earning an undergraduate nursing degree, either a BSN or an ADN, and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. However, many employers require or strongly prefer a BSN.

Travel Nurse Licensure

If you plan on becoming a travel nurse, you must have a valid nursing license in the state where you intend to practice. If the state where you earned your initial RN license participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), you do not need to apply for another license to work in any other NLC state. However, not all states are NLC members . If your intended travel nurse assignment is located in a non-NLC state, you must apply for a license in that specific state before starting your contract. Some states have expedited processes for temporary licenses, and certain staffing agencies can assist you with the application process.

Maintaining an active license as a travel nurse is no different than for other RNs. You need to renew your RN license periodically, meeting the specific requirements for contact hours and continuing education units in your home state. If you are working in a non-NLC state, you must meet the renewal requirements for that jurisdiction.

Travel Nursing Certification and Specialization

RNs often choose to earn specialty nurse certifications in a variety of areas, including emergency care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and infection control. While earning a certification may not be required for a certain position, a specialization helps distinguish you from other job applicants and may boost your salary.

According to a 2019 travel nurse compensation report , the demand for travel nurses is highest for those with specializations in ICU, medical-surgical, operating room, and emergency room nursing. ICU nurses, the most in-demand travel nurse specialty, accounts for 16.5% of all travel nurses. Healthcare employers and staffing agencies often look for travel nurses with specialties in particular patient populations, including neonatal nursing and pediatrics, or those with experience in specific types of services, such as emergency and critical care nursing.

Working as a Travel Nurse

Travel nurses fill temporary assignments wherever nurses are needed. They may find placements in hospitals and clinics facing nursing shortages, community health facilities, and healthcare organizations in the U.S. and abroad that must respond to public health crises, disease outbreaks, and other medical emergencies. The average travel nurse contract lasts between 13 and 26 weeks, but hours and shifts vary widely depending on the assignment.

Travel nurse salaries also vary by setting, location, and specialization. According to Vivian , a major healthcare hiring service, the average weekly pay for travel nurses is $2,118, or $44.79 an hour, compared to $42.80 per hour for RNs overall, as noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics . However, earnings can range from $458 weekly for the lowest-paid travel nurses to $6,419 for the top earners, and some travel nurses may be given a housing/relocation stipend.

Although working as a travel nurse has many benefits, there are some potential downsides. Travel nurses may be required to complete onboarding for each new contract they begin, even if they have already previously worked at a facility. This process can require time-consuming steps, such as providing proof of vaccination, fingerprinting, and documentation of your medical history, which can delay your start date.

Some travel nurses have difficulty finding affordable housing options for the duration of their contract. You can review a travel agency’s benefits to determine if they may provide assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Travel Nurse

Do travel nurses get benefits.

In addition to the attractive salaries, some travel nurse placements offer benefits. These may include medical and dental coverage, 401K contributions, sign-on bonuses, and stipends for housing, travel and per-diem living expenses.

Can travel nurses choose where they work?

One of the major perks of working as a travel nurse is the flexibility to choose when and where to work. However, your ability to choose your placement depends on the demand for your particular specialty or the number of available positions in the location where you want to work.

What is the best degree to become a travel nurse?

Many staffing agencies prefer to hire travel nurses who have completed a bachelor of science in nursing. A BSN equips nurses with a solid foundation of nursing knowledge and skills. This can prepare them for a travel nursing role, where they may need to transition between healthcare facilities and effectively adapt to diverse patient populations and settings.

How do I find a travel nurse staffing agency?

Travel nurse staffing agencies may recruit at nursing schools, through referrals, or through advertisements for specific positions or general placements. You can also look online for travel nurse staffing agencies or discover agencies through networking. Be sure to double check references and the agency’s reputation.

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What to Know About Working as an International Travel Nurse

If you love traveling and want to become a nurse, consider the growing field of international travel nursing. Choose from many well-paying positions in a variety of destinations all over the world.

The 7 Top States for Travel Nurses (Fall)

The travel nurse industry is rapidly expanding. If you’d like to plan your first or next assignment, consider these top seven states for your fall destination.

How to Become an International Travel Nurse

International travel nursing offers great pay and adventure. Take these steps to get your first international assignment.

Page last reviewed on April 7, 2024

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Home / Nursing Careers & Specialties / Travel Nurse

Travel Nurse

What is a travel nurse, how to become a travel nurse, travel nurse faqs, what does a domestic or international travel nurse do, travel nurse salary and employment, helpful organizations, societies, & agencies.

Travel nurses are RNs from various clinical backgrounds who work for independent staffing agencies. They are assigned to different care areas on a temporary basis to fill in short-term employment gaps.

Travel nursing is a specialty that took root when the field of nursing faced a nationwide shortage. Hospitals, clinics, and other care areas had unfilled positions, yet had patients needing care. To try and attract nurses to the open positions, employers offered higher pay, housing, and covered the cost of relocating.

Due to these shortages, health care facilities have vacancies that need to be filled—and travel nurses are often the ones to fill open positions. Not only do travel nurses work in health care in any state in the country, but they also work outside of the United States as international travel nurses. The adventure and excitement of new opportunities, along with higher-than-average pay, are facets of travel nursing that many RNs find attractive.

Why Are Travel Nurses Important?

Travel nurses are an important part of the health care team because they help bridge the gap between supply and demand in the field of nursing. Mandatory nurse-patient ratios have led to increased patient safety and lower patient mortality . While this is a positive finding, and more and more states are passing legislation to implement staffing ratios, there are not enough nurses to fill the openings. Travel nurses assigned those open positions help to increase patient safety and improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, nurses from different educational backgrounds, care areas, and geographic locations bring a great deal to the practice of nursing. Sharing ideas and practices not only benefits patients, but also other nurses.

A travel nurse should have the following characteristics to excel in the role:

• Enjoys experiencing new cities, towns, and organizations
• Enjoys freedom. Travel nurses choose when and where they work, and choose their duration of employment
• Enjoys flexibility. Travel nurses create their schedules, benefits packages, and income based on which agency they choose to work
• Thrives on challenges. Moving to different states or overseas and being “the new nurse” repeatedly is challenging. Learning new organizational systems and workflows is particularly challenging
• Loves learning new things. Each assignment takes travel nurses to new health care facilities, some with higher levels of technology or different standards of practice. Each experience helps nurses build upon their knowledge base

Additionally, travel nurses should have supportive families and friends. It's difficult to either pack up and move an entire family or leave your family and friends behind. The flip side to this is that new relationships are formed in each new location.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Travel Nurses?

Those interested in the specialty of travel nursing should first pursue a nursing degree through a two or four-year university. Obtaining an associate's degree ( ADN ) or bachelor's degree ( BSN ) in nursing is required. A BSN is not required to be a travel nurse, but some health care facilities only hire BSN-prepared nurses. The staffing agency in which the nurse is employed should match the nurse appropriately based on educational requirements.

After completion of an accredited nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for licensure.

Most travel nurse agencies require a minimum of one year of hands-on experience in the chosen specialty of nursing. Additionally, some agencies will only hire BSN-prepared RNs. International travel nurses should speak the language of the country they are to practice in, as communication is an important part of effective healthcare delivery. Nurses are encouraged to research agencies when considering travel nursing.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

No additional exams are required for travel nursing. Based on the specialty, certification(s) may be required. Examples include:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required
• Stroke care certification
• Telemetry certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Critical care nursing (adults, pediatric, neonatal)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) may be required
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) certification

Additional specific requirements may be necessary for international travel nurses. These include:

• Acquiring a passport and work visa (usually handled by the agency)
• Additional immunizations
• Learning a new language
• Learning about diseases unique to the area

How Can a Travel Nurse Receive a Tax-Free Housing Stipend?

Housing is one of the most significant concerns for a travel nurse. There are a few options available, and it depends on the travel nurse agency/company regarding how accommodations are set up. Some companies provide housing (i.e., apartment, duplex, etc.). Some companies offer a housing stipend, or a fixed amount of money each month to apply towards housing.

First, nurses need to be aware of where their “tax home” is, as stipends are tax-free if working away from the tax home. Having a tax home is necessary to receive tax-free housing. A "tax home" is defined as the general vicinity of an individual's primary place of work (regardless of where the primary residence is). Generally, the IRS considers someone traveling away from home (i.e., their "tax home") if it exceeds one workday.

Different travel nurse agencies offer different stipends - it’s important to research what the living expenses are in a specific area to ensure housing is adequately covered. The General Services Administration (GSA) lists the maximum daily amount for lodging, meals, and incidentals with regards to travel expenses . The key word is MAXIMUM. It's not required that a company pay employees the listed stipend. In fact, some travel nurse agencies offer higher hourly wages instead of housing stipends. Additionally, the GSA rates are based on short-term travel - usually less than a month. Travel nurse contracts can last three months or more.

Are Nursing Licenses Valid When Traveling and Working in Other States?

Those interested in travel nursing may have questions about licensing; specifically, how are licenses recognized if practicing in another state.

Depending on the state, new licensure is not necessary. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the Nurse Licensure Compact which is an agreement between specific states to recognize nursing licenses without having to apply separately for licensure in another state. In other words, a nurse living in a "compact state" (one which is part of this agreement) can practice in another compact state without having to obtain additional licenses. There are now uniform licensure requirements that must be met when seeking a multistate license under the compact agreement. States that participate in the compact agreement can be found on the NCSBN website .

If not part of the compact agreement, some states allow nurses to obtain temporary licenses by endorsement. These are valid for specific lengths of time, so nurses must visit each state’s Board of Nursing website to determine specific temporary license requirements. If extending the assignment past the temporary license time frame, nurses must apply for a permanent license. Permanent licenses are also required for states that don't grant licensure by endorsement and don't participate in the NLC.

Travel nurses have a broad range of responsibilities and duties, and specific tasks depend on the specialty in which the nurse is trained. General nursing responsibilities and duties include:

• Using the nursing process of assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating to care for patients in a variety of healthcare settings
• Administering medications, and fluids, assisting with activities of daily living and patient mobility
• Reviewing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and imaging
• Provide monitoring and oversight in all aspects of patient care
• Collaborating with physicians in developing a plan of care
• Assessing the psychosocial needs of patients and families
• Recognizing and intervening in clinically unstable patients
• Providing resources for patients and referring as necessary
• Educating patients and families in all areas of healthcare maintenance and prevention
• Working in assignments anywhere from eight to thirteen weeks (on average) in the U.S., one to two years if outside the U.S.
• Learning various patient care systems/documentation
• Providing immediate medical care and aid for large populations during times of war or disaster

Domestic and international travel nurses also have different characteristics specific to their roles.

Domestic Travel Nurses

• Work within the U.S.
• Typically work assignments that range from eight to thirteen weeks
• Can respond to areas of the U.S that experience natural disasters or disease outbreaks

International Travel Nurses

International travel nurses should have excellent communication skills, should be open to new experiences and challenges, and should have a strong desire to learn. These nurses are responsible for performing a wide array of duties. As stated previously, the tasks an international nurse will have to perform depend entirely upon their medical specialty. Some of the more general or everyday tasks that international travel nurses will perform include administering medication, wound care, and providing emergency medical services and care. Since there are often nursing shortages in many of the regions that international nurses travel to, another general role of these nurses is to educate family members and caretakers about the appropriate patient and medical care. In summary, international travel nurses:

• Work outside the U.S.
• Typically work assignments that range from one to two years
• Respond to areas that experience natural disasters or disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa
• Provide medical care and aid to underserved, rural , and remote populations
• Usually, must wait for document processing before traveling

Travel Nurse Working Conditions

As with any career, there are positive and negative aspects to working as a travel nurse. Nurses can suffer from stress as they may carry a heavy patient load and have many critical decisions to make. Additionally, travel nurses may suffer from feelings of isolation since they tend to relocate often. Having a strong sense of independence and a support system available, even remotely, can help.

Additionally, nurses may work in high-risk areas that may expose them to workplace violence, blood-borne pathogens, and chemicals. Travel nurses must always familiarize themselves with and adhere to safety standards set by the organization.

International travel nurses can face different challenges. Travel nurses must be familiar with the country's laws, and geographic-specific diseases, and always keep their overall safety as a priority.

Despite these considerations, travel nursing can be immensely rewarding. Many organizations and staff nurses appreciate the help travel nurses offer. Travel nurses help relieve staff nurses from burnout, as can happen when working short-staffed.

International travel nurses are also highly appreciated. They provide medical care and assistance to many patients in remote settings who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. They help with relief efforts in war zones or after disaster events, which can be both rewarding and enriching.

According to the American Nurses Association, as of 2015 fourteen states had mandatory nurse-patient ratios . Nurses are pushing for federal legislation supporting safe staffing and because of this, if more states pass safe-staffing laws, nurses will be in even more demand. Travel nurses will help mend the current and projected nursing shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% overall growth for nurses until 2024, which is much faster-than-average growth for all occupations.

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Travel nursing has many incentives for nurses regarding pay and benefits including:

• Travel reimbursement
• Free housing
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Assistance in obtaining passports/work visas
• Choice of location
• Selection of hours/shifts worked
• Competitive pay
• Higher-than-average pay for RNs

According to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a travel nurse is $75,109. However, since pay is competitive in travel nursing, some companies are offering salaries of around $100,00 annually for domestic travel nurses.

International travel nurses tend to have lower salaries than domestic, except for assignments in some middle eastern countries. This is because, for the most part, nurses tend to make less outside of the U.S.

Salary is dependent on the agency, and nurses should research each company to find the right salary and benefits that best fit their needs.

• International Council of Nurses
• Professional Association of Nurse Travelers
• National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations
• American Travel Health Nurses Association

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How To Become A Travel Nurse – (15 Simple STEPS)

Are you considering becoming a registered nurse or already licensed as an RN? Do you love to travel, meet new people, and learn new things? If you could combine your love of nursing and travel to have a lucrative career option, would that interest you? If so, becoming a travel nurse could be a great option. Perhaps you have wondered, “Can someone tell me how to become a travel nurse?” If that sounds like you, you should keep reading! In this article, I will share 15 steps to successfully become a travel nurse and share information about degree options, earning potential, and the best places to work. You will also find answers to some frequently asked questions about travel nursing to help you decide if this is the right career path for you.

FIRST OFF, WHAT IS A TRAVEL NURSE?

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What Is A Travel Nurse? [+ How To Become One]

• Amanda Marten, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
• Last Updated: July 28, 2023

Healthcare facilties all across the country experience critical staffing shortages.

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem: travel nurses. Better yet, the industry is currently booming. There are dozens of top-rated travel nursing agencies to choose from, and each one helps provide essential healthcare support.

But how does travel nursing work? How and why should you become a travel nurse?

If you’re not sure, don’t worry! We’ll cover all this and more to help you decide if travel nursing might be a good career choice for you!

Table of Contents

What is a travel nurse, what do travel nurses do, why is travel nursing important, 1. higher pay and great benefits, 2. travel to new places, 3. build your resume, 4. have a more flexible schedule, who can become a travel nurse, what are travel nursing contracts, why is travel nursing paying so much, what taxes do travel nurses pay, do travel nurses get benefits, where can travel nurses work, agency-placed housing, housing stipend, can you travel with family, can you travel with pets, can you go with other travel nurses, 1. get your nursing degree, 2. pass the nclex, 3. gain rn experience, 4. pursue an advanced degree and certifications (optional), 4. obtain additional licenses, 5. connect with a travel nursing agency, how long does it take to become a travel nurse, is travel nursing worth it.

Travel nurses are RNs who work in temporary nursing roles. Rather than being hired by a single healthcare facility directly, these nurses typically work with staffing agencies to fill in-demand positions.

Since travel nurses work on a non-permanent basis, they often move from one facility to another at the end of their contract. This gives nurses the opportunity to work in a variety of settings and locations over a relatively short period of time.

Travel nursing is a great option for those looking to:

• Earn more money
• Explore different areas in the country
• Gain experience in multiple healthcare settings
• Work on their own schedule

We’ll discuss all of these benefits in more detail below .

Travel nurses can perform all the same duties as a permanent RN. The only difference between them is that travel nurses are brought in to fill staffing gaps on a temporary basis.

So, like other registered nurses, travel nurses do everything from administering medication to monitoring conditions to educating patients. 

It’s also worth noting that speciality travel nurses are even more in demand, allowing healthcare facilities to fill advanced roles. For example, travel nurses can fill speciality roles in areas like:

• Medical Surgery

Travel nursing is important because it helps healthcare facilities fill critical staffing shortages. There are a several reasons for these shortages, including but not limited to:

• Unexpected leaves of absence
• Seasonal patient population fluctuations
• Maternity leave

Since the demand to fill these roles is crucial, your travel nurse salary will be higher than that of permanent RNs.

Finally, travel nurses can sometimes reduce costs for hospitals. For example, travel nursing lessens the need for overtime pay and reduces turnover costs.

Why Should You Become A Travel Nurse?

As we mentioned earlier, there’s quite a few benefits travel nurses can take advantage of .

Let’s take a closer look at the top four reasons to choose travel nursing.

As with any career, earnings and benefits are always a key factor in which path you take. If salary is your main priority , you should definitely consider travel nursing.

We’ll discuss the hard numbers further on in this article , but for now you should know that travel nurses make a lot more money than their staff nurse counterparts.

Additionally, travel nurses typically have access to a wide array of benefits, including:

• Housing stipends and agency-placed housing
• Medical insurance
• Travel and meal reimbursement

While salary is often a key reason why RNs choose travel nursing, it’s certainly not the only reason. 

Another great aspect of travel nursing is that you get to live in and explore new places. Travel nursing opportunities are available in just about every location you can imagine in the United States.

For example, you could complete one contract in a rural location in the Midwest for a few months, and then spend your next couple of months working in a big city in the Northeast.

The travel opportunities are truly endless, and the freedom to choose where you live is one of the greatest things about becoming a travel nurse.

Just as you’ll have the opportunity to live in different areas, you’ll also have the option to explore different healthcare settings and learn from all kinds of medical professionals.

It’s likely that you’ll eventually want to settle down with a full-time, permanent RN position. To become the strongest candidate possible, travel nursing allows you to gain a multitude of hands-on experiences.

The ability to work these contract positions displays to employers that you can thrive under any conditions. 

Finally, if you want to work in a specific specialty at a hospital close to your permanent residence but there are no openings available, travel nursing allows you to keep working in your specialty while you wait for a new position to open up at home.

One more of the most important reasons to consider becoming a travel nurse is that you’ll have more control over your schedule.

You’ll probably have to work a 40-hour work week regardless of whether you’re in a permanent or temporary position, but travel nursing allows you the freedom to work for a few months and then take some off.

While you may have the opportunity to extend your contract depending on the needs of the facility you work at, most contracts end after a designated period of time (usually anywhere from 8 to 26 weeks).

Of course, you don’t have to take time off between assignments if you don’t want to. However, if you’re feeling burnt out and need a break, travel nursing allows you to take the time you need to recharge.

As long as you have your registered nurse license, you can work as a travel nurse. However, it is worth noting that most staffing agencies require that you already have one year of experience working as an RN.

Also, while you can work as a travel nurse with only your Associate’s degree, you’ll have access to more opportunities if you have your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree or an advanced nursing degree.

We’ll walk you through all the steps to becoming a travel nurse further down in the post .

How Does Travel Nursing Work?

Travel nursing works by staffing agencies connecting nurses with positions at healthcare facilities. This means you don’t work directly for hospitals. 

Instead, you fulfill contracts with the travel nursing agency.

Travel nursing contracts lay out the details of your work assignments and specify things like:

• Length of assignment
• Hours of work per week
• Schedule (for example, day shift vs. night shift)

Once you sign a contract, it becomes a legally-binding document. This means you shouldn’t sign a contract until you fully understand it.

Remember, ending your contract early is rarely allowed and could have negative consequences. So, before committing to an assignment, make sure you’re ready to see it through until at least the specified end date.

Once the contract expires, you’ll be free to leave your temporary position and take on a role at a different healthcare facility.

How Long Do Travel Nursing Contracts Last?

The average travel nursing contract lasts about 13 weeks. However, some agencies offer both short-term and long-term contracts.

Typically, the shortest contract you can take on lasts about eight weeks. Meanwhile, the longest assignment you can complete will usually last no longer than 26 weeks.

Additionally, if your contract ends but a healthcare facility still needs your services, you may have the option to extend your contract longer than the original time period.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which contracts to take on based on what you want to do. After all, one of the best things about travel nursing is this flexibility.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

As we mentioned earlier, travel nurses make more money than permanent registered nurses for a number of factors, most notably the critical demand to fill staff shortages.

According to a report by Sumner College , travel nurses made on average $1,673 per week before the pandemic. Now that number has risen to as high as $4,000 per week in some cases. 

Additionally, travel nurses now make an average hourly rate of $120 according to the 2021 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report .

Staff nurses, on the other hand, make an average of $37.31 per hour according to BLS . If salary is your main priority, travel nursing is clearly the way to go.

Travel nursing is paying so much because the demand for filling staffing shortages in healthcare facilities is so high.

These shortages are caused by several factors, but one of them is high RN turnover rate . Hospitals in the Southeast had the highest turnover rate at 24.9%, up 7.2% since 2019.

It’s also worth noting that, according to the 2021 NSI National Health Care Retention & RN Staffing Report , the RN vacancy rate in 2021 was 9.9%, a full percentage point higher than it was the year before.

According to Vivian Health , the demand for travel nurses was 68% higher in September of 2021 than it was September of 2021. Additionally, they found that the average pay for these travel nurses rose 39.4% over the same time period.

As with any job, you will have to pay taxes on the base rate of your pay package.

However, assuming you have a tax home, you won’t be taxed for additional stipends covering meals, housing, and work-related expenses. This is because these stipends are considered expense reimbursements, not income.

Keep in mind, however, that you will be taxed on those additional stipends if you don’t have a tax home.

Taxes can be confusing regardless of the career you choose. So, be sure to talk with representatives from your travel nursing agency to ensure you understand how your money will be taxed.

Travel nurses get access to a multitude of benefits that staff nurses don’t.

For example, most travel nursing agencies will provide you housing or give you a housing stipend for the duration of your assignment. We’ll discuss housing in more detail later on.

Additionally, you’ll likely be eligible for reimbursements for your traveling costs, as well as meals.

You’ll receive a host of insurance options from the travel nursing agency you work with, including:

While some agencies provide “Day One” benefits, other agencies’ benefits only kick in once you’ve been working for a specified period of time. If having insurance as soon as possible is a priority for you, you’ll definitely want to look for an agency that provides Day One benefits.

Finally, you may be eligible for even more benefits, like:

• Referral bonuses
• Licensure reimbursements
• Free online CEUs
• 24/7 support

Travel nurses can work at healthcare facilities just about anywhere in the United States. This includes workplaces like:

• Physicians’ offices
• Home healthcare
• Correctional facilities
• Ambulatory care centers
• Skilled nursing homes and residential care facilities

The one thing you’ll need to keep in mind is that the healthcare facility you are contracted to work at must be far enough away from your permanent residence that you cannot reasonably commute there.

So, while you can’t work as a travel nurse too close to your home, you can technically take on contracts at facilities in your home state.

Where Do Travel Nurses Stay?

When it comes to travel nurse housing, you can opt to stay in agency-placed housing or find your own accomodation and receive a stipend. Which works best for you will depend on your own needs and preferences.

Learn more about each option below.

The first option you have for housing is to let the travel nursing agency you’re working with coordinate your accommodation. 

This option is best for first-time travel nurses, because it’s the simpler of the two. By letting the agency take care of housing, you can focus on the other challenges you’ll face as a new travel nurse.

However, it’s worth noting that agencies will typically place you in a housing situation that’s most convenient for them . This means they’ll want to put you somewhere that’s readily available and for the lowest cost.

So, once you have a little experience under your belt and know what to expect, you may want to consider the second housing option.

You also have the option to coordinate your own housing situation and receive a stipend from your travel nursing agency. The dollar amount of the stipend will depend on several factors, like the location you’re traveling to. 

Your contract will spell out the details of how much you’ll receive. In most cases, you’ll be quoted a monthly rate, and the stipend will be included in your weekly paycheck.

The main drawback of the stipend is that it can be difficult to find a place within the allotted budget. Since travel nursing assignments typically last no longer than 26 weeks, it’s often a challenge to find an affordable, short-term lease.

If having control over your housing options is a priority for you but you can’t find a place within the stipend budget, you can always take the full stipend and use some of your own money to pay for the total cost.

Again, the option that works best for you depends on your own preferences.

Who Can Nurses Travel With?

Just because you’re a travel nurse doesn’t mean you have to go by yourself. Having others there to support you can help you maintain your mental health as you complete your assignments.

In fact, you may be able to travel with family members, pets, and other travel nurses.

You can absolutely bring family members with you to stay at your accommodation during your assignments.

While family members may not be eligible for travel reimbursements, there’s no reason they can’t keep you company on your journeys.

You should be able to bring pets with you as well. The only catch here is that some housing situations may not permit pets.

If you opt for agency-placed housing, be sure to confirm with your travel nursing agency that pets are allowed.

Of course, if bringing your pet with you is a must and your agency housing doesn’t permit pets, you may want to find your own accommodation and receive the housing stipend. This way, you can be sure you’re able to find an apartment that permits animals to live with you.

Believe it or not, it’s actually pretty common for travel nurses to plan and complete assignments with one another. Depending on the needs of healthcare facilities in the location you plan to travel to, you may even be able to work at the same place.

If you’re looking to save money on housing, you can also share an apartment with fellow travel nurse friends. 

Finally, going with another travel nurse can provide you with a support system during your assignments, as you’ll have someone there who understands the stresses that come along with the job.

How To Become A Travel Nurse

Becoming a travel nurse may seem like a long and arduous process, but it’s really not as daunting as it may seem.

Below, we’ll walk you through the entire process of going from a non-nurse to a travel nurse.

The first step to becoming a travel nurse, or any type of registered nurse for that matter, is to get your nursing education .

Now, you have several options when it comes to getting your degree.

The first pathway is to get your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This is the quickest way to become a nurse, but it’s likely not the best. Many healthcare facilities are only hiring nurses who have at least an undergraduate-level nursing degree.

So, we recommend you go straight for your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree . This not only provides you with additional knowledge and skills required to be a great nurse, but it also opens up more opportunities for employment.

Of course, there are plenty of different ways to get your BSN:

• Pre-licensure BSN : For non-nurses with no prior degree
• RN-to-BSN : For licensed RNs who already hold an ADN or Nursing Diploma
• Accelerated BSN : For those with a non-nursing undergraduate degree
• Concurrent Enrollment BSN : For those enrolled in an ADN program who want to work toward their BSN simultaneously 

While getting your degree can be costly and time-consuming, there are plenty of quick and affordable options. In fact, you can even complete your degree online and on your schedule.

To find one suited to your needs, check out our top-rated online BSN programs .

Once you get either your ADN or BSN, you’ll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX. This is the exam that all registered nurses must pass before they become licensed.

While it may feel frustrating to have to pass one more exam after completing all your educational requirements, the NCLEX plays an important role: it determines whether or not you’re ready to begin working as an entry-level nurse.

The average first-time pass rate for the NCLEX in 2021 for test-takers educated in the United States was 82.48%. It’s also worth noting that the average pass rate jumped to 86.06% for BSN-educated students, while ADN-educated students had a pass rate of 78.78%.

If you fail the test, don’t worry! You’re allowed to take it again 45 days after your initial test date. 

Just be sure to review your results from your failed test. This allows you to see your problem areas so you can work on them. That way, you’ll be prepared to pass the next time you take the exam.

Once you pass the NCLEX, you’ll officially be a licensed registered nurse! This means you can begin working in entry-level nursing positions.

Unfortunately, most travel nursing agencies will require you to have at least one year of RN experience before you can begin your journey as a travel nurse. However, this is for a good reason.

Travel nursing comes with the additional stress of entering a new, fast-paced environment, so having some staff nursing experience will be key to your success as a travel nurse.

Gaining experience as a staff nurse also allows you to see how nurses operate in healthcare facilities, which will prepare you to jump into short-term contracts further down the road.

As you gain experience as an RN, you may learn that you prefer certain nursing roles and specialities to others. If you find that you really want to practice in a specific area, you may consider pursuing an advanced degree or certifications.

For example, you may want to go for your Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) in areas like:

• Informatics
• Nursing education
• Public health

You may also choose to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) . To do this, you’ll need to enroll in a Master’s-level, NP-focused degree program. You can choose to specialize in several areas, including but not limited to:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable and flexible ways to get your graduate nursing degree. To find a program suited to your needs, check out our top-rated MSN programs .

Additionally, depending on your interests, you may choose to go for a nursing certification like:

• Cardiac-vascular nursing
• Critical care nursing
• Emergency nursing

There are tons of certifications you can decide to pursue, but keep in mind that most of them require quite a bit of RN experience in addition to passing a certification exam.

However, one thing is certain: getting an advanced degree or certification can open up new employment opportunities for potential travel nurses. Additionally, because these roles require advanced skills and knowledge, you should also be able to earn a better salary.

As we mentioned, you’ll need to already have your RN license and gain working experience before you can become a travel nurse. However, since you’ll likely be working in a state outside of the one in which you received your RN license, you’ll need an additional license as well.

In fact, you’ll need one of the following three types of licenses depending on the state you hope work in:

• eNLC License
• Walkthrough License
• State-specific License

The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) allows travel nurses to practice in other states that accept the license .

While most states in the United States either accept the eNLC or are awaiting its implementation, others require a different license.

For example, you may need to obtain a Walkthrough License, which allows you to start working quickly as you begin the process of gaining permanent licensure within a given state.

Finally, some locations don’t accommodate either of the preceding options, meaning you’ll need to wait to obtain a state-specific license. For example, California is a non-eNLC state and doesn’t provide Walkthrough Licenses. This means it could take months before you’re licensed and able to work in the state.

If all the talk of licenses seems intimidating, don’t worry! Skip ahead to the next step, as most travel nursing agencies you work with should be able to guide you through the licensing process. However, it’s important that you’re aware of these requirements.

Once you’ve got your degree, licenses, and at least one year of experience, you’re finally ready to start working as a travel nurse! To do so, you’ll need to find a travel nursing agency to work with.

While this may seem like an overwhelming process (there are dozens of different agencies), it doesn’t have to be! You can check out our top-rated travel nursing agencies to get you started.

Every agency has its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to do a little research to figure out which agency can best help you achieve your goals.

To make things even simpler, just click here and we’ll help you find a travel nursing placement.

How long it takes to become a travel nurse is entirely dependent on where you’re at in the process we discussed above.

For example, if you’re a registered nurse with at least one year of experience, you could start applying for travel nurse positions right now!

Alternatively, if you just started your first RN job last week, you could begin travel nursing in about a year.

Finally, if you’re a non-nurse, you’ll need to complete your degree program and gain RN experience, which could take anywhere from three years (two years for your ADN in addition to one year of RN experience) to five years (four years for your BSN in addition to one year of RN experience).

Overall, it’s safe to say that travel nursing is definitely worth it. From higher earnings to the opportunity to explore new places, there’s lots to love about this career pathway.

Additionally, you’ll provide support to healthcare facilities that really need your services, which can be rewarding in and of itself.

If you’re ready to start your journey as a travel nurse, then click here to start traveling today!

Amanda Marten MSN, APRN, FNP-C is a freelance nurse writer and a certified family nurse practitioner. With ten years of nursing experience, she has worked in a variety of specialties including urgent care, travel nursing, post-surgical, and intensive care. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, and spending time with her friends and family.

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How To Become a Travel Nurse

Wondering what it takes to become a traveling nurse?  Though travel nurse requirements vary by location, you may be surprised at how easy it is to start working in this exciting field.

Why Are Travel Nurses Needed?

There are various reasons why hospitals hire travel nurses.  These may include: difficulty keeping skilled nurses based on a city’s location, need for temporary staff for expected leave of absence for their regular staff, seasonal population increases (migration of snowbirds) like in Arizona and Florida, and simply because there are not enough qualified nurses in that city.  

Because of the shortage of nurses in some areas, hospitals are willing to hire skilled, qualified nursing candidates for short periods of time to help fill the gaps in order to provide excellent quality care to their patients.

Click here to discover available nursing jobs and find an assignment in the area of your choice!

The Benefits Of Travel Nursing

Travel nurses are able to choose where they want to work, which specialty they want to work in, and the length of time of their travel contract. Travel nurses are generally paid very well, can have all of their housing and travel costs paid for, and receive a full benefits package. The pay for a typical assignment for a travel nurse is usually more than that of a staff nurse in the area of travel and much of this money is tax free because you are traveling more than 50 miles from your home.

There are also many opportunities to make some extra cash after becoming a travel nurse. Many times your travel nurse agency will give bonuses for extending your contract at a certain hospital or offer other incentives  for taking an assignment in a “high need” facility.

Becoming a travel nurse allows you to experience traveling the US to it’s fullest. Spending roughly 3 months in each city as a travel nurse allows you to meet new friends, experience different cultures, food, and entertainment.  You will be exposed to different healthcare delivery systems and a variation of new professional experiences that will help you become a more independent, flexible and experienced nurse.

To become a travel nurse, one must first attend a nursing school and earn, at minimum, a degree as a registered nurse (RN). Becoming an RN is competitive and takes anywhere between two to four years depending on your program and place of study. Once these credentials have been obtained, the RN must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and then work for a minimum of one year in a hospital setting in the specialty which they wish to practice. All facilities require their nurses to have at minimum of an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree.

Depending on which specialty you work in ACLS, PALS, NIH stroke scale and other certifications may also be necessary. It is highly beneficial to have a certification in your specialty, such as the CCRN for critical care nurses, on your resume to validate your competency as a nurse in your specific field. Many agencies will also require you to have a current TB test, physical, and specific immunizations prior to starting your first assignment.  

Once you have completed all of the above requirements, you are then eligible to interview for available travel nurse positions.

Ready to start finding jobs?  Start here!

Finding A Travel Nursing Position

Finding a job as a travel nurse is usually the easy part. With the demand for nurses so high, the best way to find a job, is to work with a staffing agency who can offer you multiple job opportunities at once to allow you to compare your options. Many travel nurse agencies offer benefits such as healthcare, housing, retirement, travel reimbursement, and also provide staffing across the country, so once you have selected where you want to work, you will be able to compare offers and interview at various locations and decide which position is best for you.

Most travel nurse assignments last 13 weeks, so if you decide you don’t like where you are working your commitment is minimal. If you do like your job and location, many nurses are offered extensions at the end of their assignment.

After finding an agency that fits your needs and all of your paperwork is complete, it’s time to choose an assignment. Many people have an idea of where they would like to travel. There might not always be options in the specific city you choose but it is almost guaranteed that there will be some in the state you choose, so keep an open mind when choosing an assignment. To work in other states it is necessary to have an RN license for that particular state. Ask your recruiter about compact RN licenses which allow you to work in many states without obtaining that specific license. If you do not have a compact RN license make sure you have enough time to acquire that state’s license before your start date.

The Travel Nurse Interview

Once you have selected where you want to work, you will be able to compare offers and interview at various locations and decide which position is best for you. The interview process for becoming a travel nurse is much simpler than it is for a staff position. Usually a nurse manager from your staffing agency will interview you; sometimes the manager of the unit will, but that doesn’t happen all of the time. In most instances, they will have already looked at your skills checklist that you completed with your agency and have determined whether or not you are qualified for the position.  

Remember, this is also an opportunity for you to decide if you want this position so write down specific questions you want to ask them, like how often they have travel nurses at their facility, what the cancellation policy is, if you will have to take call, and if there are opportunities for overtime.

Travel nurses receive many benefits including housing near or at the facility in which they will be working, competitive salaries, insurance, and retirement plans. In addition to the benefits, many travel nursing companies will offer sign-on bonuses once you complete your first assignment. If you are a RN who is interested in working in a new area as a travel nurse, fill out the form to start working with a staffing agency who can help you find the nursing job you have been looking for!

RNs can make up to $2,300 per week as a travel nurse. Speak to a recruiter today!

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How to Become a Travel Nurse

What Is a Travel Nurse?

• What Do Travel Nurses Do?

How Much do Traveling Nurses Make?

Advantages of being a traveling nurse, steps to becoming a travel nurse, requirements for traveling nurse.

Travel nurses are professionals who fill short-term staffing gaps in hospitals and medical facilities around the country. These contracts normally last between eight and 22 weeks, though sometimes travel nurses are offered extensions.

Travel nurses fill gaps in a variety of specialties, from the NICU to the medical-surgical unit and beyond. Although they plan to stay for just a short time, they interact with patients and perform the same duties as any permanent employee.

What Do Travel Nurses do?

Travel nurses have all of the same responsibilities as permanent staff in the hospitals in which they work. However, they are hired by contract on a temporary basis to fill a staff shortage. The average travel nurse assignment is 13 weeks in one hospital.

Travel Nurse Job Description

The travel nurse job description includes caring for patients using diagnoses, evaluations, and assessments, much like standard nurses. You may be required to visit patients in their home if they are not mobile. As a travel nurse, you’ll find yourself caring for patients as part of the team of permanent staff, despite your temporary role. In fact, when your contract ends, many of your co-workers might be surprised to learn you weren’t a permanent employee!

Core duties of a travel nurse also include:

• Educate patients and their families about conditions/treatments
• Tend to injured or sick patients
• Perform tests and analyze test results
• Administer medication
• Follow up with patients after treatment

Travel nurse salaries can vary depending on education, region, and contracts. For example, many hospitals prefer an advanced nursing degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; others may accept an Associate in Nursing or Registered Nurse. Hospitals in major cities also tend to pay more than hospitals in rural counties, because of cost-of-living expenses are higher. And, some travel nurse contracts allow for bonuses or extensions, which would increase base pay. In addition to salary, many travel nurse contracts include a housing allowance, meal stipend, and travel reimbursements.

While all of these things should be considered, the   national average annual salary of a travel nurse is about $75,000 , according to Payscale.

Travel nursing has many advantages, including being able to work with people from all different walks of life and explore parts of the country you may have never seen. While it may seem daunting to interview for a new position every couple of months and move to a new city, there are many travel nurse agencies that can help smooth the process.

Many times, these agencies can set up the interviews with the hospital administration for you. Of course, then it’s up to you to let your talents shine! The agencies can also help find you fully-furnished housing, which is often free for travel nurses and located in close proximity to the hospital. Many of these accommodations are also pet and family friendly, so you don’t have to take the journey alone.

Many contracts allow for a meal stipend during your assignment. Some include bonuses or contract extensions. Each assignment can be different, so you’ll gain experience from different hospitals, equipment, and people.

If you're interested in becoming a travel nurse, there are a few steps you have to complete before you can begin applying for travel nurse assignments. While some steps may seem obvious, like making sure to get the proper education, there is more to a career in travel nursing than just having the right degree.

Step 1: Earn your degree.

If you’re wondering how to be a travel nurse, you should know that travel nurses have the same credentials as any nurse; so earning a degree in nursing would be the first step to becoming a travel nurse. Programs, such as the   Bachelor of Science in Nursing   degree, offered at Gwynedd Mercy University are traditional undergraduate degree programs in which you can enroll immediately after high school.

However, if you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and are interested in how to become a travel nurse, you can earn a degree such as GMercyU’s   Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing   degree, which is an intensive full-time 15-month program.

Step 2: Gain some real-world experience.

After you earn your degree, you should take some time to work in a hospital setting to get used to the feel of it. Working in a clinical setting during your education will start your first hands-on experience within the nursing field. Obtaining an entry-level job within a doctor's office or hospital will also better prepare you for a travel nursing role.

Another way to ensure that you gain real-world experience is to make sure that you're enrolled in an accredited nursing program. Two popular accreditation agencies are the ACEN, or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the CCNE, or Commission on Collegiate of Nursing Education. Accredited nursing programs will guarentee a specific standard of education within their program so that employers can trust that they are hiring a highly skilled and knowledgable nurse.

Step 3: Find an agency.

After you have some experience as a nurse, you can begin your search for a   travel nurse staffing agency . You’ll complete an application and be paired with a recruiter. This person will get in touch with you to talk about your skills and experience, expectations for the job, and your preference of cities. Then, you’ll be matched with the hospitals that are looking to hire travel nurses.

Step 4: Brush off your interview skills.

You won’t automatically be paired with a hospital; you’ll have to interview for the job by phone or video chat. This is your opportunity to show the hospital administrators what you’re made of, what you’re excited about, and what you can bring to their facility. Your recruiter might even be able to offer you some interview tips to calm your nerves.

Step 5. Away you go!

Once you're matched with a facility, you’ll begin your journey! Agencies can provide you with free housing or housing reimbursement. If you are familiar with the city you’re sent to, you may be able to find housing on your own. In that case, you’ll receive a housing allowance that varies depending on the city you’re in. The free housing option will always come fully furnished, and will usually be located in close proximity to the hospital. Keep in mind that the housing provided by your agency will be an efficiency or one-bedroom apartment, so you may prefer to find your own housing and pay the difference if you will need more space.

You can decide if you’d rather fly or drive, but the agency will give you a travel allowance that should cover the cost of transportation to your new hometown.

If you’re ready to become a traveling nurse, you should be aware of some of the travel nurse requirements. For starters, you’ll need to at least be a registered nurse (RN) with some hospital experience. Many hospitals prefer nurses with a   Bachelor of Science in Nursing , like the one offered at Gwynedd Mercy University. If you already have a bachelor's degree, you could earn an   Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing degree , which is an accelerated degree for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree in another field. Once you earn your bachelor's degree, you can go on to earn a   graduate degree in nursing.

In addition, you’ll need to make sure you are certified to practice in the state where your assignment is. If your home state is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact – Pennsylvania is not – you are eligible for one multi-state license. However, because the NCLEX is a nationally recognized licensure examination, obtaining a license in another state should not be too difficult. Plus, your staffing agency will be able to provide some assistance. Rest assured that the licensing requirements for traveling nurse certification will not delay your new career as a travel nurse!

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HEALTHCARE CAREER GUIDES

Travel Nurse Career

What is a travel nurse.

Travel nursing is the practice of registered nurses (RNs) traveling to and from different healthcare facilities like hospitals or clinics on assignment, filling short-term nursing employment gaps on a temporary basis. Usually assignments come based on staffing issues at a hospital or clinic, and a recruiter will help gauge staffing needs to help make assignments. And where do travel nurses work? Nurses can travel within the U.S. or internationally, just depending on the need and the job.

Travel nurses may get assignments to go help in disease ridden areas, or get assigned to go fill gaps that are large due to nursing shortages around the United States. Nursing involves long hours and hard work, and this is also true for travel nurses. But travel nursing gives you a unique opportunity to work while visiting cities, states, or even countries you never would have gotten to visit otherwise.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What does a travel nurse do.

Travel nurses perform the same tasks and duties as a registered nurse, for the most part. Some may learn unique specialties, practices, or skills during their travels based on the needs where they are working. For example, nurses working in mosquito heavy areas may learn specific skills for treating mosquito-borne illnesses. Others may be working in an area with a swine flu outbreak and learn how to treat those patients. Others may work in an area with a large elderly population, and will learn more skills on treating older patients. As a traveling nurse, you never know what kind of patients and medical situations you may face in your assignment.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

How do i become a travel nurse.

Traveling nurses will usually need to have at least one year of experience working as an RN. While you can become an RN without a degree, more and more nursing positions are requiring bachelor’s degrees, especially for traveling positions. WGU’s online programs allow current RNs to pursue their bachelor’s or master’s degree while working. This degree can set you apart from the competition, and help you land your dream travel nurse position. Similarly, WGU offers licensure for RNs along with a bachelor’s degree in some states.

Additionally, you will also have to reach out to travel nurse agencies like  American Traveler  or  Aya Healthcare  to begin working as a travel nurse. There are many reputable options, and it's important to research ones near you to ensure you're picking a high quality company.

Best Degrees for a Travel Nurse

Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.

A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...

A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:

• Locations:  Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, NV, NM, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
• Tuition:  $6,430 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
• Time:  This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
• WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
• If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our  Bachelor's in Health and Human Services  instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.

Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:

• Community Health
• Women's and Children's Nursing

Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.

An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...

An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:

• Time: 61% of graduates finish within 20 months.
• Tuition:  $4,685 per 6-month term.
• Courses : 23 total courses in this program.
• Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
• Healthcare Policy and Economics
• Information Technology in Nursing Practice
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Applied Healthcare Statistics

If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services  instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.

Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.

This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...

This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.

• Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
• Tuition:  $4,685 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $4,795 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
• Courses : 32 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:

• Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
• Nursing Leadership and Management
• Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
• Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care

If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSn and MSN in an accelerated program.

Compare degrees

This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.

Nursing – Leadership & Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.

For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...

For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for additional career opportunities.

• Time:  61% of grads finish within 23 months
• Tuition: $4,795 per 6-month term
• Courses : 15 total courses in this program

This program is ideal for current RNs who have a BSN and are ready for the next step in their education.

Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate

A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...

A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.

• Time:  Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
• Tuition:  $4,795 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
• Courses : 8 total courses in this program.
• Strategic Planning
• Resource Management
• Business Case Analysis
• Evaluating Healthcare Improvements

How Much Does a Travel Nurse Make?

According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average RN salary is $81,220 per year. But a travel nurse salary is likely to be more than this, due to their high demand. It’s best to look at a  travel nurse salary per state  to help you calculate exactly what you can expect your travel nurse salary to be, based on your assignment, the hospital or nursing clinic, and more. According to Ziprecruiter, the average salary of a travel nurse is $105,021 per year .

What Is the Projected Job Growth?

From 2022 to 2032,  employment for registered nurses is expected to grow 6% . Travel nursing is expected to rise as part of that outlook as well. Travel nurses have the ability to relocate to regions in great need of nurses, allowing the projected job growth to rise for this industry.

What Skills Does a Travel Nurse Need?

All travel nurses will need to have current licensure and nursing skills in order to get a job. But travel nurses also need other skills to help them succeed. Those skills include:

• Emotional intelligence. Travel nurses have to be able to give bad news to people, and help them cope.
• Critical thinking. Nurses of all kinds deal with complex problems and need to find solutions.
• Flexibility. Travel nurses especially need to be flexible to work different hours, move to new places quickly, and more.
• Adaptability. Travel nurses are in new hospitals and clinics all the time. They must be able to adapt to their new circumstances quickly and effectively.
• Strong communication skills. Travel nurses need to be able to communicate well to patients, and to be able to ask questions when needed.
• Love of traveling. It may seem like a no brainer, but traveling nurses will be traveling a lot! So a love of travel and a sense of adventure is a must.

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Interested in Becoming a Travel Nurse?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.

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Travel Health Nurses Make a Difference

American travel health nurses association.

The American Travel Health Nurses Association (ATHNA) is the professional organization for the specialty of travel health nursing in North America. Founded in 2004, ATHNA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit incorporated in New York. With more than 3,300 members across the United States and internationally, ATHNA is committed to professional development, networking, research, and advocacy in travel health nursing. If you provide health care services for travelers – both domestic and international – ATHNA is the nursing organization that supports you and your patients. Join us as we build our professional community!

Our Mission Statement

As the U.S. professional organization and voice for the specialty of travel health nursing, ATHNA's mission is "to advocate for nurses engaged in the care of all travelers through professional development, scholarship, evidence-based practice, and specialty board certification."

The Specialty of Travel Health Nursing

Recognized by the American Nurses Association in 2020 as a distinct nursing specialty, Travel Health Nursing is the specialized nursing practice that advances the well-being of all travelers in all phases / stages of travel, both domestic and international.

Travel health nursing professionals provide care for individuals, families, and groups through all stages of travel including pre-travel preparation, in transit support, and post travel evaluation and management. We practice in a variety of settings that include hospitals, private travel health clinics, universities, corporations, the military, public health centers, and community clinics. As clinicians, we are specially educated and trained to assess traveler health and safety risks and to provide risk management strategies that include immunizations, medications, health counseling, and referrals. Travel health nurses also function as researchers, faculty members, consultants to business and governments, entrepreneurs, and nursing leaders in this country and internationally.

ATHNA Offers Free Membership. If you provide services to travelers, please consider joining our professional association.

• Join Today!

On Saturday, June 22, 2024, ATHNA will hold its annual NED: Networking, Education and Development Day

This unique opportunity for professional development, CE credits, and face-to-face networking is offered simultaneously at multiple regional sites and is available for Members Only. Full details and registration will be available mid-April.

Not a member? Join Today!

ATHNA is proud to announce the results of our 2023 board elections. As an all-volunteer professional organization, now in its 19 th year with more than 3,200 members, the American Travel Health Nurses Association appreciates and values the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of its officers and 16-member board of directors. Congratulations to our three new officers and a warm welcome to three new directors!

Effective July 1, these nursing professionals joined Gail Rosselot as they began their new 2-year terms on the ATHNA Executive Council:

Kathryn Reid, PhD, RN, FNP-C, CNL President

Kathryn lives in Charlottesville where she is an Associate Professor at the University of Virgina School of Nursing. Bringing to ATHNA experience in multiple clinical, administrative, and educational roles, Kathryn also serves as Director of the UVA Nursing Continuing Education Program. We are excited to have Kathryn lead the only US professional organization for travel health nursing as we approach our 20-year anniversary in 2024. Please read her inaugural President’s Message on this homepage.

Amy Manion, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC Treasurer

Amy lives in Indiana. She is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Northwestern Children's Practice, and an Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Rush University in Chicago. Amy also serves as President of the E-Chapter of NAPNAP where she brings much experience with running a virtual organization.

Susan Cruz, ANP-BC, MS, MPH, AFTM RCPS (Glasg) Certificate in Travel Health ® Secretary

A long- time member of ATHNA, Susan lives in Maine and works as an NP at the Maine General Medical Center in their Occupational Health Unit. In that unit, Sue also serves as the hospital’s primary travel health provider.

Gail Rosselot, MS, MPH, APRN-BC, COHN-S/R, FFTM, RCPS (Glasg), FAANP, FISTM, FATHNA Certificate in Travel Health ® Vice President

Gail continues in her role as VP and currently chairs the Certification Task Force to implement a Certification by Portfolio for the specialty of travel health nursing by December 2024.

ATHNA also welcomes three new directors for the 2023 to 2025 term to our board of 16: Andrea Anderson from Washington DC, Colleen Jeffery from Houston TX, and Candace McAlester also from Houston, TX. Check back next month to learn more about these three dynamic nurse leaders.

Rabies Learning Module: Free & Accredited

Rabies: dazed or confused successfully implementing the revised acip rabies vaccine recommendations.

In the May 2022 MMWR, ACIP issued modified recommendations for the use of rabies vaccine. The pre-exposure series has now been changed from 3 to 2 doses on a 0, 7-day schedule. (MMWR May 6, 2022 www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7118a2.htm .)

With this reduced dosing schedule, more travelers can potentially benefit from rabies vaccination predeparture. To assist clinicians seeking to protect travelers from the potentially fatal infection of rabies, ATHNA now offers a FREE and On-Demand Educational Activity. Accredited by AANP for 1.0 contact hour of continuing education (which includes 0.5 hours of pharmacology) this program:

• Provides a basic review of rabies infection and pathogenesis
• Defines a variable incubation rate
• Includes clinic tools to teach rabies prevention: RABID
• Explains how to implement the new ACIP 2 dose rabies primary series

This learning module is suitable for NPs, RNs, MDs, DOs, PAs, Pharmacists, and anyone interested in knowing how to prevent a potentially fatal case of rabies.

This educational activity was made possible with the support of a Bavarian Nordic educational grant and is available on the ATHNA learning platform.

President's Message

ATHNA is celebrating a 20-year milestone in 2024! Our American Travel Health Nursing Association, ATHNA, was officially incorporated and launched in 2004. So much has been accomplished in 20 years! In addition to providing resources and ongoing education for travel health nurses to use in practice, ATHNA board members worked tirelessly to expand membership, secure recognition by the American Nurses Association, ANA, as a distinct nursing specialty, and partnered with the ANA to align and publish Travel Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 1st edition . We continue to maintain active partnerships and collaborations with other key organizations affiliated with travel health issues. We hope you share in celebrating all that has been achieved for you, our travel health nurses.

Looking into the next 20 years, we are excited to be building pathways for you and all travel health nurses to become board-certified in our specialty practice. We are in the preliminary planning stages and many thanks to the many members who volunteered to help – stay tuned! This United States nationally-recognized board certification will be the first of its kind, and this is just one major example of what ATHNA is doing to advance our specialty and support you, our members.

At our December 2023 board meeting, the Board of Directors approved updates to ATHNA’s Mission Statement to reflect the addition of specialty board-certification, and our revised mission is provided below:

As the professional organization for the specialty of travel health nursing, ATHNA’s mission is to advocate for nurses engaged in the care of all travelers through professional development, scholarship, evidence-based practice, and specialty board-certification. (December 14, 2023)

So, what is coming next? Look for more information about these developments in the coming weeks and months:

1. We want to hear from you! Complete the short survey when you receive the link.

We will be sending a membership survey to your inbox very soon. We want to know what you need from ATHNA, your travel health nursing specialty organization. An important component of this survey concerns certification. We hope you will respond and enter a drawing to win some prizes!

ATHNA TravelBytes

TravelBytes are engaging, substantive, and concise posts from a variety of fellow professionals in the field of travel health. The writers strive to illuminate challenging clinical issues, share timely evidence-based recommendations, and keep you apprised of relevant global health and policy developments.

• 2024-01 – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and CDC Immunization Recommendations Amy Manion PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
• 2024-01 – Traveling Internationally with Medications G. Rosselot MS, MPH, APRN-BC, FAANP, FISTM, FFTM, RCPS (Glas), FATHNA

Access former TravelBytes here .

Education Resource

Travel health risks and prevention strategies are always changing. Keeping current is a challenge for our professional specialty! At various times throughout the year ATHNA posts relevant, peer reviewed content for travel health professionals to keep our travelers healthy and safe "on the road." Here is some recent content:

Are you preventing SIRVA at your clinical site? (January)

Do you know the safety guidelines for prescribing Tafenoquine? (February)

Are you using the CDC App to vaccinate with the appropriate Pneumococcal regimen? (April)

Do you know the 5Ws of sun protection? (May)

Mpox is now a WHO designated global emergency. We have resources to help you better understand this infection. (June)

FGM – female genital mutilation is not often discussed in travel health meetings. This presentation addresses a potential health risk for girls living and traveling to more than 30 nations. (September)

Health Literacy – you may be surprised at how little of your counseling messages are understood by your patients – and ways you can improve understanding. (November)

• Access content by the month here.

Zero By 30: Prevent Rabies Deaths

World Rabies Day will be celebrated on Thursday, September 28th this year, but you can start preventing traveler deaths from this deadliest of infectious diseases from rabies every time you provide pretravel counseling.

Started in 2007, Rabies Day is an annual global opportunity to bring together partners to enhance prevention and control efforts worldwide and to reflect on how rabies impacts communities around the world. World Rabies Day also marks the death anniversary of French biologist, microbiologist and chemist, Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine in 1885. According to the CDC, while rabies is a 100 percent preventable disease, nearly 60,000 people die from this viral infection around the world each year.

According to WHO, "The world has the vaccines, medicines, tools, and technologies to break the cycle of one of the oldest diseases." Most rabies deaths around the world are caused by dog bites (CDC, Yellow Book 2020). Zero by 30 is the WHO Global Strategic Plan for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

Travel health nurses have opportunities every day to educate the public about this deadly infection and to protect our travelers with avoidance education and immunization. Starting in April through a Bavarian Nordic support grant, ATHNA will offer a FREE, CE accredited, educational activity to support the Zero By 30 campaign. It will be offered on- demand and will provide nursing professionals in diverse clinical settings with up-to-date prevention guidance for their international travelers.

The long- awaited change in the rabies PrEP vaccination schedule is now official!

On May 5, CDC published the new recommendation in the MMWR. This was the final step necessary to make this shortened 2 dose schedule the US standard for pretravel immunization against rabies. We encourage nurses to read the publication in its entirety. In the fall, ATHNA plans to offer educational offerings to raise rabies awareness among all nursing professionals, understand how to administer rabies vaccine according to the latest ACIP guidelines, utilize a checklist to counsel behavioral prevention measures, and address FAQs about the updated vaccination guidelines. Remember: always educate your patients to avoid direct contact with mammals.

Use of a Modified Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2022

The American College Health Foundation Guide for Travel Health Practices Now Available!

ATHNA has been alerted to a new publication available to assist any travel health provider prepare university populations for international travel. Whether you work in a college setting or see college students, faculty, or administrators off-site, this text can provide helpful pre-travel guidance and information. Here is a short description of the ACHF Guide which is made available without charge through a Valneva support grant.

As institutions of higher education (IHEs) have increasingly adapted curricular and co-curricular programs to include more study abroad programs, travel health programs are becoming increasingly common in college health and well-being settings. The American College Health Foundation's (ACHF) Guide for Travel Health Practices at Institutions of Higher Education aims to assist IHEs in addressing the unique aspects and challenges of providing travel health services on campus. This comprehensive guide is meant to serve as a resource for both clinicians and non-clinicians who work with students, faculty, and staff who travel abroad. To download your guide and/or the guide's many appendices and handouts:

• Click here.

Members Only Portal

Membership benefits.

In addition to the information offered on our homepage, we offer our members additional content and resources available on the Membership Portal. Not yet a member? Join today – we offer free membership and welcome your participation in the U.S. professional organization for the specialty of travel health nursing.

What does the Membership Portal Offer?

Travel Health Knowledge and Skills Travel health nurses can access foundational information for the practice of our specialty. Here you will find the Model Travel Health Nursing Curriculum and the Travel Health Nursing Glossary.

Forms Archive From time-to-time ATHNA shares new forms, checklists, and clinical tools to facilitate efficient and effective patient care. This includes the ATHNA template for a pretravel assessment questionnaire updated every year as needed, a screening tool for yellow fever vaccination, a checklist for rabies pretravel prevention counseling, and more. Members will want to adapt these documents to their own practice settings and travel populations and review and revise prn.

Career Center Members are welcome to post open positions or announce their availability for travel health nursing employment. Employers are welcome to post employment opportunities.

Membership Certificate A certificate suitable for framing is available as a download to our members.

NED Information Announcements about registration, CE topics and speakers are posted here for our members who plan to attend one of the regional and unique Networking, Education and Development conferences ATHNA offers each summer.

Announcements

U.S. Certification by Porfolio for Travel Health Nurses

With the 2020 official recognition of travel health nursing by the ANA and the subsequent publication of the foundational text for our specialty, Travel Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice , the ATHNA Board of Directors is now working to achieve its next goal for our profession: the achievement of U.S. board certification.

As many of you know, there is currently no professional nursing board certification for travel health nursing in the United States. Unlike other specialties – occupational health nursing, oncology nursing, ambulatory nursing, and the like – travel health nurses have not established an equivalent national certification. Lacking a U.S. specialty credential, some nurses have undertaken international or interdisciplinary certificates and courses to demonstrate professional achievement. However, none of these are specific to professional nursing, nor do they confirm knowledge of U.S. standards of care. Acceptance of these alternatives by regulatory bodies, employers, and academic institutions is mixed.

Now that our specialty has obtained formal recognition in this country, we can proceed to establish a U.S. certification that adheres to the eligibility and renewal criteria consistent with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and other similar national nursing organizations. We can finally achieve equal standing with other U.S. nursing specialties.

ATHNA envisions a certification process that will feature a professional portfolio rather than an examination. We have already initiated contact with organizations that can help us achieve this milestone in the near future.

A task force of ATHNA members is assembled and working monthly on this important project. Keep checking this website for regular updates on our progress.

ATHNA is tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the US Internal Revenue Service and is registered with the NY State Charities Bureau.

• Donate Today

Travel Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice

Do you prepare individuals and families for international travel?

As international travel returns, nurses will need to be prepared to offer travel health services according to best practices and the latest legal guidelines. An essential resource for delivering comprehensive and quality care is Travel Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2021 , a joint publication of the American Travel Health Nurses Association ( www.athna.org ) and the American Nurses Association.

• Did you know? Fewer than twenty percent of travelers seek pretravel services at travel health clinics; most travelers seek immunizations, medications, and counseling guidance from their primary care provider.
• Travel Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice is written not only for nurses in this new specialty, but also for any nursing clinician with patients who travel
• This text is the legal foundation for the nursing care of US travelers
• If you provide any travel health services: pre-travel assessment, immunizations, or health counseling (e.g., malaria, zika, traveler's diarrhea, jet lag, altitude illness) you will find this text essential
• Post travel care is mentioned as well- Recommendations for post-travel triage and evaluation are included
• To access the Table of Contents, go to: www.nursingworld.org/~4951d0/globalassets/catalog/book-toc/2021_travel-health-nursing_toc.pdf

To purchase your personal copy or multiple copies for your clinical setting:

Immunize.org Update

Board of Director member, Lori Wolfe RN BSN MSN ABOHN-C, offers these Immunize.org updates for Winter 2024.

Remember: anyone can receive weekly free email updates from Immunization Action Coalition by registering at immunize.org.

Let's talk about vaccines; Here is the skinny below, what you can know!

Order Immunize.org's child, adult, and lifetime immunization record cards – wallet-sized, designed to last!

Immunize.org's personal immunization record cards , printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, water-proof paper, are designed to last a lifetime. They fit in a wallet when folded. The record cards are for you to give to your patients as a permanent personal vaccination record and are sold in boxes of 250.

• Child & Teen Immunization Record Card
• Adult Immunization Record Card
• Lifetime Immunization Record Card

Make bulk purchases and receive quantity discounts. For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email [email protected] .

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Award in honor of Jane Chiodini

ATHNA is not surprised, but we are very proud to announce that an award in honor of Jane Chiodini MBE MSc, RGN, FFTM RCPS (Glasg) QN has been established at the recent Annual Conference of the Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. Jane is a member of ATHNA's Executive Committee as ATHNA's Director of Communications, and she also responsible for the beautiful design of our educational web content. The award was created in honor of her years of work on behalf of the faculty, including her recent term as Dean, the first nurse to hold that position. Congratulations Jane!

Talent Amongst ATHNA Members

We are never surprised to learn that ATHNA members have many talents and passions beyond travel health nursing.

In the past, we have shared the beautiful photographs of former Secretary Diane McHugh. This month we share the blue-ribbon success of Susan Cruz, a member of our Board who provides occupational and travel health services up in Maine.

Congratulations Sue on your beautiful artwork!

Susan Cruz's Biography : Susan grew up in the hamlet of Garrison, New York, in the beautiful Hudson River Valley. Her childhood was spent walking in the woods on the mountain behind her home, on trails around one of the castles in Garrison. Her art teacher encouraged her to continue watercolor painting. She studied at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, among the beautiful gorges, and later at Columbia University medical center along the Hudson River. After working in the medical field in such diverse places as New York City, Pennsylvania and Washington DC, living overseas in Thailand and the Philippines, and raising a family, she sought to return to her earlier passion of watercolor painting. Living in Northern Virginia, she took classes with Lou Negri and Jean Gill to resume this journey. She moved to Maine in 2010, enjoying the beauty of living on the Messalonskee stream. Here, she has pursued further study with Pat Binette and Doreen Paul-Hebda. As a board member of the Waterville Area Art Society, she has enjoyed being part of the art community here for over 10 years. She was recently selected by the Medical Center Art Committee for her own art show at the hospital in Augusta from September 2020 - March 2021. Her paintings were also selected as part of the Ebb and Flow Art exhibit, Reflections on the Kennebec River, at Common Street Arts in 2018. This year she won seven ribbons at the local Clinton Fair. Now she loves to portray the beauty all around her, both here in Maine, and to places she travels.

During This Flu Season, Don't Get Mixed-Up

In the current issue of Immunization Action Coalition's IAC Express # 1, 594 we are alerted to a recognized vaccine safety issue now that vaccines for both influenza and Covid-19 are available for co-administration. CDC is receiving reports that clinicians are making various administration errors such as patients receiving a 2021-2022 flu vaccination instead of a Covid vaccine or patients receiving two doses of Covid vaccine instead of one dose of flu and another of Covid, etc.

In a busy clinic, errors like these can occur, so the Institute for Safe Medication Practices has issued a report that recommends implementing these safety strategies to avoid errors:

• Provide staffing support
• Separate vaccination areas
• Label the syringes
• Separate the vaccines
• Identify the patient and requested vaccine
• Involve the patient/parent in the checking process
• Document lot number/expiration date
• Scan the barcode
• Provide the intended vaccine
• Report vaccine errors

Travel health nurses (THNs) are encouraged to read the full report Mix-Ups Between the Influenza (Flu) Vaccine and COVID-19 Vaccines in the October 7 issue of Medication Safety Alert.

And ATHNA recommends that every THN subscribe to IAC Express for free, weekly immunization updates:

Book Review: Do You Provide Health Services to College Students?

Not sure how to prepare study abroad students? Wondering about resources for students with anxiety or eating disorders? Looking for new ways to fund student health services?

Whether you practice within a college health service or care for college students in another setting, the newly published Principles and Practice of College Health is a worthwhile guide for delivering comprehensive quality health services to this population. Just released by Springer, this important text is edited by John A. Vaughn, M.D., Director of Student Health at Duke University since 2013 and Anthony J. Viera, M.D., Chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Duke.

• Book Review

A Seismic Shift in US Travel Health Nursing: The Achievement of Specialty Recognition and its Implications

Richards JA, Rosselot GA J Travel Med, Volume 28, Issue 1, 2021, taaa202 https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa202

Past Presidents Julie Richards and Gail Rosselot recently published an article in the Journal of Travel Medicine about the implications of ANA specialty recognition for Travel Health Nursing here in the US. The Perspectives piece is timed to coincide with the soon to be published Travel Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. According to Julie, "We believe specialty recognition will go a long way to recognize travel health nursing professionalism and promote quality care for travelers and the communities they impact. We hope travel health professionals in all 50 states can benefit." The article details the process for specialty recognition and its benefits, including the opportunity now to establish a U.S. certification for travel health nurses comparable to other U.S. nursing certifications.

ATHNA will feature an article on this website introducing the new Scope & Standards when they become available early in 2021.

Featured Photograph

ATHNA member Gail Rosselot recently traveled to Belize. While there she saw toucans, a Jaguar, howler monkeys, and manta rays, but as a travel health nurse she found this pharmacy sign especially interesting.

Do you have a travel photo to share? In this new website feature, we'll post member favorites each month. Send your photographs to [email protected] .

Autumn in the Sylvania Wilderness Area

This month we again share the photographic talent of our Secretary, Diane McHugh. The subject this time, however, is domestic travel rather than international- in keeping with the current pattern of US family travel during the COVID19 pandemic.

Many of you may be familiar with the Boundary Waters region of Northern Minnesota where it meets Ontario. That region is well known and very popular with campers, house boating, canoeing and kayaking, but it is also rather remote, wild and untamed... This photo captures the beauty of another northern wilderness region located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Sylvania Wilderness is comprised of more than 18,000 acres of protected lands and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located much closer to major metropolitan areas and yet provides a calming world apart for lucky backcountry campers, hikers, and kayakers. An occasional moose, many fish and sometimes the Northern Lights await visitors to this preserve that was once a private Sylvania Club favored by Dwight Eisenhower and Lawrence Welk among others.

As described on its website: "The old-growth forests and pristine lakes in the region provide habitat for a wide range of animal and plant life, including rare orchids, bald eagles, loons and osprey. The wilderness contains 34 named lakes, some with sandy beaches and others surrounded by record-size red and white pines. The Ottawa National Forest is comprised of nearly 1 million acres and is located in the western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest's rolling, tree covered hills extend from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls are found throughout this beautiful landscape."

Sounds like a match for any destination...

This site is designed and supported by Shoreland, Inc. , publisher of Shoreland Travax ® . Photos are supplied by Harlan Crowder . The American Travel Health Nurses Association gratefully acknowledges this contribution to the specialty of travel health nursing in the United States.

To advance nurses engaged in the care of all travelers- both domestic and international- through professional development, evidence-based practice and advocacy.

ATHNA is committed to professional development, networking, research and advocacy in travel health nursing. We offer our members resources for clinics, CE programs, a unique, regional conference day, monthly updates, regional contacts, and much more... Join ATHNA and start enjoying the many benefits of membership.

Get in touch

ATHNA is the national professional association for the travel health nurse, not a "travel nurse." Travel health nursing is a recognized ANA specialty that prepares individuals, families and groups for international travel and cares for them upon return. Travel nurses are individuals who travel across the US to provide temporary, traditional nursing care at facilities where unmet staffing needs are high and supplemental staffing is needed during times of peak capacity.

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How to Become a Travel Nurse

What if you had the freedom to decide when and where to build your nursing career? If you enjoy the idea of meeting new people, living life in different parts of the country or building a resume that documents a variety of professional experiences at medical facilities, then it may be time to consider becoming a travel nurse.

You’ll need to know the requirements for becoming a travel nurse before leaping into this new exciting career path.

Steps to become a travel nurse:

• Understand the role of a travel nurse
• Earn your ASN/ADN or BSN degree
• Pass the NCLEX and become an RN
• Gain experience
• Get licensed
• Find a travel nurse staffing agency and apply
• Start your career

1. A career as a travel nurse – is it right for you?

Travel nurses work for independent staffing companies that recruit RNs to fill positions across the United States and abroad. The ongoing shortage of nurses makes it challenging for hospitals and clinics to maintain their staffing needs. Travel nurses can help in staffing issues but can also come in to fill in temporary gaps when nurses take a vacation, go on leave or get hired by a different hospital or medical facility. Travel nurses don’t always need to work in different states – some serve at local understaffed hospitals.

Travel nurses sign a contract to fill a temporary position that can last several days, weeks, months or longer with potential opportunities including international work. When contracts are up, travel nurses either extend their stay at the same location or move on to a new destination and opportunity. The length of their contracts can vary, although most placements are between  8 to 26 weeks . Some travel nurses can find a temporary assignment they love and have it turn into a full-time position.

If you have a desire to try new experiences, meet new people, visit new areas, and continue to develop an understanding of healthcare in other communities, becoming a travel nurse can be an exciting career move!

2. Earn your ASN/ADN or BSN degree

Any nurse who has completed an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program is eligible to be a travel nurse. Regardless of where you currently find yourself on the nursing continuum, there’s a path at Herzing University to help you earn the credentials you need:

• An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree for entry-level RNs that can be completed in 20-24 months.
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree that can be earned in 3 years or less, based on transfer credit and applicable prior learning experience you may already have. We offer an online BSN program for students new to nursing, available in select U.S. states.
• An online RN to BSN program that can be completed in as few as 12 months if you are already working as a licensed RN and seek your BSN. 
• An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree that can be completed in as few as 20 months if you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. You may also qualify for our online MSN Direct Entry program , in which you can alternatively earn a master’s degree in as few as 20 months.
• Bridge options for  LPNs ,  paramedics ,  military medics ,  Respiratory Therapists (RT) , and  Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT)  which can be completed faster than traditional ASN/BSN programs.

Note: enrollment requirements and availability are different based on campus location.

One significant advantage of choosing Herzing is that the university offers six start dates throughout the year. This ensures you can begin classes on your own terms, allowing enough time to make adjustments to your personal and work schedules to accommodate your studies - and minimize the time you need to become an RN .

Classes Start September 4th

3. Pass the NCLEX and become an RN

When you graduate with your associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, you’ll be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Exam NCLEX-RN exam, which is required to become a registered nurse in the United States.

Once you pass your NCLEX exam and meet the board of nursing requirements in your state, you’ll be eligible to  become a registered nurse . From there, it’s a matter of gaining enough experience in your nursing specialty to pursue opportunities as a traveling nurse.

4.  Gain experience in your specialization

In addition to state licensing, you’ll also need to become certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) before you can sign on to a travel nursing agency.

If you choose to specialize in a field, you may need to get additional licensing. Most places require you to have at least two years of experience in your  nursing specialty , whether it’s  surgical ,  neonatal , critical care,  pediatrics , trauma or a clinical nurse with many different specialties. Your clinical background will determine the specific openings you’ll qualify for as a travel nurse. Hospitals are constantly on the lookout for experienced,  in-demand types of nurses  with certain specializations and advanced training.

The two years of experience in nursing also gives you the time you need to receive a specialization in your area of expertise should you choose to take the certification exam. This will also make you more marketable for more opportunities. Check with your agency to confirm whether you need additional work experience if you’re in a specialized field.

5. Apply for a compact nursing license

To be a registered nurse, you need to be licensed in the state where you work. Fortunately, the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) is an agreement between states that allows RNs to hold a single nursing license valid in numerous states.

The  National Council of State Boards of Nursing  keeps track of what states have enacted and implemented the NLC. If you live in a state that is part of the NLC, you can get this multistate license in your state of residency. If you don’t live in a compact state, you’ll have to seek your license in the state you wish to work. The NLC doesn’t cover the entire U.S., so be sure to check your state’s licensing requirements to become a travel nurse.

6. Find a travel nurse staffing agency and apply

Once your education, nursing experience and credentials are in place, you’ll need to find a travel nurse staffing agency to work with. There are several resources you can use to help find the right agency for you:

• Rating services : There are several online services that former traveling nurses can rate various agencies they have worked with.
• Lead generators : Lead generation websites use your contact information and data to sell to agencies. These travel nursing agencies then contact you based on the information provided from these websites.
• Colleague referrals : If you know colleagues who have worked with a travel nursing agency, ask for their recommendations. They may be able to get you in contact with someone that they worked with at the agency.
• Join a professional networking site : Use a professional networking site to contact others in the field. You might be able to get more referrals or get in contact with agencies and recruiters

The benefits offered by each staffing agency will vary, along with the alliances they may have with specific hospital or healthcare networks, specific geographic areas or even specific nursing specializations. Keep detailed notes about the available positions and benefits packages companies offer you.

7. Get ready for your travel nurse career to take off!

After you have completed all the necessary paperwork, you can begin the process of interviewing. This might take some time, but your agency will help you find placement.

Once you’re matched with an organization, you must find housing. Some organizations will provide free housing, but these are usually small one-bedroom apartments, so you may want to find your own. Be sure to check with your organization and location to explore your options.

If you ever decide that you no longer want to be a travel nurse, don’t worry! Some hospitals will offer full-time positions to travel nurses after their contract is up. If you feel like you cannot stay at a placement, you have the option of canceling your contract.

What will your workdays be like?

Your day-to-day job description will be much like those you’d expect for a registered nurse. You’ll just be doing it in different settings as you move from contract to contract. One thing to anticipate is the variety of record-keeping systems different hospitals may use; you may need to get yourself up to speed using an unfamiliar electronic medical record (EMR) system when you start at a new facility. Generally speaking, and depending on your nursing specialization, your shifts will be spent:

• Working with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to develop care plans.
• Teaching patients and families about disease prevention and overall wellness.
• Assessing and diagnosing patients.
• Administering medication and fluids.

When you’re not actually tending to your patients, you’ll probably spend some time researching where you’ll go next and coordinating your professional goals with your staffing agency.

How much can you make as a travel nurse?

The BLS does not have specific information regarding travel nurses. However, general RN data is a good starting point. According to the  BLS , the average salary for a registered nurse is $89,010 per year ( $42.80 per hour).* Because travel nurses typically have a less stable employment structure, average pay is variable.

What is the current job market for travel nurses?

There is a demand for skilled RNs to fill open positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts there will be a 6% increase in employment of RNs from 2022-2032 due to the aging population and a large number of older nurses retiring in the workforce.* According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) , 55% of today’s nursing workforce is 50 years or older.

Factor in nurses who are already employed are entitled to vacations, maternity/paternity leave and paid time off and it’s easy to understand there is a demand for traveling nurses.

ADN nurses: take the next step

Advancing your education is key to discovering the career path of your choosing.

You can go from RN to BSN online in as little as 1 year and potentially open many doors to future career possibilities, including potential new specialty pathways of your choosing.

Learn more about our RN to BSN program:

Are you an RN ready for a change of scenery and an exciting new adventure?

Becoming a travel nurse is a great way to achieve both.

With the right background and education, you’ll go far, and we’re here to help you get there and answer any questions you have along the way!

Learn about Herzing's BSN degree program

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2022 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

Classes Start July 8th

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How to Become a Travel Agent and Work From Home

Do you love to travel? Are you a master at finding great travel deals?

Becoming a virtual travel agent might be your ideal work at home career path!

Working as a travel agent might seem a little outdated in today's world of Kayak and Airbnb, but in reality, many people still prefer to work with travel agents.

Experienced travel planners help travelers save money, time, and travel-related headaches.

Home-based travel agents generally work for a host agency (a company bonded and accredited by the Airlines Reporting Corporation or the International Airlines Travel Agents Network) as independent contractors.

As a travel agent, you'll earn a commission on the travel arrangements (flights, hotels, rental cars, travel excursions , and more) you book, and you'll often have access to special deals and travel discounts. You can choose to work in a particular niche, such as cruises or business travel, or work with clients looking into a specific type of travel (adventure, Disney vacations, eco-friendly, budget, or luxury travel).

One of the great things about becoming a work at home travel agent is that it's a relatively easy startup business idea, and the costs are low. With a basic home office (including an internet connection, a phone, computer, printer, and website), you can get started with a host agency.

So if you love to travel or if you love to help other people fulfill their vacation dreams, you may want to start a home-based travel agent business!

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Travel Agent?

The basic skills you'll need as a travel agent include attention to detail, excellent research and communication skills, high-level organizational skills, and a knowledge of geography and travel destinations. You'll also need to be tech-savvy and have a solid understanding of programs like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. 

If you're working as an independent contractor, the host company will usually train you; some host agencies charge a fee, while others do not. While there are travel agent certificate programs that you can take, you may be able to break into a travel role if you have customer service, hospitality, marketing, or sales experience under your belt.

Getting Started as a Work at Home Travel Agent

According to Host Agency Reviews, travel agents with three years of experience make an average of $46,400 per year . However, there are some travel agents making six figures per year. It all depends on your experience, the number of clients you retain, hours worked, and commission and support from your host agency.

Agents who work in specific markets or on particular vacation types (like destination weddings or luxury travel) can become very familiar with their market and, thus, enjoy even greater success. Working in particular markets, like weddings or corporate travel, can also make a big difference regarding salary.

Remote Travel Agent and Consultant Jobs

If starting your own business seems intimidating, many companies within the travel and hospitality industry hire at-home travel consultants, reservationists, and planners for full-time and part-time positions. Best of all, many of these positions come with travel perks!

To start, you may want to explore:

• American Express
• Kemp Travel Group
• Vail Resorts
• Working Solutions
• World Travel Holdings

Exploring Host Agencies

Finding a good host agency is key to getting started as an at-home travel agent. If you're just starting, you'll want to familiarize yourself with host agency options to get a feel for what each can offer.

• American Society of Travel Advisors
• Cruise Planners
• Disney Vacation Planner
• Dream Vacations Advisors
• Dugan's Travel

How to Select a Great Host Agency

When it comes to what they offer their consultants, travel agencies vary significantly. There are many factors to consider besides who offers the best commission.

For example, do you prefer a large agency or a small agency? Locally-based hosting can be easier for new agents who might need extensive support and training. On the other hand, national agencies may offer more flexibility and growth.

Carefully weigh your agency options and perform background research. Sites like Host Agency Reviews and Find a Host Travel Agency can help. They offer tips and ratings for finding the best travel agency that fits your needs.

Perks of Becoming a Travel Agent

Aside from being a fun business opportunity, being a travel agent offers some amazing perks .

If you enjoy travel, you might enjoy taking "FAM trips" or "familiarization trips" to various locales. Cruise lines, hotels, and tour guides know the best way for you to sell their services is for you to try them firsthand. So they offer perks, including complementary and deeply discounted fares, as well as opportunities to use their services and explore all your amazing options.

You can also save big on your own travel with great discounts! You'll score awesome deals before anyone else even hears about them. As a travel agent, you'll have access to discounts because, of course, the more you travel, the more business experience you rack up.

The best part? You can deduct those travel expenses from your taxes as part of your business! You can also deduct things like advertising and expenses related to your clients. This amounts to big tax savings for you!

Other Ways to Make Money in the Travel Industry

If you love the idea of working and traveling, but you're unsure about becoming a travel agent or consultant, there are many other options available.

Traveling to another country as an Au Pair is a great option if you enjoy working with children. When you work as an Au Pair, you'll live with a family, helping them with household chores and childcare. In return, you'll get free room and board and a small stipend that you can use on your days off. Being an Au Pair allows you to experience life in another country for an extended period of time. Becoming an Au Pair does come with some fees you'll need to pay, such as your flights, travel visa, and insurance.

Customer Service Representative

Customer service is an excellent way to break into the travel industry and work from home! Many companies provide full training for these roles as well as a host of benefits. You can work for airlines, hotels, cruise lines, travel booking sites, and other travel-related sites and industries. For these work from home positions, you'll generally need your own device (laptop or computer) and a high-speed internet connection. Check out this article for a list of hospitality companies that hire remote customer service reps.

ESL Teacher

You've probably heard of being an online ESL tutor , but did you know you can travel to another country to teach English as a second language? Most countries require ESL teachers to have a bachelor's degree and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate. Like being an Au Pair, there will be fees for your flights, travel visa, and insurance. Depending on which host company you use and which country to travel to, your housing may be free or purchased at a reduced cost. How much you can earn will vary as well. For more information on traveling and making money as an ESL tutor, check out the resources below.

• EF (Education First)
• International TEFL Academy

Local Coordinator

If you enjoy working with high school and college students, consider becoming a local coordinator . In these independent contracting roles, you'll work with educational organizations and programs to place and mentor students interested in foreign exchange programs. These part-time positions are a flexible and easy way to make extra money from home. Some programs also offer incentive trips and perks for their local coordinators.

Social Media Marketer Specializing in Travel

Do you love to travel and you're looking for ways to earn money from home, there are plenty of opportunities to take your travel beyond Instagram snaps and shares on Facebook… but if you're really great at social media, you could also become a social media manager in the travel industry! Many of these positions allow you to work from home for a travel-based company, sharing posts and connecting with their customers.

If you prefer to create your own schedule and be your own boss, become a local tour guide! With this idea, you'll need to be in the know about the food, culture, and history of the area you're helping tourists explore. With apps like  Showaround  and  Viator , you can create your tour, book customers, and make money from your travel expertise. You can also look at local tour operators and see if they have any openings for tour guides. Explore this article for more tips on making money as a tour guide .

Travel Writer

Magazines, guidebooks, and websites are often looking for freelance travel writers to contribute their experiences and give readers recommendations. If you have writing and communication skills and you travel often, this might be an excellent option for you.

The income for travel writers varies greatly, but many writers make great money by documenting and sharing their travels. Travel writers, according to ZipRecruiter , earn an average of $24 per hour. I think these numbers sound high, but I wasn't able to find any other stats for how much travel writers really earn.

Travel Blogger

If you prefer to write and document your own travels, start a travel blog ! With blogging, you can make money with affiliate marketing, ad networks, sponsorships, product sales, and more! The great thing about blogging is it's affordable and easy to set up, and there are many free ways to promote your content through social media. My friend, Julie Bonner, has a travel blog where she documents her family's RV travels. In one year, she was able to generate $5,000 a month from her blog, all while traveling the United States and Canada.

Travel Influencer

Have you been documenting your travels on social media? Then make money while traveling the world as a social media travel influencer. Whether your specialty is Instagram , Pinterest, TikTok , or YouTube , you can earn good money through paid sponsorships, advertising, and affiliate marketing. Besides building an engaged audience of followers, you'll need to become skilled at taking photos and videos, editing, and writing captions. How much you can earn as a travel influencer will depend on how many followers you have, your reach, your engagement, and which platforms you're using. According to this article in Vogue , a travel influencer with 1-4 million followers can earn $31,000 per post!

Travel Nurse

If you're a registered nurse , you can sign up to become a travel nurse. These nurses travel to areas where there are nursing shortages in work in a wide variety of settings. Nurses typically work in one location for 13-16 weeks, then move on to another location. Not only is travel nursing a great way to see the country, but it's also lucrative. The average travel nurse can earn $59.66 per hour plus housing stipends. If you're interested in travel nursing, check out these sites for assignments.

If you have a passion for travel, there are many ways you can earn money working in the travel industry. From becoming a work at home travel agent to finding ways to document and share your own travel experiences—there's an opportunity for every traveler out there. Explore your options and pack your suitcase! Check out this post if you're looking for ways to make money while you travel the world!

Holly Reisem Hanna is the Founder and Publisher of the award-winning career website  The Work at Home Woman.

COVID-19 symptoms and what to do

Symptoms of covid-19.

COVID-19 symptoms can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• feeling sick or being sick

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

Most people feel better within a few days or weeks of their first COVID-19 symptoms and make a full recovery within 12 weeks. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

You may be able to look after yourself at home if you have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19 .

Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you or your child have symptoms and either:

• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to go to work, school, childcare, or do your normal activities

You can go back to your normal activities when you feel better or do not have a high temperature.

If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school or childcare.

If you are eligible for treatments for COVID-19, you should take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as you get symptoms.

Find out more about treatments for COVID-19 and who can have them

What to do if you have tested positive

You are no longer required to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms.

But if you or your child have tested positive for COVID-19:

• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day the test was taken if you or your child are under 18 years old – children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults
• try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day you took your test if you are 18 years old or over
• avoid meeting people who are more likely to get seriously ill from viruses, such as people with a weakened immune system, for 10 days after the day you took your test

Find out more about who can get a free COVID-19 test

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you're worried about your or a child's COVID-19 symptoms or are not sure what to do
• the symptoms are getting worse or are not getting better
• you or a child have other signs of illness, such as a rash, loss of appetite, or feeling weak
• you or a child have a high temperature that last 5 days or more or does not come down with paracetamol
• a child under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature
• a child 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature

It's particularly important to get help if you're at increased risk of getting ill from COVID-19, such as if you're pregnant, aged 60 or over, or have a weakened immune system.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if you or a child:

• seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think there's something seriously wrong – children and babies in particular can get unwell very quickly
• get sudden chest pain
• are so breathless you're unable to say short sentences when resting or your breathing has suddenly got worse – in babies their stomach may suck in under their ribs
• start coughing up blood
• collapse, faint, or have a seizure or fit for the first time
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Politics latest: Labour's new MP Natalie Elphicke apologises for supporting ex-husband after sex assault conviction

The fallout is continuing from the shock defection of MP Natalie Elphicke from the Conservatives over to Labour. She has now released a statement apologising for supporting her ex-husband, who was her predecessor as MP for Dover, after his sexual assault conviction.

Thursday 9 May 2024 13:47, UK

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• New Labour MP issues apology
• Starmer facing backlash over Tory defector
• Explained:  Who is Natalie Elphicke?
• Sam Coates:  More defections possible - but some Labour nerves too
• Re-elected Tory mayor condemns party 'chaos'
• Ex-chancellor to stand down at election  | His statement in full
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler

One point made by several Labour figures after the party welcomed Conservative defector Natalie Elphicke yesterday was the continued suspension of veteran MP Diane Abbott.

The MP for Hackney and Stoke Newington was suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party last year for suggesting Jewish people face prejudice similar to "redheads" rather than racism.

She later apologised but has not had the whip restored.

Ms Elphicke's welcoming to the party by Sir Keir Starmer has raised eyebrows because she was one of the more right-wing Tory MPs, and caused controversy with some of her previous comments.

Ms Abbott has now responded on social media, referring to a Guardian article headlined "Natalie Elphicke's queasy welcome shows Labour will turn no one away".

"Not sure I can confirm this headline," said Ms Abbott.

Ms Abbott and Sir Keir were colleagues in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet.

Labour MP Natalie Elphicke has apologised for comments she made supporting her ex-husband after he was convicted of sexual assault, following criticism from her new party colleagues. 

Concerns had been raised about comments she made after Charlie Elphicke, her predecessor as MP for Dover, was convicted in 2020 of sexually assaulting two women and sentenced to two years in prison.

At the time, she said in an interview with The Sun that being "attractive" and "attracted to women" had made him an "easy target".

Labour said yesterday "all those issues have been dealt with previously both in parliament and in public".

But in a new statement, Ms Elphicke said the period was an "incredibly stressful and difficult one for me as I learned more about the person I thought I knew".

She added: "I know it was far harder for the women who had to relive their experiences and give evidence against him.

"I have previously, and do, condemn his behaviour towards other women and towards me. It was right that he was prosecuted and I'm sorry for the comments that I made about his victims.

"It is vital that women can have confidence in the criminal justice system and our rates of prosecution and conviction are far too low as a country.

"Keir Starmer's mission to halve male violence against women and girls is critical and I wanted to take the opportunity to express my explicit support for Labour colleagues working to realise it."

By Jenness Mitchell , Scotland reporter

John Swinney has axed the post of minister for independence from his ministerial team.

The role, the first of its kind, was created last year by then first minister Humza Yousaf.

Jamie Hepburn, who previously held the Scottish government post, has now taken over from George Adam as minister for parliamentary business.

Earlier on Thursday, SNP MP Alyn Smith appeared to confirm during a radio interview that the role had been "subsumed" into Angus Robertson's constitution, external affairs and culture brief.

You can read more from Sky News below:

NHS data released today ( see 10.20 post ) paints a pretty mixed picture. 

There are gains in key areas, but many targets are still being missed. 

The government wants improvement in two particular areas. 

Firstly, it has tasked health leaders with bringing cancer waiting times back below pre-pandemic levels. 

The 62-day backlog (the target time it takes for people with suspected cancer having a confirmed diagnosis and to start treatment) is a top priority and there have been improvements for consecutive months. 

Another focus for improvement is the faster diagnosis standards and here too there have been gains.  

This has been achieved by giving extra support to struggling NHS trusts identified through a tier ranking and the deployment of mobile diagnostics and screening services to targeted areas. 

But there are still too many patients waiting longer than two months to start treatment for cancer, after an urgent GP referral. 

The target is 15% and the actual number is double that. 

And many cancer experts will argue that pre-pandemic levels set a low bar because the country’s cancer detection and treatment services were already far behind comparable health care systems. 

The improvements are welcomed, but there is still some way to go. 

House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt is getting good value out of yesterday's defection of Tory MP Natalie Elphicke.

Having used it to suggest Labour's Keir Starmer doesn't represent the real values of his party (see previous post), she's now suggested he "wouldn't be interested" in her defection as she's "too left-wing".

She made the quip during Business Questions, when her fellow Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said "(Ms Mordaunt) I feel will fall off her chair no doubt as long as she doesn't defect", as he asked for a debate on local authority decision-making.

Ms Mordaunt replied: "Can I reassure (Mr Liddell-Grainger) that I am not about to defect to the opposition benches. They wouldn't be interested in me, I'm too left-wing."

Eyebrows have been raised over Ms Elphicke's defection, as she was a hardline Brexiteer and one of the Tories' more right-wing MPs.

Ms Mordaunt has been tipped as a potential replacement for Rishi Sunak.

While the foreign secretary was delivering a speech on national security, mooted Tory leadership hopeful Penny Mordaunt has launched an unusual attack on Sir Keir Starmer.

She turned her fire on the Labour leader in the Commons following yesterday's shock defection of Natalie Elphicke, who had been one of the more right-wing Conservative MPs.

In a lengthy list of metaphors addressing recent Tory defections to the opposition party, Ms Mordaunt compared Sir Keir to a crab.

"What it (the defections) has exposed is a pattern of behaviour from the leader of the opposition," she said.

She said they are part of an attempt by Sir Keir to "disguise" his "true form" like the "decorator crab".

While such crabs hide themselves with other creatures and seaweed, Labour's leader uses "St George's flags, his Gunners (Arsenal) season ticket and several programmes from the Last Night of the Proms".

Having "channelled Margaret Thatcher" and expelled former leader Jeremy Corbyn, his old boss, she said "the leader of the opposition is the decorator crab of these benches, desperate to show that he's not really leading the Labour Party at all".

Scotland's new first minister John Swinney is on his feet at First Minister's Questions, just a day after he formally took the top job.

He received a loud applause from those on the SNP side of the chamber as he took to his feet, facing off against Scottish Labour's Anas Sarwar.

By  Ed Conway , economics and data editor 

The Bank of England has edged closer to a cut in interest rates, with another member of its nine-person Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voting for lower borrowing costs this month.

While the MPC voted 7-2 to leave UK interest rates on hold at 5.25%, the change in the vote will be seen as a further sign that they could be coming down soon - perhaps as soon as next month.

Alongside its rate decision, the Bank published new forecasts for the UK economy, which show that gross domestic product is projected to be stronger this year and unemployment and inflation rates lower than previously expected. 

It said that the CPI rate of inflation was likely to drop to its 2% target imminently - though it would bounce a little higher afterwards.

Governor Andrew Bailey said: "We've had encouraging news on inflation and we think it will fall close to our 2% target in the next couple of months. We need to see more evidence that inflation will stay low before we can cut interest rates. I'm optimistic that things are moving in the right direction."

You can read more in our Money blog here:

Taking questions from the media, Lord Cameron is asked about the defection of ex-Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke to Labour.

He claims this says more about the Labour Party than the Tories.

"In life, if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything," he says. 

"I think that's what yesterday showed.

"When you get close to an election it stops being a referendum on the government, it starts being a choice between two parties.

"I think yesterday, you wake up and hear about a defection, and you think 'Oh no, not another one. How are we going to handle this?'

"By the end of the day, it said so much more about Keir Starmer and the Labour Party having a complete lack of a plan."

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has delivered a speech on the UK's national security at the National Cyber Security Centre.

In his first major speech as foreign secretary, he called on Britain and its allies to "out-compete, out-cooperate and out-innovate" their adversaries in an ongoing "battle of wills".

Here are the main points from his speech:

• Lord Cameron says it is the UK's "security" and "prosperity" that guide his actions as foreign secretary; 
• He adds: "This is a world more dangerous, more volatile, more confrontational than most of us have ever known - and we need to face up to that fact, and act accordingly";
• The minister says this action needs to happen "now". He adds: "My conviction is that we, with our partners, can choose to make a difference"; 
• In order to "rise to the challenge that we face", Lord Cameron says the UK needs to "make security a top priority";
• He goes on to point to attacks from China on the Electoral Commission, cyber attacks on members of parliament, and an attempted "sabotage attack" on a warehouse in London last week; 
• His second point, he says, is that the UK "needs to be bold in standing up for what we believe in". He adds: "It is profoundly within our national interest to defend our core beliefs"; 
• "We in the West need to underline and expose the malign networks that Russia uses to spread its lies," the minister adds; 
• He also says the UK needs to "adopt a harder edge for a tougher world". We "need to be tougher and more assertive", he says; 
• "We need to have a good dose of realism", Lord Cameron adds, while warning: "We can't afford to be naive" and stressing the need to be "ruthlessly practical";
• The UK is not going to sign free trade deals "for the sugar rush of the press release", he says;
• Lord Cameron also touts the recent UK commitment to build up to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence and said this should be a new benchmark for NATO allies.

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