Becoming a travel nurse opens doors to immense professional and personal development. The chance to experience new cities, diverse work environments, and guidance from various mentors can greatly benefit new nurses in honing their skills and discovering their ideal practice setting. The prospect of embarking on a travel nursing career soon after graduating from nursing school is now more accessible than ever.
While healthcare facilities typically require nurses to possess a certain level of clinical experience before considering them for travel assignments, the waiting period might be shorter than anticipated. Emerging opportunities are making it possible for new grad nurses to begin pursuing their career aspirations in a matter of months.
The nurse staffing specialists at AMN Healthcare offer valuable insights and advice for new grad nurses eager to explore this dynamic, rewarding, and potentially lucrative career path.
10 Essential Things New Grad Nurses Should Know About Travel Nursing
1. Experience Requirements Are Evolving
One exciting piece of news for new grad nurses is that some hospitals are now accepting RNs as travel nurses with less than a year of experience! These employers are committed to providing additional support to newer nurses through mentorship programs and ongoing education.
While some specialties and facilities may still require more extensive experience (up to two years), depending on the healthcare facility type, the emergence of travel nursing opportunities for new grad nurses significantly broadens career possibilities.
After securing your first nursing position and gaining a few months of professional experience in an acute care setting, it’s a good time to connect with a travel nursing agency. A recruiter can discuss your options and help you prepare for a successful travel nursing career.
2. Travel Nursing Positions Enhance Your Resume
A primary goal for new grad nurses entering the workforce should be developing a strong nursing skill set. Travel nursing provides an excellent avenue for gaining a broad range of clinical experience.
Travel nursing exposes you to various workplaces and settings, including leading healthcare facilities, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and experienced nursing professionals nationwide who can share valuable insights, knowledge, and best practices.
3. New Graduate Nurses Have the Power to Shape Their Career Trajectory
While some experience is necessary to enter travel nursing, once you’ve gained a foothold as a new grad nurse, you’ll encounter a wealth of fresh experiences that contribute to your professional growth. A dedicated recruiter can assist you in finding travel nursing positions in the facilities and specialties that align with your career aspirations.
New grad nurse working with a patient
You might opt to concentrate on a specific area or seek exposure to different units during your travel nursing assignments. Many hospitals and facilities allow travel nurses to “float” between various units. Your recruiter can guide you toward assignments that offer the right balance of experience and support for your nursing career goals.
The ability to select the type of contract you prefer is another advantage of being a new grad travel nurse. Are you interested in shorter-term contracts that provide maximum flexibility? Or perhaps project-based assignments such as EMR conversions, new unit openings, or seasonal vaccine clinics? AMN Healthcare offers all these options, in addition to traditional 13-week travel assignments.
4. Job Placement and Relocation Services Are Provided Free of Charge
Contract nursing agencies, like AMN Healthcare, act as your advocates in finding short-term assignments and project work across the country. Your recruiter will guide you through the entire process, at no cost to you. For nurses who prefer a hands-on approach, AMN Passport allows you to search and apply for jobs independently.
Recruiters connect you with suitable travel nursing jobs, schedule interviews, assist in reviewing contracts, and guide you through each step. They also advocate for you and provide support during your assignment.
Travel nurse recruiters also collaborate with a team of specialists who assist with everything from licensing issues and documentation requirements to arranging housing and processing your paychecks. However, not all agencies are created equal, so it’s crucial to partner with a reputable, well-connected company that has strong relationships with healthcare facilities nationwide.
5. New Grad Travel Nurses Can Earn Competitive Salaries and Benefits
As a new grad nurse, it’s understandable that managing student loans and other bills is a priority. That’s why finding new grad nursing jobs that offer competitive pay and benefits is so important.
Travel nursing offers highly competitive compensation packages, and most travel nursing agencies provide company-sponsored benefits, including medical, dental, 401k, and continuing education opportunities.
Due to the short-term, rapid-response nature of these assignments, AMN Healthcare offers some of the highest travel nurse salaries in the industry, along with a comprehensive range of travel nursing benefits.
6. Travel Assignments Provide Free Housing and Covered Travel Expenses
Say goodbye to living in your parents’ basement or paying high rent! Most travel nursing companies offer FREE housing for their travel nurses.
This can be in the form of free, company-arranged housing or a housing stipend that you can use to find your own accommodations.
Most agencies also cover many of your travel and relocation costs, and pay for any new state nursing licenses you need to obtain. Other benefits include bonuses and 24/7 clinical support if you encounter any issues while working.
7. You’ll Expand Your Social and Professional Circle
Another top tip for new grad nurses is to focus on networking and leveraging your connections – which you will make abundantly as a travel nurse. You might even find a fellow traveler to join you on one or more assignments.
Building new friendships and professional connections is one of the key benefits of travel nursing. After several assignments, you could have a network of friends and colleagues across the United States. Staying in touch can be highly beneficial for your future job searches.
8. You’ll Enjoy Adventure, Fun, and Discovery
Travel nursing is one of the few careers that allows you to get paid to travel while doing what you love.
Each travel nursing assignment brings new experiences and excitement as you explore a new city and discover new restaurants, museums, parks, and activities. Even the road trips to each new job are an adventure!
Cross dream destinations off your bucket list, and push yourself by trying new sports, new foods, and unique regional activities that you can’t find at home.
9. You Have Control Over When and Where You Work
When you partner with a recruiter at a travel nursing agency like AMN Healthcare, you can choose from assignments available all over the country.
Select contract nursing jobs in specific cities and facilities, such as teaching hospitals, specialty hospitals, Magnet-designated hospitals, outpatient clinics, and more.
Do you prefer to take back-to-back assignments throughout the year and then take an extended vacation, or do you prefer to plan short getaways between each assignment? The choice is yours! If an assignment is a good fit for both you and the facility, you may have the option to extend your assignment and stay longer.
10. Boredom Will Be a Thing of the Past
While some people find satisfaction working in the same hospital and town year after year, others crave new scenery and exposure to new techniques, people, and places. For those seeking novelty, travel nursing could be an ideal fit.
As a new grad nurse embarking on a travel nursing career, you’ll enjoy starting fresh every few weeks. Assignments generally last from 4 to 13 weeks, allowing you to advance your career, enjoy variety, and stay at the top of your nursing game!
Embarking on a travel nurse career directly after graduation is a viable and exciting option for new nurses, offering accelerated professional development, diverse experiences, and the opportunity to explore the country while building a fulfilling career.
