Travel RN Jobs – Know the Types in 2024

Hi, and welcome to another exciting and interactive read from nurse code.

After reading this article, we guarantee that you will be more informed on the type of RN jobs available for you and how to get them.

We will specifically take you through the following:

• How to get a travel RN job
• Types of travel RN jobs
• Available travel RN jobs

Let’s jump right in!

Introduction

Travel Registered Nurses (RN) are highly skilled and qualified nursing practitioners that work in short-term roles to fill nursing staffing shortages in healthcare facilities across the country.

So whether you’re in Richmond, New York, or Nashville, Tennessee, you can be a travel RN.

The travel nurse assignments provide comprehensive nursing care to patients in different healthcare facilities.

Travel RNs often work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, community health centers, home health, and intensive care units.

The traveling RN  work as case managers, oncology, tele, med-Surg, and pediatric RNs.

Continue reading to learn how to bag high-paying travel RN jobs.

How to find travel RN jobs

Are you interested in securing the highest-paid travel nurse jobs but don’t know where to start?

Getting a good travel RN job can be both daunting and tiring.

Consider using these options to quickly identify your dream travel nurse job, whether you’re an experienced or new travel RN.

1. Travel nurse staffing agencies

Travel nurse staffing companies connect qualified RNs to numerous well-paying nursing vacancies every year.

Travel nursing staffing agencies use their impressive professional network with healthcare institutions to identify, negotiate and connect RNs with jobs.

To maximize your options consider signing up on multiple travel nurse staffing sites.

And remember to enable job alerts functionality to always be in the loop of new job vacancies.

2. Word of mouth

Building a robust professional network is vital in helping you secure high-paying travel nurse jobs.

Consider connecting with other traveling nurses, recruiting managers, and talent search agents.

Building a solid professional network will give you hidden insights into jobs that usually appear in job adverts.

3.  Referrals

Referrals are a great way of bagging your next traveling RN job.

Most recruiters and employers prefer working with a travel RN who has worked with a mutual colleague or acquaintance.

Therefore ensure that you leave a positive impact in all your previous travel nurse jobs for positive future job referrals.

4. Professional travel nursing bodies

Enroll in a professional nursing body to get updates on traveling nursing trends, changing nursing regulations, and updates on travel nurse jobs.

Some of the professional travel nursing bodies to join include the American Travel Health Nursing Association (ATHNA) and specialty nursing associations.

5. Direct application

Some travel RNs prefer to respond directly to job ads and not use intermediaries.

Though not very effective, the direct application allows you to dictate the terms and conditions of the travel RN job you’re seeking.

The downside to direct application is the time factor since most travel RN jobs have tight starting dates.

But if you have the time, resources, and technical know-how, direct application is a viable method of securing a travel RN job.

Types of travel RN jobs

There are several types of travel RN jobs spanning several different nursing specialties.

Here are the common RN job types:

• Per diem RN jobs

Per diem traveling RN jobs refer to those jobs paid daily.

When a traveling RN finishes a shift, they are paid and are under no obligation to report to work the following day.

Per diem traveling RN jobs are perfect for healthcare institutions that need a temporary fix to staffing shortages without the HR complexity of hiring a short-term travel RN.

RNs pursuing further education programs and those with some free time in their hands also prefer per diem jobs due to their flexible nature.

• Locum traveling RN jobs

Locum tenens are short-term nursing substitutes engaged almost immediately due to illness, family emergencies, or vacations due to unexpected staffing crises.

The scope and reach of locum RNs are expansive as they usually fill varied nursing positions meaning that most locum RNs are multitalented and can work in various nursing departments.

Locum RNs usually hold advanced nursing degrees and boast impressive nursing experience.

The main difference between Locum and short-term travel RNs is that locum RNs period of engagement is usually not fixed.

The period could be one day, one year, or ongoing.

• Short term travel RN

Short-term travel RN jobs are contractual RN jobs that usually last 4-16 weeks.

Many healthcare facilities are understaffed, and finding temporary nurse staff offers staffing relief to these institutions.

Additionally,  in disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, the demand for short-term travel nurses has increased exponentially.

The two most common short-term travel nurse jobs are the rapid response and strike nurse travel jobs.

• Long term travel RN

Long-term travel RN jobs typically take several months but usually not more than 12 months.

These types of travel RN jobs usually offer more significant incentives and perks due to the permanency of the job.

Long-term travel RNs gain more experience and build a significant job portfolio that improves their marketability.

• Crisis travel RN

Crisis contract nursing refers to the travel RNs who respond to crises, including natural disasters, wars, disease outbreaks, and severe staffing shortages.

Crisis travel nurse jobs are usually difficult and performed under unfavorable conditions that require total dedication and commitment by the travel RN.

The good thing about crisis ate travel nursing jobs is that they pay way better than other travel RN positions.

Read on for some sample RN jobs with the education requirements, duties, and benefits.

Sample Travel RN jobs 

Here are some sample travel nursing jobs with the roles, responsibilities, salaries, and terms of employment.

1. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Travel Nurse

The PICU travel nurse will be responsible for delivering personalized, high-quality patient care using acceptable scientific procedures and treatments to minors under 18 years.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Assess, monitor and care for minors displaying signs of acute illnesses
• Administer medications, including starting IV and all types of injections
• Administer nutrition through feeding tubes and other means
• Provide respiratory management
• Monitoring patient vitals, including blood pressure and respiratory rates
• Changing wound dressing
• Liaising with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic patient care

Qualifications

• Active RN license
• RN degree
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and (Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• One year of RN experience

Terms and benefits

• 48 hours per week
• Day shift
• Flexible scheduling
• Group health insurance
• ADD/life insurance
• Access to housing and travel benefits
• Matching 401(K)
• Premium pay
• 13-week duration

2. Progressive Care Nurse (PCU) Travel RN

The PCU travel RN will collaborate with other healthcare providers to deliver holistic nursing services to patients from the ICU and critical care departments.

Roles and responsibilities

• Assess and monitor patient’s progress
• Calculate drug dosage and administer medication
• Start IV and feeding lines
• Change bedpans. wound dressing and insert catheters
• Preparing and maintaining medical equipment
• Assisting physicians with bedside procedures

Qualifications

• Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• ACLS and BLS certification
• Valid NY RN license
• 1.5 years of clinical RN experience
• Telemetry, critical care, and oncology experience preferred

Terms and conditions

• Day shift ( 7.00 am – 7.30 pm)
• 401(K) benefits
• Competitive salaries
• Health, dental and disability insurance
• Continuing Education credits
• Free and high-quality housing
• Temporary job posting (13 weeks)

3. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) Travel RN

PACU travel RNs are responsible for delivering high-quality postoperative nursing care for patients recovering from medical operations and procedures.

The patients in postoperative units require high levels of care as they are susceptible to infections and numerous postoperative complications.

Roles and responsibilities

• Administer pain medication (intravenous, oral, inhalation)
• Monitor and record patient vitals
• Implement a postoperative treatment plan
• Assist physician in bedside procedures
• Perform minor medical procedures (inserting catheters, IVs)
• Respond to postoperative emergencies and bedside calls
• Educate family members in the best post-op care regime

Qualifications

• Valid RN license
• BLS, ACLS certification
• RN degree from accredited nursing schools
• 1-year relevant PACU experience

Terms and conditions

• 13 weeks contract
• Day shift 
• 48 hours per week
• Group health insurance
• 401(K) support
• Free housing
• Travel expenses reimbursement

4. Long term acute care (LTAC) Travel RN

LTAC RNs work with CNAs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities to provide high-level nursing services to patients with incurable diseases or chronic conditions.

Roles and responsibilities

• Administering medication
• Evaluate and monitor patient condition, including recording vital signs
• Participating in patient care planning meetings with other healthcare providers
• Assisting physicians in performing medical procedures
• Provide direct patient care, including starting nutrition and IV lines

Qualifications

• RN certification from accredited training schools
• BLS certification
• LTAC experience (2 years)
• Active Virginia RN license

Terms and conditions

• 36 hours per week (every other weekend required)
• Temporary contract (8 weeks)
• Night shift ( 7.00 pm – 7.30 am)
• Competitive weekly pay, including referral and job completion bonuses
• Housing assistance and stipends are available
• Health and supplemental insurance coverage
• Travel reimbursement
• Licensure assistance

5. Postpartum Travel RN

A postpartum or mother-baby traveling RN is responsible for the health and welfare of both the mother and baby after delivery.

Roles and responsibilities

• Administer relevant vaccinations
• Monitor and record mother and child vitals
• Clean, clothe and weigh babies
• Perform routine tests and check for postpartum complications
• Educate mothers on functional feeding
• Administer post-delivery drugs to mothers
• Encourage mothers and educate family members on proper child and mother care

Qualifications

• Associate of Science (ASN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree
• 2+ years of experience
• Valid RN license

Terms and conditions

• Night shift (7 pm -7 am)
• Eight weeks (36 hours per week)
• Matching 401(K)
• Health, dental, vision, and life coverage
• Licensure and continuing education reimbursement
• Competitive pay package

6. Med-Surg Travel RN

Med-Surg travel RNs are highly skilled and specialized nurse practitioners offering vital nursing services to preoperative and postoperative patients.

Roles and responsibilities

• Assess patient conditions and document vitals
• Perform wound dressing
• Administer medication
• Start IVs, insert catheters and adjust oxygen tanks and other equipment operations.
• Order lab tests
• Document patient progress
• Assist physicians in performing medical procedures

Qualifications

• Valid and current RN license
• Accredited RN nursing degree
• One year experience
• BLS, ACLS certification

Terms and conditions

• Dental, vision, and medical insurance cover
• Personalized compensation packages
• Loyalty and referral bonus
• 401 (K) assistance
• Free housing
• Per diem and travel allowance
• Short term covers ( disability, critical illness, accident insurance)

7. Emergency Room (ER) Travel RN

ER RNs are responsible for quickly evaluating emergency patients’ conditions and formulating the best patient care plan.

Typical ER traveling RN duties include assessing and ordering relevant medical tests on patients.

Roles and responsibilities

• Evaluating and documenting patient conditions
• Blood, glucose, and plasma transfusion
• Point of care testing and other rapid tests
• Wound care, bone setting, and fixing splints
• Attending to trauma and critical injuries, patients
• Preparing effective treatment plans
• Facilitating rapid check-in protocols

Qualifications

• Valid RN license
• One year of ER experience
• BLS, ACLS certification

Terms and conditions

• Competitive salaries
• 48 hours working week
• Overtime pay after 36 hours
• 401(K) investment plan
• Health and free liability insurance
• 13 weeks assignment with flexible start dates
• Day and night shifts are available

8. Operating Room (OR) Travel RN

Operating room RNs are vital for the successful outcome of operations.

These highly trained and skilled nursing professionals feature in operating rooms across different healthcare settings and provide vital nursing support to surgical teams.

Roles and responsibilities

• Evaluate and prep patients before medical operations
• Provide operating assistance to surgeons during procedures
• Stock and arrange medical equipment and supplies for operations
• Prepare and sterilize the operating room
• Implement post-operative patient care plans
• Position patients before medical procedures

Qualifications

• Valid North Carolina RN license
• Minimum two years OR RN experience
• BLS, ACLS certification

Terms and conditions

• Full-time nurse role
• 401(K) benefits
• Dental, vision, and health insurance
• 24-week contract
• 36 hours per week
• Competitive salary ($3200-$3300)
• HSA plan

9. Interventional Radiology Travel RN

The interventional radiology travel RN will provide holistic direct radiological care in the pediatric, ICU, and cardiology departments.

Roles and responsibilities

• Perform radiological procedures (ultrasound, radiation therapy, MRI)
• Perform minor medical procedures (insert foley, catheters, IVs)
• Monitor and document patient vitals
• Work with a multidisciplinary medical team to provide high-quality patient care.
• Provide emergency care treatment
• Ensure patient comfort
• Assess and document all treatment plans
• Educate patient and family members on proper health protocols

Qualifications

• Valid BSN license
• 1-2 years of cath lab experience
• Valid driving license
• BLS, AHA certification
• North Carolina RN or compact state license

Terms and conditions

• Competitive pay package ($3551 per week)
• 13-week contract duration
• 10 hours day shift
• Medical, dental, vision, and health insurance

Conclusion

Working as a travel RN is an excellent way of growing your professional experience while earning more and visiting new places.

The best way to be more marketable and attract higher-paying travel RN jobs is by credentialing new skills and growing your portfolio.

We hope that our comprehensive travel RN article has given you a glimpse of the roles, responsibilities, and job environment of travel RNs.

Keep on reading to get answers to our reader’s frequently asked questions.

FAQs

References

Fastaff.com

Travelnursing.org

Bls.gov

Pubmed.gov

Trvelnursing.com