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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.

job of travel nurse

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.

RELATED :  RN License Transfer and NLC Guide

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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job of travel nurse

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Attention RNs: Travel Nurses Needed! High Paying Positions Are Still Available. See Where You Can Help.

How soon can you start traveling?

Are you a registered nurse.

Boost your resume with travel nursing — work in the country’s top facilities, explore new specialities, and overall advance your career!

What is your primary specialty?

What is your secondary specialty, how many years of nursing experience, name a few places you'd like to travel: (optional), phone number, why become a travel nurse.

Because there is such a high demand for qualified nurses in certain areas of the country, travel nurses typically receive more competitive wages than a full-time permanent employee.

Travel the Country

Travel nursing allows you to explore the country whether you prefer beaches to mountains or cities to small towns. We have travel assignments in all 50 states — the hardest part is deciding where to go next.

Expand Your Career

As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to work in the country’s top facilities, explore new specialties, network with like-minded professionals, and all-around boost your resume.

How Does It Work?

Hospitals work with recruitment agencies to find skilled nurses to fill short-term assignments in order to provide excellent care to patients.

We work with the top travel nursing companies in the country to connect qualified nurses to these hospitals. By filling out a short form , we’ll connect you with up to four agencies whose recruiters will work hard to connect you with the best travel nurse opportunities available.

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How To Become A Travel Nurse

Travel nurses typically need 12-18 months of hospital-based RN experience in their field, though this may increase depending on your specialty or the requirements of the facility. Read all the steps on how to become a travel nurse. Learn more about high-demand specialties .

job of travel nurse

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Because of the high demand for nurses, travel nursing pays very well. Your specific compensation will depend on your specialty, the location of the facility, and the contract. Travel nurse companies often provide other benefits like 401K, medical and dental benefits, bonus programs as well as  stipends for housing , meals, and even travel expenses.

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What Is A Travel Nurse?

Hospitals hire travel nurses to fill staffing shortages, which can be caused by seasonal population increases, expected leave of absences, or a lack of qualified nurses in their location. These facilities work with recruitment agencies to find skilled nurses to fill short-term assignments in order to continue providing excellent care to patients.

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Best Travel Nursing Agencies

We work directly with some of the top travel nursing agencies in the country. By filling out a short form, we’ll connect you with up to four agencies whose recruiters will work hard to connect you with the best travel nurse opportunities available.

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What Do Travel Nurses Do?

Travel nursing is a great way to advance your career and earn great pay while traveling the country. By becoming a travel nurse at other facilities, you’re helping to provide continued patient by filling much-needed positions.

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Highest Paying Travel Nursing Jobs

Travel nursing jobs are available across the country, in a variety of specialties, but there are some like ER and Labor and Delivery that are more in-demand than others. You decide where you want to go. Find the high-demand and high-paying travel nursing jobs.

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  • What Do Travel Nurses Do?

Where Do Travel Nurses Work?

A day in the life of a travel nurse, pros and cons of being a travel nurse, is travel nursing right for you.

What do travel nurses do?

Becoming a travel nurse can be an exciting opportunity to not only experience new places around the country but also network and build lasting connections with healthcare professionals. But if you're considering starting traveling, you may be wondering, what do travel nurses do? 

This article will take you through the responsibilities of a travel nurse, including the day-to-day duties, where you can work, and the pros and cons of the job. Keep reading to determine whether this fast-paced, exciting, and adventurous career is right for you.

>> Click here to see available high-paying travel nurse opportunities!

What Do Travel Nurses Do? 

The specific duties of a travel nurse will vary depending on the unit and department you work. For example, the expectations of an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse will vary greatly compared to those of an obstetrics (OB) nurse or an operating room (OR) nurse. In this section, we'll discuss what travel nurses do, their duties, and their responsibilities.

>> Related: How to Become a Travel Nurse

Bedside Responsibilities

Travel nurses are responsible for taking care of patients from triage to discharge. Typically responsibilities may include, 

  • Administer medications and monitor for adverse reactions
  • Assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including ambulation, feeding, dressing, and bathing
  • Insert and manage IV catheters
  • Perform vital signs at required intervals and recognize abnormalities and report to appropriate healthcare providers
  • Perform physical assessments and recognize signs
  • Prepare patients for bedside procedures and surgeries

A large portion of a travel nurse’s responsibilities include education. Specifically, travel nurses will need to provide education to the patient, if applicable, as well as to family and caregivers throughout their shifts. 

Time spent educating patients and families will vary depending on your specific unit. For example, a travel nurse that works in a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and is discharging patients after surgery will be required to spend more time on education than other typical bedside duties. 

On the other hand, an ICU nurse will spend far less time focused on education because of the severity of their patient’s illness and disease. 

Travel nurses also may be responsible for educating new nurses and orientees. While rare, it is possible for a travel nurse to be asked to work with new nurses.

Patient Advocacy

While not the most obvious job responsibility, advocating for a patient is an important job duty of a travel nurse. This can range from speaking to healthcare providers to advocating for tests or new medications. It also can mean speaking to family members about the wants and needs of the patient. 

Travel nurses can work in a variety of locations. Essentially, they can work anywhere that a staff nurse may work. However, not all healthcare settings will have a need for travel nurses. Some of the locations travel nurses work in include, 

  • Home health
  • Long-term care facility
  • Government agency
  • Private MD office
  • Urgent care
  • Specialty clinic
  • Surgical center

Travel nurse days might look a little different than a staff nurse because they can be the first to be floated to another unit, depending on their contract. So, travel nurses will generally report to the floor they are contracted but may have to work their shift on another unit or even another hospital (depending on their specific contract).

1. Get Their Assignments

Most travel nurses will start their shifts either at 7 am or 7 pm. After getting an assignment, the first task is to get a report on your patients. This typically takes about 30 minutes but may take longer, depending on the unit and the patients! 

2. Looking Through the EMR

After the report, travel nurses will spend a little bit of time looking through the EMR to go over orders and medications, including times they are due, and to find any missing information that was not communicated during the report. 

3. Performing Physical Assessments

The rest of the morning generally consists of performing physical assessments on your patients, vital signs, assisting in ADLs, and administering medications. 

Healthcare providers typically round in the morning so it is important to try and touch base with the medical team to learn the plan of care for the patient for the day and any changes to the orders and/or medications. 

The rest of the day is similar to the morning/evening but maybe a little less hectic. There are more vital signs, reassessment of your patients, admissions and discharges (depending on the unit), and road trips for MRI or CT scans. 

While this is a brief idea of what a typical day might look like for a travel nurse, it will vary greatly depending on your specialty and work location. 

Being a travel nurse may sound like a great opportunity: You get to travel the country, earn a higher wage, and experience new cultures. But like every job, there are pros, and there are cons as well. 

Travel Nursing Pros

  • Higher compensation
  • New locations
  • Meeting new people
  • Expand your skillset
  • Adaptability 
  • Flexibility between contracts
  • Choice of contracts and location

>> Related: Travel Nurse Salary Guide

Travel Nursing Cons

  • Always the new person
  • First to float, first to cancel
  • Relocating every 13 weeks 
  • New computer modules for each assignment
  • Lack of local support system
  • Managing multiple nursing licenses
  • Finding temporary travel nurse housing

Travel nurse requirements are the same as a staff nurse, except most travel nurse jobs require 1-2 years of experience and prefer a BSN degree over an ADN. Not meeting these standards can make finding travel nursing jobs in desirable locations more difficult and may dampen your experience.

Another reason travel nursing may or may not be right for you is variety. As a travel nurse, no two assignments will look the same. So, it may not suit you if you prefer stability and routine.

Kathleen Gaines

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

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RN Careers

How to Become a Travel Nurse: Salary and Requirements

Krystina Ostermeyer RN Nurse

Why Become a Travel Nurse?

Travel nursing offers a unique and exciting career path for registered nurses. It allows professionals to use their skills in various locations and settings, experience new cultures, and meet diverse people. In addition to these enriching experiences, travel nursing often comes with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for continued professional growth. This career path can be especially attractive for those who value flexibility and variety in their work.

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

Reasons to Become a Travel Nurse:

  • Adventure and Exploration: Travel nursing allows you to work in different parts of the country or even internationally, experiencing new places and cultures.
  • Professional Growth: Exposure to different healthcare systems and patient populations can broaden your skills and knowledge.
  • Competitive Compensation: Travel nurses often earn higher salaries compared to their stationary counterparts.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Many travel nurse agencies offer benefits like housing stipends, travel reimbursement, health insurance, and retirement plans.
  • Variety in Work: Working in various locations and settings can keep your career dynamic and exciting.
  • Flexibility: Travel nursing contracts typically last for a few months, allowing you to choose when and where you want to work.
  • Networking Opportunities: Working in different hospitals or healthcare facilities provides opportunities to make connections in the nursing field across the country.

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse who takes short-term assignments in locations where there is a high need for nurses. These assignments can be anywhere in the country or even internationally and typically last 13-26 weeks, though they can be shorter or longer. The role of a travel nurse is similar to that of a regular RN – providing patient care, administering medications, and working collaboratively with a healthcare team.

Key Points about Travel Nurses:

  • Location Variety: Travel nurses work across different locations, filling gaps in areas with nursing shortages.
  • Short-Term Assignments: Assignments typically last for a few months, providing a variety in the work environment.
  • Patient Care: Just like regular RNs, travel nurses provide care to patients, including administering medications and monitoring health conditions.
  • High Demand: Travel nurses often work in areas where there is a high need for nursing staff, such as in remote locations or during a health crisis.
  • Agency Employment: Most travel nurses work for travel nursing agencies that coordinate their assignments, accommodation, and benefits.
  • Competitive Pay: Travel nurses often receive higher pay rates than regular staff nurses due to the high demand and temporary nature of their work.
  • Personal and Professional Growth: The diverse experiences of travel nursing can contribute to both personal and professional growth.

Qualifications and Job Duties

To become a travel nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). This involves earning a nursing degree (either an Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing), passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and obtaining a state nursing license. Specific travel nursing requirements may vary by agency, but typically include at least one year of experience in a specialized field.

Travel nurses perform similar duties to those of staff nurses but in a more temporary and variable context. They need to adapt quickly to new environments and teams, and be flexible and capable in their nursing practice.

The ability to adapt quickly and provide high-quality care in unfamiliar settings is crucial for travel nurses. They must stay updated on the latest nursing practices and maintain their certifications. Membership in professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association or American Travel Health Nurses Association , can provide resources and opportunities for networking and professional development.

How to Become a Travel Nurse

Becoming a travel nurse involves several steps, starting from your basic nursing education to gaining experience in your field of choice.

Steps to Become a Travel Nurse:

  • Earn a Nursing Degree: You must first earn a nursing degree, either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN: After completing your nursing program, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse.
  • Gain Experience: Most travel nursing agencies require at least one year of experience in a specialized field. This helps ensure that you have the necessary skills to perform your duties efficiently.
  • Choose a Specialization: While not always required, having a specialization can make you more competitive as a travel nurse. Common specializations include critical care, emergency room, labor and delivery, and operating room nursing.
  • Apply to Travel Nursing Agencies: Travel nursing agencies will help match you with assignments that fit your skills and preferences. They also handle your housing and benefits.
  • Accept an Assignment: Once matched with an assignment, you’ll review the details and, if it’s a good fit, accept the assignment.
  • Travel and Work: You’ll then travel to your assignment location and start working.

After completing each assignment, you can choose to take another assignment, take some time off, or even accept a permanent position. Remember to keep your skills and certifications up-to-date and maintain good relationships with your travel nursing agency and the facilities where you work. For professional support and resources, consider joining organizations like the American Travel Health Nurses Association or the Emergency Nurses Association .

Typical Classes and Ways to Prepare to Become a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is a rewarding but challenging career that requires a broad base of knowledge and skills. As part of your nursing education, you’ll take classes in various fields related to nursing and health care.

Typical Classes for Travel Nurses:

  • Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the human body and its functions is fundamental for providing quality patient care.
  • Nursing Fundamentals: This course introduces students to the basic concepts and skills in nursing.
  • Pharmacology: Nurses need to understand how medications work, how they interact, and how to administer them safely.
  • Pathophysiology: This class teaches how diseases affect the body, helping nurses to understand the symptoms and treatments for various conditions.
  • Medical Surgical Nursing: This course covers a broad range of health problems and the nursing care for those conditions.
  • Pediatric Nursing: If you’re interested in working with children, this course will cover their specific health care needs.
  • Community Health Nursing: This class addresses the health care needs of communities and populations, which is particularly relevant for travel nurses who often work in diverse communities.

You can explore specific nursing programs, such as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing , for more detailed course descriptions.

5 Ways You Can Prepare to Become a Travel Nurse

  • Gain Experience in a Specialized Area: Specializing in an area of nursing, such as critical care or pediatrics, can make you more competitive as a travel nurse.
  • Cultivate Adaptability: As a travel nurse, you’ll need to quickly adapt to new environments and teams. Developing this skill can be as simple as seeking new experiences or learning to handle change effectively.
  • Develop Strong Communication Skills: Travel nurses work with a variety of people, from different health care teams to diverse patient populations, so strong communication skills are essential.
  • Understand the Role of a Travel Nurse: Research the role, responsibilities, and lifestyle of a travel nurse to ensure it’s a good fit for you.
  • Stay Current: Keep up-to-date with the latest nursing practices, techniques, and research.

Entering the field of travel nursing requires preparation and dedication. However, the personal and professional rewards it offers can be unparalleled. Staying connected with professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association or American Travel Health Nurses Association , can provide additional resources and support as you embark on this exciting career path.

Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is an exciting and rewarding career for many nurses who choose this path. Not only does it provide the chance to explore new places, but it also offers numerous professional and personal benefits.

Key Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse:

  • Travel Opportunities: Travel nursing offers the chance to work in various locations across the country or even internationally. This provides a unique opportunity to explore new places and cultures.
  • Competitive Compensation: Travel nurses often receive competitive pay rates, including housing stipends, travel allowances, and bonuses.
  • Flexible Schedules: Travel nursing assignments typically last 13 weeks, but the duration can vary. This flexibility allows travel nurses to take time off between assignments if they choose.
  • Professional Development: Working in different healthcare settings provides diverse experiences and learning opportunities. This can help travel nurses broaden their skills and knowledge.
  • Network Expansion: Travel nurses meet and work with healthcare professionals from all over, expanding their professional network.
  • Housing Benefits: Travel nursing agencies often provide furnished housing or housing stipends, making relocation easier.
  • Adventure: Being a travel nurse is a way to merge your love for nursing and adventure. You get to meet new people, experience different work environments, and explore new cities.

Travel nursing can be a perfect fit for those who seek diversity and adventure in their nursing career. It offers a chance to grow professionally and personally while offering a unique work-life balance. The American Travel Health Nurses Association is a great resource for travel nurses, offering networking opportunities, continuing education, and more.

Typical Places a Travel Nurse Works

Travel nurses have the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings across the country and even globally. Here are some common places travel nurses work:

  • Hospitals: Large teaching hospitals to small, rural hospitals, travel nurses can work in various hospital settings depending on their preferences and skills.
  • Clinics: Travel nurses may work in outpatient clinics providing care to patients in the community.
  • Rehabilitation Centers: Travel nurses often assist patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or illnesses in rehabilitation centers.
  • Nursing Homes: Travel nurses may work in long-term care facilities or nursing homes, providing care to elderly patients.
  • Home Health Agencies: Some travel nurses work in home health, providing nursing care to patients in their own homes.
  • Schools: Travel nurses can work as school nurses, providing health services to students and staff.
  • Correctional Facilities: Some travel nurses choose to work in correctional facilities, providing healthcare to inmates.
  • Urgent Care Centers: Urgent care centers often hire travel nurses to help with the fast-paced nature of these facilities.
  • Research Facilities: Travel nurses can work in research facilities, contributing to medical advancements.
  • Cruise Ships: Some travel nurses work on cruise ships, providing medical care to passengers and crew.

The variety of settings allows travel nurses to choose assignments that align with their interests, skills, and career goals. It’s important to consider the patient population, facility size, and location when choosing assignments. The American Nurses Association provides resources that can help travel nurses navigate different working environments.

Salary and Job Outlook

The earning potential for travel nurses is often higher than that of staff nurses due to the urgent need and temporary nature of the assignments.

Here are some key points about the salary and job outlook for travel nurses:

  • Competitive Compensation: Travel nurses typically earn a competitive salary. However, the actual amount can vary significantly depending on the nurse’s specialization, level of experience, location of the assignment, and the urgency of the job opening.
  • Additional Perks: Besides the base salary, travel nurses often receive non-taxable stipends for housing and living expenses, which can substantially increase their overall compensation.
  • Job Security: The demand for travel nurses tends to remain steady, providing job security for those in the profession.
  • Job Outlook: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a faster-than-average growth rate for registered nursing positions, including travel nurses, due to an aging population and a higher demand for healthcare services.
  • Negotiable Salary: Since travel nurses often fill urgent job openings, they are sometimes in a position to negotiate their pay rate and other contract terms.

It’s recommended to work with a reputable travel nursing agency that offers transparency about pay rates and benefits. These agencies can also assist with the negotiation process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Nursing

  • What qualifications do I need to become a travel nurse?
  • You need to be a registered nurse with at least one year of experience in your specialty. Some travel nursing agencies may require additional experience or certifications.
  • How long are travel nursing assignments?
  • Most travel nursing assignments last 13 weeks, but they can range from 8 weeks to 26 weeks depending on the contract.
  • Can I choose where I want to work as a travel nurse?
  • Yes, you can typically choose the location of your assignment. However, availability depends on the current job openings and your specialty.
  • Are housing and travel expenses covered?
  • Many travel nursing agencies provide a housing stipend and reimburse travel expenses, but this can vary by contract.
  • Is travel nursing right for me?
  • Travel nursing is ideal for those who are flexible, enjoy traveling, and are comfortable adapting to new environments and working conditions.

Check the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for more information on nursing practice and licensure.

Resources and Further Reading

  • American Travel Health Nurses Association
  • National Council of State Boards of Nursing
  • American Nurses Association
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Registered Nurses
  • “Travel Nurse’s Bible (A Guide to Everything on Travel Nursing)” by David Morrison
  • “Highway Hypodermics: Travel Nursing 2020” by Epstein LaRue

Explore additional nursing careers with this link .

FAQ to Become a Travel Nurse

What Travel Nurses Do ?

Obtain vital signs, administer medications, perform assessments, delegate tasks to LPNs and aides, assist with activities of daily living (ADLs), work with a multidisciplinary team to care for their patients, carry out orders as prescribed by providers.

Where Do Travel Nurses Work ?

Generally in the hospital setting, in a variety of specialties, from Med/Surg , to Emergency Care, to Intensive Care.

What Are the Employment Projections for Travel Nurses?

The nursing profession is expected to grow at a rate of 16% between 2014 and 2024; due to the nursing shortage, the travel nursing job outlook is even greater. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 19% growth by the year 2022.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Earn?

The travel nurse salary is highly variable. The salary is based on prior nursing experience, the location of the assignment, and the length of the assignment that is taken.  For this reason, there is no “average” travel nurse salary – but it is typically higher than the average RN salary, which is about $68,000.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Travel Nurse ?

Most travel agencies require that their RNs to have been practicing at least a year.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Travel Nurse ?

Agencies will require an RN degree – most will have a minimum requirement of an associate degree . All will require RN licensure prior to signing a contract.  For travel nurses who are working in advanced specialties, such as OB, ICU, and the OR, additional years of experience may be required.

8 Ways to Make More Money as A Travel Nurse

  • Per Diem Work and Pick Up Extra Shifts: Most assignments are booked for a set number of weeks . Let the healthcare facility and agency know that you are happy to pick up extra shifts or extend your weeks to earn more money.
  • Maintain Nursing Licenses in Multiple States: Travel nurses must have licensure in every state they practice, but they can obtain a multistate license via the  Nurse Licensure Compact  (NLC). You have more states you can accept assignments from when you get a multistate license,
  • Become More Specialized: Specialty areas such as Surgical nursing or Intensive Care Nursing require additional certifications. However, nurses with acute-care experience can make up to $110,000 or more.
  • Take up High Demand Assignments: Travel nurses willing and able to respond to an urgent natural disaster assignment can make very lucrative pay.
  • Work in COVID Crises Areas: If a travel nurse is willing to put herself in harm’s way at a facility with a crisis COVID situation, they can earn higher rates.
  • Refer a Traveler: Some Agencies or healthcare facilities may pay a referral fee if a travel nurse refers another travel nurse for an assignment.
  • Rapid Response and “Crisis” Assignments: Travel nurses ready to go within hours to a facility with an immediate critical need or crisis can earn a higher hourly salary.
  • Agency Bonus: Some agencies will offer a signing bonus for travel nurses who sign on for critical or hard-to-place assignments.

9 Highest-Paying Travel Nurse Specialties

Nurses who pursue these in-demand specialized certifications benefit from employment possibilities with more responsibility and autonomy, higher levels of compensation, and opportunities for career advancement. Specialties that require additional training or certifications tend to pay more. 

10 Best States for Travel Nursing Opportunities

One of the incredible benefits of becoming a travel nurse is that you can usually choose where you want to work. You may want to select a popular destination that is popular with tourists so you can enjoy your days off. For those new to nursing, you may want to choose a destination that will allow you to work at some of the best healthcare facilities. A travel nurse with a family may be more interested in great places to raise a family. No matter what you are seeking, here are some of the best states for travel nurses.

  • California: Sunny California attracts many travel nurses due to its beaches, attractions, and cultural activities. The Golden State boasts a high hourly wage of $43 for travel nurses. There are over 1400 travel nurse jobs currently available in California.
  • Florida: The Sunshine State attracts travel nurses due to its year-round climate, beaches, and abundance of things to do. Retirees flock to Florida year-round, so the state pays a high hourly wage of $43 for travel nurses and boasts a decent cost of living and no income tax. There are over 1200 travel nurse jobs currently available in Florida.
  • Texas: As the largest state in the U.S., The Lone Star state attracts travel nurses interested in the great outdoors. While Texas pays one of the lower hourly wages at $39, it has a low cost of living and no income tax, making it easy to save a lot of money. Texas has a critical need for travel nurses, with over 2,000 travel nurse jobs available.
  • Georgia: Georgia is a fantastic blend of history and modern, deep rural south and cosmopolitan city, mountains, and beaches. The Peach State offers the peacefulness of  the Blue Ridge mountains and excitement of Atlanta, the gateway to the south., and August, home of the Master’s Golf Tournament. Georgia pays a high hourly wage for travel nurses at $46 and has a moderate cost of living. There are 712 travel nurse jobs available .
  • Arizona: The sunny Arizona desert attracts travel nurses and retirees fascinated with native cultures due to its deep Hispanic and Indian heritage roots. Cultural architecture, art, and cuisine are celebrated in the Grand Canyon State. Arizona offers a high hourly wage of $47 and provides the opportunity to work at some of the country’s most respected medical centers. There are currently 326 travel nurse job openings.
  • North Carolina: North Carolina of the great outdoors and thriving cities boasting high growth, robust business growth, and world-class healthcare. In U.S. News & World Report’s listing of 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. , North Carolina had eight cities included. While the Tar Heel state has one of the lowest hourly wage rates at $36, it has a moderate cost of living and natural amenities. There are 878 travel nurse jobs available.
  • Virginia: Virginia was one of the original 13 colonies close to our nation’s capital. Virginia boasts some of the most scenic landscapes in the U.S., with beautiful mountain ranges, beaches, and green space. With 65 state and national parks, Virginia is a nature and outdoor sports lover’s dream. Old Dominion offers a high travel nurse hourly wage at $46.  There are 630 travel nurse jobs available.
  • Illinois: Illinois offers travel nurses everything from quaint midwestern towns in central and southern Illinois to the thriving metropolis of Chicago. Relax in the Garden of the Gods or the Anderson Japanese Gardens or revel in the symphony, art galleries, and theatres. Illinois boasts nine renowned hospitals at which to advance your skills. Travel nurses’ hourly wage is at the lower end of the spectrum at $39; however, the benefits of professional advancement are huge.  There are 665 travel nurse jobs available.
  • Hawaii: Landing a travel nurse assignment in the Aloha State is very competitive because of its tropical island climate, beauty, and culture. Hawaii is one of the highest hourly wage states at $48. However, living is expensive. There are 11 current travel nurse openings .
  • Alabama: Alabama has much to offer travel nurses interested in a great place to settle with family. Small towns provide southern charm and hospitality, and larger cities offer rich culture and various healthcare facilities to advance your career. In the Heart of Dixie, you can enjoy the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, numerous state parks, and some of the most important Civil Rights sites and monuments in the nation. In U.S. News & World Report’s listing of 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. , Alabama had five  cities included. Alabama pays a decent hourly wage of $45 and has a low cost of living. There are 141 travel nurse jobs currently available.

What is the Job Outlook for Travel Nurses?

Job prospects for nursing is expected to boom – according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between the years of 2012 and 2022, nursing is expected to grow by 19 percent – “faster than the average for all occupations.”

And because the job market is increasing exponentially, the need for travel nursing continues to grow.  Travel nurses help fill in the “gaps” when there are not enough nurses in a facility, when there is an increase in patient needs – or for other reasons.

The Aureus Medical Group note that “…many baby boomers are expected to enter retirement age during this time period, which means that there will be a greater demand to care for an aging population. Some of the most pressing medical conditions in the U.S. affect this exact demographic, including dementia, diabetes, obesity and arthritis.”  As such, there is a higher need for nurses – and travel nurses.

Highest- and Lowest-Paying States for Travel Nurses

There are many factors to consider when calculating salary.  As such, it is difficult to calculate the annual income of a traveling nurse.

For example, if you choose a traveling assignment in Maine, you may earn a different hourly rate than you would make if you were to choose a traveling assignment in California.  You may also earn a different housing stipend in each location, depending on the cost of living.  What about overtime?  It will depend on the facility – one facility may pay you overtime over forty hours of work, while another may pay you overtime over eight hours of work.

Top 10 Cities to Become a Travel Nurse

Many people believe that higher pay rates are found near large metropolitan areas in the U.S. However, there can be many reasons healthcare employers would pay a high hourly wage. Some areas of the country have a severe nursing shortage.  Many rural, isolated, or less desirable destinations have difficulty finding skilled nurses and pay accordingly. 

San Jose, CA, is the capital of Silicon Valley, and the largest city in Northern California. It has a diverse population of over 1 million people. San Jose offers a variety of cultural and performing arts, and outdoor activities. Unemployment is low, and the is a great need for specialized skills. A very affluent city, San Jose has the third-largest GDP globally. San Jose’s cost of living is 49% higher than the national average due to the highly inflated housing market. Most people live outside the downtown area in the suburbs. The city ranks the worst in the nation for traffic.

Oakland, CA , is a key West Coast port city and is the third-largest city in the San Francisco Bay area. Oakland has an ethnically diverse population of roughly 450,000. Oakland is a significant haven for artists, designers, musicians, and others involved in the arts. Oakland is renowned for its restaurants and ethnic cuisines and boasts some of the best bars and nightclubs in the nation. Oakland boasts two redwood parks and several outdoor activities, despite its urban nature. The city’s living costs are below that of most other California cities; however, housing prices are three times as high as the U.S. average. In deep East and West Oakland, crime rates are higher than in other dense urban areas, nationally and statewide.

Tanaina, AK is a part of the Anchorage, Alaska metro statistical area with a diverse population of 10,249. 50% of the population is primarily families with a median age of 32 years old. The median family income is $71,629, and 7.5% live below the poverty line. Most residents own their homes in a rural community with parks, restaurants, and good schools. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, so employment opportunities for Tanaina residents are plentiful. The cost of living is high and is 19.6% higher than the national average. However, Alaska has no state income tax. Adjusting to life in Alaska can be challenging as Alaska is geographically isolated from the rest of the U.S., and the summers consist of 24 hours of daylight. Snow, the outdoors, and the wildlife are a constant.

Wasilla, AK is the fourth largest city in Alaska, located at the northern point of Cook Inlet, and is part of the Anchorage, Alaska metro statistical area. Wasilla is Sarah Palin’s hometown and was the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters for many years. It has a diverse population of 9,054. 43.5% of the people are families, and the median age is thirty. The median family income is $53,792, with 9.6% living below the poverty line. About 35% of Wasilla residents commute to Anchorage. Many of the remaining residents are commercial fishermen or suppliers of wood, steel, or concrete products. Wasilla is a growing community and a good blend of big city conveniences with small-town feeling. Housing expenses are 13% higher than the national average, and the cost of living is 26% higher than the national average. Wasilla has one of the higher crime rates in America due to high levels of theft, vandalism, and drug crimes.

Summersville, WV is a small town located in the mountains of Nicholas County, West Virginia, with a population of 3,572. In 2016, flooding almost destroyed the town. The Middle School was damaged, and education had to be relocated to a modular trailer while they built a new school. In 2020, the new Middle school, High School, and Career and Technical Center opened. The median income in Summersville is $43,314, and 12.7% of the population lives below the poverty line. The median age is 49, and the city’s population has declined over the past five years. Primarily a rural community, the cost of living and crime rate are low. Few opportunities for employment exist outside of the Summersville Lake & Dam, the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, or the Summersville Arena and Conference Center. Outdoor activities are plentiful, but the town has few restaurants and no nightlife.

Hayward, CA, is a small city in the East Bay region of San Francisco’s Bay area. Hayward’s population of 114,186 is highly diverse and dominated by families. Hayward’s is a historic area once dominated by Hunt’s food canneries and salt production. However, Hunt’s moved production to the Sacramento Valley in the 1980s, and salt production ceased. Now employment is primarily industrial support to Silicon Valley companies, and the unemployment rate is higher than the national average.  Hayward has a cost of living 65.4% higher than the national average. Dining, shopping, and free community events are the primary entertainment in Hayward. Hayward has a high crime rate compared to other communities of like size at 36 per one thousand people.

Jackson, WY is a small town with a population of 10,760 and is the county seat of Teton County. Affectionately referred to by tourists as “Jackson Hole,” it is a popular tourist destination due to the proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and three ski resorts. The median income for a family is $59,605, and 6.4% live below the poverty line. Most jobs are seasonal, and you may have to travel for worship or education. If you enjoy the outdoors and an active lifestyle, Jackson is excellent. The sost of living is fair, and taxes are low. Shopping, restaurants, music, and the arts are plentiful in Jackson, but the town is quiet. After the sun goes down. Jackson has a shortage of housing, and housing costs are high. Winters are long and cold, and summers are hot and crowded with tourists.

Norwalk, CT, is the sixth most populated city in Connecticut, with 91,184 people. Situated between New York’s metro area and Bridgeport, Norwalk lies along the northern shore of Long Island Sound. The median income is $76,161, and 8.4% of the population lives below the poverty line. Norwalk is mainly a working-class city. However, young professionals have been moving to Norwalk for the public schools and higher education system, which are above average. Although South Norwalk has some bad areas, the city has a low crime rate, and it is a good place to raise a family. However, the cost of living is high, and so are the taxes.

Seattle, WA, has 4 million people, and is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region. Settle is a desirable place to settle down, buy a house, and raise a family. Seattle is an outdoor paradise surrounded by ocean, rivers, forest, lakes, and fields. As large metropolitan area, it offers thriving entertainment, food venues, and cultural arts.  Compared to other cities on the west coast with a high cost of living, Seattle allows travel nurses to keep more of their earnings.

Vallejo, CA is a small, diverse, waterfront city of 126,090 people in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area. Vallejo is an affordable place to live for young families. The cost of living is below that of other cities in California, and many small businesses flourish in this city. The public school system gets low marks, but charter schools are available for those that can afford them.  Several years ago, the town went bankrupt, and the city sank into disrepair. Over the years, artists and remote workers from Silicon Valley moved in and cleaned up the town. There are still pockets of unsafe areas, but it is a decent place to live overall.

5 Top Travel Nursing Agencies

Triage Staffing https://triagestaff.com/

Triage has been listed on Inc. magazine’s list of 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for the past six years. They have also been named in the Top 5 Best Travel Nurse Agencies for two years. Headquartered in Omaha, NE, Triage looks for the best ways to simplify life and the job hunting process for their travel nurses. Their culture is a team culture of respect, integrity, and reliability.

Gifted Healthcare http://giftedhealthcare.com/

Headquartered in Dallas, TX, Gifted healthcare is a nurse-owned company. They carefully choose their nurses to ensure it is the best match for the client and provide the best career for their nurses. They place travel nurses in hospitals across the U.S.

Travel Nurse Across America Healthcare https://tnaa.com/

TNAA Healthcare is headquartered in North Little Rock, AR. TNAA has been a top ten company every year since 2018. Their approach is to pair a travel nurse with a comprehensive customer support team that includes experienced recruiters and experts in housing, payroll, clinical care, and quality assurance. Travel nurses are matched with jobs across the nation’s top facilities.

Cariant Health Partners https://cariant.com/

For over 20 years, Cariant Health Partners has made the travel nurse a priority. Founded in Omaha, NE, by a nurse and a physical therapist, they provide personalized attention and communication, fast response, and custom contracts. Cariant seeks a long-term relationship with the travel nurses they employ.

Trusted Health https://www.trustedhealth.com/

Trusted health does not use commissioned recruiters like most agencies. You create a personalized profile on their website, and they match you to their clients. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, they work with first-time travel nurses to seasoned travel nurses throughout the 50 states.

Travel Nursing Blogs

  • Travel Nursing Blogs.Com
  • Gypsy Nurse Blog

Become A Travel Nurse

Become a Travel Nurse

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

Krystina Ostermeyer Rn Nurse

Krystina is an RN with a varied background. She has worked on a telemetry unit, an allergy/immunotherapy clinic and is currently working in diabetes education, pursuing her Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) certification. She has traveled the long road to her bachelor’s degree – she began her nursing career as an LPN, graduating from a local university. She pursued first her ADN, then BSN from Excelsior College.

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Nursing positions remain in demand in a variety of specialties and healthcare facilities across the country. That’s why we’ve expanded our nationwide network of the highest-paying travel nursing jobs.

Trusted empowers you to search, save, apply for, and secure job matches — without relying on a nursing agency. With our personalized search tools, the highest-paying nursing jobs are easy to find. As an RN, LPN, or LVN, you may earn top pay without sacrificing job flexibility and your dream location.

2,165 Travel Nurse Jobs

  • $4,504 /wk Canton, OH RN First Assist RN May 3rd ( 13 wks )  
  • $3,983 /wk Springfield, MA Nurse Management RN April 22nd ( 24 wks )  
  • $3,973 /wk Springfield, MA Nurse Management RN April 22nd ( 20 wks )  
  • $3,933 /wk Lancaster, PA Electrophysiology RN April 22nd ( 12 wks )  
  • $3,905 /wk Boston, MA Nurse Educator RN Start ASAP ( 13 wks )  
  • $3,881 /wk Laramie, WY Labor & Delivery Unit RN Start ASAP ( 13 wks )  
  • $3,712 /wk Springfield, MA Nurse Management RN April 22nd ( 26 wks )  
  • $3,701 /wk Cooperstown, NY Acute Care Float Pool RN April 23rd ( 13 wks )  
  • $3,666 /wk Bakersfield, CA Case Management RN April 22nd ( 13 wks )  
  • $3,664 /wk Stockton, CA Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit RN April 22nd ( 13 wks )  

Travel Nurse Job Salary & Responsibilities

Your travel nurse salary is based on your specialty, experience, and education. Nurse job descriptions focus on technical knowledge and skills; attention to detail; and communication with patients, families, and healthcare professionals in critical situations. But, a nurse’s responsibilities also require a combination of compassion, patience, and resilience.

This isn’t news to you. You came to Trusted because you’ve tried travel nurse agencies without the personal support you need. This doesn’t surprise us, either. We’re a team of Trusted nurses who’ve been in your shoes (those comfy, non-slip shoes). We’re here to help advance your nursing career on your terms.

Helping nurses and allied professionals build the lives they want.

Travel Nursing

Choose your own adventure.

Three women sitting in a field having a picnic.

What is travel nursing?

It’s your chance to get paid to see the country, hone your clinical skills, advance your career and make a difference. If that sounds good to you, it’s time to give travel nursing with Aya Healthcare a try!

As a travel nurse, you can choose your own adventure. Do glittering city lights call your name? Then head anywhere from The Big Apple to The Big Easy! Are you more of a nature guy or gal? Maybe whitewater rafting down the Colorado River or hiking through the Redwoods of Big Sur are for you. And if relaxation is the name of your travel game, then grab your flip-flops and kick back on the white sands of a Miami beach.

Choose Aya and experience the Aya difference.

Your Aya Healthcare recruiter will work with you to proactively plan your travel career — multiple assignments in advance!

  • Front-of-the-line access to thousands of exclusive jobs nationwide.
  • Our unique expedited licensure program. We help you obtain any state licenses you want. Fast. We walk your application into the board for you!
  • Transparent, competitive pay. Log in and view pay packages for all jobs. We don't nickel and dime on assignments.
  • A robust team to support you every step of the way. They'll ensure you start on time, have flawless payroll and an exceptional experience.
  • Credentialing experts to locate and pay for all labs, plus keep your compliance paperwork on point.
  • Precise, clinician-driven unit match assessments. Each assignment should be the right fit for you!
  • A clinical ladder program. This includes paid association memberships, tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness (for travelers on assignment).

And of course, you get the usual benefits such as paid company housing (pets are welcome to tag along!) or a generous housing stipend, premium medical, dental, vision and life insurance (beginning day one of your assignment) paid sick time and a generous 401k match.

Heather standing in front of a beach.

A hospital near a ski resort may need travel nurses to help during their busy season. Another facility might implement a new computer charting system and need travel nurses to handle their patient load while staff members train. Or, a staff nurse could go on maternity leave and need a traveler to cover.

Whatever the reason, healthcare facilities across the USA are always looking for travelers. When you're with Aya, you'll get an account to browse open jobs — including pay packages — nationwide. When you're with us, the entire country is your playground, your inspiration, your home.

Want to work per diem?

Check out our PRN options through our Shifts app. If you’re already an Aya traveler, contact your recruiter or email us now to let us know you’re interested.

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Many travel nurses opt for temporary assignments because of the autonomy and opportunities − not just the big boost in pay

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Travel nurses take short-term contracts that can require long commutes or temporarily living away from home. Time and again, they have to get used to new co-workers, new protocols and new workplaces.

So why would staff nurses quit their stable jobs to become travel nurses?

Well, for one, they get bigger paychecks . But U.S. nurses have other rationales besides making more money, according to a study I conducted .

To do this research, I interviewed 27 registered nurses based in different places.

Many of the people I interviewed disclosed that they left permanent positions to combat burnout. Although they welcomed the bump in pay, travel nursing also gave them the autonomy to decide when and where to work. That autonomy allowed them to pursue personal and professional interests that were meaningful to them, and it made some of the other hassles, such as long commutes, worth it.

On top of earning more money, travel nursing “gives you an opportunity to explore different areas,” said a nurse I’ll call Cynthia, because research rules require anonymity. “When you actually live there for three months, it gives you a chance to really immerse yourself in the area and really get to know not just the touristy stuff, but really hang out with the locals and really be exposed to that area.”

Other study participants said they enjoyed the novelty and educational opportunities.

“You don’t get bored or stuck in a routine,” Michelle said. “You’re always trying to learn new policies at the new hospital that you’re in, learning about the new doctors, nursing staff, new ways of doing things, where things are located. That helps keep me from feeling burned out so quickly.”

Said Patricia: “I want to see how other operating rooms across the country do things and how they do things differently. I do learn a lot of things going from place to place.”

Man in scrubs looks out the window with some trepidation in his eyes.

Why it matters

A growing number of U.S. nurses were obtaining temporary assignments before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

But travel nursing became much more widespread in 2020, when hospitals were scrambling to keep their staffing levels high enough as millions of Americans were becoming infected with the coronavirus, straining capacity in many communities.

While compensation varies widely, the median pay of registered nurses in 2022 was US$81,220 , about 35% less than the $110,000 that registered nurses who traveled earned .

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel nurses could earn an even bigger premium . Many were paid twice as much as staff nurses.

Once the number of Americans with severe symptoms fell, that premium declined too . But there are still over 1.7 million travel nurses in the U.S. Hiring them is one of the main ways that hospitals cope with a long-term shortage of nurses .

But nurses with permanent jobs can get aggravated by this arrangement when they learn how much more travel nurses earn for doing the same work, as I found through another research project .

What other research is being done

Research supports a widely reported trend: More Americans have temporary jobs and freelance employment than in the past.

While travel nurses can help hospitals, nursing homes and doctors’ offices meet staffing needs, there are signs that patients don’t always fare as well with their care.

And a Canadian study found that when hospitals let staff nurses work part time and offer other alternative arrangements, their retention rates may rise .

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

  • Gig economy
  • Quick reads
  • Labor rights
  • New research
  • Research Brief
  • temporary workers

job of travel nurse

Audience Development Coordinator (fixed-term maternity cover)

job of travel nurse

Data and Reporting Analyst

job of travel nurse

Lecturer (Hindi-Urdu)

job of travel nurse

Director, Defence and Security

job of travel nurse

Opportunities with the new CIEHF

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Overview

Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN

  • BSN Specialties
  • Admission Requirements
  • Core Concepts
  • What To Expect
  • Should I Get A BSN

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

job of travel nurse

average BSN program length

Average credits required for a bsn, bsn average earning potential.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing , healthcare settings see a difference in nursing practice based on a nurse’s education level. Employers have a strong preference for bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)-prepared nurses, as they are linked to better patient outcomes. Hospitals seeking Magnet status also prefer to hire graduates of BSN programs.

Nurses benefit from BSN programs for the comprehensive curriculum that teaches more than clinical skills. Students learn critical thinking, decision making, leadership, evidence-based practice, and nursing informatics.

Although salaries depend on many factors, BSN-prepared nurses routinely average more per year than nurses from associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs. Additionally, a BSN prepares the nurse for graduate school and career advancement, factors that contribute to higher earning potential.

A BSN degree may soon become mandatory to practice . In December 2017, New York became the first state to mandate nurses earn a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure.

Earning a BSN increases your credibility with patients and administration. It can also open doors to greater opportunities outside of patient care, including working as an analyst, consultant, case manager, leader, or in sales.

Opportunities With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Good career mobility, path to advancement, job potential, skills learned.

job of travel nurse

Featured BSN Specialties

Beyond working in hospitals as RNs, individuals with a BSN degree find careers as geriatric nurses, OBGYN nurses, and neonatal nurses. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about these specialty occupations.

Registered Nurse

RNs lead teams of nurses to care for patients in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. They work the day or night shift to monitor and treat caseloads of patients, including infants, adults, and the elderly. In 16 states, RNs also prescribe medications. An ADN or BSN degree is required to become a registered nurse.

  • Salary: $73,300
  • Job Outlook: 7% growth from 2019-29

Geriatric Nurse

Geriatric nurses work in nursing care facilities and hospitals to provide medical help to seniors. These professionals have worked as RN nurses and gained clinical experience working with elderly individuals. They have a unique understanding of diseases such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and dementia.

  • Salary: $64,870
  • Job Outlook: Positive growth in coming years

OBGYN Nurse

OBGYN nurses provide medical services to women and infants. Under the direction of obstetricians and gynecologists, they deliver care in clinics, private doctor’s offices, and hospitals. They may focus on helping women in various stages of reproduction, including pregnancy, labor, or postpartum.

  • Salary: $60,000

Travel Nurse

Travel nurses work on a contract basis. High demand areas such as operating rooms, intensive care units (ICU), and emergency rooms need travel nurses across the country. Their assignments last for weeks or months. International work may run as long as two years.

  • Salary: $79,000

Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal nurses administer care to sick or critically ill infants in the ICU or neonatal intensive care unit. The job includes working with pediatricians and nursing staff, while also providing instructions to parents. Most hold years of experience as RNs, and neonatal nursing certificates.

  • Salary: $60,797

How Much Will I Make With a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

$32.64 Hourly Salary

$7,123 Monthly Salary

$85,539 Annual Salary

Source: PayScale

How to Get a BSN

1. decide type of bsn program.

There are several types of BSN programs, including traditional, bridge, and online. Figure out what works best for you.

2. Find BSN Program

After deciding which factors are important to you in a school, use our degree finder to find programs that fit your criteria.

3. Apply to BSN Programs

Common application requirements include GPA, essay, references, CV or resume, volunteer experience, and prior coursework.

4. Secure funding for BSN programs

There are many ways to finance your degree, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans .

5. Attend BSN classes

Complete the required courses and obtain clinical hours to get hands-on experience. Learn how to work independently with your own patients.

6. Graduate with a BSN

Congrats on earning your degree! Now you can take the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse (RN), or continue your education and get your MSN.

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing

Admission requirements for a bsn program.

A BSN applicant’s admission requirements depend on their status as a student. Schools set different criteria and credit requirements for freshmen, transfer students, and international students. However, most BSN degree programs maintain the following common admissions requirements for all students:

  • High school or college transcripts
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • A CV or resume
  • A GPA of at least a 2.5 or 3.0

Schools often expect applicants to have completed classes in microbiology, physiology, chemistry, and anatomy. Some institutions may give preference to candidates with volunteer service experience.

Core Concepts in a BSN Program

Bachelor’s of science in nursing programs include two phases: a didactic portion, which is taught in classrooms, and a clinical learning experience. Through lectures and reading assignments, students learn to promote safe solutions and good health, prevent and manage disease, reduce risks, and improve patient outcomes. Candidates gain foundational knowledge through core courses such as:

  • Community health nursing
  • Pharmacology
  • Leadership and management
  • Nursing informatics
  • Research and statistics
  • Pathophysiology

Upper division courses explore speciality areas such as gerontology, global public health, maternal-child care, and pediatrics.

Clinical & Lab Components in a BSN Program

BSN programs may require students to spend time in a hospital, clinic, or lab stimulation setting in which they work an actual shift. During clinical experiences, candidates work under licensed RN mentors as they deliver medications, assess and diagnose patients, plan interventions, and monitor outcomes. By the end of the program, students can work independently with their own patients. Clinicals offer the opportunity to:

  • Shadow working RNs
  • Apply classroom skills on patients
  • Network with future employers
  • Build confidence

What to Expect From an Online RN-to-BSN Program

Students earning their RN-to-BSN or second degree BSN have the option of attending an online program instead of traditional face-to-face classes. Online RN-to-BSN degrees let students take core classes in anatomy, pharmacology, and psychology remotely. While distance learners do not have to meet on campus for their foundational courses, they must complete clinicals or labs in their local communities. During a program’s clinical component , students work in labs or at their local hospitals, clinics, or nursing care facilities. Students are often required to find their own clinical experiences.

Nothing, aside from the format, differentiates online degrees from traditional programs. Online learners receive the same degree and education, learning from professors who work on campus. Instructors use online learning platforms to meet live with students or assign online work.

Learn more on this page about how online programs work.

Should I Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing?

Your personal financial situation, time constraints, and family obligations may impact your decision to pursue a 4-year degree. Take a look at the pros and cons of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing:

Advantages to a BSN

Disadvantages to a bsn, explore bsn programs.

The Best Online BSN Programs

The Best Online BSN Programs

Pursuing a BSN online provides academic freedom and flexibility for aspiring nurses. Check out this guide for a list of the best online BSN programs.

The Best Online ABSN Programs

The Best Online ABSN Programs

ABSN programs are a great option for aspiring nurses who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Learn more about fast-track BSN degrees and find the top online programs.

The Best Online RN-to-BSN Programs of 2024

The Best Online RN-to-BSN Programs of 2024

Are you an RN interested in completing your undergraduate nursing education? These top RN-to-BSN programs can be completed in just 12-24 months.

Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs

Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs

The traditional route to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) spans four years and admits high school graduates. Read on for details about four-year BSN programs.

The Best Online LPN-to-BSN Programs

The Best Online LPN-to-BSN Programs

Are you an LPN ready to move up in your career? Explore our rankings of the best online LPN-to-BSN programs to find the best fit for your professional goals.

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

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FinanceBuzz

FinanceBuzz

15 Best Health Care Jobs If You Love To Travel

Posted: February 27, 2024 | Last updated: February 27, 2024

<p> If you are a health care professional who wants to find <a href="https://financebuzz.com/ways-to-travel-more?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=1&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=ways+to+travel+more&synd_backlink_position=1&synd_slug=ways-to-travel-more">ways to travel more</a>, there are many positions that allow you to explore new places as you work. </p> <p> Check out these positions that will allow you to work in health care without going to the same boring office day after day. All salaries and job outlook information come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. </p> <p>  <a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/supplement-income-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=1&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Make+Money%3A+8+things+to+do+if+you%27re+barely+scraping+by+financially&synd_backlink_position=2&synd_slug=supplement-income-55mp"><b>Make Money:</b> 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially</a>  </p>

If you are a health care professional who wants to find ways to travel more , there are many positions that allow you to explore new places as you work.

Check out these positions that will allow you to work in health care without going to the same boring office day after day. All salaries and job outlook information come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $81,220</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 6% (Faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Registered nurses provide care to patients and coordinate care issues with doctors and other providers.  </p> <p> You can become a traveling nurse and move from place to place, depending on where additional nursing care is needed. </p> <p>  <p class=""><a href="https://financebuzz.com/choice-home-warranty-jump?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=2&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Are+you+a+homeowner%3F+Don%27t+let+unexpected+home+repairs+drain+your+bank+account.&synd_backlink_position=3&synd_slug=choice-home-warranty-jump"><b>Are you a homeowner?</b> Don't let unexpected home repairs drain your bank account.</a></p>  </p>

Traveling nurse

Median annual salary: $81,220

Job outlook: 6% (Faster than average)

Registered nurses provide care to patients and coordinate care issues with doctors and other providers.

You can become a traveling nurse and move from place to place, depending on where additional nursing care is needed.

Are you a homeowner? Don't let unexpected home repairs drain your bank account.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $34,730</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: -4% (Decline)</strong> </p> <p> Medical transcriptionists convert voice recordings from documents into written records. You can work remotely or move from place to place. </p>

Medical transcriptionist

Median annual salary: $34,730

Job outlook: -4% (Decline)

Medical transcriptionists convert voice recordings from documents into written records. You can work remotely or move from place to place.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $53,840</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 14% (Much faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Athletic trainers work with clients in different sports to prevent, diagnose, or treat injuries. They also work on preventative care, or develop health and exercise programs for athletes.  </p> <p> Travel can be an important part of your job if you’re working with an athletic team or travel to work with individual athletes.  </p> <p>  <a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/ways-to-make-extra-money?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=4&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Make+Money%3A+Discover+17+legit+ways+to+make+extra+cash&synd_backlink_position=4&synd_slug=ways-to-make-extra-money"><b>Make Money:</b> Discover 17 legit ways to make extra cash</a>  </p>

Athletic trainer

Median annual salary: $53,840

Job outlook: 14% (Much faster than average)

Athletic trainers work with clients in different sports to prevent, diagnose, or treat injuries. They also work on preventative care, or develop health and exercise programs for athletes.

Travel can be an important part of your job if you’re working with an athletic team or travel to work with individual athletes.

Make Money: Discover 17 legit ways to make extra cash

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $73,150</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 4% (As fast as average)</strong> </p> <p> Medical writers create written content about the medical field or specific topics related to health care.  </p> <p> While some writers might move from office to office, others work remotely. That means you can take your job with you as you travel.  </p>

Medical writer

Median annual salary: $73,150

Job outlook: 4% (As fast as average)

Medical writers create written content about the medical field or specific topics related to health care.

While some writers might move from office to office, others work remotely. That means you can take your job with you as you travel.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $97,720</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 15% (Much faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Physical therapists work with patients to create and develop an exercise plan after an illness or injury.  </p> <p> You can travel from client to client to work with them in their homes and provide care. In addition, formal travel positions are available that take you to new cities for months at a time. </p>

Physical therapist

Median annual salary: $97,720

Job outlook: 15% (Much faster than average)

Physical therapists work with patients to create and develop an exercise plan after an illness or injury.

You can travel from client to client to work with them in their homes and provide care. In addition, formal travel positions are available that take you to new cities for months at a time.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $164,070</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 15% (Much faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Hospitals and health care organizations rely on computer systems to help them deal with patient records, billing, or other needs.  </p> <p> A computer systems manager can plan and coordinate these computer-related tasks and may travel to different locations to review systems and plans. </p> <p>  <a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/clever-debt-payoff-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=7&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Get+Out+of+Debt+for+Good%3A+Try+these+6+clever+ways+to+crush+your+debt&synd_backlink_position=5&synd_slug=clever-debt-payoff-55mp"><b>Get Out of Debt for Good:</b> Try these 6 clever ways to crush your debt</a>  </p>

Computer systems manager

Median annual salary: $164,070

Hospitals and health care organizations rely on computer systems to help them deal with patient records, billing, or other needs.

A computer systems manager can plan and coordinate these computer-related tasks and may travel to different locations to review systems and plans.

Get Out of Debt for Good: Try these 6 clever ways to crush your debt

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $229,300</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 3% (As fast as average)</strong> </p> <p> A physician is a medical doctor who coordinates care for patients by diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.  </p> <p> You will need a medical degree, but once you earn one, you can travel from place to place to provide care. </p>

Median annual salary: $229,300

Job outlook: 3% (As fast as average)

A physician is a medical doctor who coordinates care for patients by diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries.

You will need a medical degree, but once you earn one, you can travel from place to place to provide care.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $53,640</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 4% (As fast as average)</strong> </p> <p> Interpreters translate spoken words from one language to another. Most interpreters in the U.S. should be fluent in English and at least one other language.  </p> <p> With a travel position, you can move from medical facility to facility and might be able to set your own schedule. </p>

Interpreter

Median annual salary: $53,640

Interpreters translate spoken words from one language to another. Most interpreters in the U.S. should be fluent in English and at least one other language.

With a travel position, you can move from medical facility to facility and might be able to set your own schedule.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $95,290</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 10% (Much faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Management consultants may travel from client to client to review an organization’s practices and develop recommendations for how to improve operations or create more efficient plans. </p> <p>  <a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/paycheck-moves-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=10&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Break+the+Cycle%3A+8+moves+to+escape+the+paycheck+to+paycheck+grind&synd_backlink_position=6&synd_slug=paycheck-moves-55mp"><b>Break the Cycle:</b> 8 moves to escape the paycheck to paycheck grind</a><br>  </p>

Management consultant

Median annual salary: $95,290

Job outlook: 10% (Much faster than average)

Management consultants may travel from client to client to review an organization’s practices and develop recommendations for how to improve operations or create more efficient plans.

Break the Cycle: 8 moves to escape the paycheck to paycheck grind

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $67,750</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 1% (Little or no change)</strong> </p> <p> Sales representatives are responsible for promoting products to potential clients such as medical devices or pharmaceuticals.  </p> <p> You can travel from client to client to talk to them about the benefits of your products. </p>

Sales representative

Median annual salary: $67,750

Job outlook: 1% (Little or no change)

Sales representatives are responsible for promoting products to potential clients such as medical devices or pharmaceuticals.

You can travel from client to client to talk to them about the benefits of your products.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $30,180</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 22% (Much faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Home health aides assist patients in their homes with things such as managing chronic illnesses or performing daily activities.  </p> <p> You can travel from home to home or stay with the same client in their home on a daily basis. </p>

Home health aide

Median annual salary: $30,180

Job outlook: 22% (Much faster than average)

Home health aides assist patients in their homes with things such as managing chronic illnesses or performing daily activities.

You can travel from home to home or stay with the same client in their home on a daily basis.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $60,280</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 7% (Faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> A health care social worker can help a client and their family navigate the health care system to coordinate care. Or, they might advise patients and families on what steps to take.  </p> <p> In addition to formal travel work positions, you can travel from patient to patient to help them. </p> <p>  <a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/1000-in-the-bank?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=13&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Money+Goals%3A+Make+these+7+savvy+moves+when+you+have+%241%2C000+in+the+bank&synd_backlink_position=7&synd_slug=1000-in-the-bank"><b>Money Goals:</b> Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank</a>  </p>

Health care social worker

Median annual salary: $60,280

Job outlook: 7% (Faster than average)

A health care social worker can help a client and their family navigate the health care system to coordinate care. Or, they might advise patients and families on what steps to take.

In addition to formal travel work positions, you can travel from patient to patient to help them.

Money Goals: Make these 7 savvy moves when you have $1,000 in the bank

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $104,830</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 28% (Much faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> A health services manager coordinates the business activities of a health care provider.  </p> <p> In this role, you might travel from location to location to check on health care facilities and review health care practices. </p>

Health services manager

Median annual salary: $104,830

Job outlook: 28% (Much faster than average)

A health services manager coordinates the business activities of a health care provider.

In this role, you might travel from location to location to check on health care facilities and review health care practices.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $81,400</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 7% (Faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning patients’ teeth and examining teeth for signs of disease </p> <p> Dental travel programs allow you to work throughout the U.S. and even around the world.  </p>

Dental hygienist

Median annual salary: $81,400

Dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning patients’ teeth and examining teeth for signs of disease

Dental travel programs allow you to work throughout the U.S. and even around the world.

<p> <strong>Median annual salary: $39,410</strong> </p> <p> <strong>Job outlook: 5% (Faster than average)</strong> </p> <p> Paramedics provide emergency care by assessing illnesses or injuries and transporting patients.  </p> <p> Travel paramedic jobs are available for those who seek adventure and want to boost their pay.  </p>

Median annual salary: $39,410

Job outlook: 5% (Faster than average)

Paramedics provide emergency care by assessing illnesses or injuries and transporting patients.

Travel paramedic jobs are available for those who seek adventure and want to boost their pay.

<p> Health care jobs can help you <a href="https://financebuzz.com/supplement-income-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=17&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=get+ahead+financially&synd_backlink_position=8&synd_slug=supplement-income-55mp">get ahead financially</a> with a good salary. In addition, some of these roles give you the ability to travel.  </p> <p> So, if you don’t like the idea of working in the same place day after day, consider finding work in one of the travel positions on this list.  </p> <p>  <p><b>More from FinanceBuzz:</b></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.financebuzz.com/supplement-income-55mp?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=17&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=7+things+to+do+if+you%E2%80%99re+barely+scraping+by+financially.&synd_backlink_position=9&synd_slug=supplement-income-55mp">7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/offer/bypass/637?source=%2Flatest%2Fmsn%2Fslideshow%2Ffeed%2F&aff_id=1006&aff_sub=msn&aff_sub2=US_SideHustle_ROAS_6523447166_79551754995&aff_sub3=earn%20money%20online&aff_sub4=feed&aff_sub5=%7Bimpressionid%7D&aff_click_id=Cj0KCQjwvr6EBhDOARIsAPpqUPHiRL0SszrkkvaCz5pimn0aDMt94FZhFMxu5sRAPiEuNhsSNkwq3CEaAg1qEALw_wcB&aff_unique1=%7Baff_unique1%7D&aff_unique2=eLJbZOWpNQNSjLvFPK2J&aff_unique3=6523447166&aff_unique4=79551754995&aff_unique5=%7Baff_unique5%7D&rendered_slug=/latest/msn/slideshow/feed/&contentblockid=984&contentblockversionid=24152&ml_sort_id=&sorted_item_id=&widget_type=&cms_offer_id=637&keywords=&ai_listing_id=&utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=17&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Can+you+retire+early%3F+Take+this+quiz+and+find+out.&synd_backlink_position=10&synd_slug=offer/bypass/637">Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/make-extra-money?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=17&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=12+legit+ways+to+earn+extra+cash.&synd_backlink_position=11&synd_slug=ways-to-make-extra-money">12 legit ways to earn extra cash.</a></li> <li><a href="https://financebuzz.com/easy-tax-jump?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&synd_slide=17&synd_postid=16376&synd_backlink_title=Do+you+owe+the+IRS+%3E%2410K%3F+Ask+this+company+to+help+you+eliminate+your+late+tax+debt.&synd_backlink_position=12&synd_slug=easy-tax-jump">Do you owe the IRS >$10K? Ask this company to help you eliminate your late tax debt.</a></li> </ul>  </p>

Bottom line

Health care jobs can help you get ahead financially with a good salary. In addition, some of these roles give you the ability to travel.

So, if you don’t like the idea of working in the same place day after day, consider finding work in one of the travel positions on this list.

More from FinanceBuzz:

  • 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
  • Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
  • 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
  • Do you owe the IRS >$10K? Ask this company to help you eliminate your late tax debt.

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10 Jobs You Can Get with a Health Sciences Degree

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job of travel nurse

If you’re considering a career in health, you might not know exactly where to start. Health sciences are a great option if you’d like to choose from a breadth of lucrative jobs that allow you to develop and apply skills in research, technology, leadership, and interpersonal communication to a meaningful career. Health sciences comprise a variety of disciplines, including hospital administration, healthcare management, and patient care.

Applying the science of health to real-world scenarios is vitally important to individual and societal well-being. Earning a health sciences degree could open doors to an in-demand career that improves the health of entire communities. Many health sciences degrees grant students a well-balanced understanding of healthcare, equipping them with a dynamic tool set for highly sought-after job roles in the industry.

This article discusses 10 jobs that a health sciences degree can prepare you for, including day-to-day responsibilities and skill qualifications for each.

Jobs You Can Pursue with a Health Sciences Degree

1. pharmaceutical sales representative.

Pharmaceutical sales representatives [hyperlink to CG when ready] offer medications and other medical supplies to healthcare facilities like hospitals and clinics. They research the prescription needs of doctors and healthcare professionals and then sell and promote products, often traveling to do so. These representatives may host product seminars for clients and often attend pharmaceutical trade shows and conferences.

Common skills for the role include the following:

  • Communication and negotiation skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Assertiveness
  • Understanding of pharmaceutical products for sale
  • Knowledge of industry market trends

2. Patient Educator

Patient educators work alongside clinical staff to help patients understand treatment plans. They answer patient questions and discuss expectations before and after treatment is administered. To perform their jobs effectively, patient educators must also communicate regularly with doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers about how to best treat and care for patients.

Patient educators often develop skills in the following areas:

  • Treatment plan knowledge
  • Empathy and cultural awareness
  • Understanding of medical technology
  • Listening skills and attentiveness
  • Teamwork and collaboration

3. Clinical Technologist

Many—if not all—healthcare centers employ clinical technologists to assist doctors and other staff with diagnostic procedures. These individuals use medical equipment and technology to help diagnose patients, test for disease or illness, collect biological samples, and more. Some clinical technologists might specialize in a field like phlebotomy or immunology, while others perform more general tasks like recording patient height, weight, or blood pressure.

For clinical technologists to succeed in their role, they should be skilled in operating and maintaining equipment and develop a detail-oriented mindset to yield accurate test results.

 4. Clinical Director

A clinical director plays an indispensable role in supervising a healthcare facility’s overall operation. These leaders employ various management strategies to ensure that patients are properly cared for. Directing responsibilities often involve hiring and training staff, managing finances, and executing on big-picture goals to optimize business performance.

Clinical directors need to understand how clinical procedures and policies factor into their role, applying skills in organizational planning, leadership, clinical knowledge, and effective communication.

5. Clinical Manager

Clinical managers often carry out administrative tasks set by clinical directors. Their responsibilities may include onboarding new hires, developing training materials, organizing patient health records, or syncing with physicians, nurses, and other staff members as needed. Even though clinical managers might not be in daily contact with patients, their efforts help to keep clinics, hospitals, and other facilities functioning smoothly.

Clinical managers should be confident in a leadership role, exercising skills in communication, clinical computer software, and human resources.

6. Nursing Home Manager

Nursing homes and assisted living centers often require sensitive, empathetic care of residents. These patients can experience a wide variety of health challenges as they strive to live comfortably. Nursing home managers are responsible for fostering that comfort through planning budgets, maintaining effective patient treatment plans, organizing nursing staff schedules, and consistently training employees on best practices.

Nursing home managers can thrive in their career as long as they apply their skills in interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and leadership.

7. Resident Care Coordinator

Resident care coordinators —sometimes called “residential care facilitators”—focus on providing the best possible care to patients in assisted living facilities. Specific day-to-day tasks of a resident care coordinator include creating patient care policies, instructing nurses on administering treatment plans, and communicating with staff members to establish standardized performance goals.

Resident care coordinators should be equally skilled in business administration and healthcare management. Though they hold a high-level position, resident care coordinators should always have strong empathy toward their coworkers and their patients.

8. Patient Experience Manager

Whether they work in a hospital, doctor’s office, mental health clinic, or another similar environment, patient experience managers devote their time to educating and supporting patients. Depending on their patients’ health situations, patient experience managers may develop treatment plans, encourage patients during occupational or physical therapy, or act as liaisons between patients and care providers. Patient experience managers also keep up-to-date records on patient progress.

Common skills for patient experience managers include the following:

  • Understanding of patient management software
  • Knowledge of and compliance with healthcare regulations

9. Care Manager

Care managers assist patients through their treatment processes, therapy regimens, and post-procedure recovery. Most care managers collaborate closely with doctors, surgeons, therapists, and other similar professionals to learn how they can best support patients. Care managers are primarily concerned with their patients’ medical well-being, often helping them navigate the details of various medical services and resources.

For the best patient outcomes, care managers should develop skills in communication, patient education, and problem-solving.

10. Case Manager

Case managers perform similar tasks to care managers but tend to focus more on the administrative aspects of patient health. Most case management work involves helping patients find the best treatment plans, educating patients on health insurance policies, and referring patients to relevant social services as needed.

Patients benefit the most when their case managers are skilled in navigating complex healthcare systems and have a thorough understanding of healthcare providers.

Exploring the Boundless Opportunities in Health Sciences Careers

As you prepare for a career in health sciences, spend time reflecting on your individual interests and professional goals. Do you like working with technology? What about serving in a leadership role? Would you rather be part of a team or spend one-on-one time with patients?

Answering these types of questions can help you find an enriching, fulfilling job that plays to your strengths. A varied skill set in health sciences could even help you pivot to other similar jobs so you can find the role best suited to you.

Ready to earn a degree and open doorways to opportunity? Consider WGU. We offer more than a dozen online, accredited bachelor’s and master’s programs in healthcare, including health sciences, health and human services , and healthcare administration . In addition, WGU’s competency-based education model means that you advance through coursework as quickly as you show mastery of the material, so you can potentially graduate faster and save money.

Get started today.

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Joel Embiid injury update: Nick Nurse says 76ers star will 'work out' with team on upcoming road trip

Embiid was on the court at practice on thursday.

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As teams continue to jostle for playoff position in the final weeks of the NBA regular season, there's a giant, 7-foot cloud hanging over the entire Eastern Conference: Will 76ers superstar Joel Embiid return and, if so, when?

Nick Nurse did not share a return-to-play timeline at practice on Thursday, but told reporters that Embiid would be on the road with the Sixers when they visit Cleveland on Friday and Toronto on Sunday.

"He is going on the trip to work out, yes." Nurse said, via KYW Newsradio's Dave Uram .

Embiid was on the court at practice, but he's not yet playing 5-on-5 or taking contact. He has missed 28 games after suffering a meniscus injury on Jan. 30 at Golden State that required surgery on Feb. 6.

"Joel was in practice -- I mean, [he didn't]  really  practice, but he was in today, doing work," Nurse said. "He was doing it against other players. Just kind of skill work, with kind of some live bodies."

👀 @PennMedicine pic.twitter.com/CCkOqJfSOH — Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 28, 2024

The day after a heartbreaking ( and controversial ) loss against the Clippers , Nurse said that he'd love to have Embiid -- and De'Anthony Melton and Robert Covington , who are also sidelined -- back in the lineup, but, in the meantime, he is ready to go "into battle with the guys here, to continue to polish and improve this group."

"I still don't, like, have a timeline," Nurse said. "I'd love to give you one. I mean, I would love to not have to continue this [back and forth about Embiid's status] -- and that means he's back playing, right? -- but, again, I think that it's coming. But I also understand that, like, I see some growth here. I think this is helping us."

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said Joel Embiid will go on this road trip to workout. There remains no timeline for Embiid returning. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/EeAnRDaTM3 — Dave Uram (@MrUram) March 28, 2024

Prior to the 108-107 loss in Los Angeles. Nurse said there is a "very good likelihood" that Embiid will return before the postseason. This was music to the ears of the 76ers and their fans, but Nurse did not offer a concrete timeline then, either.

"I think there's a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in/playoff," Nurse told reporters, via NBC Sports Philadelphia .

Embiid has been "out there working," Nurse said. "He's doing lots of skill work and things like that, and just trying to continue to advance, all that stuff."

Asked if Embiid has sccrimmaged with the Sixers' low-minute players yet, Nurse implied he has not. "He's on the court," he said. "So, we'll let you know when he gets to those stages."

"I think there is a very good likelihood that he will return before the play-in playoff." Nick Nurse gave an update on Joel Embiid with just 10 games left in the regular season 👀 pic.twitter.com/ybn3UvbatJ — NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 27, 2024

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday that there is optimism in the organization that Embiid could play multiple regular-season games before the postseason begins on April 16.

"I'm told it is not a question of if, but when," Wojnarowski said . "The belief is, with nine regular-season games left ... that Joel Embiid can be back for a handful of those before the playoffs."

Embiid hasn't played since the end of January due to surgery on his left knee. At the time of his injury, Embiid appeared to be on his way to a second straight MVP award, averaging 35 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high six assists per game on 53/37/88 shooting splits. He scored 14 points in the last game he played, which snapped a streak of 22 consecutive 30-point games, a feat only surpassed by James Harden and Wilt Chamberlain. Embiid poured in a career-high 70 points against the Spurs on Jan. 22.

A month ago, Embiid said that he planned on returning this season .

"That's the plan," Embiid told reporters, "Obviously, everything has to go right as far as getting healthy and being as close as I'm supposed to be. But yeah, that's the plan."

Embiid's potential return essentially blows up the entire Eastern Conference hierarchy. The 76ers were flirting with the No. 2 seed at the time of his injury and are now in the No. 8 spot, having gone 13-26 without their franchise player on the season. If Embiid rejoins the lineup and approaches his pre-injury form, the Sixers could be one of the most imposing lower seeds in NBA history.

Philadelphia's front office has been operating as if Embiid would be back, adding guards Buddy Hield , Kyle Lowry and Cameron Payne to the roster in February. Given the emergence of All-Star  Tyrese Maxey  and how well the Sixers' pieces seemed to fit for about three months, Embiid's return could make them a legitimate threat to come out of the East. To do so, however, they might have to survive the play-in and get past the Celtics , who have already clinched the top seed, or the Milwaukee Bucks , who are currently second, in Round 1. At 39-34, Philadelphia is a game behind the seventh-place Heat and sixth-place Pacers in the loss column. It would surely love to overtake both teams and avoid the play-in entirely, but time is running out.

After visiting Cleveland and Toronto, the Sixers will host the Thunder next Tuesday before a three-game road trip against Miami, Memphis and San Antonio and a three-game homestand against Detroit, Orlando and Brooklyn to close the season. 

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(RN) Registered Nurse - Student Health - 129111

Job description, #129111 (rn) registered nurse - student health.

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment : Apply by 4/4/2024 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Special Selection Applicants : Apply by 4/16/2024 Eligible Special Selection clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

Current UC San Diego Health CNA (NX) represented RN/NP applicants will be considered after the first 7 days of job posting. All additional applicants will be considered after 14 days of job posting, pending the status of the initial internal CNA (NX) represented applicant pool.

UC San Diego Health is a Magnet designated organization, which is a prestigious recognition that applies to only 10% of all U.S. hospitals. Magnet is the "gold standard" for nursing excellence and is based on strengths in five key areas which include transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical outcomes. UC San Diego Health has held its Magnet status since 2011.

DESCRIPTION

The mission of the Student Health & Well-Being (SHW) cluster is to promote a culture of health and well-being for the student community, deliver equitable high quality innovative services, incorporate inclusive approaches, and celebrate diversity, with the goal of adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors contributing to the academic success and personal development of all students.

The UC San Diego SHW cluster, which reports through UC San Diego Health System, plays a leadership role in creating a strong and active wellness culture that enables all students to flourish in body, mind and spirit. This includes promotion and the transformation of existing departments, under the oversight of the Executive Director, into a cohesive, trans-disciplinary source of integrated wellness services. The SHW cluster includes the departments of Student Health Services (SHS), Health Promotion Services (HPS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and SHW Administration.

SHS provides oversight of primary urgent care, women’s health and specialty care for a student body of over 43,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students as well as supporting services including laboratory, pharmacy, imaging. SHS' multicultural, multidisciplinary and student-centered staff consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, Social workers, medical assistants, pharmacists, x-ray technologists, clinical laboratory scientists, medical lab assistant, administrative and other healthcare professionals. SHS provides integrated clinical services to address the medical needs of the individual students, as well as to foster the well-being of the students as a whole person. In addition, SHS supports the public health needs of the campus community. SHS is accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care and is fully committed to continuous quality and safety improvement through the utilization of data, outcome, and patient experience measurements.

The Student Health Clinical Nurse is responsible for providing ambulatory nursing assessment and care of primary health and urgent care patients in a student health setting. The role includes triage, health education and counseling with a particular focus on urgent care, women’s health, family planning and immunization.

This appointment includes the role of student incoming health compliance, assisting in the process of UCSD University health requirements (tuberculosis screening & immunization).

While not required, a cover letter is highly recommended when applying to this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Current, valid, State of California RN license.

Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS for Healthcare Professionals).

Minimum of six (6) months of experience working as a Registered Nurse.

RN experience working in Primary or Ambulatory Healthcare.

RN experience in an Urgent Care or Emergency Room.

Extensive knowledge of ambulatory/primary care and principles of first aid; skill to provide wound care and the application of dressings, proper use of heat/cold therapy, application of splints for immobilization of extremities; and demonstrated experience and skill in performing emergency procedures.

Extensive knowledge of reproductive health care and women’s health issues including methods of contraception, sexually transmitted infection, pap smears and pregnancy.

Extensive knowledge of medical terminology and the use of basic medical equipment.

Extensive knowledge of Universal Precautions, isolation protocols, sterilization techniques and maintenance of asepsis.

Ability to communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills, using tact and diplomacy in order to interact effectively with all levels of professional staff and a diversity of patients and a professional telephone manner.

Knowledge of routine, required and travel vaccinations pertinent to the College age population, as per CDC guidelines.

Demonstrated experience in using electronic medical records and understanding of medical record management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • RN experience in a College Health Clinic.
  • RN experience in counseling in women’s health and family planning.
  • Current certification in ACLS.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.
  • Evening and weekend hours as scheduled.
  • Occasional travel may be required.
  • Must have access to reliable transportation to travel to off-site meetings and events.
  • Ability to telecommute for work, if/when needed and operationally feasible, as determined by department.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $123,902 - $173,659 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $59.34 - $83.17

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community .

UC San Diego Health System is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://www-hr.ucsd.edu/saa/nondiscr.html

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Application Instructions

Please click on the link below to apply for this position. A new window will open and direct you to apply at our corporate careers page. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Posted : 4/1/2024

Job Reference # : 129111

JOIN OUR TALENT COMMUNITY

Interested in working at UC San Diego and UC San Diego Health but can't find a position that's right for you? Submit your resume to our Talent Community to be considered for future opportunities that may align with your expertise. Please note, by joining our Talent Community, you are not applying for a position with UC San Diego Campus and Health. Rather, this is an additional way for our Talent Acquisition team to find candidates with specific credentials, if an opportunity arises. You are still encouraged to regularly check back on our career site or sign up for Job Alerts to apply for openings that are a match for your background.

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8 Former Child Stars Who've Moved On to 'Typical' (and Impressive!) Day Jobs

From 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory''s Peter Ostrum to 'Wizard of Waverly Place''s Jennifer Stone, see how these stars pursued careers away from Hollywood

Alexandra Schonfeld is a features writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since April 2022. Her work previously appeared in Newsweek .

job of travel nurse

Jennifer Stone/Instagram

While some entertainers who begin their careers at a young age continue to work in Hollywood for life, these former child actors opted out of the business.

Though some haven't gone far — hosting a podcast or working as an entertainment lawyer, for example — their time in front of the camera took a backseat as they pursued other passions.

From Jennifer Stone working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, to Peter Ostrum saying goodbye to acting after just one role to become a veterinarian, meet some former child stars who have taken jobs outside of the spotlight.

Peter Ostrum as a Veterinarian

Wolper/Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock; David Livingston/Getty Images)

Peter Ostrum 's singular acting credit came in 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as Charlie Buckett. Following a lifelong love of animals, Ostrum went on to become a veterinarian — receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, per Veterinary Practice News.

He worked at Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Lowville, New York, for 37 years before retiring in December 2022, the website explained.

Jennifer Stone as a Nurse

Jennifer Stone 's first big role came in 2007 when she landed a gig playing Selena Gomez 's onscreen bestie, Harper Finkle, on Wizards of Waverly Place . After the show wrapped in 2012, Stone continued acting, though changed career paths later on and decided to go to nursing school.

Stone announced her graduation in December 2019 and in April 2020 revealed she was officially a registered nurse working on the frontlines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to her work as an ER Nurse, as noted in her Instagram bio, Stone also co-hosts the Wizards of Waverly Pod with her former costar, David DeLuise.

Kay Panabaker as a Zookeeper

Frazer Harrison/Getty; Instagram/kaypanabaker

After years working as a child actress with roles on Summerland and Phil of the Future, and later on the series No Ordinary Family, Kay Panabaker has since taken a step back from the spotlight and instead turned her attention to animals.

In a post shared to Instagram in May 2022, Panabaker said that it had been seven years since she had become a zookeeper at Walt Disney World.

In an interview with Naperville Magazine in 2016 , Panabaker opened up about her role at the Disney park, explaining that she works with various animals including goats, sheep, elephants, porcupines, skunks, donkeys, cows, parrots, birds of prey and opossums.

In talking about why she decided to leave show business, Panabaker said she felt herself losing enthusiasm for the job — specifically after an experience on set with a producer asking her to lose weight. She said while she continued to audition in L.A. a bit after that, "the passion wasn’t there."

Charlie Korsmo as a Professor

After landing roles as a kid in films like What About Bob? ,  Hook  and  Dick Tracy  with  Warren Beatty , Charlie Korsmo decided to take a step back from acting in high school.

“After  Hook , that was my last movie as a kid, we really had a sort of choice to make,” he told PEOPLE . “But I hadn’t been in school for a few years. I suddenly found I didn’t really have friends my own age anymore.”

While studying physics at M.I.T., he felt the urge to return to acting and reconnected with his old agent, who got him a role in  1998’s  Can’t Hardly Wait . Despite his foray back into the business, Korsmo would ultimately graduate from M.I.T. before attending law school at Yale, and later became  a law professor  at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Per IMDb, the former child star has landed two roles in recent years: 2018's Chained for Life and 2024's A Different Man.

“I was not out there looking for parts, but he said there was a part in there for me, so I said, ‘We can do it in a very short shoot because I’ve got a job and I’ve got young kids,’ ” Korsmo told PEOPLE of working on Chained for Life with an old director friend of his. “But I really loved the script and the timing seemed right.”

Bridgit Mendler as a CEO

Adam Taylor/Disney Channel via Getty; Derek Martin/Young Hollywood/Getty

Bridgit Mendler stepped into a starring role on Disney Channel's Good Luck Charlie in 2010 as a teenager — though her first acting credit was on a 2006 episode of General Hospital. Good Luck Charlie wrapped in 2014, and during her time on the show Mendler also appeared in 2011's Lemonade Mouth and performed several songs for the movie's soundtrack. In 2012, the star would release her debut single "Ready or Not" before her first album  Hello My Name Is…. Her last EP and tour to date came in 2016 with Nemesis, before she put her career in music on pause.

After attending the University of Southern California for a few years, Mendler was announced as one of the 2017 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab's Director's Fellows. The following year she shared that she had started a graduate program at MIT.

Since earning her master’s degree from the prestigious institution, she is also working toward receiving a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD from MIT, though clarified in a post on X that that had been put on pause . In the same post from March 2024 she explained that she was two months away from completing her Doctor of Law - JD.

In February, the former Disney star made two more big announcements, one being that she is now the CEO of Northwood Space , a startup with the mission to create a "data highway between earth and space." She also shared that she is a mom after fostering and then adopting a now-4-year-old boy.

Clayton Snyder as a Real Estate Agent

Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection; Instagram/heyclayton

Clayton Snyder landed his first role in 2001 as Lizzie McGuire's crush Ethan Craft on the Disney Channel show opposite Hilary Duff. Snyder played the character on both seasons of the show as well as in the 2003 movie, and despite a brief gap on his IMDb page, he continued acting into the 2010s with his most recent role being a 2021 TV movie entitled The Maltese Holiday.

Before the highly anticipated reboot of Lizzie McGuire was ultimately scrapped, Ethan's character was said to be making an appearance.

These days, Snyder works as a real estate agent in California, per his Instagram .

Andrea Barber in Education

 ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Netflix/AP Images

Before stepping back into the role of Kimmy Gibbler on the Full House reboot, Fuller House , Andrea Barber thought she was done with acting.

“It was a pretty seamless transition for me. And I was ready,” she told PEOPLE. “I never looked back, and I know that sounds crazy, but I had a lot of success as a child actor, and it really doesn’t get better than  Full House  for me.”

After starring on the original show from 1987 to 1995, Barber graduated from Whittier College, interned at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and earned a master’s degree in the U.K. She then went on to pursue a career in education.

In addition to her return to the Full House universe, more recently, Barber appeared on Nickelodeon's That Girl Lay Lay .

Jeff Cohen as a Lawyer

Jeff Cohen's first film role came in 1985's The Goonies as Chunk, alongside Ke Huy Quan 's Data. Nearly 40 years later — though Cohen stepped away from the spotlight, with his last credit being 1991's Perfect Harmony — the two worked together again when Quan was ironing out his contract for  Everything Everywhere All at Once , and employed Cohen, now an entertainment lawyer, to represent him.

"When the producer of our  movie was trying to make my deal , he said he never imagined that he'd have to talk to Chunk and Data for his movie," Quan joked of the unlikely reunion in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

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REGISTERED NURSE (University Hospital-7B, Adult Cardiac and Medical Telemetry Unit)

Mission statement.

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally.  Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan medicine is comprised of over 26,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world's most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to? Nursing at Michigan offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits!  

Hourly range for Registered Nurses $38.26-$59.35 / hour

  • Evening Shift Differential-$3.00 / hour
  • Night Shift Differential- $4.00 / hour
  • Day Shift Weekend Differential- $2.90 / hour
  • Evening Shift Weekend Differential- $5.90 / hour
  • Night Shift Weekend Differential- $6.90 / hour
  • Charge Nurse Differential- $1.00 / hour

The benefit package includes:

  • Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
  • 2:1 Match on retirement savings and immediate vesting
  • Generous Paid Time Off Allowances
  • Robust Tuition and Certification support programs
  • Large offering of no cost CEs and professional development for advancement

Responsibilities*

7B is a 32 bed Adult Medicine Telemetry unit. Nurses will utilize the nursing process to provide primary care to the complex medicine patient population who may require telemetry monitoring. Nurses complete a 6-10 week orientation including classes on basic arrhythmias and electrophysiology.  Our RN staff and non-licensed technical staff provide highly skilled nursing care to our patients in an atmosphere that values individual diversity and uniqueness.   

Nursing Specific Info

Salary & Nursing Framework Level: This UMPNC RN posting is posted as Nursing Framework LEVEL C. Actual Nursing Framework LEVEL and salary will be determined at time of hire. Nursing Framework levels range from Level A to Level F. Required qualifications must be met by the candidate in order to be interviewed and considered for the position. Posting may be filled after the initial 5-day posting period. Applicants who have left the UMPNC bargaining unit must include on their resume dates of past employment including months and years of service along with effort. Positions less than 20 hours/week may be combined. If you have questions regarding this posting or would like assistance with nursing opportunities please contact Nurse Recruitment at (734) 936-5183.

Required Qualifications*

  • GN applicants will be considered.
  • Current Michigan RN license for all candidates that have passed the NCLEX. **GN applicants will be considered for this position. The selected Graduate Nurse candidate will have 45 days from date of hire to successfully pass the NCLEX for Michigan RN licensure.

RESUME REQUIRED (for both internal & external applicants):  In order to be considered for this position the applicant must have met or will have met all the required qualifications prior to the start date of employment.

You must attach a complete and accurate resume to be fully considered for this position.

Desired Qualifications*

  • Previous patient care experience or relevant skills. 
  • No lifting restrictions. 
  • Familiarity with UMHS policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated positive, effective professional communication skills as documented on recent performance evaluations. 
  • Demonstrated time management and problem solving skills 

Work Schedule

Hours: 36 hoursShift: Night shift and every other weekend; combination of 8/12 hour shift lengthsLocation: University Hospital-7B, Adult General Medicine/Telemetry Unit Note: All new employees will be expected to float to a designated unit(s) in times of low census. 

Union Affiliation

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Michigan Nurses Association and the U-M Professional Nurse Council union, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings.  Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Selection Process

Michigan Medicine seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan and to maintain the excellence of the University. We welcome applications from anyone who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching, and clinical mission, including women, members of minority groups, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. The Department of Nursing, like the University of Michigan as a whole, is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all persons and will not discriminate against any individual because of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status.   

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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Guest Essay

I’m a Doctor. Dengue Fever Took Even Me by Surprise on Vacation.

A black-and-white illustration of an Aedes aegypti mosquito.

By Deborah Heaney

Dr. Heaney is a physician in Ann Arbor, Mich.

I hate mosquitoes so much that I take my own bug repellent to parties. But in early March, on a trip with my partner to the idyllic island of Curaçao off Venezuela, I was caught off guard by insect bites after our bed-and-breakfast hosts said that mosquitoes didn’t usually appear until late summer.

Near the end of the vacation, my legs began to ache. After I couldn’t keep up with my partner on a snorkeling adventure, he pulled me from the water. My ribs felt broken, as if I’d been smashed against large boulders in the sea. Later that day came intense fever, alternating with shaking chills.

Back in Michigan — weak, nauseated and dehydrated from explosive diarrhea — I ended up in the emergency department. Tests showed worrisome white blood cell levels and abnormal liver numbers. The physician assistant who saw me was perplexed; she gave me IV fluids and medication for nausea and sent me home.

A few days later I developed itching so severe that I couldn’t sleep. A bright red rash spread over both thighs and up my lower back. My brain was foggy, and my balance was so impaired that I would have failed a sobriety test. My primary care doctor had no answers. But as my head began to clear, it occurred to me to request a dengue fever test.

Two days later, the test was positive.

Despite my training in medicine, I was blindsided. Dengue, a mosquito-borne illness, is surging through Latin America and the Caribbean, including in Puerto Rico, where a public health emergency was declared last week. This year is likely to be the worst on record, in part because of El Niño-driven temperature spikes and extreme weather linked to climate change. As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns grow more erratic, the problem will get only worse.

But neither the traveling public nor our frontline health workers are prepared. Without urgent reforms to how we educate travelers, doctors, nurses and others — as well as reforms to public health surveillance and early warning systems — we will be doomed to miss textbook cases like mine. That means those infected with dengue will miss out on timely treatment, possibly even spreading the virus to areas where it was never found before.

The dengue virus, which is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, infects up to 400 million people every year in nearly every region of the world, but it is most prevalent in Latin America, South and Southeast Asia and East Africa. Most cases are asymptomatic or, like mine, are considered mild, although the aptly nicknamed breakbone fever often doesn’t feel that way. Some 5 percent of cases progress to a severe, life-threatening disease including hemorrhagic fever.

One malicious feature of dengue is that when someone is infected a second time with a different type of the virus, the risk of severe illness is higher. A vaccine exists, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends it only for children ages 9 to 16 who had dengue before and live in places where the virus is common. That’s because, paradoxically, if you’ve never had dengue, the vaccine puts you at greater risk of severe illness your first time.

Dengue outbreaks, which, in the Americas, tend to occur every three to five years , now appear to be expanding their geographic reach as temperatures climb . The Aedes aegypti mosquito has typically had difficulty surviving and reproducing during the winter in temperate climates. But in parts of Brazil, which is experiencing a dengue emergency , the thermometer no longer dips as low in the winter as it once did, allowing the bugs to reproduce year-round. Overall, Latin America and the Caribbean have had three times the number of cases this year as reported for the same period in 2023, which was a record year. Higher temperatures are also helping the virus develop faster inside the mosquito, leading to a higher viral load and a higher probability of transmission. And mosquitoes are benefiting from standing water from rains and floods that are growing more extreme in a warming world.

As the virus spreads globally, travelers are bringing infections back to the continental United States. Based on 2024 numbers to date, this year should show a clear increase of cases here at home compared with 2023, given that the typical dengue season hasn’t even started yet. There could also be local outbreaks in places like Florida, Texas and California, which experienced small ones in the past. As Dr. Gabriela Paz-Bailey, the chief of the C.D.C.’s dengue branch, told me by email, “Increased travel to places with dengue risk could lead to more local transmission, but the risk of widespread transmission in the continental United States is low.”

But since testing is done only on a small fraction of cases, many are going uncounted. I was the one who requested that I be tested. Had I not been given a diagnosis, I would not be aware of my increased risk of severe illness if I am reinfected. Getting a diagnosis is crucial to inform those infected in areas where the Aedes mosquito lives so that the virus doesn’t spread further.

The growing risk means travelers to regions with dengue must be savvier: They can check local news and U.S. State Department advisories, bring an effective insect repellent and protective clothing and book lodging with air-conditioning or screens on the windows and doors. Though Aedes aegypti mosquitoes now live year-round in many locations and are pushing northward into new regions , thanks to climate change and other factors, there are still seasons when the risk is greater, and travelers might consider avoiding trips during those periods. Travel insurance with medical coverage may also be a useful precaution.

For medical professionals, this should be a warning. We need to start thinking about dengue as a possible diagnosis, not just a piece of textbook trivia. We should ask about recent travel when treating patients presenting with symptoms, especially symptoms not easily explained by other diagnoses.

Medical schools are gradually integrating climate change effects into curriculums . This is essential, since malaria, Lyme, West Nile and other insect-borne diseases are on the rise, as are other conditions like heat illness, asthma and allergies that are worsened by climate change. This work must accelerate, and training must include those of us who are already practicing. State medical boards should consider mandating continuing education on tropical emerging illnesses, as they do on many other pertinent topics.

After receiving my positive test result, I called the emergency department to leave a message for my previous provider about my diagnosis, assuming she had never before seen dengue. If we continue on this trajectory, I’m certain this won’t be her last case.

Deborah Heaney is a preventive, occupational and environmental health physician practicing in Ann Arbor, Mich. She also holds a master’s degree in public health.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

An earlier version of this article included an incorrect reference to the mosquitoes that spread dengue. They are members of the Aedes genus, not species.

How we handle corrections

Dozens of Indian workers depart for Israel to take up construction jobs

Workers in India line up during a job recruitment drive.

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Dozens of Indian construction workers left for Israel this week to take up jobs there as the nearly six-month war between Israel and Hamas continues to rage in Gaza, officials said Thursday.

Israel is facing a labor shortage after barring tens of thousands of Palestinian workers following Hamas’ deadly attack on Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war. However, the Indian workers departing this week are going under an agreement signed by the two countries before the outbreak of hostilities, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said.

“The first batch of people have gone to Israel. For us their safety is very important, and we have urged the Israeli authorities to do their best to take care of their safety and well-being,” Jaiswal told reporters Thursday.

Jaiswal said 18,000 Indians were currently employed in Israel, most of them caregivers.

--PHOTO TAKEN DURING A CONTROLLED TOUR AND SUBSEQUENTLY EDITED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ISRAELI MILITARY-- This picture taken during a media tour organised by the Israeli military on January 8, 2024, shows a soldier securing a position in al-Bureij in the central Gaza Strip, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

World & Nation

Is Israel’s treatment of Palestinians a form of apartheid?

The word has become shorthand for systems of oppressive rule around the world — and a popular refrain of pro-Palestinian activists.

Jan. 9, 2024

During a visit to India last May by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, the two countries signed an agreement to allow about 40,000 Indians to work in construction and nursing in Israel.

An initial batch of more than 60 construction workers departed Tuesday, and the Israeli ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, posted images of a send-off ceremony for the group on X.

In January, thousands of Indian laborers flocked to government recruitment centers that were set up in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana looking for candidates for jobs in Israel.

India has condemned the Hamas attack on Israel, but voted in favor of the U.N. General Assembly resolution last December that called on Israel to halt its fighting to allow for humanitarian assistance.

It also has reiterated its support for the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Sharma writes for the Associated Press.

More to Read

FILE - A Palestinian man cries while holding a dead child who was found under the rubble of a destroyed building following Israeli airstrikes in Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip on Oct. 31, 2023. On Thursday, April 4, 2024, Human Rights Watch says an Israeli attack on a Gaza apartment building in October killed at least 106 civilians, including 54 children. (AP Photo/Mohammed Dahman, File)

Israeli strike on Gaza apartments that killed 106 is ‘apparent war crime,’ rights group says

April 4, 2024

People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 2, 2024. World Central Kitchen, an aid group, says an Israeli strike that hit its workers in Gaza killed at least seven people, including several foreigners. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Bodies of 6 foreign aid workers killed in Israeli strikes are transported out of Gaza

April 3, 2024

Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Monday, March 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Essa)

Israel and Hamas dig in as international pressure builds for a cease-fire in Gaza

March 26, 2024

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More From the Los Angeles Times

This combination photo shows President Joe Biden, left, on March 8, 2024, in Wallingford, Pa., and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Israel, Oct. 28, 2023. Biden and Netanyahu spoke Monday, March 18, in their first interaction in more than a month as the divide has grown between allies over food crisis in Gaza, conduct of war. (AP Photo)

Biden tells Israel’s Netanyahu future U.S. support for war depends on new steps to protect civilians

CORRECTS DATE - This photo provided by World Central Kitchen/WCK.org, shows Damian Soból of Poland, one of seven aid workers who were killed in Gaza Monday, April 1, 2024. Israeli airstrikes that killed the aid workers in Gaza reverberated around the world, as friends and relatives mourned the losses of those who were delivering food to besieged Palestinians with the charity World Central Kitchen.(World Central Kitchen/WCK.org via AP)

Diplomatic rift erupts between Poland and Israel following killing of Polish aid worker in Gaza

Activists rally outside El Monte City Hall on Tuesday, April 2 before the El Monte city Council meeting. The council unanimously passed a resolution asking for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, becoming the seventh Latino majority city in Southern California to do so.

Column: Why many Latinos are calling for a cease-fire in Gaza

A man displays blood-stained British, Polish, and Australian passports after an Israeli airstrike, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Monday, April 1, 2024. Gaza medical officials say an apparent Israeli airstrike killed four international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen charity and their Palestinian driver after they helped deliver food and other supplies to northern Gaza that had arrived hours early by ship. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Family and friends recall dedication of World Central Kitchen aid workers killed in Gaza

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