Travel nursing has become an increasingly popular option for nurses that understand their worth and want to be compensated accordingly - all while exploring new places across Canada and the United States.
What is a travel nurse? A travel nurse is a registered nurse that chooses to work in another location outside of the place they currently reside. Many nurses start work immediately in local hospitals or other healthcare settings, drawn in by the stability of the role.
However, working the same job day in and out has its limitations on the mind and the body. It is not uncommon to feel the need to experience change, or to feel trapped because it is hard to get the time off that you want.
While it may make sense to take some time off, it may not be economically feasible to do so. This is where travel nursing comes into the picture - you can earn the same, if not more income in your current job, have your accommodations and transportation covered, and have unparalleled opportunities to explore new areas of Canada and the US.
So how do you get into the exciting career of travel nursing? And where can you find the highest paying jobs? This article is all about how you can leverage your education and qualifications to land the best nursing job while having transformative travel experiences.
If you are already working in the nursing field in an established role, the decision to change your status quo will take planning, patience, and a lot of courage. Learn all about what it takes to become a travel nurse.
How do I Get into Travel Nursing?
Getting into travel nursing is as easy as committing to a plan to break from your current routine. The best way to start is to sign on with a Travel Nurse agency in Canada. These agencies will be able to share you opportunities in different areas of Canada or the US where travel nurses are in high demand.
Keep in mind that it can take a couple of months to find the right placement and coordinate paperwork. So you will want to plan for the transition and consider your current living situation and employer.
Uprooting from your current situation and moving to something radically different is no easy task - so make sure you start early and research the next location you plan to move to so you have has little stress as possible.
Do I Need Additional Licensure to be a Travel Nurse?
In short, yes, you will need to get certification to practice in the province or state you want to practice in, on top of your qualifications as a registered nurse. Luckily, the process to acquire those certifications are generally straightforward.
To gain access to the highest paying positions, additional specializations and experience in those fields will be a major asset. For example, nurses that are trained and experienced in neonatal care may be able to find higher paid jobs than the average.
A good approach is to explore job postings for the highest paying jobs, and see how your current certifications and experience align. You’ll get a sense of where you might want to build your professional growth, and be as equipped as possible to maximize the economic opportunities that come with travel nursing.
If you work in the field of nursing, you might find it useful to know that you are in one of the best positions to travel to many top destinations without sacrificing income or career experience.
The Top Paying Travel Nursing Jobs
Travel Registered Nurse
Expected Salary: $97k-$140k
Registered nurses that work in high demand areas, such as remote communities and urban centres, can expect to be compensated well for their services. As a registered nurse, you can work in a variety of contexts outside of your home province and make a fantastic salary.
Travel Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nurse
Expected Salary: $93k-$154k
Nurses that have the qualifications, training, and experience to work in NICUs can expect to have a higher than average salary because of the specialized nature of the work. As a NICU nurse, you work with babies born prematurely or who are ill.
Working with tiny humans carries a lot of responsibility as babies are in such a vulnerable and fragile state. NICU nurses are in high demand in locations across the US and Canada because they must have certification in:
- Basic Life Support
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program
Visiting Nurse
Expected Salary: $75k-$105k
A visiting nurse, or homecare nurse, does not work in a hospital but visits patients in their homes. Typically, these are patients that have a difficult time leaving the home environment but need specialized treatment. Visiting nurses are in demand in most areas, making it a great job for registered nurses that want to travel.
Having strong time management skills, an interest in long-term care, and an appreciation for variety will be of great benefit for those considering this role.
Travel Post Anaesthesia Care Unit Nurse (PACU)
Expected Salary: $110k-$147k
PACU nurses are highly trained and specialized professionals that work with patients who are recovering from surgery and anaesthesia treatment. As a PACU nurse, you are carefully monitoring the vital signs of patients as they become conscious. They are also instrumental in recommending post-operation care and pain relief treatment.
To get the qualifications to be a PACU nurse, you will need to take additional courses after you have become a registered nurse.
Travel Oncology Nurse
Expected Salary: $105k-$145k
Oncology nurses are in high demand in many areas because they do the critical work of providing specialized care for cancer patients. Patients with cancer have unique treatments and therapies, and it can be hard to find nurses with oncology training and expertise in any region.
Travel Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
ICU nurses work in high stress environments, caring for patients that are in critical condition and require more service and support than other patients in a hospital. They treat patients with a wide range of critical needs, and may have also experience recent trauma.
As an ICU nurse, you must be prepared to do life saving work in a fast paced environment. There are a range of certifications you must acquire, from cardiac care to critical paediatric care.
Nurses in Northern and Remote Communities
Expected Salary: Depends on Role
Practicing as a nurse in a remote community in areas like the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut bring higher compensation because of the high cost of living and the challenge in getting healthcare professionals to those areas. While it can seem daunting to move somewhere isolated, you can enjoy being in a rural community and explore spectacular and surreal landscapes.
Curious about learning about what lies beyond nursing in your local area? You may want to consider contacting a travel nurse agency so you can practice your craft abroad or in another province.
What is the Best Way to Enhance My Professional Growth as a Nurse?
As you may have noticed, the best paying travel nurse jobs go to registered nurses that have built their capacity for working in specialized environments. To get the top paying travel nurse jobs, you will want to pursue the appropriate training so you are well positioned to work in more lucrative positions.
Start by considering your interests and career goals. What kind of work environment interests you most? What are some areas of research and learning do you feel drawn to? How much demand is there in those areas?
Once you have determined a professional goal, find out exactly what experiences and trainings you will need to get the travel nurse job of your dreams.
For those who have a sense of adventure and love experiencing new places, becoming a travel nurse is an ideal career. Break out of your routine and start a new career path in another province or abroad.
Where Can I Get Help in my Learning?
Nurses that are choosing to retrain may find that going back to school is challenging, especially if you are still working full time. This is where having a nursing tutor is key.
A nursing tutor can help you to understand challenging concepts as you engage in professional learning in your desired specialization. They can help you to study for major assessments, and perhaps even give you practical career advice.
Finding a tutor to help is easy thanks to Superprof Canada. You can browse listings for dozens of nursing tutors that can help you gain the certifications you need and provide you with valuable career insight.
Find a nursing tutor on Superprof today!
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