Nursing is a career where you are certain to find a job nearly anywhere in the world. A critical part of any healthcare system, nurses do the multifaceted job of caring for patients, administering medication, and advising patients and their families with care - just to name a few responsibilities of the job.
For those who have a sense of adventure and love experiencing new places, becoming a travel nurse is an ideal career. Not only do you get to enjoy working in a different country, your talents are also highly valued and well-compensated. And if you feel like moving back home to Canada, you are returning to a place where you will find high demand for your work.
Of course, let’s not forget that nursing is a rewarding job with so many options for career growth. You can work in hospitals, clinics, universities, schools, or private corporations. So how do you get into this exciting career? And how easy it is to get qualified to practice internationally?
This article is all about learning how to become a travel nurse. We will talk about the different options you can pursue to have the maximum amount of career options after graduation.
What is the Work of a Travel Nurse Like?
Travel nurses are skilled professionals that typically take short term assignments internationally. Unlike nurses that choose to work permanently in a hospital or healthcare organization, travel nurses work with agencies that focus solely placing nurses in temporary roles.
As a travel nurse, you would receive a contract specifying the compensation, length and scope of the job. There are ample opportunities to find work in places like the United States as there are shortages of health care workers in so many geographical locations.
You can probably also expect a typical 40 hour work week, with shifts happening in increments of 10 hours at a time.
The nature of your work will depend on the placement, so expect the unexpected in every contract you take!
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.
Why Become a Travel Nurse?
You may be wondering what the benefits are of taking short term work that will cause you to move from one place to another. Transitions are never easy, and if you are averse to change, travel nursing may not be the right job for you.
However, if you have an adventurous spirit and are curious to learn what the world has to offer, travel nursing is a great option. Not only will you get to spend time different places, you will be building your career with a whole host of new experiences that you can speak to in future job interviews. You can travel without sacrificing your income or career.
Many Travel Nurses have their expenses paid, such as airfare, accommodations, and other incentives. It is a win-win situation for nurses that love their work but also want to see different places in Canada and beyond.
Travel nursing is a great way to experiment living in new places without fully committing to it. And you can always go back home or choose to stay in a new place if you decide!
What Education Do I Need to Become a Travel Nurse?
To become a travel nurse, you would start by training as a nurse in any other context in Canada. Your pathway would typically start by choosing to attend a college or university for your postsecondary studies.
Either college or university will enable you to become a nurse, but as a travel nurse you will likely want to pursue learning through university. With university level training in nursing, you will likely be qualified to practice just about anywhere because you have the most prestigious level of learning.
A degree in nursing is the top standard of institutional learning around the world. Having a university degree is highly respected, and nursing agencies will feel confident in hiring you for their clients.
There are other advantages to having a degree in nursing. With a degree, you’ll have the opportunity to attend graduate school if you choose to do so, which is excellent for becoming a nurse practitioner in the future. You can also become a nurse educator, which is an amazing career path if you want to be a leader in your field.
To gain entry into a nursing program in university, you will need to have academic stream credits in secondary or high school. It can take 3-4 years to complete a nursing program.
With nursing training at the university level, you can take your NCLEX-RN exam, which will give you the title of Registered Nurse. The NCLEX is widely recognized in the United States and around the world, which will signal to your international employer that you are qualified to practice.
Where can you find the highest paying travel nurse jobs? Learn all about how you can leverage your education, qualifications, and experiences to get the best paying travel nurse job.
Do I Need a Travel Nurse License?
For many countries, especially in the United States, your NCLEX-RN exam will be the critical factor for qualification. Each country, state, or province may differ in terms of expectations for additional certification. Your nursing agency should be able to advise you with what you will need to practice in the place you have chosen.
Besides your NCLEX-RN certification and university training, you will find that having some experience out in the field will do you wonders. Work in your home province, and gather as many practical experiences as you can so you are as prepared as possible to be plunged in a new work environment.
Is Travel Nursing Difficult?
Nursing, as a profession, is challenging overall. Travel nursing adds an extra layer of complexity because you will be in a new environment both professionally and personally, so it is useful if you can appreciate the excitement of being in a new place.
You’ll probably also find that nursing abroad or in another province will make you see the difference in healthcare systems from one place to another. In some assignments, you may even prefer the conditions of work, pay, and hours.
You can expect the unexpected as a travel nurse - so be prepared for an adventure!
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.
Where Can I Get Help in my Nursing Program?
Nursing school can be highly challenging, especially if you are taking university courses. Nursing requires knowledge in the health sciences, mathematics, and strong communication skills, so if you are stronger in some areas and weaker in others, it is completely acceptable to look for some help.
If you have additional family responsibilities or a part time job, you may find that you want someone to help accelerate your learning or optimize your studying. Nursing tutors are a great resource that you can access with just a few phone calls.
A nursing tutor can help you memorize information you need to know as a nurse, such as reactions to medications. You can use a tutor to help you prepare for quizzes, write reports, and study for exams.
To find a tutor, look no further than Superprof Canada. Superprof Canada has hundreds of listings for tutors in nursing and beyond. You can use the site to browse dozens of tutor profiles until you find one that is right for you.
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.
What Should I Look for in a Nursing Tutor?
Searching for the right tutor on Superprof can be daunting - how do you know what kind of tutor to look for?
Start by considering which area of your nursing program you need the most help for. For example, if mathematics is your biggest challenge, you may find a math tutor who has received a degree in the subject could be your best bet.
If you are looking for help specifically in nursing, you will want to find someone that has graduated from a nursing program, who understands what the coursework is like. You should also consider availability,amd how many sessions you will want to have.
The best thing to do is to identify a few candidates, and contact them directly with questions about what is important to you.
Find a nursing tutor on Superprof today!
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