Experience Needed

While opportunities abound, travel nurses must meet some basic requirements before they head out on the road. Agencies require a professional RN license, at least one recent year of acute-care experience, good references and specialty certifications.

The best travelers are those who are flexible and love to be challenged. You need to be willing to jump in and get your feet wet quickly. That's because the typical assignment is about 13 weeks, and many who travel will live in several cities each year. Orientation may be quick, depending on the facility. In addition, hospitals often float travel nurses before they move around regular staff. Because of the ever-changing nature of the job, travel nurses need to be able to adjust quickly.

Ultimately, being a traveler will help you build a better resume‚ and will make you more marketable as a healthcare professional. If reaching your maximum potential as an RN is your ultimate goal, traveling is your quickest road to success.