Many people dream of having a career that gives them opportunity to travel the world and experience different locations and cultures. Unfortunately, relatively few jobs really allow for this, and many of the ones that do are very exclusive. However, one field that is relatively accessible and allows for extensive travel is nursing.



Travel nursing first came about as a response to a significant shortage of nurses in the United States and in other countries. In order to deal with this shortage, several companies started offering nurses benefits for traveling to other states or countries in order to work in their hospitals. The advantages of being a travel nurse - aside from being able to see different areas of the country and the world - may include better wages, paid housing and other bonuses.

Traveling also provides nurses new opportunities by exposing them to new challenges that come with working in a different place. This is especially true when it comes to international travel nursing, as many hospitals in other countries lack the technology and staff of American hospitals. This can lead to some incredibly challenging yet also fulfilling work experiences.

To become a travel nurse, one must simply apply to one of the many travel nursing agencies worldwide. Currently, there are well over 300 such companies in the United States alone. To apply to one of these companies is not an easy task, and it requires a substantial amount of paperwork. Potential applicants will have to fill out a detailed application and work history, as well as provide verification for all their certifications. Other hurdles to becoming a travel nurse include skill assessments and verification of vaccinations for common transferable diseases. Fortunately, some agencies will accept paperwork that has been completed for others, making applying to multiple agencies easier.

After securing a job with one of these companies, the agency will submit applications on behalf of the nurse for various positions around the country or around the globe. The nurse may have some limited control over where they are sent, but ultimately go where they are needed. The hospitals that need nurses will choose the nurses that best meet their needs, then make an offer to the agency. The agency, in turn, figures out how much it's going to cost for them to pay the nurses housing and travel costs. Once that's all calculated, they present the nurse with their offer.

Most agencies will provide their travel nurses with fully furnished and paid housing that is near the hospital where they will be working. The exact quality of the housing, as well as pay and other benefits, will vary from agency to agency. Generally speaking, the better the amenities, the lower the actual wages that the nurse will be paid. Some nurses may not even be provided with housing, but may get better wages. Every agency is different and has different opportunities available – it's up to the nurse to find one that best suits his or her needs.