Aureus Medical Advises Nurses Who Want to Travel

Aureus Medical Group, of Omaha, Neb., is telling nurses interested in traveling that there are primary requirements for a career as a travel nurse. With the rising demand for RNs due to the aging baby boomer population and the increase in nurses entering retirement, travel nursing is becoming among the most popular of healthcare careers.

Aureus recommends that nurses:

Understand what a career in travel nursing involves. Key qualities of a successful travel nurse are flexibility, the ability to absorb information and instruction quickly, a willingness to contribute immediately as part of the healthcare team, and a sensitivity to different backgrounds and cultures that may be encountered while on assignment. In addition, because a travel nurse is filling the facility’s gaps in staffing, she may or may not be scheduled for preferred shifts and rotations. However, she may request that the travel nursing agency specifically identify available contract positions that meet her schedule preferences.

Achieve Certification. A travel nurse must be an RN, LPN, LVN, NP, or APN. There are various avenues to obtaining the necessary education, including earning a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a two-year Associate's degree, or taking a hospital licensure program. A variety of schools also offer an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For those who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree and are looking to make a career change, this is a viable option.

Gain experience in a hospital setting. Before being eligible for a contract assignment as a travel nurse, clinical experience is required. The minimum requirement primarily depends on factors such as area of specialty and the parameters provided by facility. Many hospitals and medical facilities require travel nursing staff to have a minimum of 12 to 18 months of clinical experience, while most LPN/LVN positions require at least six years.

Aureus Medical says that the videos, available on the healthcare staffing company’s website, are geared toward those interested in exploring healthcare careers in travel nursing, travel physical therapy (http://www.aureusmedical.com/travel/Physical_Therapist_P ...), travel occupational therapy and other healthcare fields. Hearing from those who are on the road with Aureus provides a snapshot of what a prospective travel nurse or other healthcare professional can come to expect from this unique, yet in demand career option.