Can New Grads Become Travel Nurses? What You Need to Know

No doubt, travel nursing is an exciting career path that offers flexibility, high pay, and adventure. As a new grad nurse, you are eager to learn about travel nursing because you don’t want to be stuck in one facility. You want adventure, flexibility, and of course, Money. But can new grads become travel nurses? Well, most of the health care facilities want nurses to have at least 1 – 2 years of experience before they jump into travel nursing. Because this experience helps nurses to gain the experience and training that they need in the new environment. However, some agencies provide this opportunity for new grad nurses. But as a new grad travel nurse, you have to understand the potential requirements, challenges, and strategies to be a successful travel nurse. In this blog, we will guide you on how to become a travel nurse as a new grad.

What is travel nursing?

As a new grad nurse, you must be curious and want to know more about travel nursing and how it works. In travel nursing, the licensed registered nurse works on an assignment that typically lasts for 13 weeks, but it can vary depending on the situation. Sometimes the travel nursing contracts may vary from a few days to several months, too. When the demand for nurses is high and there is a shortage of staff, hospitals and healthcare facilities assign travel nurses. These travel nurses work on short-term contracts to fill the gaps and provide effective patient care.

Travel nursing requirements and eligibility as a new grad nurse

As we know, for travel nursing, it is important to have at least 1 to 2 years of experience because this experience ensures that nurses are ready for unpredictable and fast-paced environments. But some recruiters work with clinical professionals to identify the right travel nursing jobs for new grads that align with their skills and expertise. It is important for new grad nurses to talk to the recruiters about their skills and goals to find a suitable travel nursing contract.

Skills and qualities required to become a travel nurse as a new grad

To become a travel nurse as a new grad, it is important to have the following qualities and skills.

1. Strong clinical skills such as taking vital signs, wound care, monitoring, etc.
2. Ability to learn EMR systems quickly because travel nursing assignments are short, and you don’t have much time as compared to permanent nurses.
3. The ability to adapt new environment is another skill that is required by new grad travel nurses that can boost their career.
4. Effective communication skills are an important requirement for travel nurses as they have to deal with patients, their families, and other healthcare team members.
5. New grad travel nurses must possess the ability to manage time and multitask.
6. New grad travel nurses should know how to handle stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
7. Educational and licensing requirements for new grad travel nurses

Educational requirements

It is important that a new grad nurse has a nursing degree, such as an ADN or BSN. After getting a nursing degree, they should pass their NCLEX-RN exam to get their nursing license.

Licensing requirements

For new grad nurses, it is important to get the nursing license of their homeland and then apply for the license of the state they want to work in. For example, if they live in Texas, they should have a Texas license, but if they want to work in New York, then they should apply for an additional license for New York. However, nurses living in compact states can apply for a compact state nursing license that allows them to work in multiple states without applying for additional licenses, saving them both time and money.

Other documents

After getting your degree and license, other document required for new grad travel nurses are their immunization record, reference letter, and of course professional resume.

Strategies to find travel nursing jobs as a new grad nurse

As a new grad travel nurse, you don’t have experience, but it does not mean that you have no chance of becoming a travel nurse. here are some strategies on how to find a travel nursing job as a new grad nurse.

• The first important thing is to look for facilities you want to work in, such as hospitals, clinics etc.
• As a new grad nurse, do you research on the travel nursing agencies that offer jobs to new grad nurses.
• Talk to the travel nursing agency about your priorities, such as location, schedule, and length of contract.
• Networking is another strategy that new grad nurses can use to secure their first travel nursing job, such as connecting with healthcare professionals, joining travel nursing forums like Facebook, LinkedIn, and following travel nursing agencies and recruiters on social media.
• Reach out to other travel nurses, your professors, and request a letter of recommendation. This will boost your chances of getting a travel nursing job as a new grad.

Conclusion

Becoming a travel nurse as a new grad is difficult but not impossible. We know that many healthcare facilities require at least 1 to 2 years of experience before hiring a travel nurse, but with the right strategy, planning, and searching, a new grad nurse can also secure a position as a travel nurse. However, there are some requirements, such as educational requirements, licensing requirements, documentation, etc. Other strategies to find a travel nursing job as a new grad nurse include researching, connecting with other healthcare professionals, getting a recommendation letter, joining social media for nurses, making a profile on LinkedIn, connecting with other travel nurses etc.

If you are a nurse who is bored with your job, then join SkillGigs now and become part of our travel nursing world that brings flexibility, adventure, and professional growth.