Travel nursing has seen popularity in recent years. The demand for travel nursing in healthcare facilities is increasing due to many factors. Especially during the times of COVID-19 when there was a shortage of nursing staff. Even though travel nursing is a very fulfilling career path with lots of benefits like exploring novel places and getting experience, it comes with its problems and challenges.
In this blog, we will discuss travel nursing challenges and problems and how staffing firms can help solve these problems. Let us dive into it.
What is travel nursing and why it is important?
In travel nursing, nurses visit healthcare facilities where there is a shortage of nurses to fill the gaps. These healthcare facilities are in different states, and during emergencies, they can face a shortage of staff. To fill the gaps and ensure that patients are getting the care they need, healthcare facilities ask for the help of travel nurses. It is an important job to make sure that a patient’s needs are met.
Travel nursing problems and challenges
If you are considering becoming a travel nurse, it is important to know that it comes with problems and challenges. Let us discuss what these problems are and how staffing agencies can help solve them.
Licensing and credentialing problems
One of the challenges that travel nurses face is the licensing and credentialing problem. Every state has its own credentialing and license requirements. If you want to work as a travel nurse, it is important to apply for a compact state nursing license or NLC. However, NLC will make a travel nurse’s life easy as they can work in multiple states without worrying about additional licenses. Still, the process requires unlimited background checks, sometimes additional exams, a verification process, etc. This could be frustrating and might take a longer time to become a travel nurse.
Solution:
The staffing agencies can help the travel nurses with this challenge by providing guidance. They can help them make sure that all the documents are correctly filled and up to date. They can also help the nurses with handling paper forms. Every healthcare facility has its credential requirements, and the staffing agency must make sure that nurses meet their needs and can start work immediately upon arrival without wasting any time.
Suitable housing
Another challenge that nurses might face is finding suitable housing. It is important for travel nurses to find a house that is not only within their budget and near to their working location but also comfortable and safe. Sometimes travel nurses must find houses that meet their needs on short notice, this can create a lot of anxiety and stress.
Solution:
Staffing agencies play a crucial role in solving this problem of nurses. Many staffing agencies have formed partnerships with the local and national]al housing providers. With the help of these partnerships, they can help nurses to overcome this challenge. This partnership will help the nurses to find accommodation that is near to the location, comfortable, furnished, and safe.
Another option is housing stipends. Some travel nurses want to find housing that meets their needs so staffing agencies can offer generous housing stipends.
To learn more about top websites to find travel nurse housing read our blog.
Top Websites to Find Travel Nurse Housing In 2024
Struggling to adapt to new work environments
Another challenge of being a travel nurse is to adapt to new working environments. As we all know, travel nurses go to various places, and adjusting to an unfamiliar environment can be challenging. Every healthcare facility has its own working environment, operational procedure, EHR systems, and equipment. It can be challenging for the nurses to learn their procedures and protocols, especially when they are there for a short time.
Solution:
- Staffing agencies can provide support services to help nurses adapt to their environment quickly without any problems. They can do that by providing.
- Providing comprehensive orientation programs that are designed to train the nurses to understand the working environment of healthcare facilities.
- New nurses can be paired up with experienced travel nurses so they can provide help and guidance.
- Providing training resources such as courses and webinars to educate and train new travel nurses so they can adapt to the environment quickly.
- Mentally preparing the nurses by providing them with the information and what to expect in their next assignment.
- Continuous support and check-in by staffing agencies can also help the nurses to feel supported, which can improve their experience and help them grow professionally.
Travel nurse tax rules and salary
One of the challenges that travel nurses face is tax issues. To avoid financial strain nurses must plan their budget and understand their tax. Each state has its laws regarding tax returns. Unlike permanent nurses, travel nurses work in different states and have variable incomes. Travel nurses need to understand their taxes and how to plan the budget.
Determining tax home: According to IRS guidelines it is important for the travel nurses to return home for 30 days, and it will be better if these days are spread out. Show proof that they have strong ties with their tax home while they were away on their job. A list of showing these proves are:
- Proof of payments such as utilities, mortgage rent, etc. while they were away.
- Payment proof to the person who was taking care of the house while they were away.
- Proof of using credit cards when they came back to the home state for visits.
- Keeping and maintaining their current driving license
- Filing their income tax returns for their tax home.
- Meeting stipend rules: Travel nurses get tax-free stipends. However, to qualify for that travel nurses must meet the strict rules of the IRS. To understand these tax issues and challenges it is important for the nurses to talk and seek guidance from certified tax professionals.
Solution:
By offering a range of resources and tools, staffing agencies can help the nurses overcome the problems and challenges and understand the travel nurse tax rules. They can help them by providing:
- Consultation with financial advisors
- Providing clear information about their salary, house stipends, and more
- Guiding them to understand tax and assisting them
- Retirement saving plans.
- Budgeting tools and resources
Managing work-life balance
Travel nursing problems also include managing work-life balance. As we all know, the travel nurse job is very demanding, and it is difficult to keep a work-life balance. It is hard for nurses to adjust to new environments and constantly changing routines can be exhausting. Taking time for relaxation and self-care is important, which sometimes is difficult for travel nurses.
Solution:
Staffing firms can help travel nurses overcome this challenge by providing flexible assignments. They can also support nurse’s well-being by offering mental health resources, and wellness programs and encouraging them to take time off during their assignments.
Conclusion
Other travel nursing problems and challenges also include job security and workforce issues, dealing with loneliness and isolation. Staffing agencies can help travel nurses overcome these problems by providing them with support and guidance. Being a travel nurse is not hard once you learn how everything works. The future of travel nurses is bright with many benefits. so, if you are a nurse think about becoming a travel nurse join SkillGigs now!
