Sharleen Lucas, RN, WEMT, OEC

Nurse Types / Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing

Travel nursing is an ideal career for those who like spontaneity and new places. It’s also a smart way to gain experience in other healthcare settings. 

Thriving travel nurses are typically adaptable, positive, organized, and a little adventurous. With thick skin, they brave various work settings, unfamiliar medical devices, and computer systems, and various assignments during one shift.

Read these pros and cons of travel nursing to help you decide if it’s your next great adventure.

In this article we cover:

Pros of travel nursing

• Great pay
• Travel and adventure
• Flexibility
• Job security
• Negotiable contracts
• Career experience
• Minimal work politics

Cons of travel nursing

• Loneliness
• State licensing delays
• Floating schedules
• Insurance changes
• Loss of seniority
• Being the new kid on the block
• Changing contracts
• Canceled contracts
• Finding housing

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Pros of travel nursing

Great pay

Travel nurses can earn more money than staff nurses through incentives and tax-free reimbursements.

Most travel nurses receive free housing or a stipend for housing expenses. Your agency may even set you up in deluxe lodging.

You can also earn large sign-on bonuses. It’s possible for travel nurses to receive $5,000 to $10,000 sign-on bonuses. Remember, however, bonuses are taxable income.

Travel and adventure

If you like nursing but want the flexibility of traveling, you’ll love travel nursing. You can even journey to other countries. 

This suits nurses who feel stuck or bored in their current position. It also fits anyone who wants to explore new places and meet new people.

As a travel nurse, you’ll become travel-savvy and culturally aware. Plus, your stories will wow your friends at dinner parties.

Flexibility 

As a travel nurse, you only have to commit to a work contract if you want to. If you need a break between contracts, you wait to take a new assignment. Also, travel nurses choose where to travel, offering freedom to travel where you want or need to.

If you’re working in New York, and your mother-in-law in Arkansas becomes sick and needs your help, you can ask for a transfer to Arkansas. Once in a while, you may be able to move immediately. If not, you finish your current contract in New York before starting the new one in Arkansas.

You may also find a contract near your home base if needed. But flexibility with distance provides greater job opportunities.

Flexible nurses often don’t mind change. If this is you, you might love travel nursing.

Job security

Travel nurses enjoy lasting job security. As long as hospitals need nurses, they’ll need ones who travel.

You may need to relocate to keep a position with equal or higher pay, but you’ll usually have many options when choosing a new contract. That freedom eases emotional and financial fears about providing for yourself or loved ones.

Negotiable contracts

Unlike many hospitals, everything is negotiable in a travel nursing contract.

You hold the most bargaining power when you’re willing to walk away. If you’re not desperate for a specific contract, you can walk away if it doesn’t meet your wishes. There are usually plenty of other options. 

If negotiating intimidates you, remember it’s not personal. It’s business. You can build confidence and negotiating skills by asking for one request with each new contract.  Learning to read and negotiate contracts is a skill you’ll carry throughout life.

It won’t take you long before you’ll be able to negotiate like a pro.

Career experience

Travel nurses learn many different processes and systems across facilities. You’ll encounter cutting-edge ideas and ones they should’ve trashed in the 80s. If you want to move into leadership someday, travel nursing offers a unique insight into different healthcare models.

Travel nurses who try new specialties and tasks build skills quickly. They’re more likely to find a specialty they’re passionate about, too. You may also have the chance to work at top-ranked hospitals.

Working in a wide variety of healthcare institutions will deepen your expertise and resume.

Minimal work politics 

There’s no shortage of workplace politics in the healthcare industry. As a travel nurse, you can usually steer clear of politics.

Travel nurses are rarely involved with committees, meetings, and task forces. They sense conflicts and problems but won’t stay long enough to feel obligated to help.

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Cons of travel nursing

That said, travel nursing is no different from any other career option. It has its downsides, too. Take a look at these cons to see how they weigh against the pros for your unique personality and situation.

Loneliness

Not every travel nurse can bring loved ones along. Making money is great, but you may feel hollow when you have no one to share it with.

Socializing and networking with other nurses and hospital staff helps combat loneliness. Joining an international nursing organization can help, too.

State licensing delays

States require travel nurses to be licensed wherever they work. Fortunately, many U.S. states participate in compact licensing. A compact license is a multi-state license allowing you to work in several participating states.

Some states, however, still require a sluggish licensing process, which can slow you down and even hinder career opportunities.

Floating schedules 

“Floating schedules” are still common for travel nurses. If you work a floating schedule, you “float” to different areas of the facility other than those listed in your contract.

Some clinics and hospitals float travel nurses first. Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll float to areas you’re less familiar with. 

Insurance changes

Changing insurance policies between jobs can be another travel nursing pitfall.

Fortunately, many agencies provide coverage. Some agencies offer insurance to nurses as employees. Others partner with insurance companies to provide affordable coverage to nurses as contractors.  

It’s also possible to choose private insurance you set up and pay for on your own.

Loss of seniority

Staff nurses build seniority and rank within an organization. With seniority, you pick your schedule, work fewer weekends, and move up the pay ladder.

Travel nurses, on the other hand, typically work when management asks them to. It can be hard to have little power over your schedule. However, if you travel to assignments alone, working odd or varying shifts is easier.

Even if you miss out on seniority as a travel nurse, you can still build strong connections and a solid reputation. You may like a facility enough to apply later as a staff nurse. 

Being the new kid on the block

Some people love new places, but always being new is challenging. Thick skin and adaptability help with this con. A positive attitude goes a long way, too.

Since travel nurses work temporary positions, the administration may not feel motivated to make you happy. Sometimes, they’ll give you the most demanding assignments.

But when you work hard and help your fellow nurses, you’ll earn their loyalty and gratitude. Those nurses will support you in return and even protect you if necessary.

Another challenge is constantly learning new policies and procedures. Orientation always feels inadequate. You have to know when to ask questions and when to ask for help.

It’s tough showing up to work and not knowing anyone. It’s also hard knowing who to trust. Your best bet is to be friendly, cheerful, and helpful, and you’ll win friends quickly.

When the going gets tough, you have the sweet reminder that you’ll soon be traveling to the next location.

Changing contracts

Typical contracts last about 13-14 weeks. As one contract ends, you’ll need to have the next one set. Some nurses struggle with this constant change and planning.

One option is to request an extension to your current contract. Some facilities will extend your contract many times if you want to stay longer. First, ask your location manager if an extension is possible. Next, let your recruiter know so they can make it happen.

If you want to move on, finding your next assignment will be the same process as finding your first one. You’ll need to be organized and flexible to keep good contracts rolling. 

Start researching options about a month before your current contract ends. You can also request a specific location.

You may snag a lucrative contract by remaining open to unusual options, which may be available because others won’t take them. Rural hospitals struggle to fill some positions and may offer higher rates than urban hospitals.

Compact licenses are also handy for shifting quickly between contracts.

Canceled contracts

Travel nurses must always be prepared for a canceled contract just before it starts. For the most part, contracts offer stability. However, some institutions overbook travel nurses, especially during crises. 

Know your agency’s policies regarding cancellations. They may still reimburse travel expenses and part of your expected salary. They may also help you find another position quicker than usual.

Beefing up your savings can shelter you from canceled contracts. A solid savings account quiets nagging financial worries.

Finding housing

Housing for travel nurses can be tricky, even with a hefty housing stipend.

Know an agency’s housing policy before signing on. This helps you know what part of the process is your responsibility. Some agencies arrange housing for you. Others let you find your own housing.

When you have to find housing, knowledge is power. It takes time, but learning to navigate the temporary housing market helps you spot good deals quickly. 

Use trustworthy housing forums – like Airbnb and VRBO – that are more likely to protect consumers from scams. Travel Nurse Housing, Transplant Housing, and Furnished Finder are sites for travel nurses to use as well.

Hotels are typically the most expensive choice, and living in a hotel for more than three months gets old. Staying with friends and family may be a fun option, too.

Start your search early and narrow down your search criteria to quicken your finds.

Most importantly, choose affordable housing so that the extra stipend money is left jingling in your pocket!

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The Takeaway

As with any nursing job, communication, flexibility, organization, and a positive attitude are key to travel nursing. If you enjoy traveling and helping exhausted staff nurses, give it a whirl! 

But if travel nursing isn’t the job for you, we can help you find your dream position at Incredible Health. Create a profile to discover a job where you don’t have to leave your family and friends behind.

Career Resources / Job Searching / ER Nurse Interview Questions

There’s an incredible sense of relief when you pass the NCLEX. After shedding blood, sweat, and tears, you’re ecstatic about the emergency room interview you landed…and the sweat starts dripping again.

Interviewing doesn’t have to be as hard as nursing school.

Our team at Incredible Health knows just how you feel. This article will help you ace an interview using advice and questions straight from ER and hospital nurses. 

• Tips For Acing Your Interview
• General Questions
• ER-Specific Questions
• Unusual Questions and Situations
• Question to Ask Your Interviewers
• Next Steps

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Tips For Acing Your Interview

Promoting Yourself

To present yourself well, it’s important to know yourself well.

Before the interview, list your strengths, skills, and successes. Write down your goals and values, too. From this list, narrow down 7-10 strengths and passions. 

Next, list brief stories that show off each skill. Be sure to show how your strengths meet the needs of the unit. 

For example, if you’re great with psych patients or difficult families, tell a specific story of how you de-escalated a situation. Or, if you are great with technical skills, tell a story of how you inserted the airway or foley catheter no one else could get. 

Use the list and stories to answer various questions during the interview, painting a picture of who you are and how you’d make a great ER caregiver and team member.

While promoting yourself confidently is key, it’s also vital to show honesty and self-assessment skills in an interview. Managers expect imperfection and look for confident nurses who are also teachable and ask for help when they need it. 

Researching the Company

Study the hospital and the department before your interview. Read as much as you can on their website. Know their values, mission, trauma level, service area, patient population, doctors, services, reviews, and anything else you can gather.

By researching the organization, you’ll learn keywords to use during the interview to show how your skills and values match theirs.

Try to learn about the hiring manager before the interview. Ask the recruiter for the name of the  lead interviewer. If you work in the same hospital, try to meet them ahead of time. You may find the individual(s) on the hospital website, in online news articles, or on LinkedIn, a great place to network.

Review the job description well. It gives clues into the department’s values, expectations and topics the interviewers might ask about. Knowing this will help you prepare more keywords and example stories for your answers.

This curiosity will also help you prepare questions to ask the interviewers. Questions show you are interested in knowing them and are insightful about the unit’s complexities.

Practicing!

Just like practicing your nursing skills, rehearsing an interview will boost your confidence and relax your nerves.

Practice answering questions out loud. Speaking to your mirror might feel odd, but it revealsyour tone and energy. Recording or videoing yourself does the trick as well.

Consider asking a friend, coworker, or nursing instructor to hold a mock interview with you. Answering questions under pressure will prepare you for the real thing.

Lastly, envision your success often before the meeting. Be detailed as you imagine a successful interview. 

General Interview Questions 

To get to know you, interviewers will likely ask general nursing questions first. More specific questions will follow to see whether you fit well into their department.

Answer general questions in a way that relates to emergency nursing. If you’ve never worked in an ER, show off skills relevant to the unit.

Your ER interviewer looks for nurses who stay calm, focused, and task-oriented in the face of trauma and critical situations. They want flexible nurses with clear and caring communication skills, quick decision-making talents, and good technical skills.

Here are some general questions you may be asked:

• Can you tell me about yourself?
• Tell me a time when you went above and beyond to help a patient or team member.
• What methods do you use to manage your time and tasks at work (or during clinicals)?
• *How do you handle your emotions at work with difficult coworkers, patients, or family members? *Check out our emotional labor piece for more on this key workplace skill.
• Where would you like to be professionally in 5 years?

For detailed advice on general interview questions, be sure to read 20+ Nursing Interview Questions, Answers and Tips. 

ER-Specific Questions 

• Why do you want to work in this emergency department?

Sample answer: This is where your prior research on the department will help. Rather than use this time to talk only about yourself, highlight the things you love about their department.

• Describe your communication style with doctors and team members, and tell us how you handle team conflict. 

Sample answer: Clear communication is an ER survival skill for both the team and the patients. Miscommunication in pressured situations is not an option. Tell a story showing how you confidently and professionally communicate with your coworkers.

Interviewers may give you a scenario-type question to ask how you’d correct a doctor or clear up miscommunication. They want nurses who are both bold and respectful.

This could be a good time to ask what MD standing orders the unit has for nurses. This gives you insight into the teamwork and efficiency of the unit.

• Describe a clinical situation where you were under a lot of pressure. How did you deal with it? What methods worked well for you?

Sample answer: Nursing is stressful. Hiring teams want to know you have strategies to deal with it. Discuss specific ways you handle stress during work and outside of work. Talk about how you and your team help each other handle work pressure and trauma.

This is a great time to ask how the hiring unit supports their staff’s mental and physical health.

• Tell me about a time you dealt with a critical patient. What did you learn? How would you have handled it differently?

Sample answer: There are different ways to ask nurses about their skills and ability to manage critical moments. Be ready for any form of this question by writing down stories of unstable patients and how they shaped your critical thinking and technical skills.

• Tell me about a time you noticed a change in a patient’s condition and how you intervened?

Sample answer: A vital nursing skill is keeping an eye on patients’ conditions during a busy shift. Tell a story proving your nursing intuition, assessment skills, and ability to act quickly and decisively.

• How would you manage these 4 patients under your care: one who visited the emergency department for chest pain, one with sepsis symptoms, one in a mental health crisis, and one with minor cold symptoms?

Sample answer: Always be ready for scenario questions during your interview. Your interviewers are looking for how you make quick decisions and triage patients. This gives them insight into your clinical knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Scenario questions are also a good time to include keywords like task prioritization, patient safety, delegation and focused assessment.

If you just finished nursing school, it’s okay to say something like, “I can’t wait to learn more from your team about how you manage care for complex patient loads. During clinicals, I had a similar scenario that taught me a lot….” Discuss a story of your toughest patient load, how you prioritized care based on the patients’ disease processes and conditions, what you did well and what you learned.

Keep in mind the interviewers know you are likely nervous and might miss something. Thankfully, perfection is not the goal. If you keep a confident and calm demeanor, your mind is more likely to think clearly to answer the best you can.  

• Tell us a story of how you handled a difficult patient. 

Sample answer: ER patients can be difficult. They are scared, anxious, painful, or altered, and maybe all four at the same time.

Pick a story showing your ability to de-escalate a situation with a dementia, psychiatric or angry patient. Your goal is to show that you calmly helped solve a patient’s problem, eased their frustrations, and kept everyone safe.

Be sure to highlight any de-escalation and patient safety training and certifications.

Unusual Questions and Situations

It can be nerve-wracking when an interviewer asks an unusual question.

Do your best to keep a calm manner so you can think about the question and their reason for asking it. Try to understand what they are looking for to target your answer. It’s okay to ask the interviewing team to explain their question or give an example.

Also, be honest about your skills and knowledge. If this is an area of weakness, talk about what you have done or plan to do to improve.

After you give an answer, ask what they would do in the same situation. This shows your ability to learn and grow.

In rare cases, an emergency department might run you through a simulation. During initial contact with the recruiter, ask if there will be a skills simulation. 

If so, ask when it will occur and for any specific details or advice they can give you ahead of time. If a simulation is planned, ask if you should wear scrubs instead of professional clothing. 

It’s nearly impossible not to feel nervous about a simulation. Some helpful steps to guide you through it are:

1. Tell yourself you’re more excited than nervous. This helps your brain reframe the situation to be less afraid.
2. Next, be confident in the skills you do have and do them with excellence.
3. Lastly, be honest and ask a team member for help if you do not know what to do. Or delegate the task to another team member if appropriate. This will show your desire to learn, ability to take direction, leadership skills and willingness to ask for help rather than injure a patient.

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Questions to Ask Your Interviewers

Hiring managers will tell you they are impressed when a candidate asks good questions. It shows your engagement, curiosity and knowledge.

Veteran nurses suggest you ask questions like these: 

• How many patients does the unit see per day and night shift?
• What is your patient population like? 
• How many technicians do you have?
• What is your patient door-to-bed time?
• What is your patient-to-nurse ratio? Are you fully staffed or understaffed?
• What are some expectations you have for the staff under your leadership?
• What is your staff’s morale like during these difficult times? Have you had a lot of nurses leave? How do you address that?
• How do you protect your employees from violent patients and families? How many security guards are in the building during each shift?
• What kind of culture do you aim to facilitate in your unit?
• What current goals do you have for the unit?
• How do you help nurses complete required or desired certifications?
• What are educational opportunities and available reimbursements?
• What are growth opportunities in your system?
• Are there opportunities for participation in unit-based organizations?
• What resources are available if I have questions about policies and procedures?
• What would you say makes a good ER nurse?
• Is there a nurse in the unit I could talk with?

Next steps 

Move forward with courage and take the risk of pursuing your dream job. Every interview, successful or not, gets you one step closer.

Incredible Health is in the business of landing that dream nursing job. Our Career Resources is a great starting place for more help. 

Remember, you’re in demand!