As a travel nurse, an incredible personal and professional adventure awaits you. Travel nursing is attractive because it allows you to create your path and choose the journey to arrive successfully. 

<p>As a travel nurse, an incredible personal and professional adventure awaits you. 
  Travel nursing is attractive because it allows you to create your path and choose the 
  journey to arrive successfully. 
</p>
</br>
<p>You will satisfy your wanderlust if you enjoy exploring as many new cities as possible 
  while working at multiple facilities on a short-term contract for above-average pay. 
  If you like to feel more settled and stay in one place for longer than 12-14 weeks 
  while continuing to build 
  relationships for above-average income, you can have the best of both worlds. 
</p>
</br>
<p> If travel nursing is the career you want to pursue to 
  help others thrive while scratching your travel itch, how do you get there?
</p>

<h2>Steps and Stages to Becoming a Travel Nurse</h2>
  <h3>Step 1: Earn a Degree</h3>
    <p>To be considered for travel nurse positions, you are required to have a registered 
      nurse (RN) license through either an associate degree in nursing (ADN), 
      a two-year program, or a bachelor of science (BSN), a four-year commitment.
    </p>

    <p>The latter provides more job opportunities, career advancements, and steppingstones 
      for continuing education. RN-to-BSN programs with an accelerated timeline are an 
      option for those who have their ADN already and desire to earn a BSN degree. 
    </p>

    <h3>Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Test for Success</h3>
      <p>As a nursing school graduate, you must pass the National Council Licensure 
        Examination (NCLEX-RN), which tests your ability and competency to provide safe and 
        effective nursing practice at the entry level. As a travel nurse, 
        you will need a license to work in any state outside of your home state. 
      </p>

      <h3>Step 3: Get a Licensure</h3>
      <p>The next step of licensure, defined by the 
        <a href="https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/licensure.page" target="_blank">National Council of State Boards of 
        Nursing</a> (NCSBN), is "the process by which boards of nursing grant permission to 
        an individual to engage in nursing practice after determining that the applicant 
        has attained the competency necessary to perform a unique scope of practice."
      </p>
<br>
<p> Thirty-five compact states in the U.S. participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC),
   which means you can receive one multi-state license. For the 
  13 non-compact states, you are required to have that specific state's licensure. 
</p>
<br>

<p> Here is where it can get tricky. Just because you have a state license in a state 
  that becomes compact doesn't mean your license automatically becomes multi-state. As 
  a nurse, you have to apply specifically for a multi-state license. To learn more on 
  how healthcare professionals like you can get licensed in any U.S. state, 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/licensure-guide" target="_blank">click here</a>.  
</p>

<h3>Step 4: Gain Work Experience</h3>
<p> Most hospitals and healthcare facilities prefer travel nurses to have at least one 
   year of nursing experience in the specialty 
   they will be contracted for, although some require two years of experience. 
</p> 
<br>
<p> Volunteering, enrolling in a shadowing or mentor program, and finding an internship 
  through your school are great ways to achieve hands-on experience while earning your 
  degree. Your school may be a great resource and have paid student nurse positions. 
  If you've already graduated, some employers are specifically looking for new graduates 
  to train. 
</p>

<h3>Step 5: Partner with a Travel Nurse Employment Agency</h3>
<p> <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-to-find-the-best-travel-nursing-agency?" target="_blank">Choosing the right staffing agency</a> 
is critical because they will become more than a 
  resource for jobs. Your recruiter is someone you should be able to trust with all your 
  travel nurse needs, including helping you navigate the compliance steps and regulatory 
  paperwork. 
</p>

<ul>
  <li> Vaccination records and a physical exam </li> 
  <li> Copies of your license and certifications </li>
  <li> A drug test and background check </li>
  <li> Additional documentation required by healthcare facilities </li>
</ul>

<br>
<p> An agency should also support your growth as a travel nurse, which may include 
  furthering your education and expanding your skill set. Here are some examples when 
  you become part of the Cross Country family.
</p>

<ul>
  <li> American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accredited Cross Country University, 
    CCMSN provides CE Direct® online Continuing Education (C.E.) and Certification Review 
    that will fulfill your C.E. requirements 
  </li>

  <li> Access to over 700 award-winning continuing education (E.D.) courses </li>
  
  <li> Advanced degree (BSN, MSN, DSN) tuition reimbursement of up to 20% from accredited 
    academic partners </li>
</ul>
<br>
<p> Good luck with your career as a travel nurse, and enjoy all those adventures 
  coming your way soon. 
</p>
<br>
<p> To dive deeper into the world of travel nursing and read the answers to commonly 
  asked questions, 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/the-faqs-of-a-career-in-travel-nursing" target="_blank">click here</a>. 
  To fill out an application to work with Cross Country, 
  <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/apply-now" target="_blank">click here</a> 
  or call (800) 530-6125 to speak with a recruiter who 
  will walk you through the application process and answer any additional questions.
</p>

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