Seasonal shortages were what originally gave rise to contract nurses and health professionals.Parts of the US that had a seasonal spike in population (warmer climates during traditional vacation times) needed extra staff to handle the inevitable increase in health care related services. This eventually lead to travel nursing industry we have today. Now there are many more facilities around the country using temporary staffing in the form of travel nurses than ever before.
Temporary staffing is an efficient way for hospitals to staff themselves without taking on long-term overhead. Today there is a shortage of nurses as well as many other health care specialists almost everywhere in the United States. Often times this short staffing can mean a loss of revenue and more likely a stressed out permanent staff. Contract help in the form of traveling nurses is generally more expensive in the short term but it does meet the short term need of health care providers.
It is expected that the nursing shortage will continue to grow as the baby boom generation starts to pressure an already overburdened health care system. There will, most likely be a need for travelers for the next 20 or 30 years, even if the shortage is reduced. There will still be seasonal needs, and many regions of the country will always have temporary needs.
Health care staffing agencies act as the intermediary between a traveler and the health care service provider. They bill the hospital (or another vendor) for the contracted rates, and pay the traveling nurse as an agency employee.
To provide a little industry jargon: the term often used for a traveling, contract health professional is 'traveler'. This term may apply to a respiratory therapist, surgical technologist, or RN.
A traveler is different from a per diem or local agency nurse. Travelers are contract employees. These contracts typically vary in length, with shift work of 36, 40, or sometime 48 hours a week. Many expenses of a traveling nurse has are paid by the agency they are employed by, unlike permanent or per diem employees. These expenses can include housing, travel, license, and certain other costs. Traveling nurses may have an allowance for meals, parking, or car rental. It is common to include health insurance as well. Agencies offer health insurance policies of varying quality and cost. Many health care staffing agencies have 401(k) retirement plans.
Should you decide to seek opportunities in travel nursing you can expect an interview with the staffing agency and a verbal agreement to details. Most contracts are standard, but some details can be negotiated. Other things you might expect: If you do not have a license in the state where your proposed assignment is, you will need to begin working on that with the agency. The agency will probably also have some mandatory testing for competancy, safety, drug screen, or the like. In your search for an agency you should look for an agency that fits your goals, objectives, and personality.
Travel nursing is an exciting possibility for experienced nurses. It takes a certain type of personality to enjoy the possibilities of travel nursing. You must be able to embrace change on a consistent basis, enjoy variety in management and environment. The benefits can also extend to opportunities to participate in other nursing specialties, exploring new locations, and changing environments.
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