One of the biggest benefits of travel nursing is being able to move around freely and explore the country, often making significantly more money than you would as a staff nurse. Travel nursing pay is often based on demand for nurses, and travel nurses need to decide if you are willing to be flexible with…
Author: Rachel Norton BSN, RN
I have been a critical care nurse since 2007. I grew up in the northeast but enjoy every corner of the country. My passions are people and travel. Travel nursing allows me to meet amazing people and satisfy my wanderlust. I love inspiring other nurses to travel and expand their practice.
How to become a travel nurse
Start here to launch your travel nursing career. We’ll take you through each step from getting licensed to starting your first job. ??⚕️ Become an RN and build 1-2 years of experience ? Graduate and pass the NCLEX As you might have guessed, the first big step in your travel nursing journey…
Nurse of the Week: Leah Gnitka
Leah Gnitka has been a nurse for four years, and has been a travel nurse for three years. She works mostly in cardiac step-down and med-surg/tele. Leah was a camp nurse for one summer and has also worked in home health. She started her career in Minnesota and has taken travel nurse assignments in West…
Nurse of the Week: Viki Le
NurseFly wants to celebrate nurses and all of the amazing things that they contribute to our world right now! Meet Viki Le (@vikiphuocle ), our nurse of the week Viki is a travel nurse in the pediatric emergency department and is currently working in Los Angeles. She has been a nurse for six years and…
What are the compact nursing license states?
Update: Indiana is the latest state to enact the eNLC! Legislation is pending in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Vermont! New Jersey is still only partially implementing the eNLC legislation as the state reviews its effectiveness. Now, more than ever, the eNLC stands to have a huge impact on the way nurses can practice across state lines….
Travel Nursing and Licensing
As nurses we are lucky enough to be able to transfer our license from state to state, with associated costs, of course. And if you live in a compact state. you are even luckier because you are able to work in all states that are part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact without having to…
Travel Nursing and Single State Licenses
This requires the most paperwork and advance planning and the process stresses nurses out. Sometimes it seems like an overwhelming amount of information and required documentation. But if you stay organized and read carefully, you will be licensed in no time! Stay Organized while You Apply for Travel Nurse Licenses As you are applying for…
Travel Nursing Strike Contracts
Working as a travel nurse during strikes has been a lucrative endeavor for RNs for years. These contracts will often pay for the travel nurse to get to the location, accommodations, and transportation to and from the job site. In addition, the rates are usually quite high with past wages reported over $2500/week. These benefits…
COVID-19 RN Licensure Changes – July 2020
Note: Due to the ever-changing needs of the COVID-19 crisis, RN licensure requirements are subject to change if the state revokes an emergency declaration. Please check the NCSBN website or contact the state-specific Board of Nursing for the most accurate information at the time of hire. Healthcare workers have been surviving in short-staffed units for…
Black Americans are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than White Americans
Racial disparities in #healthcare = a public health crisis. Did you know that Black patients are less likely to receive pain medication and mental health treatment compared to White patients? This week, we asked Black nurses to weigh in on their experience with systemic racism and what needs to be done to eliminate it. We…
What is Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nursing?
ICU nursing is also known as critical care nursing and can serve as a launching point for a nursing career. Many ICU nurses go on to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), flight nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and specialty nurses in high risk areas that require advanced knowledge of hemodynamics. There are many types of ICUs…
What’s it like to be a travel nurse right now? – A June 2020 guide to travel nursing
In past posts, I’ve discussed why cancellations are occurring and how coronavirus has affected travel nursing (mostly related to the lack of revenue in hospitals right now/the economic crisis), and what travel nurses can do to avoid contract cancellations. In this post, I want to discuss what nurses can do to enhance the chances of…
What is Medical Surgical ‘Med-Surg’ Nursing?
Medical-surgical, also known as ‘med-surg’, is a nursing specialty that makes up the foundation of nursing. In fact, many sub-specialties of nursing require that you have prior med-surg experience. Med-surg nurses are responsible for taking care of patients with acute medical issues, as well as those requiring surgical intervention, however, the med-surg umbrella term can…
What would you say to other frontline healthcare workers to help boost their resilience?
What would you say to other frontline healthcare workers to help boost their resilience? “Remember why you became a healthcare worker” – Jansen, one of our nurse heroes, shared his message to our community of frontline workers as they battle this pandemic. Share your own message for our healthcare professionals in the comments or simply…
What’s it like to be a travel nurse during COVID19? – May 2020
It’s been a bit since I wrote my last post on COVID-19 and my personal experience. This is partly because I have been hesitant to think and write about work when I am not there. The days are stressful and emotionally taxing, but I think there is a small light starting to shine at the…
National Nurses Week 2020: What’s your biggest fear working on the frontline during COVID-19?
#FromTheFrontLines “My greatest fear is contracting coronavirus at work and bringing it home to my family.” – Amirah, one of the many nurses in our community, shared her biggest fear and greatest hope as a part of our effort to show the reality for many healthcare professionals right now. Now, we want to hear from…
Avoiding Travel Nurse Canceled Contracts
Travel Nursing and Canceled Contracts So, what are travel nurses doing if their contract gets canceled?? I wish the answer was, taking a vacation! But, as we all know that is wholly impossible right now and makes the whole situation a little crappier. Once coronavirus makes it’s exit, I personally will be on the first…
Travel Nurse Crisis Contracts
What is a Travel Nurse Crisis Contract? Crisis contracts are a popular topic in travel nursing news and social media groups. In contrast, another frequently occurring subject is how many travel nursing contracts are getting canceled. Many nurses, both travelers and staff, are being laid off from their jobs due to virtually non existent patient…
Coronavirus: Briefing from an ICU Travel Nurse
We have ended another week of COVID-19, and sources continue to report an exponential increase in the number cases across the nation, as well as the world. For nurses, this means another week has gone by full of patients decompensating, needing intubation and ventilation, and perhaps not surviving this pandemic. Nurses and travel nurses…
Travel Nursing Tips: Caring for COVID-19 Patients
All nurses are facing new challenges in the ways that they care for patients. Nursing practices are changing to become more efficient and protect healthcare workers from contracting coronavirus. I’ve come up with a few tips to try and help travel nurses and staff nurses safely and efficiently care for their coronavirus patients. Always…
COVID 19 UPDATE: News from the Bedside
COVID-19 cases are increasing by the thousands every day, and the healthcare workforce is starting to feel the effects. 10 days ago I wrote about my experience on the front lines and things have really escalated since then. My facility tests countless rule out patients every day. Last I knew we have at least…
Travel Nurse COVID-19 Coronavirus FAQ
COVID-19 Impact on Travel Nurses There are a lot of questions from travel nurses and staff regarding the impact of the virus on our work lives and schedules. The CDC is rapidly changing recommendations and implementation of emergency plans. A lot of nurses feel like they are hearing something different every four hours. And, they…
Coronavirus Update: Experience From the Front Lines
The coronavirus pandemic is having a massive impact on all healthcare workers. COVID-19 is affecting all specialties in all arenas of care. Nurses are feeling stressed and are one of the most involved professions in the race to control, contain, and treat coronavirus patients. Coronavirus is named as such, because there are spikes (coronas) projecting…
Austin Travel Nurse City Guide
Austin, Texas is a popular place to be a travel nurse! Known as the “the live music capitol of the world’, the Colorado River runs right through the city providing constantly pretty views, and lot of options for urban outdoor activities. Austin has year-round nice weather, beautiful parks, live music everywhere (most likely accompanied by…
San Francisco Travel Nurse City Guide
I could write a whole post devoted to the best ‘hood of San Francisco. I chose some of the most popular areas, but if you want to know more check out Thrillist’s article featuring over 30 San Fran neighborhoods! Where to Live- Best Neighborhoods Haight Ashbury: This neighborhood is named for the intersection of Haight and…
