Travel Nursing Licenses: What You Need to Know

Getting travel nursing licenses is crucial to being able to travel when and where you want.  Knowing the time it will take for the license to become active or even if you’re currently licensed in that state can be researched and handled ahead of your desired start date.  Learning the typical wait times for states and that application process will help stream line your travel experience.

RN degree. While a Bachelor’s degree in nursing is required at some California facilities, for the most part, an Associates OR Bachelors in Nursing will do just fine.  Facilities are mainly focused on experience rather than the type of degree you hold.  Most facilities won’t see the difference in a candidate with an Associates in Nursing with 5 years experience and a nurse with the same experience with a Bachelors Degree.

• License to practice in the state you choose. You’ll need to be license in the state you would like to take an assignment in.  States like New York, California and Massachusetts can have long wait times for licensing.  Having a Compact License gives you the ability to work in 30+ States!
• Additional Certifications. ACLS, BLS, PALS, TNCC or NIH.  Different specialties require different certifications.  Also different facilities and units will determine what is needed.

Travel nursing licenses are important and is a part of compliance.  Compliance items can be retrieved prior to gaining an assignment.  Being prepared with any of the below items will help the process of getting you compliant for your assignment before the deadline.  Being “pushed” means your start date is moved to the next orientation due to your compliance file not being complete.  This costs you money and sometimes the facility might even cancel your assignment.

• Certifications
• Licensing
• Vaccination Records
• Physical Exam
• Drug Screen
• Background Check.

Whether you’re an established nurse looking to shake things up or you’re just starting a career as an RN, TravelNursingDirect.com is here to help.  Join our community of future and current travel nurses by clicking HERE

Nate Shanklin

I’m Nate Shanklin and I was a Recruiter for Travel Nurses for over 3 years.  I found there was an extreme lack of knowledge and transparency in the industry, so I took it upon myself to start Travel Nursing Direct.  A site where you can learn the details about travel nursing that commonly nurses are finding out as they go along and, more importantly, when it’s too late.  My aim is to help all Travel Nurses gain an understanding of what to expect and how to maximize their career.