Travel nursing is a challenging, fulfilling, and lucrative career. It allows nurses to travel to different parts of the country, gain diverse healthcare experiences, and earn good money. However, not all travel nursing specialties are created equal. Some specialties are more in demand than others, and offer higher pay, better benefits, and greater job security. In this article, we will discuss the most in demand travel nurse specialties for 2022.
Emergency Room (ER) Nurse
Emergency room nurses are always in high demand, especially in urban areas, where the ER is always busy, and the patient flow is constant. ER nurses must be skilled at handling critical patients with traumatic injuries and acute illnesses, and be able to think and act quickly under pressure. ER travel nurses can earn up to $50 per hour, and receive attractive benefits packages that include housing, health insurance, and travel reimbursements.
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nurse
The intensive care unit is where the most critically ill patients are treated. ICU travel nurses must have extensive experience in critical care, and be familiar with advanced life support techniques, such as mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring, and vasoactive medication administration. ICU travel nurses can earn up to $60 per hour, and receive generous benefits that cover their travel expenses, housing, and health insurance.
Operating Room (OR) Nurse
Operating room nurses are indispensable members of the surgical team. They must possess excellent communication skills, be detail-oriented, and have the ability to adapt to a variety of procedures and surgical specialties. OR travel nurses can earn up to $45 per hour, and receive comprehensive benefits that include paid time off, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement.
Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) Nurse
The medical-surgical unit is where patients with a broad range of medical conditions are treated. Med-surg travel nurses must have general nursing skills, such as patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and patient education. They must also have good time-management skills, and be able to handle multiple patients simultaneously. Med-surg travel nurses can earn up to $40 per hour, and receive flexible benefits that allow them to choose the coverage that suits their needs.
Pediatric Nurse
Working with children is both rewarding and challenging. Pediatric travel nurses must have a special skill set, including child development knowledge, family-centered care, and pediatric-specific treatments and procedures. They must also have a caring and compassionate approach, and be able to communicate well with children and parents. Pediatric travel nurses can earn up to $45 per hour, and receive benefits that include relocation assistance, paid sick days, and continuing education opportunities.
Psychiatric Nurse
Psychiatric travel nursing is a growing specialty, as mental health problems are becoming more prevalent and complex. Psych travel nurses must have advanced knowledge in mental health assessment, psychopharmacology, and therapeutic communication. They must also be able to handle patients with a range of mental illnesses, from mild depression to severe psychosis. Psych travel nurses can earn up to $50 per hour, and receive benefits that include mental health counseling, flexible schedules, and sign-on bonuses.
FAQ
Question | Answer |
---|---|
What are the benefits of being a travel nurse? | Travel nursing offers many benefits, such as higher pay, flexible scheduling, career advancement, and diverse experiences. |
What are the requirements for becoming a travel nurse? | Travel nurses must have a valid nursing license, at least one year of clinical experience, and be willing to travel for assignments. |
How long are travel nurse assignments? | Travel nurse assignments can range from 8 to 26 weeks, depending on the facility’s needs and the nurse’s availability. |
Do travel nurses receive benefits? | Yes, travel nurses receive benefits, such as health insurance, housing, travel reimbursement, and retirement plans. |
What is the average pay for travel nurses? | The average pay for travel nurses is $35 to $50 per hour, depending on the specialty, location, and experience. |