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If you’re a nurse with a passion for pediatric care and a love of travel, becoming a PICU travel nurse might be just the career you’re looking for. PICU, or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, travel nurses are in high demand across the country, and for good reason. As a PICU travel nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to work in some of the most advanced pediatric medical facilities in the world, while also exploring new cities and experiencing new cultures. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming a PICU travel nurse, from the qualifications and requirements to the benefits and challenges of this exciting career path.
What is a PICU Travel Nurse?
A PICU travel nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in providing care to critically ill or injured children in Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) located in hospitals across the country. Unlike traditional staff nurses, travel nurses work for predetermined periods of time in different healthcare facilities across the country, typically on short-term contracts that last between 8-26 weeks. As a PICU travel nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to work in some of the most advanced pediatric medical facilities in the world, while also exploring new cities and experiencing new cultures.
How to Become a PICU Travel Nurse?
Before you can become a travel nurse, you must first obtain your registered nursing degree and become licensed as an RN in your state. After obtaining your license, you’ll need to gain some experience working as a nurse in a PICU before you can become a PICU travel nurse. Most travel nursing agencies require at least 18 months of experience working in a PICU before they’ll consider you for a travel nursing position. Once you have the required experience, you’ll need to apply for a position with a travel nursing agency that specializes in placing nurses in PICUs across the country.
What are the Benefits of Being a PICU Travel Nurse?
One of the biggest benefits of being a PICU travel nurse is the opportunity to explore new cities and experience new cultures. Travel nurses typically work in short-term contracts that last between 8-26 weeks, which gives them the opportunity to live and work in different parts of the country. In addition to the travel opportunities, travel nurses also typically earn higher salaries than traditional staff nurses, have more flexible schedules, and receive generous benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
What are the Challenges of Being a PICU Travel Nurse?
While being a PICU travel nurse can be an incredibly rewarding career path, it’s not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges of being a travel nurse is the constant change and uncertainty that comes with working in different healthcare facilities across the country. Travel nurses are often required to adapt quickly to new environments, new colleagues, and new patients, which can be stressful and overwhelming at times. Additionally, travel nurses often have to spend long periods of time away from their families and loved ones, which can be difficult for some people.
FAQs
| Q: How much do PICU travel nurses make? | A: PICU travel nurses typically earn higher salaries than traditional staff nurses, with average hourly rates ranging from $35-$50 per hour. |
| Q: What qualifications do I need to become a PICU travel nurse? | A: In addition to being a licensed RN, most travel nursing agencies require at least 18 months of experience working in a PICU before they’ll consider you for a travel nursing position. |
| Q: Do I have to travel to become a PICU nurse? | A: No, you can work as a traditional staff nurse in a PICU if you prefer not to travel. However, travel nursing can offer unique benefits and opportunities for nurses who love to travel. |
| Q: How long are the contracts for PICU travel nurses? | A: Contracts for PICU travel nurses typically last between 8-26 weeks, depending on the needs of the healthcare facility and the travel nursing agency. |
| Q: What is the demand for PICU travel nurses? | A: The demand for PICU travel nurses is high across the country, as healthcare facilities are always in need of experienced nurses to provide care to critically ill or injured children. |