Beyond its flexibility and adventure, travel nursing presents a unique avenue for developing a robust and diverse professional network. Discover how prioritizing networking as a travel nurse can open new doors and take your career further than you ever anticipated.

Before becoming a travel nurse, you must meet specific educational requirements. From nursing degrees and licensing to experience and certifications, discover everything you need to know to succeed as a travel nurse.

There’s no shame in changing your specialty, whether out of a change in interest or in pursuit of more lucrative earnings. But what’s the right way to make the switch without taking two steps backward in your career? Here are a few practical tips every nurse should consider when thinking about shifting focus — especially if you’re already enamored with travel nursing as a profession.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) are crucial to maintaining licensure year-over-year. If you’re a nurse who still has CEU requirements in 2022, now’s the time to get them in before the year ends. Here are a few critical resources to help you complete your annual training or start prepping for 2023.

Every travel nurse has a recruiter that they work with to find assignments and secure contracts. Many travel nurses work with several at a time. More than just your link to the next assignment, it’s important to understand your recruiter’s role as a resource. They’re not just there to help you manage contracts; a recruiter’s job is to make sure your career as a travel nurse is a successful, lucrative, stress-free, and enjoyable one!

Mentorship is something every travel nurse should think about, whether they’re seeking a mentor or ready to become one. The support, guidance, and knowledge passed from mentor to mentee is critical to the professional development of both. For travel nurses, the sense of camaraderie and support transcends assignments and helps them become better caregivers and more accomplished professionals wherever the road takes them.

The new year is an opportunity for everyone to look at the future with fresh eyes — and fresh goals. But setting goals isn’t always easy, and you might not be sure how to approach it — especially if you have big dreams. This year, take time to map out your goals, and create a framework for achieving them. As a travel nurse, defining your goals can put your career on a higher trajectory — for 2022 and beyond.

Creating a resume is part of finding a job — any job. For travel nurses, it’s especially important because the job you’re applying for is a strong departure from the one you have. Sure, it’s still nursing; but it’s nursing in a new place, with new expectations, and new challenges. A glowing resume will show hiring facilities that you’re up for the challenge. If you’re new to travel nursing or thinking about a career shift, start with your CV.

Specialization is a great way to set yourself apart as a nurse — especially as a travel nurse. In the years ahead, demand for specialized nursing professionals will continue to rise, which means now is the time to think about choosing a specialty and following that career track. As you do, consider the benefits and opportunities that come with it. Are there any specialties you’re interested in, specifically? 2021 is the year to pursue them!

Certifications are the next rung up the ladder for many nurses. But it’s not always easy to determine what kind of certifications are best for you or if it’s worth pursuing one in your current position. It pays to look at the type of professional you want to be, as well as what certifications interest you before jumping into further study.