Travel Nursing Careers: Your BSN Degree on the Move

Nursing school students have a wide range of nursing careers to choose from once they earn a degree and graduate. Nursing degrees open doors to the world of healthcare, and great nurses are always in demand.

While most nurses work in hospitals, there are plenty of other work environments for nurses, including travel nursing. It’s a rewarding and exciting career path that for some RNs begins by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

On the Road With Travel Nurses

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 61% of registered nurses in the United States work in hospitals.¹ Ambulatory healthcare services and nursing care facilities are other common settings for professionals in nursing careers. Today, though, there is a growing demand for RNs in travel nursing.

Travel nurses travel the country and the world to care of patients. Rather than working in one hospital or healthcare facility on a long-term basis, a travel nurse typically takes on short-term nursing jobs with contracts often lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months.² Becoming a nurse is an important decision, and travel nurses often go to work in locations both national and international where there are not enough nurses available to meet local needs.

A travel nurse must either have a degree—typically either an associate degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing—and pass an examination needed to become a registered nurse. This exam, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), is a standardized test required by each state board of nursing. For international positions, travel nurses may need to fulfill other professional requirements and have foreign language skills.

By working with agencies that place qualified nurses in hospitals and medical centers where they’re needed most, travel nurses can receive certain benefits such as transportation or housing. As with the tasks typical in other nursing careers, travel nurses administer medication, assess patients, make treatment plans, and help patients liaise with other medical staff.

Travel Nursing Careers Can Begin With a College Degree

If you’re an RN and becoming a travel nurse sounds like a great way to help others while seeing the world, you may want to find out how you can join this growing field. You can improve your credentials by earning an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree from Walden. It’s a great option for busy RNs who want to earn a degree from an accredited nursing school with flexible online classes.

Walden’s program is an ideal option for RNs who are looking to make the RN to BSN transition. You can take advantage of a nursing curriculum that features innovative virtual learning tools. In addition, Walden offers a RN-BSN-MSN program for those who wish to earn their BSN degree and continue on to earn a master’s degree in nursing.

Walden nursing students can gain valuable skills with an immersive virtual learning environment and a practice learning experience with little or no travel. In addition, students from other nursing programs can transfer up to 75% of their required credits. Once you complete your RN to BSN program, you’ll be ready with new skills in leadership, case management, and health promotion, which can prepare you for a variety of nursing careers in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

If you’ve been putting off getting your bachelor’s, find out how you can get started on your BSN degree at Walden.

Walden University is an accredited online college offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) degree program with accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Expand your career options and earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.

¹ Source: www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
² Source: www.nursing.org/careers/travel-nurse/

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.