Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Nursing General Questions
No! In fact, there are an abundance of jobs, and not enough healthcare professionals to fill them right now.. All you need is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a nursing license (by passing the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs [NCLEX-RN]), and at least a year of field experience to claim U.S. travel nursing jobs. We take care of the other logistics to make it a smooth process — our goal is to make the tasks as easy as possible for you.
Yes, many Registered Nurses pursue U.S. travel nursing jobs due to the flexibility and freedom they afford. With U.S. travel nursing opportunities, you can take time off when needed to spend time with your family, then take on your next assignment when you are ready. A permanent career in travel nursing is ideal for people who want to take weeks off at a time between assignments, as well, to travel or pursue other endeavors. Also, if you love your placement, you may be given the option to renew it for up to a year at the same location.
Expect to dedicate around three years to becoming a travel nurse. First, you work towards your ADN for two years (or allow four years to obtain a BSN), complete your NCLEX-RN, and work as a nurse for 12 months before you are eligible for most U.S. travel nursing jobs.
Yes, they are in very high demand amid the nursing shortage (1.1 million nurses are needed) that has plagued the United States during the past several years, combined with the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of U.S. travel nursing jobs are waiting to be filled.
Yes, U.S. travel nursing opportunities can be competitive in nationally-ranked hospitals. Travel nursing roles can also be competitive in the United State’s more popular destinations, ranging from California to Texas, and South Carolina to New Jersey. Earning a BSN or even a master’s degree or doctorate (versus only an ADN) can put you ahead of the competition, making you a far more desirable travel nurse candidate to top healthcare systems.
No, but you will be close to ready — you still must acquire 12 months of experience in the field before you can become a travel nurse, in most cases.
Coast clients use a variety of charting systems, including: Allscripts, Avatar, Cerner, Epic, McKesson, Meditech, Cerner, Paragon, and Protouch.
Assignments & Contracts
Short U.S. travel nursing opportunities are usually around four weeks long.
Travel nurse assignments are generally around 13 weeks long. However, it is possible to secure one for as long as 12 months. Also, if you love your role and the manager loves you back, you can agree on extension terms making it longer. Some even renew multiple times if they are an excellent fit, and even go on to accept a permanent position.
Yes, you have the option of choosing your travel nurse location. Some professionals choose their favorite cities they’ve always wanted to live in, while others opt for better weather. Some seek out adventurous opportunities or locations where their favorite seasonal outdoor activities are possible. You have control. Try to book your assignments well in advance, as this will increase your chances of getting the jobs you want, as well as being completely prepared for those jobs.
Yes, you may break your contract in an emergency situation (life happens!), but this may cause you to be blacklisted by both the health care facility and the staffing agency. This is because breaking your contract can hamper the medical facility’s delivery of patient care, tarnish the staffing agency’s reputation, and cost the staffing agency several thousand dollars (in medical facility penalties and/or housing arrangements). But, if it’s a truly unavoidable circumstance, your staffing agency can work with you to find future opportunities.
Coast offers travel assignments nationwide, and in Guam! Please contact us to find out if we have available assignments in specific geographies or health care facilities.
Our U.S. travel nursing jobs are designed to be flexible. This means you can work as much or as little as you want if the clients’ needs allow. That said, we want you to be rested and ready — we promote a safe work environment and will ensure that you have ample rest time to remain at your best for all assignments.
Pay & Benefits
You can help quite literally where people and facilities are in crisis. These are U.S. travel nursing jobs that come with the advantages of higher rates of pay and incentives because they are available in places where nurses are needed the most. For instance, in these types of jobs, you may earn as much as $6,000 per week.
Yes, U.S. travel nursing jobs come with many benefits, including large bonuses, competitive salaries, tax-free meal stipends, and housing reimbursements. Other benefits may include vision, dental, or medical insurance, 401K, as well as paid leave. Travel nurses also enjoy the benefit of being able to add their travel experiences to their resumes, which makes for more desirable and diverse resumes.
Pay rates depend on the unit, the hospital, and hours. We know the market and are dedicated to offering top compensation in the industry. Please contact us to learn more about pay rates for your unit and geographic preferences for U.S. travel nursing jobs.
Our workweek is Sunday – Saturday, and payroll is issued the following Thursday. Weekly pay can be issued via check or direct deposit.
Questions about Coast
Coast primarily focuses on staffing:
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)
- Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs)
- Allied Healthcare Professionals
Coast has a selective process to help facilities receive the highest standard of caregivers.To qualify for a travel nursing job in the United States, our caregivers must go through an extensive screening process including interviews, competency testing, and detailed credentialing. Coast also requires all caregivers to be actively licensed and to have at least one year of experience in the clinical setting they are applying for.
Unfortunately, we do not accommodate U.S. travel nursing opportunities for new grads. Coast requires at least one year of post-graduate experience for all caregivers.
The best first step is to get in touch with us so that we can learn more about you and your needs, and you can learn more about us and the opportunities we have available. From there, we can discuss additional next steps and start putting together your file for submission to U.S. travel nursing jobs!
Coast moves quickly, and the amount of time it takes to get started is largely dependent on you. Motivated caregivers can typically start their U.S. travel nursing jobs within 2-3 weeks of initial contact.
Yes, referrals are our favorite source for new nurses! We provide generous compensation — up to $1,000 for you and $500 for your referred colleague, if they end up working with Coast. Click here to learn more.
Generally, we do not offer reimbursements for nursing licenses. Please see the following resource on registering or renewing your nursing license: http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml
If you’re seeking U.S. travel nursing jobs, there are many reasons to choose Coast, including:
- Flexible schedule
- Strong relationships
- Customer service
- Top pay
- Consistent shifts available