The Premier Travel Nursing Staffing Agency

Are you a nursing or allied health professional interested in contract travel nursing jobs? If so, you’re likely wondering what to expect when working with a travel nursing staffing agency. This article will explain travel nursing, provide an overview of the process, including what to look for in a travel nursing organization, what to expect in the pre-screening and documentation process, and how the COVID-19 global pandemic has impacted the healthcare field.

Travel Nursing Explained

Travel nursing is a job in which nurses are hired to work in temporary positions at various healthcare facilities across the country. These nurses often work in places facing critical shortages due to an influx of patients. Nurses typically sign contracts with a travel nursing staffing agency that provides them with the necessary documentation and support they need to start working in their chosen location.

The benefits of working with a travel nursing organization such as Coast Medical Service include access to specialized careers, such as medical-surgical nurses and emergency room nurses. In addition, travel nurses working with Coast can negotiate their own contract terms, such as pay, preferred shifts, and performance bonuses. Furthermore, recruiters at our agency can help you develop your resume and experience to best meet your personal, professional, and financial goals.

It is important to note that in order to become a travel nurse, you must possess certain personal qualities and professional skills, such as adaptability, strong communication skills, and the ability to work independently.

What to Look for in a Travel Nursing Staffing Agency

When selecting a travel nursing organization, you should research the compensation and benefits offered by different travel nursing staffing agencies. These can include health insurance and 401(k) plans. When comparing agencies, it is essential to consider both the base salary and any additional benefits and performance bonuses offered.

Additionally, when meeting with recruiters, make sure that you have solid relationship with the recruiter. Ask yourself, how is there communication? Are they trustworthy? What’s their reputation? Coast Medical Service prides themselves on taking a relationship based approach with traveling healthcare professionals, which results in stellar ratings on review sites like Great Recruiters and Google.

Finally, ensure that the agency has recruiters familiar with nursing who can assist in contract negotiation. Contract assistance may include negotiating terms related to pay, preferred shifts, and financial incentive for working in locations with critical shortages.

Working with a Travel Nursing Organization

Once you have chosen a travel nursing staffing agency, you will need to go through a pre-screening process which can include background checks, references, and confirmation of nursing certifications, credentials, and academic transcripts of degrees. The pre-screening process ensures that you meet all the requirements for working as a travel nurse in the desired location.

When working with Coast, our recruiting staff will also help you search for the ideal contract using our database of available jobs in the United States. We’ll work with you to find the ideal opportunity that meets not only your professional goals, but also helps you achieve your personal & professional goals as well. We can also assist with negotiating housing and travel arrangements to make sure your relocation proceeds as smoothly as possible.

Finally, it is important to note that the impact of COVID-19 has changed the field of contract travel nursing in many ways. Travel nurses must be aware of safety protocols when traveling during the pandemic. The staff at Coast keeps up-to-date on which states and cities are experiencing shortages of nurses or an influx of patients due to rising COVID-19 hospitalization rates or other natural disasters. If you’re an experienced nurse or allied health professional who desires to help those in the areas hardest hit, we can work with you to find placements where your skills are desperately needed.

Travel Nursing Explained for the Curious

For those curious about contract travel nursing, exploring this career path can be a great way to gain experience and make connections in the industry while traveling to places throughout the United States, such as Arizona, Texas, and Las Vegas. We also recommend joining professional organizations like the American Association of Travel Nurses (AATN) or the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO). Working with a travel nursing organization such as Coast Medical Service provides nursing professionals with the most benefits, such as access to high-quality hospitals, housing allowances, and adding on per diem work as desired.

Coast Medical Service, Your #1 Travel Nursing Staffing Agency

Coast Medical Service is a highly ranked nursing and allied health staffing agency providing per diem and travel nursing opportunities throughout the USA. Connect with Coast to talk with a recruiter and discover our contract positions, above-average compensation packages, and shift flexibility. Review our testimonials and take a look at our job listings. Then, contact us when you’re ready to apply.