6 Travel Nursing Jobs for Your Sense of Adventure

6 Exciting Travel Nursing Jobs to Suit Your Sense of Adventure 

With a travel nursing job, there's no telling where your career might take you. This profession can introduce you to new places, people, and ways of life. From providing humanitarian aid in foreign countries to exploring the world on a cruise ship, nursing jobs involving travel open a world of possibilities. 

The job outlook for travel nurses is optimistic. Staffing shortages combined with rising rates of chronic disease and an aging population have created a significant demand for nurses who can relocate to areas in need. Working as a travel nurse allows you to improve your skills, take on new challenges, expand your professional network, and experience diverse environments that enrich both your personal and professional life. If you crave adventure, professional growth, personal fulfillment, and the freedom to explore new places, a travel nursing job might be right for you. Keep reading to discover how to become a travel nurse and explore the wide-ranging rewards this career offers.

The World of Travel Nursing: Opportunities and Benefits 

The path to becoming a travel nurse can vary. Most individuals begin their career journeys by earning a nursing degree and gaining real-world experience in the healthcare field. Next, they obtain licensure by passing the National Council Licensure Examination to become a registered nurse (RN). Nurses with sufficient education and experience often have the flexibility to choose between short-term or long-term assignments. They may also be able to decide where to travel, whether within the country or internationally. If they find a certain role or location particularly rewarding, they might be able to turn a temporary assignment into a full-time job. 

Financial Rewards of Travel Nursing 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $86,070. Travel nursing jobs typically pay more. According to TravelNursing.org, travel nurses earn about $2,096 per week. This equates to an average annual salary of $114,578. Studies show that those in high-paying travel nursing roles can earn up to $150,998 annually.

Travel nurse salaries can vary significantly based on the nurse's specialty, experience, education, and skill set. For instance, nurses with experience in an intensive care unit (ICU) or other high-demand areas may qualify for higher salaries. Geographic location also plays a role, as wages are often higher in regions with higher costs of living. In addition to competitive salaries, travel nursing offers financial perks such as housing allowances or stipends that offset rent and other daily expenses. Travel reimbursements may also be provided to cover the cost of relocating to and from different assignments.

6 Unique Travel Nursing Jobs to Consider

The travel nursing field is rich in opportunities, and travel nurses have numerous career paths to consider. By evaluating their professional strengths, goals, passions, and preferences, travel nurses can narrow down their options and identify the types of jobs that best align with their interests. Here are six notable travel nursing positions that offer adventure, competitive salaries, and the chance to positively impact the lives of patients. 

1. Camp Nurse 

For those who love the outdoors, a career as a camp nurse can be a perfect fit. Camp nurses ensure that campers are healthy enough to enjoy the great outdoors at sites across the United States. Nurses in this role manage medical emergencies, administer routine medications, and monitor campers during wilderness activities.

According to PayScale, camp nurses earn approximately $70,661 annually. The American Camp Association states that there are over 14 million campers at 14,000 camps in the United States each year, so there’s no shortage of work. Camp nurses also experience the added benefit of enjoying the great outdoors when they’re not working.

Key Responsibilities of a Camp Nurse

For camp nurses, keeping campers safe and healthy is the top priority. This may involve the following key responsibilities:

• Monitoring campers’ health. By keeping a close eye on signs and symptoms of illness, camp nurses mitigate the spread of diseases and ensure that campers receive prompt medical attention when needed. 

• Treating injuries. From cuts and scrapes to broken bones and allergic reactions, camp activities can result in injuries. Nurses provide treatment for minor injuries and arrange medical care for campers requiring more extensive attention.

• Administering medication. In many camps, medication is kept separately in a secure location. Nurses ensure that medications are administered accurately, in the correct dosages, and at the correct times. 

• Leading health education programs. Some camp nurses teach campers how to recognize health issues and the risks of outdoor activities. They ensure campers have the information they need to enjoy their experience while staying safe.  

2. Cruise Ship Nurse

Nurses who want to combine their enthusiasm for patient care with their love of the ocean may wish to pursue a cruise ship nurse position. Cruise ship nurses travel around the world, providing medical assistance to passengers and directing onboard walk-in clinics. They are also responsible for handling medical emergencies and transferring patients to onshore medical facilities when needed. Cruise ship nurses earn between $4,200 and $4,900 a month. 

A Day in the Life of a Cruise Ship Nurse

Most cruise ships contain a small medical facility where nurses, doctors, and other staff treat passengers experiencing illness or injury. A cruise ship nurse may spend their day caring for patients with food poisoning, seasickness, fall-related scrapes and bruises, and other health concerns. However, in the life of a cruise ship nurse, no two days are the same. Severe and even life-threatening injuries and illnesses can occur on board cruise ships, and when they do, cruise ship nurses must spring into action. This typically involves assessing the severity of the situation, stabilizing the patient, and arranging more extensive medical care. When they’re off duty, cruise ship nurses may be permitted to leave the ship and explore various destinations. They also have access to onboard amenities such as pools and live entertainment. 

3. Humanitarian Nurse 

Nurses who are passionate about providing urgent medical care to patients in remote areas often work in the field of humanitarian nursing. Humanitarian nurses can truly make a difference in people's lives. They immunize children in remote villages, provide emergency medical services after natural disasters, and direct other life-saving interventions. Humanitarian nursing salaries vary depending on the organization. Nurses in these roles may also qualify for other perks and benefits such as room and board, professional development opportunities, and student loan forgiveness.

Organizations Hiring Humanitarian Nurses 

A career as a humanitarian nurse can be extremely challenging but also deeply rewarding.  Some organizations currently hiring humanitarian nurses include:

• American Red Cross
• Doctors Without Borders 
• International Medical Corps
• World Health Organization
• Samaritans Purse

4. Resort Nurse

Resort nurses provide medical care and assistance to guests and staff at a resort. For example, if a kitchen staff member suffers a burn, a resort nurse would assess and treat the injury. Resort nurses manage a wide variety of health concerns, from minor soft tissue injuries to major cardiac events. While their workdays can be taxing, resort nurses often enjoy the benefit of working in picturesque, exotic locations. According to ZipRecruiter, resort nurses earn an average annual salary of $80,321.

Popular Destinations for Resort Nurses 

One of the unique benefits of the resort nurse profession is the opportunity to travel to exciting and luxurious resort locations. Many resort nurses seek positions in areas such as:

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Las Vegas
• Hawaii

5. Flight Nurse 

While many travel nurse positions offer unique work environments, nothing quite matches the distinct experience of being a flight nurse. Flight nurses, or transport nurses, provide medical care to patients during airplane or helicopter transportation to the hospital. These nurses often manage high-stress situations involving urgent, life-threatening medical problems. By monitoring patients’ vital signs, gathering data, and administering medication, they ensure patients in critical conditions arrive at the hospital with the best possible chances of survival. 

Key Responsibilities of a Flight Nurse

When a patient is airlifted to a hospital or other medical facility, flight nurses are by the patient’s side throughout the trip. They perform essential functions, including: 

• Assessing the severity of the patient’s injury. 
• Collecting medical data to relay to healthcare professionals at the destination.
• Administering pain relief, cardiac drugs, sedatives, intravenous fluids, and other medications.
• Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intubation, defibrillation, and other life-saving interventions.
• Communicating information to patients while providing comfort and reassurance.

6. International Contract Nurse 

International nursing jobs take nurses far and wide, from developed nations like Canada and England to developing countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. Nurses in these roles are typically employed for a fixed term. Contracts can last from several months to several years. Like other nurses, international contract nurses provide medical care and assistance to patients suffering from various illnesses and conditions. They can work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, government facilities, or nongovernmental organizations. 

Benefits of International Contract Nursing 

Like humanitarian nurses, international nurses can travel to regions they might not otherwise visit. They can explore diverse cultures, learn new languages, and work with medical professionals worldwide. Being a humanitarian nurse also provides the opportunity to help individuals in urgent need of medical care. A humanitarian nurse’s help can often mean the difference between life and death. 

Embarking on Your Travel Nursing Adventure 

Travel nursing benefits are numerous. These jobs offer competitive pay, housing allowances, and the potential to make a profound difference in patients’ lives. If you’re ready to start your travel nursing career, it’s important to understand the qualifications necessary for success. You’ll need a strong educational foundation as well as ample on-the-job experience to maximize your chances of securing the travel nursing job of your dreams. 

Tips for Success in Travel Nursing 

While there are numerous job opportunities available for nurses seeking travel opportunities, some of these jobs are highly competitive. To excel as a travel nurse, consider the following tips:

• Work with a recruiter or staffing agency. Travel nurse agencies and recruiters can help connect you with the facilities and organizations that need your nursing expertise. 
• Be proactive. Taking the initiative and communicating regularly with your recruiter or agency is essential. Let them know the types of positions you're interested in as well as the unique skills and experiences you offer to a potential employer.  
• Build your professional network. Keep in touch with the medical professionals you’ve worked with in the past and ensure they know your professional qualifications and areas of interest. 
• Pursue further education. If you don’t yet have a B.S. in Nursing, getting a bachelor’s degree can unlock opportunities for more advanced and senior-level positions. If you already have a bachelor's degree, consider earning your master’s degree or taking courses to enhance your current skill set. 
• Acquire professional certifications. By obtaining one or more certifications, you can showcase not only your unique qualifications but also your commitment to ongoing learning.  

The Future of Travel Nursing 

Travel nurses are highly sought after. Some reports indicate that the travel nursing industry has grown by as much as 600% in recent years. Many organizations actively hire nurses who are willing to relocate to areas with the highest need. The future of the travel nursing industry is promising, and the field is quickly evolving to keep up with technological advancements and new opportunities. For example, through telemedicine, nurses can monitor patients remotely and provide follow-up care, reducing the need for physical proximity and improving continuity of care for patients. Additionally, global health initiatives have ushered in new opportunities for travel nurses worldwide. From combatting insect-borne diseases to reducing the incidence of maternal and child death, travel nurses play a key role in improving global health outcomes. 

If you’re passionate about patient care and seek a healthcare job that allows you to travel the world, you may want to become a travel nurse. Earning a nursing degree from WGU can provide you with the knowledge, skills, and proficiencies that recruiters and staffing agencies value in travel nurses. Our degree programs can be completed online and at a pace that works for your needs. Whether you’re already a registered nurse looking to advance your career through a BSN or MSN or you’re just starting your career journey, WGU can help.