Amongst the vast variety of nursing specialties, an exciting and rewarding career has emerged that is becoming increasingly popular as the post-pandemic workforce continues to transform and incorporate remote work options and non-traditional work: travel nursing. Travel nurses possess the unique ability to work across diverse healthcare settings around the world, bringing their expertise and compassion wherever they go. To thrive in this dynamic field, travel nurses need to understand the importance of marketing themselves, controlling their personal brand, and creating a compelling travel nursing profile.
As a partner to nurses both future and present, we want to help you create the most effective nursing profile possible to help you earn the travel nurse position of your dreams.
What is a Travel Nurse?
Travel nurses are compassionate, mobile healthcare professionals who go wherever quality care is needed. These dedicated professionals possess a sense of adventure and a passion for providing compassionate care wherever they go. Travel nurses have the flexibility to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities, depending on the needs and demands of each location. They may find themselves working in bustling urban hospitals, rural medical centers, or even international healthcare facilities.
The diverse work environments offer travel nurses an opportunity to expand their skills, learn new techniques, and gain valuable experience in different healthcare settings Travel nurses benefit from a more flexible work schedule, allowing for better work-life balance, quality time with loved ones, pursuit of personal interests, and an adventurous lifestyle. Additionally, employers recognize the benefits they provide and so travel nursing offers competitive compensation packages with higher pay rates, bonuses, and allowances for housing and travel expenses. All in all, it’s safe to say there are plenty of factors motivating many of your peers to pursue this career path.
Here are some effective strategies for crafting a standout profile that highlights your expertise, promotes your career, and maximizes your opportunities for exciting travel nursing assignments worldwide.
Five Tips for Perfecting Your Travel Nursing Profile
It is important to market yourself in the best way and understand ways to maximize your opportunities for exciting assignments. By following these strategies, you'll enhance your visibility, attract potential employers, and stand out in the increasingly competitive job market.
#1: Highlight Your Expertise and Experience
To create an effective travel nurse profile that sells yourself as someone employers want on their team, you should start with a strong summary that highlights your experience, certifications, and areas of specialization while emphasizing unique qualifications or achievements that set you apart. Include relevant details such as your years of experience, the types of facilities you've worked in, and showcase your educational background, nursing degrees, references from previous work you’ve done, and any additional certifications or training you've acquired.
#2: Customize Your Profile for Each Job Application
When perfecting your profile, it is important to customize it for each job application by tailoring it to match the specific requirements. Incorporate keywords and phrases from the job description to demonstrate your comprehension of the facility's needs and highlight skills and experiences that align with the assignment, showcasing your capability to excel in the given role and the knowledge you already bring to the table.
#3: Leverage Online Platforms and Networking
To effectively market yourself as a travel nurse, leverage professional networking sites like LinkedIn to establish connections with fellow travel nurses, recruiters, and industry experts. Engaging in online nursing communities and forums allows you to stay informed about the latest trends, share experiences, and learn from others in the field, further expanding your professional network.
#4: Proactively Promote Your Career
Another helpful approach to self-promotion is developing a personal brand. Utilize social media platforms as a powerful tool to share your travel experiences, highlight your skills, and actively engage with the nursing community. Additionally, consider starting a travel nursing blog or vlog or contributing articles to nursing publications to establish yourself as an industry expert, showcasing your knowledge, building your professional reputation and capturing your unique qualities.
#5: Stay Informed and Seek Continuous Growth
It's important to stay ahead of industry trends throughout your entire career. Subscribe to nursing journals, attend conferences, and participate in professional development courses to expand your knowledge and stay informed. Additionally, be sure to maintain the necessary licensing requirements and consider continuing your education and pursuing advanced certifications that are specific to the locations you wish to travel to or the types of patients you plan to care for. All of this will demonstrate your commitment to professional growth and enhance your credibility as someone employers want to invest in.
Herzing University is dedicated to supporting your journey. With our comprehensive nursing programs, we can help you build the strong foundation needed to excel in your travel nursing career. Take the first step toward achieving your dreams and embark on a fulfilling and rewarding path that could take you to amazing places full of incredible experiences. Start working to become a travel nurse today.
Learn More About Our Nursing Programs
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2022 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
