Working as an International Travel Nurse: What to Know
If you have a passion for both nursing and exploring new places, the field of international travel nursing might be your ideal career path. This profession offers numerous opportunities for well-paying positions in diverse destinations around the globe, allowing you to blend your nursing skills with your love for travel. In this guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of international travel nursing, from what it entails to the potential earnings and the steps to become an international travel nurse. The World Health Organization (WHO), reports that one in every eight nurses finds employment in a country other than the one where they were born or received training.
International Travel Nursing At a Glance
| Degree Required | Duties | Potential Salary (Range) |
|---|---|---|
| ADN or BSN and RN License | Provide inpatient and outpatient services as needed, including healthcare screenings, immunizations, and healthcare education; provide services in underserved and remote areas and during disease outbreaks and public health crises | $44,000-$100,000 annually |
What Is International Travel Nursing?
International travel nursing is a specialized branch of nursing that offers registered nurses (RNs) from various clinical backgrounds and specialties the chance to work in well-compensated positions across the world. Unlike traditional nursing roles where you apply directly to local medical facilities, international travel nurses secure their positions through collaboration with independent staffing agencies.
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These agencies play a pivotal role in matching nurses with the most suitable placements based on their skills, previous work experience, and preferred travel destinations. Once the nurse commits to a placement, the agency handles the negotiation of salary and benefits. Depending on the specific contract, these benefits can include housing stipends, direct deposit and currency transfer services, referral bonuses, meal or travel reimbursements, and paid time off.
Unlike travel nursing positions in the United States, which typically last for six months or less, international travel nursing assignments generally require longer commitments. For instance, international nursing jobs in Europe and Australia may necessitate a commitment of at least a year, while nurses placed in Middle Eastern countries often enter into contracts lasting a minimum of two years.
Furthermore, several organizations, such as the Red Cross, United Planet, Project Hope, and International Volunteer HQ, offer volunteer opportunities for international nursing. While these travel nurses do not receive a salary, they gain invaluable experience while delivering essential healthcare services to populations who may not have access to medical care. These international nursing volunteers play critical roles during public health emergencies and natural disasters as part of medical relief teams.
Duties
The roles and responsibilities of an international travel nurse are as diverse as the destinations in which they serve. These nurses cater to patients of all ages, ranging from infants to the elderly. Depending on the specific healthcare setting, their responsibilities may mirror those of American RNs, including tasks such as conducting tests, administering medications and vaccinations, monitoring vital signs, and compiling patient reports.
However, international travel nurses must adapt to various environments, from well-equipped modern hospital facilities to basic clinics in underserved, remote communities. Consequently, their duties are tailored to the specific needs of patients in these settings. Those working in emergency or epidemic situations need to be prepared to adjust to rapidly changing and often stressful conditions.
Work Environment
International travel nurses can find employment in any location experiencing a nursing shortage. These nurses work in both urban and rural areas, in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, outpatient care centers, and community clinics. There is a particularly high demand for nurses with specialties in surgical, intensive care, emergency room, and labor and delivery. Staffing agencies work closely with nurses to identify placements that align with their training and professional interests.
Which Countries Need International Travel Nurses?
Nursing shortages are a global challenge, affecting countries around the world. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2020 State of the World’s Nursing Report, nurses constitute the largest occupational group within the healthcare industry, making up 59% of all healthcare professionals. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the global nursing shortfall had reached nearly six million. This shortage is attributed to several factors, including a decrease in the number of individuals entering the nursing profession, retirements, and the increasing healthcare demands stemming from the growing global population.
For U.S.-trained nurses, the current climate presents an exceptionally opportune moment to work abroad. International nursing job opportunities span a wide spectrum, from well-paid clinical positions at state-of-the-art facilities in modern urban areas to assignments in remote clinics and refugee camps in developing nations.
Low and lower middle-income countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean region, and some parts of Latin America experience the most acute nursing shortages. Even among more affluent nations, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates face significant demands for nursing professionals.
How Much Do International Travel Nurses Make?
The earnings of international travel nurses can vary significantly based on education, skill levels, specialties, years of experience, and the specific location of their placement. According to ZipRecruiter, an online employment service, the majority of international travel nurses earn salaries ranging between $60,500 and $106,000. However, it’s crucial to note that compensation packages differ between travel nurse agencies. Some agencies offer housing and travel benefits as part of the contract, while others provide nurses with stipends to arrange their own accommodations.
When evaluating potential placements, nurses should consider multiple factors. While certain countries may not offer salaries that match U.S. levels, they may have a lower cost of living, making essentials such as housing, food, and utilities more affordable. Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are known for providing attractive compensation packages, including tax-free salaries, free air travel, furnished housing, and 30-day annual vacations.
The Benefits of Becoming an International Travel Nurse
International travel nursing offers a multitude of professional and personal advantages that entice RNs to pursue this career path. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Experience Different Cultures and Parts of the World: Travel nurses have the unique opportunity to explore diverse cultures and regions across the globe. Each assignment is a chance to immerse oneself in a new way of life and broaden their horizons.
2. Earn Higher Than Average Salaries and Benefits: International travel nurses typically receive competitive salaries and a range of benefits, including bonuses, housing and travel stipends, and tax-free earnings in certain countries. This financial reward allows for a comfortable lifestyle while exploring new places.
3. Expand Nursing Skills and Medical Techniques: Working with diverse patient populations and healthcare professionals in various locations can enhance a nurse’s clinical skills and medical knowledge. These experiences often encompass unique medical conditions and treatment approaches.
4. Develop Language Skills and Interpersonal Communication: Communication is a fundamental aspect of nursing. International travel nurses frequently interact with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, which strengthens their language skills and interpersonal communication abilities.
5. Learn Skills Beyond Nursing: Adapting to new cultures, traditions, and lifestyles is an essential part of the international travel nurse’s experience. This broadens their skill set and cultural competency, making them more adaptable and culturally aware healthcare professionals.
6. Provide Care Where the Need Is Greatest: International travel nurses often find themselves in regions with critical healthcare needs. This offers a sense of fulfillment as they provide essential care to individuals in crisis situations, sometimes in desperate need of medical attention.
7. Experience Job Security: The global nursing shortage ensures job security for international travel nurses. The demand for their expertise is ever-present, resulting in a steady stream of opportunities and assignments.
8. Choose Destinations and Assignment Durations: International travel nurses have the flexibility to select their destinations and determine the duration of each assignment. This level of control allows them to align their career with their personal preferences and travel aspirations.
How to Become an International Travel Nurse
Becoming an international travel nurse follows the same educational path as preparing for a nursing career as a staff RN in the United States. While individual countries and employers may have specific prerequisites related to preferred degrees, specialty areas, and years of experience, travel agencies generally seek nurses who hold an undergraduate nursing degree and have successfully passed the NCLEX-RN examination.
Although licensed practical nurses and RNs with an associate degree may find international positions, the majority of travel agencies represent overseas employers who prefer candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a valid RN license. Moreover, nurses are typically required to hold certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Most agencies expect applicants to have at least one year of clinical experience.
While not mandatory for all international nursing roles, specialized certifications in high-demand areas such as labor and delivery, intensive care, and emergency medicine can potentially lead to better-paying placements.
Working as an International Travel Nurse
In addition to completing a nursing degree and obtaining a valid RN license, international travel nurses must acquire additional credentials to work abroad. Some of the essential steps include:
1. Passport and Documentation: International travel nurses must have a valid passport and collaborate with their travel agency to ensure they have the necessary work permits, visas, and other forms of sponsorship required by the country where they intend to work. Overseas employers may request various documents, including birth certificates, immunization records, criminal background checks, and transcripts verifying educational qualifications. Collecting all of these documents may take several months, so it’s advisable to start this process early.
2. Language Proficiency: To provide effective patient care and communicate with the local staff, nurses should have a basic understanding of the country’s language. Many international placements require nurses to demonstrate at least a working knowledge or conversational ability in the primary language. In some instances, employers may require nurses to take language proficiency tests as part of the application process. English-speaking travel nurses often restrict their employment choices to English-speaking countries or healthcare organizations that use English as the official language. Certain facilities in the Middle East, for example, mandate English as the working language for all staff and medical documentation.
3. Research and Preparation: Pursuing a career as an international travel nurse involves extensive research and planning. The most successful travel nurses invest time in learning about the necessary qualifications, how to choose the right travel agency, and what to expect when working abroad.
Becoming an international travel nurse offers an exceptional opportunity to merge a nursing career with a passion for travel and exploration. While the process may require thorough preparation and effort, the rewards of international travel nursing are both personally and professionally fulfilling.
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