Looking for a new path in your career as a nurse practitioner? Maybe you want something a little more exciting or are looking for better pay. If this is the case for you, it may be time to find a travel nurse job. Many people don’t realize that nurse practitioners can also take travel assignments anywhere in the country to provide great care and reap all the benefits of being a traveling nurse. Let’s talk about traveling NPs and how you can become one.
Can You Find a Travel Nurse Job as a Nurse Practitioner?
It’s a common misconception that travel nursing is only for registered nurses. However, it is absolutely possible to find a travel nurse job as a nurse practitioner. Just as RNs are in high demand throughout the country, nurse practitioners are as well. Therefore, you can absolutely become a traveling nurse practitioner.
Travel assignments for NPs are often a little different than being a travel RN. For instance, the time period for travel assignments can vary widely. While travel nurse jobs for RNs are typically 13 weeks, traveling NP assignments may last a few days all the way up to a year. It really depends on the exact needs of the facility.
Difference Between RNs and Nurse Practitioners
Registered nurses and nurse practitioners are all important for providing good quality healthcare. RNs generally assist doctors with patient care, but diagnosis and treatment are generally out of their scope of practice. Nurse practitioners have extra training to be able to diagnose and treat patients for many types of health concerns. Nurse practitioners are quickly becoming key to keeping people healthy as there are physician shortages all throughout the country.
Generally, nurse practitioners start out as registered nurses. You need a nursing license before you can become a nurse practitioner. They then get their master’s degree or doctorate in nursing and earn certifications in their chosen specialty. From there, they usually receive a nurse practitioner’s license. Because of the extra training and responsibilities, nurse practitioners usually make more than registered nurses.
Why Find a Travel Nurse Job as a Nurse Practitioner?
There are many reasons to find a travel nurse job as a practitioner. These jobs are temporary assignments to facilities that need your help because of staffing gaps. For instance, if another nurse practitioner quits or needs to take a leave of absence or if the facility has a sudden need for more nurse practitioners. There are many benefits of becoming a traveling nurse practitioner, including:
Higher Pay
Traveling nurse practitioners often make more than permanent nurse practitioners. The average salary for nurse practitioners is about $111,000, but traveling nurse practitioners tend to make more. Of course, this depends on the assignment and your experience, but the average salary for a traveling nurse practitioner is $119,000. Depending on the state and city you’re in, however, you can make significantly more than that. Benefits packages for travelers also include things like insurance coverage, 401K with matching, professional liability coverage, as well as free housing or tax-free stipends. So, if you’re looking for a higher paying job as a nurse practitioner, work with our travel nursing agency to find the right solutions for you.
Adventure
Another huge benefit of becoming a traveling nurse practitioner is the adventure. Being a traveler is exciting and provides you with a ton of new experiences. You can go anywhere you want as a traveling nurse practitioner. You can travel nurse across America taking assignments wherever you see fit, whether you want to spend your time off lounging at the beach or skiing the slopes. Also, you get to meet new people and explore new cities that you may not have been able to in a permanent position.
Freedom
Many nurse practitioners choose to find a travel nurse job because of the freedom it allows them over their own careers. Not only do you get to go wherever you want, but you are completely in charge of your career. You choose which assignments to take based on your own criteria, you can always say no to a suggested assignment. Also, you can choose to take time off between assignments whenever you want to go back and visit home, keep exploring the new city you’ve been living in, or just to get a little R&R whenever you see fit.
How to Find a Travel Nurse Job as a Nurse Practitioner
Ready to find a travel nurse job as a nurse practitioner? There are a few things you’ll need to do. If you’re not already a nurse practitioner, you’ll need to get your education, license, as well as a few years of experience first. Here are some of the next steps to becoming a traveling nurse practitioner:
Get Your Credentials in Order
One thing to note is that you’ll need to make sure your credentials are ready for any assignment you take on. We have credentialing specialists to help you with this, but it’s important to note that you may need to apply for a new license in each state you plan to practice. As of right now, there is no multi-state license compact like for RNs. However, it is in the works. In the meantime, you likely need to apply in each state.
Work with Our Recruiters to Find a Travel Nurse Job as an NP
In order to find a travel nurse job, you will work with our recruiters to find assignments that match you and your needs. Our pros have extensive experience connecting professionals with facilities who need their help. When you’re looking for an assignment, you and your recruiter talk about what you want. You might have many different criteria, like states you want to visits and states that are a hard no for you, or you might simply want to look for assignments with the highest pay. Whatever you’re concerned about, your recruiter listens and helps you find the right fit for each assignment.
Submit Your Application
Once you find an assignment you’re interested in, then you submit an application with the help of your recruiter. From there, the facility decides whether you’re the right candidate for the assignment. Once they accept you, you’re on your way and ready to get started with your first assignment. Don’t worry, though, our teams will check in with you throughout your assignment to make sure you have everything you need.
Find a Travel Nurse Job Today with AHS NurseStat – Top Travel Nursing Agency in the Country
If you’re ready for the next step in your career, contact our team at AHS NurseStat today! We are a top travel nursing agency offering nationwide assignments for nurses of all kinds, including nurse practitioners. We are proud to provide a family environment for all our travelers and help with everything they need, from credentialing to housing. Our #1 goal is to help you achieve your dreams and goals. Get started now by reaching out to our recruiters or browsing our job board.
