Travel Nurse Job Description Template

Travel nurses are healthcare professionals who take on short-term assignments at facilities and residences with increased demand for staff. This allows facilities to fill open positions with flexibility. A strategically crafted travel nurse job description is essential to finding quality professionals for your facility when you need them.

It’s important to note that travel nurses are often registered nurses (RNs), but nursing professionals from other specialties can also travel to assignments. This includes licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) — keep in mind that the responsibilities and qualifications of each role differ.

The template below is optimized to find qualified travel nursing RNs, but you can switch out the certification specifics depending on the needs of your organization. Pair this template with targeted interview questions to help narrow down the best candidates for your facility. You can also check out how other facilities are reaching out to travel nurses on our job board and gain real-time insights into how to make your organization stand out.

Travel Nurse

Tips: Your travel nurse job description should start with one or two paragraphs that highlight your organization’s mission, values, and culture. The travel nurse work environment can vary from facility to facility, so be sure to highlight how your organization will provide a positive workplace culture. Most travel nurses have many locations to choose from — this is your chance to show what sets your organization apart. What makes your facility unique? Take this opportunity to prove that your facility would be a great next destination for an adventurous and dedicated travel nurse.

Next, include specifics about your open travel nurse position. What specialty will they be working in? What particular skills are you looking for? Describe the job duties in detail to give the applicant a clear idea of whether their experience aligns with the role. Since travel nursing involves moving to new places, this is a great place to highlight why your location is appealing, such as any cultural attractions, public transportation, or recreation activities.

Travel Nurse Benefits

Tips: Elaborate on your organization’s benefits and perks to keep your candidates’ attention. Your introduction piqued their interest, so provide additional reasons they might be interested in the role. Be sure to highlight any unique benefits — like assistance with booking housing — that competitors may not provide. When describing your benefits, exercise caution to avoid any misleading language. To be on the safe side, consider asking your human resources team to review the list before posting.

Template:

• Flexible scheduling
• Scrub stipend
• Commuter benefits
• Education reimbursement
• On-site childcare
• Continuing education benefits
• Bonuses associated with the position

Travel Nurse Skills and Responsibilities

Tips: Once you’ve highlighted the benefits, the candidate will likely want to learn more about the job itself. This section of your travel nurse job description is an excellent place to outline what specific tasks a candidate will be responsible for. List the most important duties first and use active verbs and straightforward wording to clearly get your message across.

Template:

• Adapting to new healthcare environments and protocols quickly and seeking clarification from care team as needed
• Monitoring vital signs
• Administering medications, dressing wounds, placing IVs, and operating medical equipment
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary healthcare team, such as doctors, therapists, and social workers
• Maintaining accurate records and notifying medical team of any changes in a patient’s condition
• Communicating effectively with patients, families, and colleagues

Compensation and Shifts

Tips: Mention the pay up front, even if it’s just a range, so you’ll have a better chance of attracting top-notch applicants. It’s better to avoid investing time in interviewing if the compensation isn’t aligned with their expectations. This section is also a good place to emphasize any travel reimbursements, hazard pay, or associated bonuses.

Travel nurse jobs often appeal to individuals who appreciate flexibility, so make sure to include information about scheduling shifts. If your organization offers a degree of flexible scheduling, this could be a major selling point. You can also include information about nurse-to-patient ratios and any other details that would provide a better picture of the workplace environment.

Template:

• Travel nurse pay range: $30-$70/hour
• Overtime, incentive pay, and holiday pay available
• Weekly or bi-weekly pay periods
• Shift preference flexibility (day vs. night)
• Nurse-to-patient ratio between 1:4 and 1:5 (day) and 1:6 (night)

Travel Nurse Qualifications and Skills

Tips: When you list qualifications, it’s important to remember that an applicant may not apply if their skills don’t perfectly align with those in the posting. Be sure to list only the necessary qualifications, including licensing requirements and education. If you have preferred travel nurse job requirements, make sure to list those in a separate, clearly identified section.

Template:

• Adaptability and the ability to learn new procedures quickly
• Excellent communication skills and a caring attitude toward patients
• A team-oriented approach to work, with the ability to follow through on directives
• Skillful task prioritization and delegation
• Physical and mental stamina to perform job duties
• Completion of a state-approved registered nursing certificate program
• Passage of the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN)
• Additional licensing requirements vary by state
• 2 years experience as a registered nurse
• American Heart Association BLS certification
• American Heart Association ACLS certification

Call to Action

Tips: Now that you have a solid foundation for your travel nurse job description, make sure candidates know how to apply. Tell prospective candidates how you’d like them to submit their application: on your company website, as an email, or through a job board. If you require references or supporting documentation, be sure to mention that here.

Template:

Ready to embark on your next nursing adventure? Take the first step today by visiting our website, clicking “apply now,”and submitting your application.

Need Help Finding Qualified Travel Nurses?

It can be an ongoing challenge to fill high-need positions within your facility. Looking for effective places to advertise your travel nurse job description? IntelyCare’s nursing professional-specific job board can help you collect high quality applications with ease.