travel nursing in australia reddit

Level 1, 27 Scarborough Street Southport QLD 4217

1800 247 677

travel nursing in australia reddit

How to Work as a Travelling Nurse in Australia

What is a travel nurse.

Travel nurses are skilled professionals from various clinical backgrounds and are employed by nursing agencies. They are typically placed in healthcare organisations to fill nursing shortages and work across a variety of environments from urban locations to rural and remote areas. Travel nursing is the ideal working holiday for those interested in a registered nurse job in Australia, as well as a great way to experience unique and exciting destinations and new environments. Registered nurses wondering, "is travel nursing worth it?" - Read on to find out if travel nursing is right for you.

This article will detail everything you need to know about travel nursing, including the many benefits of working as a travel nurse in Australia.

  • What is a travel nurse?
  • What is travel nursing like?
  • How to become a travelling nurse
  • Travel nursing in Australia

A travel nurse is a registered nurse that works in a non-permanent or temporary nursing role to support and assist healthcare organisations facing staffing shortages. On average, work assignments in one specific location are around four to six weeks, however, can range anywhere from two to 26. Travel nursing allows health professionals to merge their patient care skills and their passion for travel to work across the country. Whether you're working in a rural, remote, or coastal location, a travel nurse position provides new opportunities to develop unique skills and experience the beauty of Australia.

What is Travel Nursing Like?

Travel nursing programs are a great way to connect with community members in other states and obtain valuable life experience. Working in different regions can also benefit your career, as you develop skills and knowledge in specialty areas that other nurses do not. Overall, the lives of travel nurses are often fast-paced and exciting with rewarding opportunities for personal and professional development.

How do I become a Travelling Nurse?

If you are interested in becoming a travel nurse, follow this guide from Indeed which outlines the necessary steps to take when pursuing this career path:

Qualification requirements for travel nurses

If you haven't already, obtaining a Bachelor of Nursing degree or its equivalent, is the first step in pursuing a nursing position. During these programs, students learn essential nursing theory and skills they will use throughout their careers. Topics covered in these courses typically include anatomy, mental health, microbiology, pharmacology, public health, and pathophysiology.

Develop Your Skills

To excel in a travel nurse role, you must have a vast skillset that includes both hard and soft skills. Although tertiary nursing programs help to teach theory and develop technical skills required in the nursing industry, soft skills can only be developed through practical experience.

Key soft skills for travel nurses include:

Communication

Travel nurses work with a different variety of people including other nurses, doctors, surgeons, patients, and their family and friends. Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues, as well as patients is essential and involves active listening and clear verbalisation.

Organisation

Like all nursing positions, travel nurses work across many different hospital or facility areas and oversee several patients at once. In addition to this, daily duties of travel nurses can vary as unforeseen obstacles arise. Being organised is a necessary skill to manage day-to-day tasks.

Along with communication, teamwork is an important skill for a travel nurse because they work with many different healthcare professionals. As travel nurses often work in one specific location for a short period of time, having strong relationship-building and teamwork skills are looked upon favourably by employers.

Attention-To-Detail

As nursing involves working with medication and care plans, travel nurses must be detail-oriented to ensure the highest possible standard of patient care.

Adaptability

Travel nurses move around frequently so being able to quickly adapt to new environments is essential. Building relationships with staff nurses in a location and working to understand the needs of each clinical environment can help travel nurses to work more effectively.

NMBA Registration

NMBA is the national board for registered nurses and midwives in Australia and operates as part of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Before beginning work as a travel nurse in Australia, all nurses must register with NMBA.

Gain Experience

A travel nurse position usually requires candidates have a minimum of two years' experience in the nursing sector. If you are new to nursing, undertaking a graduate program can be a great way to kickstart your professional career. As travel nursing involves temporary placements, having a wealth of experience allows travel nurses to work effectively without supervision on a short-term contract.

Focus on Professional Development

Accumulating critical care experience across different facilities helps prepare candidates for work in temporary positions as a travel nurse. Keep a lookout for professional development opportunities outside of your full-time position such as overtime work at a local hospital or healthcare facility.

Research a Nursing Agency

Many staffing agencies specialise in the placement of health professionals and offer contracts for travel nurses across the country. These agencies already have relationships in place with healthcare facilities and can save you time in researching for jobs.

AHP Aged Care , currently have travel nurse contracts available across the nation.

Travel Nursing in Australia

There are a number of benefits to being a travel nurse in Australia including pay advantages, the ability to travel, and the opportunity to expose yourself to new perspectives.

Travel Nurse Salary

Take home a higher pay for your time and commitment as a travel nurse. According to Indeed , the average annual travel nurse salary in Australia is $104,475, however salary expectations can vary depending on a variety of factors such as location, employers, and experience. Most travel nursing contracts also include that accommodation and housing costs are covered.

Experience Unique and Exciting Destinations

Travel nursing gives nurses the ability to work, whilst experiencing unique and exciting destinations. Often times, nursing agencies will cover these travel costs. In your free time, experience all the beauty Australia has to offer whether its swimming at one of our pristine beaches, visiting an iconic landmark, or spending a week exploring your placement destination with travel nursing.

Step Out of your Comfort Zone

As a travel nurse, you will be exposed to many different communities and cultures as you move around Australia. Each location has something new to offer whether it's a rural, remote, or metropolitan location. Temporarily living amongst these different communities and breaking out of your comfort zone can assist in significant growth, personally and professionally.

Interested in a travel nursing career?

AHP can offer you the opportunity to take your nursing career across the country with travel contracts available Australia-wide. If you are passionate about travelling and nursing, and want to:

  • Increase your exposure to other clinical needs in new environments
  • Learn from the best by working amongst other clinicians in a multidisciplinary setting
  • Build your resume by highlighting your flexibility and ability to adapt to new clinical environments
  • Enjoy earning higher rates for your time and commitment
  • Connect with new people, visit new places, and enjoy an all-expenses paid trip around Australia

Consider a working holiday with AHP for an amazing introduction to the travelling nurse space.

If you are a nurse interested in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, contact our head office team on 1800 247 677 to learn more about our available travel contracts.

About AHP Aged Care

At AHP Aged Care , we provide temporary and permanent placements for allied health and nursing services within the aged care industry.

Unlike many recruiters, AHP Aged Care work alongside aged care providers across public and private health sectors, developing positive partnerships and aligning our innovative aged care services with their financial and clinical needs. Our team is composed of recruitment consultants who have spent years in the health and aged care space. Because of this, we fully recognise the challenges faced by the aged care industry and can leverage our knowledge in providing qualified and expert aged care staff that stimulate independence, dignity, comfort, and quality of life for all elderly patients.

Careers for Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, and Assistants in Nursing

Rewarding career opportunities in nursing are available now. Discover your nursing career today with Australian Health Professionals .

travel nursing in australia reddit

Average Physiotherapy Cost In Australia 2024

travel nursing in australia reddit

The In-Demand Need for Psychology Jobs in Australian Health Professionals

travel nursing in australia reddit

The Growing Demand for Occupational Therapy Jobs

travel nursing in australia reddit

Exploring-the-Growing-Field-of-Physiotherapist-Jobs

travel nursing in australia reddit

Benefits of Working as a Rural Nurse

travel nursing in australia reddit

What does a Support Coordinator do?

travel nursing in australia reddit

Top Skills Nursing Students Need to Succeed

travel nursing in australia reddit

What is a Medical Transcriptionist?

travel nursing in australia reddit

Tackling Chronic Pain

travel nursing in australia reddit

JOB SEEKERS

© 2023 AHP. Australian based medical, health information, allied health personnel recruitment and services provider and registered national disability services (“NDIS”) provider operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. For further information about these entities and AHP’s structure, please refer to the  Legal Notices  page of this website. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies Policy  |  Voluntary Modern Slavery and Ethical Sourcing Policy  |  Whistleblower Policy  |  Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Blue Key Marketing Group

travel nursing in australia reddit

Travel Nursing in Australia

Home » Travel Nursing in Australia

Travel nursing in Australia is a great option in international travel nursing if you want to be both adventurous and speaking English.  Nursing in Australia is possible only if you’ve registered through the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency, or AHPRA. Like the US, each Australian state capital has its own office, but there is no exam you have to pass to become a Registered Nurse in Australia. In order to go travel nursing in Australia, you just have to have the proper schooling and experience with verifiable proof of both.

Just hearing back from the AHPRA can take months so if you’re interested in travel nursing in Australia you should start the application right now. You’ll be sent a list of all the necessary documents from your employers and nursing school. Some of these documents include your nurse school transcript where they expect to see that you’ve taken a class in Medication Administration and Pharmacology. They’ll want to see over 800 hours logged in a clinical setting.

The board will also need employment verification from your current employer and your last 5 years of employment. The AHPRA does require letters from your employers that must include information about your employment such as the length of your employment if your employment was part time or full time and it must be on a company letterhead. You will have to sign each and every page of your Resume/CV as well. The AHPRA will want to see all the different state licenses you’ve obtained.

The AHPRA may also ask for details of your clinical time and a letter from your high school to ensure that your education was in English. If you cannot get this letter from your high school you can take the IELTS. Most travel nurses also must take the International English Language Testing System exam, or the IELTS, to prove they can speak English, but US citizens are exempt.

The application fee is $576 AU and the application process usually takes around 7 months. Once you’ve gotten your license, you’re free to look for a job ! Your Australian registration also enables you to apply to be a travel nurse in New Zealand with relative ease. That process is kind of like nursing in one US state and getting a license to work in another state.

You will have to obtain a Visa to work. The varying types of Visas you can apply for depend on your age. If you are under 30 you can successfully apply for a Work-Holiday Visa if you can pass a criminal background check. These Work-Holiday Visas usually last for up to 12 months and the only caveat is that you may not work for the same employer for more than 6 months. Essentially after working at a hospital for 6 months, you have to switch to another hospital for the next 6 months.

If you are over 30 years old you have to apply for a Sponsorship Visa. In order to obtain a Sponsorship Visa, a hospital has to sponsor you and Sponsorship Visas will be valid for up to 4 years. If after 4 years you still want to live and work in Australia you can apply for a permanent residency. The island is sparsely populated so they’re very open to immigration these days.

There are 2 ways travel nurses can go about taking nursing assignments. One is per diem and the other is by taking lengthy contracts. If you work Per Diem you get the flexibility of switching locations much more easily. While contract working does provide stability, those contracts can tie you down to one location for the duration of your visa.

Switching facilities every day is made easier by the fact that the majority of hospitals in Australia still use paper charting. Only a handful of the hospitals situated around universities has electronic health records. But since you don’t have to learn a new computer charting system each time, switches occur much more seamlessly than in the United States as new nurses hardly need a five-minute orientation. Just good luck making out everyone’s handwriting! 😉

Depending on your nursing specialty , travel nursing in Australia offers pay rates that aren’t as high as California, but are relatively close to the pay rates in Florida. If you want to take the next step for travel nursing in Australia, finding an agency is just a google search away and every website is in English.  We’d recommend searching for Healthcare Australia’s Nursing Down Under!

Australia Nursing Council: 683 Murray Street West Perth, 6005 WA, Australia +61-8-9481-2488

http://www.australia-migration.com/page/Nurses_ANC/257

General Information Email:  [email protected]

Overseas Information Email:  [email protected]

PC:  @kaylaahussey

Related Posts:

  • Travel Nursing in New Zealand
  • International Travel Nursing 101
  • Travel Nurse FAQ
  • All Aboard! The Travel Nursing Europe Express!
  • How to Become a Travel Nurse
  • How to Become a Vocational Nurse: Steps, Training,…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Welcome to Travel

Community tours

Welcome to Sydney Thumbnail

Our Packages

travel nursing in australia reddit

Who Are We?

travel nursing in australia reddit

Travel Resources

travel nursing in australia reddit

  • Start Your Adventure

Employment in Australia

How to get a job as a nurse in australia.

travel nursing in australia reddit

Darryl Newby

Posted on 28 september 2020.

travel nursing in australia reddit

Confused about how to get a job as a nurse in Australia? Read on!

Moving abroad is always going to be challenging, especially when you plan to go on a Working Holiday type adventure. The Holiday part is arguably the more appealing part of such a visa, with the Working part being a major point of stress for most travellers. Finding a job in a completely new country can be a daunting task. Especially if you do not have the resources or knowledge to point you in the right direction when you find yourself looking for a job abroad. With that said, we thought it would be helpful to our wonderful nurses out there to share some tips from our travellers on how to get a nursing job while travelling in Australia.

In Australia, most working holiday visa holders are finding it relatively easy to obtain a job within the hospitality/retail sectors or trade services . Despite these being the most common roles you should not be deterred from applying for a more specialized role/industry if you feel you have the skills or qualifications needed to fulfil such a job. Many WHV holders are mid-late 20s and early 30s who already have a degree/qualifications and a few years minimum experience in a specific field.

Here at Welcome to Travel we offer each of our travellers the support, resources and contacts they need to begin their job hunt in Australia. We’ve seen our travel community obtaining jobs in a range of industries all over the country and a few have agreed to share their experiences with us. So without further ado, here are the steps you need to take to find a nursing job while travelling in Australia.

The following tips were shared with us from two wonderful ex-travellers, Gemma Thompson and Ruth Dickinson.

Gemma Thompson

What is your profession? Registered nurse

What is your home country? Northern Ireland

How long have you worked in this profession? I have been nursing for 4 years

Did you need to get any qualifications updated or translated or changed to Australian qualifications standard?

The most difficult part of getting set up to nurse in Australia was getting my AHPRA registration . Which is the regulatory body for registered nurses in Australia (equivalent to the NMC in the UK). It is a long a costly process and took me nearly 8 months in total from applying for AHPRA to getting on the register. For anyone that is planning to come out to Australia to nurse I would recommend applying for AHPRA around 6 months before flying out. Another thing to note is a full medical is required when applying for your visa if you state on your application you are planning to work in a health care setting. There are a small amount of approved visa medical testing centres in the UK and Ireland and it costs approx. £350.

Did you have to pass any new tests/exams? No exams thankfully

How easy did you find getting work in your profession, in Australia ? I wanted to work casual agency shifts to give me the freedom to travel and have time off when i wanted. So I’m not really able to give much advice on finding permanent jobs. I did find it difficult getting nursing work initially. If you are working for a nursing agency sometimes there are not many shifts going in the cities, particularly in the inner suburbs as there is high demand for these shifts. A lot of nurses I met in Melbourne found the same problem. However, there are still loads of job opportunities available. The best thing I did was join the casual pool at one of the private hospitals. They are also always looking for rural and remote nurses.

Who was it that you worked for? I signed up for a few nursing agencies when I arrived to Australia and applied to the casual pool/bank in a few of the private hospitals giving me access to work shifts where and when suited me which was great. When lockdown hit, I managed to get regular agency work COVID-19 screening.

How does the standard wage compare from your profession in your home country? The wage is definitely better than in the UK. You can expect to earn around 40-55 AUD per hour depending on how long you’ve been qualified, where and what shift you are working. There are also enhanced rates for nurses in specialised areas such as ICU, CCU and emergency nursing.

What advice would you give to someone looking to work in your profession, in Australia? Like I said previously, getting set up to nurse is a very long and expensive process and I would highly recommend applying for AHPRA around 6 months before flying out. Be prepared for a lot of hidden costs that I know I wasn’t expecting including solicitors fees for certifying documents, the medical and applying for a working with children’s check when I arrived in Melbourne. I would also recommend getting in contact and signing up with few nursing agencies prior to flying out. A few agencies are I signed up with are Healthcare Australia, Swing Shift Nurses and YNA . It’s really easy to sign up and all these agencies will help you with the AHPRA process before you arrive in Australia. It’s been a great experience and once you get working will easily earn the money back.

Nurse leaving party to travel Australia

Before we jump onto Ruth’s insight we just want to say thank you to medical professionals have unselfishly given so much in this global pandemic.

Whether you’re coming over to work or need a getaway, we have had nurses at all stages of their careers on our award winning tours.

If you’re thinking of coming over to Australia, we’ll send you a discount code and some more helpful tips.

Now back onto some more helpful nursing tips…

Ruth Dickinson

What is your profession? Nursing

What is your Home Country? UK

How long have you worked in this profession?   Worked for 11 years in adult nursing in total but worked in Australia for about 6 months.

Did you need to get any qualifications updated or translated or changed to Australian qualifications standard? For myself, I didn’t need to get any qualifications updated or translated but depending on which country you are from or level of qualification you hold from your home country, this may need translating or converting (Australia has a degree type system for nursing qualification, so if you hold a diploma, as an example, you may need to top up with an extra course to make it an equivalent to the Australian qualification).

Did you have to pass any new tests/exams? For myself I didn’t need to pass any extra tests or exams, but this may be required depending on the qualification you hold and how this translates to the Australian qualification.

How easy did you find getting work in your profession in Australia? Fairly easy as I had to have a letter of an offer of employment as a minimum, or a definite job to arrive to in order to complete my Australian Nursing registration with the Australian Nursing Registration board. I unfortunately arrived at a time when there was a lull in agency work (I arrived in late October) so ease in. Getting agency shifts or contracted work may depend on the time of year that you arrive.

Who was it that you worked for? I worked for an agency called Swing Shift Nurses which is an agency that is based in Melbourne only.

How does the standard wage compare from your profession in your home country? Australia wins certainly in terms of agency.

What advice would you give to someone looking to work in your profession in Australia? 1) Be prepared to move around for work as there may not always be work in one particular area, whether that is geographical area or area of expertise.

2) Be mindful of the time of year that you arrive in Australia, as there are peak seasons for agency and contracted work which may impact on your plans for work and travel . This may be hard to accomplish depending on how quick you get your registration in principle, how much longer you have left to physically land in Australia before your visa runs out etc so be aware that your plans may change due to these factors.

3) Embrace opportunities that are given to you whilst ensuring that you are safe to practice. It’s an interesting place to work and found that there times where people were happy to support, encourage and give advice.

Profession Checklist: are you able to give us a step by step checklist for finding work?

Apply for your Nursing Registration via the AHPRA website. This is where you will find all the information for applying for your registration and what requirements you need.

Ensure all documents are in place (qualifications/translations if appropriate, proof of identification etc)

Have an address that post can be forwarded to (this can be a hostel that you have stayed/staying at or friends house) so that your registration card and details can be posted to you.

Once your application is processed, ensure you have got your registration in principal prior to arriving.

Once you have arrived, ensure you retain documentation of proof of arrival to Australia as you will be given a period of up to about 6 weeks to physically go to the AHPRA offices to present remaining documentation (such as proof of arrival) to complete your registration. Proof of arrival can either be in the form of a stamped passport (which will be needed anyway for identification) or in the form of plane tickets. The documents that you require will be outlined prior to arrival and you must present yourself to the offices of the state that you applied to. As an example, I knew that wanted to start in Melbourne, so my AHPRA application went to the offices for the state of Victoria (in Melbourne city centre) and therefore I had to go to these offices once I landed to finalise my application.

In relation to finding work I searched on google for nursing agencies (although agencies such as Swing Shift Nurses, Geneva or HCA are just a few to look at) and then applied/contacted Swing Shift Nurses through their website in order to gain information and had a phone interview once committed to working for them. If there is a specific Hospital/Hospital group that you know you want to work for, then it would be worth looking online for contact information for their HR to then sort out application processes and gather information in regards to the sort of work they may be able to offer you.

travel nursing in australia reddit

Thank you to both Ruth and Gemma for helping future travelling nurses making it easier to come to Australia. You still may have some questions about visas or how to get set up in Australia, just go to our contact page and we will be more than happy to help.

Share This Post

1 thought on “how to get a job as a nurse in australia”.

travel nursing in australia reddit

Hi madam I’m tariq aziz from Pakistan I want to move as a registered nurse to Australia for a job I have done my bachelor’s and currently doing my job in the public sector in Pakistan with 3 years of experience. can I apply directly from my home country? and is there is any pre-exam? And what will be the total cost of this process? Regards,

travel nursing in australia reddit

Hi sir l am Amare Teferie from Ethiopia l want to move as an assistant nurse to Auestralia for a job l have done by bacheler degree and 10 year experiance.can l apply directly from Ethiopia?

I am interested to do by nursing in auestralia.because best country.

travel nursing in australia reddit

I am a registered nurse (BSc hons) in UK, 30yrs old, working in theatres for the last 6 years. I’m taking a year out in October to go travelling, mainly to Australia. I’m applying for the WHV (I think it’s the the 417) as theve changing rules next year, with not having to partake in the 88 days work. I mainly want to just travel, but have a feeling im going to want to not come home! So I am keen to potentially venture into some work, but just not sure “how easy” this will be? I know I need to get a AHPRA registration and shifts on agency’s can be regional, but after reading the post it seems quite strict such as do I need to let the government know? so just wondering if anyone has done anything similar, or had any advice please? Greatly appreciated

travel nursing in australia reddit

Hi, Im a Registered Nurse in Philippines and currently working now in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, planning to apply in Australia, anyone can help me here to to process and where I can get the agency? And what are those requirements? thank you

Comments are closed.

You Might Like...

travel nursing in australia reddit

What Is A Tour And Why Should You Go On One?

For First Time Solo Travellers Or less-experienced travellers in general, making decisions when trying to plan for the ultimate travel adventure can be incredibly daunting. How to get from one

travel nursing in australia reddit

5 Best Beach View Spots | Melbourne

As a Brit that now lives in Australia, there’s something that makes me feel lucky every summer. EVERY SINGLE SUMMER. It’s not just the fact it’s warm, we know Melbourne

travel nursing in australia reddit

Getting A Marketing or Project Manager Job in Australia

When travellers come over to Australia on a Working Holiday, the main areas they try to find a job in are hospitality, retail or a trade. This is because generally

travel nursing in australia reddit

  • [email protected]
  • (03) 7065 9970
  • 6b 300 King Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
  • 812B, George Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000

Work With Us

Subscribe to our travel newsletter.

How to Become an International Travel Nurse

Gayle Morris, BSN, MSN

NurseJournal.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

  • Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
  • Provide specific, corrective feedback.
  • Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

  • What Is an International Travel Nurse
  • Steps to Become

Choosing a Specialization

  • Credentials

Traveling nurse wearing scrubs and a face mask rides a European commuter train.

Great pay and boundless opportunities are just some reasons why nurses choose travel nursing. The job options are a good fit for nurses who love to travel, discover new places, and want to broaden their skill set.

Travel nurses help temporarily fill shortages. In the U.S., assignments may range from 13-26 weeks, but international assignments are often at least one year.

European countries offer some of the highest-paying jobs. Benefits can include a housing stipend, travel costs, and partially covering food and other living expenses.

Travel nursing jobs within the U.S. are simple to arrange. Travel nursing internationally, however, has a few added prerequisites.

Discover how to become an international travel nurse, types of assignments available, and the required certifications.

How Long to Become: 4-6 years

Degree Required: ADN, BSN, or MSN

Job Outlook: 6% growth, 2021-2031 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

What Is an International Travel Nurse?

There is a global nursing shortage . Countries with shortages need to increase nurse graduates by an average of 8% annually. One out of every eight nurses works in a country where they were not born or trained. This is what international travel nursing looks like.

Travel nursing is available domestically. But you can also choose to travel and work internationally.

Nursing shortages have hit countries across the world and they require medical personnel to fill their needs. This offers travel nurses an opportunity to expand their skills and learn new medical techniques.

Many countries need to fill positions in nursing specialties . Hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient care clinics are just some of the settings in need of international travel nurses.

The most sought-after nurses often have experience in emergency rooms (ERs)/ emergency departments (EDs) as an ER nurse , intensive care, and cardiac care. Nurses with experience as a labor and delivery nurse and in neonatal nurse care are also desirable.

Steps to Becoming an International Travel Nurse

Becoming an international travel nurse is much like working as a domestic travel nurse. However, there may be additional requirements depending on your destination.

A nurse must hold licensure from the state board of nursing , which confers the registered nurse (RN) credential.

Earning this requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). Some states have additional requirements.

To start your journey as an international travel nurse, take the following steps:

Earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.

International travel nursing demands high-level nursing skills in your specialization. This starts with earning a four-year bachelor of science in nursing degree from an accredited school.

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) improves patient care and prepares you for leadership and management positions.

Nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) may enroll in an RN-to-BSN degree bridge program to complete their BSN. If you are entering a BSN program with a bachelor’s in another field, consider accelerated nursing programs .

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers the NCLEX exam . It is a national exam all U.S states accept. The test demonstrates your clinical competency in nursing and decides if your state will issue you a nursing license.

To take the exam, you must hold either an ADN or BSN, which can also help you develop a NCLEX study plan . You are tested on care management, pharmacology, and safety and infection control, among other areas. NCLEX practice questions are available through various study sites.

Gain experience.

To work and travel domestically, the best travel nursing agencies may want you to have at least one year of experience in your specialty. However, international travel nursing positions may require even more experience or nursing certifications . This depends on the country and the facility you’ll work from.

Earn proper credentials.

Domestic travel nursing requires that you have a nursing license in the state where you will be working. For international travel nursing, your destination country may have a longer list of requirements.

This list can include a valid passport, visa to work in the country, and vaccinations needed before traveling . Some facilities may require special certifications. Others may require a language test to demonstrate proficiency before travel.

Find employment.

International travel nurses may work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, or outpatient clinics. While it’s not necessary to work with a travel nursing agency, it can help you look for work, finalize your contract, and move.

Note the length of your contract as you decide on your location. Domestic travel nurses often work 13-26 weeks. International nurses may be offered one- or two-year contracts.

International Travel Nurse Schooling

As you consider your options as a travel nurse, know the educational and skill requirements you may need. Most organizations prefer a BSN degree.

To work internationally, you need an undergraduate degree in nursing from a four-year program, such as an in-person or online BSN program . To apply for a graduate-level program, students often must hold a BSN.

Admission Requirements

Program curriculum, time to complete, skills learned.

Whether choosing to work in a nursing specialization or advancing your career through a graduate program , nursing offers the opportunity to specialize. Nurses graduating from a BSN program can choose to become certified in a specialty, which demonstrates their advanced knowledge.

For example, nurses may choose certification as a rehabilitation nurse , a pain management nurse , or in cardiac care.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can choose to practice as a family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner , acute care nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetis t, and more.

The specialty you choose will help determine your opportunities as an international travel nurse.

International Travel Nurse Credentials

International travel nurses need a nursing license in the U.S. An APRN needs to take the certification exam in their specialty. After these two requirements, you will need a passport, visa, work permit, and any sponsorship for your destination country.

Each country may have its own list of necessary documentation. This can include professional references, birth certificates, immunization records, and proof that you can speak the language.

Certifications

APRNs need certification in their specialty field. For example, those who want to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) must pass the FNP certification exam. This is a valid, reliable demonstration of your competency in the field.

An RN may choose to have certifications that demonstrate advanced knowledge in rehabilitation nursing, pain management, or other specialty areas. Professional associations offer certifications that have specific requirements to maintain the credential.

Nursing requires state licensure that confers the credential of RN on the nursing candidate. To get the license, nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN.

Additional requirements depend on the state, including background and fingerprint checks, or school transcripts. Each state board of nursing has requirements to maintain licensure, including continuing education .

Working as an International Travel Nurse

Nursing gives you a unique opportunity to work and travel the world. The severe global nursing shortage has opened up opportunities for nurses who work in operating and emergency rooms, cardiac and neonatal units, and other specialties.

Countries with the highest salaries for travel nurses are Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United States. However, they also have the highest cost of living. The average salary is $115,020 per year according to ZipRecruiter as of January 2023, or about $2,210 per week.

The simplest way to get into international travel nursing is to sign up with an agency that works with international organizations. They help refine your travel search based on your skills and past work experience.

Consider testing the waters as a travel nurse within the U.S. before exploring long-term contracts overseas.

Another option is working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD, which has international jobs for nurses. The DoD works with you to ensure you have the necessary documentation to work overseas. You can receive job alerts for their international postings.

Beyond documentation, you need skills. Nurses should have communication, conflict resolution, and team player skills. Without a strong command of the local language, it is impossible to be successful.

The following are some common workplace settings for international travel nurses. Note that your specializations and certifications will help determine the positions available to you.

Organizations seek nurses who have specialty skills in the intensive care unit, emergency room, telemetry, or the operating room. These areas require critical thinking for nurses , initiative, and leadership.

Outpatient Care Clinics

In an outpatient setting, nurses must be proficient at triage, assessment, educating patients, starting IVs, and RN case management .

Doctors’ Offices

In a doctor’s office, a nurse needs mastery of communication, assessment, medication administration, wound management, and minor medical procedures.

Becoming an International Travel Nurse: FAQs

Do travel nurses go internationally.

Travel nurses can choose to travel domestically or internationally. To travel and work overseas, you need a license and certification in your specialty, passport, and work visa. You may also need to take a language test to prove proficiency and provide reference letters. While domestic travel assignments can last up to 26 weeks, international ones can last up to two years.

How much do international travel nurses make?

Travel nurses are well paid to offset the stress of living and working away from home. Travel nurse salaries depend on your nursing specialty and country placement. Your compensation package includes an hourly salary, housing stipend, and travel expenses. It may also cover food and other living expenses.

How do I become an international nurse?

The first step is to earn your BSN from an accredited school. After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for a license in your state. Most travel agencies want new nurses to have at least one year of bedside experience. Many recommend two years to gain proficiency in a specialty to practice internationally.

Once accepted by an agency, it can take up to one year to gather the necessary documents required by the country if you do not already have them. This can include a passport, work visa, recommendation letters, and testing in the language. Some countries may also require sponsorship.

Where is the best place to work as an international travel nurse?

International travel nursing is an opportunity to travel overseas while working. The best place depends on your goals. For example, Luxembourg is one of the highest-paying countries, but they also have a high cost of living. Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia do not require learning a new language. The Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and Bolivia can offer a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Learn More About International Travel Nurses

10 Tips for Nurses Interested in International Travel Nursing

10 Tips for Nurses Interested in International Travel Nursing

International travel nursing offers you the chance to globe-trot while getting paid. These 10 tips can help you navigate travel issues that may arise.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Travel nurses can earn more than other RNs. Learn more about travel nurse pay rate, benefits, and tax breaks. Identify the highest-paying states and travel nurse specialities.

Military Nurse Career Overview

Military Nurse Career Overview

Military nurses work in fast-paced environments, caring for enlisted soldiers and their families. Learn about how to become one in the guide below.

Missionary Nurse Career Overview

Missionary Nurse Career Overview

Missionary nurses travel overseas to deliver nursing care and Christian counseling. See how you can become a missionary nurse and learn more about what they do.

Page last reviewed January 23, 2023

travel nursing in australia reddit

  • Working Visa Australia
  • Family Visa Australia
  • Australia Business Visa
  • Working Holiday Visa Australia
  • Australian Tourist Visa
  • Student Visa Australia
  • Why Australia
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Our Legal Consultants

twitter

Ron Ford immigrated with his family to Australia in 2005 to work as a social worker. Following their difficult immigration process, he slowly turned to blogging and creating content about immigration: "…As a family of 5, we struggled to make ends meet. I was working around the clock and Clarissa was working in housekeeping any time she could spare. The move to Australia completely changed our lives, but it cost us a lot of money, time, and tears. Ever since I've wanted to help others on their journeys the way I wished someone had helped us".

twitter

I am a Canadian nursing student (graduating May 2013) interested in working and living in Australia. It has been my goal for several years now to work/live in Australia and I have a few questions. My ideal location to live in Australia would be QLD.

First some background info on myself:

I am a 21 year old nursing student enrolled in a top Canadian University in an accelerated BScN program. The educational prerequisites for the accelerated program was a previous university degree with specific science courses (physiology, statistics, biochemistry, etc). The accelerated program is 2 years and I will be graduating in May 2013 with a Bachelors of Science in nursing, as fully qualified RN (after I take my qualifying exam). I have also have a previously earned bachelor's of science degree in biological science.

My plan has been to work in Canada for 2 years as an RN before working in Australia. However, is it necessary that I have previous work experience in Canada, or would I still be able to be qualified in Australia to work as an RN without it?

Another question is, since I am Canadian, I am able to apply for a 1 year work visa. Would it be easiest to, upon graduation, seek accreditation from the AHPRA then apply for the 1 year working visa? Then I could find an employer to hire (and sponsor me) for a longer term (possibly permanent) visa. I feel that this may be the best option, as I will be able to meet employers face to face and therefore have a better shot at obtaining a job. Would this be an acceptable route to living/working in Australia as a nurse?

Also, there are many companies that assist in (for a fee) relocating foreign nurses to Australia and organizing their visa and work placements. Are these companies a waste of money, or is it manageable to work through acquiring international visas and nursing accreditation on one's own?

Last question: Since my degree is an accelerated one, will this have any bearing on acquiring accreditation in Australia?

Sorry for the wall of text, but if anyone has any insight into how to begin the process of immigrating from Canada to Australia as a nurse please let me know! I visited Australia a couple of years ago, and ever since I have been dreaming of coming back.

Thank you so much.

  • + Add a Comment

stephanie2012

stephanie2012

Is Australia so charming ?

HandsomeLegs

HandsomeLegs

You'll love Australia! I'm a British Nurse and made the move 10 years ago, firstly to Sydney in New South Wales and now to the Gold Coast in Queensland.

I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but the Gold coast gets a brand new tertiary hospital due to open in April 2013 and Queensland Health are about to start a recruitment drive to obtain about (sorry aboot :-) ) 200 Nurses.

If you can get an agency to help with your accreditation, sponsorship visa and recruitment I would recommend it. Try and go for an agency that won't charge a fee, to you (they charge a finders fee to the hospital). The application process can otherwise seem a bit daunting.

Even if you can't find an agency and that ascent to accreditation and sponsorship looks a little steep, go for it. Plenty of people do it on there own. First get your accreditation from AHPRA. Having it under your belt will look very good on a job application. Most hospitals in Australia are very happy to sponsor your visa. It costs them money though so may try and get you into a contract that secures a partnership with a penalty should you not stay. Not good if you end up wanting to leave and work elsewhere. They will also probably insist on you having private health cover because as your sponsors they would otherwise be responsible for all your healthcare if you became sick or injured.

On a work visa, you would of course get that freedom to work wherever your heart might take you but its worth remembering that you won't be able to work anywhere for longer than three months. Depressing if you just found your dream job and made great friends. Perhaps you should look into obtaining Permanent Residency. It's what I have. It lets you live here indefinitely and you can work wherever you like. And oh... your accelerated degree won't be a problem.

This is an amazing country and Queensland is probably the best state. The Gold Coast is a great place to live and the new University Hospital looks like it's going to be a great place to work.

Hope this is a bit of help. Good luck.

Have a look at the website Welcome to the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH)

Tracyadams

In the last 2 years Australian Universities have supplied more graduates than there were positions for graduate nurses in the health system. Therefore it would be better to get experience before applying to work in Australia.

torontoRN

I realize this is over a year since you posted now but if you have questions I'm happy to help. The process is beyond tedious and I am going through it now. Sent my application after over a month of collecting data then once it went through they asked for even more things beyond the initial application form. You could apply for places to relocate you but I don't know of anyone who has done this. There's tons of nursing agencies here who pay well but choose wisely. I can't work here yet because of the stupidly complicated application process & they are still demanding more details from me. But in my experience so far there's jobs to be applied for. Some places like I know the Children's Hospital seem to encourage intl applicants. No idea where you're at now but I HIGHLY recommend having experience beforehand which I think you would have by now. Anyways feel free to message me if you have questions about the application process. If you download the intl application form on the AHPRA website you'll see what I mean & what kinds of things you need. Not fun but it is truly a beautiful place to live & work! I'm here primarily for school (masters) but hope to work soon if they ever let me do so :)

francoisdemers

francoisdemers

Hi, my name is Francois. I am a RN from Quebec and am starting the application process to work in Australia. OMG. This is way more complex then I tough. Could someone help me with the different steps, perharps somebody whOs done it already.

I have a bachelor in Nursing and 1 year of internal med + 6 months of E.R. + 4 months of volunteer medical work in Africa and India.

Thank you for your help!

Silverdragon102

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Starting point would be the AHPRA website

kathe3

Hi ! my boyfriend and I would like help in the process. It's the first time i heard about agencies

abmac

I just came across your post and would love for you to give me some details and advice on travelling in australia... I am graduating in 2018 from a Canadian University and will have my bachelor of Science in Nursing. I aspire to move to Australia as soon as I can. What is the process like and what do I need to do? If you have the time I would love to correspond by email : [email protected]

Hope to hear from you!

dishes

dishes, BSN, RN

3,950 Posts

@abmac Does your nursing school have a study abroad program? If so, do they have placements in Australia that you can participate in? The university of Saskatchewan nursing college has a 5-week clinical experience exchange program with a university in Australia. It seems like a great opportunity to learn about nursing in Australia before making a decision to move there as a nurse.

RN-Sask

For those who have gone through the AHPRA application process, just working on the skills section for my resume. Did you do more general skills such as:

  • Assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for patients according to accepted nursing practice and standards
  • Working in collaboration with a multidisciplinary healthcare team to coordinate the care of patients in an acute care environment

Or more specific skills like:

  • Medication administration via oral, rectal, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous routes
  • Urinary catheter insertion, care, and removal

Thanks for your advice!

Antstone

To come to Australia, it is easy.

Your Registration and English is ok under mutual agreement with your Board.

You can apply directly for job under 457 visa

Go to Australian immigration site, register under 'skill select' on-line for PR, then you can find a job wherever you like.

Working Holiday is an easy way to enter and fish out the best visa for you.

QlD is tropical and good place and lot of opportunities in rural settings

International healthcare jobs

Live the dream of working in the warmer climates of Australia! Healthcare Australia has a range of international healthcare job opportunities in agency, contract, and permanent roles that we can guide you in finding across every state and territory.

Travel and work in Australia’s colourful major cities and stunning regional areas while you enjoy the flexibility to choose when and where you work. We have a dedicated international healthcare team working round the clock to find your dream role (and next adventure) in Australia. We offer assistance to international candidates from various areas of healthcare:

  • Whether you’re looking for casual agency work, contracting or something more permanent, we can help you find a position suited to your needs
  • We can support you throughout the visa process, AHPRA, vaccination requirements, CV building and securing a suitable role
  • Free expert advice with tips and tricks on making the move to Australia
  • Connect with other nurses who are also making the move in our Working Holiday Nurses Down Under Facebook Group
  • Complete your 500 hours in 6 months and your flight will be reimbursed! T&C’s apply*.

Why choose HCA for an international healthcare job?

Free advice.

Connect with us to understand your options better – we’ll guide you for free!

There For You

We’re there for you when you need it! We’re dedicated to matching your time-zone for all consultations.

Free Travel

We offer a free flight to Australia* and can reimburse travel costs for your Travel Nurse contract placements around the country.

Global Outreach

We have global offices in London (servicing the UK, Ireland, Europe, and the Middle East) and Auckland (servicing New Zealand, America, Canada, Hong Kong, and Asia) and have contact centres for our US and Canadian-based applicants.

Experienced Professionals

We’re experts in the industry, with over 49 years of experience in Australian healthcare recruitment.

Perfect Match

We perfectly align you and your future job, so you can rest easy knowing it’s a job you’ll love.

International

There are two essential requirements for nursing abroad in Australia: 

  • Having valid registration with AHPRA (Australia’s Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
  • Holding a visa with full working rights in Australia or have Australian/New Zealand citizenship  

Healthcare Australia is one of the leading nursing recruiting agencies in Australia. It can be quite involved to nurse in Australia, but our International Team is here to guide you through the entire process; from securing your AHPRA registration to assisting in finding the best visa option for your role and career path. As a part of our friendly service to our international applicants, we offer this service completely free of charge!

travel nursing in australia reddit

Travel and work in Australia’s colourful major cities and stunning regional areas while you enjoy the flexibility to choose when and where you work. If you’re a Nurse, Midwife or Healthcare Professional, now is the time to start your adventure with Healthcare Australia (HCA).

travel nursing in australia reddit

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to travel and work as a nurse in australia. is that possible.

If you’d like to work and travel as a nurse, Healthcare Australia will make your dream adventure a reality. We have the support of over 18 national offices dedicated to guiding you through the complete process of working and travelling as a nurse in Australia.

Moving to a new country and travelling across different locations is an exciting opportunity, but for some applicants, it can also be overwhelming. To assist with this, our friendly team can guide you in finding suitable travel and accommodation for your needs. We can also connect you with past applicants who are always happy to share their experiences and tips for travelling around new locations.

When should I apply for AHPRA?

When to start your AHPRA application depends on your travel plans and your individual circumstances. You should allow plenty of time to gather the necessary documentation and also complete the application form. For Nursing, the average application takes approximately  4-5 months  to process and be assessed and approved in principle.

Once your application is approved in principle you will be required to present in person to one of the AHPRA offices in Australia within a certain timeframe to finalise your registration. We often see people misjudging the application timeframes and arriving in Australia without being able to practise. Our international team can guide you through the entire AHPRA application to make sure it perfectly aligns with your travel plans!

I currently hold registration in New Zealand, is the process the same?

If you hold registration in New Zealand, you may be able to apply under the Trans-Tasman agreement rather than applying as an international applicant. The Trans-Tasman process is a much quicker process.

Is there an age limit to work in Australia as a nurse?

While there is no age limit to work as a nurse in Australia or to apply for AHPRA registration. Different Australian visa’s do have different age limit requirements. Some countries are eligible to apply for a working holiday visa up to the age of 35! Connect with our international team to help understand your visa options better.

What fees will I need to pay before I get to Australia?

There are fees involved with getting yourself ready to work in healthcare in Australia including your AHPRA registration, visa costs, vaccinations and travel costs. Reach out to us today so we can best guide you based on your personal circumstances.

I’d like to travel and nurse around Australia – can Healthcare Australia accommodate this?

Yes, we have every part of Australia covered! Healthcare Australia is a national agency with 18 offices across Australia and a dedicated Travel Nurse team . You only need to register with Healthcare Australia once as we can transfer your file and set you up with work wherever you want to go. Our HCA staff can help make sure you satisfy the local state requirements.

I’d really like to travel and nurse in Australia, but I’m traveling by myself and feeling unsure about it all.

Healthcare Australia has helped thousands of nurses travel and work across Australia or find their perfect permanent role. Travelling by yourself can be overwhelming for some nurses but our international team will be with you every step of the way and provide assistance where needed. We can put you in touch with other nurses who have completed their adventure or are in the same stage of their journey as you!  Connect with other nurses on our Working Holiday Nurses Facebook group to share tips, seek advice and get real information from other nurses who are walking the same path.

What is a Regional, Rural and Remote placement?

Working in locations beyond the metro areas can open up great nursing career opportunities and be extremely rewarding, allowing you to experience a different side of the Australian culture. You have the chance to truly make a difference by helping to improve the health and lives of Australians living in rural and remote areas. Above all, as a Remote Area Nurse (RAN) you’ll work with very different cultures and experience a unique lifestyle in some of Australia’s most beautiful and iconic places.

Contracts can vary in length from a few weeks to a few months, learn more about Travel Nurse placements with HCA! Contact our international team to learn more about rural and remote placements during your travels!

Useful links

Registration:  http://www.ahpra.gov.au Taxation Information:  http://www.ato.gov.au Visas and Immigration:  http://www.border.gov.au Australia information:  http://www.australia.com/en

International Blog

4 ways to combat homesickness as a travelling nurse, 5 reason you should live in australia as a nurse, expat interview: what's it like nursing in australia, nursing in australia guide.

Download your FREE guide!

  • Find out where you can work
  • How to get AHPRA Registered and obtain a visa
  • Steps to working in Australia

Get in touch

What can we assist you with, get in touch.

What is 8+10?

Get Free NDIS advice

  • Allied Services (E.g. physiotherapy / occupational therapy)
  • Concierge Services
  • Community Access (socialising, appointments etc)
  • Nursing and complex care
  • Personal Services (E.g. dressing / grooming / getting around etc)
  • Supported Independent Living (SIL)
  • I'm not sure

Get free Home Care advice

  • Home Help (E.g. domestic assistance / meals/ medication support)
  • Nursing& Specialist Care (E.g. nursing /. allied heallth)
  • Family & Respite (E.g. In-home respite/overnight respite)
  • Out & About (E.g. Social outings / transport)
  • Flu Vaccinations
  • Skin Checks
  • Health Checks / Wellbeing Programs
  • In Home - Disability
  • In Home - Aged
  • Community Access
  • Supported Independent Living
  • Specialist Disability Accommodation
  • Youth Residential out of Home Care

Register to receive relevant jobs

By filling in this form, you are providing permission for Healthcare Australia to contact you via email, phone or SMS.

Request Demo

Enter some simple information and get your free demo.

Please complete the form below to apply for this position

  • Recruitment
  • Allied Health
  • NDIS and Disability
  • Corporate health
  • Training your staff
  • A & E, Critical Care & ICU
  • Agency Nurses
  • Clinical Coder
  • Community, Maternal & Child
  • Customer stories
  • Disability services (NDIS)
  • Falls and Balance
  • HCA Rewards
  • Healthcare Australia
  • Human Resources & Recruitment
  • ICU Nursing
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Overseas Applicants
  • Overseas Nurses
  • Permanent Nurses
  • Rural and Remote
  • Stories & news
  • Support Worker Stories
  • Support Workers
  • Work in the UK

travel nursing in australia reddit

Full Time Nurse

Full Time Nurse

By Nurses, For Nurses.

is-travel-nursing-worth-it

Is Travel Nursing Worth It?

Full Time Nurse

This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Read our full disclaimer here . Our opinions are our own.

Additionally, we are proud to not use any AI within our content. Our content is 100%   for nurses, by nurses .

Travel nursing can be an extremely lucrative and rewarding career, but many nurses are asking, is travel nursing worth it ?

My short answer is yes, travel nursing is worth it . However, due to the recent pay caps and internal travel nursing on the rise the full answer is a bit longer, and more complicated. Today I’m going to be exploring whether or not being a travel nurse is worth it, and what the pros and cons are.

My travel nurse journey started just about 2 years ago. And since, I have had no regrets. There have been a lot of new things I have seen, learned, and gotten to experience. However, there are some things that make me think whether or not it’s still worth it today?

Pros of Travel Nursing

Cons of travel nursing, is travel nursing worth it (long answer), why travel nurse.

Travel nursing is becoming increasingly popular among younger nurses, as well as more senior nurses. It is a way for RN’s to make more money, have a more flexible schedule, and theoretically have a better career. While these can be true in some cases, it simply isn’t always the case.

Many people start travel nursing to make more money . Travel nurses can, on average, make around $2,500-5,000 per week, with some of the highest paid specialties reaching over $8,000 per week. This is a significant increase over the standard average nursing salary of $75,000 per year ( source ).

Additionally, travel nurses are typically on 13-week contracts. This means that they have a lot of flexibility between contracts or even when negotiating time off. A lot of nurses will have restrictions on how much vacation time they can take, so this is a big win in a staff nurse’s eyes.

  • Typically A LOT more money
  • Better schedule
  • A lot of flexibility
  • If you don’t like an assignment, you don’t have to go back
  • Meet new people
  • See new processes
  • Potential travel far from your home
  • No/minimal benefits
  • Usually no retirement
  • Usually no Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Put on hard assignments that none of the staff want
  • Potentially given shifts none of the staff want
  • Uncertainty of the next assignment
  • Always working with new/different people

The pros and cons of travel nursing are plentiful. You can easily argue both sides. But, in my experience I think that it is worth it to at least try.

One of the big misconceptions about travel nursing is that you have to “travel”. A lot of assignments are local. This means that you don’t have to travel very far. Although they are close, you probably won’t get to take advantage of some tax savings. But, you’ll still get paid more!

In the end, is travel nursing worth it ? Yes it is worth it for the improved lifestyle and monetary aspects. I recently got to meet up with some fellow classmates from nursing school, and every single one of them was travel nursing. Travel nursing has become a staple in the nurse community and vital for hospitals to operate.

It is crazy to think that none of my friends work regular staff jobs, but at the same time, that’s the way the market is going. Why work a staff job when you can get paid 5x-6x more for the same top?

The biggest reason people say is they have kids or a family. Well, you can easily work a local contract for more money and still see your family just as much or even more than you do now! From a retirement or benefits perspective, it sucks not having the lush hospital benefits we’ve become accustomed to. However, you make way more money , so just pay for them out of pocket.

At the end of the day, I don’t think travel nursing is for everyone. There are definitely good reasons why some people might not want to leave their positions. However, if you are even remotely thinking about attempting to travel nurse, then I would highly recommend trying it out.

Worse comes to worse, you can go right back to your old job or apply for one of the several thousands of other vacant nurse jobs. The best part about being a nurse is that we are in very high demand. So, you have a lot of negotiating power – use it!

If you are thinking about travel nursing and don’t know how to start, I wrote a big guide on How to Start Travel Nursing !

' src=

Striving to help nurses and nursing students succeed.

You might also like

how-much-money-do-travel-nurses-make-travel-nurse-salary

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make

featured-money-sheet

How to Pay and Budget For Nursing School

the-good-nurse-movie-review-by-a-nurse

The Good Nurse Review

13 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Nurse

travel nursing in australia reddit

So, if you have found yourself here, then you must be considering a career as a travel nurse. For starters, having a job as a travel nurse will enable you to see the country and all that it has to offer. This may sound like a dream to some people, but as with any job, you will find pros and cons, and travel nursing is no different. Mapping out the pros and cons of being a travel nurse can be a tedious endeavor, but rest assured I am here to help you out with that feat. If you keep reading below, you will find the top 13 pros and cons of being a travel nurse. This article will surely help you decide if this is the right career choice for you.

TOP CONS OF BEING A TRAVEL NURSE

1. you will always find yourself in an unfamiliar environment., 2. you will always be the new guy., 3. varying pay rates, 4. what do you do when your contract has ended, 5. not the best work assignments, 6. license issues, 7. floating, 8. your contract can be canceled., 9. you may not have your dream schedule., 10. you may become homesick., 11. where are you going to live, 12. your taxes could be a nightmare., 13. you may not have paid time off., top pros of being a travel nurse, 1. great pay., 2. you will have a tax-free living stipend., 3. you get the chance to travel., 4. you will make new friends., 5. you can avoid all the politics at work., 6. you will gain experience., 7. flexibility, 8. you can try before you dive all in., 9. travel nursing can be a networking event., 10. you can choose your adventure., 11. you will learn life skills., 12. job security, 13. reimbursement, the bottomline.

travel nursing in australia reddit

CareerStaff Unlimited

Home Clinician Life Blog Travel Nursing Is Travel Nursing Worth It? 8 Reasons to Chart Your Adventure

Travel Nursing

Is Travel Nursing Worth It? 8 Reasons to Chart Your Adventure

January 11, 2024 — 5 min read

Last Updated on April 19, 2024

level up in the new year with a new job that’s worth it: chart your adventure with travel nursing

Chart your adventure and level up in the new year! As we enter 2024, everyone’s starting to ask the same question: Is travel nursing worth it? Spoiler alert: It is!

Imagine a career in healthcare where you could explore parts of the country you never thought you’d see — where you could make your days off feel like a vacation, put more money into savings, open career opportunities, and choose your schedule. It’s all possible with traveling nurse jobs!  

Discover the biggest opportunities to level up your nursing career, and reasons to chart your adventure as a travel nurse.

How Do Traveling Nurse Jobs Work?

First things first: How do travel nurse jobs work? Travel nurses take on short-term assignments in various healthcare facilities across the country. These assignments typically last around 8 to 13 weeks, offering flexibility and the chance to explore different locations.

Once the contract is over, nurses can take a break in between, travel to their next assignment, and start working in a fresh, new environment.

Pro Tip: Many travel nurses work with agencies to help them level up with assignments at top facilities across the country, explore dream destinations, and more!

Level Up: 8 Reasons Why Travel Nursing is Worth It in 2024

Now, is travel nursing worth it, still ? Even as the market begins to stabilize, there are still several opportunities and reasons to seek out traveling nurse jobs in 2024:

You can’t answer the question, “Is travel nursing worth it?” without talking about pay. Travel nurses get paid more than the traditional nursing crew. On average, travel nurses pull in around $2,122 a week. This averages out to $8,211/month or $115,969/year, according to Indeed.com as of December 2023. However, some CareerStaff travel nurses make up to $3,000* weekly! Of course, salaries vary depending on the location of your assignment, travel stipends, and more.

One of the greatest benefits of traveling nurse jobs is the bonuses . Many assignments and agencies offer incentives, tax-free stipends, quick start, and holiday bonuses! This can significantly increase your take-home pay and quality of life as a nurse.

Decreased Burnout & Increased Flexibility

Feeling burnt-out? Traveling nurse jobs open up opportunities to level up your work-life balance , lifestyle freedom, and scheduling flexibility. You can take longer breaks between assignments — maybe even a few weeks off. You decide! Travel nurses can pick when they want to work when working out the contract, too.

Of course, the flexibility of traveling nurse jobs goes beyond time-off and scheduling. It’s also about where you work. You can choose assignments based on weather, personal interests, travel destination goals, or even locations near friends and family across the country. It’s your career on your terms.

New Career Opportunities & Resume-Building Experiences

For many travel nurses, it’s not just about the money. Traveling nurse jobs open doors to new career paths. As you work in different places with different people, you gain different skills , experiences, and knowledge.

The diverse experiences you gain with travel nursing are worth gold to your resume. Employers love seeing that you can thrive in various environments and adapt alongside their teams, making you a standout candidate.

New Connections in Your Career

Travel nurses have the unique opportunity to make friends and build a network across the country. Connect with new people and discover opportunities — it’s a whole world beyond your standard nursing routine.

Building a network in the healthcare industry can create future opportunities, too. Your fellow travel nurses might become lifelong friends or even valuable professional contacts.

Opportunity to Travel

Ready for the fun part? With travel nursing, your days off can turn into mini-vacations at locations worth exploring!

Explore vibrant areas like New York and Pennsylvania with endless things to do, see, and eat. Or, enjoy the great outdoors the best warm-weather destinations for travel nurses. The options are endless! Not many jobs let you travel while you work, in and outside of healthcare.

Traveling nurse jobs allow you to experience the rich culture of the U.S. Every state and even city is filled with unique cultures and subcultures. From bustling cities to serene landscapes, your assignments become more than just work — they become unforgettable adventures.

Variety of Lifestyle

Every assignment brings something new for travel nurses: A new specialty, a new workplace, and a new home to explore. Say goodbye to routine boredom. It’s a lifestyle that keeps both work and life interesting. The variety and flexibility that come with traveling nurse jobs can help reduce burnout and keep your day-to-day interesting.

Personal Growth

For travel nurses, what you learn on the job goes beyond work. Adaptability, independence, cultural skills — it’s not just professional growth. You can become a more confident person, too. The challenges you overcome and the skills you develop make you more resilient, adaptable, and self-assured.

Travel nurses can also gain cultural competence as they build relationships with patients and colleagues across the U.S.

Travel Nurse Agencies Take Care of Everything for You

Let’s talk logistics. Moving can be stressful, right? Not as much for travel nurses. Agencies like CareerStaff handle it all — finding the positions, stipends, and negotiations, making travel nursing all the more worth it. They take the stress out of some of the most daunting parts of relocating.

How to Find Traveling Nurse Jobs

So, is travel nursing worth it? Yes! With more money, flexibility, career options, travel perks, and personal growth, it’s still one of the most exciting nursing opportunities in 2024. If you’re thinking of level up in your nursing career now, travel nursing jobs might just be the adventure you’re looking for.

Ready to chart your adventure with travel nursing? Search available travel nurse jobs , or Quick Apply below to get connected with a CareerStaff recruiter today!

Chart Your Adventure Now: Travel Nurse Jobs

Related Articles

travel nurse in blue scrubs putting money in white piggy bank to save

How to Save Money as a Travel Nurse: 10 Budget-Friendly Tips

off duty male travel nursing professional arms open overlooking water in destination state

7 Best Travel Nursing Destinations: Warm Weather States

off-duty women travel nursing friends in casual attire smiling in car and holding cellphone taking selfie

Travel Nursing with a Friend: 8 Tips for Nurse Besties

© 2024 CareerStaff Unlimited. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Exercise Your Privacy Rights

IMAGES

  1. The Wild World Of Remote Nursing Outback Australia

    travel nursing in australia reddit

  2. All You Need to Know about Travel Nursing

    travel nursing in australia reddit

  3. How to Get Started In a Career As A Travel Nurse

    travel nursing in australia reddit

  4. The Land Down Under: Travel Nursing in Australia

    travel nursing in australia reddit

  5. [INFOGRAPHIC] Are You Up for the Travel Nursing...

    travel nursing in australia reddit

  6. Travel Nursing: Explore Places with Purpose

    travel nursing in australia reddit

VIDEO

  1. Nursing in Australia

  2. Australia calling Nurses and care assistants

COMMENTS

  1. Is anyone here a travelling nurse in Australia? : r/nursing

    I saw a lot of job ads recently for short-term contract Remote Area Nurses. Free accommodation and relocation expenses, and the pay was something like $75 - $95/hour. Requires at least a few years experience, maybe some specialisation. I am a travel nurse in Australia. Usually they're called "agency" nurses.

  2. A guide for US Nurses travelling to Australia

    Australia is a hot-spot for internationally qualified Nurses and offers a collaborative team environment and culture that extends from the city areas to the outback. There are excellent support systems in place from region-to-region within the units and wards ranging from first-class clinical talent to professional development.

  3. How to Work as a Travelling Nurse in Australia

    A travel nurse is a registered nurse that works in a non-permanent or temporary nursing role to support and assist healthcare organisations facing staffing shortages. On average, work assignments in one specific location are around four to six weeks, however, can range anywhere from two to 26. Travel nursing allows health professionals to merge ...

  4. As expected these rate adjustments are only downwards

    The Real Housewives of Atlanta; The Bachelor; Sister Wives; 90 Day Fiance; Wife Swap; The Amazing Race Australia; Married at First Sight; The Real Housewives of Dallas

  5. Travel Nursing Opportunities in Australia

    If you want to take the next step for travel nursing in Australia, finding an agency is just a google search away and every website is in English. We'd recommend searching for Healthcare Australia's Nursing Down Under! Australia Nursing Council: 683 Murray Street West Perth, 6005 WA, Australia +61-8-9481-2488

  6. How To Get A Job As A Nurse in Australia

    Once your application is processed, ensure you have got your registration in principal prior to arriving. Once you have arrived, ensure you retain documentation of proof of arrival to Australia as you will be given a period of up to about 6 weeks to physically go to the AHPRA offices to present remaining documentation (such as proof of arrival ...

  7. How To Become An International Travel Nurse

    International travel nurses need a nursing license in the U.S. An APRN needs to take the certification exam in their specialty. After these two requirements, you will need a passport, visa, work permit, and any sponsorship for your destination country. Each country may have its own list of necessary documentation.

  8. Moving to Australia as a Nurse

    Healthcare workers are valued no matter where they are in the world, especially in Australia. The country is among the top 10 highest paying nations for nurses. So, rest assured that you'll be able to live a comfortable lifestyle while pursuing your passion. If you want to live and work in Australia as a nurse, we've got some great news for ...

  9. Canadian Nurse Interested in Australia

    World Immigration. Hello, I am a Canadian nursing student (graduating May 2013) interested in working and living in Australia. It has been my goal for several years now to work/live in Australia and I have a few questions. My ideal location to live in Australia would be QLD. First some background info on myself: I am a 21 year old nursing ...

  10. International Healthcare Jobs In Australia

    International healthcare jobs. Live the dream of working in the warmer climates of Australia! Healthcare Australia has a range of international healthcare job opportunities in agency, contract, and permanent roles that we can guide you in finding across every state and territory. Apply now.

  11. Travel nurse salary in Australia

    Top companies for Travel Nurses in Australia. Healthcare Australia. 3.8. 169 reviews 6 salaries reported. $54.40 per hour. Australian Health Professionals. 3.8. 9 reviews 6 salaries reported. $49.81 per hour. Calvary. 3.4. 116 reviews 6 salaries reported. $34.88 per hour. Is this useful? Maybe.

  12. Is Travel Nursing Worth It? (Pros & Cons)

    My short answer is yes, travel nursing is worth it. However, due to the recent pay caps and internal travel nursing on the rise the full answer is a bit longer, and more complicated. Today I'm going to be exploring whether or not being a travel nurse is worth it, and what the pros and cons are. My travel nurse journey started just about 2 ...

  13. 13 Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Nurse

    1. You will always find yourself in an unfamiliar environment. As a travel nurse, you will always be taking on contracts in unfamiliar environments. You will have to learn the ropes wherever you go. This means in your work environment, you will always be learning their policies and procedures and where things are.

  14. Travel Nurse Jobs in All Australia

    Melbourne VIC. $60 - $140 p/hr. Nursing - General Medical & Surgical. (Healthcare & Medical) Earn between $60 - $140 p/hr. Explore scenic locations across Victoria and Tasmania. Free travel and accommodation - we plan everything for you. Grow your nursing skills in a remote aged care environment's across Victoria and Tasmania. Save.

  15. Is Travel Nursing Worth It? 8 Reasons to Chart Your Adventure

    On average, travel nurses pull in around $2,122 a week. This averages out to $8,211/month or $115,969/year, according to Indeed.com as of December 2023. However, some CareerStaff travel nurses make up to $3,000* weekly! Of course, salaries vary depending on the location of your assignment, travel stipends, and more.

  16. Any OR travel nurses in California? : r/TravelNursing

    Related Nursing Health science Applied science Natural science Science forward back r/Atlanta Official Subreddit for all things in and about Atlanta, Georgia, USA and the surrounding metropolitan area.