Want to become a travel nurse but need to know more about it? If you want to combine travel with your nursing career this could be the perfect way to expand your horizons while you work.
Want to become a travel nurse but need to know more about it?
If you want to combine travel with your nursing career this could be the perfect way to expand your horizons while you work.
Let’s dive right in and answer all the questions you may have about this standout way to see all corners of the country – while you get paid!
What is travel nursing?
Travel nursing is all about taking on short-term roles in different parts of Australia.
Unlike permanent positions, travel nursing lets you move between locations and work where you're most needed. These placements usually last a few weeks to a few months and are organised by a nursing agency like us.
For you that means flexibility, variety, and the opportunity to experience a new adventure each time. You also get some awesome experience to boost your skills and career!
Nursing around Australia
It’s what attracted Alliance nurse Rachel Rushe to pack her bags and catch the loooong flight from Ireland. Since landing in Sydney she’s ticked a lot of boxes and worked as a travel nurse all over the country. So far this has included stints in Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Broken Hill, Melbourne, Mooloolaba, the Central and Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Wangaratta.
Phew!
And she’s had a cracker time. “My entire experience and journey have been shaped by the opportunities and relationships I’ve formed with the Alliance Nursing family. If you're considering nursing in regional Australia, it’s a great way to work, travel, and discover hidden gems.”
If you want to listen to Rachel’s experiences you can catch her on our very own podcast, Nursing Down Under.
What types of locations and facilities could I work in?
As a national nursing agency with a focus on regional, rural or remote locations, we can place you in travel nursing jobs across six states.
That means you could experience a large bustling regional city, a smaller country town or an outback bush clinic – where you can make a real difference. We also carefully match your experience and skills to the role and location.
Learn: The difference between regional, rural and remote nursing
If you're still in the early stage of your career, we could get you started in a general ward of a regional hospital. If you are more experienced, you could be eligible for roles in smaller country towns or remote community health posts and primary health care clinics. For rural and remote roles, you will need more experience and to have completed a range of courses.
Tip: Before heading remote, build your confidence in general wards, upskill in emergency care and other specialties, and prepare to work independently.
What types of specialties are in demand?
In terms of specialties, demand varies by location, but we are always placing acute care nurses, correctional health nurses, Emergency Department (ED) nurses, High Dependency Unit (HDU) nurses, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses, mental health and theatre nurses.
How do you become a travel nurse?
There is no special nursing qualification to become a travel nurse, though there are some recommended courses that will help you become eligible for some rural and remote roles.
Otherwise, you’ll need to be a qualified RN, EN, RM, or dual-qualified nurse who is AHPRA registered. You must also have at least two years of clinical experience to apply for travel nursing roles in regional, rural or remote areas.
And because we are a travel nursing agency, we help organise everything and support you throughout the application and during each placement.
What is the pay rate for travel nurses?
Rates for travel nurses vary, depending on your level of experience, the role and location.
It also depends if you are on agency or placement rates. Agency rates mean you are paid by us each week. Placement rates mean you are paid directly by the facility you’re working for. Agency rates tend to be better than placement rates.
You'll know your pay rate upfront – before you accept any role, and we always try to get you the best deal.
Finding a travel nursing agency
Interested?
If you have the experience and skills get in touch. It’s as easy as registering with us to get the ball rolling.
