5 qualities travel nurse staffing agencies look for in nurses

Travel nursing has emerged as a popular career choice for ambitious nurses looking to boost their earning potential and gain exposure to new cultures and progression pathways. It would be a mistake to assume that the industry has crashed since the COVID-19 pandemic, given that the travel nurse industry has grown by 600% in the last few years.

The US is also about to face a nursing shortage, due to an aging workforce and increasing need for healthcare services across the nation, so there is no better time than now to start your travel nursing career with an expert agency. As one of the leading US travel nurse staffing agencies, we have unrivaled experience in supporting your career goals and finding you the most sought-after placements.

However, to secure these lucrative placements, travel nurses need to meet specific expectations from nursing staffing agencies and facilities. Here’s what we, as a travel nurse agency, require from candidates to match them with their ideal roles. Our most successful nurses have followed this blueprint successfully to elevate their careers.

What do travel nurse staffing agencies look for in their candidates? 

As a nursing agency with over forty years of experience, we are best placed to match travel nurses to their dream assignments. However, to be a truly outstanding travel nurse applicant and gain access to your preferred assignments, it’s vital to possess the following five qualities:

All the essential nursing qualifications

The nursing qualifications you need will naturally vary depending on the state and specialty that you practice in. Regardless of their skill set or specialty, travel nurses must ensure their essential certifications are up to date, including:

• Your associate's or bachelor’s degree in nursing
• The license to practice in your chosen state
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)

For specialized roles, additional certifications like Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) can be highly beneficial to your application. If you’re unsure of which certifications you need, check out our helpful certification checklist as part of our travel nurse hiring hit.

Experience working as a nurse - not necessarily as a travel nurse!

As a travel nurse, travel nurse staffing agencies will be looking for proof of your ability to hit the ground running with minimal onboarding.

This means nursing agencies look for at least one to two years of nursing experience when assessing candidates applying to their travel nursing jobs. This ensures that you have enough experience to keep up in the fast-paced environments common in travel nurse jobs.

Evidence of up-to-date health records

This varies by state, so ensure you do your research! TB screening, however, is mandatory for all US nurses pre-placement.

To protect yourself and your patients, it’s vital to ensure that you’re up to date on any required vaccinations for the state you’re practicing in. Check out this comprehensive list from the CDC here. Certain vaccinations are not just recommended; they are mandatory in specific states to ensure public health and safety. These vaccinations include:

• Seasonal influenza vaccinations
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (the MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Varicella
• Meningitis
• Pneumococcal

A well-structured travel nurse resume

You may have all the required experience for the highest-paying and most prestigious positions; however, if you don’t communicate this effectively to your travel nursing agency, you risk being overlooked.

It’s essential to include:

• Your desired schedule
• EMR systems you have worked with
• Your past positions and facilities
• Notable achievements
• Specialties and certifications

It can be complicated and time-consuming to create an unforgettable resume, so we’ve made this simple for travel nurse applicants. Click here to download a complete resume template, created by our expert recruitment team.

Professionalism and positivity

Your certifications and experience unlock the door, but your strong work ethic and compassionate caregiving will take you further. Nurse staffing agencies look for a balance of professionalism and positivity in their nurses to ensure the success of travel assignments – for clients AND their travel clinicians.

When providing nurse staffing services to medical organizations, travel nurse staffing agencies want to ensure they supply hospitals and healthcare facilities with nurses who can smoothly integrate into their teams. Nurses who are considering starting their travel nursing journey should be enthusiastic about new experiences, excited to connect with diverse individuals, and dedicated to delivering their work with professionalism and heartfelt passion for their important role. Demonstrating professionalism and passion for nursing and travel is crucial in your application, during communication with your recruiter, and throughout the interview process.

For more information about how travel nurse staffing agencies can match you with the perfect travel nurse jobs every time - get in touch with our expert nursing agency team.