A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
Travel Nurse Requirements: How to Become a Travel Nurse
If you are a nurse or an aspiring nurse who is open to living or working in different areas on a short-term basis, then pursuing a career path as a travel nurse could be a good option. Rather than working for a single employer for an extended period, travel nurses use nursing staffing agencies to help place them with employers who need them on a contract basis—wherever that may be. Whether you want work in a particular region of the United States, all over the country or all over the world, travel nursing could offer opportunities to do so.
What Is a Travel Nurse?
A travel nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who accepts temporary assignments, typically 13 weeks in length, at hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities. Instead of holding a permanent staff position, travel nurses are placed through nurse staffing agencies, which match them with employers that need short-term clinical support.
Travel nurses perform the same core responsibilities as staff RNs, including assessing patient conditions, administering medications, operating and monitoring medical equipment, and assisting with diagnostic testing.1 The key distinction is that their assignments change: each contract may bring a new facility, a new care team, and a new community.
Travel nurses may work as generalists or in specialized areas. Critical care, cardiovascular, neonatal, and nephrology nursing are just a few of the specialties that travel nurses may bring to facilities with limited local access to those skill sets.
Travel Nurse Requirements at a Glance
Before exploring the steps in detail, here is a summary of the core requirements most employers and staffing agencies look for:
- Nursing degree: An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or, often preferred, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Active RN license: A valid state license, or ideally a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)
- Clinical experience: Typically one to two years of full-time experience in your specialty
- Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) is standard; Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is often required as well
These requirements are discussed in detail in the steps below.
Step 1: Earn a Nursing Degree (ADN or BSN)
The first step toward becoming a travel nurse, like any registered nurse, is completing an accredited nursing program. Qualifying degree options include:
- Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some employers, particularly hospitals, prefer candidates who hold a BSN.1 While an ADN plus RN licensure may qualify you for many travel roles, a BSN is often preferred and may be required for specialized or advanced assignments. Earning a BSN can also widen your range of placement options across settings and specialties.
If you already hold an ADN and an active RN license, an RN-to-BSN program may offer a flexible pathway to a bachelor's degree while you continue working. CTU's online RN-to-BSN program is designed specifically for licensed nurses seeking to build on their existing credentials. For a closer look at what that pathway involves, explore how to earn your BSN after an ADN.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN and Get Licensed
After graduating from an accredited nursing program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and meet all requirements set by the state board of nursing in your state of practice. Licensing requirements vary by state.1
Once licensed, you will hold an active RN license, which is the baseline credential required to work as a travel nurse.
Step 3: Gain Clinical Experience in a Specialty
Most nurse staffing agencies require at least one to two years of recent, full-time clinical experience in the specialty and setting where you want to be placed.2 Some specialized assignments may require more.
This experience requirement exists for practical reasons. Travel nurses are typically expected to step into fast-paced environments with minimal orientation. Facilities hiring on a contract basis generally look for nurses who can adapt quickly and contribute from day one.
This means building a solid foundation in your chosen specialty before pursuing travel assignments is an important part of the process.
Understanding the Nurse Licensure Compact (Multistate Licenses)
One of the logistical realities of travel nursing is licensure across state lines. Non-travel nurses typically need only a license in the state where they practice. Travel nurses may find themselves working in multiple states, which raises the question of how to remain legally authorized to practice.
The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) was established to address this. Nurses who live in a compact state and meet uniform licensure requirements may be eligible to apply for a multistate license through their home state's board of nursing.3 A multistate license allows a nurse to practice in other compact-member states without obtaining a separate license for each.
Because the number of participating compact jurisdictions changes over time, it is best to check the current list at nursecompact.com before making any licensing decisions. For states that are not NLC members, you will need to apply for that state's individual license, although some states offer expedited or temporary licensure options. Contact the state board of nursing directly to understand what options are available.
Travel nurses planning international assignments face additional considerations, including different scopes of practice, visa requirements, and sponsorship issues.
Working With a Travel Nurse Agency
Travel nurses typically find placements through nurse staffing agencies rather than applying directly to facilities. These agencies act as intermediaries, connecting nurses with employers who need temporary clinical coverage.
When working with an agency, you can generally expect to:
- Submit credentials, including your RN license, certifications, and work history
- Discuss specialty preferences and geographic preferences
- Review contract terms, including assignment length, compensation, and housing options
Agencies vary in their specific requirements and the types of assignments they offer. Researching multiple agencies and asking detailed questions about how placements are managed can help you find a partner that aligns with your goals.
Skills Travel Nurses Need
Travel nurses share many of the core qualities associated with registered nurses: critical thinking, communication, compassion, attention to detail, emotional stability, and physical stamina.1 However, certain qualities may be particularly relevant for nurses in travel roles:
- Adaptability: Working in new facilities with different policies, procedures, and electronic health record systems requires flexibility.
- Interpersonal skills: Building rapport quickly with new colleagues and care teams is an ongoing part of the role.
- Resourcefulness: Navigating temporary housing, licensing logistics, and varying work environments calls for practical problem-solving.
- Comfort with uncertainty: Travel nurses operate on contract cycles and may not always know the details of their next assignment in advance.
Developing these qualities, alongside strong clinical skills, can be helpful across a range of assignments and settings.
Travel Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
The BLS does not track travel nurses as a separate occupational category, so employment data for travel nurses specifically is not available from that source. However, registered nurse employment broadly is projected to grow faster than average, driven by an aging population, expanding access to healthcare services, and the ongoing need to fill staffing gaps across healthcare settings.1
Travel nurses may encounter compensation packages that include pay, housing stipends, and other benefits, though specifics vary by agency, assignment, and specialty. For detailed and current compensation information, consulting staffing agencies directly or reviewing current job postings in your specialty may provide the most relevant context.
Nursing Degree Programs at CTU
CTU offers online nursing degree programs for nurses who hold an active, unencumbered RN license:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, and Nursing Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
CTU's RN-to-BSN program is designed to help working nurses advance their education on a flexible, online schedule. If you are considering making the move from an ADN to a BSN, explore how to earn your BSN after an ADN to learn more about what that process may involve at CTU.
Frequently Asked Questions
You generally need a nursing degree (an ADN or, often preferred, a BSN), an active RN license, ideally a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact, and typically one to two years of clinical experience in your specialty. Employers also expect current certifications such as BLS and often ACLS.
Most staffing agencies look for at least one to two years of recent, full-time experience in the specialty and setting where you want to be placed. Some specialized assignments may require more.
Not always. An ADN plus RN licensure can qualify you for many travel roles. However, a BSN is often preferred and may be required for specialized or advanced assignments, and it can widen your options.
Not necessarily. If you hold a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact and your home state participates, you can practice in other compact states. For non-compact states, you will need to apply for that state's license, though some offer expedited or temporary options.
Plan for roughly two to four years to complete your nursing degree, plus time to pass the NCLEX-RN and gain the one to two years of experience most agencies require, often four to six years total from starting school.
Beyond RN licensure, travel nurses typically maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) and often Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), plus any specialty certifications relevant to their assignments.2
Related Articles
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at CTU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (last visited September 14, 2026). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
2 American Nursing Association (ANA), "How to Become a Travel Nurse," https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/nursing-resources/how-to-become-travel-nurse/ (last visited September 14, 2026).
3 National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), Nurse Licensure Compact, "Applying for Licensure," https://www.nursecompact.com/how-it-works/applying-for-licensure.page (last visited September 14, 2026).
CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
REQ2257258 09/2026