A Brief History of Healthcare Travel
Twenty years ago, hospitals were experiencing a shortage in qualified nurses, especially in states with population fluctuations such as Arizona, California, Florida and Texas. Nursing agencies, adept at filling vacancies on short notice, hit on the solution of hiring professionals willing to travel anywhere in the country in order to fill a temp assignment. Travel nursing was born. Today, it has grown into an integral part of alleviating year-round nurse and allied health professional shortages which continue into the 21st century.
How Traveling With First Assist Works
First Assist's client facilities are located across the nation. When a need arises, we consult our database of nurses or allied health professionals to match traveler to position. We also post these needs on our website so healthcare professionals who may not yet be in our database can apply.
After we have spoken with the traveler, and upon their agreement, we then provide all details of the assignment including dates, location, facility type, duties and travel and housing arrangements. We make the housing arrangements based on the traveler's requests. First Assist reimburses the traveler up to $400 per assignment for gas or airline tickets used to get to the job location. Arriving at the assignment location, the traveler settles into their free private home and reports for work at the specified time.
Assignments usually last 13 weeks. That's over three months to enjoy seasonal and other events, local cuisine, shopping and sports from surfing to skiing to hiking - or just enjoy the scenery of someplace different. At the end of that time, the traveler sometimes has the option to extend the assignment, go permanent or simply update their resume and move on to the next adventure in another location.
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For Beginners... Or Experienced Road Warriors
If you're not a traveler but would like to be, we can start you out with a hometown “travel” assignment which includes a housing stipend. If you’re ready to jump in with both feet, we'll send you packing (literally!) to the state or region of your choosing.
Something New
Travelers usually must have 1-2 years of experience in a given specialty to qualify. Your first assignment will most likely be in the same type of unit - medical-surgical, critical care, telemetry or other - as you currently work in. As your clinical skills build, future assignments can lead to other units.
Travelers can opt to sample various types of facilities - teaching, private, small or large. It is also possible to opt out of specific facilities by letting your First Assist Recruiter know what "will not work" for you. The choice is yours to try something completely different or stay within familiar bounds.
Perks
Personal
- Experience the diverse cultures within the US from rural to big city
- Free housing and utilities in pet-friendly environments
- Travel with a friend or spouse
- Expand your circle of friends
- Sample a city you've thought of moving to before making a commitment
Professional
- Experience a variety of healthcare facilities and units
- Acquire new competencies, knowledge and skills
- Expand your professional network
- Earn above average wages
- Earn benefits that include insurance and retirement savings plans
Think you're ready to travel with First Assist? Take a moment and browse current travel opportunities offered by our branches to find a travel position that's right for you - and let the journey begin!
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