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How to Become a Travel Nurse in Canada

February 17, 2023

The travel nursing industry is growing yearly, and it's a great way to gain experience in your field. Not only do you get to see new places, but you also meet new people along the way who share your interests.

Travel nursing is a great opportunity for nurses and other healthcare professionals to work in different places and experience new cultures. This can be especially helpful if you're thinking of relocating or getting away from negative situations.

Canada has a reputation as a leader in healthcare innovation, so it's no surprise that many travel nurses are interested in working there.

What is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse that travels from one facility to another for work. Although the occupation of a travel nurse is not new, its popularity has increased in recent years due to the growing need for qualified nurses and reduced funding for healthcare facilities.

Being called a travel nurse is not just a nickname; being able to fly from place to place is one of their most important job requirements!

What Do Travel Nurses do?

Travel nursing is an exciting career that allows you to work in different healthcare facilities and communities across the country for a period of time. You’ll be part of a team that assists patients with their medical needs, from providing care at hospitals to performing home visits.

Travel nurses are responsible for their own expenses during travel such as transportation and housing, but they also receive an hourly wage while on assignment.

The wages can vary depending on what region they’re employed in, so it's important to research this information before starting your travel nursing career.

How do you become a travel nurse in Canada?

If you're considering travel nursing as a way to earn extra income, it's important to understand the job market and the types of travel nurses available. The Canadian healthcare industry is growing rapidly and there are many opportunities for those who want to become a nurse with benefits.

Travel nurses can work in many different areas of Canada, including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. According to nurseavenue.com (2021), "Most Canadian travel nursing assignments require that you have a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from an accredited North American college or university. Travel nurses must obtain a license for the province in which they plan to work, which means passing an exam and paying the required fee.

Read More: What Are The Steps For Getting Into Nursing School In Canada?

How much do travel nurses make in Canada?

The salary you earn as a travel nurse varies depending on where you are, but it can be higher than what local nurses make. The career outlook is good and the work environment is rewarding in itself. How Can International Nurses Become A RN Or PRN In Ontario?

Travel nurses in Canada earn a higher salary than their counterparts in the United States. According to travel.com (2023), the average travel nurse's salary in Canada is $105,404 per year or $54.05 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $81,715 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $133,508 per year. Highest Paying Cities For Nurses In Canada

The amount depends on your location and experience level:

Is travel nursing hard?

Travel nursing is challenging and exciting. You'll travel across the country or around the world while taking care of patients' healthcare needs. Along with that challenge comes a reward: travel nurses often make six figures in their first year on the job!

Travel nursing is a great way to see the world, earn good money, and meet new people. This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in travel nursing. It's also a great opportunity for people who want to work in Canada. But if you don't like either of those things, then this isn't going to be the best fit for you. Additionally, if you don't have the right personality, you may want to look into other careers.

travel nursing

How many hours do travel nurses work a day?

Travel nurses work 24-hour shifts, but the length of their shifts varies depending on the hospital and location.

40 hours per week are commonly worked by travel nurses in one of the following shift patterns:

Travel nurses are typically on call during their time off but not always; so it's important to ask your recruiter what you can expect before accepting or declining any job offers. This can help ensure that you're not surprised by unexpected requirements during your travels! Keep in mind that hours and shifts will constantly vary based on the policies of their employer because travel nurses will work at multiple different hospitals throughout the course of their careers. Travel nurses need to be adaptable and willing to adjust.

Land your first travel nurse job today.

Send your resume to as many agencies as possible

This may seem obvious, but it's important to remember that there are many more travel nursing agencies than there are jobs, so be sure to send out your resume and cover letter in such a way that doesn't cost any money (email is free). You will have a better chance of getting a job if you apply for more positions at once, rather than waiting around for one specific position. A diligent traveller can send out 10 applications per day!

Be patient; it takes time to get a job

You're going to have to wait a while before you hear back from any of the companies who have accepted your application—and even longer before you land an assignment! Most travel nurses say that it takes several months before they receive their first assignment offer from an agency or hospital; however, this does not mean that all hope is lost if things don't work out right away—the average length of time between submitting an application and being hired is three months! So relax and keep sending those resumes until something happens! You'll eventually find success if you keep working hard enough (and long enough).

Be flexible with regard to assignments' start dates If possible

Especially early on in your career as a travel nurse, be willing to accept short-term assignments anywhere in the world! This will help expand everyone's horizons while simultaneously improving our understanding of other cultures through direct interactions with foreign nationals whose perspectives might differ greatly from ours here at home...And who knows? An assignment could turn into something much longer-lasting than expected!

If you’re looking to become a travel nurse, the first step is to fill out our free application. We have hundreds of jobs available across Canada and are always looking for new and experienced nurses who want to work on the go. If this sounds like you, then go ahead and get started!

Read More:

What Is A Registered Nurse (RN)?

Work Opportunities For PSWs And Nurses In Ontario

How To Write An Ideal Resume For Registered Nurse Jobs

RPN Vs. RN - What Are The Differences?

Nurse Practitioners In Canada

About The Author
Denson Natividad
Sales & Marketing Assistant

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