Are you a CNA wanting to see the world? Travel CNA jobs are a great way to travel and enjoy the outdoors. These jobs enable you to find work in a range of different medical facilities and also to explore and visit different cities and towns. Travel CNA jobs pay well and come with housing stipends as well as flexible schedules. Also, work experience with diverse patient populations is invaluable.
Travel CNA jobs can transform your career, whether you’re a seasoned CNA or newly certified. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find the best jobs, cities, and benefits available to you in this satisfying role.
What Are Travel CNA Jobs?
Travel CNA jobs are temporary CNA jobs that enable you to work anywhere in the US as a certified nursing assistant. Assignments vary in length, usually from 8 to 26 weeks. In need of healthcare facilities like travel CNA jobs to help them fill their vacancies. Hospitals, nursing homes, and urgent care centers are common places to find employment. The patient care you’ll provide is the same as if you were a permanent staff member.
The only difference is flexibility. You get to decide when and where you work. The support is incredible from many agencies throughout the duration of your assignment. This coverage will also help with some reimbursement for travel expenses and licensing fees that you may have reimbursed.
Why Choose Travel Positions for CNAs?
Travel positions for CNAs offer many career benefits. First, you’ll get paid more per hour than in a permanent job. A number of agencies also offer tax-free stipends for housing and food.
Second, you’ll learn a wide variety of clinical skills. At the same time, you work in different facilities, you work under different protocols and different technologies. This experience makes you more marketable and confident.
Third, travel CNA jobs allow for flexibility like no other. You set your own schedule between assignments. Take a break and rest up, or get a full tour of your current city.
Top Benefits of Travel CNA Jobs
Financial Rewards and Compensation
Travel CNA jobs often pay 25-30% higher than the permanent ones. As of 2023, the median earnings of CNAs were $35,760 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Traveling CNAs, however, routinely top $45,000 a year.
Completion bonuses of $500 to $2,000 are being offered by many agencies. You will also be given weekly housing stipends of about $1,000-$1,500. These tax-free allowances will help increase your take-home cash.
Healthcare benefits generally start right away. Most offer medical, dental, and vision coverage. 401(k) matching programs are available even for long-term travelers.
Professional Development Opportunities
Every job adds exponential pressure to your resume. You will have the chance to work with a variety of patients and diseases. This exposure builds critical thinking and flexibility of mind.
You often have the opportunity to network when you travel for work as a CNA. You’ll get to meet healthcare providers from all over the country. They can also pave the way for permanent positions or references.
Numerous agencies provide free continuing education courses. These certifications make your skills fresh and marketable. You will be informed about new medical procedures and new technology in healthcare.
Lifestyle and Personal Growth
Travel CNA jobs will change your life entirely. You’ll be exposed to culture, food, and people you’ve never seen before. It is a vacation with a purpose.”
You can stop over between assignments to see local sites. For example, if you are working in the Middle East right now, during your time off, visit the Best Places to Visit in Dubai: Top Attractions Travel Guide. Being ahead of the game allows you to take full advantage of traveling.
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Best Locations for Travel CNA Jobs
High-Demand States and Cities
California is always the highest-paying state for travel CNA jobs. The high population in the state and the large number of hospitals keep jobs coming. Places such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are great.
Texas adds another profitable market. The largest medical center in the world is in Houston. The health care sectors in Austin and Dallas are booming as well, with wages that rival (and sometimes exceed) what can be found in Houston.
Many traveling CNAs flock to Florida because of the climate and because of the high retiree population. Miami, Tampa, and Orlando have full-time, temp, and traveling needs. The Sunshine State has a work-life balance like nowhere else.
Seasonal Opportunities
Traveling CNA jobs have a seasonal fluctuation in some areas. Arizona and New Mexico have growing popularity in the winter. Retirees heading south swell the numbers of patients in area hospitals.
There are summer positions in Alaska with pay rates that include premiums. The Remote Access Camp allows you to have unique experiences and adventures at both ends of the access spectrum. While you make some extra cash in Alaska’s last frontier!
New England states also have a demand for traveling CNAs during the fall/winter. Vermont offers a smile in every mile; breathtaking scenery in Maine; six ski resorts and a taste of real village life in New Hampshire. Ski resorts and other seasonal tourist attractions fuel the demand for healthcare staffing.
Essential Items for Traveling CNAs
Practical Travel Gear
Buying the best travel stroller makes sense if you have kids and like to travel. Small types can be easily accommodated in your car or home. The top travel stroller picks fold quickly and roll through airports with ease.
Many CNAs travel with their families on assignments. The best travel stroller is a must-have for navigating new cities together. Choose sturdy, lightweight ones that provide plenty of room to store.
Golf travel bags protect your clubs during relocation. Plenty of CNAs enjoy playing golf in their off hours. Reliable golf travel bags will deliver your equipment safely and securely to every destination.
If you move regularly, invest in a hardshell golf travel bag. Wheeled golf travel bags also allow you to breeze through the airport with ease.
Thoughtful Items and Gifts
Think about gifts for travelers when you are celebrating coworkers or family members. Useful items such as packing cubes, portable chargers, and travel journals are great. These gifts for travelers prove you know what they really do.
Compression socks are great gifts for healthcare travelers. They help circulation on long travels and shifts. A good luggage tag and a passport holder also make nice gifts for travelers.
How to Start Your Travel CNA Career
Requirements and Qualifications
You must have a current and active CNA certification in your home state. The majority of agencies require that you have a minimum of one year of clinical experience within the past year. This base makes sure you can roll into anything.
Apply for a multistate compact license if you can. This credential permits you to practice in multiple states without obtaining an additional license. At the moment, 36 states are joined to the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Do a background check and drug test. Such standard requirements are in place for the protection of patients and the facilities. Stay up to date on your certifications, including CPR and Basic Life Support.
Finding Reputable Agencies
Research agencies thoroughly before committing. The American Staffing Association is a seal of approval for trustworthy companies. Read reviews from other CNAs who travel about their experience.
Consider the total package. Consider the total package, not just the hourly rate, including the housing stipend and benefits. Certain agencies pay significantly more but with fewer perks.
Inquire about aid services. Well-established agencies also offer round-the-clock telephone and on-site support. They need to take care of licensing, credentialing, and housing arrangements seamlessly.
Interview and Placement Process
Most agencies hold phone or video interviews to start. They are going to evaluate your skills, what you like, and when you can work. Be truthful about how comfortable you are with these different patient groups.
Talk about your preferences and dealbreakers regarding locations early on. Some CNAs have a preference for warmer climates, while others like to experience all four seasons. The agencies strive to align what you want with what they have.
Read contracts carefully before signing them. Know your cancellation policies, your expectations for overtime, and how you can extend. Feel free to haggle over the things that are important to you.
Maximize Travel CNA Experience
Building a Successful Career
Document everything you are assigned to and learn. Have a professional portfolio that reflects the variety of your experiences. This log is essential when applying for permanent jobs afterward.
Ask for assignments that will challenge you to grow. Volunteering for challenging shifts can also create a positive perception of you as dependable and skilled. Supervisors tend to write better recommendations for proactive team members.
Try to focus on areas where demand is strong. Skilled CNAs are in high demand in many places, including intensive care units, emergency rooms, and nursing homes. Specializing makes you more marketable, and you can charge higher rates.
Work-Life Balance Strategies
Make a separation of work and personal time. Travel CNA jobs are hard work, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Plan frequent breaks to avoid burnout.
Find other traveling healthcare professionals. Many cities have Facebook groups for travel nurses and CNAs. These communities offer friendship, advice, and local recommendations.
Get to know your assignment location inside and out.
Go to museums, restaurants, and nature spots on your days off. Make memories that make your hard-earned career as a traveling working mom worthwhile.
FAQs
1. How Long Do You Need to Work As A CNA For Travel Jobs?
Most agencies require a minimum of 1 year of recent acute care experience. This base allows you to get up to speed at any facility. Some agencies will take 6 months if you have specialized skills.
2. Are travel CNAs eligible for healthcare coverage?
Yes, trusted companies sell full-coverage health insurance. Coverage will normally start on your first day of work. Medical, Dental, and Vision plans are included.
3. Can you bring family on Travel CNA assignments?
Yes, Many CNAs travel with spouses and children. More often than not, your agency will also let you bring your family, but with a small fee. Plan assignment locations and timing with school schedules in mind.
4. What do They Do when They’re Not Actually Travel CNAs?
You are in full control of your schedule. Some CNAs take weeks off between contracts. Some others you know, they just get right on and keep working for income constantly. When your assignment ends, housing stipends generally stop.
5. Are Travel positions for CNAs good for New graduates?
No. Many places require little training and experienced CNAs (a minimum of 6 months is needed). Get some good experience, then go travel. This method assures success and self-confidence in unknown situations.
Conclusion
Travel CNA jobs provide incredible opportunities to see the world and advance your career. Enjoy competitive pay as you explore varied destinations across the United States. These roles also offer career development through diverse clinical experience and challenges. This flexibility allows you to design a lifestyle that matches your personal goals.
If you are driven by monetary rewards, new experiences, or the chance to hone your skills, CNA travel jobs offer all three. Start researching legitimate agencies now and get your journey on. Your next great adventure is waiting in the high-demand world of travel healthcare.