When you're considering a job change, it's normal for you to have questions about the company, the process and your pay and benefits. At NurseChoice, we provide you with the answers to your questions and help you make the choice that's right for you.

We've compiled some of the top questions nurses ask about how to get started in travel nursing, questions about our company, options, benefits and more. Whether you're new to travel nursing or considering switching to NurseChoice from another company, we have important information relevant to your career.

Please check out the commonly asked questions below. If you still have questions, please call us at (866) 557-6050 or drop us a line at info@nursechoice.com.

• What do I need to do to get started quickly as a NurseChoice traveler? 
• What are the minimum requirements to work as a travel nurse? 
• How can I determine if a travel nursing career is right for me? 
• Is a career in travel nursing recession-proof? 
• Are there any fees associated with your service?
• How quickly can I begin working as a travel nurse?
• Do I have to commit to a long-term contract? 
• Can I travel with my family or pets? 
• What about the licensing requirements for different states? 

• Where do you offer travel assignments? 
• What kinds of facilities will I be able to work at?
• How long are the NurseChoice assignments? 
• How do I choose an assignment? 
• When am I committed to an assignment? 
• Will I work full-time or part-time? 
• Can I take travel assignments in my hometown?
• Are travel assignments available for two nurses wishing to go to the same city?
• Does NurseChoice offer clinical support?

• How much will I be paid?
• When and how will I be paid? 
• Do you offer completion bonuses? 
• Will I earn a bonus if I refer a friend to NurseChoice?

• What does your benefits package include? 
• Can I add my spouse or children to my insurance?
• Will I still have health benefits if I'm not on assignment?
• Do you offer free continuing education?

• Is housing really free? 
• What type of housing do you provide? 
• Will NurseChoice provide housing if I travel with my family or friends? 
• Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?

What do I need to do to get started quickly as a NurseChoice traveler?
The very first step you need to take is to complete our simple, multi-step application process to help you get a quick-start on your travel nursing career. This can be done online, by fax, by mail or over the phone. Once your application, skills checklist and professional reference request is received and approved, a placement consultant will get in touch with you to begin the process of finding the right assignment for you. You'll need to complete the required paperwork prior to having your profile submitted to a health care facility for assignments. See the application process overview for the necessary paperwork.

What are the minimum requirements to work as a travel nurse?
As a premier rapid-response travel nurse recruitment agency, NurseChoice has stricter requirements than other travel nursing companies. To work as a NurseChoice travel nurse, you must have a minimum of five years’ RN experience, and previous travel experience and computerized charting experience are preferred.

In addition to our requirements, the facilities we work with also have preferences for different types of units, practice settings and area of specialty. Here are some general guidelines of the minimum required experience for some typical travel nursing specialties:

5 years as an RN, including 12-18 months of recent experience in the specialty: 
ICU, OR, Ambulatory OR, PACU, PICU, Ambulatory PACU, PCU, NICU, Peds,  LD, Pedi ER, Home Health, Cath Lab, CVICU, CVOR, BMT, Telemetry, ER

5 years as an RN, including 2 years of recent experience in the specialty: 
MedSurg, Endoscopy, Psych, Rehab, Postpartum, Nurse Manager, Wound Care

How can I determine if a travel nursing career is right for me?
Are you comfortable jumping into new clinical settings and able to adapt quickly to new situations? Are you the type that loves to pack and go at a moment’s notice? Do you have at least five years of RN experience? If you answered yes to all of the above, NurseChoice’s quick-start, short-term assignments may be just what you’re looking for! With each new assignment, you'll have the opportunity to boost your career by working alongside seasoned professionals and utilizing state-of-the-art techniques. We believe that your hard work will be rewarded with the opportunity to earn a lot of money in a short amount of time.

If the NurseChoice requirements and rapid-response settings aren’t a fit for you, but you still love exploring new places and meeting new people, travel nursing may still be the right career for you! Take a moment to visit our partner TravelNursing.com to learn more about traditional 13-week travel assignments.

Is a career in travel nursing recession-proof?
Traveling has been the perfect solution for many nurses who want to shield their family from tough economic times.  Even in this tough economy, demand for travel nurses continues to grow.  And with salary ranges for travel nurses increasing all the time, now may be the best time to start your travel nursing career.

As a traveling nurse, you have the freedom to choose your location and your assignment.  By choosing a city where cost of living is lower and travel nursing salaries higher, you’ll increase your earnings potential and purchasing power.  Traveling with NurseChoice also gives you the security of knowing that you’ll have assignments to choose from in many of the top hospitals in the nation, with some of the highest pay rates. Plus, you’ll receive generous benefits, including free housing and health insurance. With the flexibility and security that NurseChoice has to offer, travel nursing can definitely give you an edge over today’s economy.

Are there any fees associated with your service?
No, never. Our services are entirely free to you.

How quickly can I begin working as a travel nurse?
We're glad you asked! With NurseChoice, you can get started in as little as two days, which means you start earning top dollar quickly as well. We'll work with you to help you get all of your credential requirements organized in time for your assignment start date.

Do I have to commit to a long-term contract?
No, your commitment to NurseChoice only extends for the length of the assignment you agree to take. At the end of your assignment you are free to make your own choices. Of course we provide you with the opportunity to choose another position or at times, to extend your current assignment length. If you want to explore a different part of the country, you can travel to a new assignment. Or, if you prefer, you can return home and travel at a later date. NurseChoice will support you in any decision you make.

Can I travel with my family or pets?
Absolutely! If you choose to travel with your family members or pets, NurseChoice will provide you with a generous housing subsidy, in lieu of locating housing accomodations.

What about the licensing requirements for different states?
You need a license for every state in which you work. Each state has different licensing rules and regulations, and most states require a fee and verification. For more information, please visit our licensure information page.

Where do you offer travel assignments?
We offer positions in several states across the U.S. Whether you want to work in one of the nation's big cities, like Oakland, Miami or Las Vegas, or a small town in New England, the Midwest or Northern California, we have a choice of assignments available to you.

What kinds of facilities will I be able to work at?
Our travelers work primarily in hospital settings. The size of the hospitals can range from large university teaching facilities to remote community hospitals.

How long are the NurseChoice assignments?
Our typical assignments are 4-8 weeks in length. Many times you can extend an assignment you particularly enjoy.

How do I choose an assignment?
You and your placement consultant will discuss your assignment expectations, goals and options. Once your placement consultant knows what you are looking for, you will be presented with available assignments, including details on the facility, pay rates, shifts, hours, unit and bonuses. Soon after, you will interview with the facilities of your choice over the phone. After the interview, you and your placement consultant will decide whether the assignment, the facility and the work environment match your needs.

When am I committed to an assignment?
After interviewing with the facility, they will decide if they want to extend an offer to you. Once you are presented with an offer, you can decide if you want to accept the assignment. You are never obligated to accept an assignment, and turning down an offer will not affect any of your future assignments.

Will I work full-time or part-time?
All of our assignments are for full time 48- to 60-hour weeks, including overtime.

Can I take travel assignments in my hometown?
At times, there will be assignments in or near your hometown. That means that you can enjoy many of the benefits and perks of a travel nursing career, without packing your bags and heading to a new destination. By “traveling” in your local area you'll get to balance your home and family life with a rewarding, flexible career. Your placement consultant will let you know if we have an assignment that is in close proximity to your hometown.

Are travel assignments available for two nurses wishing to go to the same city?
Sure! Many of our travelers choose to travel together. We can arrange for you to share a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment or condo for free, or you can organize your own housing and we'll give you a generous housing stipend every month.

Does NurseChoice offer clinical support?
Absolutely! Our experienced clinical liaisons—many have been travel nurses themselves—are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you with any clinical issue or concern you may have while on assignment.

How much will I be paid?
Our compensation is highly competitive and typically ranges from $33-$40 per hour for registered nurses, plus overtime, where eligible. Your specific hourly rate will vary depending on your specialty, experience and assignment location. In addition, some hospitals offer lucrative completion and sign-on bonuses.

When and how will I be paid?
When you take an assignment with NurseChoice, you will be paid directly from our payroll. We provide payment by direct deposit into your bank account every week.

Do you offer completion bonuses?
Some facilities offer generous completion bonuses ranging from $500 to $6,000. Ask your placement coordinator for further details.

Will I earn a bonus if I refer a friend to NurseChoice?
Yes, we encourage you to refer your friends and coworkers to NurseChoice. To show our appreciation, you are eligible to receive $500 when your friend completes one 8-week assignment.

What does your benefits package include?
As a NurseChoice employee, you will enjoy one of the most comprehensive benefits packages in the industry. Besides earning top-tier wages, we also offer our health care professionals health, dental and life insurance from day one, free, private housing, a 401(k) retirement plan, free continuing education, travel reimbursement, incentive programs and much more. For more information, please visit our Pay and Benefits section.

Can I add my spouse or children to my insurance?
Certainly. You can add your spouse or children to your insurance for an additional premium, which we'll deduct from your paycheck on a pretax basis.

Will I still have health benefits if I'm not on assignment?
Yes. You can take up to 18 days off between assignments and still maintain your full health benefits.

Do you offer free continuing education?
Yes, we do. Because your professional development is so important to us, we offer free continuing education courses to all our travel professionals through our service partner, RN.com. This fully accredited site offers more than 200 contact hours online and an instant certificate upon successful completion of your course.

Is housing really free?
Yes, that is one of the great perks of travel nursing with NurseChoice. Our health care professionals are housed in safe, comfortable private accommodations in attractive neighborhoods, near your work at no charge.

What type of housing do you provide?
NurseChoice works with pre-screened, preferred housing complexes and executive-stay hotels in an effort to provide you with well-appointed accommodations in desirable neighborhoods close to your assignment facility. Your housing will be in move-in condition upon your arrival, complete with furniture and utilities. You also have the option of providing your own housing—with a generous housing subsidy every month.

Will NurseChoice provide housing if I travel with my family or friends?
Absolutely! We will provide you with private accommodations in a comfortable, well-maintained community close to your workplace. You will pay a nominal fee to accommodate your friends or family—the amount will vary depending on the assignment and location. If you prefer, you can arrange your own housing and NurseChoice will pay you a generous housing subsidy every month. Ask your placement consultant for details.

Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?
Yes. No matter how you get to your assignment destination, we will help pay the costs. We provide our travelers with a generous $800* travel reimbursement, which includes reimbursement for airfare and rental car expenses. Best of all, your reimbursement is typically tax-free.

We hope you found these questions helpful. If you still have questions, please email us at info@nursechoice.com or call us at (866) 557-6050.