Travel Nurse Manager Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for medical and health services managers, which includes nursing managers, was $104,280 in May 2020. However, it's important to note that salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, experience, responsibilities, and the specific healthcare setting.

A nursing manager plays a pivotal role in healthcare settings, overseeing the nursing department and staff. Their primary responsibilities include hiring talented individuals for the nursing staff, training, and supervision, ensuring quality of care, and budgeting. They also coordinate with other departments and healthcare team members to optimize patient care and the functioning of the facility. They are involved in setting and implementing policies, procedures, and standards for the nursing department. Furthermore, a nursing manager may handle patient complaints and play a key role in improving patient satisfaction. This role requires excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a robust understanding of healthcare regulations and standards.

Education & License Requirements

To work as a Travel ER Nurse, Registered Nurses must complete their associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and take the National Council Licensure Exam NCLEX -RN Exam, which is a requirement to practice as an RN in the United States. Once the NCLEX exam is passed and you meet the board of nursing license requirements in your state, then all that is left is to do is gain the necessary experience in your specialty and explore additional certifications.

Prior to moving into management, it's crucial to gain several years of clinical patient care experience. This gives you an understanding of the nursing profession and the workings of a healthcare facility. A Master's degree in nursing or healthcare administration is often required for nursing manager positions. These programs focus on management principles, healthcare finance, human resources, and health policy.

Certifications

The Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) certification offered by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) is available for RNs interested in nursing management jobs. This certification is designed for nurse leaders in the nurse manager role. It validates the attainment of the knowledge and skills related to financial management, human resource management, performance improvement, and strategic management and technology. Obtaining the CNML certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in this field, and may increase opportunities for career advancement. Please note that prerequisites for this certification include a valid RN license, a bachelor's degree or higher, and two years of experience in a nurse manager role or a higher level of employment. However, these requirements may vary, so it's important to refer to the AONL for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

While compensation offers can vary greatly depending on the contract or agency offering, pay packages for travel nurse jobs typically have four major components: hourly taxable wages, meals and incidentals, housing, and travel.

Hourly Pay

Full-time nurses working at healthcare facilities receive a salary, but most travel nurse employers offer hourly wages. Every pay package must include a taxable hourly wage, and the amount can vary depending on the shift, location, and specialty required of the assignment.

Housing

Housing payments can be included in a payment from a staffing agency. This is typically offered in two ways. Either the company is providing housing, or the traveler is taking the housing stipend. It is more beneficial for the traveler to take the housing stipend for two primary reasons. First, they will have a choice in where they stay. Everyone’s definitions of comfortable and acceptable are different. The second reason the housing stipend is more beneficial for them is that it can be given as a nontaxable amount.

Meals and Incidentals

Also known as per diems, meal and incidental stipends provide a daily budget for daily living expenses. These standards vary depending on the cost of living in cities and states across the country.

Travel Expenses

Travel is the last portion of the pay package. While a travel stipend can be used to cover the cost of a flight for the traveler, it is more often than not used to subsidize the traveler’s expenses to and from an assignment. Travel expenses can be offered as a reimbursement rate per mile, though many agencies will opt to offer a flat rate to and from an assignment.

Many travel nurses find work through recruitment agencies and marketplaces, which means you have better access to job boards to choose your schedule, location, and salary. When you begin browsing for nurse manager jobs, be sure to consider the housing options, the benefits, the guaranteed hours' policy, and the recruiting company’s overall reputation.

The good news is that Fusion Marketplace has everything you need when it comes to finding the perfect traveling nursing jobs. Here, you have the freedom to compare benefits, packages, and staffing agencies—all in one place. So find your next job today.