Travel Nurse Education Requirements: What You Need to Know
To begin with, understanding travel nurse educational requirements is the first step to an exciting career where you can see new places, meet people, and make a real difference in patient care. But before you pack your bags, it’s important to know what kind of education and training you’ll need to start your journey. In addition, knowing each step will help you feel more prepared and confident along the way. As a result, you’ll be ready to chase your goals and start your travel nurse adventure with ease.
Step 1: Get Your Nursing Degree
First, you’ll need to go to nursing school. Most travel nurses start with either:
- An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) — usually takes about 2 years, or
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — usually takes about 4 years.
A BSN can give you more job options, but both paths prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which every nurse must pass to get licensed. After that, you can apply for your state RN license, and you’re officially a registered nurse! Furthermore, a BSN may open doors to higher-paying assignments and leadership roles down the road.
Step 2: Gain Experience
Next, you’ll need some real-world experience. Most travel nursing agencies, including Voyage, look for at least one year of experience in your specialty. For example, if you want to travel as an ER nurse, you’ll need at least a year of experience in an emergency room before you start traveling. Meanwhile, this experience helps you feel confident walking into new hospitals and adapting to different teams.
Step 3: Choose Your Specialty
Travel nurses can work in many areas — like:
| RN Specialties | Allied Health Specialties |
|---|---|
| Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) | Surgical Technologist |
| Intensive Care Unit (ICU) | Radiologic Technologist |
| Emergency Room (ER) | MRI Technologist |
| Telemetry (TELE) | CT Technologist |
| Operating Room (OR) | Respiratory Therapist |
| Labor & Delivery (L&D) | Physical Therapist (PT) |
| Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) | Occupational Therapist (OT) |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) | Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) |
| Pediatric (PEDS) | Medical Laboratory Technician |
| Psychiatric / Behavioral Health | Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) |
| Step-Down / Progressive Care (PCU) | Sterile Processing Technician |
| Oncology | Ultrasound / Sonography Tech |
| Cardiac Cath Lab | Surgical First Assistant |
| Dialysis | Pharmacy Technician |
| Rehabilitation | Phlebotomist |
Having a specialty makes it easier to find great assignments, higher pay, and better job flexibility. As a result, many nurses choose to grow in one area that fits their interests and strengths.
Step 4: Work With Voyage Healthcare
Here’s where Voyage comes in. We help nurses every step of the way — from education to placement. If you’re still in school or just starting your career, we can:
- Licensing & certifications
- Match you with assignments
- Build your travel nurse resume
- Continuing opportunities
Beyond that, our recruiters are real people who care about your success. We don’t just send you anywhere — we help you find the right fit so you can grow your career and explore the country at the same time.
Step 5: Start Your Travel Nurse Journey
Once you have your license, experience, and the right recruiter, you’re ready to hit the road! Travel nursing gives you freedom, adventure, and a chance to do what you love — helping others. In the end, your education and experience will take you farther than you ever imagined.
Let Voyage Healthcare Help You
At Voyage, we believe in supporting nurses at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re still in school or ready for your first assignment, we’ll help you get there with confidence.
👉 Apply Now at VoyageHealthcare.com or talk with a recruiter to learn how we can help you become a travel nurse faster.
✨ Start exploring now: www.voyagehealthcare.com/jobs
📞 Call us: 800-798-6035
📧 Email: info@voyagehealthcare.com
Read Another Blog Post: Best & Worst States for Travel Nurse Pay in 2025
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