The role of a nurse changes all the time. Whether it’s clinical changes, new technology in patient care, or updated requirements, there’s always something new in nursing. Even after you complete your degree, earn your license, and start practicing, the journey is nowhere close to being over. Like any other healthcare profession, nursing jobs require continuing education (CE) credits.

If you’re a travel nurse, you need to have the proper certifications, licenses, and skills to take jobs in different states. Facilities are looking to hire travel nurses who can step into a role and hit the ground running. This is one of the reasons facilities and hospitals are willing to pay more for travel nurses: they know they’re certified and prepared to walk into a role and get the job done.

For travel nurses who take assignments and move around the country, earning continuing education (CE) credits to renew their licenses can be challenging. Each state has different licensing requirements for nurses, making it feel overwhelming to find the right resources, complete online courses, and keep up with CE credits. Beyond CE credits, continuing your learning journey and honing your skills ensures you remain the top choice for employers. 

Accessible continuing education

Let’s say a nurse has just finished a contract in West Virginia and is traveling to Nevada for her next 13-week contract. However, Nevada requires a state-mandated bioterrorism course. What should she do? She should start by checking the board of nursing requirements in the state where she will be taking the next assignment, to ensure she meets all the criteria before arriving. And if she’s working with an agency, her recruiter or talent advisor can help determine which credits and licenses she needs.

Many resources are available for travel nurses to continue their education while working an assignment. They can opt for online courses, workshops, mentorships, seminars, and certifications. These programs are designed to be flexible and accessible to nurses working a morning or a graveyard shift.

Why does continuing education for travel nurse jobs matter?

Continuing your education means you maintain your nursing credentials, which is a requirement when crossing state lines for nursing jobs. References like the board of nursing can help guide you when it comes to requirements in each state. States like Colorado and Wisconsin don’t require CE credits, whereas Pennsylvania requires 30 hours every two years, and Washington requires eight hours annually. As a travel nurse, you’ll find that each state has significantly different requirements and calculations regarding CE. Contact hours, or the time spent participating in the training course, will accumulate and be awarded as CE credits. If you acquire eight contact hours from a Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification course, you will be awarded eight CE credits.

Continuing to learn is not just a requirement; it enhances your knowledge and skills. As a result, the more certifications and licenses you have as a travel or staff nurse, the more attractive you are as a candidate to hiring managers. CE credits enhance your earning potential, prepping you for some of the highest-paying nursing jobs.

Five continuing education ideas for travel nurses

Travel nurses are constantly jumping from one travel job to another, so how can travel nurses complete CE requirements while constantly on the go? Don’t worry, we have a few options below to earn CE credits:

1. Flexible Online Courses

Online courses are among the best options for CE for travel nurse jobs. Since travel nurses are constantly moving, scheduling in-person classes can be challenging. Many accredited platforms offer online courses that fulfill CE requirements.

For instance, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses offers many free online courses, from core to specialty, to active members. Another accredited platform for nurses is Western Schools, which has a membership available to anyone for $124 or individual courses at a cost. These flexible courses are great for travel nurses who want to learn on the go, regardless of their location. They can be taken from anywhere, offering flexibility for anyone working and taking classes simultaneously.  

2. Core Specialization Certifications

The most common option for meeting CE requirements for travel nurse jobs is seeking sought-after certifications that align with their career goals. These certifications fulfill licensing requirements and expand travelers’ existing knowledge and skills. Additional certifications also allow travelers to maximize their earning potential. Some of the valuable certifications and their price ranges for travel nurse jobs are:

• BLS Certification– $50-$100
• ACLS Certification– $100-$300
• PALS Certification– $100-$300
• TNCC Certification– $300-$400
• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)– Exam fee is $420

The above specialty certifications are very beneficial for travel RN jobs. Remember that most specialty certifications must be renewed every two to five years, and luckily, the renewal requirements typically count toward CE requirements as well.

3. Workshops, Seminars & Conferences

To meet the CE requirements, taking classes is not the only option. Travel nurses have the opportunity to attend various events in different locations, states and countries. Attending healthcare seminars, training workshops, healthcare conferences and research activities can be counted toward CE credits. All you have to do is ensure they can be approved or accredited by your state’s board of nursing. You can check the American Nurses Association for news on such events, or contact your healthcare staffing agency to get all the information. You can also leverage your networking to get info on such events in your surrounding area.

4. Leverage Networking and Professional Associations

Professional organizations offer a great way to expand your nursing expertise. Entering such organizations helps grow your networking circle and leads to new avenues of growth. Organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO) offer great opportunities to connect with prominent professionals in your field. Joining associations can lead to job referrals and mentorship opportunities, which are a good way of fulfilling CE credits, depending on the state requirements.

5. Utilize Employer Education Benefits

A variety of employers extend incentives for earning CE credits. Due to the high demand for professional healthcare staff, many travel jobs offer great benefits, and continuing education is one of them. Many staffing agencies will offer to pay for CE training for newly hired travel nurses with accredited programs, and hospitals will often help travel nurses with their licensing.

Ask your staffing agency about the benefits and requirements before taking a new travel job. Specific questions about certifications you want to pursue, whether they will be reimbursed, or if they can balance work and education. This way, you can continue your education on your travel job without financial strain.

Invest and maximize your potential

Continuing education for travel nurse jobs is essential, and the success of your travel nursing job depends on your efforts to stay updated with the new advancements in the medical industry. If you want long-term career growth, staying ahead with certifications, training and networking is the way to go.

By prioritizing your career development, you’re maximizing your earning potential and remaining the top choice to employers. Here at StaffDNA, we encourage furthering your education and reimburse up to $150 for certifications and licenses. So, take charge of your journey—download the StaffDNA app and find a job you love!