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Is it expensive to start traveling as a nurse? 

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Is it expensive to start traveling as a nurse? See what it costs to Start traveling as a nurse in this blog.

Get started traveling as a nurse with Marvel Medical Staffing.
We can help break down the costs of getting started as a new traveling nurse, and what upfront costs you can expect to see before you are on your way to your next assignment!

When all nursing labor costs are considered, traveling nurses seem to cost less than permanent nurses on an hourly basis, according to the KPMG U.S. Hospital Nursing Labor Costs Study. Check out this resource if you would like to read more.

Out of State Licensing and Certifications 

If you are an RN or LPN/LVN that resides in a NLC Compact state, getting started as a traveling nurse has never been easier!  Having a compact license means you are free to work in any of the 34 states that have implemented the NLC without any need for transferring your license.  This would be a great first step to  start traveling as a nurse.

If your home address lies outside of an NLC state, or if you are a CNA, you will need to apply for each state individually, and the costs and processes are different for each state.  The main three ways you will apply for your out of state licenses are:

  1. Mail
  2. Fax
  3. Online Portal (fastest and easiest, a good starting point!)

Costs for your license can vary, ranging from totally free to several hundred dollars.  For example, your Illinois license is around $75, while an Alaska license can run you up to $500+!  For most states, you can expect to pay upfront for a criminal background check and fingerprinting as well.  The good news is, most agencies will completely reimburse your incurred costs if you sign on for an assignment!

Some states are free and fast, some are expensive and mail only.  The easiest way to get started is to apply for free/online portal states and branch out from there.

If you are looking for guidance on transferring your license or certifications, check out our following resources:

RN/LPN – Tap Here
CNA – Tap Here

Housing Costs:

As a traveler, for most contracts you will be paying for your own housing.  The good news is, the government offers tax free stipends for travelers, meaning the majority of your income will be untaxed and will help pay for your housing.  Sometimes you can find assignments that provide full housing.  You may lose your tax free housing stipend, but many travelers appreciate the convenience of fully paid housing.

Airbnb, Furnished Finder, and Corporate Housing are popular websites and apps many travelers use to find housing.  You can find a list of popular temp housing sites and their descriptions here: https://marvelmedstaff.com/resources/housing

Transportation + Travel Costs

You may be wondering how you’re going to afford traveling all over the country, fuel can be expensive!  You’re in luck!  Most agencies will reimburse your travel costs on your first paycheck.  Many agencies pay on a per mile basis with a cap.  For instance, here at Marvel we pay .50 cents a mile!

If you are planning on flying to your assignment, be sure to check the area beforehand for transportation.  Some rural areas do not have public transport infrastructure in place, and Ubers aren’t always readily available.  If you aren’t sure about the area, talk to your recruiter!  They can help you find housing and transportation and give you the lay of the land.

Meals and Per Diems

You know all about Tax Free Stipends now, but what about your food?  A nurse has to eat!  Guess what? The Government also offers assistance in the form of Tax Free Meals and Per Diem stipends.  These vary based on location, and are generally used for meals and comfort items. 

Remember, these Tax Free Stipends combined with your Taxed Hourly Rate make up your Blended Rate.  This is where Travel Nurses really start to notice the extra income they are making.

Summary

Getting started traveling as a nurse may seem daunting at first, but most costs will be reimbursed by your agency, and your recruiter is there as your advocate to guide you through the process. Start traveling as a nurse!

We would recommend having a little bit of money put away for security before beginning your traveling career, however it won’t cost you a fortune to get started on your new adventure!

Check out our job board here to get started with a recruiter!

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Influential Women in Nursing History – National Women’s Equality Day

August 26th is National Women’s Equality Day!  As you know, Marvel is Women Owned, and this day is very important to us!

The United States Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women full and equal voting rights on August 26th, 1920.

Every year on August 26, we commemorate this right with National Women’s Equality Day. National Women’s Equality Day also celebrates all women and their achievements.

Here are a few of the most influential women in nursing throughout the decades!

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Clara Barton | 1821 – 1912

Born in 1821 in North Oxford, MA, Clara Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross and National First Aid Society!  Clara was also an engaged activist, supporting many of the rights and privileges we take for granted today.  In the mid-1800s, she was responsible for pushing the public school movement forward, eventually establishing and teaching at free schools.  Barton was also in support of the Black Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Movement, working closely with Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony.

She was also a highly skilled Union nurse during the Civil War, treating the wounded Union soldiers at Cedar Mountain, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, and many other locations – eventually leading to her being appointed as the Superintendent of Nurses for the Army of James.  After the war, Clara went to work leading the War Department’s efforts in marking Union Graves in Georgia.

Clara retired at age 83 and spent the remainder of her years in a dormitory for Red Cross volunteers.

 

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Mary Breckinridge | 1881 – 1965

Mary Carson Breckinridge was an American nurse midwife and the founder of the Frontier Nursing Service, which provided comprehensive family medical care to the rural mountain areas of Kentucky. FNS served remote and impoverished areas off the road and rail system but accessible by horseback.

The Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) was established in 1925 as a private charitable organization serving an area of about 700 square miles in southeastern Kentucky. Through her influential connections and speaking engagements, Breckinridge raised over $6 million dollars to support the organization.

Breckinridge received the Medaille Reconnaissance Francaise for organizing a visiting nurse association while working with the American Committee for Devastated France.  In 1952 she was named Kentuckian of the Year by the Kentucky Press Association. In 1995 she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

 

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Hazel Winifred Johnson-Brown | 1927 – 2011

Hazel Winifred Johnson-Brown was a nurse and educator who served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1983. In 1979, she became the first Black female general in the United States Army and the first Black chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps. She was also the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing. 

Hazel Winifred Johnson was born on October 10, 1927, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. As a child, Johnson attended East Whiteland Elementary School with her siblings. She later attended Tredyffrin-Easttown Junior Senior High School, where she was considered an exceptional student. At the age of 12, Johnson wanted to become a nurse.  Johnson applied and was denied admission to West Chester School of Nursing for being black. She then moved to New York City to attend the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. Johnson’s nursing career started at the Harlem Hospital emergency ward as a beginning-level staff nurse.

Hazel Johnson-Brown enlisted in the military in 1955.  She was an incredibly talented surgeon who took assignments across the world, including Asia, training nurses on their way to Vietnam. Twenty fours years later she made history when she was promoted to Brigadier General, and took charge of 7,000 nurses in the Army Nurse Corps. Hazel Johnson-Brown was the first black woman to hold the post!

Did you know?  Marvel is Women Owned!  Check out our story here.

Start Your Adventure Today!
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The Benefits Of Being A Marvel Traveler

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Whether you are a new grad or a seasoned practitioner considering a change in scenery, Marvel Medical Staffing can help you start as a Marvel Traveler.

 

1) Quick and easy hiring process.

Over the years, more and more OT, PT, SLP, PTA, and COTA graduates continue to fill gaps in the job market.  Our team of expert staffers at Marvel are here to help you navigate your way through the entire hiring process.  From choosing a location, all the way until your first day, our Marvel agents will help guide you through the process and make it as easy and stress free as possible for you.  There are a lot of Medical Staffing Agencies out there.  We pride ourselves on the level of support we bring to our Marvel travelers.  It doesn’t matter if this is your first placement or your twentieth, we are proud of the 1 on 1 support we offer – when YOU need it most!  We can help with your application, housing, traveling, and anything else that may come up along the way.  With Marvel, you are never alone!

2) You have a whole team in your corner.

While you are on contract, you have a direct line to your Marvel agent to answer any questions you may have, and offer any assistance you may need.  Your agent will check in with you to make sure everything is running smoothly, you will have access to our social groups full of Marvel Travelers just like yourself, and you have a whole team to back you up when you need it.  Traveling to a new location and work environment can be difficult, and Marvel Medical Staffing is here to make it easier.  You are a Marvel. You change peoples lives for the better every single day. We handle the details to make sure you can focus on being YOU!

3) High turnover in the Medical Field

According to InvestingDoc, most new doctors do not last more than a few years at their first job.  40-70% of people will end up switching within 5 years of starting their first job, and the average professional ends up changing jobs every 2 1/2 to 3 years!  Hospital Medicine tends to have a very high job turnover rate when compared to other professions.

You may find yourself searching for new employment opportunities after spending a few years away from the job-hunt game, and not know where to begin.  Marvel Medical Staffing knows the current needs and trends within the medical industry.  Working with an agency can get you placed fast and where you are needed most!

So…why should you choose Marvel Medical Staffing as your agency?

We are HUMBLE.

We built our company upon the foundation on our main concepts of Be Humble, Be Driven, Be Smart. We’ve decided to do this so we can do it our way. The right way. Focusing on service, transparency and knowing the industry so we can do our absolute best and be a Marvel. Our definition of Marvel is “A wonderful astonishing person or thing”. The person we are referencing is everyone on our team. This includes you, the person on our website wondering if Marvel is the right fit for you.

We are DRIVEN.

Driven is a key factor that supports being humble. Humble AND Driven combined create an equation for success. It creates a formula that equals selfless movement. This insures we are working with determination and focus on everyone in our team. We are doing everything we can to create the best experience for everyone. There are so many moving parts for every contract and we are determined to master each and every task to insure it’s smooth and easy. You will find that your experience with Marvel is just that, “a wonderful astonishing person or thing.”

We are SMART.

We added smart for so many reasons. Being smart encompasses the ideals we need to be successful. Being smart means more than just having knowledge. For us, it also means being able to use that knowledge for the good of our team. With our industry there is a lot of moving parts. If we are smart we will handle each task with intelligence. Doing the right thing each time, every time. This also mean continuous improvement, and always striving to do things better. Become a Marvel traveler today!

 

Be a Marvel Traveler.  Follow the link below to get in touch with us today!

Start Your Adventure Today!
The Benefits Of Being A Marvel Traveler
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5 Reasons Travel Therapist May Be For You

Interested in becoming a Travel Therapist?  Read on to see if you’re a good fit.

 

1. Flexible Scheduling.  

Ah yes, flexible schedules.  Extremely sought after, yet ever so elusive.  We get it!  Life can be crazy.  You may want to see the world, you may want to take some personal time, you may want to spend some more time with your family.  When you sign with Marvel Medical Staffing as a Travel Therapist, you have the option to take on 13 week short-term contracts, all across the country.

Close to home or far away, your choice!  After those 13 weeks are up, what you do is up to YOU!  Want to jump straight in to a new contract?  We’ve got one waiting for you.  Want to take a few weeks off to see the West Coast?  We’ll be here for you when you want another contract.  Being a Traveler means FLEXIBILITY.  It means taking control of your career and personal life, and helping you find a healthy balance.

 

2. You Want To Learn More. 

Your education didn’t stop when you received your degree.  You have a strong desire to absorb more info, learn new techniques, see how the inner workings of different hospitals work.  You want to be better, help more people, and you are driven to learn.  As a Traveler, each contract comes with it’s own set of unique opportunities.  When you place yourself in a new environment, it’s a great opportunity to network and learn from others in your field.  If you want to expose yourself to as many different aspects of your field as possible, Travel Therapy may be right for you.

 

3. You Want To Explore. 

Staying in one city and working at the same place for years and years on end doesn’t exactly excite you.  You crave adventure.  You want to experience the hustle bustle of life in big cities, and you want to know what it’s like to live in a small rural community – where everyone knows each other by name.  Just because you are career focused, doesn’t mean you need to be tied down.

When you sign on as a Traveler with Marvel, you can have the best of both worlds.  Career advancement and job stability; all while exploring the different cultures and landscapes the country has to offer.  If the thought of absorbing yourself in a new environment every few months excites you, you may have a calling to be a Travel Therapist.

4. You Want To Help As Many People As You Can.

There are many cities in need of quality therapists, and each of these cities has a population of people in need of your expertise and care.  As a Marvel Travel Therapist, we open the doors necessary for you to help people all over the country.  You have the ability to make a difference in the lives of people scattered across the US, and we can help you get there.

 

5.  You Want To Be Financially Independent.

It’s no secret.  Traveling Therapists have the chance to earn up to 20% more per year than their non-traveling counterparts.  New grads can especially benefit from this, as it could take years at a permanent location to see the same level of income as a Marvel Traveler.  Traveling is a great way to learn fast, earn fast, and set yourself up for a successful future.  All while experiencing everything our country has to offer!

 

Does Being A Travel Therapist Interest You?

Click the button below to get in touch with us!  We’d love to talk with you.

Start Your Adventure Today!
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Not ready?  That’s OK!  In the mean time, check out why Travel Therapists across the country chose Marvel Medical Staffing as their agency!