3 Travel Nursing Specialties in Demand During the Pandemic
While it’s uncertain what the state of the coronavirus pandemic is going to look like in just the next few months, it’s clear that the demand for healthcare professionals will continue to change as the areas of outbreak change. As a result, there has been a consistent rise in the need for specific travel nursing specialties. Let’s take a closer look at three of the travel nursing specialties that have been in the highest demand and what this demand means for travel nurses going forward.
In-Demand Travel Nursing Specialties
Below are a few of the travel nursing specialties experiencing the highest mid-pandemic demand.
Intensive care unit (ICU)
The critical care units that needed additional nurses at the beginning of the pandemic and the ones currently experiencing a higher patient load are, for a large majority, in entirely different locations — which means the need for ICU travel nurses has not slowed but shifted.
Emergency room (ER)
In areas with higher infection and hospitalization rates, ER travel nurses are in high demand to support the needs of incoming COVID patients as well as emergency trauma victims.
Medical-surgical/Telemetry
Because many facilities require med-surg and tele travel nurses to be cross-functionally proficient in the same skills, these highly similar specialties are both on the rise as more and more patients recover from critical COVID illness.
How Else Has Travel Nursing Changed?
The pay for travel nursing positions is typically higher than the salaries of permanent ones. However, this gap has widened significantly during the pandemic — with travel nurse pay rising by 76%. In outbreak areas, some travel nursing positions are offering anywhere from $4,000 to upwards of $5,000 weekly.
Healthcare Recruiting for Travel Nurses
Whether you’re a recent nursing graduate or an experienced nursing professional, the healthcare recruiters at HealthCare Support can help you transition into travel nursing. Closely following the travel nursing job market and the demand for specific specialties, we’ll match you with compatible travel nursing assignments and job opportunities that match your wants, needs, and interests. To learn more, contact HealthCare Support today at 888-219-6285.