Hello and welcome to my blog for travel nurse practitioners! I originally created this blog as a self reflection for myself during my time working as a travel/locums nurse practitioner (NP). However, I quickly realized the lack of information available to nurse practitioners about travel work. There is a lot of information available for RN’s doing travel nursing, but the process and benefits are very different for nurse practitioners.
My name is Sophia, people close to me call me Bophia or Soph. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner from Miami, Florida. I have been involved in nursing since high school, in which I graduated as an LPN. I attended Florida State University (Go Seminoles!) for my BSN, and the University of Miami for my MSN. I was featured in Glamour Magazine in 2010 as one of the Top 10 Ten College Women of the Year, known as “the healer”.
I decided to become a travel nurse practitioner because it allows me to combine my three passions which are: helping others, traveling, and learning. Sometimes we get comfortable being in the same place for so long that we no longer have any challenges. Being a travel nurse practitioner is definitely challenging but most of all, it is rewarding.
I have worked as a traveling NP for 9 years, in 11 different states, and over 20 different facilities. I will never go back to permanent practice. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need a second opinion!
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – St. Augustine
Hello Sophia, I’m glad to know about you. And I believe it is very fascinating to work while traveling, good luck
Thank you!
Dear Sophia,
My name is Stephanie Horna. I graduated from University of Miami in 2012. I am currently living in Zurich and finishing my master’s degree. I am writing my thesis on Millennial’s perceptions of Fintech (particularly P2P lending). I came across your featuring story on SoFi’s linked page: https://www.sofi.com/blog/refinance-student-loan-travel-nurse-paid-off-nursing-school-loans/
I was hoping that you would have 20 min in the next couple of weeks to talk to me about P2p lending. I need to include some interviews with people who have actually used any of these platforms and I think your story is great. It would mean so much for me if we could make this happen. My email is stephaniehorna@gmail.com and you can get back to me via FB or via email. Thank you again for your time.
Hello Sophia,
Thanks for starting this blog! I am a recent new grad FNP, and had a difficult time finding work in Florida. Currently, I am on my first travel assignment in WI, and love it. Granted, I was very nervous about being on my own for the first time, however, after I saw a few patients and along with the resources I had at my fingertips, the transition has been smooth!! I was wondering if you have a significant other that travels with you, and was wondering if you had any resources that they might have used to find work while you are on location? My boyfriend is planning to join me, but finding work on the go for a non-medical seems to be difficult. Any advise? And how many locum companies would you recommend to be connected with? and any advise for me when looking at assignments, etc.. thanks:) Tonya
Hey that’s great! I don’t have anyone that travels with me, but I do have friends that travel with their spouse or bf. Some of them work from home (IT etc) others work in places they can easily transfer back and forth between such as retail stores etc. If he is able to find something to work from home that would be ideal. I would say have connections with at least 5 agencies. Email me if you have any more questions travelingNp.Com@gmail.com and I wouldn’t mind helping you find your next assignment too.
Hi Sophia. My professional story is very similar to yours. Like you, I started my career as a LPN. I have been a FNP for the past 5 years. My children are grown and I’m really considering traveling NP. What is the best companies you would recommend to begin my journey?
Thanks!
Check out my agencies tab for my favorite agencies. Also, email me at travelingNp.Com@gmail.com
Hey Sophia, I am so thankful to have come across your blog. I am an Adult NP and have been practicing for the past 7 years. I am now looking into travel NP opportunities. I am eager to talk with you about this process. You are right, there is very limited information from NPs about NP travel. Thank you again and I look forward to browsing through this website and seeing your insights on travel NP. I will have many questions I am sure.
Hi thanks, that’s awesome! Feel free to email me at travelingNP.com@gmail.com when those questions arise.
I am so glad I found you’re page! I am studying to become an AGNP and my passion is to travel. I hope to be able to do both one day. I’m also from Miami. 🙂
Thanks so much for this blog. You have answered so many questions I’ve had ! I do still have one question. Are there any states within the RN compact, in which having the RN compact will actually be of benefit or “ speed up” the licensing process as an NP ? I actually thought the compact applied to NP’s as well but a recruiter advised me otherwise .
Thank you so much !
It definitely helps to go through compact states because you will just have to wait for the NP license instead of waiting for both the RN license to process (several weeks or months) and then the np application (another several weeks or months). I have obtained NP licenses in some states in just 2 weeks. Had I needed the RN one it could have taken 2 months since the RN one requires fingerprinting.
Sophia,
THANK YOU for this treasure of useful information. You have thought of everything to equip us “newbies” with our new traveling adventures (thank goodness because a lot of your info was off my radar!).
Hey Sophia! Thanks for sharing your information and experiences.. I am an NP and considering traveling. What company or companies have you worked with and do you recommend? Your input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
Hey Sophia,
I hope this post finds you well. I really love reading your blog. I am a newly graduated NP who has always dreamed of traveling in this role one day. I have a question on experience. Does the area in which you have worked as an NP make a difference? I am currently working as an in-patient hematology NP. This is my very first job. I have no primary care experience other than clinicals. Will be an obstacle when I am ready to travel? Does my RN experience count towards consideration for a position? Do you have any suggestions? I would appreciate any insight you have. I hope you remain safe and healthy during this pandemic.
How many companies do you work through?
What app do you use to track expenses?
Where do you stay?
I work through 2-3 agencies per year. They rent me an apartment or hotel. Maybe read my other posts to see. I track my expenses with an excel sheet.
Is there a certain a particular travel company you use or are all of them are about the same
Hi Sophia,
So glad I found your Blog!
How soon after graduating did you begin travel NP?
How did you begin?
Jennifer
The job provides the supervising physician. I began traveling as an NP 3 years after graduating. I recommend working for a year before traveling. I can help when you are ready.
Hi Sophia,
One more thing…how did you connect with a collaborating physician?
Jenn
Hi Sophia,
How long did it take you to take a step and start traveling as NP?
Regards
I worked for 3 years as an NP before traveling, but you can start after the first year of experience.