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Travel
Nurses Provide One Solution To Nursing
Shortage |
by:
Terry
McDermott |
Copyright
2005 Terry McDermott
America is in the midst of a nursing shortage
that is expected to get worse as baby boomers
age and the need for health care increases.
Complicating the nursing shortage problem
is the fact that nursing schools and universities
across the country are having difficulty
maintaining enrollment levels that remain
insufficient to meet the projected demand
for nursing care.
Based on a recent survey, it is common knowledge
that there is a nursing shortage and this
is viewed as a serious issue. The study
revealed that 75% of Americans think that
the nursing shortage is a very real and
very important health care concern. The
general view is that the nursing shortage
will have a negative effect on health care
services. The poll indicates that 81 percent
of the population is acutely aware of the
nursing shortage and fully 65 percent believe
that the nursing shortage is nearing crisis
levels.
The survey also found that, despite the
nursing shortage most Americans are confidant
that nurses' opinions on medical issues
are highly credible and that the nursing
profession is generally respected and admired.
Because of the nursing shortage there are
many more nursing positions available than
can be filled. This is despite the fact
that average nurse salaries match up quite
well with other professions.
Many potential solutions, such as travel
nursing, are being developed to address
the current nursing shortage. The position
of travel nurse was created more than 20
years ago in order to address shortfalls
in staffing in states that experienced dramatic
swings in seasonal population. Now, being
a travel nurse is regarded as operating
in a specialized nursing category and has
become a crucial factor in potential solutions
to the worsening nursing shortage.
Becoming a travel nurse opens the door to
a world of possibilities. Agencies that
specialize in travel nurse placement will
help locate a variety of travel nurse positions
in areas of the U.S in which a nurse has
an interest. A travel nurse assignment will
normally last for about 90 days but may
continue for up to six months. After selecting
the region or state the nurse must decide
which travel nurse position tol accept.
It is entirely up to the nurse which type
of program and which type of medical facility
to join.
The compensation for a travel nurse is well
above average and is attracting more nurses
into the travel nurse profession. The salary
or a travel nurse is well above the norm.
What's more, the travel nurse package usually
includes complimentary housing. Plus, travel
expenses are also covered. A travel nurse
will also receive generous benefits such
as health insurance or a retirement plan,
if it is a good travel nurse agency.
Most travel nurse assignments provide a
substantial bonus upon completion of a tour.
The collective compensation for a travel
nurse is far greater than permanent, local
nursing positions. In many cases being a
travel nurse can result in a six figure
annual income.
About the author:
Terry McDermott is the administrator of
http://www.TravelMedPro.com,a
website that specializes in providing resources
and opportunities for travel nurses and
other medical professionals.
Circulated by Bandoni
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