A pediatric travel nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) who specializes in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. They take on short-term assignments in different geographic locations across the country. These specialized nurses help healthcare facilities address temporary staffing shortages, typically working in hospitals, clinics, and dedicated children’s centers nationwide. The role requires clinical adaptability and a passion for providing age-appropriate, compassionate care in diverse settings.
Establish Your Nursing Foundation
The initial step toward this career involves completing an accredited nursing education program and becoming a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). You can pursue this through either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. While both degrees prepare a candidate to sit for the national licensing examination, the BSN is increasingly preferred by major healthcare systems and travel agencies. Hospitals that have achieved Magnet recognition often favor nurses with a bachelor’s degree due to its focus on leadership and evidence-based practice.
All candidates must successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain their initial nursing license. This comprehensive exam ensures the nurse possesses the foundational knowledge required for safe, entry-level practice. Once the initial state license is secured, the nurse can begin accumulating the specialized experience necessary to transition into travel roles.
Acquire Specialized Pediatric Experience
Travel nursing agencies require candidates to have significant recent experience in their chosen specialty before accepting them for mobile assignments. For pediatric travel nursing, this generally means a minimum of one to two years of acute-care experience working directly with children. General adult medical-surgical experience is typically insufficient, as facilities need nurses who can immediately function independently in a pediatric environment.
The most valuable experience is gained in high-acuity pediatric units where complex care is delivered. This includes the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and dedicated inpatient Pediatric Medical-Surgical floors. Working in these settings allows the nurse to develop proficiency in pediatric-specific skills, such as managing age-appropriate medication calculations and utilizing specialized equipment. This focused experience demonstrates the clinical competence and quick adaptability that hospitals seek in temporary staff.
Obtain Essential Certifications and Training
Pediatric nurses must possess specific certifications that validate their ability to manage emergency situations unique to the younger patient population. The most widely required certification is Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), which focuses on the skills needed to manage pediatric respiratory failure, shock, and cardiac arrest. Additionally, all nurses must maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Depending on the specific unit, further specialized certifications may be mandatory. Nurses targeting NICU assignments, for example, will need the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification. Obtaining the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential is not always required but can significantly enhance a profile, making a candidate more competitive for desirable contracts. Hospitals will require the nurse to complete all facility-specific training modules and competencies quickly before the assignment begins.
Partner with a Travel Nursing Agency
The travel nursing agency serves as the nurse’s primary employer, managing the recruitment, logistics, and compensation for each assignment. Selecting an agency requires vetting its reputation, the transparency of its pay packages, and the quality of its benefits offered. A trustworthy agency will provide support services that include travel coordination and assistance with housing arrangements.
The financial structure involves a compensation model that separates taxable wages from non-taxable stipends. The hourly base pay is taxable, while stipends cover the duplicated costs of housing, meals, and incidentals (M&IE) incurred while working away from the nurse’s established tax home. Because these stipends are often tax-free, they contribute significantly to the overall take-home pay. Assignments are typically structured as 13-week contracts, which allows the nurse to move to a new location or take a break between jobs.
Master Multi-State Licensure and the Compact
A significant logistical hurdle for a travel nurse is obtaining the necessary licenses to practice across different state lines. The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) simplifies this process by allowing a nurse who holds a multistate license in their primary state of residence to practice in any other compact state without obtaining additional licenses. The nurse’s declared primary residence must be in a state that is a member of the NLC to qualify for this privilege.
For assignments in states that are not part of the NLC, the nurse must apply for a single-state license in that specific jurisdiction. This application process, known as licensure by endorsement, involves application fees, background checks, and varying processing times. Travel nurses must plan ahead for these non-compact assignments, working closely with their agency to ensure the license is active before the contract start date.
Prepare Your Profile and Secure Your First Contract
The final phase involves organizing all professional documentation into a comprehensive travel nurse profile for agency review. This profile is a portfolio that typically includes a detailed resume, skills checklists specific to pediatric nursing, copies of all certifications, and a list of professional references. Having this profile complete and accurate streamlines the submission process to hospitals.
Once a contract is identified, the nurse will participate in an interview, which is often brief and focused on verifying clinical competency and assessing cultural fit within the unit. New travel nurses are advised to select an initial assignment that minimizes stress, such as a location closer to home or a unit with a manageable patient ratio. Before the start date, the nurse must ensure that all required health documentation is current, including vaccination records, a recent physical exam, and a completed background check.