Looking to get more out of our CNA career but not sure how to become a travel CNA? No problem! Get your travel career started with the help of Host Healthcare. We will provide you with all the steps from how to get a CNA certification to starting your very first travel CNA assignment! Let’s get started by understanding the responsibilities of a travel CNA.

Understanding the Role of a Traveling CNA

Before we get into how to become a traveling CNA, it is important to know the role of a traveling CNA within the healthcare system. A traveling CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant who takes assignments in various healthcare settings to provide care to patients. These tasks can range from assisting with daily living activities and monitoring patient progress to communicate changes to the healthcare team. As a traveling certified nurse assistant, you’ll find yourself working in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other facilities. The location will depend on the needs of each assignment. Traveling CNA requirements include certification and compliance with state-specific regulations. Additional courses may be needed based on different healthcare settings.

As part of the healthcare travelers workforce, traveling CNAs provide direct patient care across multiple locations, ensuring consistent and quality care for patients everywhere. This role not only demands a strong foundation in nursing skills. It also requires the ability to adapt quickly to new environments and meet the diverse needs of patients.

Traveling CNAs take on assignments ranging from 6 to 20 weeks. This provides the opportunity to work in various healthcare environments, with a diversity of patients throughout the year. Whether you’re working in a big city or a rural area, each assignment offers unique challenges and learning opportunities. Helping to make you a more versatile and experienced travel CNA. Now that we’ve covered the background of the role, lets discuss how to become a traveling CNA and get your travel career started!

Step 1: CNA Schooling

The journey to become a traveling CNA starts with a solid educational foundation. The first requirement is to obtain a high school diploma or GED. This basic education sets the stage for enrolling in a certified CNA program, which is crucial for gaining the necessary knowledge and skills.

Certified CNA programs are typically offered through community colleges, trade schools, and other educational institutions. These programs must be state-approved and meet specific federal training requirements, including a minimum of 75 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of clinical training.1 The length of CNA programs can vary, usually ranging from one to four months depending on the state. If you are a resident of Ohio you will need to become certified as a STNA. It’s important to understand the difference between a STNA vs CNA before you begin your schooling. Obtaining additional certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS) can also enhance your qualifications.

After completing the training program, the next step is to pass the CNA certification exam. This exam tests your knowledge and skills, ensuring you are prepared for the responsibilities of a certified nursing assistant.

Step 2: Gaining CNA Experience Before Traveling

Gaining substantial experience in a stable work environment is highly recommended before starting travel assignments. Most facilities prefer CNAs to have at least two years of experience before applying to travel CNA jobs. This experience helps build the confidence and skills needed to handle the varied and often demanding situations encountered during travel assignments.

Working in long-term care facilities allows you to refine your techniques and develop a deeper understanding of patient needs. This foundation is crucial when transitioning to the more dynamic role of a traveling CNA, where you’ll need to quickly adapt to new healthcare facilities and patient care protocols.

Essential Skills for Travel CNAs

Success as a traveling CNA requires knowledge beyond a formal education. Key skills such as adaptability, communication, and patient care are critical in navigating the diverse and often challenging environments you’ll encounter as a traveling CNA.

These skills ensure that you can provide high-quality care and integrate smoothly into other healthcare professionals teams during your career as a travel CNA.

Adaptability

Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages for travel CNAs. Working in various healthcare settings, from hospitals to long-term care facilities, requires the ability to quickly adapt to new environments and workflows. Being adaptable not only helps in providing consistent care but also enhances your career growth by exposing you to different medical practices and protocols. This experience is invaluable and positions you as a versatile and skilled healthcare professional capable of thriving in any facility.

Communication

Effective communication is another essential skill for travel CNAs. Having the skill to effectively collaborate with different healthcare teams, ensures that certified nursing assistants will seamless be able to provided patient care in any facility. Clear and compassionate communication is vital when advocating for patients or discussing their needs with other healthcare professionals.

Furthermore, being able to communicate well helps build trust with patients and their families. This is particularly important when providing emotional support and addressing concerns, as it creates a positive and reassuring environment for those under your care.

Patient Care

The core of a traveling CNAs role is providing direct patient care. This includes assisting with daily living activities, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient mobility. Your responsibilities also extend to observing and reporting changes in patient condition, maintaining a clean environment, and offering emotional support.

Step 3: CNA Certification and Licensing Across States

After you have become a certified nursing assistant and gained experience working alongside other certified nursing assistants and registered nurses. The next step is to begin navigating the certification and licensing requirements in the state that you wish to work. This can be one of the more complex aspects of working as a travel CNA, however Host Healthcare offers licensing support through our knowledgeable and experienced licensing specialists.

Each state has its own set of licensing requirements, fees, and processing times for certified nursing assistants. For instance, some states may require fingerprints as part of the certification process, while others do not.2 Some states offer temporary certification, enabling you to begin working immediately as a travel CNA while your full certification is processed.3 Host Healthcare’s expert licensing team can guide you through these state-specific requirements, ensuring that you have all the necessary credentials to start your travel CNA assignment without any delay.

Step 4: Finding Travel CNA Jobs

Finding the right travel CNA jobs is a critical step in your journey. Getting connected with a recruiter, such as Host Healthcare’s top-rated recruiters, will give you the best opportunity to find the travel CNA job you are looking for. Having a specialized recruiter will allow you to have the support as they guide you through all the steps on how to become a traveling CNA.

They will start by understanding your expectations, preferences, and deal breakers to narrow down your CNA job opportunities. You will be able to request jobs in different locations or healthcare facilities that are in your home town.

To help out your recruiter we recommended preparing a strong resume, gathering references, and ensuring all required documentation is up-to-date. This will make the application process smoother and open up opportunities to more travel CNA jobs.

Benefits of Being a Traveling CNA

Being a traveling CNA with Host Healthcare comes with many benefits beyond salary. We have highlighted a few of our benefits here:

  • Weekly Pay
  • Health Benefits from Day 1
  • Health Coverage Between Jobs
  • 24/7 Support
  • 401k Matching

Additionally, traveling CNAs can build a broad network of professional contacts, enhancing career prospects and providing valuable opportunities for learning and development. This experience not only makes you a more versatile healthcare professional but also enriches your personal and professional life.

Step 5: Preparing for Your First Travel Assignment

After you have signed your contract for your travel CNA job it’s time to start preparing for your first travel assignment. While assignments usually last around 13 weeks, durations can vary. Start by organizing your daily living arrangements, such as housing and your everyday items. We recommended you begin to research short-term housing costs, weather, and transportation options in your new location.

This can be a lot, especially for first time travel CNAs. That’s why Host Healthcare provides you with housing support from the moment you apply to your travel CNA job. Our housing team is there to provide support through personalized housing assistance, including options for pet-friendly accommodations, making it easier to find suitable housing in a safe environment.

To maximize your earnings during your travel CNA assignment we recommended you create a detailed travel budget. This budget will include costs around housing, transportation, food expenses, and experienced based spending to cover both work-related and personal needs. As a travel CNA you will be eligible for travel stipends that include housing and meal per diem. Every assignments stipend is different, so your first assignment stipend allotment may be different than your next assignment. We recommended you discuss with your recruiter to fully understand the breakdown of your contracts pay.

Step 6: On Assignment as a Travel CNA

Congratulations! You have obtained your CNA license, worked with your recruiter, applied to CNA jobs, interviewed with healthcare facilities, traveled to your new location, and are about to walk through the doors for your first day. Now it is time for you to show your skills by helping patients and working alongside fellow healthcare professionals.

While your on assignment your week to week may be different as a travel CNA then the permanent staff you work alongside. When arriving to your new facility your first day or week will most likely include an orientation. In this orientation you will go over topics that range from were to park, daily tasks, or how they prefer taking vital signs.

As a traveling CNA you will be employed by your agency. An example of this is if you take an assignment with Host Healthcare, you are considered a Host Healthcare employee. This means that your weekly pay will come from your agency. Each agency is different, but almost all will require that you submit a timecard through a portal or directly with your recruiter. Be sure to check with your recruiter on the timecard submission process as each healthcare system can be different. If you have any questions while at the facility your recruiter is always available to help or call our 24/7 support line. Host Healthcare also has on staff clinicians with travel nursing experience, that will be able to help you navigate your travel CNA journey.

Become a Traveling CNA with Host Healthcare

How to become a traveling CNA can feel daunting in the start, but with the support of an agency like Host Healthcare you will never feel alone throughout your career. We understand becoming a traveling CNA offers you an unique blend of professional growth, higher earnings, and the opportunity to experience new environments. That’s why we offer top-tier benefits to ensure that you are taken care inside the facility and while at home.

As we embark on your new career together remember that becoming a traveling CNA requires a general education, certification and experience working with patients as a CNA. Along with working with a top-rated healthcare staffing agency like Host Healthcare can help find you the perfect travel CNA job. Start your travel CNA career today by signing up and discover the many benefits that come with being a traveling CNA.

 

Sources:

  1. “Get Certified as a CNA” Best Colleges, March 25, 2024. https://www.bestcolleges.com/nursing/cna-certification/
  2. “CNA Background Check” Checkr, May 22, 2024. https://checkr.com/resources/articles/cna-background-check
  3. “How to Transfer Your CNA License to Another State” Career Staff, June 20, 2024. https://www.careerstaff.com/clinician-life-blog/how-to-transfer-your-cna-license-to-another-state/