How to Become a Travel Nurse

How to Become a Travel Nurse

Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Fulfilling, Flexible Canadian Travel Nursing Career

Are you ready to advance your nursing career, travel to new places, and make a difference where healthcare needs are greatest? 


Becoming a travel nurse could be the perfect path. At Select Medical Connections, a trusted travel nurse agency in Canada, we’re here to guide you every step of the way—from licensure and credentialing to choosing your ideal contract.

Woman traveling looking at trees.

What is a Travel Nurse?

What is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Nurse Practitioner (NP) who accepts short-term contracts—often ranging from four weeks to six months—in various healthcare facilities. In Canada, these contracts can be in bustling urban hospitals, rural community clinics, or remote northern outposts.


The goal: fill essential staffing gaps, gain diverse clinical experiences, and explore new parts of the country. There are also travel contracts available for allied health professionals!

Travel nursing is a unique career path where Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and other healthcare professionals accept short-term contracts (ranging from a few weeks to several months) in healthcare facilities across different regions. In Canada, that could mean working in major metropolitan hospitals, remote northern clinics, or coastal communities with breathtaking ocean views.

So why is travel nursing gaining popularity? 


  • Increased Demand for Specialized Skills: Healthcare facilities need short-term help to fill staffing gaps—especially for high-demand specialties such as ICU, ER, or OR.


  • Work-Life Flexibility: Many healthcare professionals crave a balance between professional challenges and personal exploration.


  • Enhanced Compensation Packages: Travel nurse roles often come with competitive pay, allowances, and additional perks to attract top talent.



Why Travel Nursing?


Why Travel Nursing?

  • Flexible Scheduling: Take breaks between contracts or line them up back-to-back.


  • Higher Earning Potential: Due to staffing demands, travel nurse compensation often includes higher hourly rates, daily per diem, free travel and accommodation, and more!


  • Skill Diversity: Adapt to varied patient populations, technologies, and hospital protocols.


  • Adventure & Exploration: Experience Canada’s natural beauty and cultural variety—from the Atlantic coast to the Rockies.


  • Professional Growth: Build a standout resume, gain unique clinical competencies, and expand your network nationwide.


For a full overview of the benefits of travel nursing visit our Why Become a Travel Nurse page.


  • Flexible Scheduling: Take breaks between contracts or line them up back-to-back.


  • Higher Earning Potential: Due to staffing demands, travel nurse compensation often includes higher hourly rates, daily per diem, free travel and accommodation, and more!


  • Skill Diversity: Adapt to varied patient populations, technologies, and hospital protocols.


  • Adventure & Exploration: Experience Canada’s natural beauty and cultural variety—from the Atlantic coast to the Rockies.


  • Professional Growth: Build a standout resume, gain unique clinical competencies, and expand your network nationwide.


For a full overview of the benefits of travel nursing visit our Why Become a Travel Nurse page.


How to Become a Travel Nurse: Step-By Step

Step 1: Fulfill Basic Education & Licensing Requirements

To begin your travel nursing journey in Canada, you’ll need the following:


Registered Nursing Degree or Diploma

You must graduate from an accredited nursing program (college or university).


Successful Completion of the NCLEX-RN (or the CRNE in legacy cases)

Passing the national licensing exam is a must to practice as an RN in Canada.


Registration With Your Provincial Regulatory Body

e.g., Ontario College of Nurses (CNO), British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM), etc.

To begin your travel nursing journey in Canada, you’ll need the following:


Registered Nursing Degree or Diploma

You must graduate from an accredited nursing program (college or university).


Successful Completion of the NCLEX-RN (or the CRNE in legacy cases)

Passing the national licensing exam is a must to practice as an RN in Canada.


Registration With Your Provincial Regulatory Body

e.g., Ontario College of Nurses (CNO), British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM), etc.

Step 2: Gain Clinical Experience

Step 2: Gain Clinical Experience

While some entry-level positions exist, most travel nurse agency partners prefer RNs and LPNs with at least 1–2 years of experience in a specific specialty—such as ER, ICU, OR, L&D, or Med-Surg.


  • Build Strong Foundations: Hone your skills in time management, patient communication, and specialized procedures.


  • Network & References: Build solid professional relationships; future employers often ask for references from your previous supervisors.


  • Increased Skillset: Many travel nurses working with Select Medical Connections have been able to gain new experience and transition to a new specialty - ask your recruiter for more information on these opportunities!


Travel nursing is a unique career path where Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and other healthcare professionals accept short-term contracts (ranging from a few weeks to several months) in healthcare facilities across different regions. In Canada, that could mean working in major metropolitan hospitals, remote northern clinics, or coastal communities with breathtaking ocean views.

So why is travel nursing gaining popularity? 


  • Increased Demand for Specialized Skills: Healthcare facilities need short-term help to fill staffing gaps—especially for high-demand specialties such as ICU, ER, or OR.


  • Work-Life Flexibility: Many healthcare professionals crave a balance between professional challenges and personal exploration.


  • Enhanced Compensation Packages: Travel nurse roles often come with competitive pay, allowances, and additional perks to attract top talent.


Step 3: Obtain or Verify Canadian Licensure

Step 3: Obtain or Verify Canadian Licensure

If you’re already practicing in one province but want to travel to another, you’ll need to ensure your nursing license is valid there. This can involve:


  • Transferring Your License: Some provinces have reciprocal agreements or streamlined processes.


  • Completing Additional Paperwork: Verify hours and education, background checks, and references.

If you’re already practicing in one province but want to travel to another, you’ll need to ensure your nursing license is valid there. This can involve:


  • Transferring Your License: Some provinces have reciprocal agreements or streamlined processes.


  • Completing Additional Paperwork: Verify hours and education, background checks, and references.

Step 4: Partner with a Reputable Travel Nurse Agency - Like Select Medical!

Step 4: Partner with a Reputable Travel Nurse Agency - Like Select Medical!

Working with a travel nurse agency, like Select Medical Connections, can significantly simplify your job search, contract negotiation, and transition to new locations. Here’s how we support you:


  • Job Matching: We’ll present you with facilities looking for your specific skills and experience level.


  • Credentialing & Paperwork: We handle much of the administrative burden of getting you booked for a contract


  • Housing & Travel Arrangements: We’ll assist with booking housing and travel or providing reimbursements, and share tips for getting comfortable and discounted accommodations.


  • Ongoing Support: If issues arise mid-contract, we will step in to mediate, troubleshoot, and advocate for you. Your recruiter is with you every step of the way from the first conversation to your contract completion. 

Travel nursing is a unique career path where Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and other healthcare professionals accept short-term contracts (ranging from a few weeks to several months) in healthcare facilities across different regions. In Canada, that could mean working in major metropolitan hospitals, remote northern clinics, or coastal communities with breathtaking ocean views.

So why is travel nursing gaining popularity? 


  • Increased Demand for Specialized Skills: Healthcare facilities need short-term help to fill staffing gaps—especially for high-demand specialties such as ICU, ER, or OR.


  • Work-Life Flexibility: Many healthcare professionals crave a balance between professional challenges and personal exploration.


  • Enhanced Compensation Packages: Travel nurse roles often come with competitive pay, allowances, and additional perks to attract top talent.


Step 5: Apply for Assignments & Navigate Contracts

To begin your travel nursing journey in Canada, you’ll need the following:


Review Available Jobs

Agencies share openings based on your specialty, desired location, and contract length.


Prepare for Interviews

Some facilities conduct phone interviews before extending an offer.


Understand Your Contract

Review details like hourly rates, overtime, housing and travel, additional perks, unit details, and your responsibilities.


Sign & Onboard

Once your contract is confirmed by the facility, you’ll receive orientation info, travel and housing details, facility protocols, and any required training modules.

FAQs About Becoming a Travel Nurse

Common Questions
& Concerns

FAQs About Becoming
a Travel Nurse

Can new graduates become travel nurses?

Most travel roles require at least 1 year of clinical experience. However, some facilities may take new grads based on their needs and the length of contract.

What about travel expenses and housing?

How long are travel nursing contracts in Canada?

Can I take time off between contracts?

Do I need a separate license for each province?

Ready to Begin Your Adventure?

Now that you know how to become a travel nurse in Canada—and the key role a travel nurse agency plays—it’s time to embark on this exciting career path.

Apply Now