{"id":8854,"date":"2024-12-16T15:00:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T15:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=8854"},"modified":"2024-12-11T20:37:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T20:37:37","slug":"guide-to-government-travel-nursing-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/travel-guides\/guide-to-government-travel-nursing-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Government Travel Nursing Jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Traditional <\/span>travel nurse contracts<\/span><\/a> are often discussed within the nursing industry, but there\u2019s another exciting and increasingly popular path\u2014government travel nurse jobs. These roles offer unique opportunities beyond the usual assignments, allowing nurses to serve in government-operated healthcare facilities and underserved areas across the country. Let\u2019s explore what government contracts entail and the pros and cons compared to regular travel assignments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding Government Travel Nursing Contracts<\/b><\/h3>\n

Government travel nursing allows nurses to work across different levels of healthcare facilities, including federal, state and local institutions, through government travel nurse contacts. The <\/span>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/span><\/a> (VA), Indian Health Services (IHS), the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) and other government-run hospitals and clinics typically offer these government contracts. Working in government facilities offers a broad range of clinical experiences and the chance to contribute to essential public health services, often in underserved or specialized settings.<\/span><\/p>\n

VA and the Travel Nurse Corps<\/b><\/h4>\n

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates the most extensive integrated healthcare system in the U.S., serving more than 9.1 million enrolled Veterans. With 1,380 facilities, including 170 VA Medical Centers and 1,193 outpatient clinics of varying complexity, the VHA provides comprehensive care to Veterans nationwide through its extensive network of healthcare services.<\/span><\/p>\n

One notable program is the <\/span>Travel Nurse Corps<\/span><\/a>, which places nurses on short-term assignments at VA medical centers across the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The positions are temporary and intermittent and designed to fill staffing shortages in VA facilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indian Health Services<\/b><\/h4>\n

\"IHS<\/p>\n

The IHS provides healthcare to American Indians and Alaska Natives. It\u2019s supported by treaties, laws, Supreme Court rulings and executive orders to be the primary federal healthcare provider to indigenous communities in the U.S. The IHS website states its mission is to elevate the health status of 2.8 million individuals from 574 federally recognized tribes across 37 states through a comprehensive health service system.<\/span><\/p>\n

Federal Bureau of Prisons<\/b><\/h4>\n

The Health Services Division of the FBOP manages medical, dental and mental health services for adults in custody of federal prison facilities, ensuring quality care and safety. Health services encompass patient education on medication, disease prevention and chronic care, emphasizing safe living conditions and heart-healthy nutrition. The division has more than 3,000 healthcare positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Government Travel Nurse Contracts<\/b><\/h3>\n

Government contracts are often longer than traditional <\/span>travel nurse jobs<\/span><\/a>, with assignments usually starting at 26 weeks, and they offer flexibility for extensions. However,\u00a0 not every staffing agency offers government contracts, so you must choose agencies that specifically work with federal, state or local government healthcare facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

When exploring your options, start by confirming whether the agency has experience and access to government contracts. Some agencies that may have government travel nursing contracts available include:<\/span><\/p>\n

AB Staffing Solutions<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n