Considerations and Recommendations for Travel Nursing in Obstetrics and Well Neonatal Care

The nursing shortage and the need to maintain appropriate staffing ratios have made contract nursing a growing health care business. Contract, or travel, nurses are often employed to meet staffing ratios, which are developed to promote positive patient outcomes. Health care facilities provide care at various levels of acuity, and nurses must be appropriately trained to deliver safe, competent care in the assigned facility. Levels of obstetric care are determined collaboratively between various professional organizations and include an assessment of acuity, service, and coordination of services. The purpose of this article is to offer recommendations for requirements for travel nurses working in obstetric and well neonatal care settings that are aligned with agency acuity and national guidelines. Shared responsibility between travel nurse agencies, hiring health care facilities, and individual nurses will lead to greater satisfaction and improved patient outcomes.