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Many nurses should be comfortable lifting patients and performing other physical tasks. They may need to work long hours or be on their feet for most of each shift. In addition, Cruise Ship Nurses can benefit from physical experience in emergency medicine and intensive care. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to help you learn about the role of a Cruise Ship Nurse, common duties, required skills, expected salary, and job outlook. We’ll also review the steps you’ll need to take to become an RN and advance your nursing career.
You may end up having seasickness.
This is higher than the salary of a cruise ship nurse, but some perks come with being a nurse on a cruise ship that cannot be found in typical land-based nursing jobs. Many RNs who choose to work as cruise ship nurses are motivated primarily by the opportunity to travel and the flexibility of short-term contracts. By gaining relevant experience, networking, and showcasing your skills and certifications, you can increase your chances of securing a nursing position in this unique industry. After obtaining your license and starting your nursing career, you’ll need to gain experience in the field.
Blog Body: Step 1: Become An RN
Another thing that cruise ship nurses like about their job is that they get a few weeks off when their contract has ended. Thus, they get to have more time for rest and relaxation during this time off. Being a cruise ship nurse is a great way to spend your single years as you have all the time and freedom in the world to devote to your career. On the cruise ship, you will get a wonderful opportunity to meet people from different walks of life. You get the chance to speak with interesting people whom you may even befriend. Perhaps the best advantage is that you get by becoming one is that you get to travel the world while making money.
Example of Job Requirements for Nurses
6 Off Duty Nurses Save a Life on Cruise Ship to the Caribbean - Nurse.org
6 Off Duty Nurses Save a Life on Cruise Ship to the Caribbean.
Posted: Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Those interested in yacht nursing should remember that they are considered staff, i.e. part of the crew. This means they may need to share small living quarters with other crew members and work beyond what is considered "nursing duties". However, the ability to travel, experience new places, and meet new people is enough to attract nurses into the field of yacht nursing.
On your days off, you can freely explore the port city where the cruise ship is currently docked in. Since cruise ships dock in many port cities, you get to go to different cities too. All of these perks are seen by the cruise ship nurses as more than enough to compensate for their lower salary compared to those nurses that are working on land. There are even some cases when the medical team on board, including the nurse, needs to keep the patient stable while they wait for the helicopter ride to bring the patient to the nearest hospital.
BSN Degree
It’s important to note that while cruise ship infirmaries are staffed by medical professionals, their scope of practice may be limited compared to onshore medical facilities. In cases where specialized care or services are needed, arrangements may be made to transfer patients to onshore medical facilities at the next port of call. If you are just looking for the highest paying nurse position possible, then you wouldn’t want to become a cruise ship nurse. Instead, you would probably work for one of the big private hospitals in a big city or work as a home-care nurse. As a matter of fact, this is because a cruise ship nurse salary would be lower than the nurses that work in typical medical facilities such as a clinic or a hospital. Those who apply to become a cruise ship nurse do not do so mainly for the salary that it offers.
While this day-on-stay-on work may not be for all nurses, those with wanderlust and experience in emergency nursing or ICU nursing may find this an exciting career path. Cruise lines generally hire nurses with at least a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and a valid RN license. Most employers also require certification in basic life support and sometimes in advanced cardiac life support. Cruise ship nurses must have the skills and temperament to handle unexpected situations.
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With the right qualifications and experience, you can be ready to apply for a job with your favorite cruise line in no time. Let’s explore what it takes to become a cruise ship nurse step by step. However, Cruise Ship Nurses do not typically work on yachts or other boats. This often applies to nurses who work on vessels that are smaller than cruise ships. In most of these settings, Registered Nurses will work under the supervision of a doctor or physician. The Staff Nurse is the first responder during medical emergencies, delivering immediate first aid until the doctor can assess the situation.
Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS or HESI Exam
However, it’s not just the thrill of the open sea that attracts nurses to these roles; the compensation and benefits can also be quite enticing. Nursing jobs on cruise ships are essential to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and crew members throughout their journey. These positions typically fall under the ship’s medical department, which is responsible for providing medical care, responding to emergencies, and promoting general health and wellness onboard.
If you already work as an LVN, keep in mind that some schools offer Advanced Placement Options for LVNs who would like to enter their BSN programs. Prescriptive authority varies and depends on the state in which the NP is licensed. Some states confer full authority to prescribe; others limit prescriptive authority and require collaboration with a physician. Nurses can opt for industry-specific training from organizations like the Institute of Cruise Ship Medicine.
Occasionally, medical emergencies arise and it's difficult for rescue boats or helicopters to arrive quickly, so the nurse must be able to manage a patient until help arrives. Becoming an RN can be challenging, requiring good study skills and time management. Once you have earned your nursing degree and RN license, you will need to get at least two years of clinical experience before applying for cruise ship nursing positions.
Additionally, highlight any special skills or certifications that would make you stand out among other candidates competing for the same position aboard a cruise line vessel. If you’re bilingual this is something you should definitely emphasize on your resume. Although the BLS doesn’t report job outlook data specifically for Cruise Ship Nurses, they project that employment of all Registered Nurses will grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031. This means that over 200,000 job openings will become available each year. Some of the demand is due to the ongoing nursing shortage, while additional jobs will be created by those who transfer to different occupations or retire from the workforce. Additionally, becoming a Nurse Practitioner would also open more doors.
The working life of a nurse onboard a yacht or cruise ship is very different than most healthcare settings. Shifts can be anywhere from 4-12 hours along with the expectation of taking calls for emergencies after hours. The medical personnel, although typically considered professional staff, are not "allowed" to mingle or fraternize with the guests onboard the ship. Most cruise lines offer nurses their own cabin and meals as part of the position. These RNs routinely treat patients with a lot of different conditions, including seasickness, sunburn, food poisoning, and cardiac arrest.
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