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Depending on the state, RNs typically renew their licenses every two years. Nurses who love to travel, enjoy long breaks from work, and want to experience a one-of-a-kind career could make perfect cruise ship nurses. A cruise ship nurse provides care for guests and crew as the ship sails around the world. Because many graduate-trained APRNs hold a broad practice authority that does not require a doctor’s supervision, they make a good fit for cruise line nursing. Nurses who routinely work assignments on yachts and cruise lines find the work fun and adventurous. 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.
How Much Do Cruise Ship Nurses Make?
These nurses can travel almost anywhere, from the South Pacific to Hawaii, to the Caribbean. Because yachts are smaller and have less staff than cruise ships, in addition to providing medical care yacht nurses may also be asked to assist with other tasks such as service and maintenance. Because medical care and monitoring are not needed the whole time, assisting the other crew is another job duty.
Cruise Ship Nurse Education
If you love traveling and want to become a nurse, consider the growing field of international travel nursing. Choose from many well-paying positions in a variety of destinations all over the world. Depending on the cruise line, some nurses may have the option to bring family members aboard with them. This benefit is sometimes conditional on length of service or limited to a specific number of days per contract. Pursuing certifications, earning a graduate degree, and demonstrating fluency in languages other than English will boost your earnings and set you apart from other applicants. Nursing is a unique profession, allowing practice in a wide variety of settings to help people live better lives.
Cruise Ship Nurse Licensure and Certification
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. You should check out cruise line websites to look for job openings, making sure your educational and work experience matches the specific position requirements. Cruise ship nurses care for passengers of all ages and cruise line staff as needed. They function as first responders during emergencies, perform patient assessments, assist providers with clinical diagnosing, and administer medications and tests.
Much like hospitals on land, cruise ships see patients with all types of ailments, sicknesses, and health problems. Common issues like bad sunburns and food poisoning could be followed up by a passenger suffering from cardiac arrest. This is why cruise lines want nurses with plenty of ICU and emergency experience. Cruise nurse salaries fall below the average annual income of $82,750 for all RNs reported by the U.S. Keep in mind, however, that cruise lines provide other kinds of compensation, including free transportation for getting to and from your home base and all living expenses while working at sea.
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Here are some of the top factors to consider when deciding whether cruise ship nursing is right for you. Although RNs can enter nursing practice with a two-year ADN degree, employers generally hire nurses who have completed at least a bachelor degree. Most BSNs take between 2-4 years, depending on the type of program and number of credits transferred from previous college courses. Well, it ranges from treating patients with seasickness to providing healthcare services to patients in critical care. Contracts vary by cruise line operator and the type of nursing position. After each contract ends, nurses have the option to take up to 60 days off before taking another assignment or choosing not to renew their employment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Ship Nurse Salaries
The BSN degree, which typically takes four years to complete, has become the preferred educational credential for most cruise ship RN positions. This credential serves as the minimum prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs or certification in advanced practice nursing roles. 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. These RNs routinely treat patients with a lot of different conditions, including seasickness, sunburn, food poisoning, and cardiac arrest.
Moreover, in case of evacuation, a yacht nurse may need to assist with getting passengers to lifeboats or other vessels. You can also contact employment agencies that specialize in placing cruise ship medical personnel. Employers are particularly interested in hiring RNs with experience in emergency medicine, intensive care, or other acute care settings.
Your daily responsibilities will depend on the type and size of the ship. The average passenger capacity for a cruise ship is 3,000 guests, with the largest ocean liners hosting close to 7,000 passengers with a crew of 2,000. RNs with BSN degrees or higher can expect more career opportunities and better compensation than nurses with ADN degrees. Job posting sites, such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter, list cruise ship nurse contract commitments ranging from 12 weeks to six months.
Don’t expect to enter this field right after finishing nursing school. Most cruise lines require two or more years of clinical experience and some employers only hire RNs with at least one year of experience in acute care or emergency settings. Advanced practice nurses with a master’s degree and specialty certifications will find more prospects. Depending on the employer, cruise ship nurses can make up to $5,000 a month. RNs with advanced degrees and specialties and those in leadership positions \ can earn higher salaries. These nurses also receive other benefits such as paid transportation, lodging, and living expenses.
However, it does not provide specific salary information for cruise ship nurses. As the cruise industry rebounds from the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for these nurses should continue to expand. Both cruise ship and yacht nurses perform basic first aid skills, administer medications, and occasionally handle emergency medical care. They must be able to assess situations and triage, and also educate passengers on any medical issues or concerns. 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. Yacht nursing is a lesser-known specialty that you may not be aware of but may be pleased to know exists.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs make average median salaries of $77,600 and NPs earn $120,680. ZipRecruiter reports as of September 2022 that cruise ship nurse salaries range from $39,000-$105,500. Salaries go further on cruise ships because lodging and meals are included with the job.
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