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With the demand on nursing exceeding itself within the bounds of the hospital walls and military battle grounds, nursing has donned its uniform scrubs and put on its nursing shoes and begun to take on another walk of life. Travel nursing allows men and women to practice their nursing skills in healthcare facilities in one’s own country or worldwide.

Due to globalization, it is now easy for countries to make up for nursing shortages by recruiting workers from other countries. Nursing skills are universal and those of nurses in the United States are among the most advanced. Getting certified to practice in a foreign country, although a bit tedious, is relatively easy. Usually a placement agency can help guide the US nurse through the process.

Most international nursing agencies have the experience to help the travel nurse through the registration process, including any licensing or training that is required. A travel nursing tour is typically on a 13 week rotation which means that a nurse could experience four different settings in her travel country, if desired. Options to extend a 13 week tour are often available if a nurse wants to remain in the same location.

Above average pay rates and full medical benefits are not the only financial incentives to entice the travel nurse. Subsidized housing is provided either close to the health care facility or close to safe public transport. Some agencies also offer 24 days of paid vacation annually, sick pay and continuing education. Travel stipends give travel nurses a little extra financial help to explore their new country. In some locations nursing uniforms may be provided, but generally a nurse must take their own uniform scrubs and nursing shoes. Replacements for worn or damaged nursing uniforms may not be available locally, but today’s online uniform scrub retailers offer a full selection of nursing scrubs at discount prices, making access easy for nurses located in areas without adequate local retail stores.

For those looking for a nursing job in France, one of the most popular locations is Lyon, considered by some to be the gastronomic capital of France. Founded in 43 BC by the Romans, Lyon was the first major Roman city in Gaul. Situated at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers and extending up two hills, Lyon is very picturesque.

The healthcare system in France is very state-of-the-art. It was chosen as the best healthcare system in the world by the World Health Organization. Hospitals are divided into two categories…public and private. The Hospices Civils de Lyon and the Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud are adjacent to the Universite Claude Bernard Lyon1 and is the largest teaching hospital in the Rhone-Alpes region. It is the second largest hospital in France. Nursing jobs in France are held in high regard and a variety of travel nursing jobs are available.

While Lyon has grown over the years, my favorite part of the city remains the old (vielle) city. Across the river and rising up the low hills, the cobbled streets twist and turn in a system of Traboules, passageways that wander through courtyards and link the entire old city, offering ancient architecture from the fifteenth century and charming streets filled with small cafes, aromatic patisseries and boulangeries. The smell of bread is everywhere and it is difficult to pass one of these small establishments without buying at least one loaf of bread to break apart and eat immediately. Up the hill from the old town is the beautiful Basilica of Notre dame de Fourvieres with its wonderful display of old mosaics.

The newer section of Lyon lies across the river from the old town and has a systematic gridwork of streets to explore. Restaurants and shops abound. The most famous of Lyon’s restaurants is undeniably that of Paul Bocuse. It is well worth the trip to this out of the way establishment. The quality of the food is reflected in the lofty prices charged for dinner.
Lyons is dotted with its famous bouchons; these are small restaurants that serve a plate of meat or a saint-marcellin cheese with a glass of Beaujolais from 10:00 a.m. till closing. Two of the best are La Mere Cottivet and Chez Mounier. Bouchons are where the locals eat, and for good reason; traditional food and wines at reasonable prices make the bouchons popular with locals and tourists alike.

Cultural and social activities abound in Lyon, with museums, art and music festivals, nightclubs, and sporting events making Lyons an ideal location for travel nurses to experience a new culture. For nursing opportunities in Lyons, contact a reputable travel nursing agent to find out if this area just might be your temporary new home.