Like to Travel? Become a Cruise Ship Nurse

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you like to travel and help people at the same time, you might consider working on a cruise ship as a Cruise Ship Nurse (CSN).

Like most nurses, you'll need to be experienced in ER and ICU procedures because there may be little time to consult with medical specialists, as there would be if you worked in a hospital. You'll also need the experience to handle the wide-ranging medical care needs of roughly 2,500 passengers and 1,000 crew. And you'll need strong interpersonal skills to adapt quickly to the needs of passengers and crew from dozens of different nationalities and cultures.

If you work for Carnival Cruise Lines, you'll need a valid registration in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Ireland, or European Union country with a minimum of three recent years of emergency or critical care nursing experience and competency in emergency/critical care nursing care. You'll also need a current BLS certification, and most likely an ACLS certification (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) or its equivalent. You'll be expected to learn simple laboratory/x-ray procedures and be proficient with IV cannulation and venipuncture.

Holland America hires nurses with similar backgrounds. To work for them, you'll need to be licensed in the U.S. or Canada with at least four years of ER, ICU or CCU experience.

In general, you'll be expected to respond quickly to emergency situations and work independently with good triage and assessment skills. You'll function as respiratory therapist, X-ray tech, lab tech and critical care nurse. You'll also be doing all your own paperwork since ship nurses don't have the backup support of clerical staff.

Cruise ship nursing does have its perks. In addition to free travel to exotic locales, you'll typically work six months at sea, then take two months off. Holland America lets its nurses rest for two months after every four months at sea. There's also the chance to network and make friends with people of all cultures, nationalities and backgrounds. Many nurses develop lasting friendships that allow them to stay rent-free in foreign cities around the world.

For an added perspective, check out this video:

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