Cruise Ship Nurse: What Are the Jobs, Duties, and Requirements?

Table Of Content

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• How to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
• BROWSE JOBS
• Example of Job Requirements for Nurses
• Get job matches in your area + answers to all your nursing career questions
• Cruise Ship Nurse Schooling & Certification
• What Are The Cruise Ship Medical Team’s Responsibilities?
• Responsibilities of a cruise ship nurse

The cruise ship recruitment agency Pro Sea Staff assists Registered Nurses (RN) in securing employment for cruise ship jobs with the above-listed cruise line companies. All members of the cruise ship medical staff provide first class medical services to passengers and crew. At the same time working as a cruise ship nurse provides a very high level of job satisfaction. Cruise ship nurses perform basic first aid and make triage decisions. Although shifts can last hours, most cruise ship nurses work in rotation with other healthcare staff, with scheduled time off on board and offshore.

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If this is your first time going to work on a cruise ship, you might be wondering what you need to pack for a cruise ship contract. Learn how to become a registered nurse, whether you are straight out of high school or have taken some college courses. Find out what makes this career path special and how to become a travel nurse. RNs with BSN degrees or higher can expect more career opportunities and better compensation than nurses with ADN degrees.

How to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse

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. You should check out cruise line websites to look for job openings, making sure your educational and work experience matches the specific position requirements. A cruise ship nurse can expect to work a 12-hour shift, and nurses rotate days off. However, if a serious problem occurs, you might be called upon on an off day to lend a hand. Working as a nurse on a cruise ship is more than just an opportunity to explore.

Help...need AWAY from bedside but don't know where to go... - allnurses

Help...need AWAY from bedside but don't know where to go....

Posted: Tue, 08 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

BROWSE JOBS

Most exotic places to nurse - General Nursing Support - allnurses

Most exotic places to nurse - General Nursing Support.

Posted: Fri, 30 Dec 2016 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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.

Example of Job Requirements for Nurses

The Lead/Chief oversees nursing staff and medical clinic operations. If you’re a nurse who wants to change specialties to become a cruise ship nurse, you should consider how the differences will work for you. When it comes to nursing on a ship, there are different types of cruise nurses. Medical teams arrange evacuation and transport to higher-level facilities in serious emergencies. The Chief Doctor/ Physician is the highest ranking Medical Officer and a head of the Medical Department aboard the ship.

Working as a cruise ship nurse is an exciting and richly rewarding role that requires you to operate in a small team. You will be required to treat patients with an array of conditions, allowing you to improve your practice as you work. Having your own cabin allows you to have privacy and personal space to rest and recharge during your time off. The cabins are typically equipped with basic amenities such as a bed, storage space, a desk, and bathroom facilities, and as an officer, you receive cabin cleaning and laundry privileges.

Cruise Ship Nurse Schooling & Certification

If you have a passion for travel and meeting people from all over the world, a career as a cruise ship nurse may be just what you are looking for. These registered nurses (RNs) provide healthcare for passengers and crew members. 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. In general, cruise ship nurses are not able to bring their families on board.

All ships have a well-equipped shipboard medical centre and all members of the healthcare team pride themselves on delivering patient-centric, evidence-based healthcare to guests and crew. The duration and frequency of days off can vary, ranging from a few days to a week or more, depending on the contract terms and cruise line policies. These days off allow nurses to rest, relax, explore ports of call, and recharge before returning to their duties on board. With an average monthly salary ranging from $3,000 to $4,900, these nurses are the backbone of onboard medical care. 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.

Or, if you already work as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), consider our LVN to BSN Advanced Placement option. Average monthly salary ranges from $4,800 to $6,000, reflecting the leadership role they hold within the medical department. Nurses can opt for industry-specific training from organizations like the Institute of Cruise Ship Medicine.

Others prefer that this experience take place in hospital settings rather than outpatient clinics. If an RN has worked in emergency rooms and intensive care units, they have likely gotten used to long shifts and irregular hours. Cruise ship nurses hold either RN or APRN licenses, which determines how much cruise ship nurses can earn.

With a monthly salary averaging between $4,500 and $5,200, Nurse Practitioners contribute significantly to the medical team’s capabilities. Accepting an offer of employment, and all terms of and conditions, will allow us to start the onboarding process. As these next steps typically take place locally in your country of residence, your application may be handled by one of our local offices. For those who are already nurses who wish to further their education there is an RN to BSN program which allows you to work while getting your degree.

Cruise ship nurse’s salary can vary slightly depending on different factors such as previous work experience, years of practice and professional certifications held. Cruise ship nurses get to enjoy life on the seas as well as decent salaries. ZipRecruiter estimates that cruise ship nurses earn an average of $81,396 per year, though ZipRecuriter also estimates that more than half of current cruise ship nurses earn less. Glassdoor reports that Royal Carribean nurses earn an estimated base pay of $97,894 per year. Note that contract conditions vary based on cruise line and experience, and first-time cruise ship nurses probably earn less than what ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor report. Much like hospitals on land, cruise ships see patients with all types of ailments, sicknesses, and health problems.

Nurses who have worked in critical care units such as the CVICU or ICU will be more desirable candidates for cruise ship nurse positions. Also, nurses who speak other languages will be helpful to the medical team. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for Cruise Nurses is about $82,000 per year or roughly $39 per hour. Keep in mind that your exact salary as a Cruise Ship Nurse will vary based on your geographic location, level of education, and experience. In addition, salaries stretch further on cruise ships because lodging and food are often included with the job. The Staff Nurse is the first responder during medical emergencies, delivering immediate first aid until the doctor can assess the situation.

At the RN level, expect to spend 1-4 years earning a diploma or degree and an additional 2-3 years working as a nurse in a clinical setting. Nursing is a unique profession, allowing practice in a wide variety of settings to help people live better lives. 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. If you choose cruise ship nursing for the opportunity to travel, you can visit new destinations at each port of call and enjoy several days or weeks off between contracts.

For more information about daily life and the pros and cons of working on a cruise ship, read our ‘life on a cruise ship’ guide. Once aboard, you’ll be shown around the shipboard medical centre and brought up to speed on how to operate any medical equipment with which you are unfamiliar. Nurse practitioners (NPs) can treat patients with more independence, often without direct physician supervision. Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a side project.

Employers are particularly interested in hiring RNs with experience in emergency medicine, intensive care, or other acute care settings. Speaking a language in addition to English will boost your chances to land a position. Working as a nurse on a cruise ship requires dedication, precision and experience. Working closely with your medical colleagues, you will provide both in and out patient care. Outpatient encompasses minor illnesses, respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections, minor skin complaints and accidental injuries.