“Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation.” – Aristotle
I love that quote for several reasons. The main one is that I feel it’s a large part of why many of us became nurses. Whether you’re a staff nurse, school nurse, administrator, or PRN provider, we all likely resonate with that quote.
But look, let’s be honest here for a second, nurses to nurses.
Our profession as nurses can be a demanding and high-stress career in and of itself.
Whether a staff RN or a travel nurse working with agencies, we’re often faced with long hours, and more often than not, a registered nurse must make rapid decisions about patient care. Stack on top of that the nursing shortage and increased patient loads, lack of support on some assignments, and suddenly nurses have a considerable demand being placed on our time and energy.
However, travel nursing may provide some much-needed relief and allow you to get the most out of your free time. Not to mention when travel nurses find the right jobs and positions, things can change for the better.
What are the advantages of becoming a travel nurse?
Travel the United States while working and earning good money
The average contract lasts about 12 weeks, giving new transplants more than enough time to explore a city and do some sightseeing. Instead of needing to save money up for a vacation and taking time off work, travel nurses can go in immersing themself the culture while still accumulating savings.
Build your resume with new and incredible work experiences
Large hospitals and smaller facilities often turn to travel nurse agencies and travel RNs for additional staffing needs from time to time. This includes specialty areas where you can improve your skillset so that employers are more attracted.
Meet new people, new nurses, and network
Not only will you make new friends in your travels, but these professional relationships and connections could come in handy down the road.
Make more money
Traveling nurses earn an average of $17,000 more per year than a typical nurse. Travel nursing contracts usually also include housing and travel stipends, healthcare, retirement, and other bonuses that help you save money on your monthly bills while still earning enough to cover all of your expenses.
Enjoy a flexible schedule pre and post assignment
If you want to take time off between work assignments, you don’t have to jump straight into another contract. You can work as much or little as you prefer.
I know I’ve personally taken some time off between assignments.
Challenges of Working as a Travel Nurse
New policies and procedures at different facilities
Every hospital does things differently, and it will probably take you some time to get used to the new policies. But if you have a supportive management team and coworkers, you’ll be more likely to succeed in your transition to new facilities and assignments.
Loneliness may set in
Most people are understandably intimidated to begin a new adventure with travel nursing but shouldn’t be afraid of loneliness once they arrive. Don’t be scared to reach out to other travel nurses at the facility or hospital you’re assigned to. Another great way to beat the lonely blues is via meet-up groups or events in the city you are in.
Plus, often, your recruiter might have resources for you.
Traveling with a partner, spouse or pets can get tricky
Don’t get me wrong, this is absolutely possible; however, sometimes, the options will be limited and/or may involve additional fees. Again, anything is doable; just be ready to potentially spend a little more time than usual finding just the right accommodations.
Just like most things in life, travel nursing and the nomadic life has their pros and cons. But for many nurses, the pros usually far outweigh the cons of becoming a traveler. Further, the travel nurse lifestyle can provide distinct opportunities to learn and grow as a professional.
Is Travel Nursing Right for You?
If you are looking for a high-demand, and very much in-demand job where you have the most earning potential, then it’s well worth your time to look into travel nursing as a viable option. With staffing shortages continuing, our profession will need qualified nurses to help facilities with their staffing shortfalls.
With no end in sight and no clear solution to the perpetual shortage of nurses, it seemingly may be decades before we see any hint of slowing down in the travel nurse industry. So now may be the perfect time for nurses to see the country, build a solid resume, plus make and save some money.
If I could sum this all up in a nutshell, travel nursing provides the perfect opportunity for you to see the country, save (and make) money and build your resume.
To learn more about the travel nursing opportunity and cities across the country, visit Bestica Healthcare and start planning your next assignment today.
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