Are you hesitant to try travel nursing because of these common travel myths? Don’t let these frequent misunderstandings deter you!
Travel nursing appears to be straightforward at first glance. Nurses of all specialties and agencies get brief assignments across the US at various hospitals and facilities. However, delve a little deeper, and you’ll find that travel nursing can be rather complicated. The compensation packages are varied, as are any stipends, benefits. If there is a bonus involved, it can get even more tangled.
While great recruiters can likely navigate most of this for travel nurses, there are still some confusing items.
And as a result, there are numerous reasons and justifications for misinterpretations of some simple things. This blog post will look at just a few of the most prevalent myths and misunderstandings in travel nursing.
First, it’s correct to state that some of the things we will list below are up for debate. You may be a current travel nurse, and if you’ve had a different experience with one of these topics, we’d like to hear about it; simply submit your comments at the end. Second, throughout this blog, we’ve gone into greater depth on several of these concerns and myths.
So without further ado…
MYTH #1: Travel nurse companies and recruiters choose where you will go
In reality, a travel nurse and nurses in general, have complete control over where they travel and which assignments we choose.
Of course, there is always the issue of supply and demand at play. Travel nurse agencies tend to publish current positions, and the travel nurse must evaluate them and let their recruiter know which assignments are acceptable for them. A competent recruiter will strive to match a nursing opportunity in an excellent location with just the right nurses.
Bottom line, you as the travel nurse have the ultimate say in the facilities you want, the hospitals you choose, and the positions you will take.
MYTH #2: As a travel nurse, you have to move every 13 weeks
The most general and frequent travel contract is for 13 weeks. That does not imply that you will have to relocate after the term of your contract is over. It also doesn’t mean you have to stay any longer at these assignments.
Many travel contracts include extra time, and some positions may be extended past 13 weeks.
The bottom line is if you enjoy your assignment and the part of the country you’re in, then you might stay there. The choice is yours.
MYTH #3: The types of nurses who choose to travel are all young, and I’m too old to be a travel nurse
As a travel nurse, your age is irrelevant.
There are a variety of assignments in as many healthcare facilities across the USA available. Young nurses will go before having families since they have the flexibility to do so without any other responsibilities. And the flipside is more “experienced” nurses may choose the travel nurse life after they empty the nest.
And also, many travel nurses begin their careers after their spouse retires.
Remember this, though. Nurses with no prior experience or new nursing grads should not consider a travel nursing assignment until they have at least two years of expertise in their specialty and develop some clinical competency.
The bottom line is that we travel nurses can make the career move at nearly every stage of life and career.
MYTH #4: You can’t become a travel nurse with family or pets
This isn’t really the case.
Many nurses travel with their spouses, a friend, pets, and even children. If you’re traveling with your family, there are a few things to think about. If you need more than one room, you may be charged extra for an add-on bedroom. The majority of travel companies will give you a one-bedroom, and nowadays, many will simply provide housing stipends. You get to choose where to reside.
Pets can be challenging to travel with, but it is not impossible.
If you intend to bring your family or pets with you, it’s always best to let your recruiter know so that these factors may be taken into account.
MYTH #5: Too many assignments will look bad on a nurses resume
Hospitals, facilities, and everything in between are searching for nursing candidates who can complete many tasks and hit the ground running, particularly those nurses with a lot of experience. A facility values its applicants who have completed numerous duties because they demonstrate more expertise and competence. RNs with a more significant number of assignments on their CVs are not only preferred by facilities hiring who typically hire travelers but also by agencies seeking experienced travel nurses.
A seasoned traveler can withstand anything that a reckless shift may throw at them, and I bet many of you reading g this are nodding your heads right now.
The bottom line is that the gaps or breaks in a travel nurses CV or resume only strengthen their over presence and skillset.
The final word
What other travel nurse myths have you heard or even experienced yourself?
We’d love to hear!
Post in the comments, and let’s dispel all of the travel nursing myths and elevate our profession as nurses.
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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