The history of travel nursing tells us that this field was beginning to fulfill the crisis needs and the shortage of nurses. It still works like that; however, many benefits are added overtime now.
Travel nursing allows nurses to work for either a travel agency or staffing agency, with the opportunity to work in different locations across the country—or even the world. The role of a travel nurse is to provide patient care in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Are you considering travel nursing as a career change? If so, you'll want to read up on the pros and cons of this unique field.
We'll outline the good and the bad, so you can decide whether or not travel nursing is right for you. Keep in mind that everyone's experience may differ, so take everything with a grain of salt and do your research before making a final decision.
Ready to get started? Let's go!
Before we get into the pros and cons of travel nursing, let us tell you a little bit about how this career actually works.
What Is Travel Nursing?
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Travel nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who take short-term contracts in hospitals and medical facilities across the country. They are employed by staffing agencies who find them jobs based on their preferences and qualifications.
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Travel nursing isn't meant to be permanent. The RNs usually sign contracts for 6 to 13 weeks, after which they can decide whether they want to sign another contract at the same hospital or go somewhere else instead.
Every field and job has its benefits and drawbacks, so travel nursing has its own pros and cons, which you should always consider.
Many travel nurses enjoy the flexibility and freedom that come with this type of nursing, as well as the opportunity to see new places and meet new people.
Some of the downsides to traveling nursing include being away from home for long periods and feeling like a transient worker. However, for many nurses, the pros of being a travel nurse outweigh the drawbacks, making travel nursing an appealing option.
Travel nursing is a career that offers the opportunity to travel and see new places. It can be a fantastic experience, but before you dive in, it's essential to know the pros and cons of this career choice.
I've been a travel nurse for 11 years now and have seen many people begin their careers in this way — some very happy with their decision, others not so much.
What Are The Pros Of Being A Travel Nurse?
Travel nursing is one of the fastest-growing fields in the country. It's an excellent way to take control of your life and make a difference in other people's lives.
But it can be a challenge for those who don't know where to start or fear that taking on such a big job could cost them everything. Here are some benefits of travel nursing:
1. The freedom to see new places and explore different cultures
One of the pros of travel nursing is the freedom to see new places and explore different cultures. As a travel nurse, you'll have the opportunity to work in hospitals and clinics all over the country, which means you'll have the opportunity to visit new places and meet new people. This can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and it's a great way to see the world while also helping others.
2. The opportunity to learn and grow as a nurse
As a travel nurse, you will have the opportunity to learn and grow as a nurse. You will be exposed to new equipment, clinical procedures, treatment plans, and much more. Every hospital is different and provides unique experiences for every travel nurse.
Travel nursing allows you to build your résumé as you go. As a traveler, you can choose where you want to work. This means that if you want to gain experience in the ER, you can work in an ER and vice versa if you have experience in that department specifically.
Travel nursing allows you to get the hands-on experience needed to obtain a job directly with a hospital eventually, if that’s what you prefer.
Travel nurses are not subject to the same politics as staff nurses are. You do not have a boss breathing down your neck because of budget cuts or staffing changes. Travel nurses work for an agency and focus on nothing but patient care.
3. The chance to make new friends and connections with other nurses
Travel nursing means that you'll be working in a hospital far away from your home. That can be scary at first, but it's also an opportunity to meet new people you would have never met if you hadn't tried travel nursing.
You'll have the chance to connect with a whole new set of healthcare professionals in a completely different setting.
4. Lucrative benefits packages with competitive pay rates
Travel nurse salary is high compared to other registered nurses working in hospitals. Travel nurses often receive competitive pay rates with benefits packages that include free private housing, health insurance, paid time off, and other lucrative stipends that make the job even more appealing.
As an added bonus, they also offer tax advantages by reimbursing travel expenses and license fees along with other amenities such as relocation costs which can make the job even more worthwhile.
5. The excitement of a new adventure waiting around every corner
It’s hard to beat the excitement of travel nursing! Sure, you probably won’t be zip-lining through the jungles of Costa Rica on your day off, but there will always be something new and exciting to discover in your new surroundings.
Cities like San Francisco and New York City offer incredible attractions and landmarks, while smaller towns are often full of hidden gems you may never have known about had you not been there!
6. The satisfaction of knowing you're helping people in need
Travel nurses often work at facilities with a shortage of nursing staff. Taking on these assignments will help fill vital healthcare roles and aid patients who might otherwise go without care.
Given the current state of the U.S. healthcare system, there's no shortage of opportunities for travel nurses to make a difference.
What are the cons of being a traveling nurse?
Travel nursing might seem like a dream job. You get to see new places, make great money, and do what you love. But it’s not all roses. And if you’re considering travel nursing or are starting your first travel nurse assignment, it’s essential to be aware of the negative side to travel nursing. Below are some of the travel nurse disadvantages:
1. The potential for long hours and shift work
Travel nursing is often a quick way for nurses to burn out because of long hours and grueling schedules. Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you are an agency nurse, you can turn down assignments that don’t suit your needs.
However, if you want to get the most out of your assignment and build solid relationships with your colleagues, it’s best to go in with an open mind.
2. The fact that you're often away from home
You're often away from home. Sure, it's possible to get assignments near your hometown. But if you really want to see the country, that means spending most of your time in other cities and states — sometimes for weeks and months.
That can be difficult for people with families or close friends in their hometowns. And even if family members don't immediately miss you, they'll probably want you back home eventually. However, it is still possible to do travel nursing with a family.
3. The possibility of working in high-pressure situations
Travel nurses are often called in for emergencies, so be prepared to work in high-stress situations that involve not just the patient but also their families, coworkers, and the community at large.
These situations can be emotionally taxing and require a high level of professionalism from you as an employee and caregiver. Be sure you’re up for the challenge!
4. The need to be adaptable and flexible
Sometimes travel assignments will be canceled due to staffing changes or issues with a specific unit. If this happens, you may be asked to switch your contract to another facility in the area or take a short break while another assignment is found for you.
You will have no control over where you go or what type of unit you work on, so flexibility is critical.
Even if you like to know exactly what's going on and can't stand last-minute changes to plans, this might be a good opportunity for you to learn how to roll with the punches!
5. The possibility of being placed in a less-than-ideal location
Many people look forward to traveling during the summer months. However, there's nothing we can do to prevent the weather from being less than ideal, which can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare.
One of the most significant factors that make this job so challenging is that it's often not the weather that causes problems but the people you work with.
It's one thing to be stuck in a difficult situation when someone else is driving you crazy, but it's another to be stuck in a difficult situation when you're the one causing it.
For example, many people are afraid of being placed in an area where they don't speak the language or cannot get around easily.
Others have concerns about getting lost in an unfamiliar city and not being able to communicate with others who can help them find their way out.
When you're a travel nurse, your job is to make sure your patients are safe and happy. But on the other hand, there's nothing like getting deposited into a hospital by a unilingual taxi driver with no idea where he's taken you after a long night working.
6. The challenge of staying organized and keeping track of everything
When you're in a regular nursing job, you know where your paychecks and tax documents are being sent.
You know what day your checks will arrive (usually), how much money is in your direct deposit and which bank your money is going into. Your health insurance, car insurance, and other benefits stay the same.
However, with travel nursing, you have to keep track of all this moving around yourself - unless you go through an agency that takes care of this for you.
Some agencies will help you keep track of all your spending while traveling. They'll give you an allowance for food per diem every week or month so that you don't have to spend your own money on these expenses.
However, it's not always clear what deductions are made from your paycheck - or if any deductions are being made at all!
Now you know the pros and cons of travel nursing, it is crucial to understand if it's really worth it and is it the right field for you.
Is Travel Nursing Worth It?
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I'm not sure if I'm writing this and sharing my experience with travel nursing to convince you to become a travel nurse or to warn you not to.
Travel nursing can be stressful, lonely, and exhausting. But it can also be the most rewarding experience of your life. It took me several years of nursing before I finally made the decision to become a travel nurse.
After working for several years in one facility, I was ready for a change. I loved my job as a nurse, but I felt like I had hit the ceiling and wasn't growing as much as I would have liked.
My friends were starting new jobs in other states, so it seemed like the perfect time for me to leap too.
The first time I signed up with a travel company, they sent me on an assignment in Hawaii — all expenses paid! It was a fantastic opportunity and one that definitely would not have been possible if I had stayed in my previous position.
And don't get me wrong, there are definitely days when I am thankful for my decision to become a traveler. The flexibility, the adventure, the experiences — it all makes it worth it sometimes!
So, if you are up for facing all the challenges, travel nursing is going to be an enriching field for you, but if you are someone who cannot leave her family and friends behind, you need to think twice before choosing this field.
Why Do Travel Nurses Make So Much?
Travel nurses often earn more than their full-time counterparts, and they can earn even more by picking up extra shifts or working in higher-cost areas. But why do travel nurses make so much?
It starts with the fact that hospitals need travel nurses. There's a severe shortage of nurses in the United States, and it's expected to worsen in the coming years as baby boomers age and require more health care services.
The demand for travel nurses is exceptionally high because it's challenging to attract qualified doctors and nurses from overseas to work full-time positions in the U.S.
Travel nurses are more than willing to go where they're needed most, which is why hospitals are willing (and sometimes even eager) to pay them so well. $2,267 per week is the average salary of a traveling nurse.
If you're a nurse who wants to increase your earning potential, then you owe it to yourself to learn more about travel nursing.
Summary - Pros And Cons Of Travel Nursing!
We have listed some of the pros and cons of travel nursing. As you can see, travel nursing can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Just remember that it comes with its own set of challenges as well. Are you ready and willing to face them? If so, then travel nursing may be right for you.
