Travel nurses have the unique opportunity to travel the country and get paid to do so. As a travel nurse, you fill short-term or long-term contracts based on the facility’s needs. The beauty of being a travel nurse is that you are never tied down to one location. After your contract is up, you can take off to your next travel nursing assignment. Whether you want to stay closer to home or check out coastal states, it’s all up to you! You might be wondering how to become a travel nurse and if travel nursing is right for you. We’re here to help you figure that out!
What Is Travel Nursing Like?
If you prefer your freedom travel nursing is the gig for you. You name when and where you want to work all year round. By having a compact license you will find more opportunities knocking at your door. In the travel nursing environment, you need to have the confidence to hit the ground running. Travel nursing agencies require nurses to have 1 year of experience in their desired specialty within the last 2 years. Getting a little experience under your belt is key. Being a travel nurse isn’t for everyone, so make sure you feel ready before you dive in! If you check any of the signs listed below, it might be time to step into the world of travel nursing!
1. You Hate Workplace Drama
Let’s face it, every hospital and facility has its politics. When you are around the same people and problems day in and day out, you can get caught up in the drama. As a new employee, you can focus more time on patient care and hospital protocols than petty issues.
If you do get wrapped up in the drama at a facility, you only have to deal with it for a little bit until your contract is up! Then say goodbye and go someplace even better. 13-week contracts can be a blessing!
2. You Want to Make More Money
Data from Indeed states that on average travel nurses make 20% more than RNs. There are many factors that go into this higher salary. For starters, the base pay of a travel nurse is normally higher than a full-time nurse. This is due to the short assignments and high demand for the position. Our travelers also may be eligible to receive tax-free stipends. The stipend helps with housing, meals, cable, internet, and so on. When tax season rolls around you’ll get tax breaks for being a travel nurse too!
When you add up all these variables, it equals more money in your pocket! Keep in mind salary changes depending on location, your experience, and the facility.
3. You Enjoy Meeting New People
If you are a social butterfly who adores meeting new people travel nursing might be up your alley! Unless you are traveling with a friend or your family, you’ll be traveling alone.
Skype and Facetime are always a great way to connect with friends. But, it’s always fun to find new people to pass time with on your days off. Did you know Bumble is more than a dating app! You can Bumble for friends too. Many of our travelers have used it to match us with like-minded people to chat over coffee or go for a hike!
4. You Get Bored Easily
If you are known to have chronic boredom, then travel nursing may be your cure! Starting at a new facility and meeting new people will keep you very busy! As a travel nurse, you’ll find that boredom is a thing of the past.
5. You Adapt to Change Well
You have to be okay with the change in this career. A travel nurse needs to adapt to new co-workers, patients, and facilities. If you can roll with the punches and take on new challenges with ease. Then you have nothing to worry about!
6. You Are Adventurous
So you like adventure? This is one of the greatest pros of travel nursing! Every 13 weeks you change locations and scenery. You’ll soon find yourself meeting new people throughout the country. Wherever the wind takes you, you can go – and get paid for it!
7. You Want to Test the Waters before Fully Committing
Some of our young travelers aren’t sure what cities they like to live and work in yet. Testing cities out during 13-week contracts is the perfect way to do it. This also goes for the size of the facility they want to work at. As a travel nurse, you can test out a variety of facilities and locations until you find the perfect combo!
8. You Want to Pick When You Work
The beauty of travel nursing is the flexibility you have. Unlike traditional nursing jobs where you get limited vacation time, your vacation time is always dependent on what you want!
For example, if you know you are going to need days off for an upcoming family event, graduation, birthday party, etc. you can work that into the contract! Many travel nurses also work their 13-week contracts and take a week off to enjoy their current or new location before the next 13-week contract starts. It is all up to you!
9. You Want To Build Your Resume
Travel Nursing is one of the best ways to build your nursing resume and reach your nursing career goals! It is the fastest (and most fun) way to get nursing experience. Want to stretch your nursing and communication skills? A smaller facility is perfect for working in nearly all positions. You can get a taste of everything. But, working at a larger hospital you will most likely stay within your specialty. Wherever you decide to work, your future employers will love to see the wide array of experience. This shows how adaptable you can be and that you have a large skillset to offer their team!
For more travel nurse resume tips, read this!
10. You have A Case of Wanderlust
Wanderlust is the desire to travel and see the world. Sound like you? Travel nursing is the best way to travel the nation (in our biased opinion). There are 419 national parks, almost 95,500 miles of shoreline, and around 8,300 craft breweries in the United States! With so much to see, eat, and explore it’s hard to decide where to visit first!
We did do some research to help you in your decision, take a peek at the Best States for a Nurse to Work and Live.
It takes a special adventurous soul who works hard and plays even harder to be a travel nurse. If you think you fit the bill, contact us. We’ll have a recruiter reach out with lots of helpful information and job opportunities!
How many of the signs did you relate to? Did this help you answer “is travel nursing right for me?” We want to hear it, comment below.