From great pay to new opportunities, there are many reasons to consider becoming a travel nurse. These skilled professionals are often needed whenever a hospital is short staffed or facing a surplus of patients. Hospitals may even supplement their existing staff if they cannot locate the right nurse for patients with similar conditions. The simple answer to these problems is travel nurses who provide a short-term service with the option of staying permanently.
Finding the right job may seem daunting, but it is not impossible. With this guide, you will learn everything you need to know and what to consider before accepting a travel nursing job offer.
Benefits of Being A Travel Nurse
While the hospitals benefit from your employment, you may experience several advantages as well. Travel nursing can be a quite rewarding experience and results in resilience, adaptability, and exceptional communication skills.
Career Growth
The top reason most travel nurses enjoy their jobs is because of career opportunities. Travelling between different medical facilities guarantees the chance to meet new healthcare professionals and network. Of course, you may also learn new skills while on the job. Travel nursing looks great on a resume because you will have plenty of references and skills to showcase. In addition, working at different locations shows that you are adaptable and up to the challenge.
Higher Pay
As most hospitals are currently short-staffed, travel nurses are in high demand. You can expect to be offered a generous payment and the opportunities to take overtime and shift differentials at your place of employment. Sometimes, you may even be awarded bonuses based on your performance. Compensation packages for travel nurses often include free health insurance, housing, and generous pay rates.
Affordable Housing
In a society where money is at the basis of living comfortably, it can pay to have a job that provides vital needs for free. Most nursing travel agencies provide free housing for their nurses in private and secure areas. The cost of living is ultimately lowered as you no longer have to worry about expenses, such as rent or mortgage. The competitive pay rates are also enough to cover groceries, transportation, and additional small expenses. When living in a city that already has a low cost of living, it is ensured that you will live comfortably.
Visiting New Places
Most travel nurses consider their job to be the perfect way to undergo a test trial before committing to settling down in one location. By living in different locations, you will gain a feel of the atmosphere, cost of living, commute times, and local attractions. You can use your job to compare these factors across many different cities or states before deciding where you would like to spend the rest of your life.
Flexible Schedules
Travel nurses are typically hired for short-term employment with the chance to work full time. As a result, you are given the freedom to choose your working and vacation times. Between assignments, there is often enough time to take a brief break from work and go on a small vacation or simply focus on yourself for a bit. This type of freedom is something that cannot be found in most careers.
Discover New Interests
Whether you are living in the city or mountains, different locations are optimal for various activities. If you are living near the beach, you may even find that you enjoy swimming or surfing. Networking with new people and making friends wherever you go can guarantee plenty of chances to try something new, whether it be hiking or mountain climbing. Not to mention, when you move to your next assignment, you will have already built a large chain of connections from your past employment.
Fall in Love With Your Job
In most careers, workers find that it is very easy to experience a “burnout” after working for some time. This is caused by the daily stress and repetitive routine associated with the job. Travel nurses avoid this by working at different locations, meeting new people, and experiencing a change of atmosphere with every new assignment. When moving on to the next assignment, you are given the chance to fall in love with your job all over again.
Avoid the Hassles of Permanent Employment
When beginning a new job, there is often plenty of paperwork to be completed. From submitting your tax information to signing consent forms, the preparation can seem endless. Fortunately, travel nurse agencies take care of that part for you. The only thing travel nurses have to worry about is going to work and fulfilling their responsibilities. If you find that the workplace politics are too much to handle, your next assignment will be waiting for you right around the corner.
Reimbursements
Being a healthcare professional comes with a lot of expenses, from purchasing scrubs to commuting to work on a daily basis. As a travel nurse, you might have more expenses in commuting as you are traveling between different states. Some nursing travel agencies provide reimbursements on scrubs and commute to reduce the burden on your wallet. As a bonus, you may even be allowed to bring a pet or your spouse along during your travels.
Outlook
Travel nursing is one of the best ways to enhance your resume and hone your skills on the job. From meeting new people to visiting new attractions, travel nursing redefines the meaning of working in healthcare. If you are qualified as a RN and would love to experience any of these benefits, consider becoming a travel nurse. Hospitals across the nation are in great need of medical professionals and offer great pay for travel nurses. Not to mention, you have the freedom to choose where and when you would like to work. It is an overall amazing experience with plenty of benefits.
