Travel nursing. I started when I was in my late 20s and have since returned to it in my early 30s. That’s one thing I love about nursing- you have a lot of options available to you, and you can change things up as you see fit. The first time I did travel nursing, it was because I wanted to live and experience a place that had always been on my bucket list- Seattle. It was an incredible experience that I’m so happy I had. Six months into being a travel nurse, my husband and I decided we wanted to start a family, so I quickly changed gears. Six years later, I’m back at it for those same reasons plus a few more! Here are my top 5 reasons to become a travel nurse:
Travel
Travel nursing is a great way to experience locations in a way that you wouldn’t normally be able to fit into a standalone vacation. You’re also not completely committed to a place like you would be if you decided to do a permanent move. You can test the waters and then decide to stay for as long as you want. A travel nurse can often stay in one location as a travel nurse for as little as eight weeks and up to a year.
Freedom & Flexibility
Travel nurses have a lot more control over their schedules than staff nurses do. You have the freedom to book contracts for the times you want to work and schedule your vacations and take time off without needing to seek approval. You can have set vacation days blocked off in your contract if there’s time off that you need. You’re completely in control. Many nurses will time their contracts to finish right before the holidays so they can enjoy that time off at home with their families. This is also when rates are typically the highest and with less competition- so also a good time to land your first contract and make really good money.
For more tips on how to land your first travel nurse contract, click here.
Contracts are typically 13 weeks, but you can always ask for a different time frame- 8 week contracts are not uncommon either. Extensions are usually extremely flexible- you definitely don’t have to extend for a full 13 weeks. I have seen nurses extend from anywhere as little as two weeks up to the full 13 weeks.
Learning Opportunities
It is truly interesting to see the many, many ways that different units utilize to achieve the same goals and outcomes. There is a huge variety of equipment out there and ways to do or set up something. You learn so many new things from working on different units, and I love picking up new tips and tricks to use in my practice and to share with others.
Earning Potential
It is no secret that travel nursing allows you to greatly increase your earning potential. During the height of Covid-19, rates were at an all-time high, and some nurses made a very significant amount of money. Rates will always fluctuate depending on supply and demand- you will typically make more than a staff nurse, but you do have to be prepared for cancellations and changes that could cause you to lose money. It is best to go into travel nursing prepared for the worst. Since returning to travel nursing, I have been fortunate enough to build up my savings and live a lot more comfortably than I did as a burnt out staff nurse.
It’s a Fun Challenge
I actually kind of love walking into a completely unfamiliar unit and seeing how quickly I can figure things out and fit into the unit’s routines. It’s just fun! The constant changes keep things interesting, and if there is anything I don’t like or find annoying- it won’t last forever!
Travel nursing is very unique with the opportunities and the flexibility that it allows you, and those are my top 5 reasons to become a travel nurse. For tips on landing your first travel assignment, click here.
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