Late one night, I was scrolling through the internet looking for ways to make extra money for grad school.
I was two years into a traditional nursing career. I was planning on working for a few years in the ICU, becoming a CRNA and then changing the world with my nursing skills.
But then I came across a posting for a temporary travel nursing assignment across the state. The pay? Double what I was currently making. Suddenly, a radical thought hit me:
Why not take a job working the same hours, live somewhere fun, double my income and pay for grad school without going into debt?
The next thing I know, I’m hitting the road for my first official gig as a traveling nurse. What I didn’t know was how it would change my life (and my carefully constructed career plans) in ways I never expected.
A Life-Changing Opportunity
My years of travel nursing allowed me to discover my true calling: helping other travel nurses grow their careers and provide exceptional care to communities across the Midwest.
To shine a light on the amazing adventure that is travel nursing, I gathered the experiences of other traveling nurses I’ve worked with over the years to put together a guide of what you can expect and some of the top things you should know:
Travel Nursing Allows You To Live And Work Anywhere, On Your Terms.
Meeting new people, learning new skills and exploring new parts of the country, all while pursuing a career you love—for the adventurous at heart, there’s nothing better.
“I like the flexibility in picking and choosing when and where I work,” explained Kim, a traveling ER nurse. “If I like the hospital I’m at, I extend. If I don’t like it, I’m free to move on. I meet a lot of great people along the way. Plus, I haven’t had to go to a staff meeting in years!”
The beauty of travel nursing is that you can do what you love on a schedule that works for you. Want to embrace your outdoorsy side? You can take a position in Colorado and hit the mountain trails on your days off. You want to stay out of hospital politics and unit drama? Once your contract is over, you can simply move on to your next assignment and leave all of that behind.
Travel Nursing Pays. (Literally)
As the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, the demand for nursing is slated to grow 12% by 2028. Because many hospitals and other medical facilities are facing nursing shortages, many rely on travel nurses to fill the gaps. As a result, being a travel nurse can be incredibly lucrative.
Using the standard 13-week contract as a guide, you can earn as much as $28 per hour as a travel nurse, depending on the contract, your specialty and years of experience. Additionally, you can make between $800-$1,200 in tax-free stipends for housing, meals and incidentals, with the freedom to choose where you want to live during your contract.
While policies vary, most nursing staffing agencies offer health, dental, vision, life insurance and even 401(k) plans. When deciding among staffing agencies, be sure to ask about your options so you can make the most informed decision possible.
The Challenges Will Make You A Better Nurse
The freedom and flexibility that travel nursing offers can be a double-edged sword. Because the standard contract is only 13 weeks long, there are certainly challenges associated with being a temporary staff member, or “traveler.”
When it comes to getting acclimated to a new assignment, Dana, another travel nurse, suggests starting with a service-oriented mindset. “You have to come with a loving attitude that you’re there to help them, sort of like a ‘rescue staff,’” she said.
Being a reliable member of the team, getting to know your co-workers, having a friendly, can-do attitude, and going the extra mile will help you make the most of your limited time during your temporary stays, and will make you a better, more capable and adaptable nurse in the process.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask Questions.
If you’re new to travel nursing, you don’t know what you don’t know. Learn from our experience and don’t be shy about asking questions, such as:
- What do you do to support traveling nurses in your unit?
- What are your unit’s turnover rates?
- What are your staffing ratios?
Asking questions like these up front will give you a better idea of what to expect at a facility. As you gain experience and take on more travel nursing contracts, you’ll soon figure out what factors are most important to you and come up with questions of your own.
Your Nursing Career Is A Journey. Take The Next Step As A Travel Nurse.
Health care is all about opportunities—an opportunity to provide exceptional care, a chance to grow in your skills and experiences, and a time to deliver healing. Travel nursing gives you the freedom to do all of this on your terms and have a well-paying career on top of it all.
From one nurse to another, it’s never too late to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and watch as travel nursing transforms your life for the better.
