Travel nursing is a fantastic career option for those who want to experience new places while still helping others. Fortunately, there are also many benefits when it comes to this profession. However, there are also some things to consider when deciding to become a travel nurse. Here are a few aspects of travel nursing you might not have known.
You don’t have to travel far
When people think of travel nursing, they might assume that you have to move halfway across the country when booking an assignment. This is actually not true, as you’re able to choose however far you want to travel. Whether that be a couple hours away or a couple flights away, the decision is yours!
You can bring pets and family
Don’t want to leave your furry friend at home while on an assignment? Well, you don’t have to! Simply make the necessary accommodations and bring them along on your adventure. For tips on how to travel with a pet, read our How to Be a Good Pet Owner as a Travel Nurse blog. You can of course also bring family and friends with you on assignments, so don’t worry about having to leave loved ones behind.
You can still stay fit without joining a gym
We know it isn’t ideal to join a gym if you’re only on an assignment for a few weeks or months. Instead of joining a gym, you can purchase a ClassPass membership and attend a wide array of workout classes whenever you see fit. Mix up your workouts with yoga, a spin class, kickboxing, pilates, and so much more. If you’re looking for something simpler and quicker, you can also search YouTube for workouts you can do at home. No matter what you choose, at least you’re getting some good exercise! You can also read our blog about healthy habits for travel nurses.
You won’t want to overpack
Save yourself from the hassle of overpacking and just take the basics. Clothes are especially easy to overpack, but just remember that you’ll be able to do laundry on your assignment. We understand that it’s easy to get carried away, but just ask yourself if each item you’re bringing is absolutely essential or not.
Getting your mail can be tricky
When you’re constantly traveling around on assignments, getting your mail can be a little tedious. If you’re going away for an extended period of time, it’s recommended to update your address. However, if you’re only going for a short while, consider putting your mail on hold until you get back. You can also ask a family or friend to visit your home every now and then to collect your mail. No matter what, you’ll be able to get your mail one way or another.
You’ll gain valuable experience
Take a memorable adventure while also building up your resume! Travel nursing is the perfect opportunity to gain more hands-on experience that will advance your skills and your career. Take advantage of this benefit and learn as much as possible during your travels.
Scheduling doctors appointments might be difficult
When you’re constantly on the go, it can be hard to find a time that you are positive will work for an appointment. Because most appointments are scheduled far ahead of time, it can be tricky to know what time will be best for you. This is manageable, however, and just requires you to make it a habit to schedule your appointments in advance. Mark them in your calendar and do the best you can to book your travel assignments around them.
Traveling will make you more adaptable
When consistently going from place to place, you have to be flexible with your schedule, time, and life. This might sound intimidating at first, but being adaptable is a trait that many employers are looking for in their nurses. Becoming comfortable with things always changing will set you apart from your coworkers and peers. Show your employers that you’re up for anything by helping pick up shifts when they need you most. An added benefit is that you’ll be even more grateful when you see your paycheck since nurses get paid more when demand is high.
You’ll make lasting connections
Travel nursing makes for a great opportunity to network. Build connections on your travels because you never know if you’ll want to end up living at the location of your assignment in the future. If that’s the case, then you’ll already know people when you make the move! This will help you make friends and get to know the city better. The connections you make might even help further boost your career one day.
No matter where you decide to travel on your assignments, you’ll be sure to gain valuable experience and make lasting memories. Debating where you want to go on your next assignment? Check out our blog about top travel destinations. We hope this blog has helped any and all nurses looking to get into travel nursing!
