CareerStaff Unlimited provided this article.
Travel nursing is no longer just a way for healthcare facilities to fill urgent positions. These days, it’s an opportunity for nurses to get paid to travel, work hard, play hard, and rest hard! It’s a unique career where you can pick your schedule, fight burnout, and explore new places. The travel nurse lifestyle has evolved a lot in the past few years, and the benefits are better than ever.
Day in the Life of a Travel Nurse
- During Your Shifts
During your shifts, you’ll adapt to your new facility, gaining fresh skills, experiences, and connections. Depending on your role, you might float between departments to support staff needs.
While the dynamics may vary, you’ll quickly settle into a routine after orientation and training. Your main focus remains caring for your patients, just as you always have, with the added excitement of learning in a new environment.
- Before & After Your Shifts
Before or after your shift, the day is yours to plan. Some days, you might prefer to rest and recharge in your new surroundings. On others, you could explore the area, sample local cuisine, visit museums, or relax at a nearby park or lake.
- On Your Days Off
On your days off, the possibilities expand even further. Turn your days off into a staycation or a quick getaway.
- Unplug with a day trip to the beach, mountains, or a national park.
- Catch a ballgame, go to a concert, or visit an amusement park.
- Take a road trip to a nearby city or destination.
The travel nurse lifestyle is the perfect balance of work and play, and you have the freedom to choose what that looks like. Your days off can feel like mini-vacations if you want them to be!
5 Benefits of Today’s Travel Nurse Lifestyle
1. More Flexibility
Sometimes, you just need a break. As a travel nurse, that’s entirely possible. You can take a few weeks or even months off between assignments — whatever you need.
Whether you want to jump right back into work or take your time, the travel nurse lifestyle helps combat the burnout that affects 2 in 3 nurses today. You can work with your travel nurse recruiter to try and align your breaks with holidays or vacations if you want.
During this time off, you might travel and explore your new area without the demands of work, focus on self-care, or spend quality time with family and friends. The best part? The choice is entirely yours.
2. Travel & Explore New Areas
As a staff nurse, finding time to travel can be a big challenge. But with the travel nurse lifestyle, it’s built into the job.
You can play tourist in your new city between assignments and on your days off. Explore local favorites, visit landmarks, and unwind in nature.
Picture this: A few months surrounded by the gorgeous fall colors on the East Coast, then heading off for snowy mountain adventures — or maybe escaping to a warm beach to avoid the cold. You get to choose assignments that fit your travel dreams.
3. Build Your Nursing Resume
One of the fastest ways to gain experience is through new experiences. As a travel nurse, you’ll quickly learn new skills, expand your network, and build confidence by working in different medical settings. You’ll get exposure to various specialties, settings, and methods, broadening your perspective and abilities.
The more you open your mind to new ways of thinking and practicing, the more career opportunities you’ll discover.
4. Earn More
The numbers are clear: Travel nurses usually earn more than staff nurses. The exact pay depends on the job and location. However, because travel nurses fill urgent needs, they tend to make higher wages. On top of that, they often get extra perks like travel and housing stipends, which add to their overall income.
5. You Aren’t Stuck
Assignments typically last about 13 weeks, so you’re never “stuck” with a particular schedule, role, or setting. If you don’t enjoy an assignment, you know it’s temporary. Unlike the significant commitment of quitting a permanent position, the travel nurse lifestyle allows you to explore different work environments and see what you like or dislike. It can help you decide where you want to be long-term in your career.
Choose Your Lifestyle as a Travel Nurse
We hope you found this article on the 5 benefits of the travel nurse lifestyle helpful. Are there any other benefits we missed? Comment below.
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