Travel nurses are nurses who aren’t tied down to a single hospital or medical center but who travel across the country all year long, providing their services at different locations. Each new assignment will be for a matter of months, so on average, a travel nurse will probably work at 4 different locations in a year. There are great reasons to want to be a travel nurse from being able to travel, gaining a more varied experience and understanding of the field, earning more money and breaking up routine to keep things fresh. With that in mind, let’s look at five steps towards achieving the travel nurse dream.
1. Become Qualified
A travel nurse, naturally, is already a fully qualified nurse. “Whilst the basic nursing qualifications are all that are technically needed to be a travelling nurse, in general, you will want more than simply the minimum associate’s degree and 1-year experience”, explains Terrence Kelly, nursing writer at WriteMyx and BritStudent. Bachelor’s or Master’s will help you stand out and having a few years under the belt can greatly increase your likelihood of finding constant work. You definitely want to know that you’re in great shape from a qualification standpoint because you don’t want there to be any risk of not finding work as you travel. Researching how the job market is feeling will also help inform your best strategy here.
2. Ensure Licensing Is In Order
One of the problems with working nationally is the fact that nursing licenses do vary depending on where you are in the country. This will really limit you if you aren’t aware of it ahead of time. The eNLC license applies to lots of states and if you hold it and live in a state that uses it, that’s a great start. However, every time you set your eyes on another destination, make sure to research the licensing policy in order to make sure you can get licensed if you need to.
3. Decide Your Financial Goals
Money may not feature heavily in your motivation for setting out on the travel nurse path, but you can be sure that it’s going to be a vital part of what you are doing. “Travel nurses can actually expect to make more money than average settled nurses, which can be very appealing to prospective candidates. But the way in which you make that money will vary agency to agency and is very much worth consideration”, explains Sarah Gabriel, health blogger at 1Day2Write and NextCoursework. Depending on the agency you will need to decide what makes the biggest difference to you from a compensation standpoint. Is it 401k, housing, perks like rental cars, travel stipends or other benefits? You need to decide this and seek it out.
4. Find And Join An Agency
Your agency will be the thing that will facilitate you getting what you want. The agencies organize their network of nursing agents and allow you to see the positions across the country that best match your skills and your goals. Once you are signed up to an agency that you like, things will become a lot simpler and you will be able to organize your life better. A word of advice, however: don’t jump at the first agency that seems basically right. You need to ensure that you do thorough research, read reviews, talk to people at agencies and see what is best.
5. Get Ready To Go!
Once
you’re at an agency and actually signing up to a job somewhere across the
country, that’s when it will likely hit you that it’s actually happening.
Moving around like this requires a certain mentality and a certain ability to
always be prepared for what is to come. This means anything from packing well
to researching where you will be living and getting ready to adapt to the area.
Just remember, it isn’t meant to be easy, so don’t worry if you feel like
you’re struggling.
Conclusion
Being a travel nurse can be incredibly rewarding in a personal, career and financial sense. Knowing firmly what you want and going out to get it backed up by all the relevant qualifications and licenses is what it’s all about, so do that and you should have a great time exploring the country!
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
In
our first cultural competency blog, we discussed Hawaiian culture and
expectations for caregivers when working in Hawaii. This time we will
discuss Native American culture. You will notice there are many
similarities between Hawaiian and Native American societies, but there are
unique characteristics in the Native American culture that are beneficial for
any traveler to be aware of before providing care to this patient population.
While
statistics show that only two percent of the population is Native American,
many are concentrated in and around reservations, and therefore, receive
healthcare from Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities. Indian Health Services
is run by the Department of Health and Human Services Agency. The principal
goal of IHS facilities is to provide medical care to members of federally
recognized Native American and Alaska Natives.
General
HIS
Indian Health Services is set up
similarly to the Veterans Affairs office. It is a delivery system for
healthcare, not insurance coverage. As such, the coverage is only available at
specific locations. Working at an IHS facility provides an exceptional cultural
experience and the opportunity to diversify your skills while giving back to a community
in need. Because IHS facilities are government run, they typically offer high
pay and look excellent on a resume!
Many of the IHS facilities require a
minimum of three years total experience and one year of specialty experience.
The hospitals and technology are often older than caregivers are accustomed to,
but high importance is placed on excellent patient care and reasonable patient
ratios.
Caregivers should always be prepared to
care for a broad range of ailments, but frequently seen in IHS facilities are
diabetes, alcoholism/domestic violence, and altitude sickness. Being prepared
to handle the physical and emotional needs of these patients is vital.
Those traveling to work in IHS facilities
should have fundamental knowledge regarding the Native American culture and
healthcare. It is important for caregivers to be cognizant that every
tribe has different characteristics, rituals, and beliefs. The following
information is an introduction to Native American beliefs to help caregivers
familiarize themselves with the Native American culture.
Healing and religion are closely related in Native American culture. Regardless of the tribe, the main feature of Native American spirituality is the relationship between man and the land. A healer, also known as a “medicine man/women” often knows a great deal about remedying ailments with local plant life. A healer can provide traditional diagnostic care using specialties such as: hand trembling and crystal, water, charcoal, and feather gazing. Because there is such a strong tie between the physical being and religious practices, healers are often religious leaders in their community.
Chantways
Chantways include ritualized chants and singing that can take place over several days. They are often used in births, puberty rites, and marriages; it is believed they can have a large impact on the concerned person and are frequently used to bring an afflicted person into harmony with their surroundings.
Sand Paintings
Sand paintings are used most often by the Navajo, and are created using colored sand and other dry materials. It is believed that sand paintings provide healing by bringing the afflicted person into alignment with nature. The family of the patient and the healer decide on the subject matter of the paintings which may include plants, animals, or other mythical figures. There is also an accompanying ceremony in which the patient sits in the middle of the painting and sand is then applied to the patient. During the application of sand, it is thought that the painted figures come to life and help heal the patient.
Death
Death is viewed as an important spiritual transition and is linked to the newness of life; the lifespan of a person is circular as they transition from birth to death. Post death rituals are a way to help ease the deceased into the next stage of the afterlife. Caregivers should always provide privacy and time for such rituals to take place and delay post mortem care until the family is agreeable and has had an opportunity to complete important rituals. Because many tribes do not think death exists – only a change of worlds, they believe if certain rituals are not completed the soul of the deceased may be stuck and unable to pass on to the afterlife.
The Kinaalda
The Kinaalda is a Navajo puberty right for girls and takes place soon after a girl begins her first menstrual cycle. There are several days of ceremonial activities that include chantways. During the time the girl is going through rites, she is believed to have special healing powers. People may request a visit from her or seek her out to request healing.
Sweat Lodge Ceremonies
Sweat Lodge Ceremonies cleanse and purify the body while providing spiritual rejuvenation through ceremonial practices. The ceremony requires an enclosed structure to be built and filled with heated stones. The leader of the ceremony, often known as the firekeeper, will offer prayers while pouring water over the hot rocks to create steam. Members of the ceremony will spend hours or days in the sweat lodge, depending on the needs being addressed.
Not
all Native American patients are going to have an interest in integrating their
cultural beliefs with their medical care. Each patient is unique and will
likely fall on a continuum of how in depth they wish to incorporate their
ceremonial practices, but the best caregivers are knowledgeable and supportive
of the individual needs of the patients they care for. Just as when
traveling to Hawaii there are some general Etiquette do’s and don’ts when
working in an IHS facility.
Do
Don’t
· Do encourage
patients to educate you about specific cultural protocols in their community.
· Don’t use
medical jargon. Patients/family may nod their heads to be polite but
might not understand what you’re saying.
· Adapt your
tone of voice, volume, and speed of speech to the patterns of the local
community.
· Don’t use intrusive questions early in a conversation.
· Do listen
more than you speak. Be comfortable with silence or long pauses in
conversation. Adapt your tone of voice, volume, and speed of speech to
the patterns of the local community.
· Don’t
interrupt others during conversations or interject during long pauses of
silences.
· Do accept
food or beverages if offered, it is considered an important sign of respect.
· Don’t point
your finger, this may be interpreted as rude behavior in many tribes.
· Do avoid
direct eye contact unless it is initiated by a Native.
· Don’t hug or
use personal touch unless initiated from the Native.
· Do explain
what you are writing when making clinical notes in a patients/family’s
presence.
· Don’t touch
sacred objects such as medicine bags, ceremonial pieces, hair, jewelry, or
other personal or cultural items.
· Do offer
general invitations to speak during assessments/care, then remain quiet and
listen.
· Don’t stand
too close to others.
· Do be
careful to avoid imposing your personal values, morals, or beliefs.
· Don’t rush
or look at your watch frequently.
· Do learn how
the community refers to the tribal name in area.
· Do show
great respect to the Native American elders, they are highly honored in the
culture. Where we may use Sir or Ma’am in conversation, the respectful
term for elderly Natives is Grandma or Grandpa, or Masima (Grandma) or Chei
(Grandpa) in Navajo.
Traveling
to work in an Indian Health Services facility will offer you the experience to
learn about a new culture, obtain government work experience, and see the most
beautiful lands the United States has to offer, all with excellent compensation
and great patient ratios. If you are interested in this amazing
opportunity, Medical Staffing Solutions, LLC has a job waiting for you!
As the Natives say… until we meet again friends!
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
Written by: Ashley Briody, MSS, LLC
Clinical Nurse Supervisor
Brodd, J., Little, L., Nystrom, B., Platzner, R.,
Shek, R., & Stiles, E. (2013) Indigenous religions of North America.
In Invitation to world religions (pp.29-51). New
York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Deciding to temporarily work as a nurse somewhere you’ve never
been and with people you’ve never met takes a lot of courage, but an endeavor
like this can have huge payoffs. Nurses on travel assignments encounter dozens
of opportunities to grow their knowledge, experience, and connections, and all
it takes is an effort to network.
Professionally, networking while on a travel assignment can help
you discover the inner workings of another clinic or hospital. It’s easy to get
stuck in the mindset of your usual place of employment, but when you talk to
people in different environments, you learn how things vary and change, opening
your eyes to the greater scope of your profession and the opportunities
available to you in the sphere of nursing.
If you desire to improve as a nurse, meeting different nursing
professionals can introduce you to people who can inspire and teach you skills
and techniques you’ve always wanted to learn. Conversely, you can also teach
your skill set to colleagues while you work together and explain your point of
view. Exchanging ideas always has the potential to lead to professional
development.
The job itself
In terms of the job itself, getting to know the people you work
with is vital for the overall success of your performance. Being in touch with
how things operate is necessary for making the transition to a new place of
work, and knowing who you can ask for help or how you can inquire about certain
issues is vital. Teamwork is necessary in a medical setting, and you’ll fit in
best if you go out of our way to learn about others.
Many nurses who choose to travel for a short-term nursing job
enjoy exploring new places and medical practices. Getting to know your new coworkers
will provide you with informational outlets outside of strict professionalism.
Your new connection can inform you about the area, where all of
the best restaurants are located, what’s fun to do nearby, and why it might be
a good place to live. These connections can also explain why or why not they
enjoy what they do and give you further insight into the dynamic of your
hospital or clinic.
How You Should Network
Introduce yourself — to everyone. You never know who you can
learn from. Don’t stress too much about what you’re going to say, but be ready
to engage in some sort of job-related discussion. Choose a few topics you’re
comfortable talking about and be prepared to start a conversation based on
them.
The important thing is ensuring that the people you’re meeting
remember who you are after time passes. Making business cards is a relatively
cheap and easy way to have something professional to give out while you’re
networking and improve the chances they’ll remember who you are.
Also, make sure to collect business cards from the people you
meet; write a few notes that will help you remember where and how you met this
person (and maybe something you have in common); and keep it someplace safe.
It’ll make a good point of reference months later when you’d like to remember
details of your encounter.
Show enthusiasm
When speaking with your new acquaintances, show enthusiasm for
your profession and remain upbeat. You want to make a positive impression, and
if you appear excited about your nursing career and eager to learn more, people
will be more willing to help you.
It’s important to remember, though, that the object isn’t just
to benefit from the skill set of others; it’s also important to impart your
knowledge and make the connection mutually beneficial. Offer to help other
nurses learn new procedures or assist with others’ patients. Show that you can
contribute and leave a lasting impression on your coworkers.
CONCLUSION
Getting to travel, meet new people, and experience different methods of doing things can be an amazing and valuable experience. Networking ensures you’ll make the most of your time spent at the new location. If you have professional connections, you can learn from them, reach out to them whenever you have questions or concerns about nursing, and continuously have access to different opinions and points of view.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
As a travel
nurse, you are undoubtedly aware of the many perks that your career provides,
not to mention the excitement and adventure that comes along with it. However,
there are times when you may feel a bit homesick. This feeling is not uncommon,
especially if it is your first assignment or if you have not traveled in some
time.
Good news
is, there are ways to cope with homesickness as a travel nurse. In many cases,
you will welcome your new assignment and your new friends in no time at all.
Here are a few ways to make the most of your job while kicking homesickness to
the side.
Put Technology to Work
Technology is making it easy for you as a travel nurse to stay in touch with your loved ones and friends. FaceTime and Skype are making face-to-face communication up close and personal. And apps like Marco Polo offer you the option of recording a video chat that your family can watch at a time that works for them. This option is particularly helpful if you work odd shifts or have friends in different time zones.
Of course, a simple phone call is always a good option. There is nothing like hearing the sound of the voices of your loved ones and catching up. And don’t forget about texting and emails. With modern technology, keeping up with family is easier than ever before. There are multiple options for you to keep in touch with those back home, so pick one that works best for you.
Connect with Your New Colleagues
Probably one
of the best perks for you on a travel assignment is the opportunity to make new
friends. Although breaking the ice may be difficult at times, try to embrace
the new environment and invite a co-worker to coffee or dinner. Doing something
outside of work is an ideal way to foster friendships. Do not be surprised if
you end up making a few long-lasting friendships along the way.
Bring Part of Home with You
A great way
to prevent homesickness is by bringing part of your permanent home along with
you. It takes little effort to create a feeling of comfort and familiarity in
your new home while combating feelings of depression and anxiety. A favorite
blanket or pillow and meaningful photos can put a smile on your face.
Also, many
travel companies offer pet-friendly assignments, so you may want to consider
bringing your dog, cat or other pet along with you. Pets love you no matter
what the circumstances, and there is nothing better than coming home to a
familiar face when you are in a strange town.
At the end of the day, travel nursing is truly an amazing and one-of-a-kind career. Don’t let homesickness stop you from fully embracing your assignment. If you are on the hunt for your next adventure, check out the opportunities available now at GHR Travel Nursing.
We hope these tips for avoid getting homesick as a travel nurse helps you along your way. Do you have tips for fighting being homesick while on assignment? Comment them below.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
As
a traveler, you likely find yourself moving to new locations quite frequently.
Finding new hobbies and go-to errand stops can be difficult to pin down, but
with these tips and tricks you’ll be fitting in with the locals in no time!
Visit Restaurants
Want to really get to
know the culture and vibe of the city you are staying in? Check out the local
“hole-in-the-wall” restaurants. Those spots alone can say a lot about what the
natives are passionate about. Sometimes restaurants hold cooking classes or
trivia nights and those would serve as great opportunities to meet new people.
Local leagues
No better way than to
take some of your hobbies and turn them into an opportunity to meet new
friends. Whether you’re into softball, volleyball or gaming, there are always
seasonal leagues you can consider joining to get involved and meet new people
with your same interests.
Social Media
Often times when
following social media pages, they will share suggested local events and
happenings in the area. This could be anything from a food truck event, to a
craft fair, but regardless the specifics, these local get-togethers serve as a
great way to meet new friends and immerse yourself into your new temporary home.
Volunteer
Typically, animal shelters, festivals, food pantries, etc. are looking for volunteers to assist in daily tasks that require extra sets of helping hands. Volunteering is not only a solid resume builder, but it also is a way to get involved in the community and make new friends. So, during your next adventure consider volunteering, you’ll gain a confidence boost as well as meet new friends while helping!
Daily Necessities
Before leaving for each new adventure, take time to locate grocery stores, banks and pharmacies that will be nearby to where you’re staying. It is also important to consider using a pharmacy that has multiple locations and can usually be found anywhere you go. This will help the convenience of prescription pick-up so you don’t need to change the location each new place you go.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
A recent discussion on the Gypsy Nurse Network asked our members about “Lessons you’ve learned” in travel nursing. The poster wanted some tips and advice on what to look for and be aware of. The members gave some great feedback so I’ve summarized it here for you.
1. Get your pay in writing and know how to calculate your OWN take home pay. Get your taxed and non taxed $$ amounts prior to telling the agency if your interested or not.
3. Have a nest egg in the bank. You never know when a contract might be cancelled, an emergency at home or a myriad of other things that could cause you to need an emergency fund.
5. Do not let someone bully or pressure you into a job.
6. Never believe 100% of what you are told in interviews.
7. Have your time requested off written into your contract. Weddings, vacation, special events, etc.
8. Once on assignment BE SWITZERLAND
9. Expect the unexpected. Nothing is ever like you expect.
10. Trust your gut.
For me, each contract is a lesson as I go…. I’ve learned so much and still have so much more to learn. This isn’t a complete list. I recommend that you read through and follow our Travel Nurse Guide for even more details. Do you have tips or lessons that you’ve learned along the way?
Just because travel nurses are sought after and in-demand, don’t think you have your next job in the bag just yet. With some preparation, polishing and self-reflecting, your next job search can be your most seamless yet.
Read about five of the most common mistakes nurses make during the job hunt.
Outdated resume
One of the first points of contact between you and a
recruiter will be your resume. Because of this, it’s very important to make
sure your resume is up-to-date and showcases your relevant skills in a clear
and professional manner.
When it comes to displaying your experiences and
background, use concise and common language. Make it as easy as possible for
the end user and be sure to list all nursing credentials, education and your
current position. If there is more than three months between two jobs, explain
the gap.
Recruiter Sarah G. encourages candidates to show off in their resume.
“You’re the only one who knows your experience, credentials and accomplishments,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to show off and brag about yourself a little. Put your best foot forward.”
Limiting yourself to one work environment
From the fast-paced shift of an ER nurse, to working
at a small rural community facility, there are a variety of facility options
out there. One of the best parts about being a travel nurse is experiencing
many work environments.
That being said, to take true advantage of the
assortment of facilities available, keep an open mind. Don’t be too particular
about your facility needs and be open to try new things. Take advantage of the
options in the healthcare field and don’t be afraid to branch out to discover
what exactly you like, or dislike, in a facility type. You never know what
excitement or challenges a new environment will bring until you try it!
Sloppy online presence
In today’s world, it is very common for hiring
managers or recruiters to check out your online space during the screening
process. When your name is Googled or searched on Facebook, make sure the
results yield a positive online presence.
It’s always best to make sure your social profiles
have tight privacy settings. You don’t need a recruiter finding your Instagram
page which contains photos of you in compromising settings or situations.
If your social profiles are not private, be sure to
portray your best self at all times. Avoid offensive memes, oversharing, and
conversations around religion or politics. Additionally, keep in mind that
anyone on your current friends or followers list could potentially have an
impact on whether or not you land a job. You never know what mutual connections
you may have!
Even though your training, skills and education is
desirable, it’s still important to knock any phone screens or interviews out of
the park. With a little time and effort, it’s easy to set yourself apart from
other candidates with quality preparation.
Before speaking with a recruiter or manager, make
sure you learn all you can about the position or facility to which you’re
applying. If you have friends or colleagues who have experience in the role
and/or company you’re applying for, pick their brain to gain insight and
knowledge. A little research can go a long way.
Additionally, make sure all necessary paperwork is
handy and ready to be distributed. The hiring process can move pretty fast. If
and when you’re hired, you’ll thank yourself for having all licenses, resumes,
credentials and certifications in one place. The recruiter will greatly
appreciate it.
Unfocused on next opportunity
Another great bonus of working in the nursing
industry is knowing it shouldn’t take long to find a new job. Whether you’re
looking to relocate to another area of the US, or try out a new facility, your
next opportunity is right around the corner. Always have your sights on your
next gig because 13 weeks will fly by.
During your current travel nursing assignment, start
thinking about what you want your next position to be like. Hash out your wants
and needs, and determine the best next step toward meeting your long-term
career goals. You will never regret being one step ahead. And when the time to
move on approaches, work with a recruiter to start the process.
GHR Travel Nursing wishes you the best of luck in your job hunt!
We hope that these tips help you in your job hunt, if you would like more information on travel nursing our Travel Nurse Guide is a great resource.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
Travel nursing is
an excellent way to hone your clinical skills and advance your career while
getting paid to see the country.
Taking the leap
from staff nurse to gypsy nurse is difficult, but once you’ve taken the first
step, nothing can stop you! The chance to see and experience the entire country
while doing what you love is one heck of a reward. However, if this is your
first assignment, know that the road you’re on has its own set of challenges
and perils. The key to overcoming any issue is to understand what it is
firsthand and take control of the situation as it arises.
Here are some of the challenges in travel nursing both on and off the hospital floor.
Challenges in Travel Nursing
You’re Going to Miss Home
As the name implies, you’ll be traveling a lot as a travel nurse. Every working assignment is in a different location, and you’ll be away from home all the time. It can be a wee bit lonely in the beginning, but you’ll overcome it soon enough when you start working. You’ll be seeing a lot of new faces and will get to experience many different cultures when traveling. These two reasons alone will take your mind off home, so make the most of it and explore your new surroundings!
Being a travel nurse is also a chance to form lasting friendships with the people you meet along the way. Having a friend or two in a different city or state sounds like a wonderful trade-off for being far from home. If you’re having a hard time meeting people, try your colleagues and neighbors.
Choosing Where to Live
Since you won’t be
living in any one location for long, finding an ideal place to call home can be
a challenge. There are plenty of things to consider, such as how far are you
willing to travel to work and how much transportation costs will be. Most
agencies provide housing for travel nurses that rotate in and out of an area.
However, you can always take the housing stipend so you can have more control
over where to stay.
You can overcome the housing situation by avoiding Craigslist scams that sound too good to be true. Join travel nursing housing forums and ask around. If you go for a co-living space, make advanced background checks on the people you’ll be sharing a space with. Do the same to a landlord if you find a short-term rental. Try HomeAway or Airbnb if you can’t find anything. If your finances can handle it, extended hotel stays are a great option.
Your First Few Assignments
In time, you’ll
learn everything about being a travel nurse, and you’ll have the credentials to
choose where to go and what to do. If you’re starting, however, things won’t
always go your way, and the environment can be very competitive. Remember,
you’re there to help a short-staffed hospital. You need to keep an open mind on
unpredictable schedules and different work assignments.
Expect More Work
Travel nurses are
often expected to handle a heavier workload because of their higher pay. More
work and extended hours will lead to burnout, so you need to avoid places with
a low nurse to patient ratio. Gather as much information you can about a
potential assignment before you commit.
Floating
Floating isn’t fun,
and since you’re the new travel nurse on the block, you’re the most likely
candidate to get “floated” to another unit. Before you freak out,
look at floating as an opportunity that can benefit your career. Floating opens
you up to different experiences and can teach you new skills that can make you
a better nurse. If you were a part of a crew that had daily drama issues,
floating is an excellent chance to get away from all that.
Working with New People
As a travel nurse, you’ll be working with different sets of colleagues for each new assignment. There will be a lot of personalities, attitudes, and customs at play, so you must learn how to adapt to your new surroundings quickly. Learning how your new co-workers do things, and the culture of the workplace can help your integration run a lot smoother.
In some cases,
however, you should expect a little jealousy from other staff nurses. Issues
about higher pay and more desirable shifts are the usual sources of workplace
jealousy aimed at travel nurses. Since you’re a traveling nurse, your salary
will be a little higher, and you’re not subject to seniority when it comes to
shifting assignments.
In a Nutshell
There are plenty of perks to being a travel nurse, but the job has its fair share of challenges as well. What can make or break your career is how you deal with the issues that come your way.
We hope these tips help with the challenges in travel nursing you may come across in your travel nurse adventures.
Our travel nurse guide is a great resource for new travel nurses and those who have been traveling.
For the past three years working as a travel nurse, I have had the same routine. Work a contract for six months, and then take a month off for either a stay-cation or go somewhere exotic.
More times than not, your hospital will extend you to 6 months. Within those 6 months, enjoy yourself, but nickel and dime your every move while you’re working so you can indulge on your month off.
Planning a Month-Long Vacation
How to save
For example, instead of eating out all the time, I would buy $80 worth of groceries that would last me one to two weeks. Whether through Airbnbor a friend, I would rent rooms instead of getting an expensive studio to save extra cash.
I lived way below my means, still enjoying myself but putting plenty aside from that I could utilize in the future. When you make a lot of money traveling, it is easy to blow through. I encourage you to save just a little bit, and I promise you it will go a long way.
In the process of saving
I would be mapping out a rough sketch of where I wanted to go during my time off. For example, several trips I took included gallivanting throughout Europe and Southeast Asia for 2-3 weeks at a time. My friend and I would have somewhat of an idea where we wanted to go, book tickets to a country, and hop from place to place. If you’re not as adventurous as we are, contact a travel agent or a friend who has gone to the places you want to, and ask for recommendations.
We work hard as travel nurses, and there is no reason why we cannot treat ourselves to a month’s vacation away from it all! Work hard but then go ahead and play a little harder!
Happy Nurses Week 2025! We’re so grateful for all that nurses do—every single day. This week is all about you, and we’re excited to celebrate with a giveaway! Need more details? Visit our Facebook page.
