Deciding If a Career as Travel Nurse Is the Perfect Opportunity for You
Travel nursing is increasing in popularity as a career choice. If you enjoy traveling, while also adding to your nursing skills and making a difference in the local communities you visit, then travel nursing jobs could be right for you.
Travel nursing is a well-traveled path, with tens of thousands of travel nurses on contracts in the United States. As a travel nurse you can earn great wages, and with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasting that the number of registered nurses working in the United Sates will grow by 12% between 2018 and 2026, the outlook for travel nurses has never been better.
Why Do Organizations Employ Travel Nurses?
Many healthcare organizations rely on travel nurses to help them meet demand for healthcare services. In addition to demand, many states have passed legislation that dictates minimum staffing ratios. Travel nurses help to fill the gap between current permanent nurse levels and mandatory nursing ratios.
Healthcare providers also employ travel nurses to meet fluctuations in demand. For example, a beachside location may be busier in the summer while a ski-resort location is busier in the winter. Employing travel nurses allows organizations to staff up for such fluctuations without the expense of permanent, full-time employees on their payroll.
How Much Could You Earn as a Travel Nurse?
The amount you can earn as a travel nurse depends on many factors, including:
- The type of healthcare provider you work for
- The location you choose to work
- Your qualifications, skills and experience
According to the BLS, the average salary of a registered nurse is almost $72,000. However, because of the nature of travel nursing – and the fact that the provider isn’t paying the benefits and other employer costs associated with full-time employees – you could usually expect to earn more than this.
You may also be paid other amounts to cover expenses such as travel, nursing supplies and accommodation.
How Do You Become a Travel Nurse?
Many travel nurses transition into the career after working as a registered nurse. Apart from your associate degree in nursing or nursing degree, you may take specialist certifications. You will need to demonstrate adaptability depending on specific assignments.
Working with Loyal Source, you can expect a consistent and steady stream of travel nursing opportunities that align with your experience and qualifications, and we’ll provide you with the potential to achieve your life and career goals.
Considerations to Make Before Choosing Travel Nursing
There are many positives when working as a travel nurse, but, just like any other career choice, there are some negatives to consider, too.
For example, you may be required to work with unstable patients, dangerous chemicals, or bloodborne pathogens.
Changing contracts regularly – often after 13 weeks – you’ll need to be a fast learner and become acquainted with new specific health and safety procedures at consecutive healthcare providers.
Life as a travel nurse can also be quite isolated, as you won’t have the time to build up strong, working relationships with new colleagues.
Is Travel Nursing the Best Career Option for You?
Despite the negative aspects of a career as a travel nurse, there are many reasons why travel nursing could be the perfect career choice for you. If you enjoy experiencing new cities and towns, meeting different people, and having the freedom when you work, it’s a great way to earn a living.
You’ll find that you work with a variety of challenges, embed new skills, and will continually increase your knowledge base, improving your CV.
With the support of family and friends, and, of course, the support of Loyal Source behind you, a career as a travel nurse could be the perfect fit for your life and career goals.