1. You must change jobs and move every 13 weeks. Most assignments can extend (see our blog post about extending your assignment). If both you and your facility agree, many of your assignments can be renewed multiple times. The choice is up to you, if the option is there, you can choose to stay and get to know that location, or you can decline and choose to try something new.
2. Having too many assignments will look bad on your resume. Our facilities like to see multiple assignments! Having multiple assignments is a sign of a highly successful candidate. In our experience, having more assignments on your resume is not only preferred by facilities hiring travelers but also by hospitals looking for permanent staff. Being an experienced traveler who can handle anything that even the craziest of shifts throws at them is great! As a traveler, you’ll have the chance to work for a wide variety of facilities and hospitals, which you may not have had access to otherwise.
3. Travel nursing does not provide a steady income. This is a big one! If you’re willing to consider a variety of assignments (just in case that dream job or facility is not available now) and you’re willing to do some planning with your recruiter, you can plan to have a steady travel career. Many of our travelers work with us year-round. Travel nursing gives you the unique ability to go wherever the jobs are, especially where the pay is higher, or the cost of living is lower.
4. Travelers aren’t treated well by permanent staff. One of the most common reasons why travelers are hired is to ease the burden and stress put on their permanent staff who have been working short-handed. Most staff nurses you will meet are grateful for the extra help. The first day as a travel nurse, in some ways, is no different from the first day at any other job, the more you can do to help and keep a positive attitude, the easier it will be to work in your new team. We hear from many of our facilities about how sad they were to see a great traveler leave their facility, and how much their staff will miss them. But if it turns out that your assignment (for whatever reason) is just not a good fit, know that it isn’t forever! Let your recruiter know what is happening and what you are looking for in your net position!
5. Travel nursing is only for the young and fancy-free. We know that there are lots of advantages to traveling nursing when you are just starting out in your career. Things like working in new facilities, getting exposed to new protocols, and deciding first-hand what kind of hospital or unit you’re like to work in. However, we have many experienced healthcare providers that start traveling when they are further along in their careers. Their kids might have left the nest, maybe it just feels like the right time to travel and explore, or maybe they were waiting for a loved one to retire so they can travel together (or even with a pet or friend). Our recruiters would be happy to advise housing for all types of situations. Traveling might even be a way to ease into a full-time retirement: take an assignment, then take a few months off.
Our recruiters would love to work with you and answer any questions about traveling that you may have! After they have answered all your questions, they would love to get to know you and help you find your dream traveling assignment! We hope you have found this article helpful! If you are interested in starting your travel med career, reach out to one of our recruiters or visit our jobs board today!