Moving Up With A Travel Nursing Career

Travel nursing. It offers a one-of-a-kind and almost unending career opportunity for nurses who are ready and willing to tackle new opportunities in their personal and professional lives. Are you ready for the challenge? Here are a few of the perks and benefits that come along with a career as a traveling nurse:

• Free housing. Hey what could be better than that, and many organizations pay for your utilities as well.
• 401K contributions -- You're on the road, and your employer is putting money in the bank.
• Paid liability and health care premiums.
• Workers compensation in case you get hurt on the job.
• Referral bonuses. Travel nursing is in high demand, so if you have any qualified friends or acquaintances, you can cash in big time.
• High pay. These positions are in demand. So, you can demand and command a high salary.
• Continuing education -- paid for by your contract employer. The health care industry is wide open, and employers are willing to pay for you to keep expanding your career.

So What's The Commitment?

Travel assignments are on average 13 weeks long, and a traveler who gets the knack of it quickly and has good problem-solving skills may have the opportunity to extend a favorite travel assignment-or even turn it into a full time position if they like the gig.

A Few Points To Keep In Mind

No doubt, the adventure of travel nursing is an exciting adventure. Yet, nurses who are considering this career option should weigh the benefits and the disadvantages. A few points to consider -- travel agencies may not offer time off when you are sick and cannot attend work. And many times there is no vacation pay, and they can be financially penalized if they do not complete their 40-hour work week. In addition, travel nurses are usually expected to stay to complete a patient assignment that takes longer than anticipated, just like the permanent staff. Taking call, working weekends or being assigned to different shifts may also be a part of the job, but for some travel assignments, such as those at outpatient surgical centers, nurses don't take call or work weekends and holidays.

You May Be Right For The Job

Getting respect quickly is the foundation of a solid working relationship with your co-workers. Travelers must stay on top of their game and remain professional while they are on the job -- at all times. They also need to take great responsibility for their assignments and make the necessary changes to fit in on the job.

Travel nurses make great money, and hospitals and surgical centers place great demands on these road warriors. Travelers are expected to make changes quickly and function well in a variety of situations and work environments -- all while in a new and unfamiliar environment. This can be stressful for anyone, especially in high-intensity ER and OR settings. Because orientation time can vary widely between facilities, nurses should ask potential employers about the type of orientation provided before accepting a travel assignment. Also ask how members of the department work together as a team and what kind of supplies, equipment, and resources are available.

To get the most of the environment and to better chances of getting the right job, a nurse considering traveling should benefit from the knowledge of travel recruiters. Nurses should let recruiters in on why they want to travel, and their expectations when it comes to recreation, personal growth and financial expectations. Complete honesty is the key in setting up mutually beneficial work relationship.

Support On The Job

So you've chosen an assignment. You'll need the support and cooperation of permanent nurses and staff to help you to make the right connections in your new job.

Be outgoing and let your co-workers know that you are ready to get down to business. They work hard and want to know that you will do the same. Permanent staff at traveler oriented facilities will make every effort to integrate you into the organization and get you involved in staff activities.

Travelers should expect to encounter variation in the way different medical organizations operate. And there are very likely differences with the different departments of a hospital. Accepting these difference will go a long way in determining your success and satisfaction on the job and as a travel nurse in general.

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