Travel nursing is a rewarding career where you have the chance to help people all over the country and the world. Of course, there are pros and cons to any profession. The following list will help you see the benefits and downsides to being a traveling nurse.
Advantages versus Disadvantages
One of the best things about being a nurse is that you can wear scrubs all day long! Nursing scrubs are comfortable, and the closest thing you can get to wearing pajamas in a professional setting. If you love the idea of being able to look cute and wear comfortable clothing all day long, then this is definitely a positive advantage.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of being a traveling nurse is that you will always be on the road living out of a suitcase. Of course, you know this going into the job and it does have many perks. However be prepared for long hours and traveling every week. Your family, friends and relationships will have to take a back seat to work when you are on the road. It could be hard to make lasting friendships in new areas if you are always leaving. Thus, you will need to be a gregarious and outgoing person who is not afraid of putting themselves forward to meet people. Sure, this career can be great, but it can get lonely if you are not able to make friends easily.
Is the Extensive Travel Worth the Pitfalls?
The interesting thing about being a traveling nurse is that travel is one of the biggest advantages. You have the ability to widen your friendship circle and professional connections. Traveling means you can see new places and experience new things you might not have the chance to otherwise. Traveling nursing may even take you abroad if you are lucky! Just think of all the foreign cultures and people you can meet thanks to your job. If you have an adventurous spirit and love to help people, then this is definitely the right career path for you.
Another advantage of being a traveling nurse is that you will always have a job. A nurse will always be able to find work. Plus, you will be doing what you love in new exciting places all the time. You might not have a permanent home, but you will be able to see the world. Plus, you can always settle down in your favorite place later on in life. Not many other careers give people the chance to travel as a professional in the medical field.
Combine Travel and Your Career
You may get to see new things, but you will also miss out on the chance to develop meaningful work relationships with a home base. Many nurses have flexibility in their hours once they reach senior positions. You will not have this unless you stay in one place for a long time. You need to be open to the idea of missing out on establishing yourself somewhere where doctors and patients will get to know and trust you. They will not be able to see you work consistently because you will always be the new person at work. However, you can always become permanent if truly love a place. If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse, accelerated nursing programs from a reputable college willset you up well to start off.