by scott | Oct 5, 2022 | Job Seekers
Travel nursing is one of the fastest-growing professions in the healthcare field today. Choosing to become a traveling nurse allows you to help others, and make a great income while exploring new cities. It sounds like a great life at first glance, but this job could also have some major drawbacks. This blog post will go over what you need to know about travel nursing before applying and accepting the job.
The Realities of Travel Nursing
The first reality of travel nursing is that the perks are big. First and foremost, the pay for a traveling nurse is often 20 or 30% higher than an on-staff nurse. In 2022, the average travel nurse’s salary will be just over $108,000. Travel nurses make more primarily for two reasons:
- There is a higher need for their services, so healthcare organizations are willing to pay more.
- Healthcare organizations allow for additional perks in these roles. While staff nurses make a salary or are on an hourly differential, travel nurses have a total pay package. That can include an hourly wage plus a sign-on bonus. There are typically travel reimbursements and stipends for expenses like food, mileage, and housing. One tip? Because perks are classified as reimbursements, they’re non-taxable. This means you can bring home a much higher package when compared to a full-time nurse.
With that said, there are also some difficulties that come with travel nursing, and you should be prepared bot both the ups and downs of the profession. Gypsy Nurse, who blogs about her traveling adventures, says, “Stuff happens, it’s not always going to be perfect, and it’s not supposed to be; in life and your career.” This is probably true of a regular nursing job, as well, so we’re not surprised travel nurses experience good days and bad. However, it’s exactly the variety of new locations, new challenges, and new team dynamics that attract nurses to the traveling lifestyle. But because humans seem to thrive on manageable routines, it’s important to pace yourself.
Traveling nurses say that it can be tiring with no home base. Certainly, you have to consider being on the road if you’re a parent with younger children. But the benefit is that you get to check out communities and facilities before committing. As a travel nurse, your ability to be flexible can net real returns in income quickly. You can increase your skills fast, which makes travel nursing particularly appealing for new providers just out of school.
No matter your situation, AG Globe Services is here to serve you. We offer full service to our top employers, providing them with the best talent in the healthcare field. If you’re looking for a new role, talk with our team today to find your best career fit.
by scott | Jan 26, 2022 | Blog, Job Seekers
Is there life after travel nursing? If you’ve been on the road a while, you may not be able to see the forest through the trees of the travel nursing lifestyle. Travel nursing is a great lifestyle for all kinds of reasons but over time you may decide it’s time to settle in one place. This blog will help you start to think about your career after travel nursing is over.
Life After Travel Nursing
Travel nursing is a lucrative way to experience many different healthcare settings, new communities, and new work teams. Many nurses adopt this lifestyle and all the benefits it affords for years. But almost everyone decides at some point they may want to select a full-time role without the travel. If this is you, the first thing we recommend is taking some time off in between the traveling and your new position. Reflect on the years you’ve spent on the road and the next step you’re taking in your career. Taking a much-needed break will help reset your internal clock for this next stage in your career.
Do a strengths assessment as part of this process. What have you learned and what skills do you bring to the table? Think about the leadership skills you’ve picked up. Also, reflect on the types of environments you’ve worked in. Which ones felt more like home? Your goal is to figure out what type of work environment will make you happy in the coming years.
Many travel nurses are recent graduates. If you’ve been on the road straight out of school, or if you finished studying during your travels, start thinking about what’s next. Do you need additional certifications to go into the area you’re interested in? Do you have the drive to attain your next credential? Or, have you found a specialty area you particularly have an affinity for that you’d like to pursue?
We recommend that travel nurses practice journaling as part of their experience. This will help you remember which environments particularly challenged you. What were your high and low points? After going through this reflection process, it’s time to begin to ramp up your resume. There are dozens of jobs to pick from these days; you want to figure out the type of job that will motivate and inspire you while using the skills you’ve learned.
Travel nurses seeking a full-time role are highly in demand. They bring a level of adaptability to a sometimes-tumultuous work environment. These are skilled nurses who don’t look away from challenges, but instead seek them out. This gives the “retiring” travel nurse a leg up over other candidates whether you’re searching for a leadership or a more patient-centered role.
Sometimes the hustle and bustle of travel nursing or working a healthcare-related travel assignment can become exhausting. If you think you’re ready to settle down & find a more permanent placement near home, consider starting your search with AG Globe Services! The consultation is free and we can provide an expert set up eyes for your resume as well as helping you talk through your next steps. Get in touch with our team to learn more!
