So, you’re thinking about becoming a travel nurse. And who can blame you? It’s a great opportunity for nurses who want to explore the country while gaining valuable experience and earning top pay! But, as awesome as this job is, it’s not for everyone. It requires you to make a lot of changes in your life. That’s why you should definitely do your research before signing up. Below you will find a list of the top pros and cons of travel nursing. This should help you decide whether or not travel nursing is the right choice for you!
Top 6 Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing
The Lifestyle
One of the most unique benefits of travel nursing is the ability to work in different destinations all around the country. If you play your cards right, you could enjoy a temperate summer in Colorado and then take an assignment in sunny Florida once winter rolls in. With travel nursing, there are endless possibilities to explore new places and meet interesting people.
As wonderful as this nomadic lifestyle can be, it can be difficult for some people. With the average assignment lasting 13 weeks, travel nursing requires nurses to be adaptable. Once you arrive at your new facility, you’ll be expected to jump right in with very little training. If this sounds too fast-paced, travel nursing may not be a good fit for you.
The Pay
Employers understand the sacrifices you make when you become a travel nurse. They appreciate your willingness to temporarily relocate to their facility and they compensate you accordingly. The average annual salary for travel nurses is very favorable and it often exceeds staff nurse salaries. Stipends for living expenses such as housing and food are also provided to help travel nurses thrive in their new homes.
There’s no denying that the pay is great. But, travel nurse salaries are far from simple! Your pay will vary based on your location and you have to pay attention to factors such as taxes. Luckily, we have plenty of resources to help you understand travel nurse taxes and other complicated concepts. If you’re willing to learn how to handle your finances as a travel nurse, you could earn big!
The Outlook
Travel nurses are in high demand. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 19% growth for travel nurses by the year 2022. Whether you’re looking in a big city or a small town, this means that you won’t have any trouble finding the ideal travel nursing assignment! TravelNurseSource.com gives you access to some of the best jobs in the country. Once you narrow down a location, we can help you find the perfect position for your specialty!
With great benefits comes great competition. While there are many positions available, there are also a lot of nurses pining for them. This is especially true for popular destinations like Hawaii and New York. But don’t fret! There are many ways for you to stand out if you’re willing to put in the effort. Check out our other blogs and our YouTube channel for more information!
Now you know the top pros and cons of travel nursing! If you’re convinced you’d like to start travel nursing, fill out an online application today! We’ll do our best to find you a perfect travel nursing job in the location of your choice. And if you have any questions for us, feel free to post them in the comments section below. You can also reach out to us through our FAQs page!
For more pros and cons of travel nursing that didn’t make our list, watch the video below!
