3 answers
Cathrine
Student
1
Question
Asked
690 views
What is it like being a traveling nurse?
What is it like being a traveling nurse? What is the schedule like? Are your coworkers nice and do you infect with them a lot? Is it fun meeting the new people you help?
Login to comment
3 answers
Amy Steinbeck
Registered Nurse
20
Answers
Davenport, Florida
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Travel nursing is not just a job, it's an exciting journey filled with rewarding experiences. Imagine having the world as your workplace, getting to explore and experience new places. Many travel nursing assignments even offer housing provisions or allowances, making it an even more appealing choice.
When you embark on a travel nursing career, you have the freedom to choose your preferred locations. You can start locally to test the waters, or dive right into distant places you've always dreamt of exploring. From my personal experience, the locations and units you'll be working in are genuinely grateful for the extra help. They're not just workplaces, but welcoming communities.
Before you set off on this adventure, it's beneficial to have a few years of nursing experience under your belt, specifically in med-surg or ER. This way, you'll have refined your assessment and nursing skills, preparing you for the journey ahead. Remember, adventure is waiting for you just around the corner!
When you embark on a travel nursing career, you have the freedom to choose your preferred locations. You can start locally to test the waters, or dive right into distant places you've always dreamt of exploring. From my personal experience, the locations and units you'll be working in are genuinely grateful for the extra help. They're not just workplaces, but welcoming communities.
Before you set off on this adventure, it's beneficial to have a few years of nursing experience under your belt, specifically in med-surg or ER. This way, you'll have refined your assessment and nursing skills, preparing you for the journey ahead. Remember, adventure is waiting for you just around the corner!
Thanks so much for responding! I will remember this in the future!
Cathrine
Joan Shea
Global Marketing Director
110
Answers
Newcastle, WA
Updated
Joan’s Answer
Hello Cathrine,
Embarking on a journey as a traveling nurse is indeed an exhilarating prospect!
Originating from the nursing deficit in the United States during the 1970s, travel nursing emerged as a unique specialty. Travel nurses, who are Registered Nurses (RNs) with diverse clinical experience, are employed by independent staffing firms. They are temporarily assigned to various care sectors to bridge the gap in short-term employment needs.
As a travel nurse, you have the privilege to serve in different states or even venture abroad as an international travel nurse. The thrill of exploring new opportunities, coupled with the benefit of earning a higher-than-average salary, makes travel nursing an appealing choice for many RNs.
However, it's important to note that travel nursing also presents its share of challenges. Constantly relocating to different states or countries and frequently adapting to the role of "the new nurse" can be demanding. The need to familiarize yourself with new organizational structures and workflows can be particularly daunting.
If the idea of becoming a travel nurse intrigues you, a good starting point would be to investigate staffing agencies that focus on travel nursing. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is also a valuable resource for more detailed information about this career path.
I trust this information will assist you in weighing the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a career as a traveling nurse.
Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Embarking on a journey as a traveling nurse is indeed an exhilarating prospect!
Originating from the nursing deficit in the United States during the 1970s, travel nursing emerged as a unique specialty. Travel nurses, who are Registered Nurses (RNs) with diverse clinical experience, are employed by independent staffing firms. They are temporarily assigned to various care sectors to bridge the gap in short-term employment needs.
As a travel nurse, you have the privilege to serve in different states or even venture abroad as an international travel nurse. The thrill of exploring new opportunities, coupled with the benefit of earning a higher-than-average salary, makes travel nursing an appealing choice for many RNs.
However, it's important to note that travel nursing also presents its share of challenges. Constantly relocating to different states or countries and frequently adapting to the role of "the new nurse" can be demanding. The need to familiarize yourself with new organizational structures and workflows can be particularly daunting.
If the idea of becoming a travel nurse intrigues you, a good starting point would be to investigate staffing agencies that focus on travel nursing. The American Nurses Association (ANA) is also a valuable resource for more detailed information about this career path.
I trust this information will assist you in weighing the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a career as a traveling nurse.
Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Hediye Scheeler
Nurse Practitioner
4
Answers
Champaign, Illinois
Updated
Hediye’s Answer
What is it like being a traveling nurse?
Well it was many years ago I did this. I had 4 years of experience on various medical surgical floors before I traveled. I worked with two different travel nurse companies over a period of 2 years. I typically took 3 month contracts. Three in a year so I have at least one week off in between to travel back home to see family. I was mostly in the south east during fall, winter early spring seasons in smaller hospitals. on 8-hour shifts, evenings or nights, and every other weekend of course. I got housing with a new roommate each rotation in each new location.
What is the schedule like?
Back in the day 8 hour shifts evenings, nights every other weekend, holidays.
Are your coworkers nice and do you infect with them a lot?
Yes I made friends with fellow travelers and permanent staff. Kept up with many of them for years afterwards.
Is it fun meeting the new people you help?
I enjoyed new people, new systems, new topography, I love travel and exporing. But after two years of a new "home" every 3 months and always being the new kid, it got a bit old.
Hope this gives you a bit of a different perspective.
Good Luck
Well it was many years ago I did this. I had 4 years of experience on various medical surgical floors before I traveled. I worked with two different travel nurse companies over a period of 2 years. I typically took 3 month contracts. Three in a year so I have at least one week off in between to travel back home to see family. I was mostly in the south east during fall, winter early spring seasons in smaller hospitals. on 8-hour shifts, evenings or nights, and every other weekend of course. I got housing with a new roommate each rotation in each new location.
What is the schedule like?
Back in the day 8 hour shifts evenings, nights every other weekend, holidays.
Are your coworkers nice and do you infect with them a lot?
Yes I made friends with fellow travelers and permanent staff. Kept up with many of them for years afterwards.
Is it fun meeting the new people you help?
I enjoyed new people, new systems, new topography, I love travel and exporing. But after two years of a new "home" every 3 months and always being the new kid, it got a bit old.
Hope this gives you a bit of a different perspective.
Good Luck