Services of traveling nurses will always be in demand in the US and beyond. With a very high life expectancy rate, the number of senior citizens will continue to grow. This section of the population requires regular nursing care. This factor creates a significant shortage of nurses in the healthcare institutions, and that effectively and conveniently opens up ready opportunities for travel nurses.
Picking a career in travel nursing will likely place you in a very advantageous position. In addition to never-ending job opportunities, you will enjoy a higher than average pay, a level of flexibility that allows you room for professional growth as well as a satisfying personal adventure. You will also enjoy some other non-monetary benefits while at the same time making a positive impact on society- giving a helping hand to those who need it.
Travel nursing is right for you, for the health care institutions, for patients, and your professional colleagues. Each of these groups benefits in the following ways:
- Patients receive quality health care even in institutions with a shortage of nurses.
- As a nurse, you get to ease the pressure of working in one place and absorbing all the stress, staff politics, negativity that may lead to burn-out.
- Health institutions can plug the “hole” of nurse shortage without incurring high costs.
- Your nursing colleagues get a helping hand where they would otherwise have been overwhelmed- such a relief to them.
If you are considering taking a career that gives you the freedom to determine where and when you want to work, as opposed to being held in one place, then it is a good idea to become a traveling nurse. Why are we stressing this point? The reason being, humans, love freedom, stability, and ability to explore the furthest limits that they can see. The job gives you financial stability like we have seen, on top of an opportunity to tour any part of the country that you so wish. Being a traveling nurse makes your life interesting.
What You Need to Become a Traveling Nurse
- Have a degree in nursing (Associate Degree in Nursing, or Bachelors of Science in Nursing)
- Must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
- Have at least one year experience in the area of nursing specialization that you choose
The job will enable you to gather many skills that are going to enrich your experience and ability to solve problems in your field. You will get to do more than you could ever have done in a static station. You will be involved more in decision making, and your opinion and advice will be sought even by physicians, especially in developing medical care systems and plans.
You will not only help individuals to recover, but your job will involve the psychological aspects of family life. That is, you will help families heal too since you have individualized contact with your patients and can learn more about them. It is a job that will create a legacy for you. Not to forget that the very nature of your career as a traveling nurse will help you acquire what we can term as "people skills." Skills like effective communication, critical thinking, and diplomacy. You will need these skills while traveling from one place to another.
Are there Limitations in Becoming a Traveling Nurse?
Of course, there are a few limitations. They include the following:
- Frequent traveling to new environments regularly come with adjustment problems, and sometimes medical issues associated with a change of environment
- Inconveniences of the different certification requirements varying from state to state can be discouraging
- Lack of enough time to establish professional networks that are important for growth
However, that is beside the point. The bottom line is; these are setbacks that you can overcome if you want to. There is a lot of literature online that gives information and advice on all of those issues, which you can use. Read blogs and websites that offer guidance, instructions, and information on moving to new places, different legal requirements of each state, and professional linkages with peers.
As we conclude, we would like to encourage you that it is indeed a good idea to become a traveling nurse, especially if that is your passion, and you meet the qualifications. You will gain a lot as an individual in terms of monetary and professional growth while at the same time helping people who desperately needed that help to heal. You will also build good rapport with colleagues from different places and enrich your skills.
Approach that recruitment agency and select the area and institution of your choice and never regret your decisions. Are you ready to get started? Contact us today! We can help you.