Is Travel Nursing Stressful?

Nursing is stressful in general, and there are always daily challenges to face. They devote hours on end taking care of sick patients, diving headfirst into emergencies, and making bold decisions. All the while, travel nurses push through any exhaustion or stress we may be feeling in our everyday lives. Is travel nursing much different from this? Well, no, but it’s worth it. 

What Do Travel Nurses Do?

Travel nurses care for patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and in-home settings. Travel nursing is a job that involves registered nurses or specialty nurses traveling around the country taking on short-term contracts. Contracts typically run for 13 weeks and are based in certain parts of the country, depending on which parts require nursing help. 

Salaries are competitive and generally run higher than a staffing nurse. Nurses all over the country boast about the feeling of traveling and experiencing a new place at the same time as having a steady income. 

Disadvantages of Being a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is not much different than staff nursing, but there may be some stressors that the constant movement can cause. For instance, travel nurses walk into a new hospital or facility and need to relearn a new system, understand people, and meet new patients each time. Another stressor outside of the work environment could be the constant movement to new places.

It is also significant to understand that travel nursing needs flexibility and adaptability as the job description essentially has nurses moving and switching lanes whenever required. But, this is another amazing skill to develop for work and everyday life. TheraEx Staffing backs travel nurses 100% and helps guide them through the process each time. Although there are disadvantages to being a travel nurse, there are many travel nursing benefits.

Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing

Travel Nursing pros and cons vary depending on the type of work and location, but most travel nurses love their occupation and find that the benefits of a travel nurse outweigh the challenges.

Travel Nursing Pros

Explore New Environments

Travel nursing is best suited for individuals who have become bored in the workplace or feel stuck. Travel nursing opens up the door of opportunity to explore new environments, including various cities and states. Traveling nurses can enjoy meeting new people, encountering new areas, and exploring new hobbies and scenery.

Choose When and Where to Work

Traveling nurses enjoy personal freedom as they select when and where they would like to work. They can also access the agency’s job board to create their schedule, choose their salary and opt for the best benefits packages. Jobs may last several weeks or just a few days. Nurses can choose to work in an area where weddings, graduations, birthdays, or other celebrations occur among family and friends.

Enjoy Unique Benefits of Travel Nursing

Traveling nurse benefits vary depending on the location and type of facility, but travel nurses are often well compensated. Although travel nursing is not listed separately from registered nursing, the United States Bureau of labor statistics lists registered nurses’ median pay as $75,330 per year and $36.22, which has a 9% growth rate and is higher than average for all occupations. Staffing agencies sometimes provide tax-exempt options like short-term housing and paying other expenses. A TheraEx Staffing Recruiter will discuss a customized compensation package based on travel nursing rates for the season.

Work for TheraEx Staffing Agency

TheraEx Staffing agency connects traveling nurses with local and national opportunities related to the type of employment they seek, including hospitals, long-term facilities, home healthcare, and more. The agency helps travel nurses connect with exciting and lucrative jobs nationwide, above-average pay, 24 hours support, and a one-on-one relationship with the recruiter.

Enjoy a Variety of Career Experiences

Each time a travel nurse accepts a new assignment, they gain new skills and experiences at facilities around the country, ranging from small hospitals to urban medical centers. Their knowledge helps them grow as nurses and reach the next level in their potential. Travel nurses quickly build an outstanding resume by adding new skills and serving at exceptional facilities.

Travel Nursing Cons

Travel logistics

Traveling for work introduces different stresses, including time change adjustments, possible cultural differences, weather concerns, personal medical needs like prescriptions and visiting new physicians, adapting to a new living space, possibly working undesirable hours like nights or weekends. TheraEx staffing is available 24-7 to help with concerns and tips for adjusting to the new area.

Homesickness

Leaving your spouse, friends, children, close relatives, and pets behind can be challenging for first-time travel nurses. Skype and video calls help nurses stay connected with their relatives and friends while away from home for an extended period. Traveling nurses gain a strong sense of independence and have options to combat loneliness like 20 a gym, fighting a new hobby, volunteering in the area, and socializing with coworkers.

Multiple licenses are required

Travel nursing often requires an active license for each state, and it is necessary to obtain the necessary licensing. However, most states are covered under a compact RN license. Getting licensing is relatively straightforward, and it involves a background check, fee, and an active license. Sometimes additional certifications are required for jobs such as labor and delivery, emergency room, or intensive care. Faster processing is typically available for temporary licenses in individual states for a short notice assignment.

Why Do Travel Nurses Get Paid More?

Travel nursing provides a lucrative option for nurses, as nurses are in high demand around the nation. Traveling nurses may be able to request higher salaries for specific areas like Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington DC, California, Oregon, New York, Alaska, Nevada, Washington state, and New Jersey, which are paying the highest salaries for nurses.

Travel nursing is a valuable resource that helps hospitals fill high-demand positions, and it sometimes allows employers to try out nurses before making a long-term commitment. Many times travel nurses are offered long-term opportunities, and they have the potential to make more money. Facilities often pay competitive wages to secure a travel nurse.

Contracts

Each contract is unique to the traveling nurse and differs from previous agreements even when it’s the same assignment at a later date. The facility must honor and abide by the contract until its completion. Travel nurses’ pay and compensation for housing and travel are included in the contract, and TheraEx Staffing makes sure that their travel nurses are well compensated.

Travel Nursing Stress

TheraEx Staffing understands the stress that a travel nurse faces, which is one reason why a travel nurse makes more money than a staffing nurse. Every job involves pressure, and with every stressor comes a way we can manage and learn from it. The nurse will learn from each experience and gain a healthy new mindset.

Travel nurses gain experiences that they carry with them to the next position, and the next time around is much easier. Stress management and stress-reducing strategies are helpful for everyday life, and exercise, sleep, and diet are essential for traveling nurses’ overall health. Travel nurses do not have to face challenges alone; TheraEx Staffing is available 24-7 to help their travel nurses.

Contact TheraEx Staffing

Healthcare facilities experience staffing shortages due to seasonal fluctuations, holidays, and other circumstances. When this occurs, travel nurse staffing recruits temporary nurses to travel to the location. Traveling nurses determine where they want to work, their preferred shift, and the type of healthcare facility.

Travel nursing is a job full of adventure, new experiences, and challenges that make us bigger and better people. Contact us to learn about travel nurses’ outstanding compensation and benefits.