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Pros and Cons of a Travel Nursing Career
NursingLink
Cons
1. Constantly dealing with an unfamiliar environment – both on and off the job.
2. Changing pay rate every 3 months depending on each new contract can affect personal budgeting.
3. Occasional hostility from some staff.
4. Uncertainty of next contract (will I have a job lined up?)
5. Loneliness – not knowing anyone to call and do stuff with.
6. Cross – state licensing issues which can be a big inconvenience.
7. Remaining an outsider to the team you are working with and failing to build stable friendships
8. Navigating new hospital policies and personnel nuances each time you accept a new assignment
9. Usually the benefits offered are not as good as benefits for a permanent hospital position.
10. Stress levels can be higher with moving and becoming acquainted with a new place. (Some travel nurses enjoy this aspect and welcome new and challenging moves in their career.)
11. You may have to be on a floating schedule during your travel nurse assignment. (Your contract can usually be negotiated to float in turn with a hospital’s staff)
reggis
almost 2 years ago
28 comments
I would definitely go for the travel option when if I get the chance to choose, I find travel nursing a lot more attractive, it fits better with my lifestyle as well. Since I just renewed my travel insurance Ireland, getting a contract now would fit like a glove.
LPN2GO
almost 5 years ago
22 comments
CONS......?
#1 THE ENVIRONMENT CAN BE NEGOTIATED WITH A GPS AND ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN TRAVELING FOR A LITTLE WHILE YOU KNOW HOW TO WORK AS A NURSE YOUJUST NEED TO FIND OUT WHERE ALL THE SUPPLIES ARE.
#2IF YOU STICK TO A MINIMUM PAY RATE AND BUDGET ACCORDINGLY ANYTHING ABOVE THAT CAN BE SAVED.
#3 NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS. JUST DON'T GET INVOLVED IN THE POLITICS, MAINTAIN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND DON'T PLAY FAVORITES.
#4 START AT LEAST 6 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE END OF YOUR CONTRACT SO THAT YOU WILL HAVE YOUR NEXT ASSIGNMENT LINED UP.
#5 I AM AN AVID READER AND MOVIE WATCHER. I DON'T REALLY CARE TO GO TO MANY PLACES MAYBE OUT TO DINNER OR SUCH. SO THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME. AS FOR FRIENDS THEY ARE ALLWAYS A PHONE CALL AWAY. MOST OF US ONLY MAKE A FEW GOOD FRIENDS IN OUR LIVES ANYWAYS, THE REST ARE JUST ACQUAINTANCES.
#6 DON'T FORGET A COMPACT LICENSE CAN HELP.
#7 JUST LET YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES SPEAK FOR YOU, BE THE FIRST TO HELP AND THESE WILL COME AROUND. SOME OF MY BEST AND CLOSEST FRIENDS WERE MET ON ASSIGNMENT.
#8 MOST POLICY IS BASICALLY THE SAME. GET A MANUAL AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH IT. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOUR STATE SCOPE OF PRACTICE IS FOR THAT PARTICULAR STATE AND WHAT THE FACILITY POCIES ARE. AND IF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER ASK, ASK, ASK.
#9 THESE DO CHANGE ACCORDING TO COMPANY THAT YOU ARE TRAVELING WITH, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND YOUR OWN POLICY AND THEN THERE ARE NO SURPRISES.
#10 ONEOF THE REASONS I BECAME ADDICTED TO NURSING WAS THE ADRENALINE RUSH, LIKE A CODE FOR INSTANCE.
#11 YOU ONLY HAVE TO BE ON A FLOATING SCHEDULE IF YOU AGREE TO THIS AND IT IS IN YOUR CONTRACT. MOST CONTRACTS ARE VERY PRECISE AND ANY DEVIATION MUST BE AGREED UPON BY YOU.
Account Removed
almost 5 years ago
the pay is not always better, because it's often factored into your hourly rate, so it's really not free. Most don't understand this aspect.
travellinlpn
almost 5 years ago
6 comments
Well first of all I think that many nurses who do the travelling gig really enjoy it. I am a LPN and have been one for almost 20 years. I have had some wonderful assignments with BIG travel companies and worked in some of the most prestigous hospitals. Loved every state I went to and found lots to do and met many new friends whom were also travellers. Yeah the pay is better and you can concentrate on patient care without worrying about getting a small raise after doing everything possible and working 10 years or more in one place just to find out that a newbie just hired makes $2.00 or more an hour than you do. Also, I am ACLS certified and a AHA BLS instructor and to be all so proud I work in the Adult ICU mostly cardiac ICU. And now I am working at staffing nurses all across the midwest with a friend's company. I LOVE IT!!!!!!! I know all the staff and I know alot of the supervisors. So if you want to travel to the Midwest look me up or if you need someone to negotiate or help you get what you want out of a travel assignment.. Look me up travellinlpn@msn.com.