7 Ugly Truths about Travel Nursing

No doubt, there are a lot of perks and upside to traveling as a nurse. However, there are aspects that can be difficult to manage both personally and professionally. Don’t be fooled into thinking your new travel career is all sunshine and rainbows. There will for sure be some clouds and rain along the way. But our experts at Go Healthcare Staffing have been mitigating storms for decades and we can offer up a sturdy umbrella to get you through. Read on for seven ugly truths you should know about travel nursing and how you can overcome the challenges with realistic expectations.

1. Housing is NOT free

Don’t let anyone convince you that as a travel nurse you get free or paid housing. It’s a bit more complicated. The truth is, you get a stipend (usually tax-free) in addition to your hourly pay to offset housing costs. Housing stipends can vary greatly from location to location, so do the housing costs. Zip codes matter. Be sure to check out the cost of living for your assignment as well as the maximum housing allowances. Anything over and above your stipend will be an added out-of-pocket expense.

2. Tensions with permanent staff

First remember this, travel nurses are likely brought in because of a staff shortage. The permanent staff are already under increased pressure and workloads. While you hope they would see you as a relief, often times there is some resentment. Travel nurses are seen as receiving higher wages than permanent staff with less experience in that particular facility. The truth is, you are assigned there to fill a need. If you work to your potential and perform, the permanent staff will quickly appreciate your presence and return respect. Try to stay positive and be mindful of the in-house protocols, even if they differ from your normal routine. Keep patients first place and don’t get distracted.

3. Get ready to float

When there is an urgent need in another unit, nurses are often transferred over, known as floating. Travelers are often the first ones selected to “float.” Floating can sometimes be viewed as a negative and from time to time will take nurses outside their comfort zone. But understand, there are real patient needs being addressed when you are asked to float. It could be life or death situations. The truth is, floating can open up more opportunities, help you build more diverse skills and help out the staffing nurses who prefer to stay put. If you refuse to float, understand it will limit your assignment options.

4. Traveler benefits are lousy

Traveler benefits are provided by the recruitment agency. Different agencies offer different benefit packages. The truth is, some packages are quite good. Benefits can include medical, dental, vision, a 401k plan, and even lucrative incentive programs. At Go Healthcare Staffing, we like to take care of our travelers so they stay with us and continue with future assignments. In fact, we even offer a rewards program where travelers earn points to redeem for exciting merchandise.  Click here to review the benefits Go Healthcare Travelers enjoy every day.

5. Traveling is lonely

Everyone has the need for a support system that includes family and friends. It can be extremely difficult to satisfy these needs when you just left everything familiar to you and arrived in a new city. Most travelers feel homesick at one time or another. It takes time to build confidence with new acquaintances and until then it can be very lonely. The truth is, amid all the change, you get to enjoy the excitement of new places, new people, new patients, and new routines. And, there are many ways to overcome the sad feelings of homesickness. (We put together 12 Great Tips here). Try to focus on the upside to your assignment. Take some time to celebrate “me time”—go to places that interest you, watch your favorite movies, binge your favorite TV series. And seek out ways to make new friends at local clubs, classes, outdoor fairs and festivals, even events at your hospital can help break the ice with new people.

6. Travelers get the worse shifts

Travelers may often work undesirable hours, including weekends, nights, holidays, and 12-hour shifts. Schedules will vary depending on the employer’s policies, so don’t count on any one specific routine. The truth is, travelers are serving an unmet or underserved need in hospitals. It’s not unusual for those needs to be less attractive since the staff nurses are not fulfilling them. Travel nurses should be flexible and ready to adapt to change because part of their attractive compensation is based on demand and commitment to patient care. Plus, your assignment is temporary. If the conditions are not acceptable to you, speak with your recruiter and seek an assignment that works better for your lifestyle.

7. Travelers have to travel

Okay, this might seem obvious, but as a travel nurse you have to go from Point A to Point B on a regular basis. And any travel, whether by car or plane or train can be a stressful mess. You risk delays from weather, car trouble, late or cancelled flights, unreliable movers, the list goes on. You must also manage your personal banking, prescriptions, physicians, etc. from location to location to ensure continuity. What’s more, many of these elements have costs and need to be included in your budget to ensure your assignment pays out like to expect. The truth is, in exchange for these hurdles, you get to enjoy incredible flexibility and great pay. Stay organized, plan accordingly, and mind your budget. Travel nurses across the country have been successfully navigating assignments for many years. Success is absolutely possible!

Our team at Go Healthcare wants to be honest about a career as a travel nurse.

The truth is, there are some very challenging aspects but it can be incredibly rewarding. And, it’s not for everyone. We tackled seven areas that be tough to navigate as a traveler. However, they are all manageable with the right attitude and support system. Let our experienced recruiters help you evaluate a career as a travel nurse. We’ll be sure to explain the full picture and help you set realistic expectations. Then we hope you will join the thousands of travelers across the United States who are living their best life, helping others, making great money, and exploring exciting new places. Get started today. Apply Now.