WTF is a travel nurse?

Good question, I am so glad you asked! I cannot tell you how many times a day a patient will ask me, "what exactly is a travel nurse"? Well, it is a career path I took three years ago that lead me to work in some of the best hospitals in the coolest cities throughout the United States while someone else foots the bill. Sounds pretty freakin dreamy, right? IT IS!

A travel nurse works temporarily as a contractor for hospitals to fill staffing needs. Those needs could range from conversion to Electronic Medical Records, influx in surgeries or women out on maternity leave. Whatever the need might be it's a quick fix for a more long term solution whether it is training staff or continue their search for permanent staff nurses. In order to qualify for a travel assignment you must be working outside of a 50 mile radius from your permanent tax-home, which I'll get into at a later time. Usually contracts are 13 weeks but I do stumble upon some opportunities as short as 8 or as long as 24 weeks.  In a lot of cases there is a possibility of extending your contract within the same facility. Being a huge commitment-phobe I have found 13 weeks to be the perfect amount of time, more often times than not I will extend at a facility if it's a good fit but knowing I have the option to escape at the end of 13 weeks is always nice!

A travel nurse works with a recruiter from a travel nurse agency to seek out these opportunities throughout the U.S and in some cases throughout the world! The recruiting agency is responsible for picking up the tab on accommodations, travel expenses to and from the  assignment and health care benefits. Pay packages are designed specifically based on the location your assignment. Later I will be giving tips and tricks on how to get the most bang for your buck while living comfortably! 

At the end of the day, just like everything else, this is a business and also why I cannot stress enough how important it is to find the PERFECT recruiter! They are the middle man between you and the hospital and also the ones in charge of developing your pay package. I have heard horror stories of recruiters screwing someone over on multiple occasions and completely ruin their experience out on the road. Being away from your comfort zone isn't the easiest and you want to trust the person you are working with has your back. 

Deciding to become a travel nurse has easily been one of the best decisions I have ever made. From meeting incredible humans to learning skills at world renowned hospitals it has opened so many doors I never even knew existed.