How to Outsmart the Economy as a Travel Nurse
By Melissa Wirkus, staff writer
Between the inflated cost of gas, sky-high food prices and weak consumer confidence, it’s no wonder that everyone is buzzing about the ailing economy. But RNs with experience and a will for adventure can easily get ahead during these uncertain economic times with a career as a travel nurse.
RNs can make the most of the slow economy by getting paid a premium for the skills they are already using every day by working as a travel nurse.
In addition to the intangible benefits that travel nursing provides—such as adventure, excitement and personal and professional growth, the financial rewards and generous benefits offered to travel nurses provides much-needed stability, security and peace of mind.
According to travel nurse industry experts, the job outlook for travel nurses continues to look promising year after year due to the shortage of nurses in the U.S., as well as an increasing aging population that provides a continuous need for quality medical care. Hospitals all across the country are understaffed due to the nursing shortage, census fluctuations, leaves of absence and maternity leaves—and are in need of travelers to come on board and provide relief to their short-staffed units.
With the help of a great recruiter, stable company and flexible attitude, RNs can make the most of the slow economy by getting paid a premium for the skills they are already using every day by working as a travel nurse.
Going from the 13-week mindset to the 52-week
Because hospitals in just about every city and state have a perpetual need for supplemental nurses, travel nursing is well suited to RNs who may be concerned about job security. And, with thousands of assignments available across the country, travel nurses typically have a wide variety of assignment choices when it comes to booking their next travel nursing job.
In addition to securing a new 13-week assignment, travel nurses often have the option of extending their current assignment, accepting a permanent position or even taking some time off in between assignments. Not only is travel nursing financially rewarding but it is one of the only career paths that provides ultimate flexibility for RNs.
Whatever travelers decide to do, Jasmine Patel, a recruiter with leading travel staffing company, NursesRx, said that the most important element to a stable traveling career is to have a game plan and to think long term.
“Always be thinking about where you want to go next,” she advised. “Don’t think about 13 weeks, think about 52 weeks. Try to map out where you want to take your assignments that year but always have at least three choices in terms of location so you always have options.”
Tim Aldrich, RN, who has been a traveler with staffing company American Mobile Healthcare for over six years, said he has always been able to book his next assignment with no problems by having an idea of where he wanted to go and by keeping an open mind.
“I have never had a problem getting my next assignment,” he said. “Of course, when the end of the contract approaches, you start to get those butterflies about what’s going to happen next, but if you work closely with your recruiter they will always work with you to book your next assignment before the current one is up.”
Making Great Pay without Worrying about Additional Expenses
Another sign of our troubled economy is the floundering housing market, which also affects rental prices in just about every major market. But as a traveler, rent is no longer a concern. Traveling nurses can happily earn competitive pay rates without having to worry about the majority of those funds going straight to the landlord, due to the fact that housing is provided free of charge by the travel staffing company.
Travel nurses also have the option of choosing to take a generous stipend to find their own housing. They can even use the stipend while staying with a family or friend in the area.
“You don’t have to pay housing bills,” Patel said. “You don’t have to pay electricity, water or rent. All you have to do is pack your bags and move to the next place. Your company will take care of the rest.”
In addition to company-provided housing, which removes a lot of financial stress, some assignments offer travelers bonuses at the end of an assignment and many leading companies also offer referral bonuses for current travelers who refer a new travel nurse to the company.
Combine the competitive pay rates, overtime, shift differentials and various bonuses and it is easy to see why travel nursing is such a financially rewarding career for RNs looking to get ahead in a tight economy.
“One big benefit to traveling is that you get to see places and you don’t have to worry about paying for where you go,” Patel said. “Every assignment is like a three month vacation with the ability to earn spending money.”
Keeping an Open Mind and a Strong Recruiter Relationship
Pat Hayden, a senior recruiter with American Mobile Healthcare said that establishing a relationship with a recruiter you trust is one of the key elements to a stable career as a travel nurse.
“Many nurses have traveled with me personally for over five years,” she said. “One of the most important roles of a recruiter is to keep in constant contact with the traveler. We start looking for a new assignment about eight weeks before the new start date.”
“As a travel nurse, you will always have a job but you need to be flexible,” Patel said. “We always have something going on in your specialty. You will never be unemployed as a traveler, but you have to be flexible enough to go somewhere that may not be your first choice. But if you want to go to San Diego, if I can’t get you there for your next assignment, don’t worry because I will get you there eventually!”
If you would like to get started as a travel nurse, why not apply now to learn more about the great opportunities that are available to RNs in many specialties right across the nation.
© 2008. AMN Healthcare, Inc. All Rights Reserved.