Why Did You Choose a Nursing Career?
By Aaron Moore, MSN, RN-BC, travel nurse expert
Recently, I had a nursing student precepting with me. I asked her a question that often comes up when I meet a new nurse: “Why did you go into nursing?”
I was shocked when she answered, “I want to travel.”
“Well, I guess that makes two of us!” I responded.
Back in the day, I was on my way to becoming a veterinarian when transferring to a large university didn’t work into my life plan. I quickly wanted to put my credits to work. I met with an advisor who introduced me to another advisor who ran the nursing program at the college.
He told me all about this amazing thing called “travel nursing.” I was hooked!
I told my then-girlfriend (now my wife) about this opportunity to see the country while making money. At that moment I knew nursing would be the career for me. And my travel nursing jobs turned into a grand adventure for the two of us.
Like my student, I was drawn to nursing because of the thought of traveling. I found out she was also from a small town, excited to see the world. And why not on someone else’s dime?
A travel nursing career is amazing and offers so many opportunities locally and nationally, and even internationally for some.
It’s a job you can build a career out of, you can support a family with, and honestly you can make some pretty good money if you apply yourself. Oh, and did I mention that travel nurses are in high demand? Travel jobs can also help you gain experience to boost your long-term nursing career.
Travel nursing was a gateway to a future for me. It made me the nurse I am today.
It taught me to get out of my comfort zone, to try new things and to fully experience new places. It forced me to be assertive as I had to deal with people that I didn’t know. It taught me Spanish! It made me a lifelong learner due to the constant change.
Life is good, people!
So, if you’re a student still seeking the right vocation, take a chance and try this amazing job of nursing. Add include travel jobs in your career plans.
Or, if you’re an experienced nurse who chose nursing for different reasons, consider travel nursing as way to experience your profession in fresh ways and in exciting new places every few weeks.
I spent the better part of our shift that day telling my nursing student about all the tricks of the trade in travel nursing, and sharing some amazing stories from my travels. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
Here’s hoping this new nurse, and many like her, will have the time of her life as a travel nurse.
Do you have a question about travel nursing? Check out our travel nurse FAQs; or learn more about Aaron's travels via his travel nursing blogs.
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