Take Advantage of Travel Nursing's Free Benefits
"Nothing is truly free," most people will tell you, but there are a number of no-cost benefits that travel nurses can enjoy. Some are offered by travel nurse agencies, while others are simply fringe benefits of the traveler lifestyle.
So what are these free benefits for travelers? Here are just a few:
Free job search assistance - The key to getting top travel nursing assignments is signing up with a reputable travel nursing agency with an experienced recruitment staff that has a lot of options to offer. Once you're signed up, your recruiter will do the job searching for you. He or she can match you to a number of openings already in their system, or keep an eye out for the type of opportunity you're looking for--all at no charge. Your agency will also help you navigate the license requirements and other documentation issues that accompany each assignment.
Free housing allowance - Travel nurses can enjoy free furnished apartments close to their assignment facility; be sure and ask your staffing agency what kind of housing is provided. Another option is to ask for a housing stipend that can defray the cost of a different housing situation of your own choosing.
Tax-free travel reimbursement - Most employers should cover expenses traveling to and from your assignment. TravelNursing's staffing partners offer a travel reimbursement plan that is tax-accountable, which means travelers do not pay taxes on their reimbursements.
Free vacations and side trips - No, we are not talking about paid vacations, but there are a number of things you can take advantage of while many of your travel and living expenses are covered. For instance, on the way to your next assignment you can take the scenic route, stop at places of interest, and visit unique stores, restaurants and roadside stands. And once you are in your new community, you can easily check out the neighboring sites and attractions. Depending on where you are, you can spend the day window shopping in an upscale shopping district, taking a hike along a nature preserve, enjoying a community concert in the park, photographing a snow-covered landscape or relaxing at the beach.
Free choice - As a travel nurse, you can choose the communities and facilities where you work. Even in a tighter job market, you still have the final say in your assignments. If you traveled in the past, you can also return to travel nursing whenever you would like. It helps to keep in touch with a recruiter if you are thinking of going back on the road in the next few months.
Free training and continuing education - It's a good idea for travel nurses to continue their education while they're on assignment, and TravelNursing's staffing partners ensure that their travelers stay current by providing them free contact hours though RN.com, a top-quality, accredited continuing education provider. Even if you're not currently traveling, you can take one of RN.com's CE courses for free. Travelers can also learn a number of new skills through on-the-job training in their assignment facilities.
Free information and advice - Learn more about where you want to travel and work from those who have been there. TravelNursing.com offers a number of articles and insights about the travel lifestyle and top destination cities. You can also join an online community like NurseConnect to get advice from RNs around the country, including what they think about facilities where they've worked.
Priceless experiences - Some people spend their entire lives living and working in one community or region of the country. As a travel nurse, you can see completely different parts of the country or stay close to home. You can choose a large metropolitan teaching hospital or a smaller community facility. You can live in the desert, the mountains, by a lake or near the beach. Whether you move outside your hometown for just a few weeks, or for several years running, you'll bring back memories that can last a lifetime.
© 2010. AMN Healthcare, Inc. All Rights Reserved.