Choosing the right travel nursing assignment is a big decision for any RN seeking adventure, career growth, and a sense of purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, finding the perfect assignment involves more than simply picking a destination. Factors like pay packages, facility reputation, and work-life balance play a crucial role in ensuring a successful travel nurse experience. This blog will guide you through the key considerations to help you make an informed choice, ensuring that your next travel assignment aligns with your personal and professional goals.
Personal Goals and Priorities
One of the top factors to consider when choosing a travel nurse assignment is your personal and professional goals. If career development is your priority, then you’ll want to look at assignments that offer opportunities to learn new skills or work in renowned facilities. Consider focusing on high-paying assignments if saving money or paying off debt is a priority. Adventure seekers might opt for locations that offer unique experiences or align with your travel bucket list. Being clear about your priorities will help you identify assignments that align with your aspirations. At Medical Solutions, our recruiters are focused on finding you jobs that match your priorities, so make sure you communicate everything you want or don’t want in your travel nurse career with them.
Location & Cost of Living
Location and cost of living are also top things to look at for travel nursing assignments, as they go hand-in-hand with your personal goals and priorities. Do you prefer warm, sunny beaches or cool, snowy mountains? Weather can significantly impact your experience with the assignment. If being close to family and friends is important, prioritize assignments within driving distance or near major transportation hubs. Urban environments like New York or Los Angeles offer a fast-paced lifestyle and endless entertainment, while rural areas may provide a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere. Speaking of urban versus rural, cost of living is something to factor in as well with the location. A high-paying assignments in an expensive city might not provide the same financial benefit as a moderately paying job in a low-cost area.
Compensation
For most travel nurses, compensation is a major deciding factor when it comes to assignments. When evaluating pay packages, it’s essential to consider the complete financial picture, not just the hourly rate:
- Base Pay: Compare hourly rates across assignments and regions.
- Housing Stipends: Some assignments include free housing, while others offer stipends to cover accommodation costs. Make sure the stipend is sufficient for the local housing market.
- Travel Reimbursements: Check if the agency covers travel expenses to and from the assignment.
- Bonuses: Look for additional incentives, such as sign-on bonuses, completion bonuses, or referral bonuses.
- Tax-Free Benefits: Double-check if there are stipends for meals and other incidentals, which can significantly boost your take-home pay.
Understanding the structure of your pay package ensures you select assignments that align with your financial goals.
Type of Contract
Travel nurse contracts usually span from 8 to 26 weeks, with 13 weeks being the most common duration. When considering the length of a contract, keep the following in mind:
- Short-Term Assignments: These are perfect for nurses who thrive on change or want to dip their toes into travel nursing without a long-term commitment. They offer a chance to explore different locations and work environments.
- Longer Contracts: Ideal for those seeking stability, longer contracts allow nurses to foster deeper connections with patients, colleagues, and the community. This can lead to a richer and more immersive professional experience in a specific area.
- Extensions: Many facilities provide the option to extend contracts if both the nurse and the employer are satisfied with the arrangement. If you find a position you love, let your recruiter and nurse manager know as early as possible.
Specialty
Your nursing specialty greatly influences the availability and appeal of job assignments. High-demand specialties, such as ICU, ER, OR, and labor and delivery, typically offer higher pay rates and more opportunities. If you specialize in a less common field, be ready to broaden your job search or consider cross-training to enhance your options. Some travel nurse assignments and specialties also require certain certifications, so you’ll need to factor that in as well when looking at the right jobs for you.
Licensing Requirements
Each state has its own licensing requirements. If your desired assignment is in a different state, you’ll need to make sure you have the right licensing and account for processing times. If you have a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) license, you can practice in any participating state without obtaining additional licensure.
Hospital and Unit Details
Before committing to an assignment, research the hospital and specific unit where you’ll be working. Look for reviews, accreditations, and ratings to ensure the hospital aligns with your professional standards. You can also ask about the type of unit you’ll be assigned to and inquire about typical nurse-to-patient ratios, as well as make sure the facility has adequate resources so you can ensure you’re provide high-quality patient care.
Work-Life Balance
A major reason the RN’s begin travel nursing is to have more freedom and control over their careers, and a good work-life balance is essential for overall satisfaction. When evaluating travel nurse assignments, consider how the job will fit into your desired lifestyle. Look at whether the assignment involves day or night shifts, the likelihood of overtime, and if there’s flexibility to take days off for personal travel or relaxation.
Ready to Pick Your Travel Nursing Assignment?
While there are many factors that go into picking the right travel nurse assignment, it really comes down to your unique preferences, goals, and circumstances. By carefully considering factors like location, pay, and contract length, you can make informed choices that will lead to an incredibly rewarding journey. If you’re ready to start exploring what travel nursing assignments are out there for you, apply today and our expert recruiter will help you every step of the way!
Learn more:
- What to Pack for a Travel Nurse Assignment
- Top U.S. Destinations for a Travel Assignment
- Travel Nursing from Canada to the U.S.
- Highest Paying Travel Nurse Specialties
- What is the Best Nursing Specialty to Travel
- Travel Nursing
- Travel Nurse Requirements
- Travel Nurse Agency
- Travel Nurse Salary
- Travel Nurse Jobs
- Travel Nurse Housing
- Travel Nurse Benefits
