Travel nursing has become extremely popular in the last few years. I started my journey in 2017 as a way to earn a few extra coins and fell in love. It was exactly what I needed. I got a lot of questions from old coworkers and nurses I would meet about why I liked it, so I decided to compile a list of pros and cons.

PROS

• Money: When I received my first pay package I replied to my recruiter, “ Every week?!?!” Every Agency and contract is a little different, but in my first year I was able to save half my income and travel to Mexico 3 times.

• Schedule: When I say schedule I mean working 3 months at a time and choosing when I want to go back. I’ve worked at hospitals that gave me a set schedule, and others that asked me when I wanted to work, so your weekly schedule may vary. But I loved being able to take 3 weeks off without having to ask or use PTO.

• People: I love meeting new people. I have made friends on most of my assignments. Whether staff or other travelers, I always find people to talk to and learn from.

• Diverse patients: If you stay in the same place you’ll see the same things. There are so many demographics across southern California, that I learn something new everywhere I go. I love it because it makes me a more well rounded nurse.

• Increase Knowledge/Skills: In my travels I have now worked with 4 different charting systems, 3 different IV pumps, and 3 different medicaiton dispensers. Each hospital does things just a little different than the last. So whether its equipment or procedures, I’m constantly learning something new.

Cons

• Onboarding: This is literally the worst. Only because it monotonous. Skills checklists. Physicals. Drug Screens. Modules. Emails. Quizzes. Over and over again. And don’t work for multiple agencies.

• Orientation: Similar to onboarding, its the same thing all over again. Its literally being a new hire every three months. At least we get paid for it.

• Floating: Travelers are the first to float. ALWAYS. No way around it. Just expect it.

• Unpredictable: 2020 is proof. One minute there are crisis contracts everywhere, the next the census is low and everyone is cancelled.

• No PTO: I learned the hard way that if you don’t work you don’t get paid. No stipend. No nothing.

• Always the new kid: The first few shifts can be hard. People don’t know who you are. You’re always the last one to get or give report. You don’t know the codes to doors or where the supply room is. You get the cart that no one wants. It can be extremely annoying, but it’ll pass.

Travel nursing is not for everyone. You really have to know your personality and know whether its something you can handle. It was just the change that I needed after working a staff job for six years. I’m so glad I took the leap and stepped outside of my comfort zone. You’ll never find things you love if you don’t try it!