Travel nursing is becoming more and more popular.  The number of traveling nurse jobs available is growing, as is the demand.  But why do nurses choose to go into travel nursing? With the high need for healthcare professionals around the country, why do they chose to add another potentially stressful variable into their already hectic careers?  Here are the three main reasons that RNs choose travel nursing.

Travel Nurse Salary

The salary for a travel nurse is often significantly higher than that of a permanent nurse.  This is due to several factors. First, travel nursing jobs are often in specialized fields. Positions such as a dialysis nurse have a higher salary than a general RN.  Secondly, travel nurses receive benefits that nurses who aren’t moving around don’t need, such as housing stipends.  It’s likely that your housing will be free to you while working in a travel nursing job. 

Travel nurses also have health, life, and liability insurance. 401K plans may be included depending on the travel nursing position and staffing agency.  Some agencies offer continuing higher education opportunities to travel nurses. It is even possible that they will pay for your nursing licenses.  Research travel nursing agencies to find out which one has the best perks before deciding on one.

Travel Nursing Offers Flexibility

Many travel nurses love the flexibility of the job.  The position allows you to choose both when and where you work.  Special schedules and days off are planned well in advance with your input.  With jobs lasting 8 to 26 weeks and the average assignment lasting for 13 weeks, even a position you don’t end up liking won’t last for long.  You will also be in a new city and probably a new state for every assignment, giving you the opportunity to explore various parts of the country.

There are all sorts of situations where this flexibility can be helpful.  Need to work for a few months then have a few months off? Travel nurses can do that.  Want to move to a new city but not sure if you’ll end up liking it? Try a travel nurse job there and see if it works out for you.  Some travel nursing firms can place you in temporary-to-hire positions so that your job can become something more permanent if you so choose.

Gain New Skills

Travel nursing jobs are usually specialized positions, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t learn anything while working in them.  Often specialty nurses are the ones who have access to the newest advances in technology. You are also improving just by the amount of experience you are getting.  Travel nurses have the unique opportunity to work in top hospitals and clinics all over the country. This gives them a different perspective on the healthcare industry than many other nurses.  You will also get to work alongside senior nurses and doctors in your assignments. All of these skill-building experiences will help advance your career and your travel nurse salary.

Interested in travel nursing?

If you think this sounds like an exciting and rewarding line of work, your next step is to find a travel nursing agency.  New Directions Staffing can help you find the perfect assignments that fit your needs. No matter your specialization or where you prefer to work, the people at New Directions are ready to provide you the best possible opportunities to advance your nursing career.  Call them at 888-654-1110 or contact them online today.