Suppose you’re one of the many nurses feeling slightly professionally stuck and burnt out and thinking of doing something that will steer your career in the right direction. In that case, it’s a good idea to take a step back, evaluate your situation, understand what would give you job satisfaction, and make a realistic plan. If taking on new adventures sounds like something that will provide you with much-needed excitement and fulfillment, travel nursing might be something you need to try in 2025.
This article lists five reasons why you should explore travel nursing this year and see if it fits your professional and personal goals.
The pros of travel nursing: Five enticing reasons to travel this year
Increased wages
Becoming a travel nurse in specialty roles can help you get higher pay to reach your personal financial goals faster. In fact, according to reports, travel nurses working in nursing specialty positions make between US$50,630 and US$63,060 more than the average nurse salary.
Some travel nurses reported that they make roughly twice what they made as staff nurses, which allows them to earn enough money to pay for essentials and save up for weeks or months that they choose not to work throughout the year.
The higher pay they receive also covers duplicate expenses, which happens when travel nurses pay for housing (either rent or mortgage) at their tax home while paying for their temporary housing in the city or state where their travel nursing assignment is located. Aside from getting higher pay in general, travel nurses also get stipends, which are non-taxable money that cover duplicate living expenses, including housing and meals.
Explore new places and meet new people
If you’ve considered a career in travel nursing in the past, this might be one of the top-most reasons why. Becoming a travel nurse allows you to choose where you’ll spend the next several weeks of your life to work, see new places, eat new cuisines, try new things, and soak up the local culture.
Another benefit of travel nursing is the exposure to different healthcare professionals in various states. Because you’ll be working at different facilities, you’ll also have the opportunity to make new friends, expanding your personal and professional networks. There are many benefits to making nurse friends at work, including enhanced learning opportunities and the ability to better deal with challenges at work.
Amazing work flexibility
Travel nursing is popular for the freedom it provides nurses. If they want to take a few weeks off to unwind and visit loved ones after every assignment or go on a month-long vacation every quarter, they can plan it and make it happen. Typically, staff nurses have to plan their vacations ahead of time, sometimes even a year in advance, and getting them approved isn’t always a smooth and easy experience. Additionally, getting extended or lengthy vacations approved is not always guaranteed, especially during busy seasons. Having work flexibility is ideal for nurses who want to get a better handle on their schedules and vacation time.
The ability to avoid workplace politics
Healthcare facilities are often high-stakes and high-stress work environments. And when things get stressful, tiring, and frustrating, the atmosphere can swiftly turn emotionally charged. It’s harder to avoid workplace conflict and politics when you’re a staff employee, but travel nurses can leave a facility after your contract ends. They are also typically not expected to attend staff meetings. However, if you find a facility that works with your goals and preferences, you also have the freedom to extend your assignment.
Expand your skill set
Being a travel nurse is a good option if you’ve always wanted to try working in different healthcare settings to see which resonates with you most. You can work in a hospital, a long-term care facility (LTC), or a clinic, which can help expand your professional skills and build an impressive resume. Aside from honing your nursing skills, you can also learn and improve other essential skills, such as communication, time management, and organization skills.
Build a thriving travel nursing career with Meda Health
At Meda Health, our hardworking and friendly recruiters ensure that our travel nurses get job options that match their wants and needs. Not only do our travel nurses enjoy end-to-end recruitment and scheduling support, but they also get impressive pay-and-perks packages that include housing stipends, tax-free reimbursements, 401K eligibility, and insurance.
Explore our exciting job openings here.
