Travel nursing offers healthcare professionals the chance to deliver patient care in various facilities and settings, explore beautiful new cities, and expand their professional network. However, like any healthcare profession, travel nursing is not immune to myths and misconceptions — is it as good as it sounds? Or is it too good to be true?
While it’s true that travel nursing has advantages and disadvantages, there are travel nursing myths worth debunking, too, especially for healthcare professionals curious about embarking on their travel nursing journey.
In this article, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths about travel nursing and reveal the truth behind these misconceptions.
Debunking top travel nursing myths
It’s only for single individuals
Travel nursing isn’t just for those without partners and children. Many travel nurses have families who join them in the city or state in which they’re assigned. Some more adventurous travelers and their loved ones prefer to use and live in recreational vehicles (RVs), which allow them to drive out to facilities together and, on their days off, explore beautiful spots for fun activities such as hiking and biking.
While RV living can be a solid option — especially for those willing to learn new skills and enjoy working on and maintaining their vehicle — other travel nurses traveling with partners and loved ones prefer to find more comfortable Airbnb listings or extended stay hotels using the housing stipend their agencies provide.
You have to work far away from your family
You don’t have to move halfway across the country to become a full-fledged travel nurse. Travel nurses can work in a facility in the same state where they live, which is also referred to as local travel nursing. At times, their travel assignments are just a short drive from their homes.
You spend less time with loved ones
As a travel nurse, you can choose to extend your assignments or otherwise. This means you have full control of your schedule, allowing you to block off quality time with your loved ones and even book vacations with them whenever they’re available.
For example, you can opt to take off work during summer vacation to spend time with your kids when school’s out. Or, you can also take December off to visit loved ones residing in different states (or countries). With the flexibility that travel nursing provides, you can design your work calendar to better sync with your family’s schedules and squeeze in quality time as often as you’d like.
They typically work in isolation
Travel nurses get exposed to more healthcare professionals, so even though you’re more on the introverted side, you’ll meet other nurses. Travel nurses can be assigned to units that have high patient intakes, which means you’ll get to work in a variety of floors (especially if you have experience in more than one specialty) and work with healthcare professionals assigned there. Facilities partner travel nurses with permanent nursing staff members in the unit they’ll be assigned to work, answering travel nurses’ questions and allowing them to understand processes better.
They work in distant or faraway facilities
Travel nurses work in a variety of settings and places, from . They sometimes get assigned to facilities in smaller towns, but there are travel nursing assignments in high-volume facilities in the country’s major cities, too.
It’s not for people with pets
Many travel nurses go to their assignments with their beloved pets in tow. After all, being with your fur baby can reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and stress, and provide much-needed comfort and joy, especially during tough days. Traveling with pets won’t always be easy, and you won’t be packing light, but it’s a very fulfilling and joyful experience, allowing you to bond with your pet and even encouraging you to explore your new city by going on walks and hikes (if your pet is a dog). You can travel with pets all year round, however, make sure that you consider their preferences and needs when traveling, such as planning pet-friendly transportation and accommodations accordingly.
Become a Meda Health Travel Nurse
We’ve debunked popular travel nursing myths. Now let’s help you explore being a travel nurse!
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.
