If you’re someone who is passionate about nursing and loves to travel, short contract travel nursing may be a perfect fit for you! This type of nursing allows you to work in different healthcare facilities around the country, experience different cultures, and meet new people while earning a competitive salary. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of short contracts travel nursing, and how it can benefit your career and personal life.
What is Short Contracts Travel Nursing?
Short contracts travel nursing is a form of nursing where registered nurses take up temporary assignments at various healthcare facilities across the country for typically around 13 weeks. These assignments can range from one week to a few months, depending on the needs of the facility. Nurses can also choose locations of their assignments and work in various healthcare settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and clinics.
Pros of Short Contracts Travel Nursing
There are several benefits of short contracts travel nursing that can make it an attractive career option for nurses:
1. Competitive Salary
Travel nurses are in high demand, which means they can earn a competitive salary. According to payscale.com, the average annual salary for a travel nurse is $77,182.
2. Flexibility
Travel nursing offers a lot of flexibility as nurses can choose where they want to work and for how long they want to work. This allows them to take time off between assignments to travel or spend time with family and friends.
3. Enhanced Skills
Nurses who work in short contracts travel nursing gain valuable experience working in different healthcare settings, which can enhance their skills and make them more attractive to future employers.
4. Adventure
Travel nursing allows nurses to travel and explore different parts of the country, experience new cultures, and meet new people, which can be a great adventure.
Cons of Short Contracts Travel Nursing
While there are many benefits to short contracts travel nursing, there are also some challenges that nurses should be aware of:
1. Limited Job Security
Short contracts travel nursing offers limited job security as nurses are only hired for temporary assignments. This means nurses may need to constantly look for new assignments and may have periods of unemployment.
2. Adaptability
Nurses who work in short contracts travel nursing need to be adaptable as they will have to work in different healthcare settings with different staff members and patient populations.
3. Licensing Issues
Travel nursing requires a license in each state where the nurse will work, which can be time-consuming and expensive to obtain.
FAQ
Question | Answer |
What qualifications are required for short contracts travel nursing? | Nurses must have a valid registered nursing license, relevant nursing experience, and certain certifications depending on their chosen specialty. |
How long are short contracts for travel nursing? | Short contracts for travel nursing are typically around 13 weeks, but can range from one week to a few months. |
What is the average salary for a travel nurse? | According to payscale.com, the average annual salary for a travel nurse is $77,182. |
How do I become a travel nurse? | To become a travel nurse, nurses must have a valid registered nursing license, relevant nursing experience, and certain certifications depending on their chosen specialty. They can then apply to travel nursing agencies that match them with assignments. |
Conclusion
Short contracts travel nursing can be a great career option for nurses who love to travel, experience different cultures, and work in different healthcare settings. While it does have some challenges, such as limited job security and licensing issues, the benefits, such as a competitive salary and enhanced skills, can make it an attractive career option. If you’re considering short contracts travel nursing, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully, and do your research to find the right travel nursing agency for you.