Travel nursing is such a hot topic right now. And why shouldn’t it be? You work your hours, make at least 3 times what you’re making as staff (if not more), and you don’t have to deal with hospital politics. What’s not to love? With that being said, is travel nursing right for you? Where do you even start?

One of the first things I recommend to do before jumping in is choose your why! Why do you want to travel? What do you wish to get out of this experience? This will help you decide if travel is for you, and it will also help guide you when you’re trying to choose an assignment if you decide to take the plunge.

Is it the increased pay? Pre-Covid, it wasn’t atypical to earn twice as much as you did as a staff nurse. These days, you can make at least 3-4 times as much depending on how many hours you’re working per week. Maybe, you have some debt you want to pay off? Or maybe you want to save money for a new purchase, to further your education, or for a new adventure. Whatever it is you’re trying to fund, increased pay is a great incentive to travel nursing. This will guide you with what companies to use, which locations pay most, and how many hours you’ll be working.

Maybe it’s the flexibility: requested time off written into your contract, negotiating shifts & hours, time off between contracts… You know, vacations (yes, staycations are included) every few months does not sound bad at all. This flexibility can also help combat burnout. It allows you time to rest and reset for the next assignment. If you’re into working your days in a row, it is possible to negotiate block scheduling into your contract. Remember, you are there to fill a need. Not all facilities may agree, but the answer will always be no if you don’t ask. Block scheduling gives you the flexibility to explore the area you’re visiting and to go home if you’d like. When I traveled in Seattle, I was fortunate enough to have an amazing nursing coordinator. She legit let me choose my schedule and rotation. It was a blessing to be able to explore all that Washington had to offer and be able to plan trips home.

Are you interested in leaving your home to explore other locations? Are you feeling too comfortable and looking for a new challenge? Are you interested in growing your knowledge and skills? Would you like to meet new people, make new friends? Looking for a new place to call home? Or maybe you’re just in a rut back home and want more… life.

Whatever your reason is, gaining insight into WHY you travel will ultimately guide you on HOW to travel. Travel nursing is not for everyone. It will sometimes be uncomfortable, and there may be growing pains. From my experience, packing up, leaving home, and traveling more than 1,500 miles alone was one the most anxiety-ridden yet exciting things I’ve ever done in my life. And definitely one of the best things too.