Parents often struggle to balance career aspirations with family responsibilities, especially in the often-demanding nursing profession. Travel nursing, however, offers a unique opportunity to achieve your career goals and be there for your family.
Travel nurses can bring their families along when they travel for their assignments. This works particularly well for nurses with remote-working family members, given their increased flexibility to work from anywhere.
We’ve seen first-hand how switching to travel nursing empowers parents to create a work-life balance that suits their family's needs. By working with a leading travel nurse agency like Advantage, you get access to assignments that allow you to:
Choose both where and when you work
With travel nursing, you earn the freedom to choose assignments that fit your family’s schedule. Unlike traditional nursing roles with inflexible contracts, travel nurses can decide when and where they want to work by selecting assignments of their desired length whenever they are free. This flexibility allows you to take on contracts during school breaks or holidays so, if you have school-aged children, they can accompany you without missing school. However, you also have the option to undertake local travel nurse contracts within 50 miles of your residence, to fit around your family commitments. For those with younger children, parents can look for assignments in locations that are close to family or friends for additional support with childcare.
Many parents also opt for shorter contracts so that they can spend quality time with their children. Travel nursing allows you to scope out new areas to live or work– before making any commitments. Simply put, travel nursing gives you the freedom to plan your work around your life– not the other way around.
Achieve greater financial freedom
Raising a family comes with significant financial responsibilities, from daycare costs to the never-ending supply of clothes and shoes children go through. Travel nurses typically earn higher wages than permanent staff nurses, making it easier to provide for their families. Many travel nurse contracts also include housing stipends, travel reimbursements, and bonuses, further increasing your earning potential.
With this additional income, parents can afford extracurricular activities for their children, take them on more exciting trips, save for their college, and work less throughout the year to be more present. The increased pay gives parents the ability to prioritize their families without sacrificing their careers.
Benefit from flexible scheduling
Traditional nursing roles often involve long shifts, weekend work, and unpredictable schedules, which can make managing childcare obligations feel like a minefield. Travel nursing allows for greater control over your schedule, as some assignments offer flexible shift options. For example, some placements offer night shifts, three-day workweeks (three 12-hour shifts), or block scheduling. The variety of shifts and work hours needed by different facilities lets you choose the option that allows you to spend more time with your kids and the other loved ones in your household. Some nurses actually take advantage of this flexible scheduling to homeschool their children, allowing them to explore new locations together.
Make memories that last a lifetime
The benefits of travel nursing aren’t limited to the nurse– the families of travel nurses get to enjoy an exciting lifestyle too. Travel nurses give their children a remarkable childhood, where they can experience new cities, cultures, and activities, enriching their education in ways the classroom can’t. By exposing your children to new environments, you help them become more adaptable and give them unmatched life experience from a young age.
Do you think travel nursing is right for your family?
Every family has unique needs and travel nursing may not be the best fit for every single family. However, for parents seeking flexibility, more disposable income, and exciting adventures as a family, travel nursing can be the perfect fit.
If you’re ready to embrace a career that allows you to prioritize both your career and your family, contact us today!