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Should I become a travel nurse or stick with staff nursing?
As one of the leading travel nurse agencies, we know first-hand how travel nursing unlocks countless opportunities that propel your nursing career forward.
However, we would never completely discount the merits of staff nursing, as this can be a vocation for many nurses. So, to help you assess whether you want to become a travel nurse or stick with staff nursing, here are some of the most important aspects to consider.
The appeal of excellent travel nurse pay
This is perhaps the most talked about benefit of travel nursing; the competitive pay packages and benefits. With travel nursing, you gain significantly higher hourly rates due to high demand, as well as tax-free stipends for housing, meals, and other expenses.
Travel nursing maximizes your earning potential, especially if you’re open to taking assignments in remote regions, areas experiencing high shortages, or areas that have a particularly high demand for your specialty.
The other benefits of travel nursing
If you’re an ambitious nurse who can be flexible and adaptable, travel nursing can be an incredibly lucrative and rewarding career for you. This is especially true if you value:
- Flexibility, as you can choose where and when you want to work, with flexible contracts and the option for daily pay
- Professional growth, due to gaining exposure to different healthcare systems, patients, and clinical environments, thereby enhancing your skills and transforming you into a more well-rounded professional
- Adventure and travel, because you will get the chance to explore new cities and cultures, allowing you to travel extensively while earning an excellent living
Travel nurse requirements - how to get started
To become a travel nurse, you’ll need:
- Two years of experience
- A current RN license in the state you wish to work in and all mandatory certifications (such as Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
- Flexibility and an open mind
To find out more about all the travel nurse requirements you need to fulfil in order to kickstart your career, read our blog about the qualities travel nursing agencies look for in candidates.
Why some nurses stick with staff nursing
Staff nursing comes with benefits too, mainly revolving around stability and consistency. For example, with staff nursing, you can:
- Build lasting relationships with colleagues and patients, which can provide crucial support during difficult times
- Grow within one organization, boosting your confidence as you know the facility inside out
- Have a consistent schedule with steady income, meaning you have a constant revenue stream and can budget more efficiently
If you value stability, long-term growth within a single organization, and building a support network of likeminded colleagues, then staff nursing may be the ideal choice for you.
However, if you’re looking for:
- Opportunities to explore the US
- Higher rates of pay
- Increased flexibility and control over when you work
Then travel nursing is the career change you need.
If you’re ready to begin your travel nursing journey, don’t miss the opportunity to work with one of the best travel nursing agencies in the US
