My Pros & Cons as a emergency travel nurse
There are many pros and cons when it comes to travel nursing and honestly my pros could be someone else’s cons and vise versa but let’s go through them ☺️
PROS:
- Money! This is a huge pro when it comes to travel nursing. Even though the prices have decreased since covid, you could still make more than staff nursing. For reference I live in California; for my staff job I made about $4,600 monthly but with travel I make about $6,000/ month.
- Meeting new people. Connection is key and by constantly meeting new people I have gained more knowledge by learning about their experience and received some great advice.
- Trying out different states. If you are someone that has always thought what it would be like living in Colorado you can go and experience it for 3 months and come back. this hasn’t been a huge pro for me as I know I don’t want to leave California, but it’s nice to know that the option is always there.
CONS:
- Insurance! Not all agencies provide insurance and even if they do, you only have insurance while you were on contract and in between contracts, you don’t have insurance. So often times you have to purchase your own insurance, which can be very expensive. All the quotes that I have received for a decent insurance is about $300-$400 a month.
- Bad assignment! unfortunately, not all hospitals have ratios. For example, in California by law as an emergency nurse, I can have up to four patients and no more than that. However, in some states nurses can have up to eight patients, which is not safe in my opinion.
- Not having a steady income! Most travel contracts are about 13 weeks and often times between contracts. You might not have a job which leads to not having income for a few months. This can be hard if you’re not a great at managing your money. However, my suggestion is to always have 2 to 3 months saved up just in case you don’t get a contract. You could still continue living your life.
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Travel nursing can be a rewarding yet challenging career choice. For those considering this path, it's vital to weigh both the pros and cons thoroughly. On the positive side, travel nursing offers lucrative compensation, often exceeding standard staff nursing wages. Many travel nurses report earning higher salaries, which can be an attractive option for financial growth. Furthermore, travel nurses enjoy the unique opportunity to explore different locations, offering a chance to experience various states and their cultures. This flexibility can lead to personal growth and new connections with professionals in the field. However, the downsides should not be overlooked. A significant issue many travel nurses face is the lack of consistent health insurance coverage, as many agencies do not provide it between contracts, forcing nurses to seek personal coverage which can be costly. Additionally, assignments may vary widely in quality; some hospitals may not follow ideal patient-to-nurse ratios, which can impact job safety and satisfaction. Lastly, the transient nature of travel nursing means periods without work, making it essential for nurses to have a financial safety net set up to cushion any potential gaps in employment. By preparing for both the benefits and challenges ahead, nurses can make informed decisions in their travel nursing careers.
