WHY CHOOSE TRAVEL NURSING
Three Main Reasons to Choose Travel Nursing

WHY CHOOSE TRAVEL NURSING

1. Workations - Many nurses choose travel assignments to literally mix business with pleasure.  Nursing is one of a handful of occupations in which you can go to an attractive vacation destination, or visit friends or relatives, or just have a life adventure in an exciting destination, and get good wages and an all-expense paid trip.  Travel nursing can be fun! 
   
2. Money - Traveling nurses often make anywhere between 10-15% more than the staff nurse with bonuses and incentives added to their benefits.  Many nurses pursue travel careers to earn extra money to reduce debt, put away more money for retirement, pay for college for their children, buy a new home or car, or just enjoy a higher standard of living.  Travel nursing pays.
   
3. Career - Many nurses that choose travel positions do so for career development, or professional flexibility. Many nurses want to enhance their professional background by accepting travel jobs with top US hospitals and Magnet facilities. Others dont want to be tied down by hospital politics - they just want to practice their profession.  Travel nursing can be a wise career development choice.

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FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS  

HEALTHCARE TRAVELERS: HOW TO WEATHER THE RECESSION 

The experts tell us that the current recession started back in December of 2007, although many of us in the healthcare staffing industry really didn't notice until around September 2008. It is clear from the declining patient census nationally that healthcare is not recession-proof as many had previously believed. Many hospitals around the country are laying off staff members to combat declining census.

There is still demand for local contract and travel staffing solutions, but there are generally fewer assignments available, and they often open and close very quickly, sometimes within less than 1 hour.

Clients sometimes choose between a large number of qualified candidates, and they frequently are choosing the traveler that is licensed, flexible, and able to start right away. Or, they choose the traveler that is versatile and can float to a variety of specialty units. Some hospitals are requiring provisions in their nurse travel contracts that allow the facility to cancel as much as a shift per week if census drops.

Our company is putting more resources behind our sales and marketing efforts to help keep our travelers working. We are showing flexibility on our bill rates and signing up for many hospital contracts that previously we might have overlooked. We are managing our financial resources wisely and keeping unnecessary expenses to a minimum. And, we need our traveling employees to do their part.

So, what can you do to continue your career and even prosper as a traveler during this recession? Here is our advice:

1. If you are currently working as a traveler, do good work so that you can get invited to an extension. Make an extra effort to earn the respect and goodwill of your co-workers. Don't become the source of complaints from the facility and don't complain to the hospital unless you have a major issue. If you have a significant complaint, call your recruiter to discuss the best way to handle it.
   
2. If you are offered an assignment extension, don't take it lightly. Invitations for assignment extensions are always flattering, but they are especially valuable during these difficult economic times. Today, more than ever, a contract in the hand is, well, you know the rest. In fact, if you like your assignment, make sure that your supervisor and other co-workers know that you like working there and that you would like to continue beyond the end of your current contract.
   
3. Get your personnel file up to date and your licensure completed for your destination state. Hospitals today are receiving a large number of candidate submittals for each job. The hiring managers are choosing the traveler that is credentialed, has a current personnel file, and is ready to start. The little details, like an I-9, a reference, an updated resume, or a background check can derail a deal as much as the big items like state licensure. Make it an urgent priority to get your file complete, and get yourself ready for a quick-start.
   
4. Be flexible in your assignment preferences (e.g., work schedule, work hours guarantee, pay rate). Expand your criteria. Consider taking an assignment even if the job pays a little less than your customary rate or even if the job is not on your customary shift. Unfortunately, the increase in supply and the decline in demand has generally reduced bill rates and corresponding pay rates.
   
5. Be flexible in your geographic preferences. There is no better time to expand your horizons and bring some adventure back into travel nursing. Consider assignments in places you've never considered before - give yourself the opportunity to find something unique and beautiful in a new place. Consider northern destinations! Public staffing companies are reporting stronger demand in the Pacific Northwest and the upper Midwest and decreased demand in California, Arizona, Texas and the Southeast - particularly Florida.
   
6. Help us help you. Increase your marketability by getting your resume up to date and full of good information about your capabilities. Next, start the process of obtaining at least one new license to your portfolio - and give extra consideration to states in which licenses are considered difficult to get. If you hear of opportunities that interest you, contact us and we will market you there. If we place you at a new client you refer, we will give you a Client Referral Bonus.
   
7. Stay in close contact with your recruiter. Often, timing alone can kill an opportunity. Establish regular times for contact with your recruiter and make yourself available for interviews promptly when positions come available.

We have been around long enough to have seen recessions before and to have seen recoveries. We know that we will all come out of this in due time. We know the nurse travel market will bounce back stronger than ever, just as it has before.

In the meantime, we are determined to help those travelers that are truly committed to continuing their careers as contract healthcare professionals. Work closely with us, and we'll help you weather this downturn, and perhaps even prosper, during the downturn. When the market comes back, you will be right back on top!

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