The Challenges of Travel Nursing as We Hit the Holiday Season
Travel nursing is a dynamic, exciting, and adventurous career choice. But it’s not all glamorous, especially as we approach the holiday season. If you’re considering a career as a travel nurse or if you’re heading into your first holiday season on the road, there are some challenges to be aware of.
Time Away from Family
Perhaps the biggest difficulty for many travel nurses who are working during the holidays is spending this time of year away from family. It’s tough to be away from the comfort of home during the holidays, especially if you’re working in an entirely different state or the whole way across the country. And since patients need care year-round – even on the major holidays – it’s possible that you won’t have off work on these important dates. You’ll need to make peace with the fact that your job comes with sacrifices; but remember that you’re doing something good for other people and spending your holidays with the patients who need you.
Travel Logistics
Logistics can be a hassle any time of year, but it tends to get even worse around the holidays as more and more people are traveling. Dealing with time zone changes, unfamiliar weather, adjusting to new places, arranging flights, and more can really take a toll – especially if you’re taking on a new assignment for the first time.
Visit nursing.org’s travel nursing page for a list of online resources on everything from packing tips and tax information to networking hints and certification resources.
Licensing
No matter the time of year, licensing can be a challenge for travel nurses. Travel nurses are required to have an active license for every state in which they work, and that can take a lot of planning. Of course, many states are covered under the Compact license agreement, allowing nurses to get just one license. Note that additional certifications might be needed if you’re hired for a specialty position like a role in labor/delivery or the emergency room.
To keep it all straight, trust an experienced travel nurse staffing agency like Medical Talent to help you on your journey.
Get Help with Your Travel Nursing Career
Medical ’ talented recruiters are here for you every step of the way. Contact our team to learn more about how we can help your travel nursing career progress, and browse our current openings here.