We are all familiar with the old adage “when you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.” Let’s look at the facts. Most people work 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, and more than 2,000 hours per year. That’s a LOT of time, and when it’s laid out that way, the importance of spending it wisely becomes crystal clear. Your work should be more than just a means to make money. At worst it should be tolerable – but what if it could be fulfilling? Rewarding? Interesting? Challenging? What if your chosen career could actually be less of a job, and more of a lifestyle? Let’s talk about travel nursing.
As a vocation, nursing is one of the noblest. Nurses are frequently regarded as the unsung heroes of the medical field, and according to polls are ranked as the most trusted profession year after year. While nursing can be incredibly rewarding (and many choose it since they want to be part of something important and fulfilling), it can also come with challenges that include physical strain, shift work, sleep deprivation and exposure to illness. Many nurses, however, are discovering the incredible rewards that come with travel nursing, which can provide perks that help to offset some of the drawbacks that come with the territory.
Travel nursing is truly a lifestyle – and while not for everyone – presents a great fit for nursing pros who don’t necessarily want to show up at the same workplace every day. It provides opportunities to discover new environments, gain unique experiences, absorb different cultures, explore parts of the world never seen, and fundamentally have more control over the work-life balance. As some like to say, “Work a 13-week contract, take a great vacation, repeat.” And while we understand that these free-spirited adventurers seldom follow the ‘live to work’ rule of thumb, let’s face it: the compensation is more than attractive.
With endless pros and very few cons, a career in travel nursing can open up opportunities that are tough to find in other fields. For example, you like the idea of living in a major urban center with a vast range of culture, ethnicity and activities. There’s a job there. Or maybe the small-town charm and slow lifestyle is calling out to you. They need travel nurses as well. Perhaps you love the ski hills – or the beaches. Hello, travel nursing. Basically, you can choose your assignments based on your weather, hobby or interest preferences.
If you’re seeking to fast-track your professional growth, there are environments such as large-scale teaching facilities that can support that. In much the same way, your skills can be put to the test by working in a rural medical setting that requires medical multi-tasking. At the end of the day, as a travel nurse you will strengthen your ability to be flexible in different settings, enhance your cultural competency and acquire new skills and specializations. And keep in mind that travel nurse pay isn’t necessarily about the base salary – although just on its own, it will be robust. The tax bonuses, benefits and reimbursements can add up to an extremely lucrative financial package.
As one of the leading travel nursing agencies in Canada, Advanced Home Care Solutions consistently recruits the best of the best. We look for skilled, experienced professionals who can represent our values and enrich our reputation as one of the top providers of travel nurses and a principal healthcare staffing agency. Find out more.