Advice needed from fellow Canadians

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So to give you a brief background. I'm in my late late late 20's. Graduated 1.5 years ago, went into the perioperative program and as soon as I finished the OR program, I was displaced from my full time line for which I was hired. I've been working casual and relief lines. Getting run around from managmnet, budget cuts, OR down time etc. etc. Been out of school for almost 2 years and am not earning benfits (ie. sick/vacation time etc.) So it's as if I wasn't even working is how I see it seeing as im not contributing anything towards my future. I stuck around this OR just cause I actually love it there, just not how i've been treated. So I'm getting to the point where I just need try something new. I was thinking of doing some travel nursing. US. Australia. Wherever. So I started researching it and now my manager told me there's a permament line available for me. After all this time. Jeez. So now am I supposed to drop all my plans because finally there's something available? Or should I hold on to it cause I should be working towards my pension, accruing how much vacation time I have? I don't know how I should approach this. I really want to try something new. But if I decide to go ahead with the process, it will take a few months anyway so I'll have to quit work anyway. I want to travel but should I just hold on to the job I have for my futures sake? Is travel nursing worth it? Should I be practical or try something different. Honest answers please. Travel nursing can't be that great or else everyone would be doing it. Should I just stay in Canada work towards my future?

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OK, only you can decide what to do.

I see it as you are young, educated and have some experience. No family depending on you, right?

Travel, while you are young. Don't make it a "I wish I had"

Accept the full time line you are being offered. You won't get practice permits overnight from either OZ or the States. You can always request a leave if you decide to go through with it.

But from reading posts from nurses around the world, people are having a hard time at home finding jobs, so I wouldn't build up all my hopes on finding work in another country.

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Specializes in ED, L+D,.

I agree with Fiona - unfortunately only you can make the decision.

Travel nursing has its pros and cons - and no, not everyone does it, but not because it sucks, but because not everyone likes to travel.

As Fiona said - if you are young, have no ties and the freedom to do what you want, then go for it. Its very daunting travelling to another country and moving outside of your comfort zone, but don't let fear hold you back. It's also an awesome unforgettable experience to see how nursing works in another culture! And while it is good to be planning for your future, retirement etc, there is nothing worse than spending your life saying 'if only'.

If you have the opportunity to travel, and its something you truely want to do, then go for it. I would accept the full time job in the meantime while you plan. It takes time to apply for work permits and nursing registration, and you'll still need a job to pay the bills in the meantime. And some employers are good at allowing you to take a leave of absence while you travel, so it will give you a job to come back to! And if nothing else, it continues to build up your experience which will help with future employers.

If it helps any - I have been planning a move to Canada for a little over a year now. In the meantime I accepted a temporary position in the emergency department knowing I was going to be leaving 'at any time' :) I then got offered a full time permanent position, which I took, because it seemed like Canada was never going to happen, and a week later got a position in Canada, so had to give notice to a job I had *just* signed the contract for! LOL Thankfully my manager was/is very understanding and took it all in her flow.

Remember, nursing is very transient - it moves in cycles from too many jobs to not enough jobs, so you may travel and come back to a huge choice of jobs!

Hope this gives you a little food for thought. Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Thanks guys :)

I think I'm gonna go for it. I'm gonna travel. I know I should be working towards my future etc. but I don't want the "if only" to be on my conscience, have too many of those already. I think the doubts mean I want to go simply because I would be jumping for joy for getting the line after all this time but i'm not. I keep thinking about wanting to get away.

I think I'll go to the states just cause they pay for travel and housing. As far as I've read, Australia doesn't so if I have to pay to go there and to live there, I might as well go there for a vacation lol.

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Specializes in PICU.

I am a Canadian currently travel nursing in the USA. I always wanted to travel and like another poster said I didn't want to regret not going when I had the chance and also wanted to do it while I was young and had no children.

I can tell you from experience that the entire process for licensing and visa screen can take several months. It costs several hundred dollars, and you need the initial funds to get to your assignment and live until your first paycheck (usually about 3 weeks). So...don't quit just yet...you'll need that income!

As far as pension goes, take out an RRSP and sock away some money now. Hospital Pension Plans are not the only option.

But if you really want to go for it...at very least you'll gain some valuable life and work experience and be more marketable for it in the end. Besides, the job board is starting to pick up slowly but surely, first time in 18 months signing bonuses are being offered again. Things really took a hit when the economy crashed but you are slowly seeing them start to recover now.

You can get in touch with a recruiter now who will walk you step by step through the whole process. Even send you study guides for the NCLEX and instructions for state boards of nursing and CGFNS.

In any case...good luck...hope this helps...but in the end you ultimately have to decide what is best for your life and your future!!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

"Regret those things you don't do." I've been in the US for almost 6 years now. It took me several months and almost $1500 to get my VisaScreen. Not to mention moving and starting a new life. Here's a tip that worked to my benefit: Go to a job fair in Canada first. There are several American hosptials who hire Canadians and offer reimbursment for your VisaScreen, move etc. Good luck!

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Wow 6 years are you working there permanently, or are you traveling???

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