Is 28 too old to become a travel nurse?

Specialties Travel

Published

I'm about to turn 28 years old, I'm very single, and I have a huge passion for travel. I've been feeling so antsy with my life and feel as though I've been a bit stagnant. I've been a med/surg/GI nurse for about a year and three months and, though I still don't have much experience, I think I have just enough to be more comfortable with different placements.

On the other hand, I still want to find a life partner and have kids at some point... I'm just afraid that 28 is getting a bit too old (for a woman) for travel nursing because I also want to pursue those things I mentioned above.

Any thoughts? Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Specializes in Critical Care.

28?!?!?!?!!? Jesus Christ! How have you not turned to dust yet?!?!?!?!

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Ha... I know I probably sound pathetic to people who are maybe twice my age, but it's still a legitimate question if you look at the fact that I'm getting closer to the end of child-bearing age...

No, you're not too old to travel nurse. No, you're not too old to have kids. You're not too old for most things!

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28 is a good age to start as a travel nurse, you're very young yet!

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Well I'm 40 and became a nurse 2 years ago...you're not too old, and "and getting towards the end of child bearing years"..I'm sorry but I did laugh and I'm not trying to be harsh...but you really aren't unless you go into super early menopause..or this is the early 1900's lol. One lesson I've learned in my "old age"...don't stress or worry...just go for it! You only live once and life doesn't end at 30 lol.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I think we should actually ban (ok, that might be taking it a bit far) any more 'am I too old to (whatever)' questions on here, because the answer is almost always NO... if you want to do it, go for it.

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Specializes in ICU.

you are what you think you are.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I think we should actually ban (ok, that might be taking it a bit far) any more 'am I too old to (whatever)' questions on here, because the answer is almost always NO... if you want to do it, go for it.

Some people just don't have a good frame of reference! :) Reassurance and positive examples never hurt.

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I have seen sooooooo many posts from nurses with minimal experience but yet wanting to try travel nursing. I had 25+ years experience and had worked at many different hospital systems before I quit my permanent staff position to travel. This experience gave me the tools to think on my feet, adapt to unfamiliar conditions-(i.e different EHRs, policies/procedures, types of patients), be resourceful, and know not just what to do when things go right, but what to do when things go terribly wrong. I'm not suggesting that new travel nurses need this much experience, but in my opinion, any nurse who enters into it with nagging questions about their abilities or level of competence, is doing themselves (and their patients) a huge disservice. Not to discourage anyone and it is a personal decision, but keep in mind that when you are in a jam far from home and outside of your comfort zone, there's not always someone around to bail you out or make it better. Also, I feel that travel nursing has been excessively glamorized in the industry and made to be something it's not-it is often difficult, tedious, requires much planning and negotiating, and the money is not what most non-travel nurses think it is. Anyway, just my thoughts and best of luck!

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Obviously after twenty plus years of traveling, I'm a big fan. That said, it is easy to get in over your head as morelostthanfound suggests. Low experience means you are not competitive with other travelers for good assignments. Thus you have a higher percentage of landing a first assignment from hell and with less experience to deal with it.

The problem is after one year of work you don't really know what you don't know.

It is easy to get a reality check by going per diem for a local (or even distant) agency and doing some shifts at other hospitals. That will give you a taste of what travel is like, adapting quickly while going full speed, and seeing how well you handle it. I did that after two and a half years of staff and highly recommend it, especially if you have only worked at one hospital.

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27 isn't 'too old' for anything I'd say. Actually 'tis better to travel whilst young and single.

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Not really, I can 'think' I am 27 years-old every day of the week and twice on Sundays and I'll still awaken as a 50 year-old.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm about to turn 28 years old, I'm very single, and I have a huge passion for travel. I've been feeling so antsy with my life and feel as though I've been a bit stagnant. I've been a med/surg/GI nurse for about a year and three months and, though I still don't have much experience, I think I have just enough to be more comfortable with different placements.

On the other hand, I still want to find a life partner and have kids at some point... I'm just afraid that 28 is getting a bit too old (for a woman) for travel nursing because I also want to pursue those things I mentioned above.

Any thoughts? Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Oh, good lord! My sister met her first husband on a travel assignment.

With less than two years of experience, though, you really aren't qualified to be a travel nurse. You'll be expected to hit the ground running, and most people aren't ready before the two year mark.

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