Nursing "branch" with the most flexibility.

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 24, 2014

The most scheduling flexibility usually comes with working "per diem" as a staff nurse and/or in some sort of "float pool" or "agency" that allows you to sign up for as many (or as few) shifts as you want. You can make decent money that way and get the flexibility you seek ... but you will probably sacrifice your benefits (e.g. insurance, paid sick time, tuition reimbursement, retirement program, etc.). In those sorts of roles, you make a lesser committment to the employer, not promising to be there whenever they want you. In exchange for that lesser committment from you, they make less of a committment to you.

newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 24, 2014

Yep, that's what I was going to say...per diem. I work per diem or contingent at all my jobs so that I can always match my husband's schedule. I'm lucky that I don't need health care benefits but I definitely miss the paid time off and I get called off a fair amount also, which is quite a hit to the paycheck.

mhy12784 · Jun 25, 2014

Depends what kind of "time to travel" youre talking about and how frequently

I think most nursing jobs are flexible enough, considering you can work 3 days a week to be full time. Hell you could work fri/sat/sun and still easily work 30-40 hours a week at a normal 9-5 job on top of that.

But if youre talking about going away for 1-2 weeks on a whims notice , I dont think any fulltime job as a nurse will accommodate that. Especially since presumably youd be looking to start somewhere new with no seniority

If you were on a unit for 20~ years and needed flexability im sure theyd work with you, but going somewhere new with that kind of baggage likely wont play well

Perdiem or some kind of part time might be your only realistic option