Should I travel nurse if I have permanent job

[ICURNinCT]

I have been contemplating travel nursing for years. I have nothing holding me back and love traveling. I currently have one year MICU experience and 3 years of MS experience. Would one year be enough for ICU experience. I make $30/hr with 3 weeks vacation and 1 week holiday time working in CT. Would it be a good decision to leave that. I'm also in my lower 30's with no family. Do you think that would be taking alot of chances. Thanks for any input :)

[gnursjr2]

You might like it. You are young, no kids, family to worry about. I was forced into traveling d/t not being able to find a job in my area, and husbands business downturn during recession. I am 53, had to leave my home, dogs, move to a strange city. It has been really hard, I get paid well, but its super expensive to live in San Diego. Just make sure you get a good contract, there are a lot of bad agencies out there. Good luck.

[ICURNinCT]

Thank you for the advice. San Diego was actually one of the top cities I wanted to have a travel assignment in. It's such a big decision, esp in this economy. I'll definitely be doing alot of research on agencies.

[jenjacobi1]

I think you should do it. I'm kinda deciding to do the same thing right now, but I'm having trouble finding an assignment in Seattle for the summer. But I struggled with the decision of leaving or not because I do have a great permanent job right now at a great hospital with great co-workers. BUT I decided I can't let the fear of not getting this great job back stop me from living my life and doing what I want to do. For all you know, you will love travel nursing and will NEVER return back to this permanent position in Connecticut. Or you'll find someone, get married, and stay in that city. Who knows what's going to happen. So, I say go for it.

Good luck with everything!!