To travel or not

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/SCT.

I've been a pediatric oncology/hematology nurse for 2 years now and am seriously considering travel nursing. I've researched the pros and cons and heard the market out there is tough but I am flexible with location. My main motivation for traveling is the curiosity of living other places. Of course the extra pay and paid housing is a bonus. I have spoken with a few agencies and am at the perfect time in my life to do so and its kind of like now or never. My lease is up in 4 months and I need to make a decision soon. My question to all the travelers out there, is the market as bad as some say it is? Am I foolish to leave a stable job in a prestigious teaching hospital? I'm torn and my decision changes on a daily basis, its driving me crazy! ANY input is appreciated! Last question, being that I have 4 months until I am able to start traveling, when is the appropriate time to start really applying and talking with recruiters?

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Specializes in ICU, ER,PICU,CCNR.

My question to all the travelers out there, is the market as bad as some say it is? Am I foolish to leave a stable job in a prestigious teaching hospital? I'm torn and my decision changes on a daily basis, its driving me crazy! ANY input is appreciated! Last question, being that I have 4 months until I am able to start traveling, when is the appropriate time to start really applying and talking with recruiters?

I am in the same situation and had many of the same questions in my mind. I am leaving a stable job but have made arrangements to stay contingent. ( I will fly back to do my contingent shifts also I can work there if there is a lag between my assignments).

I will also share that I wanted to do travel nursing many years ago but then got married, life got busy with children and I lost my opportunity. Right now I don't feel like it is the best time in this economy but I am going to do it whether or not I make money because life is short, and time goes by quickly and circumstances can change in a moment. I don't want to lose the opportunity again.

Hope that helps. :-)

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