Travel Nursing Time off

[Bharatpur14]

I am a pre-nursing student and have always been interested in travel nursing. I was wondering if nurses are able to take time off between assignments? I'm not talking about paid time off, I'm talking about taking a couple months (unpaid) and volunteering in another country or something, and still able to work for the same company afterwards. Thanks for any info!

[NedRN]

Of course. You are working for three month assignments and it is completely your choice how much time you take off. Many of us work for multiple agencies though for more choice and better pay but you can stay with one agency. Or do seasonal assignments directly with a hospital.

[MsConstrued]

That's the BEST part about traveling to me. I make enough that I can take a month or more off between starting my next contract and can do the traveling or relaxing that I never am able to do with a FT position. Especially if you have a partner with you or go back home after your assignment you won't have a ton of expenses.

[Bharatpur14]

Thanks, guys! Now I'm even more excited :)

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

But remember, you will have to put in your time as a staff nurse in your intended specialty before you can start traveling (yes, that means putting up with limited vacation time and office politics). At least a year or definitely recommended two years will have to be invested before you can take any assignment. Those first two years are crucial for you to feel minimally comfortable with what you're doing on the unit. As a traveler you get roughly 2 days of orientation before you're off on your own. And trust me, you have no idea what you don't know yet, even after you've graduated nursing school. But good for you for planning ahead. Travel nursing is very interesting I must say.

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[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

But remember, you will have to put in your time as a staff nurse in your intended specialty before you can start traveling (yes, that means putting up with limited vacation time and office politics). At least a year or definitely recommended two years will have to be invested before you can take any assignment. Those first two years are crucial for you to feel minimally comfortable with what you're doing on the unit. As a traveler you get roughly 2 days of orientation before you're off on your own. And trust me, you have no idea what you don't know yet, even after you've graduated nursing school. But good for you for planning ahead. Travel nursing is very interesting I must say.

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Ain't that the truth! I spent two years working nights every weekend Thur Fri Sat for two years (the exact length of my new grad contract) until I could drop to per diem and have more control over my schedule.

[Bharatpur14]

Yeah I want to have plenty of experience before I start traveling. I actually plan on being useful to whoever I would be working for :) I just have a habit of planning out my career years in advance whilst laying awake in bed Haha! Thanks for the info, guys.

[ParalyticAgent]

Keep dreaming! Researching the different cities I wanted to visit is the only thing that got me through nursing school. Work hard and put in your time, and you can start crossing cities off your list soon!