Benefits

Dixielee, BSN, RN · May 9, 2005

I am most definately more satisfied as a travel nurse than as staff. One of the big benefits, maybe THE biggest benefit is that you do not get sucked into the politics of a hospital job. No matter what the situation, hospitals are a hot bed of political activity! I don't have to attend "mandatory" staff meetings, inservices, skills review fairs, etc. Obviously I keep up my skills, attend inservices when I can, etc. but it is not the pressure like you have as staff.

EVEN if the salary and compensation were equal, a lot of us would still travel. The variety is a part of the appeal. I have learned new ways of doing things, met some wonderful folks that I still correspond with, have had experiences you just don't get when you stay put. I just spend the last 8 months in Tucson, and I am a Georgia girl. I loved the winter here. I had never been to the desert. I have met great people, love the city, and love the desert. I would have never known that had I not been a traveler.

For my next assignment, I want to go to NC or north Ga. to spend more time with my family. You just can't do that when you are tied to a staff position.

As far as travelers being more satisfied in general, I think so, but can't speak for everyone. Many travelers I meet are young and adventurous and are just trying to see the country. But, many more I meet are more "seasoned" nurses who have already done a lot in their nursing careers and just don't want to fool with it any longer. I fall into that catagory. I have done the administrative thing, have been an educator, a preceptor, a leader, etc. AT one time, I wanted to save the world, now I just want to save my little portion of it. I just want to do my little thing, work my night shifts and enjoy life with a wonderful husband.

I can still have an impact. I still enjoy patient care, get warm fuzzies when I can, and endure the rest. I still feel good when I get a really hard stick on the first try and am thanked profusely for doing so. I love to help new parents understand that every cry does not mean disaster. I like it when I can give a scared kid a hug and when the procedure is over, he says...."That wasn't so bad".

I love to listen to the old people tell me about the lives they have lived and their families, and I love to listen to the young ones who are still planning theirs. I find that as a traveler, I am not burned out like I was, and I still enjoy my work.

If I ever have to settle down to one place, I don't know what I will do. But for now, this works for me and has for the past 5 years. Good luck. Nursing is the best and worst of all situations. You just have to learn to balence them in your life. If you do not, you will never succeed.

KK7724 · May 9, 2005

I am most definately more satisfied as a travel nurse than as staff. One of the big benefits, maybe THE biggest benefit is that you do not get sucked into the politics of a hospital job. No matter what the situation, hospitals are a hot bed of political activity! I don't have to attend "mandatory" staff meetings, inservices, skills review fairs, etc. Obviously I keep up my skills, attend inservices when I can, etc. but it is not the pressure like you have as staff.
EVEN if the salary and compensation were equal, a lot of us would still travel. The variety is a part of the appeal. I have learned new ways of doing things, met some wonderful folks that I still correspond with, have had experiences you just don't get when you stay put. I just spend the last 8 months in Tucson, and I am a Georgia girl. I loved the winter here. I had never been to the desert. I have met great people, love the city, and love the desert. I would have never known that had I not been a traveler.
For my next assignment, I want to go to NC or north Ga. to spend more time with my family. You just can't do that when you are tied to a staff position.
As far as travelers being more satisfied in general, I think so, but can't speak for everyone. Many travelers I meet are young and adventurous and are just trying to see the country. But, many more I meet are more "seasoned" nurses who have already done a lot in their nursing careers and just don't want to fool with it any longer. I fall into that catagory. I have done the administrative thing, have been an educator, a preceptor, a leader, etc. AT one time, I wanted to save the world, now I just want to save my little portion of it. I just want to do my little thing, work my night shifts and enjoy life with a wonderful husband.
I can still have an impact. I still enjoy patient care, get warm fuzzies when I can, and endure the rest. I still feel good when I get a really hard stick on the first try and am thanked profusely for doing so. I love to help new parents understand that every cry does not mean disaster. I like it when I can give a scared kid a hug and when the procedure is over, he says...."That wasn't so bad".
I love to listen to the old people tell me about the lives they have lived and their families, and I love to listen to the young ones who are still planning theirs. I find that as a traveler, I am not burned out like I was, and I still enjoy my work.
If I ever have to settle down to one place, I don't know what I will do. But for now, this works for me and has for the past 5 years. Good luck. Nursing is the best and worst of all situations. You just have to learn to balence them in your life. If you do not, you will never succeed.

Dixielee,

Does this mean you are a peds nurse?? I am a Nursery nurse--new grad actually...I will be trained in Post-partum as well as Mother/Baby....will I be able to find travel assignments in my specialty??

~Kristina~

Dixielee, BSN, RN · May 10, 2005

Dixielee,
Does this mean you are a peds nurse?? I am a Nursery nurse--new grad actually...I will be trained in Post-partum as well as Mother/Baby....will I be able to find travel assignments in my specialty??
~Kristina~

Actually I am an ER nurse, but it seems like we do see lots of kids, and being a "retired" mother, I get to play mom and nurse to some of the little ones. Why don't you check several travel company websites, and see what they have listed as needs. They all don't list them, but many do, or at least a representation of what they have had recently. Intelistaf and RN Network have listings on their website. I'm sure others do, I just happened to have worked for those 2. Good luck, and happy traveling!

margeux · May 13, 2005

I am most definately more satisfied as a travel nurse than as staff. One of the big benefits, maybe THE biggest benefit is that you do not get sucked into the politics of a hospital job. No matter what the situation, hospitals are a hot bed of political activity! I don't have to attend "mandatory" staff meetings, inservices, skills review fairs, etc. Obviously I keep up my skills, attend inservices when I can, etc. but it is not the pressure like you have as staff.
EVEN if the salary and compensation were equal, a lot of us would still travel. The variety is a part of the appeal. I have learned new ways of doing things, met some wonderful folks that I still correspond with, have had experiences you just don't get when you stay put. I just spend the last 8 months in Tucson, and I am a Georgia girl. I loved the winter here. I had never been to the desert. I have met great people, love the city, and love the desert. I would have never known that had I not been a traveler.
For my next assignment, I want to go to NC or north Ga. to spend more time with my family. You just can't do that when you are tied to a staff position.
As far as travelers being more satisfied in general, I think so, but can't speak for everyone. Many travelers I meet are young and adventurous and are just trying to see the country. But, many more I meet are more "seasoned" nurses who have already done a lot in their nursing careers and just don't want to fool with it any longer. I fall into that catagory. I have done the administrative thing, have been an educator, a preceptor, a leader, etc. AT one time, I wanted to save the world, now I just want to save my little portion of it. I just want to do my little thing, work my night shifts and enjoy life with a wonderful husband.
I can still have an impact. I still enjoy patient care, get warm fuzzies when I can, and endure the rest. I still feel good when I get a really hard stick on the first try and am thanked profusely for doing so. I love to help new parents understand that every cry does not mean disaster. I like it when I can give a scared kid a hug and when the procedure is over, he says...."That wasn't so bad".
I love to listen to the old people tell me about the lives they have lived and their families, and I love to listen to the young ones who are still planning theirs. I find that as a traveler, I am not burned out like I was, and I still enjoy my work.
If I ever have to settle down to one place, I don't know what I will do. But for now, this works for me and has for the past 5 years. Good luck. Nursing is the best and worst of all situations. You just have to learn to balence them in your life. If you do not, you will never succeed.

Hi I'm also a "seasoned" Peds Nurse my husband is retired and we're going to start traveling in Jully hope to go to Ca, NV,or Wa. any suggestions I haven't decided on a company yet and I'm very confused? Any help you could throw my way would be great. We're looking forward to traveling the USA, and going places we haven't been before. But I don't know which company to go with? Help!

thanks Margeux