Debunking Myths About Travel Nursing

Myth 1: Travel nurses aren’t respected by permanent staff.

Fact:

Most permanent staff are grateful for the help travel nurses provide, especially with the current staffing shortages. Travelers often bring fresh perspectives and experience, and can alleviate workloads for overwhelmed teams. While there may be occasional exceptions, welcoming travel nurses is the norm.

Myth 2: You have to move every 13 weeks.

Fact:

While many assignments are 13 weeks, plenty offer the option to extend based on mutual agreement. You can also choose longer contracts like 6 months or even a year with some facilities. Remember, flexibility is a key benefit of travel nursing!

Myth 3: Travel nursing isn’t stable and doesn’t offer steady income.

Fact:

While there might be some variation in income between contracts, travel nurses often earn significantly more than their permanently employed counterparts, thanks to bonuses, stipends, and higher hourly rates. Plus, many agencies offer benefits and guaranteed pay between assignments.

Myth 4: Travel nursing is only for young, single nurses.

Fact:

Nurses of all ages and backgrounds thrive in travel nursing. Older nurses often bring valuable experience and maturity, while younger nurses find it a great way to explore and gain diverse experiences. Family situations also work – some even travel with their partners or children!

Myth 5: Too many assignments will look bad on your resume.

Fact:

On the contrary, multiple assignments showcase your adaptability, experience in different settings, and commitment to professional development. Hospitals value well-rounded nurses who can adjust to new environments quickly.

Myth 6: Travel nursing is all about partying and sightseeing.

Fact:

While exploring new places is a perk, travel nurses are dedicated professionals first and foremost. They work long hours and require strong work ethic and commitment to patient care.

Myth 7: Travel nursing agencies take a huge cut of your pay.

Fact:

While agencies do charge a fee to hospitals, the average margin they keep is around 20%, which covers expenses like recruitment, licensing, and payroll processing. The majority of the bill rate goes directly to the travel nurse in the form of salary, stipends, and tax-free reimbursements.

Myth 8: You need years of experience to become a travel nurse.

Fact:

Many agencies accept new grads, albeit with some limitations on specialties and locations. Most require at least one year of experience, but some are willing to consider exceptional candidates with less. Ultimately, your skills, adaptability, and eagerness to learn matter more than raw years.

Myth 9: Travel nursing is only for emergency room or ICU nurses.

Fact:

While those specialties are in high demand, hospitals need travel nurses across various departments, including med-surg, oncology, pediatrics, and more. If you have a specific area of expertise, there’s likely a travel opportunity waiting for you.

Myth 10: Finding housing is always a nightmare for travel nurses.

Fact:

While securing housing can be challenging in certain areas, agencies often offer assistance with housing searches or provide housing stipends. You can also leverage online resources and communities for travel nurses to find safe and affordable options.

Myth 11: You’ll be lonely and isolated as a travel nurse.

Fact:

Many travel nurses build strong friendships and connections with colleagues, both permanent staff and fellow travelers. Agencies often organize social events, and online communities provide support and a sense of belonging. Additionally, exploring new places naturally helps you meet new people and experience different cultures.

Myth 12: You won’t get any benefits as a travel nurse.

Fact:

While the structure might differ from traditional employment, many travel agencies offer comprehensive benefits packages. These can include health insurance, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and even retirement plans. Additionally, tax-free stipends cover expenses like housing, meals, and travel, which can feel like indirect benefits.

Myth 13: You need to be a “wanderlust” type to enjoy travel nursing.

Fact:

While exploring new places can be a wonderful perk, you don’t have to be a seasoned world traveler to thrive in travel nursing. Many nurses choose destinations based on factors like desired specialty, workload preferences, or proximity to family and friends. Stability and familiarity are also valid choices.

Myth 14: You’ll constantly be jumping into unfamiliar situations with no support.

Fact:

Responsible agencies provide thorough onboarding and orientation for each assignment, including facility introductions, training specific to the unit, and ongoing support throughout your contract. Additionally, many hospitals have dedicated “travel nurse coordinators” who act as your point of contact and resource during your stay.

Myth 15: Travel nursing is a dead-end career path.

Fact:

Travel nursing can be a stepping stone to diverse career opportunities. You can gain valuable experience in different settings, network with professionals across the country, and develop specialized skills. Travel nursing can also lead to permanent positions at hospitals you enjoyed, or open doors to leadership roles and travel nurse educator positions.

Myth 16: It’s impossible to maintain work-life balance as a travel nurse.

Fact:

While travel nursing can be demanding, achieving work-life balance is still possible. Many agencies and hospitals offer flexible scheduling options, and with careful planning, you can carve out time for hobbies, travel (beyond work assignments), and personal relationships. Communication and boundaries are key to striking a healthy balance.

TRAVEL NURSE MYTHS| DEBUNKING & EXPERIENCE

Source: Jay Quinn