With a struggling economy many families are forced to come up with creative ways to make ends meet. Cutting expenses by eliminating luxury items, taking staycations instead of expensive vacations, reducing the number of meals eaten at restaurants, shopping at thrift stores, and using coupons are just a few ways people are reducing their bills. But the creativity does not stop at saving money; people are also exploring new ideas for making money. Returning to school and making a move to cities with better job opportunities are just two of the ways people are adapting to our changing world of work.
Even RNs are looking at the job market with different eyes. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects more than 581,500 new RN positions will be created through 2018, which will increase the size of the RN workforce by 22{e62c403cac7b8cc681803c2c1698f145e7e75e28c1e1f16a71410c7fc8558a25}, the current economy has temporarily made it harder to find permanent nursing positions. An alternative that many experienced RNs are turning to is Travel Nursing. Travel nurses typically enjoy higher salaries, more bonuses, comparable benefits as well as the opportunity to travel and work in different parts of the country. Add in the fact that travelers experience less hospital politics as well as a chance to quickly build upon their skills and you can understand why now is the time to explore travel nursing!
While travel nursing seems ideal for younger single nurses or empty-nesters, more married couples with children are exploring the option as well. And it just makes sense – taking a travel nurse position is an ideal way to replace the lost income and benefits when a nurse’s spouse has lost his/her job. Parents with children are finding travel nursing to be a viable solution as well and say that juggling family life with a travel nurse job is well worth the effort – and even adds to the quality of their family life.
When weighing in the benefits and opportunities travel nursing jobs provide RNs, parents should take a look at these considerations:
- Consider home schooling your children to avoid making your children change schools multiple times. Resources for home schooling are plentiful. And talk about an opportunity for your children to learn more about geography and their country first hand!
- If both parents are RNs they can ask to work different shifts so that one parent can be home with the children at all times.
- Higher salaries allow families to consider day care, special after school programs, or nannies.
- Check out available positions within a few hours from home so it’s possible to drive back/forth on the days you work or even travel home on weekends or your days off.
- Traveling nurse positions often lead to full time employment; it’s a great way to test drive a new position, new city, new hospital.
While the idea of having a traveling nurse career and managing a family can seem daunting, it’s important to remember that once a routine is established families soon realize the benefits the position provides. When considering a career as a traveling nurse, remember to keep an open mind, weigh your options, and always think creatively!