Misconceptions About Travel Nursing: Unveiling the Truth  

Travel nursing can be a rewarding, exciting career option for nurses who want to explore the country and get paid to do it. The thrill of having a new adventure, a great paycheck, and the satisfaction of helping others makes travel nursing hard to resist. However, the unique, nomadic lifestyle brings with it misconceptions that may deter nurses from entering the travel nursing field. In this blog, we’ll provide clarity as we debunk these travel nursing misconceptions and dive deeper into the truth behind them.  

 Travel nursing is an exciting, potentially lucrative career decision for nurses who want to travel the country and get paid for it. But just like any other field, there are some misunderstandings swirling around it. Some say that travel nursing doesn’t pay as well as other nursing positions, while others argue that the lifestyle can be too fast-paced and unpredictable. To tackle these misconceptions and let the truth be known, we’ve created an overview of what travel nursing is and isn’t. 

You Aren’t There as Long  

One common misconception about travel nursing is that you don’t get to experience an area for very long. It’s seen as a fly-in, fly-out kind of work; you fly in, do your job, then move on to another area. That may have been the case years ago, but now the length of travel nursing assignments range anywhere from 13-26 weeks (about 6 months). Having the opportunity to be in one place for half a year gives you enough time to really get to know a place and explore it. Plus, companies like MLee Healthcare recognize your need for consistency and can work with you to get you extended assignments if needed.  

You Don’t Make as Much Money 

 A lot of people are under the impression that travel nurses don’t make as much money as their peers in traditional nursing roles. But the truth is, when you become a travel nurse, you may be able to make much more money than you can in a regular nursing role. That’s because most hospitals are willing to pay a premium for travel nurses to come and fill their nursing shortage gaps. According to a survey by Nurse Journal, travel nurses made an average base pay of $37.33 per hour. Plus, travel nurses are typically eligible for benefits that earn them added money, such as housing, travel reimbursements, shift differential pay, and more.  

It’s Too Unpredictable 

Many nurses worry travel nursing will be too fast-paced and unpredictable. While this is true to some extent, nurses do have control over when and how often they accept assignments. They can also choose the destinations and employers they prefer. Travel nursing can be a great balance for those looking to maintain a work-life balance and follow their dreams. [With MLee Healthcare, you don’t even have to worry about scouting new assignments or jump through hoops to secure new employment; our job search board makes it easy to explore and request the assignments you want.]  

You Have to Put All of Your Career Goals Aside 

This is another misconception floating around. People think that if you become a travel nurse, you’re giving up your career goals, whether that be gaining expertise in a certain area, working your way up the medical ladder, or becoming a leader. But you don’t have to choose between being a travel nurse and achieving your long-term career goals. Travel nursing credits can often be used to build a more permanent resume and move up the ladder.  

Pursue Your Career

We hope this blog helped to dispel some of the common misconceptions about travel nursing. Being a travel nurse could be the perfect job for those seeking an adventurous, rewarding career. With MLee Healthcare, transitioning into this role is easy. [We offer job search and employer resources to make the process go smoothly and get you the success you deserve.] So, if travel nursing is something you’re thinking of pursuing, know you don’t have to fall for the misconceptions. MLee Healthcare is here to make the dream a reality.