Careers in healthcare are stable, fulfilling, and well-paid. What’s not to like? As a busy mom, however, it’s important to choose a path that fits your lifestyle.
Some healthcare jobs don’t have the flexibility moms need to ensure that their family comes first. Others, like travel nursing, offer the best of both worlds: flexibility and the opportunity to support a family while doing a job you love.
Thinking about working in the field of healthcare? Here are some of the reasons to consider travel nursing as a busy mother.
What is Travel Nursing?
Travel nurses are registered nurses who take short-term assignments at hospitals and other medical facilities. They perform the same duties as they would working as a permanent member of the nursing staff, but they usually work at any given facility for 3-6 months at a time.
Hospitals hire travel nurses when they are experiencing or anticipating a temporary staffing shortage. Staffing shortages can occur for all kinds of reasons, including permanent staff going on leave, needing to fill in coverage gaps seasonally, and requiring temporary help while looking for permanent nursing staff to hire.
Many travel nurses are young and single with no children. This makes it simple to move from place to place every few months. However, busy mothers can also succeed at travel nursing, which offers several benefits.
Travel Nursing is Flexible
One of the most attractive aspects of travel nursing is how flexible it is. Contracts usually last around 13 weeks, and nurses can choose to take a break between assignments. This provides a lot more flexibility than a permanent nursing job, which can make it hard to take time off.
Travel nursing agencies help with logistics like housing when you change assignments. This means that although you might have to move frequently, you’ll have support and even a housing stipend in some cases!
Offers Kids New Experiences
Many busy moms who become travel nurses love that they are able to spend quality time with their children and give them opportunities for exploration and new experiences. Some moms also choose to homeschool their kids on the road, which can lead to even more bonding time. Travel nursing can be an exciting adventure for the entire family!
The Paycheck Is Attractive
Nursing certainly isn’t the highest-paid profession in the healthcare industry, but it offers solid salaries that provide stability. Travel nurses can often make more than the median salary of $77,600 per year for permanent registered nurses.
In addition to an attractive base salary, travel nurses can also enjoy extra financial incentives. Some travel nurses get housing or meal stipends, for instance. Certain assignments also offer bonuses for nurses who sign on. Moms who become travel nurses can make good money and are often able to put more into savings than nurses who work in a single hospital.
Travel Nursing Close to Home
Even if you’re not ready to give up on the stability of a family home and you want to keep your kids in their current schools, that doesn’t mean travel nursing is out of the question. If you live in an area where there are lots of medical facilities within easy commuting distance, it might be possible to stay in your home and simply commute to each short-term contract.
Many busy moms love being “local” travel nurses. It gives their kids stability while still providing many of the perks associated with travel nursing.
How to Become a Travel Nurse
Aspiring travel nurses need to be registered nurses (RNs) with a few years of experience before they can hit the road. You need to get comfortable with the mechanics and responsibilities of nursing before you can take your skills on the road and perform nursing duties without much training or supervision.
If you don’t have your RN yet, the first step is to get your education. There are many excellent programs all across the country, many of which can be mostly completed online— which can be key for busy moms. Once you’ve earned your degree and passed the licensure exam, you’ll need to spend some time gaining clinical experience.
Once you have enough experience, you can sign on with a travel nursing agency. They’ll help you every step of the way and help ensure that you have a successful experience as a travel nurse!
America Needs More Travel Nurses— Moms Can Help!
Now is a great time for moms to consider a career in travel nursing. The average age of the American population is increasing, and more medical staff is needed to care for seniors, who often have complex healthcare needs. That widespread shortage is increasing the demand for short-term help from travel nurses.
Moms who choose to become travel nurses can help with the care crisis and enjoy the stability of knowing their work will be in demand. It’s a win-win situation that’s perfect for many mothers! If you want to make a difference in the world and inspire your kids while enjoying a fast-paced career, becoming a travel nurse might be the best choice you ever make.
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Being a travel nurse is an ideal healthcare career https://careerbands.com/10-alternative-nursing-careers/ for busy mothers due to its flexibility and variety. As a travel nurse, you can choose the location and length of your assignments, allowing you to work around family commitments and other obligations. Additionally, travel nursing offers the opportunity to gain experience in multiple settings and specialties, giving busy moms the chance to expand their knowledge and skills while still having ample time with their families.
Travel nurses also enjoy competitive salaries and benefits packages that are often superior to those found in traditional healthcare jobs. This allows busy mothers to make a good living while still having plenty of time for their children. Plus, travel nurses have access to resources such as housing assistance, relocation reimbursements, and other financial incentives that can help offset any additional costs associated with moving for work.
Overall, being a travel nurse is an ideal career choice for busy mothers who want the flexibility to balance family life with professional growth.