David Morrison
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Lately, a recurring question from first-time travelers is, "Should I start to travel now, or wait until the economy is better?"
My response is, it depends on your situation.
I think we can all agree that the travel nursing industry is not what it was just a year ago. A Web site that detailed information
from the 2009 Healthcare Staffing Summit ( http://staffingrobot.com/) reported a 44 percent decrease in travel nursing since last year. The industry is slowly building back up, however, as well
as tapping into a new option for travel.
Government stimulus
In the past month or so, I have received several e-mails from travel companies that are now offering government contracts.
Government contracts can be very appealing in this economy because they often offer longer terms, ranging from six months
to over a year. You might find yourself working in a VA facility or even on a military base; overseas opportunities are also
available. Check back next month, when my column will cover government contracts in more detail. While that trend might ease some of the strain on the industry, we also need to see an overall increase in the number of assignments.
Fortunately, we are now headed into the winter months that bring increased needs to snowbird states like Florida and Arizona.
And there are other signs that the need for traveling nurses is increasing.
Time to travel?
While the industry starts to slowly rebound, many e-mails I receive still ask the lingering question, "Is now the right time
for me to start traveling?"
I received an e-mail a few months back from a nurse who wanted to travel, but she also had financial responsibilities that
required her to continue to earn the $40 hourly wage that her staff position provided. Travel assignments paying that type
of money were certainly more common a year ago, but might still be found today. Even if she did find an assignment with comparable
pay, how long would she be able to work that assignment? I would hate to advise her to take an assignment only to find that
three months later the hospital would not be offering an extension. Despite the many wonderful aspects of travel, not many
people would be willing to give up a secure, steady income for a three-month stint in an exotic locale. We both agreed that
it might be best to postpone her travels.
On the other hand, I also received an e-mail from another nurse who was ready for some adventure. She also had the same concerns
about giving up a staff position, but given her strong desire for a change, we moved forward to find her a travel position.
She recently signed on for her first assignment.
Experience still tops
Do you have the type of experience needed to travel? It has always been the norm for travel agencies to require one year
of clinical experience in the specialty in which you would like to travel. I have heard from several nurses who reported a
travel agency wanted to see 18 months to two years of experience for certain specialties. During the slowing in the industry,
hospitals could demand only the travelers with the most experience.
Better weather ahead
As the travel industry starts to rebound, opportunities will once again open up. It will probably be quite awhile before we
see the type of activity we did in the past, but choice locations are still obtainable. I recently worked with two travelers
who started new assignments: One was in Las Vegas; the other, Hawaii. When a profession can still offer work locations like
Sin City or a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific, life can still be pretty great.
ModernMedicine NETWORK
NEWS & UPDATES
Looking to enhance your marketability? Go to http://healthcaretraveler.com/advantage to read about nine strategies that will put you ahead of the competition for that next travel assignment.
TOOLS
Last month, David Morrison, RN, provided tips on interviewing for assignments. For a review of his advice, go to http://healthcaretraveler.com/interview.
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