Cherie A. Tarif

Undoubtedly, the majority of healthcare providers who work and travel on a contractual basis love the freedom their positions bring. Unlike the countless professionals who find themselves mired in stress and the head-swirling challenges saturating the healthcare industry today, travelers can avoid hospital politics, finding it easier to stay connected to the purpose and enthusiasm of their calling.

By and large, mobile nurses, therapists, and technologists believe traveling has made a positive impact on their lives. If you have thought long and hard about taking your skills on the road but still need a little nudge to get the ball rolling, read on to learn about some of the reasons traveling may be right for you.

Sure, healthcare travel will allow you to focus more energy on your professional role. But it'll also give you the chance to discover new places, many of which you may not otherwise see. And like Sandra Radcliffe, RN, you just might uncover a new interest.

Originally from Indiana, Sandra likes to visit lighthouses in her free time...now. Until she accepted a contract at a facility in Massachusetts, she hadn't pursued the pastime, even though the idea of exploring old lighthouses had always appealed to her. "I knew healthcare travel would provide me with a good income and broaden my clinical expertise," she says. "But, it has also opened up other possibilities for me, personally."

In addition to accepting a supplemental position in the Bay State, Sandra—who travels with her husband and dog—has taken assignments at facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, and Virginia. "I also enjoy the road trips that bring me from one assignment to the next and the chance to explore new cities."

Learn new methods and grow professionally

Though Jaynee Neilson, an occupational therapist from Iowa, and Donna LeBrun, a registered nurse from North Carolina, can't imagine a better way to practice, they agree that traveling may not be the right option for everyone. "When you come into a new facility in an unfamiliar part of the country, you have to be open to variations," says Jaynee. "The area's cost of living and culture may be unlike those to which you're accustomed. Even the paperwork on your unit may be handled in a way that's new to you. For in-stance, Medicare has been interpreted differently at each of my assignment locations."

Donna concurs, adding that healthcare travel would probably not be suited to a homebody or someone who doesn't like to deviate from his or her daily routine. "Successful, happy mobile providers are 'self-starters' who have a spirit of adventure," she states. "Professionals without such qualities are apt to face many challenges on the road." Moreover, Jaynee and Donna relate that those who are able to take the initiative and open their minds to other techniques and protocols grow professionally while gaining new perspectives on their work.

Build relationships

Sandra, Jaynee, and Donna love being mobile clinicians. While their primary goal is to deliver quality care, they enjoy meeting people throughout the country. So, it's no surprise that they all consider leaving new friends the toughest part of moving from contract to contract. "Saying 'goodbye' can be difficult," confirms Jaynee. "I often find it hard to leave both my patients and coworkers."