Vacation Blog

I began researching the field of Travel Nursing about 6 years ago after getting a bit frustrated and burned out in the current job I was in at the time. The nursing profession is a challenging and rewarding field, but the hours and lack of staffing can become taxing when dealt with day in and day out. When you begin to find yourself unhappy with going into these situations on a daily basis, you feel a need to find change. Moving around in the nursing field in the current job market is quite easy due to many hospitals being short staffed and lack of instructors to turn out enough nurses, but this is not the best option for a career. Travel Nursing gives you the ability to change your work environment and experience all of the wonderful things a new destination has to offer, without jumping around between local employers.

I have found over the past 5 years of traveling, that the best thing about this job is the destinations that you can travel to and experience just as a local during the time you are there. The salary is the best in the industry, which is not a bad incentive either. For me, however, finding a place that is stimulating outside of working in the new facility you are in, is the biggest draw of all. From small town rural, when you want a slower pace, to big city urban areas, for living it up, you can find it and get there easily through your travel company.

I have had the opportunity to experience places that I never would have been able to get to, had it not been for the companies and recruiters I have had. I have been to the tropical Florida coasts, both east and west and experienced all of the outlying areas, from Tampa, Orlando, Miami and the Florida Keys. My favorite being the Orlando area, which has so much to offer in every aspect of family entertainment, a melting pot of culture with fabulous food to go along, and close proximity to the beaches of Daytona on the east coast.

My next favorite would have to be the Rocky Mountain region of Aspen, Colorado. I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that I would spend three months exploring the small mountain valley towns from Denver to the far west corner of Colorado. Living in the town of Aspen for this assignment was the highlight. I lived 3 blocks from the village of Aspen and walked into town for shopping, great restaurants, and all of the awesome hiking trails that surround the town. Being there in the fall to see the changing leaves and colors that happen at this time was truly amazing. Coming from the South and having never experienced this I can't even describe it. It was also my first time to see "real" snow. I was there for the first snow of the winter and it was beautiful! All in all, this was a truly wonderful experience from the people I worked with in the hospital to the scenery that abounds in this area.

These are just a few of the places that you can explore on an assignment. There are various companies to choose from when looking for your best assignment. All companies have different things to offer, and not all companies have the same assignment locals, or salary. Research all avenues of what you want and need from your employer. Interview with recruiters and find just the right one that suits your needs. If one company doesn't have the locations you want or the benefits that you need, then move on, because there is another that does. I believe that a must have in an assignment is paid housing and utilities. Some companies will give you a higher pay, but ask about your housing coming out of that pay. There are many things to consider.

All in all, it is the best thing that I have experience in my career, and would do it over and over again. For more on my experiences visit http://RNtravel.blogspot.com/

Angie Kennedy, Registered Nurse 16 years, Travel Nurse 5 years.

Vacation Blog

Friday, June 20, 2008

RN Travel Destinations

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