How to Choose the Right Location for Your Next Travel Nurse Adventure

Everyone has a dream location they would like to be a travel nurse at.

Some want the ocean. Some want the mountains. Some want rural. Some like the big cities. There seems to be something out there for everyone. But how do new travel nurses figure out where to go on their first assignment?

It is a little more difficult for a new traveler to decide on their first destination, but mainly because this is a new venture for them.

There also is some hesitation on which hospital to work at or how far to travel from home. Some new travelers are very adventurous and open to going anywhere for the first time.

So, how does one go about choosing the right location for their next travel nurse adventure?

Here are a few tips.

1) Figure out what “home” looks like for you:

We all have an idea of what our perfect home looks like.

For some, it’s a cozy cabin in the woods with a fireplace and a big porch. For others, it’s an apartment in the city with a doorman and easy access to nightlife and museums. And for others still, it’s a beach bungalow where they can hear the waves crashing from their bed at night.

Whatever your vision of home is, use that as a starting point for choosing your next travel nursing assignment.

If you love the outdoors, look for assignments in places like Alaska, Montana, or Wyoming. If you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, look into assignments in New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago. And if you crave the sound of waves and sand between your toes, check out assignments in Hawaii, Florida, or California.

2) Consider your career goals:

What kind of experience do you hope to gain from your next travel nursing assignment?

Are you looking to broaden your clinical skillset? Or are you hoping to get experience working in a particular type of facility or unit? Perhaps you’re interested in working with a certain patient population or in exploring a new nursing specialty.

Whatever your goals may be, make sure they align with the type of facility and position you choose for your next assignment.

For example, if you’re hoping to gain experience working with trauma patients, look for positions in Level I or II trauma centers located in major metropolitan areas. Or, if you’re interested in exploring a new nursing specialty, consider positions that are open in facilities that offer training and development opportunities in that area.

3) Determine your ideal work/life balance:

One of the great things about being a travel nurse is that you have the opportunity to choose assignments that offer the perfect work/life balance for you—and that balance may look different from one assignment to the next.

If having evenings and weekends free is important to you, look for positions that offer 7-day work weeks or 12-hour shifts so that you can enjoy your time off without worry. Or, if having ample opportunity to pick up extra shifts and earn overtime pay is important to you, look into positions that offer per diem hours or flexible scheduling options.

No matter what your ideal work/life balance looks like, there’s an assignment out there that will fit your needs perfectly!

4) Consider your compensation package:

When evaluating potential travel nursing assignments, it’s important to consider more than just your hourly rate of pay—although that is certainly an important factor.

Take some time to evaluate each position’s compensation package as a whole and compare it against other positions you may be considering. In addition to hourly rate of pay, factors such as shift differential pay (if applicable), sign-on bonus amount (if applicable), completion bonus amount (if applicable), housing stipend (if provided), and reimbursement for licensing and certification fees (if provided) can all have an impact on your overall earnings during an assignment—so be sure to take all of these factors into consideration when making your decision.

5) Do some research:

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential locations and facilities, it’s time to do some research.

Start by reading reviews from other nurses who have worked at those facilities—they can give you insights into what it’s really like working there that you won’t find anywhere else! You can also contact nurses who currently work at those facilities and ask them questions about their experiences—most nurses are happy to chat with fellow nurses about their jobs and offer advice when asked! Finally, don’t forget about Google—a simple search can turn up tons of useful information about any facility or location you might be considering.

The final word

Choosing the right location for your next travel nurse adventure doesn’t have to be difficult—just use these tips as a starting point.

And remember: there is no “right” answer when it comes to choosing where to go—the most important thing is that YOU feel comfortable with YOUR decision. So trust your gut and go forth confidently into whatever adventure awaits YOU!

To learn more about the travel nursing opportunity and cities across the country, visit Bestica Healthcare and start planning your next assignment today.