Top 10 Reasons To Be a Travel Nurse When You're Older

A travel nurse is a single individual in their 20s or 30s who has a few years of bedside experience and wants to travel the globe. Some travelers matched that description, while others went with their families, took nursing as a second job, or waited until retirement to travel. I'll tell you about the benefits of traveling as an adult and why I did it!

Perks of Traveling When You’re Older

1. Enjoy! You've raised your kids and maintained your home for decades. You're the priority now. I met new people, saw new locations, and tried new things while traveling. When I began, I was worried the younger passengers would think I was the "old nurse." 61% of travel nurses are over 40, according to career experts. Travel nursing has the same benefits for older and younger nurses. We're all nurses because we enjoy helping others, regardless of age. I felt like a teacher, mother, mentor, psychologist, and leader to all the nurses on the wards, which was fantastic.
2. Hospitals need experienced nurses! Travel nurses are expected to start their new jobs without any training. After mastering the new facility's operations, you're ready to work as a nurse. You've probably gone through a lot and seen a lot. As senior travelers, we may lead and teach. Stress, too. We can manage it much better!
3. We're self-advocates and ask for experience-based skills. We interact well with colleagues and patients. We're mature enough to know when to give our opinion. Travel nurses need these talents.
4. Erik Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development from nursing school? Erikson calls the 40-65 stage "Generativity against Stagnation," a time to leave a legacy by producing or nurturing things that will remain or making constructive changes that benefit others. What better way than to mentor future nurses nationwide and make your imprint at each facility? This will set us up beautifully for the next stage in life when we reflect on the successes we’ve made.
5. Travel is a terrific way to calm down and not work full-time. It gives more time off than a permanent nursing employment. Travel nurses work 13 weeks. Take a month or two off after an assignment. Travel nursing simplifies scheduling around life events, seasons, and holidays. You may wish to attend a grandchild's birth or summer camp. You may need to assist a sick parent or a family member undergoing surgery. As a traveller, you might work near your family or visit them. This profession allows more family time!
6. Unit politics has worn you down, like me. Travel nurses may work in a unit and escape unit politics and turmoil. By the time you learn about unit politics, it's time for your next task!
7. When things become rough, the tough start moving! Moving to multiple places, being the "new nurse," and treating complex patients may be difficult. Travel nurses must face these circumstances, and your life's resilience will assist you.
8. Have you wondered, "Where should I retire?" As a travel nurse, you may choose! It's a terrific method to check out a place before committing. If you live there for a few months, you get to know it better than if you just visit. This information will assist you decide where to retire.
9. Many travel nursing agencies offer housing for travel nurses. This can be a great option for older nurses who want to avoid the hassle and expense of finding short-term housing on their own.
10. If your home is vacant and you want a change, a transplant housing may be perfect. Selling your house and moving into a smaller one isn't necessary. During vacations and summers, you may prefer to retain your house (and by having the flexibility of a travel schedule, you can enjoy being home and spending this valuable time with them). Then, when life settles, you may accept another assignment someplace you've always wanted to go and leave the home. This is especially appealing if your husband is retired and you can spend your days off together.

As you’ve read, there are perks to traveling at any point in life, and experienced nurses have the skills to take on this new chapter while enjoying life on the road.