I thought that becoming a nurse was a huge mistake. Yes. You read that right. The realization hit me one night as I was on my way to work after a horrific shift in which I had to take care of seven acutely ill patients–by myself. To put the icing on the cake, my only time off request was rejected due to staffing issues. I sat in my car wondering how I could spend several years in college only to be trapped in a career that left me physically and emotionally drained. At that moment, I seriously considered quitting my job to go back to waitressing, throwing away years of hard work.
A Chance Encounter
During my night shift, I talked with a travel nurse who had recently joined our facility. I had always heard about travel nursing but never considered it an option. The traveler painted a picture of a life where she could pick and choose assignments, move from city to city, and experience a variety of healthcare settings. This sparked a curiosity in me. Controlling where I worked, for how long, and under what conditions seemed almost too good to be true. She explained how travel nursing assignments typically lasted for 13 weeks. After that, I could extend, move to another location, or even take some time off. The freedom to decide when and where to work was enticing.
Taking The Leap
Taking the leap wasn’t an overnight decision. But after weeks of research and soul-searching, I took a break from my permanent position and began my journey as a travel nurse. The change was refreshing. I was exposed to various hospital systems, each with unique practices and patient populations. The diverse experiences not only made me a better nurse but also reignited my excitement about the profession.
The Rewards
Travel nursing was like a breath of fresh air. I worked in rural areas where the sense of community was strong, and the patient-to-nurse ratios were manageable. I also worked in bustling cities, where the pace was fast, but the state-of-the-art facilities and techniques were eye-opening. Each assignment became a learning opportunity. I got to work alongside diverse groups of professionals, learn about different patient care approaches, and even pick up some best practices that I could carry forward to my next assignment.
One of the most rewarding aspects was the compensation. For the first time, I was being adequately paid for the hard work and expertise I brought to the table. The bonuses, housing stipends, and higher hourly rates made it evident that travel nurses were in demand and valued.
Every Rose Has It’s Thorn
Of course, it wasn’t all roses. There were assignments where the work culture could have been better, or I felt out of place in a new city. But those challenges seemed minor compared to the sense of control and adventure I felt in my career. I learned to adapt, grow, and, most importantly, advocate for myself.
In time, I realized that my initial feelings of despair weren’t a result of my choice to be a nurse but rather the environment in which I was working. Travel nursing allowed me to rediscover the joy of nursing. It helped me understand the importance of finding the right work-life balance.
In Reflection
Looking back, I recognize that my initial disillusionment with nursing wasn’t because of the profession itself but the environment I was in. Travel nursing allowed me to take the reins of my career, find my rhythm, and many career options that we nurses have at our fingertips.
For all my fellow nurses feeling lost or overwhelmed, remember that sometimes, a change in perspective, or in this case, a location change, can make all the difference.
