Choosing the Perfect Contract
The thousands of available travel nursing contracts can be overwhelming. So how do we narrow it down a bit? Even if location isn't your number one priority this can be a natural starting place. Do you dream of being near the beach or finding yourself near snow in the winter months? Does the size of the city matter or are you interested in rural placement contracts?
Location and pay are one of the most important factors nurses consider when accepting new assignments. Some travel nurses prioritize the pay package as the absolute deciding factor for their assignments. Others are focused on building a specific career and prioritize the position or unit for a travel nurse contract. That method of prioritizing is more common than one might think, in fact nurses looking to certify in a specialty use their travel nursing contracts as the means to level up their career and gain credit hours.
When comparing contracts, you should think about what sorts of qualities or characteristics of a travel nursing contract you would be willing to change your plans for. Identify what situations would be ideal and what you would be uncomfortable with or refuse. Once you have determined these boundaries for yourself, your choice in contracts should be easier to navigate.
As a travel nurse it is important to place self care and time off as a priority when choosing your assignments. Travel nurses who dont plan their time off can find themselves caught up in a never ending nomadic state of jumping from contract to contract until they're ready to drop in exhaustion or being at risk of burning out. There are several different ways one can avoid burnout and keep a steady working schedule as a travel nurse. You can take a week off between each contract or work two contracts back to back followed by two weeks off. Consider your personal life events or important holidays. You can block off time around those events and select contracts that work with your schedule and make sure your assignments harmonize with your personal life and career goals.
The possibilities are endless and the road to a positive and fulfilling year is waiting for you!
