Comfort and Cause
One month into my first travel assignment!
The new job jitters are still there but lessening each week. Driving into Philly this week, I started reflecting on how far I've come, not just in nursing but life in general. Going from living in rural (and arguably white-washed) small towns to was a leap. But so was moving from one hometown to another growing up. So was being the first in my immediate family to navigate post-secondary education away from home. So was starting my first nursing job, advancing to charge then to a coordinator position.
I'm saying this not to be boastful, but as an example of how we all have experiences of which to be proud. For anyone considering travel nursing but fears losing stability and comfort, I'm right there with you. I love being familiar with my environment, coworkers, patient population and expectations. So far, however, the experience has been worth the removal from my comfort zone. I've started to learn how to transition my nursing experience from one unit to another. I've also been fortunate to work with other great nurses, aides and doctors.
Reminding myself of my cause(s) has given me the motivation to accept a little discomfort in the many transitions of life. Myself, my causes for pursuing travel nursing are:
Experiential - both professional and basic life experiences.
Personal - further developing confidence and competence in both professional and life skills.
Relational - meeting other professionals and locals in new areas. Immersing myself in more ethnically, culturally, and spiritually diverse areas.
Financial - gaining greater financial freedom by paying off loans/debts.
For anyone questioning the logistics of how living as a travel nurse looks, there seems to be many different options. Local, same-state, across the country, across the world, in a hotel, apartment, Airbnb, or even my fantasy method - tiny home traveling 😜. For me right now, I have an Airbnb but prefer to make the 2.5 hour drive home on my off days. Partially because I am more comfortable there, more so because my Airbnb is not, shall we say, the cleanest or in the safest area…
Live and learn! Lesson #1 in traveling to a new assignment - always scope out the living arrangements in person (or at least a live virtual tour). Regardless, it has been good life experience and I know there is so much more out there yet to see and live.
