Traveling is more than just visiting exciting places and trying new foods; it is an investment in yourself! With lifelong benefits on your physical and mental health, travel has so much to offer and can give you a new perspective on life. Travel nursing is the best way to experience these benefits first-hand.

2020 was a tough year for travel, to say the least. Nurses and healthcare providers fought tirelessly to get the pandemic under control and hit pause on taking normal travel nursing assignments. The good news? As the world opens back up again, it is time to get back to traveling! Here are the top reasons why traveling is important.

Why Is Traveling Important as a Nurse?  

1. Traveling pushes you out of your comfort zone

Exploring new places will challenge you to learn more about yourself and break out of your comfort zone. The more you travel, the more confident you will become. When visiting a new location, push yourself to try something new, like rock climbing or horseback riding! Make it your goal to experience something different everywhere you go.

2. Traveling lets you experience new cultures

While traveling around the country or the world, you get to experience new cultures and understand the way others live. Travel can help change your perception of other people and is an eye-opening opportunity. New cultural experiences can change your life!

3. Traveling helps you unwind

Sometimes in this crazy world, we need to take time for ourselves to relax and unwind. Traveling is a great outlook for those who need to get away. Take advantage of the opportunity to press pause on your life back home and enjoy a true getaway. Don’t be afraid to relax and give yourself a break. You deserve it!

4. Traveling creates memories that last a lifetime

As you visit new and exciting locations throughout your trips, stay curious about the world around you. Try new things and enjoy the time you have with the people by your side. Make connections around the country and keep those memories alive! You will make memories that will last a lifetime.  

5. Traveling makes you focus on the present

We live in a world full of technology that often distracts us from slowing down and appreciating what is right in front of us. During your travels, it is important to take pictures as a keepsake from your journey, but sometimes it’s worth it to put your phone down and soak in the sights and sounds of the environment around you. Take a moment at each new location to focus on being present. You won’t regret it.

6. Traveling helps you appreciate your home

After a long trip, you are filled with memorable experiences from the places you visited. You feel refreshed and full of new knowledge and ideas! Oftentimes, traveling will help you love and appreciate your home more than ever. You’ll come home with a brand-new perspective on life and can apply this to your everyday routines back home.

7. Traveling builds meaningful human connection

When traveling, sometimes it is not just about sightseeing and eating wonderful food. It’s also the perfect way to meet new people, learn about their culture and upbringing, and make lifelong connections. Traveling will change your misconceptions and prior judgments. You will always have a special bond with the people you meet on your travels.

8. Traveling allows you to explore your tastebuds

With the ability to travel around the world, you’ll have the opportunity to try all kinds of food! Food is more than just a means to fulfill your hunger. Think of it as the best way to fully immerse yourself in a new culture. Don’t be afraid to explore your taste buds and try dishes you have never heard of. You may even try to recreate the dish when you return home!

9. Traveling helps you learn something new

Language is our primary way to communicate with the individuals around us. When we travel the world, there can often be language barriers that make it difficult to communicate. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn new phrases in a different language. This will help you experience new cultures from a unique perspective!

10. Traveling keeps you healthy

Traveling is a good way to escape from your stresses at home and improve your overall mental and physical wellbeing. The long-term health benefits of traveling are huge! Traveling can give you more energy, reduce stress, keep you active and challenge your brain. Seeing new places is the perfect way to keep your mind and body healthy. Maintaining good health is important to be able to care for others.

Travel Nursing After the Pandemic  

As the pandemic continues to slow down and crisis jobs become few and far between, it’s the perfect time for travel nurses to get back to taking on new travel contracts around the country. Now that the world is slowly opening again and more of the population is getting vaccinated every day, it is becoming easier for nurses to get back to experiencing the thrill of travel!

Molly Cooper, Director of the Travel Department at Favorite Healthcare Staffing, discussed the benefits of travel nursing and why traveling is important.

“Traveling as a nurse is important to expand your skills and knowledge and will overall help you advance in your career. Travel nurses are lucky and get to experience all sizes of hospitals and different types of units. They gain new life experiences while enjoying the flexibility of travel contracts.”

Becoming a travel nurse is a great way to improve your skills as a nurse and dive deeper into your career as you travel across the country. So why should travel nurses go back to regular travel contracts? Cooper said, “It’s the best way to get back to our ‘normal lives! Everyone is trying to get adjusted to life after the pandemic, and what better way to do this than to explore the country as a travel nurse!” 

How can you find travel contracts? 

• Stay up to date with your nurse staffing agencies. They will be able to provide contracts that best suit your needs!

• Keep in touch with a recruiter. They will be your go-to and can send you in the right direction of the kind of contract you’re looking for. A recruiter will also save you a ton of time when having to go through an onboarding process!

• Always follow nursing agencies on their social media platforms. This is a simple and easy way to find your next assignment! 

Article By: TheGypsynurse.com