Age Is Just a Number When it Comes to Travel Nursing
As you have likely found in the patients you care for, age is just a number. You probably know people who are 65 years old and no longer work or are very mobile. On the other hand, you might know an 85-year-old who still runs and lives independently. In other words, the question is not whether you're too old to be a travel nurse, but whether or not you want to be.
Your Age and Experience Make You Competitive in Travel Nursing
Particularly when nursing is your first career, and you've been practicing for a couple of decades, your age and experience makes you competitive in the field. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are looking for nurses who have the experience, are comfortable working in high-stress environments, and have the knowledge to care for their patients. These qualities only grow and mature with years of experience and practice.
In addition to this, the demand continues to grow for travel nurses, especially those who bring unique and valuable experience to the facility. If you choose to work in cities that have a current nursing shortage, you may have an even greater advantage. Many facilities who are facing a critical shortage are willing to contract with travel nurses to ease the stress for their permanent staff and patient population. These are often highly coveted positions in exciting cities with excellent compensation packages.
Consider Travel Nursing During Retirement
You might have retired early or left work because you felt a need to change your work environment. Travel nursing offers you the opportunity to work part-time in cities you've always wanted to travel to. When your children are grown, and out of the house, you might find a travel nursing assignment every few months will allow you to enjoy your retirement years, earn a little extra cash for fun and enjoy the perks of a vacation, all while being productive. One of the nicest perks of taking a travel nursing assignment is they are short-term commitments. If you find travel nursing isn't for you after your first assignment, no harm, no foul.
Taking a travel assignment also allows you to visit with family. If you have grown children with their own families, this gives you the opportunity to see them more often and have money to spend while you're there.
What Skills Will You Need as an Older Travel Nurse?
Aside from the skills required to care for patients, other qualities stand out. Hiring managers and nurse recruiters are looking for individuals who have a firm grasp of digital communication, medical knowledge, present themselves professionally, exhibit good communication skills, and who are fully familiar with current technology used in the hospitals. During your interview, it's a good time to highlight your strengths, including your ability to keep up the pace during a busy shift. Use your accomplishments and skill sets to highlight your ability to learn new concepts. If you recently took a 12 lead EKG course or are ACLS certified, this is a good time to communicate it as it demonstrates your ability to learn and retain new information.
Do You Have Questions About Starting a Travel Career? We Can Help!
Our professional recruiters are adept at answering the questions you ask, and the ones you’ve not thought about asking. In other words, it’s sometimes challenging to know what information you need to know before taking an adventure you’ve never experienced. At GetMed Medical Staffing, our recruiters want to help you make the best decision for your personal and professional life. Call us today! We’ll help you through the process and support your efforts along the way.