Every time I travel to nursing conventions or speaking engagements, I learn more about nursing, get new ideas, and meet great nurses from different backgrounds. I really value this experience, and every trip is important to my work. I learn from talking with nurses about their everyday work and their unit practices. I've seen how nursing can be very different in different institutions. The lingo is different, ways of working are different, and nursing expertise and skills vary from unit to unit. Each nurse brings her unique experience and perspective to every situation.
Travel nurses get a similar exposure to different ways of doing things. Learning from so many different people and places helps them build knowledge they can use in future assignments.
If you're considering travel nursing, you should think about the intangible benefits you can experience from working in various places. The value of travel nursing is greater than the sum of the parts, although the parts can be appealing too-good pay, time to see new sites, and weeks near beach or resort areas you can enjoy.
Travel nursing can enrich your life experience, enhance your career, build your communication skills, improve your nursing knowledge, and give you memories and great friends you can treasure forever. So if you like to travel, consider making it a career. I hope this issue of Travel Nursing2005 can help you make the right choices.
Cheryl L. Mee, RN, BC, CMSRN, MSN
Editor-in-Chief, Nursing2005