Should I Travel Nurse?

ontheEdgeof17 · #1 12-14-2006, 11:40 PM

Well. Here I am. In Morgantown, WV. Medicore friends. A BF, whom I haven't talked to since I've been back from Vegas. A job I am comfortable in, with great co-workers. Freedom. Lonliness. A dead-in.

All my life, I have wanted to explore. I have yearned for lifelong friends. People that I can invite over for dinner and drinks. I don't have that here. I haven't found someone to be there for me. Although my work gives me the time and resources to travel, it's just not the same by myself.

I feel like travel nursing is a good opportunity to venture out on my own, maintain a job, and meet new people and have new experiences. But I'm afraid. What if that doesn't happen? What if I want to come back here, but my job will be gone? What if I get really homesick? What if my parents become ill? What if my jobs suck and are difficult to handle? What if it's me that needs to change and not my enviroment?

There are sooo many "what ifs". I'm so depressed here. I want to move on. On the other side, I would leave a good job behind for one that could be more stressful. Is it worth it? Is it worth leaving what I know for the unknown? Is it worth leaving so called friend for the possibilty of meeting new ones? Will traveling around the nation actually make me more happy and content?

Help me.

DrummerDeanna · #2 12-14-2006, 11:44 PM

Wow...looks like you're looking a big life change there.

The way you set it up though it sounds like you are wanting a change like travel nursing. There are lots of questions, but only you can answer those....

Ultimately you should not stay put in a situation who feel you are settling for or which does not make you happy. And if the travel nursing thing doesn't work out - there must be other options, I'd think there would be lots of permanent nursing positions available...if you were to return.

It WILL probably be hard at first, you will be homesick...but you get past those things and it gets easier

Good luck with your decision!!

irishgrl · #3 12-15-2006, 12:05 AM

I agree with Deanna, there will be a transition period, and lots of uncertainty but I sense that you are ready for a change, and that your current situation leaves much to be desired.....at least you picked a field that has a constant need for skilled workers, so no matter what, I think you should be able to find a job...and I knew a gal who did travel nursing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She LOVED it! had a beautiful home close to the California/Nevada border, got to make GOOD $$$$ and didnt get stagnant doing the same old thing with the same old people in the same old place. Always new challenges and faces and places and yes, it was the right thing for her, maybe it will be for you too

markolas · #4 12-15-2006, 12:07 AM

Quote:

There are sooo many "what ifs". I'm so depressed here. I want to move on. On the other side, I would leave a good job behind for one that could be more stressful. Is it worth it? Is it worth leaving what I know for the unknown? Is it worth leaving so called friend for the possibilty of meeting new ones? Will traveling around the nation actually make me more happy and content?

Help me.

There's no way you can know the answers to any of these questions in advance. In reality, a lot of it will probably be ****ty, and there will be some good things about it as well. And even if you totally hate it, in a few years you will have some interesting experiences to share, and that really does count for a lot. I don't think you want to be sitting in Morgantown five years from now, still wondering what it would've been like if you'd taken the opportunity when it came your way.

I know that when I look back on some of my past experiences, I never think "You know, I wish I had been more afraid to do things." Looking back on missed opportunities and wishing you had taken some chances instead of being so ****ing timid is one of the most painful things ever.

ontheEdgeof17 · #5 12-15-2006, 12:12 AM

My biggest fear is wondering if my nursing skills are up to par with the rest of America. What if I suck ass?

Here, I'm at the top of my game. Hell, I've been Charge Nurse for more than half of my nursing career....and I've been a nurse for only 1 1/2 years. I'm pretty good with hands on skills. I fear that patients could be more critical and difficult. But they are probably the same throughout....

Anyhow, I was accepted into a Travel Nurse agency this past spring, but passed on the chance due to personal changes. I don't regret that, persay, but I've been wondering how different life would be now if I took a chance.

DrummerDeanna · #6 12-15-2006, 12:16 AM

The fears you have are totally natural, I'm sure most of us would feel that way going into a new job - it's just a scary thing. BUT you will not suck. Of that I'm confident, I mean nursing skills sort of transfer -so you're good where you are - you'll be good wherever you are

ontheEdgeof17 · #7 12-15-2006, 12:21 AM

D, You're right. I just got to be confident. Most assignments range from 13-24 weeks. I can handle that.

13 weeks in San Fran......

michelle2677 · #8 12-15-2006, 12:34 AM

Curtis, i wish you the best of luck. You have to be confident that you are the shiz-nit

if you're that damn good there you will still be brilliant elsewhere. And if it doesnt work out -think of how much better you'll be just from the experience... that made me stronger...it made me hold onto me

and hey! I thought we were moving to vegas

you would meet fine peeps there

michelle2677 · #9 12-15-2006, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

There's no way you can know the answers to any of these questions in advance. In reality, a lot of it will probably be ****ty, and there will be some good things about it as well. And even if you totally hate it, in a few years you will have some interesting experiences to share, and that really does count for a lot. I don't think you want to be sitting in Morgantown five years from now, still wondering what it would've been like if you'd taken the opportunity when it came your way.

I know that when I look back on some of my past experiences, I never think "You know, I wish I had been more afraid to do things." Looking back on missed opportunities and wishing you had taken some chances instead of being so ****ing timid is one of the most painful things ever.

let me just tell you how much you rock for that post. Well, it's a lot !

amber · #10 12-15-2006, 12:49 AM

No big risk = no big wonderful change.

I don't think you will need to worry about having enough jobs or your nursing skills not being up to par, that is for sure.
Do it! Go now when you are young!

Oh, and yeah, what Markolas said.

sasja · #11 12-15-2006, 03:30 AM

Yes you should. I immigrated by myself to this country when I was 23 and even though it was scary and hard, I am now so proud of the challenges I overcame and the woman I have become because of it. Bravery brings such rewards.

It sounds like right now you are merely existing, where as you could be living. With all the challenges and obstacles and rewards that living entails. Do it.
Take it from one who did.

Sasja

macfanken · #12 12-15-2006, 04:24 AM

Do you get to decide where you go or do you just go where you're told? You're still young, I think you should do it. It seems like there are more and more obligations as you get older and it makes big life changes more difficult.

irishgrl · #13 12-15-2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasja

Yes you should. I immigrated by myself to this country when I was 23 and even though it was scary and hard, I am now so proud of the challenges I overcame and the woman I have become because of it. Bravery brings such rewards.

It sounds like right now you are merely existing, where as you could be living. With all the challenges and obstacles and rewards that living entails. Do it.
Take it from one who did.

Sasja

Hooboy! even MORE to admire about you! Curtie! what she said!

PsychCat · #14 12-15-2006, 08:11 AM

First of all.... STOP making excuses not to do it and how bad you just "know" it will be. Instead, focus on the wonderful new aspects that come with it. Ever hear that we create our own reality? It's so true.... if you believe it'll all suck and you'll fail... you're right. If you believe it's going to be new and exciting.... you're right. It ALL starts with your thoughts!

Go for it. Life is much too short to play "what if" every day.
As the saying goes, "if nothing changes, nothing changes".

markolas · #15 12-15-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle2677

let me just tell you how much you rock for that post. Well, it's a lot !

I'm mainly talking about all the cute/hot guys I could've ****ed, but I think it applies to Curtis's situation as well.