Pros and Cons of Travel Therapy

Choosing to start a travel job, especially after working in a permanent position or even straight out of school, can feel intimidating. It's a huge leap of faith because so much changes — the location, your coworkers, your schedule, and potentially the setting. Even if you’re excited about the idea of traveling, it can still be daunting when you're unsure of what to expect. Personally, I love making pros and cons lists to help with decision-making, so here's mine after having been on the road for a year:

Pros

1. Better Pay

   1. One of the biggest advantages is the potential to earn significantly more. If you choose high-paying jobs, you can easily make over $2,000 per week, after taxes. It’s a great way to boost your income while gaining valuable experience.

2. Explore New Places

   1. Traveling for work gives you the opportunity to explore new cities and experience the unique sights and activities each place has to offer. Whether it's the local landmarks, food, or hidden gems, every new location brings something exciting to discover.

3. Experience New Settings

   1. Travel assignments allow you to work in different settings that you might not have had the chance to before. It’s a fantastic opportunity to try something new and see if you like it. If not, the contract typically lasts 13 weeks, so it’s only a short-term commitment.

4. Meet New People

   1. One of the most rewarding aspects of travel jobs is the chance to meet people from all walks of life. You’ll hear different stories from your patients or colleagues and gain new perspectives on life. It’s a great way to expand your worldview and connect with others.

5. Never Get Bored

   1. With contracts typically lasting around 13 weeks, there’s always something new on the horizon. Just when you start to feel like you’re in a routine, it’s time to move to a new city, which keeps things fresh and exciting. If you’re someone who gets bored easily, travel work can be a constant source of motivation and adventure.

6. Extended contracts

   1. If you love where you are working, you will likely be able to extend your contract! Every place I have worked has offered me to extend but it is up to you if you want to stay or not.

   2. Sometimes you will be offered a bonus to extend by either the company you take the contract from or your recruiting company so make sure to ask your recruiter!

   
   

Cons

1. Learning New EMR Systems

   1. The first 1-2 weeks on a contract can feel overwhelming with having to learn a new EMR system, the layout of the clinic, and remembering everyones name. Just remember the more you do it, the easier it will get!

2. Lots of Moving Parts

   1. With every new contract, not only do you have to complete onboarding tasks, but you also need to get licensed in the state where you’ll be working, secure housing, and figure out transportation.

   2. I ended up flying from CA to MA and renting a car. I personally hate driving and when I compared the prices between driving my car cross country, renting, or shipping my car, it would have costed similar amounts so I saved myself the headache and rented a car when I got to MA. My last 2 contracts have been in CA so I have driven my car to those.

3. No Paid Time Off

   1. Most recruiting companies, including the one I’m with, don’t offer paid time off. While you can request days off during your contract, you won’t be paid for the days you take off. However, stipends are typically split across the seven days of the week, so you’ll still receive pay for the other days.

   2. Some types of jobs, mainly inpatient, will allow you to make up days off so you still make your full pay check. The day being made up has to be in the same week you are taking a day off (Sunday to Saturday).

   3. One of the perks of my recruiting company is that if I need to call out sick, I will still get paid the stipend but not for my hours worked during that day.

   4. You will be making more than a regular job so it is easier to justify not getting paid for a couple days

4. You Won't Love Every Job

   1. Healthcare jobs can be tough and there will be pro's and con's to each job. I tell myself I can do anything for 13 weeks and it is a learning experience. I get to see what I like and do not like and it helps shape how I chose my next job.

   2. Learn from my mistakes and do your due diligence before you accept a contract. Make sure you have an interview or some type of contact with the company you are applying to work for. The interview is to make sure you are a good fit for the clinic and it is a good fit for you!

5. Being Far Away From Family and Friends

   1. For those of you who live close to family and friends, saying goodbye can be tough. However, it makes coming home to visit them that much better!

If you have any questions or want to discuss if travel therapy is right for you, please reach out to me and we can talk it through! Below are some pictures from a trip I took to Mexico City last October, for my cousins wedding. I took a couple days off during my contract and it was 100% worth it.