You can never afford to stop learning in healthcare, right? However, if you’re working as a travel nurse, you may think the prospect of going back to school is too difficult to pursue at the moment.
Fortunately, travel nursing and bettering your education don’t have to be mutually exclusive. You can have your education and travel, too.
A better opportunity than you may think
Despite your concerns about travel nursing being an obstacle to going back to school, travel nursing can actually open the door to making this decision easier. Why? Because when you choose a career in travel nursing, you are putting yourself in total control of your schedule. After all, you work when — and where — you want, which provides you with the freedom to enroll in school, take your classes and when you’re ready, accept that next travel assignment. When you are done with your schooling, you’ll have a new, advanced degree that will make you even more coveted by facilities in need.
But what if you don't want to wait that long? Then you may also consider enrolling in school during your travel assignment. The break from your familiar home routine will make it easier to focus on your studies, but you should try not to start school during the first week of your new assignment. Tackle one life change first, and then it will be easier to focus on the other.
Finally, remember that there is no reason to overload your schedule with classes unnecessarily. Take your classes at a slower pace that works for your lifestyle — both at home and while traveling — and you’ll have the time to enjoy both the home life and the perks of travel that keep you motivated to come back and further your education.