It is well known that working as a travel nurse is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys a regular change in their lives. However, after many new experiences, you may be thinking that it is time to transition to a permanent position. Therefore, the time might be right for you to get the ball rolling and start seriously considering a temp to perm transition in your career if you want to quickly increase your chances of finding a job.
This article will cover some useful tips for transitioning from a travel to a permanent nursing career, highlighting all the relevant information you need to consider.
The Pros of Working as a Permanent Nurse
One of the major benefits of permanent employment is the ability to plan your life better. You know what your salary will be and what you will get paid at the end of the month. It also means that you can reduce your travel rates and save more easily, knowing that you have a stable income every month. Or have more stability in your personal life, which will be beneficial if you have a family or want to start one.
If you enjoy the stability of your employment, it is also a more comfortable way to work. You can know that you will not be working in any unpredictable work environments and with inconsistent schedules. Some people also find that spending less time worrying about their employment status helps them focus more on their patients.
The Cons of Working as a Permanent Nurse
Working as a permanent nurse is not for everyone. In addition, there are some disadvantages to it that you should know before committing to this decision.
The first disadvantage is that you will be locked into your employer, which means that if the company starts to go downhill or if they decide to make changes, such as layoffs or increasing the workload, you will have no choice but to stay and deal with it.
Another disadvantage of this position is that there are many other nurses who are looking for permanent jobs, so chances are there will be a lot more competition than if you were looking for a temporary position.
Finally, another disadvantage is that many employers require their nurses to work overtime and weekends without additional compensation or offer lower rates. However, it is important to note that average annual salary can increase in certain nursing roles.
Is it time to make the leap into permanent employment?
Here are 3 reasons why you may be ready for permanent work:
1) You want a steady income and reliable job security.
2) You’re looking for a long-term career.
3) You want the stability of a regular schedule and benefits like vacation time, sick days, and health insurance.
How Do You Know If You Should Change Jobs?
The first thing you should consider when making a move from travel nursing to permanent work is whether this is really what you want to do. Next, weigh up all the reasons why you’re thinking about it. If you start to feel uncertain, it’s best to stay on the road and continue doing what you’re doing for now. You could even look into local travel nursing as a go-between. But if it is something that fills you with excitement and certainty, then you can make your transition as seamless as possible by following these tips:
- Start networking before your contract ends to get a feel for where your next job might be. You can also use this time to explore different career paths and figure out which one is right for you.
- Put together a list of places that might be hiring.
- Update your resume: Make sure all your skills are displayed appropriately on your resume by updating it regularly.
- Sign up with a healthcare recruitment agency to discuss your options and increase your chances of landing your perfect nursing position.
Still Unsure? Ask These Questions
Overall, ask yourself a few questions before making the switch from travel to permanent. First, what is your eventual goal? Do you want to increase your experience of working in different facilities and learn about a variety of care settings or do you want to work in one facility for the foreseeable future? Which work schedule would be best for you: a permanent night shift or travel nursing where you can choose your own hours?
If your overall goal is to work in a specific hospital or care setting as a staff nurse, it might be worth going through with the switch.
If you would like to discuss your options for switching to a permanent role, you can contact MLee Healthcare today.