It’s the first week of the New Year and that means there’s no shortage of the stringent “Do’s” and “Don’ts” that come with New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of starting the year off by focusing on restrictions, why not set your sights on more positive things? If you’re considering a career in Travel Nursing in 2011, here’s a list of the excellent perks and benefits that come with the territory.

1) Build up your resume: What better way to jump into a New Year than with an abundance of career boosting opportunities? Between all the people you’ll work with and the wide variety of environments you’ll work in, you’ll accumulate valuable personal references and a much broader skill set than if you stayed in one place. You’ll also be exposed to a wider variety of organizations, management styles and medical services which will give you a distinct advantage over other nurses.

2) Compensation and more: As a travel nurse, not only will you receive great base pay, you can get additional compensation in the form of bonuses and housing options. Depending on your contract and assignment, you can receive an additional bonus just for taking a longer assignment or agreeing to take a hard-to-fill position. Many agencies, Onward Healthcare included, offer bonuses for successful referrals and that could mean an extra $500 in your pocket. There are also housing subsidies that you can take advantage of if you’re willing to secure your own living arrangements, which leaves you with extra spending money. The bottom line is there are plenty of opportunities to make more money in addition to your standard pay.

3) Flexibility: Not every career comes with the flexibility to choose where you want to work, what type of organization you want to work in and what your assignment will be like. Travel nurses enjoy all of these options making their careers one of the most flexible in the industry.

4) Excellent Benefits: Contrary to what you might hear, travel nurses receive above average coverage for medical, dental, vision and more! It’s important for travel nurses to feel supported and protected as they embark on each assignment across the country so agencies like Onward Healthcare ensure they’re taken care of. You may also enjoy options for continuing education and retirement planning when you begin your travel nursing career on top of all the other benefits.

5) Outstanding Support: As with any career, it’s important to be thoroughly supported and receive the right guidance when you start off; and within the travel nursing industry, superior support is the norm. From assistance with housing and travel to RN licensure support and reimbursement guidance, you’ll be surrounded by supportive professionals throughout your career who are committed to your professional growth.

We hope you’ll consider these perks as just a few reason why you should start your career in travel nursing this year. The benefits are many and there are outstanding medical organizations all across the country who are looking for a talented nurse like you. If you have any more questions about the process or a career in travel nursing, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to hear from you!