At Triage, we spend a lot of time talking to our travelers. That’s how we get you where you want to go. And whether you’re a brand new traveler or you’re used to traveling, we’d love to talk to you about some of the most common myths we hear. Have you fallen for any of these common myths?
Myth: You cannot take any time off during assignments.
This one is a big myth. One of the biggest benefits about being a healthcare traveler is that you get to decide where and when you work. It is true that large blocks of time off could make it more difficult to find an assignment, especially in a competitive market, but there’s nothing wrong with taking a week or two off between assignments. And, if you’re traveling with Triage, your medical and other benefits stay active, as long as you have another assignment locked down before your time off and you’re taking less than 26 days. Psst. That 26 day number is important. Keep reading for more.
Myth: Lavish gifts mean an agency cares and spoils their travelers.
Sigh. We hear this all the time, especially around the holidays and professional holidays like Nurses Week or Lab Week. Lavish gifts come out of your bottom line, one way or another. Some companies (and no, we’re not naming names) even have a line item on their back-end contract to take money out for gifts. We don’t do that. Instead, we add these funds to your bottom line. After all, it’s your money and wouldn’t you rather decide how to spend it than receive a pair of scrubs that might not fit or an iPad?
Myth: The traveling lifestyle is only for young people.
People of all ages choose to travel. It’s true that we typically see two categories of folks travel: younger people who may not know where (or if) they want to settle down and new empty nesters looking for change or new adventures.
Myth: You can’t travel with a family.
We see families travel all the time, especially if one parent is able to stay home or work remotely. After the pandemic, many companies who previously had a traditional office went fully remote, allowing more opportunities for traditional office workers to travel with their partners. Traveling with school-age children can be a challenge, but with homeschool and online school options, it’s possible to make it work.
Myth: You have to travel to a new assignment every 13 weeks.
It’s true that most travel assignments are 13 weeks long. However, if you’re looking for a little more stability, it’s normally possible to apply for an extension to make your visit longer, which is great if you like where you’re working. As long as the facility still has open needs (which is often), you’ll likely be able to stay.
Myth: You can’t work close to home.
Although some travelers choose to stray far from home to get the most out of their travel experience, there are plenty of folks who only travel close to their homes so they can go back when they’re off working. Just know that if you’re not duplicating expenses during your assignment, you won’t be eligible for the tax-free stipends so let your recruiter know.
Myth: You can’t travel with pets.
Again, this is false. A lot of travelers take their pets. We’ve had travel hit the road with cats, dogs, reptiles, birds and even a horse. You just need to make sure that you can find housing that allows pets, or maybe even a stable if you’re traveling with your horse.
Myth: There are no health benefits or 401K.
While we can’t speak for others, Triage offers Day One insurance coverage for you and any eligible dependents. Want to take time off between assignments? That’s ok too. As long as you have another assignment booked before your previous one ends and you’re coming back to work within 26 days, your benefits remain on. Need to visit the dentist between jobs? Not a problem, as long as you’re back working within 26 days.
And, let’s talk about the 401k. You can begin contributing to your 401k after your first paycheck. These funds are yours—always. After you work with us for one calendar year and have worked at least 1000 hours, you’ll qualify for Triage’s match, with no vesting waiting period.
Myth: Permanent staff doesn’t like travel staff.
Every assignment is different, but plenty of people make lifelong friendships with people they click with on assignment, including perm teammates. Some end up extending or even going perm eventually, in the places they most enjoyed.
Fact: Triage recruiters can help you through the entire process.
If you’re thinking about learning more about allied or travel nurse jobs, Triage recruiters can help answer any questions you may have. We’ll walk you through the process from start to finish and help you every step of the way. Want to learn more? Search our database of allied and travel nurse jobs or click the Apply button above to get started.