Being a traveling healthcare professional has many benefits. From the great pay to the amazing destinations and top-notch facilities, these are just a few of the many reasons why healthcare professionals choose to travel during their careers. One of the biggest perks to date is the freedom to take a vacation between your assignments!
With any job there are always going to be issues that people face. One complaint that is often heard from traveling healthcare professionals is that they don’t feel as if they have time to take vacations. Typically, travel assignments range from 8 to 26 weeks, but we are here to tell you that with a little planning and a great sense of adventure, you can take the time in between assignments and craft a vacation that one can only dream of.
Vacations mean different things to people. Some might only consider a vacation something where they are in Hawaii or in another country, but to some taking a vacation could just mean not working and being at home. Being a traveling healthcare professional can often seem like you are on vacation because of all the exciting places you get to travel to. It doesn’t matter what you consider a vacation, the time you have in between assignments can be used to take a much-needed break to relax, enjoy and take care of yourself. A survey of almost 1400 participants in studies on breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and other conditions, found that “Leisure, including vacations, contributed to more positive emotions and fewer negative feelings and depression,” as reported by NPR.
Let’s talk about some ways you can take vacations in between assignments.
First you can work a few extra shifts every week throughout your assignment. Take this money and save it, knowing you’re going to have a great time before you start your next assignment.
Explore Your Surroundings
The other way to work a vacation into your budget is to take a traveling vacation. Now you have to start planning. Take a look at where you are on a map and then look at where your next assignment is and find out what’s in between you. What looks interesting? If something stands out to you mark it down, pick out the things you want to see or do and visit them while you’re moving to your new job.
Let’s say you were moving from Omaha, Nebraska to Portland Oregon and you want to take a traveling vacation. You’re going to travel all across Nebraska, Wyoming and then to Oregon. Google will be your best friend to find things to do in states you’re not familiar with. In Wyoming you could stop and see Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful or even climb up Pikes Peak. When you get to Idaho you could stop by Craters of the Moon National Monument, Hells Canyon or stop by Silverwood Theme Park and ride some rollercoasters.
Money Saving Reminder!
If money is an issue for you remember that travelers get a tax-free travel reimbursement when they start a new assignment. It may take a little while to get the money back, so just put it on a zero-interest credit card and pay it off once you’re reimbursed. If you’re smart with your money and have saved a little while on your previous assignment, that travel reimbursement might just cover your vacation!
Homecation
If you think that taking a traveling vacation while you move isn’t possible then take some time for yourself and visit your family and friends in between assignments. You’ll save money and get much needed time with people you care about!
Some of the best vacations can happen in between travel assignments. Whether it’s moving across the country or just hopping over to another state, it’s amazing what you can do and see while you’re on the move. With some creative planning a few weeks in between assignments can turn into the vacation you’ve been dreaming about!
Do you have a story of when you took a traveling vacation? Let us know in the comments below.
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