Travel nursing provides healthcare professionals with the unique opportunity to work in a wide variety of locations. However, the geographical diversity isn't the only distinctive benefit of this career path. Travel nurses also have the freedom to choose how they get from place to place, whether that mode of transportation is by plane, train, or in Jody McCrate's case, recreational vehicle.
"Nothing beats having a place that feels like home."
Who is Jody McCrate?
Jody has been a travel nurse for the past two years. With an emergency room specialty, she balances the pressures of her fast-paced job with the leisurely lifestyle of what she calls "workcation" – a combination between work and vacation.
In an interview, Jody explained that she and her retired military husband Kelly are taking advantage of being empty nesters. With all of their children grown, either married with kids or off at college, the couple is finally completing their destination bucket list. However, seeing the wonders of this beautifully diverse country requires some planning. The pair had to determine the most effective way to fulfill the lifestyle they always knew they wanted. The answer came just six months ago: a travel trailer.
After Kelly conducted extensive research on long-distance travel and the towing ability of their Chevy Silverado 2500, the McCrates decided that a non-motorized RV was the perfect solution for their plans. When Jody gets a new assignment through her healthcare staffing agency Aureus Medical Group, the couple finds a spot to park the RV, and Jody uses the pickup truck to get to work each day.
Sure, transitioning from a 2,000-square-foot home to a 220-square-foot trailer was a bit of adjustment, but Jody and Kelly wouldn't have it any other way.
"Nothing beats having your own things and a place that feels like home to come back to after those particularly long shifts," she said.
Stress-less travel
As Jody highlighted, the there's-no-place-like home vibe is one of the greatest benefits to her and Kelly's arrangement. Though recruiters provide housing and handle the travel arrangements for most travel nurses, some individuals in this profession prefer to make their own reservations, utilizing apartments, extended-stay hotels or vacation rentals. Traveling via trailer avoids the need to acclimate to new housing accommodations with each assignment.
Additionally, RV travel offers the advantage of convenience. Everything they need is right in their trailer. They don't have to worry about packing and repacking the right items for each assignment, checking in their bags or finding lost luggage, and avoiding this stress can prove beneficial for their health.
As the American Psychological Association explained, chronic stress can cause anything from headaches to diseases. Meanwhile, avoiding this mental hurdle, as the McCrates do, can lead to benefits like improved mood and a higher quality of life.
Considerations for RV travel
Of course, that's not to say RV travel doesn't come with its fair share of mishaps. Jody explained that those opting for this route must accept the possibility that the car may break down along the way or the trailer could get a flat tire. However, you don't need to be a mechanic to handle these situations. Having roadside assistance and insurance makes dealing with these rare occasions easier.
"Fuel prices have seen a recent decline."
Additionally, while living in a trailer isn't quite like sleeping in a tent, travel nurses considering this option should be comfortable with some components of camping. For instance, they have to easily adapt to smaller spaces and enjoy the outdoors. After all, one of the greatest advantages of RV travel is being able to park near a forest or along a sandy beach. In fact, there are opportunities for the latter option at Myrtle Beach, Pensacola, Corpus Christi, Padre Island and even San Francisco, Jody noted.
Of course, RV travel also comes at a price. For example, some updated – and more costly – RVs have luxuries like leather furniture and fireplaces, while others include amenities like dishwashers and laundry units. At the same time, certain RV parks may already offer these conveniences and more options, like Internet and cable. However, it takes a true planner to find an RV park that meets your needs and fits your budget.
Meanwhile, as with any vehicle, RVs require maintenance and general upkeep. However, now might be a better time than ever to jump on the RV bandwagon, as fuel prices have seen a recent decline. According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average cost of diesel is $1.99 per gallon, which is down from $2.81 this time last year.
Opportunities for travel nurses
Jody explained that while she and Kelly love the trailer, the travel aspect brings the most joy, which is an opportunity awarded to all travel nurses, including those in travel physical therapy jobs. For example, Jody has always wanted to experience the celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and she got to visit "The Cajun Coast" as a job assignment! Additionally, the longer stays have advantages over a typical vacation, as travel nurses really get to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Jody said she makes it a point to "get to all the 'you gotta do' places that the locals tell you about."
Thanks for sharing this great idea! Have fun.
Interested in case management travel positions