Aureus Medical Group’s healthcare blog provides articles and information regarding careers in travel nursing, travel therapy, allied health and more.

Why do therapists choose to travel?

Travel therapy is an excellent career path for physical therapists who are looking to make a change. There are a wide variety of benefits to working as a travel professional in this industry – for instance, they have the opportunity to work at locations all over the country while experiencing different cultures and meeting new people. Many physical therapists choose travel simply because it's a change of scenery after gaining years of experience in a traditional hospital or clinical setting.

You might want to consider becoming a travel physical therapist if you're hoping to explore different professional settings and expand your skillset. As a traveling therapist, you may be responsible for many different tasks while working on location, so having solid and diverse clinical skills will be beneficial to you. Travel therapy will also allow you to pick up many new skills with each new assignment and expand your resume to become a more proficient physical therapist. 

Another great aspect of working as a travel physical therapist is that you can work when and where you want. For example, if you have always dreamed of working in a rural city where everyone knows your name, consider taking an assignment in rural Virginia or in another small Southern city. Or, if you're more of the city slicker, request an assignment in the Big Apple or head west to Los Angeles or even Las Vegas. You never know where your adventures as a travel physical therapist will be able to take you, and this is one of the most rewarding characteristics of the career.

Furthermore, if you feel you could use a break in between your travel assignments, no problem! As a travel professional in the healthcare industry, you have the opportunity to take time off between contracts or keep working as long as you want. Take this time to brush up on the latest trends in the physical therapy industry or spend time with your family and friends at home. Whatever you do between contracts is totally up to you!

Finally, your housing is typically provided while on assignment, another perk of the career. Your travel therapy agency will often provide you with accommodations near the hospital or clinic where you'll be working. If this all sounds good to you, consider contacting a recruiter today to join the ranks of thousands of physical therapists who have chosen travel.