The reason for it all
I just left a Facebook group designated for travel nurses. I wasn't even in it for a week, and I couldn't handle all of the negativity. Every day, seeing post after post after post about "low ball offers" and nurses turning down offers that are "too low" (which are WAY more than what I'm about to go into in Iowa) and other seasoned travel nurses basically blaming the "new travelers" for accepting these "too low" offers, ultimately causing a downward spiral in the travel nurse industry. I contemplated posting something on the group before leaving it, but just decided to leave it and I'm going to semi-rant here. This is a safe place for me, so this is why I have this blog.
I haven't been a traveling nurse for very long, but let me tell you. I DID NOT GO INTO THIS INDUSTRY FOR THE MONEY. I went into this industry because there is a great big world out there that God created and I want to see as much of it as I can while I still have the opportunity to do so. Also, I needed a change, and God put Aya Healthcare into my life, and I have been so richly blessed since working with them. I have made wonderful friends in the three places I've been, soon to be four. I've seen places and experienced things I would not experience if I was still at home. I've grown closer to my sister and have learned to set healthy boundaries as she begins a new chapter in her life and just learning along the way how to cope with that in a healthy way has been freaking remarkable and such a blessing to me. I am so thankful for what I have learned and what God has showed me about not only other people, but MYSELF. Friends, I have learned to LIVE on my own without being alone, and God put me in a lot of dark places at first in order for me to learn and recognize the difference. I paid off nearly $5,000 in student loans in 6 months as a result of going into travel nursing.
Friends, let me offer you some friendly advice. If you're between a rock and a hard place in terms of a job or a career and you get offered something you don't feel right about taking, then please, don't take it. But also, keep a civil tongue and keep your negative comments to yourself about "oh my gosh don't ever go to this place they'll suck you dry and give you crap pay." Please. There's enough negativity in the world as it is. Secondly, take some time to figure out why you are doing what you are doing. If it's really just for the money, then by all means keep chasing that big bucks job. If that spark you used to have for what you do is starting to burn, figure out why. Maybe it's time to move on from the place you've been for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years. Let me tell you, the place I left before I went into travel nursing, that was me. I thought for certain I was going to be a lifer. I was looking forward to my 5 year pin and gift at the annual celebration that goes on in January...funny, I would have gotten it this year. Also, for any fellow travel nurses that may read this, I'm going to put in a slight disclaimer and confession; this job I'm about to take is the highest pay I've received. I'll be making close to $1400 a week. Now before I get direct messages on Twitter or private messages on Facebook or nasty emails telling me to run for the hills and don't look back, I'm going to tell you right now, it's not going to happen. My sister who has a wonderful job that she adores, after being laid off for months and was THRILLED BEYOND BELIEF to get, has verbalized how envious she is of how much I get. So take that into perspective; many of what is deemed as consensual "low ball" offers, many would be grateful to receive such.
Nobody will probably read this, except me in a few months or so when I go back over this blog again. I just choose to try and live with gratitude as much as possible. It's never the easy choice, and I'm not saying it's the "right" choice, but for me, it's the obvious choice.
I haven't been a traveling nurse for very long, but let me tell you. I DID NOT GO INTO THIS INDUSTRY FOR THE MONEY. I went into this industry because there is a great big world out there that God created and I want to see as much of it as I can while I still have the opportunity to do so. Also, I needed a change, and God put Aya Healthcare into my life, and I have been so richly blessed since working with them. I have made wonderful friends in the three places I've been, soon to be four. I've seen places and experienced things I would not experience if I was still at home. I've grown closer to my sister and have learned to set healthy boundaries as she begins a new chapter in her life and just learning along the way how to cope with that in a healthy way has been freaking remarkable and such a blessing to me. I am so thankful for what I have learned and what God has showed me about not only other people, but MYSELF. Friends, I have learned to LIVE on my own without being alone, and God put me in a lot of dark places at first in order for me to learn and recognize the difference. I paid off nearly $5,000 in student loans in 6 months as a result of going into travel nursing.
Friends, let me offer you some friendly advice. If you're between a rock and a hard place in terms of a job or a career and you get offered something you don't feel right about taking, then please, don't take it. But also, keep a civil tongue and keep your negative comments to yourself about "oh my gosh don't ever go to this place they'll suck you dry and give you crap pay." Please. There's enough negativity in the world as it is. Secondly, take some time to figure out why you are doing what you are doing. If it's really just for the money, then by all means keep chasing that big bucks job. If that spark you used to have for what you do is starting to burn, figure out why. Maybe it's time to move on from the place you've been for 5 years, 10 years, 15 years. Let me tell you, the place I left before I went into travel nursing, that was me. I thought for certain I was going to be a lifer. I was looking forward to my 5 year pin and gift at the annual celebration that goes on in January...funny, I would have gotten it this year. Also, for any fellow travel nurses that may read this, I'm going to put in a slight disclaimer and confession; this job I'm about to take is the highest pay I've received. I'll be making close to $1400 a week. Now before I get direct messages on Twitter or private messages on Facebook or nasty emails telling me to run for the hills and don't look back, I'm going to tell you right now, it's not going to happen. My sister who has a wonderful job that she adores, after being laid off for months and was THRILLED BEYOND BELIEF to get, has verbalized how envious she is of how much I get. So take that into perspective; many of what is deemed as consensual "low ball" offers, many would be grateful to receive such.
Nobody will probably read this, except me in a few months or so when I go back over this blog again. I just choose to try and live with gratitude as much as possible. It's never the easy choice, and I'm not saying it's the "right" choice, but for me, it's the obvious choice.
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