Working as a travel nurse might sound like an exciting lifestyle, and generally, it is. You can work with doctors and nurses all over the country, helping people to heal and feel better, all while earning a tidy paycheck.
But despite the high pay and jet-setting lifestyle this seems to offer, travel nursing might not be a good choice all the time. There may be times when you get an offer and find it easier or better to reject rather than accept. Here are just some of the reasons why it might not be a good idea to accept, depending on your circumstances.
- The Hospital Might Not Be a Good Fit
One reason you might consider rejecting an assignment is based on the hospital you will be going to. Although all hospitals operate in different ways, if you’ve already worked at a particular location and found you did not like it, that alone can make it a smart choice to reject it.
Or, perhaps you have heard reviews from friends or co-workers about going to the hospital you would be assigned to and finding out they did not enjoy the experience, and they had valid reasons. It pays to take these thoughts into consideration, since
2. You Are Starting To Feel Burnt Out
Are you at the point where you feel as though you are not getting enough rest, you are getting sick of your profession, and you hate getting up in the morning? This can best be described as job burnout. This might be a good time for you to take time away from work, if at all possible.
You don’t want to start feeling trapped, nor do you want to feel as though you have no way out and no options to do anything else. Getting away from your job and making time to take care of yourself and your needs is crucial, rather than taking every assignment that gets sent your way.
3. Your Family Urgently Needs You
You might be in a situation where a family member is dying, someone is sick, or your family is going through an incredibly difficult time and needs you by their side. One downfall of travel nursing is that you might be flying several states away in order to work and thus unable to get to your family when they truly need you.
If that is the case, it is better to take time off from your job and reject assignments, especially if you can financially afford it.
4. You Have Reservations About the Assignment
Perhaps you have reservations against a particular assignment. Maybe the timing feels off, or you simply do not like the idea of going to this particular location to work. Perhaps there is something you are expected to do for this particular assignment that you don’t think you can follow through on. If you feel unsure, you should listen to your instinct.
You might consider reaching out to your PEO Solution or whoever is in charge of offering you assignments and letting them know how you feel about working in certain areas. You should not put yourself in a situation that feels off or unsafe to you, no matter how much money you are looking at overall.
Conclusion
When it comes to working as a travel nurse, there are many reasons why you might choose to reject a particular assignment. Maybe your family needs you, or you feel the hospital is simply not a good fit for you. You should also consider your own feelings, such as getting burnt out or dealing with reservations about a particular location. Always listen to your own needs first.
We hope you found this article on four reasons why you shouldn’t accept every travel nursing assignment helpful. Are there any other reasons you have found not to accept the travel nurse assignment? Comment those reasons below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our travel nurse job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our travel nurse housing page.
