7 Reasons to Travel as a New Graduate

Congratulations, you just graduated from your Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy program!  Now what?  There are so many options for you.  As a recruiter, I have had the opportunity to coach countless new graduate therapists upon graduation.  Here are 7 reasons why I recommend going into travel therapy.

1.      See the country. Everyone has an adventurous side that aches to experience new things. Travel provides you with the opportunity to hike mountains, bask in the sun on a beach, or hit the town in your favorite cities. Who knows, you may even fall in love with a city and decide to stay!

2.      Learn from the best. Triage ensures that there are multiple therapists on staff and that the facility has a comprehensive orientation process. Some even have shadowing opportunities available. Regardless, you have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the finest therapists in the country and learn new techniques from them.

3.      Make more money to pay off student loans. It is no secret that travel positions pay more than permanent positions. As a traveler, you can expect a tax-free stipend for housing and food while on assignment, along with a competitive hourly wage. Even while taking time off in between assignments, travelers tend to make more money than therapists in permanent positions.

4.      Great benefits. Most staffing firms have a comprehensive benefits package. Triage provides health insurance, dental insurance, vision, 401(k), CEU reimbursement, license reimbursement, travel reimbursement (to and from the assignment), and PTO to name a few. Paying for state licensure, CEUs, and relocation can take a toll on a bank account. Reimbursements for these items as a new graduate will relieve some of the financial burden.

5.      Work in multiple settings. If you are like many new graduates, you have completed clinical or fieldwork rotations in multiple settings. You may not know what kind of setting you want to work in, and travel is a wonderful way to hone your clinical skills in different settings. This gives you an idea of what kind of facility you want to work in when you transition to permanent work.

6.      Short term commitment. Contracts are typically 13 weeks in length. There is no requirement to travel for 1 or 2 years; you will sign a contract for each specific assignment. That gives you the freedom to move on after your contract is done. If you find travel is not your cup of tea, you can stop and find your dream permanent position.

7. YOLO. Regardless of your age, this is a universal truth—you only live once. Don’t miss out on a beautiful experience. Why not take the plunge? What is holding you back? What did I miss? Current travelers, tell me why you decided to travel and why it was the best decision ever! For additional information about travel, message me, call me at 402-614-8571 x 115, or email me at lteal@triagestaff.com.