When looking for travel PT jobs, you’ll find that there are assignments available across the continental U.S. For most in this profession, location is key. While some may be looking to explore a new locale, others opt to stay close to home. Depending on what’s happening in your personal life, you may want to consider sticking around friends and family for your next travel therapy job.
Benefits of staying close to home
First and foremost, selecting an assignment that is close to home provides you with the opportunity to advance your career while still seeing those who are close to you on a regular basis. So, if you want to spend more time with your new niece or nephew or pitch in to help an elderly member of the family, this is a great way to keep up with your professional life at the same time. Plus, it can be nice to take up residence in a familiar surrounding after getting to know new cities on previous assignments.
Another benefit to selecting travel physical therapy jobs that are close to home: Finances. According to Locum Life, Mary Kendrick was able to save money and work toward her own financial freedom by staying in her home state, Oklahoma.
“It is nice to return to where I have already been because the staff and I know what to expect from each other,” Kendrick explained to the source. “Several times, the clinics have requested me back, specifically, and that is a great feeling.”
However, just because you head home for a stretch, there’s nothing stopping you from taking assignments elsewhere once your contract expires. In fact, you may even opt to explore new territories while working travel therapy jobs near family, giving you the opportunity to learn whether or not it’s for you before making that long-term, long-distance commitment.
Patricia Cusimano, associate editor of Healthcare Traveler, explained that she was able to test the waters of working with a mobile care unit while assigned to a healthcare staffing assignment in Colorado, where she’s from. She also points out that there’s no doubt you will have the opportunity to meet interesting, intelligent people, learn new things and advance your skills on jobs that are in your hometown.
Some individuals may even opt to introduce themselves to the travel physical therapy profession in such a manner. Or, perhaps your “home” has moved with loved ones to somewhere other than where you grew up. Working as a travel PT, you have the option to make that locale your home, too.