Tough Times, What Will You Do?

Over the past several years I have met people that were having a difficult financial time and they would impress upon me how hard the times were. I often replied that the hard times aren't here yet, and that those days were in fact the "good times" and they should be storing up for the really hard times to come. It appears that time has come.

Hard times are upon the nursing industry as well. Last week I posted an article reflecting this problem (you can check on the link here). A conversation with a recruiter or two will clue you in that the jobs available last year at this time have all but disappeared. Recent conversations with other travel nurses have also reflected the emotional concern of where will we be working after our assignment has ended.

So what is a travel nurse to do?

I thought I might answer this question by offering up what I personally have done. Not to say that my personal situation will work for everyone, and not even to say that what I have done will work for me. Time will reveal if it has or not.

I will answer the above question by answering three questions;

What have I done?

Mary and I held a vision of the life we wanted to live as travelers and knew that we needed to be debt free. After closing on a couple of properties we accomplished this and also sold most of our belongings in order to fit in a small house. We didn't need much as we knew we would rarely be "home".

We both kept in mind that the journey is to be valued, not material stuff. This made it easier in determining what stayed and what was left behind, it also help me resolve leaving loved ones and friends.

Since making this decision we live in a neighborhood filled with multimillion dollar homes that includes a wonderful view of the ocean. We don't own much but we don't owe anyone either, nor do we have the hassle of upkeep and maintenance.

What am I doing?

Just this week I will be sending in applications for Hawaii and Washington state licenses in order to cast a larger net for job opportunities in areas that Mary and I are most interested.

In the meantime, we are keeping options open for opportunities that we might not have before considered. Just recently, a friend was asking about our interest in Naples, Italy; another friend has taken up residence in Mexico. We are ruling nothing out.

Most importantly I have been keeping a presence of mind by keeping the headline news in perspective; remembering they promote news to increase readership or viewership, and nothing works better than fear.

I remind myself that I am a travel nurse, not tied down to employment at one hospital or even one state. I am mobile and can move to places of opportunity, and they can be anywhere in the country.

What will I do?

When my ship comes in I want to be able to buy the ticket and regardless of the economic trouble we face I will do my best to be prepared. I will be open to new possibilities and a willingness to imagine a way of life I may have not considered before.

I am a travel nurse and my bags will be packed for the next assignment.

What will you do?