Burnout is a key reason why many therapists, laboratory technologists, radiologic technologists, and other allied healthcare professionals choose to work on temporary “travel” assignments, according to a new survey by AMN Healthcare.
Seventy percent of 1,161 allied healthcare professionals responding to the survey said that burnout influenced their decision to work as travelers either “a great deal” or “a lot.” About half (45%) said that COVID-19 influenced their decision to work as travelers either “a great deal” or “a lot.”
The survey suggests that working as a traveler is becoming a particularly popular career choice among younger allied healthcare professionals. The majority of travel allied healthcare professionals (53%) are 40 years old or younger. Over one-third (34%) have worked as travelers for one year or less. Twelve percent of those responding to the survey said they began to work as travelers right after training. Over one-third (36%) have only completed one or two travel assignments so far.
The survey indicates high morale among allied healthcare professionals working on travel assignments. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed rated their morale as very high or somewhat high, while only 7% rated it as very low or somewhat low. The great majority (96%) said they are accepted by patients while on assignment, 88% said they are accepted by colleagues, and 84% said they are accepted by administrators. Over two-thirds (70%) said traveling is more satisfying than permanent work.
