Contract Series: Bridge 2
The Slow Lane
At some point, most travelers realize they’re moving fast but not getting far. We chase numbers, hop contracts, and restart almost constantly. Honestly, it can get old going from one contract to the next.
The Cost of the Fast Lane
Measuring success by weekly gross income and hopping from one hospital to the next works for a season and can be quite refreshing for a time! Most travel nurses need it early on. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, and I am guilty of being in the fast lane at one point in my journey. However, speed solves income problems. It rarely solves life problems.
Between always being the new kid on the block, having to constantly rebuild trust and relationships, and more decision fatigue, it does come with its drawbacks. Let me introduce you to the Fast Lane’s pretty cousin.
The Slow Lane
To no one’s surprise, the slow lane is focused on stable routines and extensions. Fewer contracts via extensions helps nurses familiarize themselves with units and form relationships easier, leads to more predictable high income, and lowers emotional load. It is in no way about working less — it’s about restarting less. And to be clear, the Slow Lane doesn’t trap you — it gives you leverage.
Why the Slow Lane compounds:
Better budgeting: Less contract-hopping leads to more consistent expenses (housing, groceries, travel, etc all change locally). Being able to accurately estimate expenses is a central part of budgeting.
More consistent saving: In addition to accurately estimating expenses, the Slow Lane allows for more consistent saving and investing, as you know exactly what your take-home pay is already since your pay package isn’t changing (and if it is changing, perhaps it’s time to move on).
Stronger references: Relationships are created and curated with time and energy. The more time you have to devote energy to relationships with management and charge nurses, the better. If these folks like you, they’ll often be happy to be references.
Less burnout: In that same vein, restarting relationships and routines can be very stressful. Extending contracts can lead to stronger friendships with staff and allow you to fall into a nice routine for that period of time.
The Slow Lane is about longevity, bringing wealth and peace into the same room. The next part of this series is about what you do after you stop sprinting.