This article was provided by: Soliant Health.
Being a travel nurse is one of the most exciting things you can do in your career, but the idea of working away from home can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. If you’re ready to embark on your first assignment but aren’t sure what to do next, here are some tips to help first time travel nurses.
1. Get organized.
Travel nursing is an amazing way to see the county and learn a lot of new skills, but to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, you must have all your paperwork in order. Make sure your license, CPR, and any certifications are up to date and that you have all the required documentation.
2. Think about where you want to go.
There are so many wonderful places to be a travel nurse, but if it’s your first time, it’s best to pick a place that you know. It should be the next town over or a city you’ve traveled to in that past, but any sense of familiarity makes working away from home for the first time a little bit easier.
3. Be flexible.
You may not get your first choice, but your recruiter can help you figure out which jobs are available in your specialty. Sometimes, being more general about what you want helps. For example, if you’ve spent some time in Florida and know you’d be comfortable working there, instead of insisting on Miami, open up to the possibilities of Tampa or Daytona Beach, too.
4. Pack carefully.
Most travel nursing assignments are 13 weeks, so consider what you’ll need in that time. Remember, you’ll spend your days off exploring your new city, so come prepared. If you’re an outdoor lover, bring your hiking boots and backpack. Are you looking forward to exploring the city’s art and culture scenes? Bring along some comfortable walking shoes and your camera.
5. Don’t forget to make arrangements for the stuff at home.
For example, is someone going to get your mail for you? What about packages and other deliveries? Should you cancel the cable for the amount of time you’re going to be away? It’s essential to take care of these things so, when you come home, you don’t have a stack of bills or other problems to deal with.
6. Be confident in your skills.
It’s not easy being a travel nurse on a floor where everyone else has worked together for years. Most nurses are welcoming and ready to help travelers as they learn the ropes, but remind yourself that you deserve to be there and are a valuable part of the team.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You’ll have orientation at the beginning of your contract and learn all about the policies and procedures of where you’re working, and you’ll probably have a lot of questions. And that’s okay! It’s always better to clarify questions, especially when you’re new.
8. Be friendly.
Making friends with your co-workers is a great way to get comfortable with a new city and makes your time there more enjoyable. You can make lasting friendships through travel nursing that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Ask coworkers for recommendations about where to go and what to see while you’re in town, and ask them to join you for dinner or a night of dinner and drinks.
9. Where are you off to next?
Thirteen weeks might sound like a long time, but it flies by. Keep in touch with your recruiter to know what your options are. If you love where you’re working, see if you can extend the assignment for another 13 weeks. Or, maybe you’d rather try something completely different. Don’t wait until the last week of your contract to work it out.
10. Choose your travel nursing company wisely.
Soliant has thousands of travel nursing jobs in many specialties, all across the United States. To learn more, check out their website and get started on the next chapter of your nursing adventure.
We hope you found this information for first time travel nurses helpful, do you have any tips for first time travel nurses to share? Comment them below.
