Not everyone knows about being a travel nurse, a unique life path. If this is your first time diving into this line of work, there are a few things that you should know so that you can make the most of it. In this article, we’ll cover different tips for first-time travel nurses that you can apply so that the start of your life as a travel nurse will be a smooth one.
10 Practical Tips for First-Time Travel Nurses
1. Do your research
When you think of being a travel nurse, the thought that occupies you most is the traveling part. However, there’s more to being a travel nurse than you should research first to ensure that you are appropriately prepared for the job.
Of course, travel is one of the first things that you should think about. Prepare all your travel documents, have a ready-to-go travel pack at all times, and so on.
If you’re working with a travel nurse agency and recruitment, look into the customer testimonials. They should have a positive reputation and a portfolio of travel nurses they’ve helped. Before you send your travel nurse application, though, don’t be afraid to interview the agency since if things don’t go well, you will have to clean up the mess in the first place.
Another thing that you should look into is the tax part. You can consult a tax professional about the different tax requirements, especially as you move from state to state.
2. Read your contract thoroughly
For first-time travel nurses, it is especially important to read your contract thoroughly. If you’re doing anything that involves a legally binding contract, make sure that you read through it thoroughly. Since it may be your first time, you might feel pressured to sign the contract and move on. However, you’re just setting yourself up for future frustrations.
Make sure to read through the contract terms. Some of the critical factors that you should be paying more attention to in the contract would be:
- Assignment length
- Requirements for the shift
- Payment, compensation, benefits, and any travel reimbursements
- Specific job responsibilities
- Housing arrangements
- Time off and sick leave conditions
If there are any terms in your contract that you want clarification on or want to change because they are not favorable to you, then bring them up with the representative.
3. Pack smart
If you plan to be a travel nurse for a long time, you must start mastering the art of packing for travel. For first-time travel nurses, it may seem strange to pay so little, but it’s unlike how you would usually pack for leisure. It would help if you were as intelligent and picky with what you pack as much as possible. Given that you’re traveling often, packing a lot of items all the time will be rough and time-consuming.
Stick to clothes, toiletries, and only a few shoes. Creating a list of the items you regularly need and use during your assignments can help you establish the core items you should pack.
Creating a standard list of your core travel items might take a while. Once you’ve narrowed that down, it’s a good idea to have a pack of items or toiletries to throw in your luggage and be ready to go.
4. Plan your housing
First-time travel nurses may choose to take agency-provided housing; your travel nurse contract should include terms of your housing if there are any. It should consist of details like:
- Check-in and check-out times
- The type of housing they provide
- Furnishing availability
- Cleaning items availability
- Details on utilities
- Parking situation
- Laundry facility
Again, if you have any questions about the housing arrangements, you should talk to your recruiter to clarify the details. That way, you will know what your housing might not have and what you might have to buy when you get there.
Sometimes, they might not provide housing for you, or you may choose not to take agency-provided housing. In that case, you will have to make the arrangements yourself. What you should look for in your housing will depend on your stay there. The longer you have to be there, the more amenities you should want in your accommodations.
5. Prioritize self-care and work-life balance
When you are well cared for, that energy and proper self-maintenance will translate to better work performance as a nurse. While providing excellent service in your work is a good idea, that doesn’t mean you should forget your life outside of being a travel nurse.
Make the most of your ability to move around. During your downtime, get out of your accommodations and explore the area. You should dine out sometimes and hike on local trails if there are any.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself by eating healthy foods and adding some exercise time to your schedule whenever possible.
6. Bring your family along on your travels
While it might feel better to leave your family behind when you have temporary assignments, especially for first-time travel nurses, having your family along for your assignments might provide the emotional and social support you need, especially as you move from place to place.
Bringing your kids along is also a great way to expand their minds and let them experience new environments. While doing this might take much more work to arrange, it can be a great bonding point for everyone involved. Plus, you don’t always have to do it for every assignment.
7. Maintain an optimistic mindset
You might feel like since you’re a travel nurse, creating positive relationships with the people you work with is a waste of effort, but that sort of mindset can create unpleasant work environments.
Working with an open mind and a social approach will make you have a pleasant time at work, no matter how long you stay in a particular place. If you socialize and maintain that optimism, the job will be more enjoyable, and you will have new friendships that can make your work assignments less lonely.
8. Make new friendships
Talk to the people you work with. Please get to know them. No matter how short your assignment duration is, taking the time to socialize with your coworkers makes it a lot easier to spend your work days.
While many people don’t like small talk, sometimes it’s a great way to create a smooth working relationship without too much commitment on your part if you don’t want to. Plus, when you get along with the people you work with, the shifts go by slightly faster and easier.
9. Arrive early on your first day
The first impression you give to your new assignment can set a tone, at least for your first few shifts in the hospital. That’s why it’s a good idea to arrive early on the first day of your assignment. It’s a great way to get the lay of the land and how your shifts will go.
Aside from arriving early for your assignment, it’s also a good idea to arrive at your accommodations earlier—ideally a few days before your shift. That way, you have enough time to unpack and settle into your accommodations before the ball gets rolling for your assignment.
10. Plan your free time
Despite best intentions, sometimes, you can’t help but forget that you should be doing something during your free time. As mentioned before, it’s a good idea to make the most of your traveling as a travel nurse.
Explore the local hotspots and dining options. Join local events. These are the experiences that you should be doing with your new assignments. Instead of waiting until this happens, be more deliberate about it and plan your free time or schedule it just like you would with work.
Conclusion
The advice here should help prepare first-time travel nurses for the world of travel nursing. By applying these tips, the transition to this new and unique lifestyle should be a lot smoother, and you can soon reap the benefits and enjoy your life as a travel nurse.
Do you have any tips for first-time travel nurses? Comment any tips you think are helpful below.
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