By Lirika Hart

July 8, 2022

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How to Survive Your First Nursing Assignment

One of the benefits of being a nurse is the opportunity to travel and utilize your nursing skills to help others. It can get overwhelming; it is unusual to abandon stability for a flexible and unique system. Stepping out of your comfort zone has its rewards, and the excitement of a new journey and diversifying your resume will yield growth in your personal and professional life. When you are going on your first trip as a nurse, using sim-only deals is one of the best days that you can survive. It helps you to keep in touch with your family, friends, and colleagues without having to pay exorbitant fees. Five tips to help you survive your first nursing assignment are detailed in this article. Keep reading.

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Do your research:

Being knowledgeable about the challenges to expect will help you make adequate preparation. On social media, you can follow influencers on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join Facebook groups with nurses who have experienced firsthand what traveling nursing feels like. Weigh the results against the challenges and see if this is something you would be willing to do long-term. Reach out to recruiters and get helpful information. Most recruiters are willing to answer your questions when you tell them it is for research. It will be time-consuming, but getting the correct information will be worth it and valuable in helping you decide the direction you want to go.

Get organized:

When do you want to begin sending out applications? Do you have the minimum qualifications required to qualify as a travel nurse? What else will you need? Is your license up to date? Do you have the necessary paperwork, and have you gotten all the immunizations needed for the countries you will be visiting? Your recruiter will need all of the above and maybe more. If there is anything else you do not have, your recruiter will assist you with it after you apply. Therefore, if you are ready, you should not waste another second. Apply immediately.

Get the right recruiter:

You need to use the right recruiter to process your applications. Looking out for travel nursing opportunities on your own can be intimidating. You can eliminate the stress of getting one by working with a recruiter from the beginning. You can try out at least three recruiters for variety. Find one that suits your temperament, style, and ease of communication. A great recruiter can help you discover your goals and the kinds of jobs that would best fit you and be the start of a new direction in your career.

Understand your limits and flexibility:

When you meet with your recruiter, work together to understand the limits and flexibility of the different positions available. Have an open conversation about the proximity of work to home, your willingness to travel, and if you have preferences for certain countries. Knowing your choices will help the recruiter find the best assignments to help you build the career you desire. You will have a good idea of the expectations, and the pay and travel stipends are provided. Getting the resources, you need to keep in touch when you purchase sim-only deals will give you the best choice to keep in touch with friends, colleagues, and family.

Search for housing:

Be efficient in securing proper accommodation because you may be responsible for your living arrangements. Use newspapers and online vendors and websites of popular hotels to search for good places to reside while in a new location. The degree of comfort you have will affect the efficiency you use in getting the job done. Be assertive and communicative about your options for temporary housing. Do you want a month-to-month apartment lease? Would you prefer an extended-stay hotel? Communicate to property owners that you are a traveling nurse. Some hotels give special discounts in such situations.

Wrapping up


There will be some loneliness and isolation involved, especially during your first nursing assignment. You might find it challenging to make new friends, especially when you are staying at various places for a short period. It is wise to stay connected on Facebook with other nurses in the same field. Sim only deals get you the best deal on internet connectivity without the addition of a mobile phone contract. This will increase your chances of having friends when you arrive in a new country. Join some social groups and ask questions about nurses living in the area where you are on assignment caring for your clients. It is critical to remember why you chose a career in nursing; this will allow you to maximize your skills and passion.

We hope you found this article on how to survive your first nursing assignment helpful. Do you have any tips to share with those taking on travel nursing and embarking on their first nursing assignment? Comment below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

May 2, 2018

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From Detroit to the Western Slope: What I Learned During My First Travel Assignment

As a twenty-something Detroit native, I like to consider myself a typical Midwestern type. Though I love everything about where I grew up, I started to feel unsatisfied.  After two years in Labor and Delivery (LD) and 4.5 years as an RN… I was ready to start traveling.  I made the decision just like I make most decisions in my life, quickly and without too much forethought.

When it came to choosing my travel company, I hopped online and did a little research. I contacted two companies by days end and had spoken to one recruiter. I suppose you could say it was love at first chat. The recruiter that contacted me was polite, seemingly driven, and very organized. We talked for about 40 minutes and he answered all of my questions without hesitation.  The next day I told the recruiter I was ready to move. Two weeks later I accepted my first travel assignment in Grand Junction, Colorado; I was to move in four weeks.  How big of a deal could it be to pack my apartment, quit my job, and move across the country? (my naivety is almost laughable).

I would like to note that while everything was a bit busy, it was completely manageable. Now finishing out the extension of my first contract, I would like to give tips and tricks I have picked up on my first travel assignment that I feel have been useful.

Phone Applications

1. EveryDollar:

I am terrible with maintaining a budget but I wanted to make sure I could put away some money before my move. I started to use “EveryDollar” to track my spending and maintain a budget of sorts. Easy to use and super helpful.

2. Hotel Tonight:

I used this during my drive across the country. I didn’t make a set plan of how far to drive each day I just did as much as I could. Using this app helps find last minute hotels in your area that are available.

3. CamScanner:

This is a lifesaver! Allows you to take a picture of your documents, convert them to PDF and mail them to your recruiter. I use this app religiously.

4. Airbnb/VRBO:

Since I had NO CLUE about anything regarding the Western Slope, and I am a little hesitant to use Craigslist as a single female, these apps made finding a living arrangement seamless.

5. REI National Parks:

I guess this is more for the explorers out there: this app is great for looking up hiking/biking/climbing trails and reading other explorer’s input on where to go/what to see. Being in Western Colorado, I have used this app a lot!

Starting at a new Hospital

Orientation:  

Being a traveler, you don’t have the history you may have had as staff, and you only have 13 weeks to prove your competence. I asked a lot of questions about the charting system and their Fetal Heart monitoring program (LD specific). Familiarized myself with policies I felt would be important and made sure I followed up with my management.  I familiarized myself with the OR and the scrub techs I would be working with. Have a good flow in the OR (especially in LD) is really important, especially in STAT situations.

Alone in a new town

I think the best thing I did was start to explore the town before I moved. I had seen that there was a climbing gym in the area (something I had really wanted to get into) and I signed up to join. It wasn’t too hard to meet people there.  I also found it super helpful to go to the local REI and see if they had any outdoor group events coming up.

I have mastered the art of sitting and enjoying a meal alone, making small talk with strangers and trying new things without someone to join. To me, however, the best part of this job is the ways you meet new people and how quickly they become your family.

My first travel assignment has been one I’ll never forget! A lot of learning, a lot of laughing, and I have met some incredibly gifted and wonderful nurses. I am so excited to start my next contract, and share more knowledge with you guys: my gypsy family!

About The Author:

Author: Janelle Edwards, RN is a Labor and Delivery Nurse (LD).