July 16, 2024

3257 Views

Top Resources for New Travel Nurses

Posted on July 16, 2024July 15, 2024 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA-Travel Nurse Across America provided this article.

If you are new to the travel nursing world or are thinking of making the transition to travel, it might seem overwhelming. Finding the right guidance and support is essential for your success. Don’t worry – you are not alone! While there are many logistics to figure out, there are also several resources to help you easily make the transition. Read on to learn more about the top resources for new travel nurses to provide you with the knowledge, insights, and community you need to thrive in your travel nursing career!

Top Resources for New Travel Nurses

Travel Nurse Mentorships

One of the most effective ways to transition into travel nursing is through mentorship. Experienced travel nurses can offer invaluable insights and guidance, helping you navigate the challenges and maximize the opportunities in this field.

Travel Nurse 101, run by seasoned travel nurse Brandy Pinkerton, is not only one of the most popular and informative sites for travel nurses but also provides travel nurses with a complimentary mentorship session. For anyone new to the travel nursing career, Travel Nurse 101 is a phenomenal resource to get started on the right foot, and Brandy is dedicated to helping travel nurses thrive in their travel careers.

Travel Nurse Organizations and Communities

Joining a travel nursing organization or community can provide a support network of like-minded professionals who share your experiences and challenges. These communities are invaluable for networking, learning, and staying informed about industry trends.

You probably already know how wonderful The Gypsy Nurse is for learning about all things travel nursing. In addition to covering almost every topic imaginable on its blog, it hosts live and on-demand events and an excellent podcast. Their discussions cover current issues and trends from the perspective of travel nurses, allied travel professionals, healthcare staffing firms, and key industry players, making it an essential resource for all travel healthcare professionals.

Social media groups can also provide new travel nurses with a great community and resources. One group boasting over 187,000 members is the Travel Nurse Network—The Gypsy Nurse on Facebook. Join it to connect with fellow travelers, ask questions, share your insights, and keep up with what’s happening in the travel nurse world.

Webinars and Live Events

Another fantastic way to learn more about the travel nursing industry is to attend travel-centric events. Leading agencies and travel nursing organizations host opportunities to learn more about the many facets of travel nursing and get answers to your specific questions.

TravCon is one event travel nurses do not want to miss. It’s the largest traveling healthcare conference in the United States, but it’s so much more than just a conference. Healthcare travelers gather in Las Vegas for opportunities to earn continuing education credits (CEs), hear from top professionals in the industry, network with like-minded travelers, and cut loose Vegas-style while being spoiled by all the vendors in attendance. Attendees leave TravCon feeling more knowledgeable, better paid, and more savvy about their healthcare travel careers.

TNAA hosts monthly online discussions covering various aspects of the travel nurse industry. Available both live and on-demand, these webinars provide advice on everything travelers need to make their assignments a success. Offered live monthly and available on-demand anytime, TNAA masterclasses are excellent for anyone considering making the switch to travel nursing. Join their upcoming session on Monday, July 22, as they show travelers how to boost their careers through the power of networking.

Your Travel Nurse Recruiter and Agency Resources

A reliable recruiter and support team can make all the difference in your travel nursing career. A great recruiter is your advocate, helping you find assignments that align with your goals, negotiating contracts, and providing guidance throughout your journey. They can offer valuable insights into different facilities and locations, helping you make informed decisions about your assignments.

In addition to your recruiter, having a support team that includes housing coordinators, compliance specialists, and payroll professionals ensures that all aspects of your assignment are handled smoothly. This team works behind the scenes to secure your housing, ensure you meet all compliance requirements, and address any payroll issues promptly. Ask your recruiter what resources your agency provides, and make sure you have the support you need to succeed.

Ready to Embark on Your Travel Nursing Journey?

Making the switch to travel nursing is a bold and rewarding decision. With the right resources, guidance, and community, you can navigate this new path with confidence. From informative websites and podcasts to supportive communities and expert-led masterclasses, these resources are designed to help you succeed every step of the way. Embrace the adventure, explore new places, and advance your career with the knowledge and support of these top resources for travel nurses. Your exciting journey awaits – take the plunge today!

We hope you found these resources for new travel nurses helpful. Do you have any resources for new travel nurses that you think should make the list? Comment them below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Geraldine Mills

April 24, 2024

1749 Views

10 Practical Tips for First-Time Travel Nurses

Posted on April 24, 2024April 17, 2024 by Geraldine Mills

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.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Uniti Med

June 30, 2023

2671 Views

Expert Tips for First-Time Travelers from Healthcare Pros

Posted on June 30, 2023June 30, 2023 by Uniti Med

Uniti Med provided this article.

Embarking on your first travel adventure can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. We gathered advice from six seasoned Uniti Med travel healthcare professionals who know the ins and outs of the business. Here are their top tips to ensure your first travel experience is successful.

Keep Paperwork and an Open Mind:

Amy O., a seasoned travel nurse specializing in labor and delivery, says staying organized is crucial. Keep all your paperwork readily accessible to avoid last-minute scrambles. Additionally, she suggests approaching new environments with an open mind, allowing yourself to adapt to different units and situations. A touch of outgoingness can go a long way too!

Be Brave:

Vanessa M., a travel MRI technologist, encourages first-time travelers to seize the moment. She emphasizes the importance of being brave and taking the leap. Don’t let hesitation hold you back. “I watched from the sidelines for many years, and now I wish I would have done it sooner.”

Ask Questions and Bring Candy:

Greg W., a travel nurse with experience in the ER/PACU, recommends that travelers gather a few years of nursing experience before embarking on their adventures. When traveling, never shy away from asking questions. And as a sweet bonus, Greg likes to bring candy to share with new colleagues on the first day—it’s a small gesture that can help build rapport.

Trust Yourself:

Holly H., a travel nurse specializing in med surg/tele, acknowledges that feeling nervous is normal for first-time travelers. She says, “Give yourself some credit and trust in your skills and abilities that you can do it. You will surprise yourself!”

Be Flexible and Have a Good Attitude:

Teroy G., a travel nurse, emphasizes the importance of flexibility, an open mind, and a positive attitude. Being adaptable in unfamiliar environments and approaching every situation with a good attitude can help overcome challenges that may arise.

Expect Hiccups:

Lastly, Ashley H., a travel nurse in long-term acute care, recommends that travelers expect a few bumps along the way. However, she assures us that as you settle into your new surroundings, everything will fall into place. By keeping your eyes on the prize, you will create a fulfilling and enriching travel experience.

The Gypsy Nurse 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:

START HERE

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

By CareerStaff Unlimited

May 11, 2023

5333 Views

How Hard Is It to Get Your First Travel Nursing Job?

Posted on May 11, 2023May 11, 2023 by CareerStaff Unlimited

CareerStaff Unlimited provided this article.

Travel nursing has taken off in a big way recently, offering more opportunities than ever before. But as more nurses pursue the traveler lifestyle, employers have sometimes become a little more selective. For new or experienced nurses new to traveling, just how hard is it to get your first travel nursing job in 2023?

What to Know About Travel Nursing in 2023

Always a favorite career for adventure seekers and those looking for new experiences, travel nursing is now appealing to many other types of people, too. From nurses who want the flexibility of working as contractors to those driven to help communities in need, travel nursing offers some pretty rewarding outcomes. Alongside visiting exciting destinations across the country, there are multiple reasons why nurses are going mobile!

If those benefits sound good to you, you’re not alone. More nurses are pursuing travel nursing jobs than ever. But the good news is that there are also more opportunities than ever. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many employers started using more travel nurses as contingency staff — a trend that will likely continue into the foreseeable future.

The not-so-good news is that travel nursing jobs aren’t always so easy to land, especially in great facilities or popular locations. As more and more nurses choose to travel, the average experience goes up. As a result, new nurses may find themselves competing with many other, more qualified applicants.

Checklist: How to Get Your First Travel Nursing Job

With that in mind, what should people new to travel nursing understand about working as a traveler? What steps do you need to take to get your first travel nursing job?

✓ Earn your degree. Any type of nursing job begins with getting the right education. For RNs, that means an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university. For LPNs, LVNs, and CNAs, it means graduating from a college nursing program or similar training — check out the technical schools or community colleges in your area to see what’s available.

✓ Get licensed. All RNs and LPNs will have to pass the NCLEX to get licensed in their home state. A travel job may require getting licensed in another state, too. If this is the case, your recruiter will guide you through the process of getting the license you need to travel.

Pro tip: Getting licensed in a Nurse Licensing Compact state lets you work in dozens of states with a single license!

✓ Get certified. If you’re pursuing a specific specialty, you’ll need to get certified before working in that field. For instance, nurses who want to work in the ICU will need a Critical Care Nurse Certification (CCRN®). If a job requires additional certification, your recruiter should be able to help you get it.

Pro tip: Always ask questions, and discuss the specific path you should take to land your dream job!

✓ Develop skills. Some of the skills that can help you stand out from applicants don’t always require certification. If you really want to make sure you land the job you want, demonstrating skills in communication, organization, and leadership are always valued by employers. Once you gain those skills, remember to spruce up your nursing resume!

✓ Get experience. A look at current job listings for nurses and nurse support professionals shows that some jobs still make a point of accepting new grads. However, many hospitals and skilled nursing facilities prefer RNs with one to two years of experience and LPNs/LVNs and CNAs with at least six months of experience.

✓ Develop relationships. At a time when jobs are competitive, professional references are more important than ever. Cultivating strong relationships in school, during conferences or events, or at other times could be the difference in making your travel nurse application stand out among the rest.

✓ Find a recruiter. As your greatest resource in landing that first travel nursing job, a good recruiter will be dedicated to making sure you find the job that’s the best fit for you. They’ll also help walk you through any additional licensing or certification you may need and be on call to help you through any issues.

So, just how hard is it to get your first travel nursing job in 2023? It’s a little more competitive than it was a few years ago. However, aspiring travel nurses who have honed their skills or built strong connections are more likely to have their choice of great travel assignments than ever before!

Good luck with your next travel adventure! If you’re looking to land your first travel nursing job, CareerStaff Unlimited has opportunities across the United States and great recruiters to help you find the one that’s right for you. Visit CareerStaff.com for all the details.

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.

By Covelo Group

April 17, 2023

4214 Views

Job Outlook: Why Start Travel Nursing Now?

Posted on April 17, 2023April 17, 2023 by Covelo Group

Covelo Group provided this article.

If you’re a registered nurse looking for a unique career opportunity, now is an ideal time to try travel nursing. Experienced nurses are in high demand due to the persistent shortage of healthcare workers in the U.S., and the shortage[i] of RNs is projected to continue through 2030. In response to this shortage, many hospitals and medical centers are turning to travel nurses to fill their staffing needs.

Travel nursing contracts can last from several weeks to a year or longer. Some hospitals will even opt to extend contracts beyond the original term when a placement is a great match. Whether you’re thinking about making travel nursing your full-time career or are open to trying it on a case-by-case basis, travel nursing can be a rewarding choice for RNs in all stages of their careers.

Fresh Perspective

One great reason to give travel nursing a try is for the adventure. It’s an ideal way to see new places, enjoy different cultures, or experience another climate, all while making a great living. The fresh perspective gained from traveling can also help you avoid the burnout[ii] that nurses and other healthcare workers commonly report experiencing.

Whether a bustling city interests you, or you want to experience a winter without snow finally, there are plenty of travel nursing opportunities to meet your needs. Remember that no matter where you end up, each new contract comes with a fresh group of coworkers, so new friendships are an added advantage.

Generous Compensation

It’s no secret that travel nurses receive generous compensation. Pandemic pay for travelers increased dramatically due to the stress that was placed on hospital systems at the time. While this spike has leveled out in 2023, traveling wages remain very competitive. Full-time RNs may wonder if the grass is greener for travel nurses, and it’s not hard to see why. Hourly pay varies greatly from state to state, but the reality is that travel nurses do make substantially more per hour than their full-time counterparts.

Keep in mind your high hourly pay also comes with fewer professional responsibilities beyond direct patient care. Full-time staff may be required to serve on committees or attend meetings outside of their regular shifts. In contrast, when you clock out as a travel nurse, you’re free to pursue your favorite hobbies and pastimes. In fact, many travel nurses can make enough in a 12 to 13-week assignment to take some time off between contracts for personal travel.

Speaking of travel, your staffing agency will likely pay for your airfare upfront and reimburse you for mileage or rideshare expenses. Depending on your contract, your housing may be covered by a housing stipend, or affordable housing arrangements may be offered. Some employers even offer signing bonuses to attract qualified nursing talent.

Manage Career Transitions

Whether you’re a recent nursing school graduate exploring career paths, in between full-time positions with time to fill, or a veteran RN pondering retirement, travel nursing is an ideal way to bridge your career transition.

Travel nursing also presents an excellent pathway to experiencing a variety of healthcare systems, specialties, and clinical settings within a timeframe that meets your needs. Communicating your goals to your staffing partner upfront will help you land the contracts that align with your professional aspirations and advance your nursing career.

Make a Difference

Travel nursing is an excellent way to put your skills and education to work to treat patients in underserved communities. If hospitals in every major U.S. city are strapped for good nursing talent, just imagine how dire the staffing needs of medical centers in remote communities must be.

Commonly referred to as healthcare deserts[iii], remote rural communities often struggle to staff enough qualified doctors and nurses to meet the needs of their patients. In fact, many of these facilities rely on a constant rotation of travel nurses in place of permanent full-time employees.

Nurses make a positive impact on the health and well-being of their patients, whether they work in cities big or small. Your willingness to accept travel nursing contracts in underserved communities can truly make a meaningful difference to patients who might otherwise lack access to the healthcare providers they need and deserve.

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.

[i] https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage

[ii] https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2023/04/05/US-healthcare-workers-face-rising-levels-of-burnout/8191680634238/

[iii] https://hitconsultant.net/2021/09/10/healthcare-deserts-goodrx-report/

By Katie Fitts

December 25, 2022

2448 Views

Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing- Part 3

Posted on December 25, 2022January 4, 2023 by Katie Fitts

In parts one and two of this article series, we discussed the history of travel nursing, when you can or should start thinking about travel nursing, and finding a travel nurse agency and recruiter. In this part of navigating the road to travel nursing, we will discuss finding the job, credentialling, and preparing for the journey.

Finding a job

The next step to travel nursing is to start applying for jobs! In the travel nursing world, this is called submitting for jobs. Your recruiter will ask you about your job location preferences and shift preferences and match you according to your specialty. Now, are you going to always get the exact location, for the exact shift, for the right pay? Likely not, but hopefully, you can get close!

In applying for jobs, you also want to make sure it makes sense for you financially. Recruiters will start sending you job openings, and they are typically going to quote you in GROSS pay. Before applying, make sure your recruiter either quotes you in the NET pay or gives you a pay package ahead of time so you can calculate it yourself.

What’s gross pay versus net pay, you may ask? Gross pay is the total pay, including hourly, stipends, and any other pay allotments, while net pay is AFTER taxes. Assuming you maintain a tax home residence, travel nurses are taxed only on hourly wages. Stipends are for housing and meals, and incidentals while on assignment are UNTAXED and where we make a significant amount of our money. However, it really depends on how your pay package is broken down for how you are taxed. Sometimes there are other “bonuses” or pay allotments that may seem nice but, in the end, are taxed. So be sure to either have your recruiter quote your net pay or calculate it yourself based on your tax bracket.

After finding out the net pay, you want to make sure that it aligns with your budget. I always suggest nurses determine their budgets before starting travel nursing to be able to understand what makes sense for them financially. In order to get the untaxed stipends, you must maintain a permanent home somewhere. Personally, I have a home. So I have to account for all my normal monthly bills and expenses, my mortgage, and any associated costs. Once I determine that sum, then I subtract that from my monthly earnings and determine how much I can allot for housing on the road. Housing has gotten VERY expensive! Is that allotment doable? Am I going to be losing money or making money? Sometimes, it just doesn’t make sense!

Another important aspect is, of course, making sure the job meets your skillsets. There may be some specialties that can have cross-training in different areas. Most recruiters don’t have a nursing background and may only sometimes be familiar with the different nursing subspecialties. If there’s any question or doubt, ask to see if they have a job description. And again, do NOT let any recruiter pressure you into any contract you don’t feel comfortable with!

Credentialing

After accepting the job, things will start happening quickly. You will go through the credentialing process. Credentialing is also known as the onboarding process to get you vetted for the job. This is fairly similar to what you would do for a regular nursing job, but there may be some differences.

Typical items for credentialing may be drug screens, fit tests, physicals, competency tests (such as EKG tests, medication tests, and specialty-specific tests), and other miscellaneous items. Different hospitals have different regulations. Additionally, there may be other requirements for your state nursing license if it’s outside of your home state. For example, I had to go get a set of fingerprints for a Minnesota license as well as TWO background checks!

After accepting the job, you typically only have 4-6 weeks until you start, so it’s important to prioritize the credentialing requirements so you can start on time. If there’s any delay, that may push back your start date, which really stinks if you are banking on that start date.

The fun thing is we get to do this every three months! If I had a dollar (we are adjusting the dime for inflation ) for every drug screen, I have done… I’d be rich!

Preparing for the Journey

Now it’s time to prepare for the journey! Planning to be away for a while takes some work!

If you are maintaining a tax home, what will you do with your residence? Sublease or rent out? Leave vacant? I personally rent out my house. Not only is it a valuable source of income, but my house is lived in and taken care of, and I don’t have to worry about coming home to any surprises like my house flooded while I was gone! I also use a property manager to take care of the yard and handle any mishaps while I’m on the road. My property manager helps coordinate repairs or whatever may be needed during the time I am on the road.

If you are traveling cross country, now’s the time to make sure your car is road ready as well! I make sure to get an inspection, including tires and general points of interest, prior to making the drive, as well as getting my oil changed with high mileage oil that lasts longer. You also want to consider how you are going to pack your car. Items you would want to include would be emergency items like flashlights, flares, battery chargers, tire pumper, tire changing tools, and extra water.

If you are traveling with a pet, don’t forget their necessities too! Keep in mind you may be away from your regular vet for an extended period of time. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and has sufficient medications for the trip. I travel with my dog and use the Banfield wellness plan, which allows me free office visits in many places across the U.S.

And, of course, one of the most fun parts of the journey is mapping out the road trip! Make it fun! But also determine the max amount of time you want to be driving a day. Personally, my max is 10 hours a day in the car. But everyone is different! I know some nurses who recruit a friend to drive straight through with them and then fly them back. I like to meander and not hurry on my drive and see the sites. I always try to incorporate visiting any friends or family on the way as well. Check out the roadtripper’s website/app to help plan your trip by seeing U.S. landmarks on the way!

In Summary

Phew! That’s a lot, right? Navigating the road to travel nursing can certainly be overwhelming! It takes a lot of time, research, and planning to start travel nursing. Travel nurses also have to be fast learners, readily adaptable, versatile, and adventurous!

It starts with getting your experience and then finding a company with whom to work. The recruiters will then match you with jobs according to your skillset and job preferences. Once you accept the job, it’s off to the races with the credentialing process and preparing for your journey!

Travel nursing offers an exciting and unique opportunity to get paid to travel the country! I myself have done over 17 assignments and traveled through numerous states, seen the U.S.’s never-ending beauty, spent time in dozens of national parks, and made friends all over the country!

For part 1 of Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing, click here; for Part 2 of Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing, click here.

If you are tired of endlessly researching answers about travel nursing with nothing to show, skip the overwhelm and let me Teach You How to Travel Nurse!

By Katie Fitts

December 24, 2022

1502 Views

Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing- Part 2

Posted on December 24, 2022December 5, 2022 by Katie Fitts

In part one of this article series, we talked about the history of travel nursing and when you can or should start thinking about travel nursing. In this part of navigating the road to travel nursing, we will talk about finding a travel nurse agency and finding a recruiter.

Finding a travel nurse agency

Once you have your experience and are ready to entertain travel nursing seriously, it’s time to find a travel nurse agency to work with. A lot of picking a travel nurse agency to work with depends on where you want to go, what benefits you are looking for, and even your specialty.

People often ask me if I recommend one travel nurse agency over another, and I do not. Certainly, it’s nice to have a referral from a friend who has a good experience with a certain travel nurse agency. However, the reason I don’t always recommend companies is because I work with multiple companies at a time, around 2-3 at a time. I suggest you do the same, but not too many to overwhelm you. Working with more than one travel nurse agency allows you to compare and contrast offers and be exposed to a wider variety of jobs.

Not every travel nurse agency is created equal. Different companies have different jobs and offer different pay. Some of the larger companies, for example, Aya, has access to a LOT of contracts with major hospitals, but they may not have the smaller hospitals and likely will not have any smaller local contracts. Some hospitals only have contracts with certain companies, so even though the job is available with travel nurse agency A, travel nurse agency B may not have access to it.

Additionally, different companies have different benefits. When selecting a travel nurse agency, you want to consider what benefits you need. Will you need health insurance? 401 k? PTO/sick pay? Short-term disability?

Most companies these days do offer health insurance, but it may be a very poor plan, so it’s best to do your research before signing with a travel nurse agency if you plan to use their insurance. As for the other benefits, it’s a hit or miss. I, unfortunately, have yet to work for a travel nurse agency that offers PTO! I just know that if I get sick on the job, that comes out of my paycheck, and plan accordingly. But some companies offer PTO, which is an excellent benefit to have!

Finding a recruiter

Once you have a travel nurse agency, you will be connected with a travel nurse recruiter. What is a recruiter exactly?

A travel nurse recruiter is assigned to you personally and, among other duties, is responsible for matching you to the best of their ability with jobs according to your desired location, skillset, and shift preference. They will work with you to get you onboarded, submitted for a job, follow through to the start of the job, and be your point of contact throughout the job.

A recruiter plays an integral part in travel nursing, and it’s important to have a good relationship with your recruiter. A bad recruiter can make all the difference in your travel nurse experience.

Recruiters should be responsive and proactive. Recruiters are quite busy these days, maybe not as busy as during the height of the COVID pandemic, but still quite busy. Your recruiter should respond to your inquiries promptly, usually within 1-2 days. Travel nurse jobs are competitive, and it’s important to have a recruiter to timely respond and submit you to jobs when you are ready, so you don’t miss out on the opportunities. Recruiters should also be proactive, anticipating your needs. For example, if they know you are a new travel nurse, they should know that they should take more time with you to explain the process and make sure you understand your next steps. Another example, they should know when your contract is ending and be touching base on whether or not you want to extend or look for another contract.

More importantly, recruiters should be respectful and polite. As in any industry, there are a few bad apples out there. NEVER let a recruiter bully or pressure you into a contract you do not want or feel comfortable with. At the end of the day, it’s your well-being and nursing license on the line. Recruiters should listen to your job preferences and skills and be working with you, not against you.

We hope you found these articles on the road to travel nursing helpful. Below are the links to the other articles in this series.

For more information on finding a job, credentialing, and preparing for the journey watch out for part 3 of this series Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing articles. For part 1 click here.

If you are tired of endlessly researching answers about travel nursing with nothing to show, skip the overwhelm and let me Teach You How to Travel Nurse!

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

START HERE

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

By Katie Fitts

December 18, 2022

2090 Views

Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing- Part 1

Posted on December 18, 2022December 5, 2022 by Katie Fitts

Ready to start travel nursing but feeling overwhelmed and needing help figuring out where to start? I get it! Starting travel nursing can feel overwhelming and daunting. Here’s your quick start guide to navigating the road to travel nursing!

What is a Travel Nurse?

First off, let’s start with the basics! What exactly is a travel nurse?

A travel nurse is a nurse who works on a contract basis with a hospital or facility temporarily to help alleviate staffing shortages. The travel nurse serves the purpose of filling a short-term staffing need and can be used for various reasons.

Travel nursing started back in the 1970s in New Orleans to account for an increased patient population during Mardi Gras. Hospitals found themselves overwhelmed with the extra patient load during this time, but they didn’t need this staff at all times of the year. Someone had the brilliant idea to bring in extra staff on a contract basis to help; thus, travel nursing was born! So next time you see Mardi Gras revelers strung in beads and overindulging in libations, you can give them a nod and thank them for being the catalyst to starting travel nursing!

Most notably, in the last two years, the reason for travel nurses would be the COVID pandemic. COVID created an incredible strain on the healthcare system, and nurses were needed everywhere to help care for the increased patient loads. However, travel nurses are used for many other reasons. Staff may be out on medical/maternity leave, staff leaving for other jobs or going back to school, and also seasonally in places such as Florida or Arizona when the snowbirds head south for the winter.

Of note, this is a good question to ask the nurse manager during your travel nurse interview! How many travelers do you have, and what’s the reasoning? This can give you a good insight into what you may expect on the unit. If the unit is entirely staffed by travel nurses, that may give you pause about the assignment. Travel nurses rely on experienced staff nurses to help orient and provide guidance on the unit. Certainly, COVID was an extenuating circumstance, and many units were staffed primarily with travel nurses. However, thank goodness these days, we have emerged for now out of the critical stage of COVID.

When can I start travel nursing?

A travel nurse must have experience prior to traveling, so you cannot travel as a new grad nurse.

The absolute bare minimum experience required is 1 year, 1.5-2 years is adequate, but the more experience, the better. I traveled after 1.5 years of experience in the ED, and I was just fine. But I also had 2 years of ED tech experience before that, which certainly helped boost my experience.

Experience is critical to being a travel nurse, and I’ll tell you why! As a travel nurse, you are expected to be up and running within about 2-3 days of orientation. Travel nurse contracts are typically 13 weeks; thus, there is no time for the typical 6 8 weeks or even 12-16 week orientation like a new grad nurse. Travel nurses hit the ground running!

Travel nurses must have the basic foundation of patient care in their particular setting. Of course, you will not know everything, and you will most certainly have a bazillion questions! There will be different protocols and ways of doing things, but essentially patient care is the same. As a travel nurse, you are orienting to the new unit, computer system if different than your previous one, and ways of doing things.

So as we used to say in the ED, get your roller skates on!

For more information on finding an agency and a recruiter and how to land your first travel nursing assignment, watch out for parts 2 and 3 of this series Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing articles.

If you are tired of endlessly researching answers about travel nursing with nothing to show, skip the overwhelm and let me Teach You How to Travel Nurse!

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

START HERE

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

By The Gypsy Nurse

November 4, 2022

2630 Views

The Perks and Rewards of Being a Travel Nurse

Posted on November 4, 2022November 1, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Traveling is an opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and experience different areas. What’s better than being able to travel and work and get paid top dollar for it? Being a traveling nurse! Travel nursing has become more popular since the pandemic for many reasons. With high-paying contracts, flexibility, and growth opportunities, nurses who take on travel assignments in other places have many new rewards than traditional nursing roles.

Any type of nursing is a rewarding career, and the possibilities can be endless. If you decide to take on being a travel nurse, you will see it offers many rewards for both your professional and personal life.

Opportunity To Experience Environments

By taking on new assignments as a three or six-month contract, you have the opportunity to live in a completely new place and experience different hospital settings. As a traveling nurse, you can pick different cities and locations to move to temporarily. This allows you to try different living styles and see what you like and don’t like. You can learn to take public transportation and explore the buzzing nightlife in a city. Or you can enjoy the sunshine in Florida and the desert in Arizona.

Most hospitals around the United States offer contracts, so if there are places you have always wanted to visit, now is the time to do it. You can discover new restaurants and activities along every destination you travel to. This is especially important if you are unsure where you want to live long term. Experiencing different places to live will help you decide where you want to put your roots down permanently.

Ability To Learn New Skills

By working in various hospitals, you will meet many new people and, more importantly, learn new techniques that will help you advance your career. Each assignment you take will present you with unfamiliar challenges and learning experiences. That said, each assignment should incrementally offer more pay and responsibility. You will be building your resume and skill set along the way, allowing more flexibility in what you can ask for.

When being a travel nurse, you have to be able to adapt to different situations quickly. You may get transferred to a different unit, and you need to be prepared to tackle any obstacles that come your way. The benefit of this is you may gain more awareness about what parts of the job you enjoy and what specific areas you want to focus on. This is great if you plan on furthering your education down the road and need to pick a specific discipline like pediatrics, emergency medicine, or geriatric care. The professional and life skills you earn as a traveling nurse are endless, providing much insight into your career aspirations.

Maximizing Your Earning Potential

As a travel nurse, you can make significantly more because you fill an urgent opening requiring flexibility. In addition to the hourly wage, you receive housing stipends. You will need to have somewhere to live while traveling unless you have family or friends you can stay with. Your options are renting an apartment monthly, Furnished Finder, Air BNB, or staying in a hotel. The length of your contract, location, and personal preferences will determine the best fit for you.

With a larger income, you will have the opportunity to make smart money decisions and hopefully accumulate savings. With the extra funds, you may pay off your student loans, pay for your master’s, or save for buying a home. A smart move to consider is purchasing a home while making extra money. You will then have a “home base” to live in when you are not assigned to a traveling contract, and you can rent it out when you are away. This is a smart investment and a great way to maximize your salary as a traveling nurse. With your extra income, research how much house you can afford to see if you can comfortably purchase a house or condo. Investment properties are a great way to start building a financial portfolio and secure your future assets.

Meeting New People

A perk of being a traveling nurse is getting to meet people all over the world. While working, you will be able to make new friends through your co-workers and, hopefully, create long-lasting relationships. Also, you will get to experience new cities where you will meet people. Even once you leave an assignment, having a place you can always visit is a fun perk! Lastly, as a nurse, traveling or not, you will get to help others daily and show that you care.

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:

START HERE

Top Resources for New Travel Nurses

Travel Nurse Mentorships

Travel Nurse Organizations and Communities

Webinars and Live Events

Your Travel Nurse Recruiter and Agency Resources

Ready to Embark on Your Travel Nursing Journey?

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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10 Practical Tips for First-Time Travel Nurses

1. Do your research

2. Read your contract thoroughly

3. Pack smart

4. Plan your housing

5. Prioritize self-care and work-life balance

6. Bring your family along on your travels

7. Maintain an optimistic mindset

8. Make new friendships

9. Arrive early on your first day

10. Plan your free time

Conclusion

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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Keep Paperwork and an Open Mind:

Be Brave:

Ask Questions and Bring Candy:

Trust Yourself:

Be Flexible and Have a Good Attitude:

Expect Hiccups:

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!)

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Finding a job

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In Summary

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