You know, one of those free-spirited people who roam after the wind and return home with twigs in their hair and dust upon their cheeks. But it’s also really hard. And annoying. And painful.
10 Things You Need to Know if You Date a Travel Nurse:
Travel nurses will do this often and without letting you know, at least at first. It’s not that you don’t matter; it’s just that they’ve learned to love doing what they want when they want and without asking permission or informing anyone.
Don’t expect them to stay in one place
When you date a travel nurse, you have to expect them to travel. One reader reports, “Just this week, I had to break off date nights with someone that I’ve known for years because he is not open to living elsewhere because of his job, and I am not interested in living where his quarters are. We were really starting to like each other’s company, so I broke it off now rather than later.”
Have your own adventures
You tell people you don’t mind that your boyfriend/girlfriend is traveling, that it’s all going so well, that you’re so happy they’re having the journey of a lifetime on the adventure they’ve always wanted to take. Deep down, you’re a bit jealous. Don’t be! Get out there and have your own adventure. The traveler you’re dating will love that you are independent and willing to think outside the box. The next time you’re together, they will want to hear all about your adventures.
Let them go
You’ve heard the saying, ‘If you love something, let them go…” In the case of a traveler, it couldn’t be MORE true. Let them run off to their next adventure. Use Skype often. Text and plan ‘virtual’ dates.
Make time to meet up in their New City
Plan a short weekend trip or vacation and visit them in their new location. They will likely be excited to have the company and enjoy sharing the sights/adventures of a new place with you.
Send snail mail
A small goody box with his or her favorite homemade treat or pair of fuzzy socks shows that you’re willing to do what it takes to keep your relationship strong despite distance, which is comforting for the traveler to know. And a handwritten letter is a touchable, holdable, kissable token of love that a text or voicemail will never be.
Expect them to change plans
As a traveler, plans can and do change quickly. Thought that they were going to Seattle? Well…that got canceled, and now they are heading to NYC!! When you date a travel nurse, it’s important to be able to go with the flow. Don’t let it create discord between you. Support the serendipity of the situation.
Be open to trying new things
As a traveler, he/she likely relishes the experiences available. Places, Culture, Food, Adventure. Please encourage them to try new things and be quick to join in. Someone who is just as adventurous as they are will excite them.
Give some space
The traveler is accustomed to being alone a lot of the time. Take things slow, and don’t smother them. Respect that they need and often thrive on being alone some or even most of the time. Adjusting to having someone around constantly can be difficult.
Listen
Even if you don’t understand the difficult day that they had, listen. Let them vent to you about the workplace, that crazy patient they had to deal with, or even the struggle to find the next position. Having someone who will listen can be comforting.
Are you a traveler or dating a traveler? What challenges have you encountered? What do you look for in a partner?
Are there additional tips that you would like to share? Please post them in the comments.
Working as a Travel Nurse, most of our life is planned out in 13-week blocks. Whether we are planning for the “during a travel assignment” or the “between travel assignments,” we still schedule our lives around our contracts or our contracts around our lives. It doesn’t matter how you prefer to look at it. Whether it’s a horrible contract (because we all have had them) or a flawless one, we all start counting down the weeks, shifts, or even hours.
Many start counting down from day #1! If it’s a terrible contract, it just brings a reassurance, knowing it’s only temporary, and you have to endure X amount of days until you hit the road home or off to the next new (and hopefully better) adventure. If it ends up being a flawless contract, full of adventures with locals or fellow travel nurses, it could be a sad countdown- knowing that the fun has to end in 13 weeks, sadly.
I can survive anything! (Can’t I?)
One benefit of travel nursing is that we live and survive by the mentality, “I can do anything for 13 weeks”- good, bad, or horrible. You are never more than 13 weeks away from that sometimes much-needed break from nursing. Considering the high level of burnout in nurses, that break between contracts is an invaluable perk. Working staff, our threshold of ‘dealing’ with things had to be high.
We had to maintain a positive attitude and go to work every day, sometimes dreading dealing with a difficult co-worker. As a travel nurse, you can survive knowing that you only have to deal with that difficult staff member for 13 weeks, and you may never have to see them again. However, most likely, there could be a difficult staff member at the next travel assignment. You never know. Going in with a positive attitude and knowing that there could always be, and usually will be, some things that are not ideal, but you CAN survive anything!
Holidays- to Work or Not to Work
Holidays can be an exciting time, full of family and tradition. Many travel nurses choose not to travel during December because they want to be home for Christmas. That is the beauty of life as a gypsy nurse; you can decide if you want to work over the holidays or not. That holiday could be Christmas, July 4th, or even Mother’s Day. You can decide and create the perfect scenario that fits your life and your wishes.
We are lucky to pre-plan our lives 13 weeks at a time; no forms to fill out, requesting off, or dreading the schedule being posted to see if your request was granted. I know travel nurses who work out their contracts so that the contract ends before the holidays, and they do not accept a new one until after the holidays are over. Travel during the holiday season is a nightmare, as is attempting to see all of my family members, so I prefer to travel during the holidays. It’s just less stress for me that way. Those who live in one of the ‘serious’ winter states, such as Michigan or Indiana, prefer to be on a contract in Arizona or Hawaii during the winter.
Back-to-Back Contracts, Or Mini Vacations
By living life 13 weeks at a time, travel nurses can choose if they will work back-to-back contracts or if they will take time off between contracts, and if so, how much. That’s the beauty of travel nursing! You are not restricted by how much time off you have available in the time pool or what you might have earned from your employer. Travel nurses do not have to be limited. You can take as much time as you need/want off between contracts. Some people take 2 weeks to rebound and recoup from work. High school or college graduations? Family vacations? Maybe your first grandchild will be born, and you want to be there for the first 6-8 weeks to help out. Travel nursing affords you the flexibility to pre-plan around and in between contracts.
Avoiding Boredom
Some people get bored easily; if that is you, then travel nursing might be the right path for you. Thirteen weeks is the perfect amount of time on the job to avoid boredom. Most people dream of having the luxury of getting to pick and choose where you live for 13 weeks.
People not in the travel nurse profession often ask, “What is it like living life 13 weeks at a time?” Here is a brief synopsis of the feelings that most travel nurses and I have:
Week #1 Excitement/Fear/Introductions.
The first week will usually fly by as you attend orientation and try to find your way around the facility and back and forth to work. Locating amenities like a local grocery store, gym, post office, etc. Simple tasks like remembering everyone’s names are difficult for me for the first several weeks!
Week #2-4 Learning curve.
With every new job comes the angst of learning your routine and new policies and procedures. The amount of time varies from person to person. I’ve found that my average is 2-4 weeks.
Weeks # 4-6 Finding your rhythm
For me, weeks 4-6 are when I begin to fall into a good groove on the job. I can finally find most of the supplies and know how to contact the physicians and the pharmacy. I have found my confidence and can lose some of the ‘newbie’ jitters. This is also the time you can usually start to get to know the staff. During the weeks prior, I usually have no extra time to concentrate on getting into my own routine and learning where everything is. I finally have time to breathe, slow down, and say hello to co-workers. This is generally when you realize that your contract is already half over!
Weeks #6-10: Sightseeing mode kicks in!
Work has gotten easier, I am into my routine, and my level of mental exhaustion has tapered off. This is when I start to get antsy and have to get out and see things! I recommend that you take a weekend to explore nearby touristy stops and try to schedule walking tours of the city. Make plans with co-workers or other travel nurses to meet up for dinner or drinks. This is the best time to get out and enjoy being in a new city.
Weeks 10-13 Short-timers start to kick in.
This is why I have found that things can become monotonous for me. I’m feeling the pangs of boredom kicking in while I am at work. That certain co-worker is beginning to grate on your nerves. Your frustration level is starting to increase. You might even begin to become frustrated with the lack of __________ (fill in the blank) on the job. You know what I mean. It’s going to be all the little things you did not have time to focus on during the first nine weeks because you focused on finding that all-important rhythm.
But there is good news!
This is generally when you begin planning and searching for the next travel assignment so that you can start all over again for another 13 weeks! You will start chatting with your recruiter and seeking the next adventure (or planning for that much-needed time off). Either way, your thoughts will be focused on the ‘next 13 weeks.
If you’re like me (and most travel nurses) and get bored easily, thrive on change, adventure, and the unknown…maybe you should try living life 13 weeks at a time.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
One of our Gypsy Nurse Network Group members asks; “My significant other would like to travel with me, but he would like to earn some money too. Granted, it doesn’t have to be an elaborate salary, but he would like to earn a little along the way. Finding a ‘normal’ job with each assignment, I take would be futile. Any suggestions for the travel nurse spouse?”
We hear this question a lot as more and more couples are traveling well before retirement age. So, we’ve compiled this list from a multitude of conversations on our Facebook Network Group about travel nurse spouse jobs:
Spouse Job Ideas
1. State or National Parks
This is great, especially for the RV traveler. Many times you can get free space to live in return for giving part-time hours to the park.
2. Stay-at-home parent
Probably one of the most important jobs a person can have! As more and more families are traveling, the trend of homeschooling is increasing. Why not take the whole family and let the other parent be the teacher? There are tons of great resources for the ‘road-school’ parent.
3. Seasonal work
Retail: When the holidays begin to peak, many retailers hire seasonal staff to help take on the extra load. Tourism: Ski Lodge, Park Department, etc. Anywhere that you have a seasonal influx of tourism, there are opportunities for seasonal work. This can also result in discounts and ‘employee perks’ such as ski passes and discounts.
4. Local Temporary Staffing Firms
Depending on your skill set, you can find jobs at local manufacturing, clerical, call center support, and just about anything you can think of.
5. Substitute Teaching
There are never enough teachers! You don’t need a teaching degree. I would suggest applying before you get to your assignment due to background checks, etc.
6. Uber or Lift Driver
Uber is taking over the taxi industry in a BIG way. I’m unsure of the specific requirements, but if you love to drive and enjoy people, this might be the job for your spouse.
7. Freelancing
ODesk, Fiverr, and other “gig” opportunities – these are great for the freelancer to work remotely on a multitude of projects. These are mostly graphic design and web related.
8. Bartending
Bartending can actually be fun as well as a decent source of income as well as immediate cash via tips. Licensing is pretty simple in most states.
I hope this quick list of jobs for the travel nurse spouse helps to stimulate some ideas! Do you have other suggestions for the traveling spouse? We would love to hear them. Please post in the comments so they can be shared with other Gypsies!
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
When you work as a travel nurse and only spend a few weeks or months at a time in one place, you probably think that having a nurse mentor is impossible. After all, how can you build a solid professional relationship with someone when you barely have time to get past the “getting to know you” stage before you have to move on?
Yet research shows that mentors are beneficial to nurses no matter what career stage you happen to be in and whether or not you plan to stay in the same place for very long. A nurse mentor can provide professional advice and insight and offer support and encouragement when you need it the most.
Some might argue that travel nurses need mentors even more than anyone else because travel nurses are often so focused on the minutiae of individual placements that they lose sight of their overall career trajectory. It isn’t easy to think strategically about where you want to be in a year, never mind five or ten years from now, when you are trying to get the lay of the land of a new facility and manage the immediate tasks that require your attention.
A mentor can help provide that perspective and guide a traveling nurse toward decisions that will benefit their career in the long term — and avoid mistakes that could lead to career setbacks. Many nurses point to the logistical issues inherent in finding a mentor when you move around all the time. While it might be a bit harder to find a mentor when you’re a travel nurse, it’s possible when you have a plan.
Step 1: Define What You’re Looking For
Not all nurse mentors are created equal, and a relationship that works for one nurse may not be ideal for another. Before you begin looking for a mentor, think about what you want to get from the relationship.
Are you looking for a sounding board and someone who can help you work through problems? Do you want someone who can help you develop your career path? Do you want to job shadow? Are you looking for someone to help you network? Defining your expectations before you reach out can help you identify the right mentors and ensure that you’ll get the greatest benefit from the arrangement.
Step 2: Evaluate Yourself
One of the greatest advantages of having a mentor is that they can help you build skills that you don’t already have and provide a different perspective on issues that you will face as a nurse. Take time to assess your own strengths, weaknesses, goals, and areas that you need or want to develop, so you can identify a potential mentor who can point you in the right direction.
Ideally, the person will already have the skills or position you want and can offer insights that will help you grow as a nurse. For example, if you’re studying tobecome a clinical nurse leader, someone in that role can help you understand the position better.
Step 3: Identify Potential Mentors
Once you know what you’re looking for in a mentor, it becomes easier to identify the potential candidates, especially when you look beyond your hospital placements. Some potential sources of mentors include:
Your placement agency. Some agencies offer formal mentorship programs for their nurses.
Your nursing school. Reconnect with your nurse educators and instructors.
There is no rule stating that mentors must be older or have more experience. Someone who is at a similar point in his or her career may have had different experiences or have different approaches that you can learn from. Even connecting with another travel nurse to share advice and insights into your chosen path can help your performance and keep you on track.
Senior leadership. When you first begin a new assignment, don’t be afraid to reach out to a senior member of the team to ask for help and guidance. Even if you don’t have a formal mentoring relationship, you can learn a lot from leaders in different facilities.
Outside of nursing. The field of nursing is rapidly becoming an interdisciplinary one, and you can learn a lot from mentors in communication, leadership, and other fields. Don’t hesitate to look outside of nursing for a mentor who can help you grow and develop.
A great mentor will help you move beyond where you are comfortable and help you on your path to career success. It’s up to you to reach out, foster the relationship, and follow through with their suggestions, but when you do, you’ll be more confident in your career, no matter where it takes you.
Where do you find your nurse mentors? Do you have a positive experience that you would like to share? Post in the Comments Below.
The following is a Guest Post via Elizabeth Scala:
Travel Nursing Fun?
Traveling is fun. No doubt about it. In fact, one of my ‘heart’s desires’, ‘big money whys’ or vision work is: to travel.
My vision boards are full of pictures of places I’d like to go, cut-outs of maps for trips I’d like to take, and so forth. What’s a vision board? Great question- in a moment, I’ll share more detail.
When I travel, I’m always learning. I immerse myself in the culture by finding interesting people to talk to, visit with, and share space. I love hearing about and seeing the world from their perspective. Even when I travel locally, I always come home a brand new woman, filled with a refreshed energy for life.
So what’s this got to do with nursing? Especially if you’re traveling for work?
Here are two ways to bring this enthusiasm for travel to travel-nursing and make travel nursing fun!
Let’s start with vision boarding.
The conventional way to create a vision board is to get an armful of magazines, a blank larger poster board, and an open mind and heart. What you want to do is flip through the magazines, looking for words/photos/images/colors/anything that jump out at you.
Cut out pictures of things you want to be, do, and/or have in your life. Take words and/or sayings that inspire. Make it pleasing to your eye because what you do next with the board is the most important part.
You can also do a vision journal. Write out your vision of what you want to be, do, and/or have in the first person, present tense, as if it’s already happening to you. You can do this daily, every so often, or weekly. It’s up to you!
When you have your vision, you want to own it. As I wrote about the journal, you want to experience it as if it’s already happening. This is key. So once you have your board (or whatever sort of vision creation you’ve made), you want to visualize the things on the board as though they are already yours. Feel them when you bring strong emotion to anything. Your much more likely to receive it!
A second way to bring enthusiasm and energy to travel-nursing is through those lasting relationships you make.
I’m just coming back from a conference, which I’ve attended every September for three years now. And every single fall, I have a new vitality for my work! What’s happened is I meet new, exciting, and supportive people at this event.
I come home with heart-based connections I can call upon when I am down, frustrated, or lost. It’s always great to know that guidance, mentorship, and help are just a phone call or email away.
As you travel through nursing (quite literally in your case), be sure to invest the energy, effort, and time into building supportive relationships. And if you ever feel lost in a new place you’re at… you can always turn to this ever-growing space of virtual support.
The Gypsy Nurse has created an awesome space for travel nurses here on this blog. Other nurse entrepreneurs have done the same in their field. Even me, I’ve created a virtual conference for nurses that helps us to refresh, renew, and re-energize our passion for our work!
Please click HERE If you would like to submit your story to The Gypsy Nurse.
Learning what your travel nurse recruiter wants/need/expect is an important aspect of building a mutually beneficial relationship. Just as it’s important for our recruiters to know what we are looking for in them or expect out of them, it’s important to know what is important to them as a recruiter.
Do you know what your recruiter wants from you? Do you know what qualities they feel they need in a travel nurse? Are the recruiter’s expectations known to you?
I recently consulted with several Travel Nurse Staffing Companies. I asked them to answer three simple questions to understand better how to help a recruiter build an effective working relationship.
I asked…
1. What do you WANT from a traveler? 2. What do you NEED from a traveler? 3. What do you Expect from a traveler?
I received some great responses from the recruitment side of things. Some were expected, and some were surprises. Here are the recruiters that responded and their answers.
I think it comes down to a few things. While experience and work history will always play a role, hospitals are placing a greater emphasis on flexibility. The traveling nursing pool is stocked with qualified candidates, and competition for jobs is fierce. The more flexible a candidate can be, the better chance they have of landing positions, regardless of experience.
Another thing is communication, understanding, and teamwork. I kind of group these all together. I want nurses to feel that they are a part of a team. As a Recruiter, my success is directly linked to the success of the RN. Sitting in Omaha, NE, I do not know what is happening on a day-to-day basis with my travelers unless they communicate and keep me in the loop. By communicating openly and often, we create “win-win” situations.
As a final thought, the traveling industry is changing and evolving as a whole. Vendor management companies, aka “Third Party Vendors,” are gaining a larger share of hospital contracts than in the past. The agencies are responsible for paying these “middle” vendors a fee, which affects how we can pay our travelers. While we are all motivated to maximize our earnings (staffing firms, recruiters, and RN’s), we have to keep the current market conditions in mind as we move forward.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in 10-years of Recruiting, it’s that the medical staffing world is cyclical. At the end of the day, there will always be a demand for flexible, dependable, and professional traveling RN’s.
Crystal Lovato, Manager of Recruitment, Freedom Healthcare Staffing
My Top 10
1. Honesty is the most important to me. 2. Mutual respect. 3. An understanding that this is a team effort and we each do our part. 4. Realistic expectations 5. Honoring a commitment – If a traveler backs out of an assignment after accepting, there should be a good cause. 6. Honor the rate/package negotiated upon submission – As a recruiter, I never renegotiate after the offer. 7. Good patient care 8. Professionalism – Be a good representative of our agency 9. Being cooperative with Quality Assurance 10. Communication – If there is a question, issue, concern, I need to know asap. I can’t fix what I’m not aware of.
I want a traveler that is friendly, professional, and courteous. This is a working relationship, so trust and honesty are the most important things to make a successful long-term recruiter/nurse relationship work.
I need a traveler with at least 1 year’s experience in whatever specialty they want to travel and preferably past travel experience. I also need them to be flexible and be able to open to helping the facility in whatever way possible.
I expect a traveler to be upfront and honest with me about what they have going on. We are working very hard, spending a lot of time helping locate job opportunities, and an open line of communication and consistent updates if their situation changes are crucial to a successful relationship. The worst thing that can happen is for us to have someone submitted and push for a phone screen only to find out that our facility calls them they have accepted another position that we have no idea about.
Beth Ann Turner, Senior Recruiter TotalMed Staffing
I want a traveler:
That communicates well and will return a phone call/text promptly.
Who is open to getting to know their recruiter personally
Who isn’t afraid to try new places for a contract even if it isn’t their “perfect” location.
I need a traveler:
To put their best foot forward on a new contract.
I expect a traveler:
To commit to deadlines on paperwork.
Will show up to work on time and have reliable attendance.
Tom Horan, Recruiter TotalMed Staffing
I WANT a traveler that is open-minded and positive
I NEED a reliable traveler
I EXPECT a traveler to be honest about their needs/plans/etc.
Donald Kinsey, Recruiter TotalMed Staffing
I WANT a traveler that is motivated and energetic
I NEED a traveler that has experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm.
I EXPECT a traveler to be flexible.
Erin Penza, Recruiter TotalMed Staffing
I WANT a traveler that is hardworking
I NEED a traveler that has good communication skills
I EXPECT a traveler to be able to adapt to different situations at the hospital and be flexible
Jason Palleria, Senior Recruiter TotalMed Staffing
I WANT a traveler that is experienced and knows the ins and outs of travel.
I NEED a reliable traveler that does not need a lot of push to have items completed.
I EXPECT a traveler to use me as their main resource for ANYTHING!!!
Andrew Johnson, Recruiter TotalMed Staffing
I want a traveler that is energetic, motivated and enjoys their profession.
I need a traveler with at least 2 years of experience, past travel experience, and who worked within their specialty in a clinical setting within the past year.
I expect a traveler to keep an open communication line with me, always letting me know if they have any concerns.
I want to thank the companies and recruiters that contributed to this post. I feel that it’s important to have a mutually respectful relationship with your recruiter. Besides informing your recruiters what your wants/needs/expectations are, find out what your recruiter wants/needs/expects.
Recruiters reading this, feel free to post in the comments what your wants/needs/expectations are. Gypsy nurses everywhere need to know…
Everyone in Health Care is familiar with traveling Nurses, Doctors, Occupational Therapists, among others, but a Traveling CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)?
I know! Doesn’t that sound crazy?!
I mean, really, I thought the same thing. But, it’s true- though we are not in as hot demand as the other medical specialties, we are not only valuable but needed. I have a vagabond gene that screams, “GO SOMEWHERE! Travel, see the country- experience great things!” But most important, my vagabond gene tells me, “Go forth and share your compassion and skills with others.”
I started my quest for information and assignments specifically for traveling CNA’s when I first graduated. I knew I could not travel right away; I had to get the right amount of experience, become great at what I do, and hone my skills, just like a brand new LPN or RN. That’s exactly what I did.
I want to share my ‘Top 10 Most Important List”. I hope the information is helpful, and you can utilize the resources and lessen the initial stress of breaking into your new travel journey!
1. Resume
Your resume is going to be your only chance at a first impression. You have to make it great, and you have to make it complete.
Highlight your exceptional skills and experience and sell yourself through your cover letter.
Your resume needs to be clean, concise, and in a professional format for not only recruiters but also the person who will decide to call you for an interview.
Include your license information, including the state in which you are licensed.
Include any other certifications or memberships you have—for example, BLS or membership with the American Association of Long Term Care Nursing. (Memberships show that you take your profession seriously).
2. References
Most importantly, above all else – you need great references! If you do not provide references, which can actually speak with a recruiter, it will be useless! Your DON sounds perfect. Eh- unfortunately, not so much. Many hospitals/facilities have a policy that all references must be deferred to HR. While that is great to verify your employment dates, etc., it does nothing for a reference as to the level of your competency in your skills or how you conduct yourself with your patients and coworkers. References must be from someone who has directly supervised you; such as:
Charge Nurse (LPN or RN)
Unit Supervisors
Clinical Coordinators
Nurse Mentors, etc.
Once you have built a friendship and rapport with a supervisory nurse, ask them if they would mind if you use them as a contact reference in the future. First name, last name, telephone number, and email! You can download a blank reference form for free through the internet or Microsoft Word. Ask them if they would mind filling one out for you for use in the future.
3. Traveling CNA Medical Documentation
In order to be a traveling CNA (just like nurses), you will need to have your medical documentation in order.
Titer paperwork- (verifies immunities)
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
Varicella (chickenpox zoster)
HBV (hepatitis B)
PPD Test result
This is required once a year.
Flu shot
Ask your recruiter if this is required before you leave for an assignment.
Physical
Sometimes- this will be required to be within 30 days of the travel date, or it could be within the previous 12 months. (Your recruiter will best answer this- we will get to that).
4. Your voicemail!
You are probably asking, “what in the world does my voicemail have to do with travel nursing?” A lot! Make sure that your voicemail is professional. A person contacting you for a potential travel position is not going to like to hear: Yo, this is Michelle, yea, ya missed me- I ain’t able to get to da phone…. Beeeep, leave me a message with yo digits!” (LOL, ok, so I am not that creative, but I have heard some BAD voicemail greetings- you get my meaning.)
“Hello, you have reached Michelle Lane; I am sorry I am unable to get to the phone at this time. Please leave me a detailed message with your name and telephone number, and I will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you, and have a great day.” (Yes, that is what my voicemail says.)
5. Research, Research, Research!
Deciding to become a traveling CNA is a big step- it would be a horrible experience if you do not make a sound decision on the company you decide to travel with, the recruiter you use, and your pay package.
Agency: There are many of them out there, some good, some that you need to avoid like the plague! Google the name of the potential agency, for example, XYZ Medical Staffing complaints. Also, there are some great Travel nurse groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, and DelphiForums. Just do some homework.
Your recruiter should be your cheerleader, your go-to person, and most of all, they should communicate with you! I cannot stress this enough. A good recruiter returns phone calls, answers questions, and looks out for you in all aspects. They should be willing to hold your hand for the entire duration of your time with them. Nothing would be worse than to get to your assignment and have a problem, and you can reach the—cell phone, email, Facebook, etc. If you do not have a warm fuzzy feeling with them, get a new one!
Traveling CNA Pay Package
Traveling CNA’s are not paid AS much as RN’s or other medical specialties; however, there are some really great rates out there for us! How do you know that you are getting a good quote for an assignment? Well, let’s look at an example:
Powell, Wyoming -$18 taxed hourly rate (WOW! That is awesome, right?) -$500 tax-free per week per diem for housing (sometimes called a stipend)
-$300 travel reimbursement to get to your assignment reimbursed by your agency.
You now know that you have a $2000 per month budget to work with. In your research, you will want to look at what housing will cost, a car (if you are not driving there- for this example, we will say we are flying there.
The cheapest all-inclusive housing you can find is $2,600, and it is 50 minutes away. As you can see, this assignment will already eat up all your housing per diem, which means that you will have to pay out of pocket $600 per month, and you have not even researched car rental rates yet. YIKES! Not a good idea unless you really, really want to see Powell, Wyoming. There will be assignments that you really want, and paying out of pocket is something that you want to do; I get that.
6. Get a notebook
Make sure to keep good records of agencies, recruiters, and proposed assignments that you have been submitted for! While looking for assignments, you will not believe how easy it is to get confused. At the top of the page, I write the name of the agency, the recruiter’s name, and contact information, along with the city and state of the assignment. Write down the details from what the recruiter tells you about an assignment, ask for an email recapping all the details discussed, and then compare your notes to what the recruiter sent to you. Yes, it is important. It’s best to catch an error immediately and contact your recruiter to let them know the variances.
**You will want to really read your contract once you receive it, and make sure that all information in your contract is the same as you discussed with the interviewer and your recruiter. Don’t forget to get the full name of the person interviewing you and a contact number.
7.Questions to ask during the interview
(You can use these answers to compare to what the recruiter told you, and then let them know what the interviewer told you). You would be surprised how information can be different. I know I wouldn’t be happy if my recruiter told me that I would be working five 8 hour shifts, with a guaranteed 40 hours, only to find out when I get there that I will be working three 12 hour shift and a cancellation policy of up to 12 hours unpaid. It can add up over the course of a 13-week assignment.
On The Fly® – This is only accessible through the On The Fly Mobile App (you can search by a period in the calendar or specific days.)
Kayak®
Hipmunk ®
Transportation These are alternative ways to find cars/transportation
RelayRides®
Lyft®
U-CarShare®
Misc. Apps/Websites
CamScanner® is an awesome app where you can take a picture of your documents using your smartphone. I used this app to send all my paperwork to my recruiter.
PAN Travelers – Useful calculator, so you can see the big picture with contract money. This website is an all-around great resource for traveling nurses.
Travel Tax- Joe Smith at Travel Tax is a great resource for travelers regarding
taxes.
Travel Nurse Network – The Gypsy Nurse – This the ultimate go-to group for me. If I have a question, no matter what time of the day or night, I know that I will get honest answers for any question that I might have. Not to mention I have met some really great seasoned travel nurses.
CNA Travelers – obviously, I am going to plug my group on Facebook. 😉 We are building a CNA specific group just for us! This is a great springboard, so to speak, where you are free to ask questions and meet others with the vagabond gene!
9. Finances
You are getting ready to embark on a travel journey, and you must consider your banking options. Banks are everywhere, but is your bank? If you lost your bank debit card while on assignment, how would you get a replacement? Due to possible fraud, many banks will only send a replacement card to your home address on your account or to a branch in the city that you are in. What if your bank does not have a branch within 200 miles of your assignment city? That would create a big problem. Personally, I got sick of all the bank fees eating away at my abysmal bank balance anyway. (It’s ok to giggle- I did) I decided six years ago to go with non-traditional banking by using an online bank. There are several out there, and a Google search can help you find others, but of course, I have my pick:
NetSpend
I have 24/7 access to my money, a free direct deposit, a Visa® debit card, and free overdraft protection (with direct deposit). I have the convenience of an app on my phone and text message alerts for every transaction that includes your current balance. Your account comes with a free Savings account. If you lose your card, you can go online immediately and deactivate your card yourself, and set up a “Virtual Debit Card” so you never lose access to your money. NetSpend also has cashback rewards.
10. Flexibility
As a Traveling CNA that wants to break into traveling, it is essential that you are flexible and willing to go ANYWHERE. The assignments for Traveling CNA’s are not as plentiful as they are for RN’s, so you really have to be open to new places that you may not have thought of.
I hope that my Top 10 List helps you step out into the gypsy world and share your skills and experience new places and adventures. You never know; maybe we will meet in person along the way!
About The Author:
Michelle is a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), having three years of overall healthcare experience. She recently found her vagabond gene and is a newly anointed Gypsy who loves to travel, meet new people, and help others live their dream of traveling as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).
As part of my “Top 10 Most Important List”, I wanted to share my checklist of Interview questions for the Travel CNA and help you on your way to a successful Travel CNA contract.
Questions to ask during the interview
(You can use these answers to compare to what you were told by the recruiter, and then let them know what you were told by the interviewer). You would be surprised how information can be different. I know I wouldn’t be happy if I was told by my recruiter that I will be working five 8 hour shifts, with guaranteed 40 hours, only to find out when I get there that I will be working three 12 hour shift and a cancellation policy of up to 12 hours unpaid. It can add up over the course of a 13 week assignment.
Travel CNA –Contract Length
How many weeks is this contract for?
What will my expected duties be?
As a Travel CNA, your duties can vary greatly, unlike an RN that specializes in Labor Delivery, or any other area. It is good to know what will be required of you.
Travel CNA
Schedule and Pay Rates
What is the hourly rate for a Travel CNA?
Will I be paid a differential? How much?
What is your Floating Policy?
This means whether or not you are required to, or will you be able to float to different areas of the facility. *This is a GREAT opportunity to get that much-desired acute care experience that can be very difficult for Travel CNA’s to get!
How many hours will I be guaranteed per week? this is very, very important. This will be the number of hours that you are guaranteed to be paid per week. You want to know not only the number of hours but also the shifts per week. Ask about the shift length, 8 hrs, 10 hrs, 12 hrs.
What is your overtime rate?
Am I eligible to work overtime? You will want to know if there is an availability to work overtime, and what you will be paid for those hours. (Some states pay overtime over 8 hours per day, some paid overtime after 40 hours per week).
Will I be required to work any holidays during my contract?
If so, which holidays, and what is the holiday rate? *Some places pay time and a half, and some pay double time (You will mostly see a double-time rate on a government assignment.)
What will my days off be?
Ex: Every other weekend, Every third weekend, etc.
Will my days off be the same each week?
Requested Time Off:
What is your procedure for requesting time off? This is where you will ask for specific days off during your contract. This is very important if you are anticipating having family come in from out of town, or perhaps you know there is an event/concert and you really want to go. * These days off must be written into your contract.
Cancellation policy
What is your cancellation policy?
This could be how many shifts you can be canceled by the facility during the duration of your contract, or it could be how many hours they can cancel you per week.
Uniform
What color uniforms are required? Some facilities require a specific color of scrubs for each department, so they can tell by sight where you work.
Charting System
What charting system do you use?
How much charting orientation will I receive? (If you are not familiar with this system ASK if you are going to be trained on it!!)
Orientation
What will my orientation schedule be and how many hours or days? What is my pay for Orientation?
Testing
Will I be required to take any tests? If so, ask them what tests they are.
Parking
Is parking provided? If not, where do I park, and what is the fee?
I hope that my Top 10 List and Interview Questions are helpful, and encourages you to step out into the Gypsy world and share your skills and experience new places and adventures. You never know, maybe we will meet in person along the way!
About The Author:
Michelle is a Travel CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), having three years overall experience in health care. She recently found her vagabond gene and is a newly anointed Gypsy that loves to travel, meet new people and help others to live their dream of traveling as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
FAQs about Travel CNAs
How to become a travel CNA?
Becoming a travel CNA can be an exciting and rewarding career. To begin, you must have a valid nursing assistant certification in the state you plan to work in. Additionally, some employers may require additional training and/or certifications beyond basic CNA requirements. Once you have all the necessary qualifications, you can then look for open travel CNA positions or contact agencies that specialize in staffing these jobs.
What is a travel CNA?
A travel CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant who works in different healthcare facilities on a temporary basis. They are in great demand due to their ability to quickly and efficiently adjust to new work environments and learn new systems, while providing the same quality of care they would provide at any other facility. Travel CNAs can expect to receive higher pay than non-travel CNAs, as well as reimbursement for travel expenses, making it an attractive profession for those looking for a more flexible nursing career.
If you’re an adventurous person, you may be interested in Travel Nursing. But is travel nursing right for you? There are many reasons people travel or combinations of reasons. Some people see the need for change to feel alive and see Travel Nursing as a chance to do that. You should remember that every decision has pros and cons.
When I made the decision to start Travel Nursing, I didn’t do it because I was unhappy with my job.
I was working home health care for local hospital-based home health and actually liked what I did. I worked PRN and picked up full-time hours (plus some most weeks). I was working 12 hour days every day and driving all over Southern Indiana, and truly enjoying myself and my patients. I decided because I was unhappy with my personal life. I felt stuck, stagnant, and needed a change of scenery.
When I decided to take the first travel assignment, I set up an appointment with my supervisor. I was well-liked by the staff (which may have been an advantage for me). I explained what I was considering and requested a Leave of Absence as a backup if I wanted to come back. My manager secretly hoped that I would fail in this adventure and went above and beyond to get my leave granted.
Many hospitals offer the option of a leave of absence.
Some Managers welcome you back with open arms but don’t expect it everywhere in reality. In my case, it was obvious I was going into Travel Nursing because I had been talking about it for years. Some places will do an LOA, but you are not guaranteed the same job.
“There are always going to be bad contracts, bad hospitals and bad situations.”
– The Gypsy Nurse
I have already discussed some of the Myths of Travel Nursing. If you haven’t read it, I suggest that you take a few minutes and review it.
Travel nursing can be a tough as well as a rewarding career. I’ve found that the nurses that explore travel nursing either love it or hate it. There doesn’t seem to be much in the middle ground.
Is travel nursing right for you?
The most important thing is to make certain that you go into Travel Nursing armed with as much information as possible beforehand. You can explore several internet forums, and I read them for about a year before taking my first contract; I suggest that you do the same.
There are always going to be bad contracts, bad hospitals, and bad situations. Armed with the knowledge, you will be better able to handle these hurdles. Over the coming weeks, I plan to cover some of the most common issues or problems among travel nurses. If you’re interested in more information, check out our F.A.Q.’s
