Part of being successful is not to ‘burn bridges’ along the way. If you have ever worked with Travel Nurses, you have certainly come across the one that is always bragging and making crazy wild statements that make you want to roll your eyes in frustration.
Here are the Top 10 things that a travel nurse should NEVER say on the job.
10. I NEVER work the Holidays
If you want the staff to hate you, go ahead and let them know that you haven’t had to work a Christmas in the past x number of years. As the holidays approach, be extra cautious of this.
9. I get to take as many Vacations as I want and for as long as I want.
This is never something that a staff nurse wants to hear about. They are generally lucky to get two weeks vacation a year and if they are telling you where they are going on their next vacation, they certainly won’t want to hear that you get an optional vacation every 13 weeks!
8. The nurses at __________ were awesome/horrible/etc.
When you make a habit of discussing the individual staff members at another hospital in a negative aspect, don’t be surprised if the staff stays away. Bringing up someone else’s poor work ethic, poor performance or whatever, will cause staff to think that you will talk about them as well at your next location. If you are chatting up a particular hospital or nurse, they will become jealous and feel inadequate. It’s best just to keep these thoughts to yourself. Focus on the here and now.
7. I can’t wait for this job to be finished.
Remember who you are talking to. The full-time staff may feel trapped in the job and you bragging about being able to leave soon will only make them resentful.
6. I can’t imagine how you live (in this dirty city/in this small town) all the time.
Small town living might not be your cup of tea as city living could be the furthest from ‘fun’ in my book. Putting down the area is never advised. Instead, ask what fun things or ‘hidden gems’ might be in the area. It’s amazing what you might find when you simply ask.
5. That supervisor/nurse/cna/Doctor is _______ (any negative comment).
That nurse, supervisor, doctor or CNA that you’re bad-mouthing may be someones friend, significant other or family member. Best to keep these thoughts to yourself!
4. My life is so great. I’ve been to ___ # of cities and I get to travel all the time.
I know that you love your job as a travel nurse and if you’re asked this is different. Realize that some of the staff nurses that you work with ‘dream’ of living the life that you have…don’t rub it in. If you are asked, make sure to note the downsides to traveling as well as the good. Giving a realistic view of what travel nursing entails is important.
3. Your accent is _________ (funny, disturbing, silly, etc). All people in the south are __________ (hicks, hillbillies, etc).
This should go with out saying but… Avoid degrading any local dialects, customs, stereo-types. We travel (hopefully) for the experiences that travel affords us. Enjoy the differences and accept them.
2. At ____ hospital, they do it better/different.
No one wants to hear about how their hospital lacks or is behind times when it comes to equipment or procedures. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to speak to someone about an outdated process and every time been met with resistance. Embrace the way ‘they’ do things and just go with it.
1. I Make $100/hour (or some other ridiculously exorbitant amount).
This is the thing that I most see travel nurses brag about. This will only hurt you. If the staff believes that you are making double what they are making…believe me, they will make sure that you work for it by assigning you the most difficult patients.
“If you can’t say something nice…don’t say anything at all.”
My Mother used to tell me this all the time. Follow these words of wisdom and you will leave the contract without burned bridges.
Is there something that you have heard a travel nurse brag or complain about? List it in the comments!!
