Travel Nurse Countdown Continues
What needs to be done when your travel nurse countdown is almost up? Whether it’s your first travel nurse contract or your 100th, it doesn’t matter. When you are down to the last few weeks, it becomes a time of chaos. What should you expect when you have 2 weeks to go?
- Licensing for the new contract.
- Obtaining References from the current contract.
- Confirming the next contract.
With only 2 weeks left in your travel nurse contract countdown, it’s time to start packing!
Packing:
As the travel nurse countdown continues, I generally begin to pack up the items that I am not using. This (for me) would include photos and personal items, clothing that I am not using, souvenirs picked up along the way, and any other items that I think I can live without for the next few weeks. I utilize small Rubbermaid totes for my packing. I stick to just 6 of these and generally line them up along an ‘out of the way’ wall and just start putting things in them as I walk through the house.
Planning for the road:
Go back over Step #16 and make certain that your vehicle is ready for the upcoming trip. The last thing you want to have to happen is to be stranded on the side of the road at the end of a travel nurse contract. Send your vehicle to the local garage for a pre-trip inspection, oil change, etc. Check over your roadside emergency kit and see if anything needs to be replaced or added.
Keep Track of the Paperwork:
Make sure you have added your new/updated references to your Travel nurse portfolio. File any important contract paperwork. Pay any bills that will be upcoming. By paying bills in advance, you will (hopefully) have a worry-free trip.
The Best Part of a Travel Nurse Countdown
Research for the new contract location. What is there to do? Are there events that you want to attend during the contract? Jot down the dates so you can request them off when you speak to the scheduler. Do you have your housing confirmed? If not, get with the recruiter and finalize this. Don’t forget to research the housing location and distance from the hospital.
Prepare for the Trip. What route will you be taking? How long do you have to explore along the way? Will you go home for a visit at the
Reminders:
- Obtain References: I recommend you obtain 2 written references from each contract.
- Maintain your connections: Are there co-workers or people you’ve met that you want to keep in contact with at the end of your contract?
- Keep copies of your contract: Always keep a hard copy of your contract.
- Forward your mail: You may or may not need to do this depending on the type of Mail service you opt for.
I made a lot of mistakes early in my travel nursing career. I’m going to share my top 10 Travel Nursing mistakes. Knowledge is the key to success. We’ve all heard it before and I’m going to share mine.
