June 23, 2022

5867 Views

50 Best Places to Travel Nurse

Posted on June 23, 2022April 29, 2024 by Furnished Finder

According to Furnished Finder, here are the top 50 cities where travel nurses work.

First, we’ll start with the top 10 cities where travel nurses need housing:

San Diego
Seattle
Denver
Phoenix
Boston
Los Angeles
Nashville
Atlanta
San Francisco
Portland

Here are the other most popular travel nurse cities to round out the top 50.

Albuquerque
Austin
Las Vegas
Saint Louis
New Orleans
Tucson
Tacoma
San Jose
Reno
Portland
San Antonio
Miami
Charleston
Houston
Washington
Sacramento
Orlando
Honolulu
Tampa
Baltimore
Charlotte
Asheville
Chicago
Burlington
Dallas
Oakland
Palo Alto
Saint Petersburg
Colorado Springs
Anchorage
Fort Myers
Santa Rosa
Charlottesville
New York, NY
Scottsdale
Fresno
Savannah
Boise
New Haven
Jacksonville

There are so many great cities that travel nurses can visit, and just because a city isn’t on this list doesn’t mean that travelers don’t go there. One of the things you’ll notice is that Furnished Finder doesn’t just have listings in the big cities, as about 50% of the cities in the top 200 have populations of less than 100,000 people.

Whether you’re going to the big city or a quaint rural town, chances are that Furnished Finder will have a monthly furnished rental to choose from. Start your travel nurse housing search today by filling out a Housing Request or Search the Map.

The way it works is that you can search and contact landlords directly or through the App. Every landlord on Furnished Finder is verified so you can book housing in confidence, knowing that the person you’re speaking to really is who they say they are.

Next, there are no booking fees on Furnished Finder. This can literally save travelers hundreds every month! Plus, you can now book hotels on Furnished Finder and save up to 25% off.

Want to learn more about a city before you go there? Check out the free travel nurse housing Stipend Calculator.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. 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 TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

June 22, 2022

2096 Views

Agency Support During Mid-Contract Pay Changes

Posted on June 22, 2022June 21, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

Your recruiter calls to inform you about a mid-contract pay change. Last year, these were exciting calls to get because it likely meant your pay rate was about to rise. In the current market, it’s not a call you look forward to receiving.

Every agency has to deal with mid-contract pay changes, but how they handle them can be a game-changer for a travel nurse. Before diving into the specifics, let’s talk about bill rates, who sets them, and why changes might occur mid-contract.

Who Sets the Bill Rate?

Who sets the bill rate, and what factors go into a travel nurse’s pay? The bill rate is not set by travel nurse agencies or recruiters. Instead, healthcare facilities set travel nurse bill rates based on market demand and budgets. A healthcare facility works with its managed service provider (MSP) and/or vendor management system (VMS), which help track the facility’s workforce spending. Consulting with the MSP or VMS, the healthcare facility determines the bill rate it wants to set for a particular position. Once that is set, the bill rate for that position goes to hundreds of agencies.

Each agency has different ways it splits that bill rate. The bill rate will include the traveler’s pay, per diems, benefits coverage, agency support and expenses, and more. The agency determines what will be paid hourly and uses the U.S. General Services Administration’s guidelines to establish what will be paid through per diems if the traveler qualifies for them. Your agency and recruiter should help you understand your complete compensation package.

Who Makes Mid-Contract Changes?

Changes start with the healthcare facility’s bill rate and trickle down. The bill rate drop affects all sections of the traveler’s package, from hourly pay to per diems. These have to be adjusted to work with the new bill rate and follow IRS rules.

An important thing to note is the nurse manager on the unit isn’t involved in determining the bill rate, and likely doesn’t know when changes occur.

How Your Agency Should Support You

When a facility drops rates and notifies agencies, your recruiter should contact you promptly to let you know. An action-oriented recruiter will specifically explain what has happened, provide details of the new package, educate you on the market, tell you about other opportunities in the area, and let you make the best choice for yourself.

You can either accept the new rate or decide to end the contract (after hopefully giving a professional notice). Unfortunately, this decision must occur as soon as possible so the agency can redo the contract with the correct rates and avoid any pay or tax discrepancies.

If you opt to end the contract, each agency is different in how it responds. Ideally, you’ll want an agency that doesn’t penalize travelers for leaving due to a mid-contract bill rate decrease. However, some agencies may charge the nurse for terminating the contract or blacklist them. To understand your agency’s response in these situations, read your contract and contact your recruiter for any questions. It’s your career and your right to know!

Decisions, Decisions

There are several decisions to make when becoming a travel nurse. They likely start with putting your trust in an agency and a recruiter to guide your career.

You’re a healthcare traveler who has uprooted life to help patients in areas where your expertise and care are most needed. When life presents you with a difficult situation, is your agency there to support you and navigate you through it? Hopefully, your answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

We hope you found this article on agency support during mid-contract pay changes helpful. Have you had any pay changes mid-contract? If you would like to share your experience please comment below.

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

By Mynoucka

June 21, 2022

2950 Views

Travel Nursing to Entrepreneur – My Journey and Advice

Posted on June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 by Mynoucka

I started traveling in October 2018; I began my blog and website in April 2019. I started my podcast on a solo trip to Hawaii, running my first marathon in December 2019.

The cool part about documenting your journey is looking back and seeing how far you have come. I started my podcast to share different things I’ve learned as I continue to travel in general but primarily while working as a travel nurse. It was an incredible experience, and I learned so much about the nursing profession and myself.

I did some soul-searching.

I didn’t have anyone with me, so this time alone was much-needed. It allowed me to do some soul-searching and figure life out. I was at a point in my life where I just needed a change. I talked about this often, and the reason why I talked about health care in mental health so often is that before I started traveling, I was at a very low point and didn’t know what to do. So, first, I left the bedside temporarily, not because I hated it, but because I knew I just needed some time away from it. What I felt was not entirely related to work, but I knew I had reached a level of burnout. I wanted some time, so I took some time away. I am very grateful and blessed to have taken that time away. Once I did, it showed me that I wasn’t ready to quit the bedside; I just needed a different environment.

I started travel nursing in October of 2018, and that is when the podcast came to be. All I was doing allowed me to dig deep and do some soul-searching; it got me at least out of the little rut I was in. I am incredibly thankful for that season, I have no regrets, and I don’t know where I would be had I not decided to at least take that time away from the bedside. In addition to all the good stuff, I began confronting the debt I had created and broke down some of my spending habits. I slowly began learning to leverage my income as a travel nurse, which could help me eliminate some of that debt and save.

Life as an entrepreneur

I also began to consider what life as an entrepreneur would look like. As a travel nurse, there are a lot of aspects to work that you handle independently. What do I mean by that? I am talking about the steps you go through to become a contracted employee through an agency and reviewing the agency’s contracts. Looking over the contract and understanding that you signed is a contract between yourself and the facility. Also, negotiating your rate while beginning to see yourself and understanding how much you’re worth and bringing to the table. When I started as a nurse and got my first nursing job, I didn’t think about what I was worth; I was just happy that I got a job.

The skill of negotiating

I was able to get into the field right away. As I progressed in my career and had the opportunity to negotiate my rates, I began to see what it was like to ask for more. I knew I was bringing more experience to the table and travel nursing gave me that opportunity. I wasn’t just given my two, three, or four percent raise. Or potentially no raise, depending on the economy. The conversation was more like, “okay, this is what we can give you,” and then being able to come back and say, “no, I want more,” and then going back and forth. And going through that process, you’re negotiating, and travel nursing allowed me to do that. It also allowed me to negotiate scheduling time off before signing the contract to ensure that I could still be involved in activities outside of work. Planning to take extended time off or take breaks when you need to while also thinking about how you will be able to sustain yourself still and pay your bills while taking that time off.

Learning entrepreneurship skills while travel nursing

These are things that I thought about on the travel nurse administrator side of things. Making sure you submit your time card to payroll, so you get paid on time. I was not paid for one week because I forgot to submit my time card. Submitting reimbursements, negotiating additional stipends, and so many things that I didn’t have to think about. It opened me up to the idea of pursuing entrepreneurship. I watched Monette of the traveling child and communicated with her on my podcast. I saw how a blog could be used as an outlet and turned into a profitable business. Some people blog for a living. Like many other things in this life, many things can seem abstract; Google can only take you so far. It’s helpful when you have someone willing to discuss how entrepreneurship works.

I was doing my blog, and then a few months after that, I launched the podcast. Now, even with podcasting, people are making a living. Honestly, I am learning that there are a lot of ways we may think that are unorthodox but can be used as ways that people can make a living. Whether through blogging, podcasting, consulting, writing a book, or the influencer world of social media and YouTube. I mean, you name it, and potential business opportunities are awaiting you. I believe creating different ways to bring an income has always been important.

What I am saying here isn’t necessarily revelatory. As nurses, many of us have the unique opportunity to dive into entrepreneurship because of our unit’s schedule, working three twelve-hour shifts each week or other flexible jobs, such as a telehealth position, where you can work remotely.

I think watching how our world is changing every day and our new normal is being established; if you weren’t experimenting with entrepreneurship or a home-based business, it’s a thought now.

The whys

All of us have different whys that push us in this direction. For some, it’s becoming a parent and wanting to spend more time at home with the children. For others, it’s wanting to pay down debt and save. And for others, it could be the freedom that creating your own business can allow you to have, so you can do more of what you love.

Remain Flexible

If you speak to many entrepreneurs, they will tell you to keep your job and allow your main hustle to fuel your side hustle until it can become your main hustle. I’m sure you can agree that life is about growth, and what traveling has taught me professionally and personally is always to remain flexible and pivot when life calls you to.

We hope you found this article on travel nursing to entrepreneur helpful. Have you taken a role as an entrepreneur with or after a career as a travel nurse? Comment your entrepreneurial experience or advice for fellow entrepreneurs below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Lina Belegu

June 20, 2022

1468 Views

Natural Energy Boosting Tips

Posted on June 20, 2022June 21, 2022 by Lina Belegu

Is your day dragging you down? It’s okay if you’re feeling a bit more tired than usual because life is so chaotic, demanding, and all-consuming these days.

While you may believe that going for a Starbucks or a can of Red Bull is the answer, there are some more natural ways to boost your energy levels. Here are six natural strategies to overcome weariness and increase energy levels so you can go about your day with more vigor.

Natural Energy Boosting Tips:

Get some sleep

This may sound obvious, but getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate weariness. According to the CDC, 35 percent of American adults do not obtain the necessary 7 hours of sleep each night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleeping for 7 hours can help prevent diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and poor performance.

Here are some sleep-related health tips to help you get some rest:

· Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

· Create a cool and dark sleeping environment.

· Diminish the amount of stimulus in your space by turning off electronics.

· Avoid coffee and alcohol before going to bed.

· Take a bath or read a book

Exercise

While getting off the sofa may be the last thing on your mind, exercise—even a simple walk—can help you feel more energized.

It is not totally obvious from a physiological standpoint, but there is a link between physical exercise and a reduction in low energy and exhaustion. Some of this might be due to the release of endorphins induced by exercise or the improvement in sleep resulting from regular activity.

The CDC advises 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and at least two days of exercise to build muscles.

Limit your alcohol intake.

There’s a reason why wine has been labeled “sleepy juice” by some. However, a single glass of wine at lunch may add to your afternoon slump. Also, that drink before bedtime may lead you to toss and turn and wake up feeling groggy.

While alcohol reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and appears to improve sleep quality in the first half of the night, it severely interrupts sleep in the second half of the night and impacts overall REM sleep for the night.

If you must drink, do it in moderation and at a time when you are not concerned about your energy levels waning.

Stay Hydrated

Feeling fatigued is one of the earliest signs of dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid feeling tired. For women, that’s 9 glasses, while for males, it’s 13.

Keep an eye on your diet.

Food is one of our primary sources of energy. The key is to stay away from processed meals, which can cause your energy levels to jump and then swiftly decrease, leaving you feeling sluggish. Choose meals with a low glycemic index, which means the sugars are absorbed slowly. Whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils are examples of foods having a low glycemic index.

To help, you might want to explore taking vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, but see your doctor first. Some dietary supplements might make your prescription work better or worse.

Discover Inner Peace

While you may not be able to entirely eliminate stress from your life at this time, it may be contributing to your weariness. Allow yourself some time during the day to help you clear your thoughts.

Meditation, yoga, and tai chi are among natural energy enhancers that help you focus on attentive breathing. If yoga isn’t for you, chat with a friend, keep a diary, or consult a professional behavioral health specialist. Some of these activities might help you sleep better and enhance your mental health.

Are you still tired?

If you’re still tired all of the time, the Restore 3 Program, a supplement that helps people enhance their gut health and immune system, is a good option.

But, low energy levels could be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. While these natural energy boosters are great pick-me-ups, they could also be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. If your exhaustion goes beyond what’s normal for your lifestyle, if it’s becoming worse, or if you’re not sure, talk to your doctor.

We hope you found this article on natural energy boosting tips helpful. Do you have any other natural energy boosting tips that you would like to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Leslie Catalano

June 19, 2022

2996 Views

Build a Killer Travel Nurse Resume

Posted on June 19, 2022June 13, 2022 by Leslie Catalano

Travel nurses are in a unique position where it is acceptable – even expected – to change your job every 13 weeks, but when it comes to building a resume, it can be not easy to figure out how to organize all the different jobs. I chatted with Sarah Bricker, a human resource specialist for 10 years, and Valarie LeSeure, a career counselor for 12 years, and we came up with four key ideas for creating a top-notch travel nurse resume.

Make sure your contact information is up to date.

As a traveler, your address may change before you even have a chance to unpack the last box, so it is important to have a home base and use that address on your resume. Many travel positions (although there are more local travel positions lately) are based on your location. Many times, to be considered a traveler, you must travel 50 miles outside your home base. This is also important for certain tax benefits. If you are not quite outside the 50 miles, the hospital may be able to let you know.

And, of course, make sure your phone number is accurate. With cell phones, this is not as much of an issue, but if you ever change your phone number, be sure to update your resume.

Also, use a professional email. You do not have to purchase a fancy new email. Just create one that sounds professional if you do not already have one. My first email, back in high school, was created from a nickname. Not a name I would want to put on a professional resume. Using your first and last name is professional. If you want to make it more memorable or unique, you can add a catchy word or two, for example, YourNameTravelRN@emaildomain. Whatever you decide to go with, make sure it is something you are proud to displace on a professional resume.

Organize jobs based on travel agencies if possible.

From a human resource perspective, Sarah Bricker recommends listing your jobs by the travel agency you are working with. I know many travelers use several different agencies to ensure the best rates, which is important, but if you can organize them by just a few companies, this can help you in two ways. One, it will shorten your resume from potentially 20 pages to just a few. Two, it shows commitment and longevity. Your individual assignments may only be 13 weeks, but if you can show you have been with the same company for a while, Sarah Bicker explains, “it shows commitment, employer loyalty and most importantly resiliency since healthcare is changing so rapidly.”

In my own previous role as a hospital educator, the hospital I worked for would hire the same travel nurses over and over. Many travel nurses would work the maximum allowed time to be considered a traveler (many times, this is around a year but check with a tax specialist), then go work a travel job at another hospital and come back. This way, they never lost their status as a travel nurse and were able to come back to a familiar hospital over and over. This type of arrangement would be great for someone who prefers more consistency while still wanting to reap the benefits of being a travel nurse.

Highlight the skills that will be needed in your next position.

Look at the job description and highlight your skill set to match the description. For example, if you are applying for a cardiac unit, show all the jobs in which you worked with cardiac patients. Include your ability to read cardiac stripes and add any certifications that show your skills as a cardiac nurse. Valarie LeSeure also states, “you would want to stress adaptability, preparation, and willingness to venture into unknown territory.” You must make sure your skill sets match the job you are applying for and show your willingness to be flexible. Many of the details about the job – including what unit you will be working, whether day or night shifts, or if you are willing to float – can be negotiated in your contract, but you want to make sure you get to the negotiation table.

Update regularly.

Keep your resume fresh by updating it on a regular basis. Time can go by fast, and if you are not actively updating your resume after each assignment, it is easy to let it fall behind, then suddenly someone asks you for a new one, and you must try and think about all the different things you have done. It is especially important to keep your references up to date. People come and go, move, and change phone numbers; you want to make sure that if someone is calling for a reference, the person they are calling can still be reached and can still attest to your skill and ability to be a nurse.

Travel nursing is a job where it is a good thing to show diversity and the ability to work in many different areas. Having a resume that is accurate, shows commitment, matches your unique skill set, and is always up to date can make you stand out and allow you to get any travel job you want.

We hope these tips for building a killer travel nurse resume were helpful. Do you have any other tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Liz Hogan

June 17, 2022

5764 Views

Craft Your Success: Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Writing Tips

Posted on June 17, 2022December 18, 2023 by Liz Hogan

With all the other things nurses have to juggle, writing a resume can end up on the back burner. So, where should you get started? This step-by-step guide will provide you with the guidance to create a strong RN resume.

Use the below example as you follow the steps:

Step 1: Choosing a Resume Format

There are three main formats that can be good options for RN resumes: Functional format, chronological format, and Combination

You should choose the format that highlights you the most.

Functional resumes are good for ones with many skills, but not much experience.
Chronological resumes are a great choice for those with many years of experience.
The combination format highlights both your skills and experience.

On-the-job experience is extremely important in nursing, so always side with the chronological format if you have it. The resume above is in chronological format.

Step 2: Personal Information and Titles

The first step is to create, if you haven’t already, a professional email address with your first name and initials. Make sure you add an active phone number and continually add new degrees, specializations, and certifications as you acquire them. Your professional title will keep changing as you gain more experience and training.

Step 3: Resume Summary

We no longer write resume objectives as professionally our resume summary needs to highlight what we bring to the table to your future employer.

Below your professional title, write a five-sentence overview of your career highlights. Mention your most impressive accomplishments, job experience, and skills as they relate to the job you are applying for. Make sure to mention any quantified achievements.

Step 4: Add Relevant Skills

While having an array of skills is beneficial to any professional in this section of your resume, try to highlight the skills required by the job description. Include any competencies and specializations that are ideal for a person in this role.

You can add this section below your professional summary. Title this section “Core Competencies” or “Areas of Expertise.” Use a bullets list format to clearly display all your skills.

Do not include skills that are irrelevant. For example, if you are applying for a Pediatrics RN role, do not include your experience with Geriatric care. The only time to include this would be if you don’t have too much experience to list and have spare space on your resume to add this information.

Step 5: Education

The education section is the easiest to complete. Center each education experience and include the name of degree or program, the degree acquired, the institution’s name, and the year of completion. Start with adding your education above the clinical rotation and experience section.

Below these list any certifications and licensures you possess and mention any relevant organizations you are involved in.

Step 6: Include Targeted Experience

When writing your job experience section, starts out by listing your most recent role.

Each role should include the name of the institute, the location, your role, and the length of employment.

Within the description of the role, describe your main responsibilities, but more importantly, what you accomplished in that role. Make these sections easy to read by writing the job responsibilities in a paragraph format and the accomplishments in bullet points right below.

When writing your experience, keep the job description for the role you are applying for close by. Think ahead by imagining yourself in that role and what activities you will be performing. Focus the information you include so it is the most relevant to the new role. Utilizing numbers and data to indicate your workload of patient care and how well you handled it.

RNs who are recent graduates can use their clinical rotations, internships, and student nurse roles in the experience section.

In Conclusion

Pay attention to your resume’s appearance and check for any grammatical errors. Have a friend review your resume to make sure it is visually appealing, easy to read, and free of errors.

If you have any doubts or simply don’t have the time in your schedule to write this professional document, there are many certified resume writers that can help you.

While writing an RN resume is not an easy task, with this comprehensive guide, you will be able to create a professional resume that will have you ready for any opportunity that comes your way.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Mynoucka

June 16, 2022

1914 Views

How Travel Nursing Works: Steps I Took to Get Started

Posted on June 16, 2022January 16, 2023 by Mynoucka

I want to talk about how travel nursing works. Over the last several months, I have had questions about the steps you should take if you’re thinking about making the shift to travel nursing. Or where to even begin in the first place.

How travel nursing works- steps I took to get started

I began working as a travel nurse back in October of 2018. The first thing I did was sat back and think about the pros and cons of becoming a travel nurse. I wanted to make sure that nursing was even something I still wanted to do. At that point, I had been at the bedside for about three years. I was going back and forth with myself, deciding if that career path was what I wanted to continue. Because at the end of the day, whether you’re working at one hospital for a year or at four hospitals within one year, the core job doesn’t change.

Once I decided to pursue nursing further, I read blogs, and I reached out to a friend of mine that I knew was doing it and had a candid conversation about her experience. I knew that my experience and hers might be completely different. However, the internet can only give you so much insight. Nothing takes away that experience of you having an actual conversation with a person. They can give you so much insight, information, and details directly related to what you want to know. Talking to her, having her opinions, and listening to her experience have helped me decide whether or not I wanted to continue the process of becoming a travel nurse. Once I knew that I wanted to move forward, I applied through a travel nursing agency.

How do you find the right travel nurse agency?

The easiest way to find a travel nurse agency is through a referral. Most travel nurse agencies have a referral program; if you refer someone to the agency, you and that person receive some type of bonus or compensation, which is a win-win for both of you—plus, having someone who has already vetted out that agency will help. They will be able to tell you if the agency is responsive to your questions if the recruiter is personable and if they’re likable, and if they have your best interest in mind.

Make sure everything is in order

After I was referred to the travel nursing agency through my friend’s referral, she connected me with her recruiter, and with their help, I was able to land my first travel nursing job. When you apply through the agency, that’s the first step you take to show that you’re interested in working as a travel nurse. The travel nurse agency will take you through a series of steps to ensure that you are compliant. You need to take to make sure that everything is done by your very first travel nursing assignment. The agency will have you complete a checklist to ensure that you have skills that apply to the jobs you are interested in. You will submit a resume and your work experiences. You’re also going to be applying for different licenses at that time. Some states participate in compact licensure; the way they work is, for example, that I was initially licensed in Florida, so when I applied for my Florida license, I made sure that I applied for a compact license. Having a compact license allows me to work in 37 different states with that one license. If travel nursing is something that you want to do and continue to do, then, of course, you want to make it easier for yourself by having that license that will cover you for several different assignments and states. Next, you can discuss these locations with your recruiter to see what jobs they have available and where they have them. They’ll be able to tell you what the job requirements are. If you don’t have the license for the state where the job is, you want to make sure that you ask your agency if they reimburse for licensing. Your agency is the middle person between you and the hospital. The agency looks for jobs for you, and because you are working with them and working for hospitals, the agency will get paid. It’s more of a partnership than anything else. As a partner, you want to ask them what type of benefits they provide for you as the contracted employee. Benefits like reimbursement for your license or the different applications and processes you’re going through.

Starting the application process with facilities

Once you’re done with the process of applying with agencies and making sure that your license is up to par, then you’re eligible for a job. Your recruiter will start to send out your personal profile to several different hospitals that match up with jobs that you expressed interest in. Your recruiter will tell you about jobs available, including; if they are day shift, night shift, how many hours a week, 12 or 8-hour shifts, etc. All hospitals and facilities have their own system and their own way of working. When you go in, you’re just going to jump in, and you’re going to go with the flow of things. Your recruiter is kind of that middle person that makes sure you’re getting the job that you want, and the facility is getting someone that’s going to fit. Once you apply through the travel nursing agency, have gone through the interview process, and have been offered an assignment, at that point, they’re going to give you your contract information, including; the date that your contract starts.

The Contract

The contract is very important; when you receive your contract, make sure that you read through it thoroughly to make sure that everything you discussed in your conversation with the recruiter is included in the contract. That piece of paper is what backs you up. If you have any time off that you need ahead of time, you want to make sure that you tell them ahead of time so that those dates are placed in your contract because once you get into the hospital, you’re there to fill in the gaps in the schedule so they’re not really, I’m not going to say every hospital but a lot of the hospitals aren’t open to just being flexible with your time off. Make sure that you’re telling them ahead of time that these are the days that you need off. For instance, if you have a wedding, you have a baby shower, graduation, or something important that you need to attend, be sure to put that in your contract. To be sure, you’ll still be able to be there for the different types of events you have going on outside of work because, as we know, this is a small portion of our lives. We can’t make up everything. That is part of the reason why I became a traveler; I wanted more control over my schedule, so I don’t want to go somewhere and work somewhere where I can’t be a part of anything that my family and friends are doing.

Your first travel nursing assignment

Once you go through those steps, then you’re ready for your first travel nursing assignment, and from there, you just move forward. You work your contracted time, and a lot of times, they will offer you an extension. If that is something that they’re able to do and if it’s something that you would like to do or that you’re open to, you’ll then go through your recruiter again. Another contract will be written up, indicating your contract’s new end date.

That is pretty much how travel nursing works, the experience from beginning the travel nurse journey to becoming a travel nurse.

We hope you found this article on how travel nursing works helpful. Are there any other things you think should be included about how travel nursing works? Comment them below. Are you just starting your travel nurse journey and want to share your story? Comment below, and we will be in touch.

Are you looking for your first travel assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your first assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Medical Edge Recruitment

June 15, 2022

3126 Views

Why Work with a Travel Nurse Agency?

Posted on June 15, 2022June 16, 2022 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Emily Fernandes, Recruitment Consultant, Medical Edge Recruitment

You spent years at school, have just graduated, and now you are a nurse. Congratulations! You are ready to get to work, and you can’t wait to live your life’s passion of being a caretaker. You are eager for the best opportunities, and you want to be a Travel Nurse, but where do you start?! There are so many states, contracts, and specialties – it’s confusing and overwhelming.

You are searching job boards, but you’re stuck because you can’t seem to find anything that you like. The jobs are all in very different environments and specialties. The hotel charges and rates don’t seem to make sense. You didn’t expect this and to be honest, even as a seasoned pro in the game, you may have issues finding the best contract. Then, you talk to other nurses and are surprised at how different your offers are. Finding a good job is a daunting task! What do the other travel nurses have that you don’t? Their secret is a great Travel Nurse Agency!

One of the greatest benefits of being a travel nurse is that there are so many options to choose from. Not just with specialties or facilities but also with the types of employment you want or how many shifts you want to work. You can work full time, on a contract basis, or as needed (PRN) in a variety of healthcare facilities nationwide. Additionally, you can work with an agency that allows you to choose your shifts or do short-term contracts that best suit your schedule and job needs. Even if you are working full-time, you can pick up shifts through an agency on the side to broaden your skills or make more money!

There are many benefits to working with a Travel Nurse agency:

1. Better pay

As a nurse with an agency, you are given a much better pay rate. Your hourly increases as much as 50% and could be double if you are prepared to take shifts like weekends and nights or work overtime.

2. Better Control of Your Schedule

Need a day off? No problem. You have control over the shifts you want to work. Working PRN allows you to choose the best days and shifts that suit your lifestyle. Per diem nursing makes it possible and easy to balance work and home life effectively. You pick your schedule and control your family time.

Need a change of scenery? Not just a new facility, but maybe a new state? Most nursing agencies work with a variety of facilities throughout the US. You can also stay in-state but travel to different facilities and expand your skillset.

3. Less Stress

Take workplace politics off your radar. You show up, save the day, do your work, and clock out.

Interpersonal relationships that develop at work with coworkers, patients, or families can become catalysts of stress for many nurses. By working as a per diem nurse, you’ll be able to remain in neutral territory, and if there’s a particular facility that you don’t quite vibe with, then you don’t have to go back.

Working as a full-time nurse can leave you feeling stretched thin and lead to burnout. As a travel nurse, you get to do actual nursing. Isn’t that what you got into the profession for? Not handling complaints, emailing the director, or doing stocktaking.

4. Variety and Adaptability

Most agencies are already contracted with multiple facilities, so you get diversity and always have a guaranteed contract. If you are working in Colorado and decide you want to go to Idaho in the next two weeks, it’s 100% possible because agencies always have openings and always bargain the best packages and rates for their providers. So, if you just got off a 13-week assignment and are ready to jump on a 9-week, don’t worry! An agency makes it possible in a flash.

Burnout is a real threat for nurses. Per diem shifts allow nurses to minimize the risk of emotional and physical exhaustion while also developing new skills and offering their minds a change of pace. You learn to adjust to new locations and demographics quickly. You learn to connect, communicate, and care for individuals quickly and without difficulty. Another perk to working with an agency is the inside scoop you get on each facility. Not just from their clients but from other travelers who are able to help you be prepared for the culture and workload!

5. More Support and Better Relationships

We often see platforms advertising about reimagining healthcare. Their plans often focus on the patients and equipment but rarely on our #1 asset – our nurses! To reimagine healthcare, we must reimagine a healthcare provider’s experience! Nurses are the beating hearts of the medical system and need 100% support.

Through an agency, you get to work with a recruiter who doesn’t just find you jobs but also provides 24/7 support. They become your friend and defender. They battle on your behalf to make sure you are always comfortable, always employed, and generally much happier. They take the stress of dealing with the backend stuff, so you don’t have to!

An agency is the first step to having the support you need and the peace of mind you deserve after dealing with difficult patients. Recruiters learn your history, your strengths, your interests, and other important information about you that can help find the absolute best job fit. This creates a space where you can ask questions, voice concerns, and gain advice when needed. Working with a travel nurse staffing agency gives you a support system you can contact day or night. You get help with housing options and always stay in the loop to have the best assignments! As Lexi Saige said, “A nurse is compassion in scrubs,” and a nurse deserves that same compassion in return!

Medical Edge Recruitment is the premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making a personalized provider experience a priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits; let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

We hope you found this article on why you should work with a travel nurse agency helpful. Please share any experiences you have had working with travel nurse agencies below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Nurse First Travel Agency

June 14, 2022

2716 Views

Homesick? Six Tips To Help Travel Nurses Deal with Homesickness

Posted on June 14, 2022January 16, 2023 by Nurse First Travel Agency

Nurse First Travel Agency provided this article.

Homesickness is one of the many challenges that travel nurses face during their assignments. Being away from home can be rough, even for the most experienced traveler. New places can be exciting, but you can start to feel nostalgic for the comforts of home. If you’re starting to feel homesick, here are six tips to help you out.

Bring Home With You

You may be staying in a new place, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave everything behind. Decorate your new residence and surround yourself with fun memories that remind you of your family, friends, and actual home. Cook some family recipes or your favorite homemade meal to honor your memories. You can also combine what you love about your new place with familiar things that make you feel closer to home. For example, if you have a favorite restaurant back home that you miss, try finding a similar one in your new town.

Stay Connected

Stay connected with the people you care about by scheduling consistent calls or video chats, even if it’s only once or twice a week. Hearing a family member’s voice can be incredibly soothing and can relieve any built-up stress. Social media is another great way to stay connected too. You can see what others are doing, and they can also know your activities in your new location. Keeping up-to-date with the events and news in your friends and family’s lives will make you feel more connected.

Take Assignments Near Family and Friends

To feel more at home, plan your next travel nurse assignment near family and friends. Having at least one personal connection can go a long way toward preventing homesickness. Depending on the place, it may be competitive, so be sure to let your advocate know immediately. If there are no locations available with familiar faces, look somewhere they can easily come to visit. Your loved ones will get to join in your adventure for a few days, and their visit will give you something to look forward to.

Get the ball rolling by suggesting an outing with your coworkers. Fellow nurses, travelers especially, can be a great support system and help shake off that lonely feeling. Invite them out to dinner, drinks, coffee, or go exploring as they will be happy to show you around if they are locals. As you meet people and form friendships, you’ll start to feel more grounded in your new place, which will help homesickness to fade into the background.

Explore Your New Home

Whether with your coworkers or by yourself, exploring your new home can help clear your mind and get you back to normal. Travel nursing allows you to explore places you haven’t been to before, learn new things, and make the unfamiliar familiar. Exploring is a good excuse to try new things and cross items off of your bucket list. Doing something new can help take your mind off being sad and focus that energy on a new hobby.

Take Care Of Yourself

Nurses should know better than anyone that self-care should be a priority no matter where you are. With hectic schedules, you need to find ways to set aside time to treat yourself like getting cozy and reading, having a massage between shifts, or dedicating some time to a favorite or new hobby. Homesickness can increase when you’re stressed, so these self-care strategies will help to combat stress and homesickness at the same time.

It is also important to note that part of taking care of yourself is acknowledging that feeling homesick once in a while is natural.

At Nurse First Travel Agency, we take pride in building long-term, trusting relationships with both our employers and job seekers. By doing so, we are able to fully comprehend their goals and needs and it allows us to further enhance the quality of our services. By using our expertise in this industry, we strive to create the perfect matches in candidate placement, recruitment, and staffing. To know how we can help you today, please call 919-887-6100 or send us a message at info@Nurse1stTravel.com.

We hope you found these six tips for dealing with homesickness helpful. Do you get homesick while on travel nurse assignments? How do you deal with being homesick as a travel nurse? Comment your tips and advice for dealing with being homesick below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

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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Natural Energy Boosting Tips:

Get some sleep

Exercise

Limit your alcohol intake.

Stay Hydrated

Keep an eye on your diet.

Discover Inner Peace

Are you still tired?

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Make sure your contact information is up to date.

Organize jobs based on travel agencies if possible.

Highlight the skills that will be needed in your next position.

Update regularly.

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Step 1: Choosing a Resume Format

Step 2: Personal Information and Titles

Step 3: Resume Summary

Step 4: Add Relevant Skills

Step 5: Education

Step 6: Include Targeted Experience

In Conclusion

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