Travel Nursing isn’t for everyone. Just like with any other job there are pros and cons to it. For that reason, a travel nurse of 8 years came up with these 17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse before you sign that contract.
17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse.
1. Yes, it will be hard getting your first job.
Because not all hospitals take first time travelers, the more requirements you have (location, shift, block schedule, time off) the harder it will be.
2. You may get a great hospital for your first job that is okay with you being green, asking questions, needing guidance.
But it’s unlikely. Most will give you little to no orientation, the hardest patient load, and then nitpick your care. Or if they do take you it will be a hot mess. Know your practice. That skills checklist you have to do? Be honest. And if you aren’t marking expert in most to all the boxes, get more experience.
3. Yes, we are serious that you should get two years in your specialty.
Yes, TWO years minimum. Are there people who do it? Yup. Would you want someone caring for your grandma who is a year nurse with no support system in place? Oh, and you can bet they will cancel you if you can’t keep up. Or if you need a lot of assistance.
4. We are at-will employees.
Because of this we can’t sue for cancelled contracts, housing issues, ect. We put up a lot of upfront money with no guarantee. It’s just part of travel. You want security, keep your staff job.
5. Are there jobs out there that are destination locations, paying $3k a week, and block scheduling?
Yes, there is one. And it was filled 0.0000005 seconds after it posted by Janet who has been traveling for 22 years and has her travel game on lock down.
6. Have a savings.
You will hit a snag and not have a contract for a month, get cancelled, have that cheap housing fall thru, get sick/injured on contract. Nothing sucks more than being 3000 miles from family, broke, alone, and jobless.
7. They are paying us to work.
If you don’t, they will keep more of your money and you may get cancelled.
8. Be professional.
Yes, more professional than the staff nurses.
9. Mind your business.
They don’t want to know how you did it at your staff job. So, do it the way they want (within the parameters of patient safety). There is more than one way to skin a cat. As they say.
Yes, housing is harder. Adding big, bully breeds, or multiple dogs makes it even harder. Is it doable? Yes, but it’s harder. It may limit your locations.
13. Yes there is a quarantine for dogs going to Hawaii.
It’s it doable? Yes. But it’s a huge pain, expensive, and stressful for your pet.
14. Recruiters
There are crooked recruiters. Yes, there are lazy recruiters. There are crappy recruiters. Yes, you will work with a few before you figure it out. But there are great recruiters who will become your friends. Who will support you, listen to you lose your mind/whine/cry. When you find them, keep them. And tell all your friends.
15. Not every “good” recruiter is a good recruiter for every nurse.
Because of this you need to realize your needs and desires and find a recruiter who fits with you.
16. Travel nursing isn’t for everyone.
And that’s okay. You must be flexible, optimistic, and roll with the punches. Therefore, if that’s not you, stay home.
17. There will be nurse that disagree with these.
Saying well “I traveled after being a nurse for two weeks, have fifteen pit bulls and a horse and I found a job making $3k a week with block scheduling on day shift and housing for $50 a month. You can do it”. You can friend, but you are responsible for your license, bank account, and happiness. No one else.
So, before you sign that contract make sure you have not only read over these 17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse, but do your own research as well.
This is a question that is asked over and over. The best time to take time off? There is no best time, BUT as a travel nurse, one must understand they are supplemental staff to the Full-time staff why the whole industry was created due to Full-time staff shortages. But we are in a pandemic, so here are some ideas.
In between contracts or extensions.
This is the best time if you need a week to take a breather and get recharged. Nurses are being asked to work longer, and in more difficult environments, so it is okay to say you need some time for yourself.
If you feel burnt out or tired, work with them to see if you could get a week where your schedule may allow for a long weekend or a four-day weekend where you would have a Friday and/or a Monday off. Sometimes you just need a few days….
Not holidays but around the holidays.
Meaning supplemental staff is usually asked to work the holidays due to the Full-time staff wanting to take holidays. Hence there is usually a solid bump for that day or bonus. So if you work with your manager, you can schedule sometime around and still get the benefit of higher pay.
Just like any profession, there is never a good time one feels to take a breather.
Just know work will be there. But understand the pandemic will end in time, and rates will come back down, so if there is a time to work and actually work as many hours as you can, now and the near term would be the time and save some money to take a nice relaxing vacation when the pandemic ends!
We hope you found these tips for taking some time to yourself as a travel nurse helpful. Do you have any advice to share with new or even veteran fellow travel nurses about vacations and time off? Comment them below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need housing for that next assignment? Click here to visit our housing page.
About Go Healthcare:
For every reason you decide to travel, we are there for you. As a Travel Nurse, you have the opportunity to travel anywhere in the country while gaining an enriching experience both professionally and personally. Some reasons you may decide to travel include avoiding “hospital politics” as a staff RN, a chance to see the country, gain clinical experience for your nurse resume, increase your earning potential and connect with friends or family far and nearby working in the same city. We offer our Go RN Travelers exciting travel assignments across the country, competitive pay & benefits, and healthcare insurance from “day one” of your contract.
Hectic life and little rest might predispose you to long-term health issues, ranging from physical symptoms to mental health disorders. If you’re a travel nurse who works for almost the entire day, it’s essential to work on self-care. Therefore, on your day-offs, you must make the most through adequate self-care and rejuvenation.
Try to follow a calm and relaxing routine that helps uplift your mood. That way, you can recharge your body and come back better on the assignment days. If you do not know where to start, here are seven ideas to make your day off fun and to relax.
1. Plan A Small Trip
Almost every travel nurse has to keep moving from one corner of the city to another due to emergencies. It can leave you all-drained and induce mental burnouts up to a great extent. You can keep the mental issues at bay with frequent travel getaways. Also, the quick trip is likely to uplift your mood, reduce stress, and keep you away from the mundane routine.
In case you like art, you can always explore the art museums and art galleries for artists near you. This will help you stay creative and will definitely going to relax your mind.
2. Try To Rethink Your Daily Diet
Do you tend to compromise on your own nutritional needs due to the busy schedule and emergencies while on call? As a travel nurse, you must focus on your diet and regimen. While consuming a nutritious diet at work can be difficult, you can constantly replenish the nutrient reservoir on holidays.
Incorporate a well-balanced meal rich in essential nutrients like proteins, carbs, as well as fats. Along with this, you can prepare your healthy meals and take them along to work. Some nutritious lunch options to try are chicken salad, veggies, and dips, as well as avocado sandwiches. You can infuse the meals with some CBD tinctures to increase the potential health benefits.
3. Give Your Skin A Quick Prep
Another common issue prevalent amongst travel nurses is skin breakouts and blemishes. While traveling, you might get exposed to many environmental pathogens and dust particles. Take at least a day off to rejuvenate and improve your skin quality. You can follow a 3-step skincare regime for this purpose.
Along with this, the DIY face mask recipes containing kratom extracts might control acne issues. The herbal extracts contain mitragynine that can prevent skin inflammation and possible breakouts.
4. Overcome The Lack Of Sleep
Functioning in a sleep-deprived state can keep your body on alert mode and increase stress levels. Hence, it’s crucial to replenish the sleep deprivation and get proper sleep on the off-days. Try to get over the lack of sleep through a good sleep environment and herbal sleep aids.
Also, keep the room dark, cool, and well-ventilated to avoid possible mental health issues. Aim for at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep and use herbal sleep aids like chamomile or valerian. Not only will it reduce sleep-related lethargy, but it also allows you to unwind and relax in between work shifts.
5. Get Out & Move For A While
Don’t end up spending the off-day under your cozy blankets with a hot cup of coffee. You must get out and do some physical activity to keep your body in the right shape. Hectic working shifts and constant traveling can affect your physical health.
Also, it may lead to excessive accumulation of fats and cause weight gain. Try to take out at least 30 minutes on the day-offs and do some aerobic exercises. You may head out for a quick run or do a few squats in the comfort of your home.
6. Make Time For Your Hobbies
After you begin your professional life as a travel nurse, you may not find enough time to pursue your hobbies. But, you can always bring the creative entity out on the holidays or off-days. Try to do at least one activity that soothes your mind and rejuvenates your body. It could be anything, ranging from painting to sketching or even gardening.
Hobbies help you unwind, relax, and take your mind off the constant work-related thoughts. Not to forget, it can be the much-needed therapy after days of emergencies and hectic nursing schedules.
7. Plan A Meal With Your Loved Ones
As a social being, you must take out some time for your family and close friends. You can plan a getaway with your parents or head out to explore that new cafe with your friends. Also, try to mingle with friends outside your work as well.
That way, you get to keep your mind off the work incidences and possible stressors. It’s essential to spend time with your colleagues as well as your good-old buddies. On the off-days, you can plan a movie or house party and spend some quality time with your loved ones.
The Takeaway
Travel nurses are always on the move during patient care or while traveling to the workplace. For all the travel nurses, frequent breaks are essential to unwind and relax after long hours of emergency duties. Take out at least one day off for your mental and physical well-being. You can spend the day watching your favorite shows or overcome sleep deprivation. Also, plan a day out with your friends to relax and get your mind off the work stress.
We hope you found these tips for things to do on your day off as a travel nurse helpful. Have you found things to do on your day off that you would like to share? Comment them below.
Are you looking for your next assignment? Click here to view our job board. If you need to find housing for your assignment click here to view our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
For most nurses, dealing with high levels of stress on a daily basis becomes the norm. The nature of the job lends itself to stressful situations – from dealing with life and death situations to interacting with people at some of the worst moments of their lives – over long, demanding hours. The rates of nursing burnout are very high, with similarly high rates of mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Many nurses find themselves re-living the day’s work – mentally rechecking everything to make sure nothing was missed or secretly chastising themselves for not doing more. This mental game is called “ruminating” and can be very damaging. Ruminating prolongs and intensifies stress, leading to depression and impairing your ability to process events. If you find yourself ruminating on the day, step back and find an activity that requires your mental ability in a non-exhaustive way. Puzzle and word games, crafts, visiting friends, sports, or other hobbies can help “reset” your brain and get it out of the loop.
Nurses are often giving people by nature – they entered the profession to help others. This selfless attitude, while admirable, can cause a challenge when it comes to a positive nurse work-life balance. These are the qualities that make great nurses! However, it is also these qualities that make it hard for travel nurses to unwind after work.
As a nurse, how do you unwind, reset, and protect your private time? Let’s take a look at some techniques to reclaim your mental space and coax the stress away.
Five Ways to Unwind
1. Exercise.
Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and takes the tension away. And it doesn’t have to be physically exhausting. A walk, some yoga, some dancing, playing with a child or your dog – all of these are ways to move your body and release some stress. It also helps you sleep better!
2. Keep a Journal.
Focusing your thoughts on exactly how you are feeling can help you express yourself – and leave it on the page. Many find that gratitude journaling is a good technique for emphasizing the greatest things in life. Instead of focusing on stressful parts of the day, it might be helpful to express gratitude for the coworker that brought you lunch or the family member that hugged you. Journaling can help bring the joy back.
3. Spend time with family and friends.
When you don’t feel at your best, it is tempting to be a hermit and skip social events. Don’t do it! Spending time with those you love is a natural stress reliever and gives you a feeling of belonging and connectedness. When nurses talk about work-life balance, this is one component that is crucial to well-being.
4. Laugh.
Sometimes it is hard to find the humor in a situation – but nurses are known for a wicked sense of humor! A twisted sense of humor is a tried-and-true coping mechanism for healthcare workers. Caution – use your humor around people that “get it,” or it could be mistaken as in poor taste. Then laugh until it hurts!
5. Learn to Say NO.
As givers, nurses are sometimes not good at boundaries. This equates to extra shifts, staying late, and helping out coworkers and friends. This often leads to a lack of personal time and self-care and breeds resentment. While it is difficult, learning to say “no” in kind ways such as “I just have too much on my plate right now” or “Thank you for thinking of me, but I need to step away for a while” become easier with practice. Saying “no” gives you control over your stressors and eliminates that overwhelmed feeling.
CareerStaff Unlimited knows how important self-care is to busy nurses, and we support the work-life balance of each individual. Travel nursing opportunities allow nurses to select the assignment and the hours that are right for him/her while seeing new areas of the country and experiencing new cultures. Explore your options through CareerStaff by searching current travel job openings. Then relax and let us handle it!
We hope you found these tips for travel nurses to unwind. Do you have ways that you unwind after a long shift? 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 assignment? Click here to view our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
The transitory nature of being a traveling nurse poses a unique set of challenges when it comes to the long-term care many mesothelioma patients need. Because of this, you may not have been there from diagnosis through the entire process or be able to stay with the same patient to the end. However, it’s still important to understand what they’ve gone through and what the rest of their journey will look like in order to care for them now.
With Mesothelioma Awareness Day being September 26th, let’s take a look at a mesothelioma patient’s journey and explore some ways to best care for them.
What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. This naturally occurring mineral was used in many building and manufacturing materials, as well as homes before the 1980s because of its fire resistance and insulation properties. However, when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge themselves in the lining of the lungs and create scarring and inflammation. This can lead to the formation of tumors. These tumors are ultimately what cause the symptoms that push patients to get diagnosed. However, it can take 10-50 years after exposure for noticeable symptoms to appear, leading to a relatively late-stage diagnosis.
Understanding the diagnosis
A biopsy is the only way to officially confirm that the patient has mesothelioma. This test determines the cell type, stage, and location of the tumor, information that will be used to give a mesothelioma prognosis and build out the treatment plan. There are two cell types, three main locations where the cancer is found, and four stages. A patient’s prognosis will depend on the stage, cell type, and location of the tumor.
Mesothelioma cell types:
Epithelioid is common, making up 70-80% of cases. Epithelial cells exist naturally in the body as tissue that lines internal organs and vessels. When asbestos becomes lodged in them, they can mutate and become cancerous, causing mesothelioma. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with epithelial cells is 23.4 months.
Meanwhile, sarcomatoid makes up 10-20% of cases. This cell type metastasizes faster to other organs and is more aggressive. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with sarcomatoid cells is six months.
Mesothelioma locations:
Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and makes up 80-90% of cases. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are similar to other respiratory cancers and illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose early.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen and makes up 15-20% of cases. This type has a more promising life expectancy because of new progress with treatments.
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart and makes up less than 1% of cases. It has a poor prognosis and often patients rely heavily on palliative treatments.
Testicular mesothelioma makes up less than 1% of cases and has a much better prognosis and life expectancy than the other three.
Mesothelioma stages:
Stage one: the tumor is only in the lining of the affected organ.
Stage two: the tumor has spread to the affected organ
Stage three: the tumor has spread past the affected organ to nearby organs and into the chest.
Stage four: the tumor has spread into distant parts of the body, the lymph nodes, and bones.
Your patient’s treatment plan
Because of how rare this form of lung cancer is, patients often get a second opinion or find someone who specializes in mesothelioma before deciding on a treatment plan, there are three primary treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Many patients choose a multi-modal approach that combines two or three of these.
However, it’s important to note that depending on the cell type and stage, the treatments may be actually trying to eradicate the cancer or provide palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.
Supporting patients through it all
As a nurse, there are two major things to keep at the front of your mind when caring for a patient with mesothelioma.
Prioritize their emotional health. Pain and weight of a prognosis is an exhausting load to bear. Take some time to make a human connection and encourage them.
Include their family. Like with any other illness, a patient’s support system is crucial to the healing process. Help those around your patient to understand the diagnosis and share advice on how they can best support their loved one.
Closing thoughts
Caring for patients with mesothelioma can be draining because of how common a poor prognosis is. However, a nurse can make all the difference in their life by understanding the journey, advocating for them, and supporting them through the hardest parts.
We hope you found this information and tips on caring for a patient with mesothelioma helpful. Have you worked with mesothelioma patients? Do you have any advice or stories you would like to share? Comment them below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to view our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Travel nursing is a tough but important job. Moving from hospital to hospital to work in places that need your care is extremely important, but it makes an impact. The demands of nursing anywhere are huge, but it can be especially hard to get into a routine when you’re living in a new city and only temporarily. It’s important to put yourself first, especially when your job is nursing others. That’s the only way to stay motivated to work such a hard job over extended lengths of time. Here are some tips for maintaining your beauty routine when working as a travel nurse.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
First and foremost, if your skin starts looking sallow and you’ve got bags under your eyes, think about how much water you’ve been drinking lately. It can be tough to keep up with water intake when you’re working long shifts in the hospital. It’s easy to rely on coffee and energy drinks to sustain you. Hydration is important, though. Drinking a good amount of water can significantly improve the appearance of the skin. Without enough water, wrinkles can appear more prominently. Drinking enough water also improves the elasticity of your skin and can make it appear plumper. Try improving your water intake by about two liters a day if your skin has been looking sallow.
Prioritize What Your Skin Needs the Most
Face it. You don’t have a lot of time for an extended beauty routine. Between night shifts and long days in emergency and intensive care units, you’re not really thinking about beauty. Even so, there are some small things you can do to make big improvements. Think about what your body really needs, and invest in those things. If you’re dealing with sensitivity, invest in the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth. If you’re struggling with bags under your eyes, try a collagen-fueled eye cream. Focusing on a couple of small things will make an impact, even when you don’t have a lot of time in your day.
Shop Organic and Natural Products
If you’re making tough decisions about which areas of your beauty routine you should be focusing on, then it’s important to buy the right brand of product too. Consider gravitating towards natural and organic products to avoid harmful toxins. Toxins can lead to increased signs of aging and duller skin over time. Another benefit to natural products, they aren’t tested on animals, and they aren’t as harmful to the environment. You work as a nurse, and that means you care. Lessen your impact on the environment by buying natural.
Practice Selfcare
Even after you’ve bought the right products, it can be tough to find time to use them. Think through your day and find small moments where you can take a break. Is there a moment when you arrive at work, before you even get out of the car, that you can use lip balm or moisturizer? Can you keep some toiletries in the locker room at the hospital so you can refresh halfway through the shift? When you’re thinking about stealing a few moments for yourself during your workday, also think about dedicating some time for you when you’ve got a day off. Spend an hour focused on yourself on days off. Book a spa treatment, get a pedicure or go in for a massage. These moments will leave you refreshed and recharged to take on the next long, overnight shift on your schedule.
Add Some Order to Your Routine
You’ve taken the time to purchase products, but you have no idea in what order they go on your face. Order is important. After all, what was the point of finding that extra time if you’re going to use the products wrong and don’t get results? Here’s a general order for a facial care routine. First, wash your face. Then, use toner. Follow this with serum and eye cream. Spot treatments come next. Follow these with moisturizer and retinol. Finally, you’re on to sunscreen and makeup. This general order can be followed for body care and hair care as well, though products may vary somewhat.
The Bottom Line
Take the time to develop a beauty routine because someone who works so hard should take a moment for themselves as well.
We hope you found these tips for maintaining a beauty routine while on assignment helpful. Do you have any tips to share? Comment them below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to view our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Whether you’re considering a career in travel nursing or you’re getting ready to start your journey as a travel nurse, there are many things to consider when choosing this career. Moving is difficult for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for travel nurses who are consistently on the go, especially when you’re on shorter assignments. Managing travel expenses, housing arrangements, and preparation for your new career require quite a bit of planning. To make the process easier, consider these four tips:
Decide Whether You Should Rent or Buy a House
Deciding on housing arrangements as a traveling nurse requires a lot of research, as well as an overall understanding of your travel assignment. First, you must communicate with your recruiter regarding the length of the assignment. Knowing how long your travel assignment is can help you decide on whether you should rent or buy a home.
If your assignment is short, it’s better to consider renting a small place that won’t cost as much as the expenses associated with homeownership. However, if your assignment is longer than two years, in the same state and you plan to live there long term, it may be good to consider buying a smaller home. If so, it’s important to keep in mind your budget and the cost of living wherever it is you may be stationed. Organizing your finances ahead of time, such as the required credit score for a home loan, state taxes, and so on, can help in your decision-making process.
While renting has its advantages, buying a home can be beneficial when you need housing arrangements between your travel assignments. If neither renting or buying intrigues you, consider taking advantage of your agency and its benefits. Most staffing agencies provide travel nurses with a housing stipend or lodging options that can be cost-friendly. These stipends or lodging options may cover or include hotels, airbnbs, or facilities dedicated specifically to traveling employees.
Budget for All Expenses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a registered nurse as of 2018 was $71,730 per year. However, this may differ for travel nurses because of the demand of the job. Travel nurses, in general, expect a higher salary than stationary nurses. Despite the increased salary, travel nurses should budget accordingly based on the average salary and additional expenses they will face while traveling to different states or countries.
It’s crucial to outline the various costs you will incur, including travel expenses, housing, transportation, utility bills, and groceries. You should create a money plan that can help you manage your daily expenses to avoid the stress of being in debt while working a demanding job. While preparing to move to your first travel assignment, make sure to review your contract with your agency and allocate all benefits they provide to your budget. This will help you prioritize what you have to pay out-of-pocket.
Consider having an emergency fund that includes at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This step is beneficial because you may have unexpected costs like medical bills, a car accident, or a sudden move that isn’t supported by your travel agency. Lastly, it’s essential to choose the best travel nursing agency that suits your career and financial needs in this journey.
Pack Light
When preparing for a travel nursing assignment, packing can be one of the most difficult steps, but it doesn’t have to be. To have a smooth relocation, travel nurses should consider packing light and prioritize the essentials. Also, familiarize yourself with the weather trends in your new city so you don’t overpack by bringing clothes you won’t need. Using compression bags can help you fit more items that you will need, like electronics or other items, to make you feel at home.
So, enjoy your journey. It’s an amazing opportunity to travel around the country, so take advantage of it and explore the different cultures and traditions you’ll encounter. Take pride in the fact that you are doing something that many are not able to. Good luck!
We hope you found these tips for moving for travel nurses helpful. Have you moved as a travel nurse and have tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
So you want to be a travel nurse? Galavanting from state to state, making good money, and having great flexibility, right? Well, although it is a GREAT job, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows.
But if you are flexible and adventurous, it truly is one of the coolest professions ever! Here are 5 things you should know before you become a travel nurse.
1. Research, research, research!
There is a ton of information to try to absorb before taking the plunge to do travel nursing! What company do you want to go with? Where do you want to go? How do you find travel nurse housing? Can your pets come, and how hard is it to take them with you? How do you make money?
Luckily these days, there are a ton of resources, most notably groups on Facebook. You have to be added to these groups, but they are worth their weight in gold. Some of the admins of these groups have even been so kind and helpful to actually have compiled files for such topics as travel nurse housing, hospital reputation, taxes, travel companies, etc. Some of the few I have found helpful are:
Insider pro tip: use the search function relating to your question. For example, looking to see if someone has experience in the same hospital that you have a potential job offer from? Search the hospital name, city, or both. You will usually find some helpful information, and whatever you don’t find, feel free to post a question and ask!
2. You have to adapt quickly as a travel nurse
Most travel nurses get around 2-3 days of orientation on average. Some a little longer depending on the hospital and if they want you to do their own specific hospital orientation (I try to avoid these like the plague, haha, when you change jobs every 3 months, orientation gets monotonous and boring REALLY quickly).
Regardless, once you are on the floor/your particular setting, you are expected to be ready to go in 3-4 days. That means absorbing the new computer system and charting, learning your way around the unit, and your new coworkers are all done in a hurry! So you obviously need to have experience in your field before doing travel nursing. I traveled for the first time with 1.5 years of experience, but most places prefer at least 2 years. They are not there to teach you how to do the nursing job. They are just teaching you the unit and their way of doing things. So as we used to say in the ER, get your roller-skates on!
3. Be Prepared
Travel nursing can be a flighty kind of job! Not trying to discourage this profession at all, but all I am saying is to be prepared! When I say be prepared, that means be prepared for things to go wrong, hospitals to back out of contracts, and you to not get your dream job (i.e. location, money, etc.), among other things.
In my nearly 3 years of travel nursing at this time, I have luckily not had any major issues, but I hear of this enough to where it warrants mentioning. Hospitals back out last minute, positions close, you are holding out for that one job with the perfect money situation, your recruiting company drags their feet or makes a mistake, and next thing you know, you are out of a job for 6 weeks! I have known a couple of travel nurses to have spent time living in their cars! (This is more the exception than the norm, but still, yikes!)
Top tips to be prepared:
Always have a savings fund for 3-6 months of expenses if you are in between jobs.
Be prepared to take a job that is not your dream job/location.
Know your company’s policy regarding cancellation.
Research the hospital/facility experience in the Facebook groups I mentioned.
4. Your travel nurse job may not be like your permanent job
Now this is meant to be a broad brush covering many ways your job may not be the same. Yes, you have a general specialty that you will work in, say emergency department. But the way they do things may be different. The hospital may likely be going through a huge management/hospital administration turnover. Sometimes, you may even be floated to different areas (always ask the nurse manager you are interviewing with about the float possibility), among other things.
Just be flexible and willing to go with the flow, and you will be fine!
5. It can be a little lonely as a travel nurse
It may seem that this post is a little dismal, but in all honesty, just trying to point out a few things that a lot of travel nurses have difficulty with. In my personal opinion, the pros heavily outweigh the cons (more on that later), but just so you are prepared.
So whereas normally you can lean on your family, friends, and coworkers who are nearby for support after those tough days at work or whatever may be going on, it may not be the case during your travel nurse assignment. On the bright side, it forces you out of your comfort zone to get out there and make new friends or explore your surroundings by yourself! In my opinion, if you take the plunge to be a travel nurse, you are awesome! So remember that and wear it as a badge! Not everyone has the cajones (nor the opportunity because of obligations) to take off into the unknown and kick butt!
With that being said, here are some tips to stave off a little of the loneliness.
Go explore your town/surroundings.
Plan a trip home.
Plan a road trip to another close destination.
Pack things from home.
Well, again, this post may seem a little discouraging at first, but take heart! Being a travel nurse is one of the most incredible jobs out there! I can’t tell you how many people come up to me who want to know all about travel nursing and are beyond envious of my life. And I must say, their envy is well warranted.
I have been to more amazing places in my going on 3 years of travel nursing than some people have their entire lives! So go get your travel on!
Key takeaways:
Be prepared, be flexible, and get out of your comfort zone. You won’t regret it! Good luck, gypsies!
-Katie
Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for travel nurse assignments, and if travel nurse housing is an issue, our housing page can help. It’s time to make a difference!
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Ever spot a travel nurse job boasting high pay only to apply and find out you won’t be making that amount? Have you traveled with an agency only to find out they didn’t advocate for you when you needed them?
Transparency is vital in your relationship with your travel nurse agency. Picking an agency that values transparency means you won’t be wasting your time, adding stress to your life, or taking assignments that hinder you from accomplishing your personal or professional goals. Here’s what you can do to determine if a travel nurse agency values transparency.
Research the company
It takes courage for a nurse to uproot life and start to travel. You’re putting part of your career in someone else’s hands. There are plenty of travel nurse agencies that look attractive online, but what resources do they really offer you? A travel nurse agency that truly values transparency will echo the sentiment in everything it does.
So, before you pick an agency, you’ll want to do your research. To start your agency deep-dive, check out the content on the agency’s website; see if the agency has won awards for its services; look up reviews on trusted sites, like The Gypsy Nurse; and ask other travelers about their experience with the agency.
Look at job postings
Remember how we mentioned a transparent travel nurse agency will echo this value in everything? That includes job postings. If you see any of the below marks on a job posting, it doesn’t mean the agency isn’t transparent. But, you might want to ask more questions before agreeing to an assignment.
No work hours or shifts listed
Say you find a job in your specialty and in the area you want to travel. Do the work hours or shifts listed on the job post-match what you want? Are they listed at all? Choosing the right amount of hours or a preferred shift can work wonders on your psyche. If the work hours or shifts aren’t listed upfront, be sure to ask your recruiter to get these details for you before you agree to a contract.
Disclaimers on the job post
Nothing is more eye-catching than high pay, but it’s always important to read the fine print. Some travel nurse agencies will show a high range of weekly pay, but is that truly the amount of money that will deposit in your bank account each week? Look on the job posting for any disclaimers that factor benefits, reimbursements, or travel nurse expenses into the advertised pay. Exaggerated compensation can just be a quick distraction to get you past the disclaimers and in the agency’s door.
Ghost job postings
Ever apply for a job only to find out it no longer exists? Yes, an attractive travel nurse position can go fast. However, some agencies might post a ‘ghost’ job to get a traveler’s information. While the traveler wouldn’t be submitted for the ‘ghost’ job (since it doesn’t truly exist), the agency would still have the candidate’s information to solicit them and readily submit them for other jobs. It’s a sneaky tactic that doesn’t build a relationship based on transparency.
These are just some of the factors that can help travel nurses determine if an agency values transparency in its relationships. Ready to do an agency deep-dive? Start your research here on The Gypsy Nurse.
We hope you found these tips for choosing a travel nurse agency that values transparency helpful. Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need to secure housing for your assignment? Click here to view our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
