December 24, 2022

1282 Views

Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing- Part 2

Posted on December 24, 2022December 5, 2022 by Katie Fitts

In part one of this article series, we talked about the history of travel nursing and when you can or should start thinking about travel nursing. In this part of navigating the road to travel nursing, we will talk about finding a travel nurse agency and finding a recruiter.

Finding a travel nurse agency

Once you have your experience and are ready to entertain travel nursing seriously, it’s time to find a travel nurse agency to work with. A lot of picking a travel nurse agency to work with depends on where you want to go, what benefits you are looking for, and even your specialty.

People often ask me if I recommend one travel nurse agency over another, and I do not. Certainly, it’s nice to have a referral from a friend who has a good experience with a certain travel nurse agency. However, the reason I don’t always recommend companies is because I work with multiple companies at a time, around 2-3 at a time. I suggest you do the same, but not too many to overwhelm you. Working with more than one travel nurse agency allows you to compare and contrast offers and be exposed to a wider variety of jobs.

Not every travel nurse agency is created equal. Different companies have different jobs and offer different pay. Some of the larger companies, for example, Aya, has access to a LOT of contracts with major hospitals, but they may not have the smaller hospitals and likely will not have any smaller local contracts. Some hospitals only have contracts with certain companies, so even though the job is available with travel nurse agency A, travel nurse agency B may not have access to it.

Additionally, different companies have different benefits. When selecting a travel nurse agency, you want to consider what benefits you need. Will you need health insurance? 401 k? PTO/sick pay? Short-term disability?

Most companies these days do offer health insurance, but it may be a very poor plan, so it’s best to do your research before signing with a travel nurse agency if you plan to use their insurance. As for the other benefits, it’s a hit or miss. I, unfortunately, have yet to work for a travel nurse agency that offers PTO! I just know that if I get sick on the job, that comes out of my paycheck, and plan accordingly. But some companies offer PTO, which is an excellent benefit to have!

Finding a recruiter

Once you have a travel nurse agency, you will be connected with a travel nurse recruiter. What is a recruiter exactly?

A travel nurse recruiter is assigned to you personally and, among other duties, is responsible for matching you to the best of their ability with jobs according to your desired location, skillset, and shift preference. They will work with you to get you onboarded, submitted for a job, follow through to the start of the job, and be your point of contact throughout the job.

A recruiter plays an integral part in travel nursing, and it’s important to have a good relationship with your recruiter. A bad recruiter can make all the difference in your travel nurse experience.

Recruiters should be responsive and proactive. Recruiters are quite busy these days, maybe not as busy as during the height of the COVID pandemic, but still quite busy. Your recruiter should respond to your inquiries promptly, usually within 1-2 days. Travel nurse jobs are competitive, and it’s important to have a recruiter to timely respond and submit you to jobs when you are ready, so you don’t miss out on the opportunities. Recruiters should also be proactive, anticipating your needs. For example, if they know you are a new travel nurse, they should know that they should take more time with you to explain the process and make sure you understand your next steps. Another example, they should know when your contract is ending and be touching base on whether or not you want to extend or look for another contract.

More importantly, recruiters should be respectful and polite. As in any industry, there are a few bad apples out there. NEVER let a recruiter bully or pressure you into a contract you do not want or feel comfortable with. At the end of the day, it’s your well-being and nursing license on the line. Recruiters should listen to your job preferences and skills and be working with you, not against you.

We hope you found these articles on the road to travel nursing helpful. Below are the links to the other articles in this series.

For more information on finding a job, credentialing, and preparing for the journey watch out for part 3 of this series Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing articles. For part 1 click here.

If you are tired of endlessly researching answers about travel nursing with nothing to show, skip the overwhelm and let me Teach You How to Travel Nurse!

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 Medely

December 23, 2022

2425 Views

Want To Keep Your Travel Nurse Contract In The New Year?

Posted on December 23, 2022December 20, 2022 by Medely

Medely provided this article.

The New Year is synonymous with new beginnings, but what if you’re nearing the end of your winter travel assignment and aren’t ready to move on?

For a travel nurse or allied professional, a contract extension means:

There’s no need to relocate. Sometimes the timing isn’t right for a move—maybe you’re enjoying yourself too much, or you just don’t have the energy right now. Whatever your situation, a longer assignment will allow you to hold off for a bit.
Developing deeper relationships. Healthcare is a small world, especially if you tend to look for contracts within the same area. Stronger connections with managers, nurses, and other professionals can be an asset if (and when) you cross paths in the future.
Gaining valuable knowledge. Traveling adds a great breadth of experience to your nursing resume, but extending the current assignment can be an opportunity to sharpen your skills. If you think there’s more you can learn in your current job, staying can support your next career move.

There are plenty of advantages for the facility, too. Among the top benefits is the one that brought you there in the first place: Having a professional on hand who’s committed to patient care and their work is an asset, particularly during an unprecedented shortage of nurses.

But is staying with the same facility the right move for you? And, if so, what can you do to help ensure the facility wants you to stay? That’s what we’ll explore in this blog post. Let’s get started!

Five questions to ask before you extend a travel nurse contract

Before asking for an assignment extension, take a moment to reflect on your recent experiences. Staying at a healthcare facility isn’t just about liking the neighborhood or being comfortable. It should also help you advance your career. Consider the following five questions…

1. How well do you fit with the team?

Travelers can feel like outliers, especially when they’re new and finding their footing. But caregiving is a team activity whether the individuals are permanent or not. Do you work well with the staff nurses? Do you feel valued and respected by the team—and is the feeling mutual? You may still be learning people and processes, but if you aren’t asked for your help or input, it may not be the right environment for you.

2. Is the pay commensurate with your duties?

While typical rates for travelers are still quite high, it’s important that you feel you’re being paid an appropriate amount considering the work that’s being asked of you in this travel nursing job.

3. How do you feel before and after your shifts?

Consider your typical shifts at this facility and how they make you feel. Nursing has its highs and lows, but that means it’s even more important for you to protect yourself. If you enjoy some aspects of an assignment but are left feeling mentally and physically drained, it might be better to prioritize your well-being with a change of scenery.

4. Can you continue to contribute here?

Introspection is often about what you get out of a travel nursing assignment, but it’s as important to consider the facility and its patients. Are you able to create the impact you want? Through your relationships, experiences, and commitment to care, it’s important for you to feel you can add something to the team.

5. How do you feel about staying—or going home?

Maybe you love your new community but are also struggling so far from family and friends. What will you miss at home if you extend your travel nurse contract? You can always negotiate if you need time off. But if a longer stay will leave you feeling lonely or even resentful, you may want to reconsider.

If you feel confident about your desire to stay put, let’s look at what you can do to put yourself in an optimum position before you make your request.

How to position yourself to extend your travel assignment

From day one, you prove yourself as an asset to an organization through your professionalism and approach to day-to-day activities. Here are seven things you can do proactively to position yourself for the extension you’re looking for.

1. Be an active part of the team

As someone who may be seen as an outsider, it can take extra effort—and pushing out of your comfort zone—to connect with other nurses and allied pros. If you’re invited to attend staff meetings, educational opportunities, and other activities, do what you can to show up and participate.

2. Be dependable

From sick days to family emergencies, call-outs happen. When they do, be accountable for the disruption and communicate with the facility as quickly as possible so they can address the impact as quickly as possible. And for your other shifts, be there on time and ready to go.

3. Flex your nursing muscles

Dedicate your attention to your work and push your nursing abilities by going above and beyond when the team needs the support. For example:

Offer to work longer if the next nurse is running late
Lend a hand when you see another nurse struggling
Ask for help if you need it to ensure you’re providing the best care
Go above and beyond for patients when it’s appropriate to do so

In short, be the nurse you would want to hire!

4. Find ways to be present with your colleagues

Building relationships at work doesn’t always come naturally, but sometimes it takes just a small step to break the ice. If the facility shares the team’s birthdays, drop off a card for the celebrant. Write a brief handwritten thank you note when another nurse goes out of their way to help you out. Ask a colleague how their day is going and pause to listen to their answer.

5. Get to know the decision-makers

You don’t need to go overboard, but familiarize yourself with the people in charge. Check-in regularly with the hiring manager during your current assignment. Learn the names of the management team. Introduce yourself to the human resources folks, the person in charge of scheduling, and the nursing management team, so you aren’t a stranger to them.

Once you’ve decided to pursue a travel contract extension, don’t be afraid to tell the decision-makers why you’re enjoying your work at the facility. If you aren’t able to tell them in person, consider leaving a handwritten note or sending an email.

7. Be open about your expectations

As you start to discuss a possible extension, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the contract and be transparent about your needs and expectations, including dates, any pre-existing commitments, your hourly rate, and your schedule. These important details should be clearly communicated ahead of time so that any requests and adjustments can be addressed before the extension occurs.

Let your travel nursing agency know you’re interested in an extension!

Practically speaking, a conversation about extending your contract can be initiated by you and your recruiter or by your manager. Once you’ve decided you would like to stay, let your recruiter know in writing and in person (or by phone) as soon as possible. That way, they’ll have time to connect with the facility to negotiate and confirm details on your behalf.

What are your go-to tips for keeping your travel nurse contract or extending a travel nurse assignment? Tell us about them in the comments!

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 Kevin Devoto

December 22, 2022

1216 Views

Healthy and Delicious Meals For On-The-Go Travel Nurses

Posted on December 22, 2022December 2, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

Because of your busy lifestyle as a travel nurse, you may turn to the convenience of fast food even though you know it’s not the healthiest choice. There are better options, though; if you plan ahead, you can enjoy healthy and delicious meals on the go.

Healthy and Delicious Meals for On-the-Go Travel Nurses:

Breakfast Choices

How often have you run out the door without breakfast and found yourself dragging by mid-morning? This doesn’t have to happen. First, think smoothies. They will give you plenty of nutrition and flavor, and if you make them up ahead of time, you can grab one on the run as you dash out of the house. Check out the healthy protein breakfast smoothie recipe, for example. It combines almond milk with three kinds of fruit, peanut butter, and oats to give you enough energy to get through your day.

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You might also create a bagel bar as a morning treat. Slice bagels the night before and prepare a series of toppings, everything from jams to thinly sliced cheeses. You can create bagel sandwiches in the morning as you are heading out. Be sure to have plenty of napkins and moist paper towels in plastic sandwich bags for quick cleanup.

Finally, you could build fruit, yogurt, and granola cups and stash them in the refrigerator. Use various flavors of yogurt, and slice in one or two fruit choices. Mix in some crunchy granola. Then spoon your creation into disposable plastic cups with lids. Tape a plastic spoon to the cup and stick it on a label, so you know what you are grabbing.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Sandwiches and wraps are standard for lunches and suppers, but they don’t have to be dull. Research recipes online, and you’ll discover such delicacies as turkey and tomato wrap, tropical beef wrap, and taco wrap. For sandwiches, try using different kinds of bread, like focaccia, savory rolls, and pitas. Combine meats and cheeses, unique spreads like pesto and honey mustard mayonnaise, and vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Prepare sandwich and wrap fixings the night before, and have everything ready for quick assembly in the morning. Baked chips, sliced veggies, and applesauce cups make good accompaniments. Throw in a cookie or piece of chocolate for a treat, and have small bottles of water on hand in the refrigerator. Your family will appreciate the variety, and so will you.

Box Meals

Box meals inspired by Asian bento boxes are all the rage these days, and they can offer you plenty of on-the-go meal options. Social media sites are filled with bento box videos that can inspire you to build your own creations based on your family’s tastes. Start by purchasing a box for each member of your household (including yourself). Look for one that has a thermos option so that you can use hot foods if you choose.

Bento boxes are designed to combine several different foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and desserts, so they remain separate and fresh. You might choose re-heated leftover casserole as an entre, add in carrot sticks for crunch, and sliced strawberries for color. Tuck in a small container of dip for the carrots and mini-cupcake for dessert. The possibilities are endless, and you might even include your kids in the planning and assembling process. They’ll be much more likely to eat their lunches.

On-the-go meals don’t have to be unhealthy. In fact, they can be both nutritious and delicious if you make an effort to try some of these ideas and adapt them to your family’s needs. You’ll feel better about what you’re serving and eating.

We hope you found this article on healthy and delicious meals for on-the-go travel nurses helpful. Are there any meals that you think should make our list? Comment below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. 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 Medical Edge Recruitment

December 21, 2022

2337 Views

Working Through the Holidays

Posted on December 21, 2022January 30, 2024 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Bri Davie, Northeast Region Team Lead at Medical Edge Recruitment

If you are like most people, the holidays are probably your favorite part of the year. When you think of Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza, a few terms such as family, giving, joy, or gratitude may come to mind. These holidays may make you more homesick while on a travel assignment, even more than usual.

If you feel this way, you are not alone, but there are ways to deal with getting through an assignment while away from home. See the tips below on ways to cope while working on a travel assignment away from home during the holidays.

Celebrate Your Holiday Before the Official Date

This may be a little unconventional, but what matters most is having your family with you and creating memories. If that means opening Christmas presents on the 15^th instead of the 25^th because you start your assignment on the 20^th, then so be it. Enjoy watching the kids jump for joy at the surprise of the newest video game, enjoy the eggnog, and watch a Christmas classic. It is the time spent with family that matters more than the actual date celebrated.

Bring Symbols of Your Holiday with You

Bringing a little piece of home with you while out on the road brings a warm feeling of security that helps you push through missing your family and loved ones. Bringing a symbol of your special holiday will assist you in the same manner. That means if Kwanzaa is your holiday of choice, maybe bring along a Kinara (candle holder) and Mishumaa Saba (seven candles). You could also bring red, green, and black scrubs (if allowed) or objects to represent the symbolic colors. This is a small way to keep your traditions alive even while traveling.

Bring Your Family’s Favorite Holiday Movie

Is there a movie you and your family must watch this time of year, every year? Whatever movie brings joy to you and is about or mentions your celebrated holiday, make sure you pack the DVD in your bag or add it to your stream service watch list, such as Netflix. For those who celebrate Hanukkah, if you enjoy musicals, consider “Fiddler on the Roof.” If you are a comedy fan, consider Adam Sandler’s “Eight Crazy Nights.” Either way, movies are a great way to keep you entertained and joyful through laughter.

Allow your Family to Visit

This tip is a bit on the expensive side, especially depending on the size of your family and the location of your assignment. At the same time, how often are you able to enjoy a Holiday vacation with your family away from home? Seeing your family during the holidays will reduce your homesickness, allow your family to understand why you love to travel, and create new holiday memories. Keep in mind it is not often that you can request many days off, if any, around this time. That is usually reserved for nurses on staff, so if you go this route, be mindful of the days your family will visit and plan accordingly.

Take a Break in December

You are probably thinking that taking a break in December is not a way to help you cope with missing the holidays with your family. You are right. But, if the holidays are extremely important to you and spending time without your family during this time is too much to fathom, consider December the one month that is reserved for you and your loved ones. Hustle your way responsibly all year that way; you can enjoy your family stress-free.

These are just a few affordable tips that you can use to enjoy the holidays while on assignment and away from loved ones. But remember, you could always schedule your contracts all year and take an extended break in December to create new memories. What are ways you cope with working during the holiday season?

Looking For an Agency Who Understands Your Needs?

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 your personalized provider experience our 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 working through the holidays helpful. Do you have any tips for other travelers who may be working through the holidays? Comment them below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. 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 Katie Fitts

December 18, 2022

1812 Views

Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing- Part 1

Posted on December 18, 2022December 5, 2022 by Katie Fitts

Ready to start travel nursing but feeling overwhelmed and needing help figuring out where to start? I get it! Starting travel nursing can feel overwhelming and daunting. Here’s your quick start guide to navigating the road to travel nursing!

What is a Travel Nurse?

First off, let’s start with the basics! What exactly is a travel nurse?

A travel nurse is a nurse who works on a contract basis with a hospital or facility temporarily to help alleviate staffing shortages. The travel nurse serves the purpose of filling a short-term staffing need and can be used for various reasons.

Travel nursing started back in the 1970s in New Orleans to account for an increased patient population during Mardi Gras. Hospitals found themselves overwhelmed with the extra patient load during this time, but they didn’t need this staff at all times of the year. Someone had the brilliant idea to bring in extra staff on a contract basis to help; thus, travel nursing was born! So next time you see Mardi Gras revelers strung in beads and overindulging in libations, you can give them a nod and thank them for being the catalyst to starting travel nursing!

Most notably, in the last two years, the reason for travel nurses would be the COVID pandemic. COVID created an incredible strain on the healthcare system, and nurses were needed everywhere to help care for the increased patient loads. However, travel nurses are used for many other reasons. Staff may be out on medical/maternity leave, staff leaving for other jobs or going back to school, and also seasonally in places such as Florida or Arizona when the snowbirds head south for the winter.

Of note, this is a good question to ask the nurse manager during your travel nurse interview! How many travelers do you have, and what’s the reasoning? This can give you a good insight into what you may expect on the unit. If the unit is entirely staffed by travel nurses, that may give you pause about the assignment. Travel nurses rely on experienced staff nurses to help orient and provide guidance on the unit. Certainly, COVID was an extenuating circumstance, and many units were staffed primarily with travel nurses. However, thank goodness these days, we have emerged for now out of the critical stage of COVID.

When can I start travel nursing?

A travel nurse must have experience prior to traveling, so you cannot travel as a new grad nurse.

The absolute bare minimum experience required is 1 year, 1.5-2 years is adequate, but the more experience, the better. I traveled after 1.5 years of experience in the ED, and I was just fine. But I also had 2 years of ED tech experience before that, which certainly helped boost my experience.

Experience is critical to being a travel nurse, and I’ll tell you why! As a travel nurse, you are expected to be up and running within about 2-3 days of orientation. Travel nurse contracts are typically 13 weeks; thus, there is no time for the typical 6 8 weeks or even 12-16 week orientation like a new grad nurse. Travel nurses hit the ground running!

Travel nurses must have the basic foundation of patient care in their particular setting. Of course, you will not know everything, and you will most certainly have a bazillion questions! There will be different protocols and ways of doing things, but essentially patient care is the same. As a travel nurse, you are orienting to the new unit, computer system if different than your previous one, and ways of doing things.

So as we used to say in the ED, get your roller skates on!

For more information on finding an agency and a recruiter and how to land your first travel nursing assignment, watch out for parts 2 and 3 of this series Navigating The Road to Travel Nursing articles.

If you are tired of endlessly researching answers about travel nursing with nothing to show, skip the overwhelm and let me Teach You How to Travel Nurse!

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 Furnished Finder

December 17, 2022

2196 Views

Travel Nurse Side Hustle – Turning Your Home into a Short-Term Rental

Posted on December 17, 2022December 27, 2023 by Furnished Finder

Disclaimer: Please consult with a tax professional before renting out your home as a travel nurse. A traveler may put their nontaxable status at risk if they rent their tax home out when on a travel assignment.

Side Hustle for Travel Nurses:

Have you ever thought about making extra money by hosting travelers in your home on Furnished Finder? You can make thousands by taking the leap into a travel nurse side hustle by offering your room, apartment, condo, or house to fellow travelers while you’re away on assignment.

Katrina Dividina and her husband are travel nurses who started renting to other travelers in 2020. Now they have six units on Furnished Finder and have replaced the income they make from traveling. They still travel because they love what they do, but the extra money they make on Furnished Finder gives them more opportunities to travel for fun and hit their savings goals. To learn more about their story and the process, register for the event today and tune in the day of.

Travel Nurse Side Hustle – Turning Your Home into a Short-Term Rental

About Brian:

Brian Payne is the CEO and Founder of Furnished Finder. Brian led the housing talk at TravCon 2021 and 2022 and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Furnished Finder. Furnished Finder is a no-booking-fee, furnished housing marketplace for healthcare travelers and other traveling professionals.

For more information on hosting your property through Furnished Finder, visit www.thegypsynurse.com/travelershostingtravelers.

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.

Resources:

The Landlord Diaries Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-landlord-diaries/id1641540804

“30 Day Stay” book by Zeona McIntyre and Sarah Weaver. Available on Amazon & Audible

Find housing/view comps in your area: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/

View traveler stats in your area: https://www.furnishedfinder.com/stats

The Landlord Diaries Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thelandlorddiaries4137

30-Day Stay book:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/30-Day-Stay-Investors-Mastering-Medium-Term/dp/1947200828/ref=asc_df_1947200828/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598354936952&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2689937029426391308&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9051708&hvtargid=pla-1796077882768&psc=1

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/30-Day-Stay-Audiobook/B0BK9YHD9S?source_code=GPAGBSH0508140001&ipRedirectOverride=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqOucBhDrARIsAPCQL1bDgBiYMqUKTA_GVXAWKwULJsNSNy4FVyvUpRUFEBQA_pSzUFR8lu0aAgv4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-payne-1a1986122/

MTR Summit by Jesse Vasquez – in-person event – April 2023 – San Diego – More details to follow.

By Host Healthcare

December 16, 2022

5378 Views

Nursing Excellence: Setting SMART Goals with Examples and Strategies

Posted on December 16, 2022December 18, 2023 by Host Healthcare

Host Healthcare provided this article.

Having ambitions as a travel nurse is important. It’s what makes your role that much more meaningful. But having a realistic and actionable plan in place is what will help you bring your goals to fruition and make the greatest impact.

Well-planned, intelligently conceived, and designed to help you grow without being unrealistic, SMART goals are essential to helping you plan and navigate your career in nursing.

So how exactly do you plan and write them, and what are the SMART goals nursing professionals find most useful when working as travel nurses?

The ABCs of Goal Setting

Perhaps you already have long-term goals and a detailed plan for your career path. But if you’re like most of us, planning ahead can be vague, changeable, or inconsistent.

Whether you’re starting from a blank slate or checking in on a plan in progress, it’s useful to take some time annually to review goals, celebrate successes, and consider the following:

What do I want to be doing in one year? In five years? In ten years?
Do I want to practice, manage, or teach in my field?
Who can I connect with in a mentor or coaching role for me?
What continuing education, certification, or training is critical to my specific goal?

Have you visualized your career but aren’t completely clear on achieving your travel nursing goals? Effective nursing goal setting is based on understanding your values, applying them to big dreams, and breaking those dreams into small achievable steps so you can actively include them in your day.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART goal setting is a practice used in many professional environments, and travel nurses can use it to set both career goals and personal goals. The acronym breaks down to:

Specific – Identify the exact goal
Measurable – Set objectives that can be measured and allow you to track the success
Attainable – Be realistic about necessary skills and available resources
Relevant – Ensure the specific goal is connected to critical skill-building or desired outcomes
Time-Bound – Set a deadline for when you plan to achieve your goal

For instance, if you want to have strong relationships with your colleagues during a job assignment and learn from them, you could build that into a SMART goal such as:

Increase collaborative skills by having lunch with team member(s) once per week, identifying two colleagues to ask for best practices training/sharing, and requesting three peer evaluations at the end of this assignment.

This goal is specific (increase collaborative skills) in clarifying not just an end goal but the plan to reach it. It includes steps that can be measured (one weekly lunch, two colleague training, and three peer reviews). The steps are attainable and realistic, and they’re relevant to both connection and collaboration as well as overall nursing career development. Finally, timeliness is based on completing all steps by the end of the job assignment (plus the weekly lunch scheduling).

Setting Goals

Regardless of specialty, some important nursing goals are popular across the board. You may want to focus on improving the following:

Patient communication skills
Staff and patient safety practices
Patient care procedures, including start and end of shift transitions
Documentation accuracy and timeliness
Professional development based on continuing education and training

But again, these bullet points aren’t actual SMART goals for nursing. For those, you’ll need to clarify what you want to achieve, how you’ll do it, when it’ll be done, how it can be measured, and understand how it relates to your role.

For example, let’s consider the first bullet point. Converting “patient communication skills” to a nursing SMART goal could look like this:

Step 1: I will sit down with each new patient, introduce myself, and ask what they want to be called.

Step 2: After completing the intake form with them, I’ll give them my full attention and ask what questions they have, making a note of this exchange in the notes section.

Step 3: To help keep this in mind, I’ll set up a weekly calendar prompt with reminders about my goals and ask management to forward survey responses from my patients.

SMART Goals for Travel Nurses

For travel nurses specifically, the process of onboarding in a new role requires its own skills and goal setting. Between learning the systems and practices of a new environment, meeting new management, and developing connections with fellow nurses, there are additional aspects of the assignment to consider. When creating your SMART goals in travel nursing, you may want to emphasize the following:

Nursing informatics (data and technology) across multiple popular systems
Speech and interpersonal communication skills
Negotiation and assertiveness skills
New reports and studies in evidence-based practical nursing

Partner with Host Healthcare to Meet Your Travel Nursing Goals

One of the smartest ways to meet your professional goals as a travel nurse is to work with the Host Healthcare team. From the very start, we’ll help you with your travel nurse application and connect with you to understand your personal and professional plans. We will continue to act as a resource and support system throughout your placement.

Working as a travel nurse multiplies your opportunities to learn new skills, master new professional environments, and try new roles. Through travel nursing, you will have more opportunities to find positions that match your current skills and allow you to develop new ones.

Ready to learn more? Connect with a specialist at Host Healthcare today to discuss your travel nurse goals and receive a hand-picked list of opportunities for you.

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

Sources:

Nursing CE Central. The Use of SMART Goals in Nursing. https://nursingcecentral.com/the-use-of-smart-goals-in-nursing/

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 trustaff

December 15, 2022

1797 Views

Cali Dreaming – Top Reasons to Take Your Next Assignment in California

Posted on December 15, 2022December 13, 2022 by trustaff

Trustaff provided this article.

California has so much to offer to any traveler, let alone healthcare travelers. It’s a highly sought location to travel to for many great reasons specific to healthcare travelers. We’ve come up with this very appealing list of reasons why you should think about taking your next assignment in the Golden State of California!

Top reasons to take your next travel assignment in California:

Cali Dreaming – Top Reasons to Take Your Next Assignment in California

With the size of the state and many different hospital systems and facilities throughout, there are always many travel jobs available. California’s market for travelers is always consistent, and the need for travelers is always steady. Not only do they have a wide variety of assignments, but they also offer fantastic pay. Many assignments in the state are higher than in most other states. If you ever think there isn’t an assignment in the Golden State matching your specialty or modality, think again! California is full of high-paying assignments for healthcare travelers of all kinds.

On the topic of the size of the state, California offers an endless amount of tourist attractions whether you’re looking for adventures on your off days or just some fresh relaxation. Are you a fan of amazing year-round weather? Southern California may be your cup of tea. South Cali offers many of the staples for tourists, such as Hollywood, Disneyland, and the San Diego Zoo, (check to see if your agency offers perks or discounts on tickets!) Palm Springs and various vineyards if you’re into the wine life. Southern California is always a fan favorite. If you’re more of an outdoorsy adventurer, travelers love Northern California. Locations like Redwood National Forest, take a walk and explore the Golden Gate Bridge, find your new favorite restaurant in the extravagant dining in Napa, and we hear NorCal also has a large vineyard and wine selection. The adventures are absolutely endless in California.

One of the best parts of working in California is the state’s mandated nurse-patient ratio laws. In 2004, the state of California enacted mandatory ratios for the safety of healthcare workers. California is the only state to have such laws. In most hospitals, the mandated ratio of a minimum of one nurse for every five patients (1:5). In an ICU unit, the ratio is one to two (1:2). Many healthcare travelers love traveling to CA to work in a state where they can practice safely.

Don’t have a CA license yet? No worries! California has emergency licenses (EMSA) available until 2/28/23, and your agency can help you with applying for an EMSA license. California’s new temporary license process is much faster than previously – travelers are applying for their temporary licenses and receiving them in 2-3 weeks. If you have already applied for an EMSA, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to processing a temporary or permanent license. As an added bonus, many companies help cover the costs of your new licenses. This means you apply for the license (with help from your agency if needed), and they’ll reimburse you for the fees. Some companies are adding extra perks or benefits for getting a new state license – Trustaff offers a free iPad or Apple Watch!

The opportunities, adventures, and career experiences are endless in the state of California. Many travelers extend multiple times as CA has much to offer. So what do we think – are you ready to travel to California?

We hope you found this article on the top reasons to take your next travel assignment in California helpful. Are there any other reasons you think California is a great place to take your next travel assignment? Comment below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. 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 TheraEx

December 14, 2022

2226 Views

Holiday FOMO While Travel Nursing

Posted on December 14, 2022December 14, 2022 by TheraEx

TheraEx Staffing Solutions provided this article.

You’ve probably experienced it before. You’re away from home on assignment during the holidays while scrolling through Netflix feeling anxious and envious instead of stress-free and self-assured, all because you glanced at your social media feeds and saw the proof that your friends and family from back home are spending time together during the holidays. So much for enjoying a rare night of rest and quiet, much-needed for mental restoration.

While travel nursing is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, it can also be enjoyable and invigorating. With these tips, you’ll be able to focus on enjoying your new home and surroundings without feeling like you’re missing out on life’s milestones.

How to combat feeling like you are missing out during the holidays while travel nursing:

Lean Into Nostalgia

By embracing your feelings of homesickness and learning how to cope with them, it will help you protect yourself from future cases of it. Working to address your feelings will make it much less likely to happen with your next assignment. If you’re feeling particularly down or yearning to be with your friends and loved ones, bringing mementos on your travel nurse adventures is a great way to bring a little piece of comfort and familiarity with you. It can be a box of photos, candies from your favorite hometown shop, or a significant other’s sweatshirt. Keeping these items close can stop a case of homesickness in its tracks and help you feel more at ease.

Embrace Your New City

Whether you’re exploring amusement parks in sunny California or are snowed-in in Colorado, picking up a few local traditions can put a fresh spin on your holiday traditions and help you to create new ones for when you’re back home. Send locally inspired gift cards or memorabilia to your loved ones to let them know you’re thinking about them and hold them close to your heart even when they’re not nearby. You can also collect ornaments or other trinkets that represent each assignment you’ve taken and use the items to decorate your home throughout the years to come.

Spend Time with Other Travel Nurses

One of the great things about travel nursing is you will always be surrounded by a supportive group of caring people that understand what you’re going through and have most likely felt the same before. Consider getting together and having a holiday celebration, where each person brings a signature family dish that reminds them of home. You can also rally everyone together for a white elephant gift exchange where the goal is to find the most outlandish and hilarious present.

Decorate Your Current Living Space

If you’re feeling homesick during the holidays, try decorating your current living space to make it feel more festive and as close to home as possible. Buy a few holiday decorations from the Target dollar spot or a local craft store that is having a sale, put up a holiday wreath on your door, or even decorate a mini tabletop tree. You can also get creative with your holiday decorating and look up easy DIYs on YouTube or TikTok – the options are limitless.

Check Out Local Events

The most exciting way to have fun and experience your new surroundings during the holidays is to attend local events. From tree lighting ceremonies to festive holiday markets, there is usually an abundance of activities happening in most communities during the season. If you’re in an area that is more rural, you could also drive around town looking at everyone’s Christmas decorations with another travel nurse and stop for some local hot cocoa.

From leaning into nostalgia to connecting and checking out local events, there are many ways to make this a holiday season to remember–regardless of where your temporary home may be. We hope these tips help you feel a little less like you are missing out while travel nursing this holiday season. Are there any other tips you would give travel nurses to help them from feeling like they are missing out during the holidays? Comment them below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. 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

Finding a travel nurse agency

Finding a recruiter

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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Five questions to ask before you extend a travel nurse contract

1. How well do you fit with the team?

2. Is the pay commensurate with your duties?

3. How do you feel before and after your shifts?

4. Can you continue to contribute here?

5. How do you feel about staying—or going home?

How to position yourself to extend your travel assignment

1. Be an active part of the team

2. Be dependable

3. Flex your nursing muscles

4. Find ways to be present with your colleagues

5. Get to know the decision-makers

6. Don’t be shy to share your reasons for staying

7. Be open about your expectations

Let your travel nursing agency know you’re interested in an extension!

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