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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
As temperatures start to drop, you might be planning out your next travel nurse destination. Whether you love the cold weather or you’re trying to stay far away from it, we’re covering all the bases on where to travel, what to do, and what to pack. From the snowy mountains of Colorado to the heat of Arizona, we’re giving you the best travel nurse locations to visit this winter.
Top Travel Nurse Locations This Winter
Embrace the Cold in Colorado and Minnesota
For the travel nurse who thrives in cold weather, Colorado and Minnesota are your go-to spots this winter. From the first snowfall of the season, there are countless activities to explore!
Visit Colorado for your one-stop ski and snowboarding destination. With various resorts to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. Mount Princeton Hot Springs is an all-around resort that encompasses several activities in one location. The resort offers a spa, juice bar, hiking trails, lodging, and more. If you’re looking to go beyond the slopes, Colorado also offers other unique activities. Take a dip in one of the state’s many hot springs, hit the ice-skating rinks, go ice fishing, or speed down the trails while dog sledding. These activities make travel nursing in Colorado the perfect option during those chilly months!
If you’re visiting Minnesota, be prepared to brave the cold temperatures. Whether you’re a fan of indoor or outdoor activities, this state has options for both, making travel nurse jobs in Minnesota popular all year round. If you’re interested in doing something adventurous outdoors, check out ice climbing. Ice climbing is the equivalent to rock climbing, except you’ll be scaling frozen waterfalls! Other outdoor activities include visiting the ice castles and trailing the slopes while snowmobiling or snowshoeing.
On the other hand, if you want to stay warm and cozy indoors but still want to explore all Minnesota and Colorado have to offer, there are a few options. If you’re in Minnesota, you can take a trip to the Mall of America or make a few pitstops at the history and art museums. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is the perfect spot if you’re on a budget. They offer free general admission, and their gallery features over 80,000 pieces of different artwork to enjoy. In the heart of downtown St. Paul is another great museum to visit, the Science Museum of Minnesota. Here you’ll get an out-of-this-world experience with various exhibits ranging from dinosaurs, fossils, outer space, and nature.
If you’re visiting Colorado and are in the mood to go stargazing but don’t want to be outside, then the Fiske Planetarium is perfect for you. They put on laser shows and space odysseys and feature a star ball with a display of over 20 million stars. You can also dive into Colorado’s past by visiting the History Colorado Center. They rotate their exhibits to display different pieces of history, so you’re sure to find something that suits your interest.
Escape the Cold in Arizona and Texas
Not a fan of winter weather? Escape the cold and take a trip to Arizona or Texas to embrace the warm rays. Over the summer, Arizona and Texas temps can reach scorching levels, but during the winter months, it cools down just enough to still enjoy the beauty of the state.
For the traveler who wants to take the scenic route, Arizona brings you some of the best hiking trails and botanical gardens. Some of the top trails to hike with a range of difficulty include Double Butte Loop, Pinnacle Peak, and Echo Canyon Trail. You’ll find some of the most breathtaking views on these trails, so don’t miss out.
If you’re looking to get into the holiday mood, there are other attractions in Arizona that allow you to indulge in seasonal activities, like the World of Illumination, ZooLights, Glendale Glitters, and ice skating at Salt River Fields. Ready to ring in the new year? You’re in luck because there are celebrations on every corner throughout Arizona. Take part in a Flagstaff tradition as they put on their annual Pinecone Drop, followed by a fireworks display to celebrate the new year. For Great Gatsby fans, be sure to drop by the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel for a Gatsby-style NYE celebration filled with music, food, and drinks.
Although the weather will be cooler in Arizona during the winter, don’t forget to stay hydrated and keep your body moisturized. The dry weather can be brutal for your body, so it’s important to stay hydrated and healthy. Travel nursing in Arizona is a great option for those looking to stay warm this winter!
Looking for a bit of variety? Travel nurses in Texas can experience a range of both winter and summer-like activities. If you want to take a trip to the beach, Galveston Pier is the perfect place to be. The Galveston Pier hosts all kinds of holiday events during the winter, so you can enjoy the beachfront while still getting festive.
If you’re heading to San Antonio, take a stroll down the San Antonio Riverwalk, as they display an array of Christmas lights to enjoy. You can even rent a kayak for a unique viewpoint of the lights from the river! If you’re looking for a more adventurous getaway while visiting Texas, stop by Big Bend National Park. Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, or just explore, this is the place for you.
If you’re new to traveling in lower temperatures, you’ll want to be sure to pack the essentials to stay prepared under different circumstances. There are a few tips to keep in mind that will come in handy when you’re preparing for your travel nurse assignment. Our first tip is to pack clothing that you can layer, like thermals, t-shirts, sweaters, leggings, and pants. Packing only bulky items will take up a lot of space and won’t allow you to wear multiple layers. You’ll also want to be sure to bring a pair of gloves, a hat, and a scarf. These basics will help you stay warm while travel nursing in locations like Colorado and Minnesota.
When traveling to places like Arizona and Texas this winter, you’ll want to pack a variety of clothes as you may experience both warm and cooler temperatures. Layering will be your best friend, as the mornings and evenings tend to be cooler. A light jacket or hoodie is perfect for this type of weather!
No matter what type of climate you’re traveling in, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand. You can pack it in your luggage or keep it with you in your car. Some items to include are a first aid kit, flashlight, phone charger, water, snacks, and a blanket. Packing these essentials will help you stay prepared this winter as you travel to your next travel assignment.
Make the most of this holiday season by visiting one of these top travel nurse locations. Whether you want to embrace the snow in Colorado and Minnesota or soak up the sun in Arizona and Texas, there are unique options for every travel nurse!
Do you prefer to embrace the cold or escape the cold in the winter? Let us know in the comments below, and take a look at our open travel nursing jobs to start exploring with Favorite today!
Need help deciding what bucket list destination you want to explore on a travel assignment for this upcoming year? Let’s make that easier and tell you some of the most underrated, breathtaking, and adventurous National Parks to explore on a travel assignment!
This National Forest is the place to escape the busy city life and enjoy some time in nature. Known for the tallest trees in the Eastern United States, this dense forest area is the perfect escape to get some hiking, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, or picnicking! Congaree National Park will be the fix you need to enjoy relaxation in the great outdoors. March through May are the best times to visit the park; however, summertime is also a great option if you prepare with bug spray!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Nearby cities: Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta, Gunnison
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the star of the underrated National Parks. Black Canyon has about 4 million fewer visitors per year than the Rocky Mountains, but that doesn’t take away from its immense beauty. Looking down upon the deep & dramatic canyons that are over 600 meters deep is a must-do item on any National Park lover’s bucket list!
The Smoky Mountains are every outdoor adventure lover’s dream! From hiking to skiing to exploring the wondrous waterfalls hidden within the mountains, you can’t go wrong taking a visit here! There are also many hidden historical buildings and artifacts within the trails. The peak season to visit the Great Smoky Mountains is Spring or Fall!
Nearby Cities: Trinidad, CA; Klamath, CA; McKinleyville, CA; Eureka, CA
This national park is known for the world’s tallest trees! Many of these beautiful redwood trees throughout the park are nearly 2,000 years old and over 300 feet tall! This park offers some unique beaches and coastlines and numerous beautiful hiking trails that take you through and to wonderous scenic overlooks. Get away from the big cities of CA for a bit and escape to Redwood National Forest to take in its beauty!
This national park is unlike any that you’ll see throughout the United States. This park’s vast landscape makes it a sight to see for travelers from around the world. Everglades National Park is 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness! Located at the southern edge of Florida, this park will give you sights you have never explored. You can take a boat and sometimes even a kayak to explore the wildlife here at this park! According to the National Park Service, the park, an American treasure, also a World Heritage Site, and an International Biosphere Reserve, protects an unparalleled landscape that provides essential habitat for numerous rare and endangered species. To convince you more to visit this beautiful park, Everglades even made the Top 4 in the Best National Parks ratings in 2022!
Nearby Cities: Seattle, WA; Burlington, WA; Mount Vernon, WA
While this park is pretty remote, it’s definitely worth the visit. It’s known to be one of the most underrated parks of the National Parks! While driving a car through the park to see the overlooks and overall spectacular sights is a great option, you’ll have to put hiking boots on and walk along the trails to explore the beautiful park’s full effect. With Olympic and Mount Rainier being in this same state, North Cascades offers the fewest number of visitors, allowing you to see this park with little to no traffic!
Located in coastal Maine, Acadia National Park will leave you in awe of its various amounts of different landscapes! This park has large rugged cliffs along its coastline and miles of forested trails; this Maine gem is the perfect place to get outside! Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, and kayaking are some of the numerous activities that leave any outdoor lover wanting to come back! It may be remote, but it is 100/10 worth the visit!
We hope you enjoyed this list of National Parks to visit in 2023 and you were able to add a couple to your list. Are there any others that you think travel nurses should visit that didn’t make our list? Comment below.
Thanks to digital financial services, people now have a new way to conduct work using sophisticated technologies such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. People should use these services and benefit from them.
Digital financial services are very beneficial for traveling nurses since they simplify and secure the financial process.
But what are digital financial services?
Digital finance is the provision of traditional financial services digitally through various digital channels. Payments, loans, savings, insurance, and transfers can be made via computers, tablets, smartphones, ATMs, and POS terminals.
The benefits of using these services are many, and some of those are listed below:
Access to formal financial services
Reaching a wider range of customers
Lower costs for businesses and customers
Increases financial inclusion
Access to formal financial services
Increasing the efficiency of delivery
Improving the quality of service
Impact on revenue growth
Reducing the risk of financial crime
Digital Financial services are made up of three components, all of which are very important and play a major role in the process:
Digital transaction platforms
Devices
Retail agents
Nurse traveling and why they should use digital financial services
We explained that using digital financial services is very beneficial to travel nurses, but let’s explain why:
When nurses decide to move to another location to advance their careers and pursue their dream job, they face several challenges at the outset, including heavier workloads, more frequent relocation, cultural differences, tax housing, mixed rates, and other challenges of travel nurses that arise over time. And for a short period, it will be very difficult for them to overcome these challenges, and sometimes they might feel overwhelmed.
If they take their time, work hard, are willing to learn, ask questions and approach things with more composure, they can adapt and overcome these challenges.
One of the steps they should take is to use digital financial services that will make their lives easier in general. They will help by having a smart device to manage their money to understand assignment agreements, tax implications, and other things of that nature.
Easier to manage their money
Digital services allow nurses to know about their finances digitally and use them easily without physically taking them with them. Good financial management should be a priority for every nurse, especially traveling nurses.
A better understanding of financial information
A traveling nurse should be careful to find the best bank for tax information and other financial information. To make things easier at the beginning, she can work with a company that helps her with tax information, offers different resources and services to help nurses with financial issues, or can advise her to find the best bank to open her account because they will have regular transactions in the place where they will work. If the nurses travel to different places, they can be advised by these companies to find the best bank in Australia, Europe, the US, and other places.
Finish works even if they are in a hurry.
Since travel nurses are always in a hurry and don’t have much time, they can manage their financial affairs through their smartphones by using these technologies, i.e., cell phone banking, automatic credit extensions, and digital micro recharge loans. They will reduce the cost, speed up the processing time of loans or fulfill other needs due to the lack of free time.
They will find solutions without going into the financial objects
Through digital services, nurses can find solutions to their problems or tasks, even if they do not go to financial institutions. They can finish through the bank agents for a short time and without transportation costs.
Conclusion
Travel nurses face various things during their travels, and they need to learn how to deal with all these challenges. They should be able to learn, question, and progress during the adjustment periods. Among other things, they should learn how to use and benefit from digital financial services because the benefits of these services are many. From saving time to reducing costs, financial risk, and other benefits. Nurses also should consider working with a professional company that will be very effective with a lot of professionalism.
As a travel nurse, your recruiter is your number one advocate.
One of the marks of great travel nurse recruiters is that they’re friendly, honest, and actually excited to communicate with you. Here’s what they want you to know to kickstart your career success.
Be open-minded and flexible.
Your recruiter wants to give you the best experiences, but lots of other candidates are vying for similar positions. What if your top destination picks aren’t available?
Be honest about your ideal job. Good recruiters can suggest things you might not even know are options but are a perfect fit for you! They can’t do that if they don’t know what you value and what you’re looking for.
(Besides, if you’re dead set on travel nursing in Hawaii, you might miss out on some of the same perks in the continental U.S. without the travel expenses.)
Best questions to ask travel nurse recruiters.
Knowing the right way to ask questions can make all the difference. Here are the top questions to ask travel nurse recruiters before your next assignment.
Where do you have the most jobs?
Alternatively, ask if they have lots of jobs in a specific place. This helps get your expectations in line with reality. Just asking if they staff somewhere might not give you the full picture of where you’re likely to be placed.
What are the company-provided amenities, benefits, and services? Are there referral bonuses?
When you know how they handle housing arrangements, insurance, bonuses, and compensation, you’re better equipped to narrow down those questions for travel nurse recruiters. Help them help you!
Do you offer direct deposit? Overtime pay? Guaranteed hours? What does the overall pay package look like?
As you go into your next travel assignment, these questions shouldn’t be a mystery to you. You want to know how you’ll be paid!
The ideal pay package puts the biggest slices of the “pie” into non-taxable income, so you end up with the most cash, but if something isn’t working, let your recruiter know and see if it can be rearranged! Staffing agencies need to follow state and federal guidelines, but your recruiter wants what’s best for you as a traveling nurse, too.
What about reimbursement for necessary costs?
Licensing fees, continuing education classes, certifications, verification, and even the cost to mail in your application might be reimbursed by your staffing agency or employer. If you haven’t heard anything about it, ask!
Is it expensive to be a travel nurse?
While you’re mostly considering how much money you’ll bring home, you should also consider how much you’ll be spending.
Make a list of how you’ll travel to your assignment, any hotel costs, entertainment and activities on the way, deposits if you’re setting up your housing, etc.
Plus, you won’t get your first paycheck for a couple of weeks since you’ll be waiting for the next pay period to finish. So make sure you’ve budgeted correctly!
What if you hate your travel assignment?
Depending on the issue, you might be stuck. After signing a contract, there can be legal ramifications to backing out.
Call your recruiter anyway – sometimes, you need a sounding board or advice. And definitely get in contact if you want to leave your assignment because your license or health is at risk. Safety should be your recruiter’s top priority, too.
To avoid assignments, you’ll want to cancel in the first place and ask questions during your interview with the facility. Learn about the unit, ask if they have CNAs and LPNs, how often they use traveling nurses, and if they consider themselves traveler-friendly.
If you uncover possible challenges, you’ll be ready when they turn up.
Rock your facility phone interview
This interview can offer intel about the entire assignment. Try these suggestions from recruiters to optimize how it goes.
Give your recruiter your work schedule to ensure that the interview is planned when you’re 100% free.
Schedule calls for a specific time. Then make sure you’re in an area with service and your phone is on.
Research the facility. Your recruiter should tell you what you need to know, but this is the time to ask those questions to help you decide if this is the best fit for the next 13-26 weeks.
No matter who they are, your recruiter should believe in you! Use these tips to make the most of your working relationship and to hit the ground running on your travel nursing journey.
These gift ideas make a nurse’s holiday comfortable and bright!
Travel nurses may live a life of adventure, but their workdays are often filled with critical decisions, suffering patients, physical exertion, and long hours on their feet. This holiday season, consider giving your favorite traveling nurse a gift that brings joy and lightens the load. And, yes, treating yourself is allowed!
Gifts for the Travel Nurses in your life
A welcoming gift for a travel nurse is a gift card or certificate for a hydro facial or deep tissue massage. But some feel better about giving a tangible item or accessories. Check out this list of ten items the travel nurse in your life will love and use.
Accessories:
Travel Nurse Bag
Small items, such as scissors and pens, are easy to lose or get lost in the shuffle at the nurses’ station, so many nurses carry their supplies. You can find nursing bags on Amazon or places that sell scrubs like Scrubs & Beyond.
Lunch Tote
Nurses need to stay focused, and one of the best ways to do that is to eat nutritious foods. They need a thermal lunch bag or box to keep food cold. You can find cute lunch bags at stores like Target or L.L. Bean.
Silicone Ring
Silicone rings are for people who use their hands, whether for work or adventure. They are often used as a substitute for an expensive wedding or engagement ring that the traveler doesn’t want to get dirty or damaged. Companies like Qalo and Enso Rings offer a wide variety.
Badge Reels, Lapel Pins, and Stethoscope IDs
All nurses wear I.D. badges, and one way to set themselves apart is to spice it up with a cute badge reel. Choose a whimsical option or a clip that is an inside joke to make it extra special. Another way to customize a nurse uniform (or any outfit, really) is to jazz it up with a lapel pin. Lapel pins come in every design under the sun – from a simple R.N. pin to hearts, rainbows, and hobbies.
Just as nurses can spice up their badges and scrubs, they can give some love to their stethoscopes with a stethoscope I.D.
Travel Nurse Books
For the traveling nurse reader, gift a book about nurses or nursing. Some ideas include Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing, The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients’ Lives by Theresa Brown, Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries, and the Art of Diagnosis by Lisa Sanders.
Water Bottles
Travel nurses must stay hydrated to stay focused, which is why you’ll almost always catch them using a reusable water bottle. Some favorites are from Yeti and HydroMate, and the self-cleaning water bottle from LARQ.
Electronics for on the go
A slick option to keep travel nurses entertained on their breaks is a Kindle e-reader, where they can store their favorite books for every mood. On another note, the Philips SmartSleep Alarm personalizes the sleep and wake-up experience using sunset and sunrise simulation, a smart choice because travelers need some serious sleep to recharge. If you’re looking to spend $$$, the Apple Watch Series 8 will be well-loved and well-used.
Another item for the nursing bag is penlights like this rechargeable penlight option from Steeles. Nurses use these to look closely at their throats, ears, and pupils.
Prestige Medical Nurse Assist Clipboard
The Prestige Medical Nurses Clipboard is a quick reference tool for nurses, complete with a clock, timer, alarm, and calculator, including multiple diagnostic and assessment guides. They can be found at multiple stores, including Walmart.
We hope you found these fun holiday gift ideas helpful. Let us know if you think anything should be added to our list.
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:
