Starting a new job is nerve-wracking. Starting a new job every 13 weeks as a travel nurse is even more so. Finding ways to calm your nerves will help make the process so much easier. Fellow travel nurses on our Facebook group offered advice and tips to handle the nerves that come with starting your first travel nurse assignment or any new travel nurse assignment you are starting.
Tips to calm your nerves before your assignment
1. Explore your new area
Get out and explore your new area. This will help keep your mind off your new travel nurse assignment. It will also help you become familiar with where you will be living for the next 13 weeks. While out exploring, you can find restaurants, stores, and places to hang out. Changing jobs and locations every 13 weeks can make you feel lonely. By exploring your new area, you may find new friends and/or things to do to find new friends.
2. Arrive Early
This will allow time to get to know the area and do exploring without worrying about jumping right into your new travel nurse assignment. Planning to arrive early will also ensure that even with delays along the way, you will arrive at your new hospital/ nursing facility on time or even early. Arriving early will also allow you time to set up your new living space/apartment; setting up and making the living space more your own will also help your nerves.
3. Go to the hospital/ nursing facility in advance
Knowing the amount of time it takes to get to your new hospital/ nursing facility before your first day helps ease your nerves a bit the first day. Also, knowing where the staff parking is, the entrance you will be using, etc., will make your first day go more smoothly as well. A fellow nurse even suggested going into the hospital/nursing facility and exploring where you will be working and knowing the inside and the outside. Getting to know the floor you will be working on before your first shift will ease some nerves. You will know where you are going and have an advantage.
4. Stay Busy
You will have plenty to do when you first arrive; unpacking, setting up your living space, and getting familiar with your area. You may find that your new place needs some cleaning as well as being set up. Hobbies are also a great way to keep yourself busy before you start your travel nurse assignment. Just keeping yourself busy will also keep your mind busy and keep your mind off your first or newest travel nurse assignment.
5. Have a drink
When all else fails, have a drink. Many travel nurses suggest having a drink to calm your nerves. Just a simple drink to help calm you down. You don’t have to go out to have a drink you can enjoy one in your new home. However, if you feel like going out and exploring, this would be a great way. The drink will help calm your nerves, and you will find a possible place to unwind in the future.
These are just a few tips to help you calm your nerves before your travel nurse assignment. We hope this list will help make your next travel assignment a little easier and help calm your nerves about starting a new travel nurse assignment.
If you are looking for a means to relax and calm your nerves read Gypsy Yoga for First Day Nerves, it offers great information on how Yoga can help you calm your nerves
