StaffDNA provided this article.
In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, rates for travel healthcare professionals have remained high; therefore, the market has been flooded with healthcare professionals ready to give a travel career a spin. With the added competition, it’s important to put your best foot forward to ensure you’re considered for the position you want.
Where and how to start? According to veteran travel nurse Kay Slane (RN, BS, CGM) of Highway Hypodermics, there are some key ways to make your profile shine and ensure it reaches the top of the manager’s stack.
Make sure your information is accurate and up to date.
By having your profile ready to go, you can get in front of the line when you see the right opportunity for you and be among the first for consideration when jobs are moving fast.
Make sure your highlighted features are at the top.
Hiring managers are busy people, and time is of the essence. Immediately showing that you meet all the qualifications is the best way to catch a manager’s eye.
Spotlight your previous assignment and outstanding performance as a staff nurse.
Nothing carries more weight than solid experience and proven success.
Be aware that your first assignment will be the toughest for you to obtain.
You are competing against healthcare professionals with long work histories and experience as veteran travelers. But don’t let this bother you. We all start somewhere. Include anything that you feel will help you stand out and move ahead with confidence.
Be careful about putting restrictions on what you want as a traveler.
People frequently ask for all holidays off, a position within two hours of home, and a “no floating” clause, and then wonder why they can’t find a traveling job. When it comes to getting your first travel assignment, flexibility and adaptability is the name of the game.
Be realistic about money.
You can’t demand $5,000+/week on your first assignment, especially in most of the southern states. But that doesn’t mean being taken advantage of either. The best advice is to take it slowly at first. It doesn’t take long to build the experience you need to command the pay you want.
Compare the same job with other agencies to make sure you’re getting a fair deal.
Digital platforms like StaffDNA can help give you an accurate view of the marketplace. By eliminating recruiter fees and putting the healthcare professional in control – allowing them to find, book, and manage the whole process – you get access to the highest-paying positions nationwide. And to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison, don’t forget to analyze what agencies offer in benefits, too.
Know exactly what benefits you are looking for and the wage you need.
Benefits can range from insurance to paid time off to a 401k with or without a percentage match. Make sure that your take-home pay is enough to cover your bills and travel expenses.
Using these tips from a veteran traveler can give you the upper hand in finding and acquiring your best travel assignment. With the right approach, you can have a successful travel career built on physical, mental, and financial freedom.
We hope this information from a veteran traveler was helpful. Do you have any tips or advice to share? Comment below.
About StaffDNA
By creating the first self-service healthcare staffing platform built on the industry’s most advanced technology, StaffDNA has revolutionized how healthcare professionals find their next job. Candidates can see available positions nationwide with complete details and apply 24/7. All onboarding can be handled in the app, and once they’ve started, candidates can manage the entire assignment—from credentials and timesheets to booking or extending a contract. StaffDNA has been designated the first Total Staffing Solution from Staffing Industry Analysts, the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. The company frequently makes regional and national Best Places to Work lists, including from Dallas Business Journal and Modern Healthcare. The StaffDNA app currently averages 30,000 unique downloads a month, making it the #1 downloaded app in the healthcare staffing industry.
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. There you can search for what you are looking for in housing.
