First Travel Assignment Tips
Now that I have completed my first travel nurse assignment - I figured now would be a good time to share a little list of useful tips/tricks I learned or wish I had known sooner. I know I still have a ways to go before I can consider myself a seasoned travel nurse, but it’s already been full of some solid learning experiences.
Speak to the hiring manager if possible. It seems to be coming increasingly common to offer people with adequate credentials a travel position without an actual phone interview. Some positions posted even offer a deadline of 24-48 hours after an offer is made to respond! Understandable, as there is a widespread staffing shortage and the position is only temporary. Many times hiring managers are simply trying to secure staff as soon as possible to support and retain their existing staff. Still, as someone who has been both the one being hired and the one doing the hiring, I always appreciated connecting prior to making any hiring decisions. So, if you are offered a position without an interview but don’t feel ready to commit, ask your recruiter if you can set up a time to chat briefly with the manager. This gives both of you a chance to ensure the greatest chance of success and avoid any potentially unpleasant surprises. Simultaneously, don’t be too afraid to jump on an opportunity if it appeals to you. Remember, it is a temporary position!
Scope out the area. Whether you’re able to visit the area in person, or have to stick to using Maps/Google earth - investigate the environment! Find the essentials nearby - a grocery store, gym/running trails, gas station, convenience store, whatever you may need. That goes double before deciding on housing. Whether you’re planning to use Airbnb, VRBO, Furnished Finder or hotels - be sure you know what you are paying for! If you’re going the Airbnb/VRBO/space sharing route - look at the surrounding neighborhood for safety, accessibility, proximity, etc. Read reviews and make sure to notice how recent they were made! Maybe even request a virtual tour or updated pics as some listings are not always true to life. If you’re considering a hotel, you can use apps to find last minute deals and go hotel hopping… but if you’re like me and appreciate SOME stability and knowing where you’ll be sleeping next week, make a few calls and see what deals they offer for extended stays. Whichever route you decide, consider booking for a shorter period - and give yourself a chance to try it out to see if it fits your lifestyle first. This can be risky if it is then booked by someone else, but can help you avoid extra costs from cancelling reservations, or being stuck with bad housing.
Put your best foot forward. Whether during a virtual interview, email correspondence, or in person interaction, try to represent the best version of yourself. I’m not suggesting to be pretentious or unauthentic, just remember that there will be a LOT of first impressions as a travel nurse, and during a short-term employment period, those first impressions may be the ones that stick. So take a step back and reflect on things such as your attitude, interactions, and communication skills. Use your strengths to help you on your path to success.
Identify resources - Whether you are staying on one unit or floating around frequently to other units, knowing who/what/when/where to go to is perhaps one of the easiest ways to ensure your shifts run smoothly (or at least as smoothly as possible!). When visiting a new unit, same as before - scope out the area! Find out where the med room is, the supply room, dirty utility, staff restrooms, break room - everything you can think of to help you navigate the workplace. As someone who used to stress over working in new places, I’ve been surprised how easy it can be if I just take the time to identify key resources from the beginning.
Develop your rhythm - Even though the work space/layout may change, you can develop certain rhythms anywhere you go - such as a start of shift routine. For me, that includes arriving a little early to make sure I know I have time to locate everything and/or quickly look over patient information prior to taking report. With practice, I’ve become comfortable enough in my rhythm, that I don’t need to show up nearly as early as I once did and take excess (unpaid) time just to settle in to the work environment. It goes without saying though that flexibility as a travel nurse is crucial, so even if you develop a rhythm, try not to let it completely derail your shift if you are bumped out of it! Sometimes, going with the flow (within reason) is necessary for your own peace of mind.
Teamwork makes the dream work. Even if it is a temporary position, the people you work with will be your primary support system to help navigate your shifts. Offer assistance whenever possible, and ask questions to begin developing positive coworker relationships. Do your best to be a positive influence on the staff, as the energy will only multiply. We all know how much more difficult work can be with that one negative Nancy. Not everyone you work with will be good influence - but find the ones that are and stick to them!
Own your practice. Remember, we are licensed professionals. It took me a few shifts to realize, but with that license we can (after going through the proper channels) work as a nurse almost anywhere. I grew comfortable in my staff position, to the point it no longer felt like MY practice, but just me filling the job requirements of my facility. Traveling has allowed me to take my skills and experience, and apply them in numerous different settings. The equipment, charting and technicalities may differ, but the core of nursing remains the same. So shape your practice into whatever you want it to be, and be proud of it!
Notes. Notes. Notes. Even if they are just mental notes. Being a travel nurse, you will experience a great deal. You may float around to different units often. Before I started traveling, I never floated. Not once in three years! Fast forward to now and I spent more shifts off my unit of hire than I did on. One thing that made floating around easier (for a previously non-float pool nurse), was keeping a list of important things to know about each unit. Mainly codes (for med rooms, supply rooms, break rooms, etc) - but you can also make note of unit specific expectations. Even when not floating around, I keep a list of skills/topics I hadn’t had much experience with and needed to research more or refresh my memory.
Plan ahead. Both in regards to the day to day and future assignment planning. Myself, I had to become more disciplined in my work week preps. Meal prepping, packing, planning sleep/commute, and of course, balancing every other aspect of life around it. Being a travel nurse, flexibility is crucial. But one way to make the demands a little less… demanding, is to spend a little time planning. If you are considering an extension of contract - reach out with your recruiter and/or manager to discuss the options. If looking for the next destination, start your search early and anticipate delays. Also worth planning, consider spending some time looking over your goals. Financial, professional, personal, etc. Sit down and develop a budget and make the most of your hard-earned money, consider your next steps professionally, and what you want to do to feel most fulfilled/satisfied.
Enjoy your time off. Whether you are staying far from home, commuting home on off days, or traveling local, try to capitalize on your time off. Make plans with friends, see local sights, enjoy lazy days at home, whatever will best help you achieve balance and happiness. And even if you are only traveling for work, memories are sure to be created. Take pictures! Journal! Whatever it takes, because one day we will be able to look back on our travel assignments and have so many places and faces to recall.
Make the most of the assignment. Whether you love your assignment, or are impatiently counting the days until your contract ends, try to take advantage of the experience. Going into it with a positive mindset, while it may not always result in positive outcomes, helps improve the odds and will help make the best of whatever situation occurs.
