Access Nurses Weekly- Top Travel Nursing Tips for a Successful Assignment

Volume 11 Number 3 - August 17th
volume 11 - no 3
Don’t start your travel nursing assignment without being fully prepared. Whether you’re a veteran travel nurse or a first-time traveler, you’ll want to check out these tips before hitting the road.

1. Have your documents & contact information ready

As a traveling nurse, the key to starting off your assignment on the right foot is to have all of your paperwork prepared and organized. Your recruiter and document specialist will be very helpful in guiding you through the process of obtaining the proper documentation and records. They can even help you find classes and test sites if needed. Be sure to review the particular specialty testing information as well as fundamental information needed for medical administration. It’s important to keep extra copies of all your records with you after you send them off to your travel company.

2. Know your contract

Contract lingo can be tricky, but if you read through it thoroughly and ask questions, you’ll already be ahead of the game. It’s important to understand what is covered and offered in your contract.

Many companies provide medical and dental insurance, while some go so far as to offer 401k, travel reimbursement, free or low-cost continuing-education courses, free housing, travel reimbursement, disability/liability insurance and licensure reimbursement. Be sure to clarify how your benefits package works. Are you covered between assignments? Are they effective immediately or do you have to wait 30 days?

Pay rate is huge, often times the most important factor to confirm in your contract. There’s a lot that goes into your decided pay rate, so inquire about hourly pay, overtime rules and bonus pay information. Plus, be sure to ask check your schedule and float policy to make sure they fit your needs and comfort level.

3. Prepare your licensure if moving to another state

Obtaining a license for the state in which you plan to work is absolutely crucial. Put at the top of your to-do list. Most states issue licenses on a walk through basis, but be sure to do your research, since not all states handle the process the same way. If you’d rather take care of it through mail, that option is available to you. Remember that it can take up to nine weeks to be processed, approved and issued, so plan ahead and to ensure that you start your assignment on time.

4. Research your assignment location

Your new assignment is not like going on a weekend vacation; you’ll be living and working in a new city for 13 weeks or longer. So it’s a good idea to get to know your new home.

References are your best bet for finding all that the city has to offer. Ask friends and family who’ve visited the city about their favorite attractions, restaurants and nightlife. Inquire at hotel concierges. They have the inside track about the best deals in town. Plus, they can get tickets and reservations easier than you might be able to on your own. Other great sources are the city’s Website and visitor information center.

Housing accommodations are often very important to travelers, so it’s good to research your new community beforehand. Check the area for safety and accessibility to essential businesses, like the grocery store and the bank. If you’re traveling with children, look into the local school systems. Travel companies make it easy for you to travel with family, friends or solo. Just be sure to communicate your particular needs, and they’ll make it happen. And don’t forget to check traffic patterns. Do a test drive from your housing to the facility so you can gauge your commute time. There’s nothing worse than arriving late on your first day.

5. Research your new facility

In regards to the facility at which you’ll be working, it’s important to know what to expect. Ask your recruiter about the size of the facility, including how many beds, staff size - both permanent and travelers - and caseload. Pay attention during orientation and ask other nurses on your floor questions. Know what cases are most common, the kind of equipment will you use often and any doctor’s preferences that will help you better acquaint yourself to the new facility with ease.

6. Learn from other travelers

Learning from experience is the best way to gain knowledge about the do’s and don’ts of the traveling nurse lifestyle. Long-time travel nurses have seen and been through it all. Ask them to share their experiences with you. Most will remember what it’s like to be a new travel nurse on assignment and will give you advice based on what they’ve learned through the years. Another great outlet for asking questions and meeting other nurses is in RN forums and chat rooms. There are dozens to choose from and cater to nurses of all ages and backgrounds.

7. Communicate with your travel company

Ask, ask and ask some more. Your recruiter and travel liaison are there to help you. It’s their goal to assist you in all your travel needs, so take advantage of all the services they offer. Keep their contact information close by in case you hit any bumps in the road.

8. Have a positive attitude

Having a positive, eager and flexible outlook during your assignment guarantees you’ll have a more successful and rewarding traveling nurse experience. Though there may be tough times, don’t get frustrated - get answers. Remember that you have people on your side ready to help make your travel adventure as enjoyable as possible.

9. Keep a journal

Whether good or bad, you’ll want to remember every moment of your experience as a travel nurse. Keeping a journal or diary is a great way to keep a record of your time - the people you meet, the patients you care for, the trips you take, the fun after-work activities, your emotions - so you can always look back on it and relive all the details. Plus, you can make note of questions you have for your travel company and write down the things you learn so you can offer advice to future travel nurses.

10. Be open to new experiences

Now that you’ve made the decision to work as a travel nurse, indulge in all that the experience has to offer. Try new restaurants, meet interesting people, travel to places you’ve never been, be adventurous. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so take advantage of it and have some fun.

City to See: Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham, the hub of Alabama’s metropolitan area, is the largest city in the state. The city is full of interesting museums, including the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which has the largest collection of motorcycles in the world. The University of Alabama, Birmingham brings nearly 15,000 students to the city every school year. Enjoy the city’s fun nightlife, plus a host of productions and art galleries.
Weather: High: 75, Low: 51
Population: 231,483
Nearby Cities: Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Bessemer

Hot Travel Nursing Jobs

Contact your recruiter or call Access Nurses at 1-866-687-7390 to inquire about the following jobs!

Birmingham, Alabama
ICU, Med Surg, Pedi, Adult and Pedi Onc
Positions: Five
Shift: Days, evenings and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Anchorage, Alaska
ICU
Positions: Six
Shift: 12-hour rotations
Start Date: September

Nationwide
Chronic and Acute Dialysis
Positions: 20
Shift: All
Start Date: ASAP

Frisco, Colorado
L&D
Positions: One
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Denver, Colorado
OR
Positions: Six
Shift: Variable
Start Date: ASAP

Beverly, Massachusetts
OR
Positions: Two
Shift: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Start Date: ASAP

Albuquerque, New Mexico
ER
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Lebanon, New Hampshire
ICU
Positions: Six
Shift: 12-hour rotating
Start Date: ASAP

Miami, Florida
OR
Positions: Two
Shift: 12-hour days and no call
Start Date: ASAP

Worcester, Massachusetts
ER
Positions: One
Shift: 12-hour days
Start Date: ASAP

Worcester, Massachusetts
ICU
Positions: Three
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: ASAP

Panama City, Florida
L&D
Positions: Five
Shift: 12-hour days and nights
Start Date: August 20

Norwalk, Connecticut
ER
Shift: 12-hour nights
Start Date: ASAP

Norwalk, Connecticut
OR
Shift: 8-hour shifts
Start Date: ASAP

Norwalk, Connecticut
OR Tech
Shift: 8-hour shifts
Start Date: ASAP

New Bern, North Carolina
ER
Shift: Nights
Start Date: ASAP

Jacksonville, North Carolina
ER
Shift: Days
Start Date: ASAP

Featured Forum Topic

Looking for Diverse Facilities

I’m looking into travel companies to help me find a great hospital that’s well respected and diverse. Where are the most diverse facilities?