Fail-Safe Strategies for Travel Nurses
A career working travel nurse jobs can be exciting and rewarding. You’ll get to do what you love best – caring for patients – while visiting different destinations, experiencing different cultures, and meeting new people.
It is this last point that can cause the biggest challenge. The nature of your work means you get a lot of free time to enjoy. It also means you have a new contract every few months. If you don’t get this right, the enjoyment of the job can go into freefall.
Here are our five top tips to make sure each new assignment you take is successful.
1. Understand What Is Expected of You
As a travel nurse, it’s critical that you understand the working relationship you are entering. Make certain that you are clear about all the expectations that the organization has of you. You’ll need answers to questions such as:
- How long is the assignment?
- How many hours will you be required to work?
- What are the shift patterns?
- What is the pay?
- Is accommodation provided, and if so, what type of accommodation is it?
You should also be clear about the type of nursing you will be expected to provide, and the type of patients you will be tending.
2. Get It in Writing
Moving between jobs regularly can complicate things. You must manage all the expectations of you. What has been said verbally or in a job advert should be confirmed in the written contract, including period of employment, compensation, hours, etc. The contract should make your duties and responsibilities clear, and detail how (and why) an assignment could be terminated early or under what conditions you may be offered an extension.
3. Never Exaggerate Your Qualifications and Experience
The organization will have detailed its expectations of the qualifications and experience needed to do the job. Travel nursing jobs are a great way to improve your experience, but you should never exaggerate your abilities.
It is important that you start off your working relationship with your new organization on the right foot. Make sure you read the job requirements, and take assignments for which you are qualified for and that will help you grow professionally and personally. Assignments that complement your strengths will be the most enjoyable, and that’s a big part of life as a travel nurse.
4. Communicate Effectively
If you don’t communicate effectively, it could spell trouble for a short-term working relationship. In full-time jobs, you have time to learn how your co-workers communicate most effectively. You are not afforded the luxury of this time as a travel nurse.
Miscommunication causes frustration and can cause harmful issues in healthcare settings. Poor communication can cause difficulties in completing your daily tasks. You’ll need to know who to reach out to, and how (whether by phone, email, face-to-face, etc.).
Make certain that you understand all the communication channels when you first start at a new assignment. It will make your time with the organization more productive and enjoyable.
5. Make Sure You Are Onboarded
Though you have the qualifications and experience to be successful, it’s essential that you learn about the organization. You’ll need to know which staff are responsible for what, how you fit in, who you report to, and so on – all the details that full-time employees know, even down to where the restrooms are located. A half-day induction is usually the best strategy to achieve this – make sure you ask all the relevant questions to hit the ground running in your new assignment.
Enjoy Success as a Travel Nurse
For healthcare providers, hiring travel nurses is a strategy that offers many benefits. You provide the experience and capability they need, when they need it. In return, you’ll be well paid and get to visit the places you want.
To get the best out of your career as a travel nurse, always take assignments that complement your strengths. Be sure of your role, your responsibilities and the daily tasks you will be expected to perform. Finally, understand that each organization has its own way of working within the healthcare framework, and ensure you are onboarded effectively at each new assignment.
For access to a wide variety of travel nurse opportunities across the United States, and to benefit from the support of our experience and our reach in the healthcare market, submit your resume today.