Setting up for Success
Travel nursing is a great way to live out your passion of nursing as well as enjoy a traveling lifestyle! Nursing isn’t an easy career and adding travel doesn’t always make it any easier. However, with the right approach and diligent research becoming a travel nurse can prove to be one of the best decisions of your life.
The first step to succeeding as a travel nurse is to understand where you want to travel. Researching possible areas to work in is important and can only be determined by you. Some tips to choosing the right location are to pick an area you wish to visit, a location you feel you can make the most difference, or a place where you have family or friends nearby. In addition to location, there are other factors you'll want to consider such as cost of living, surrounding areas, and potential hospitals that interest you. It’s all about what you want to get out of your travel contracts. There is no wrong answer, it depends on what drives you to succeed in your career. Whether it be pay, location, or something else, knowing what you desire is a great way to succeed as a travel nurse.
Once you have made your decision on what contracts you want to apply for. Now you'll have to investigate what is required of those positions. Do you need to gain a specific certification or license for a position? If you need to relocate for your position, do you need temporary housing? When you get to the point of finally moving to the area where your new assignment is, you have to decide what to bring with you. Remember, most travel nursing contracts are 13 weeks. Time goes by faster than you think so it’s not necessary to take everything you own with you. The best way to decide what to pack is to research the climate of the area you’re going to work in and start with the essentials. What clothes you need, and what items are necessary to bring with you.
Prior to your first shift it’s important to research the facility you will be working at. Try to look into the culture of the workplace. Reaching out to nurses already staffed at your facility is a great start, and be prepared to learn the culture as you continue your shifts.
Travel nursing is an exciting career path. Taking steps of doing research and preparing for contracts will be important in your success. Don’t shy away from reaching out with any and all questions to your agency. This will make sure your contract goes as smoothly as possible!
