10 Ways to Prepare for a Career in Travel Nursing
Travel nursing can be an exciting way to earn money while exploring the world. Discover advice and tips on how to excel as a travel nurse. Life as a travel nurse can offer incredible rewards, allowing you to travel across the country or even the globe. You might even choose to live as a snowbird, working in warm climates during winter and moderate ones during summer.
However, there are potential challenges to consider, such as the stress of frequent travel, adapting to new workplaces, and maintaining relationships with loved ones. Continue reading to uncover strategies for personal, career, and financial success as a travel nurse.
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Advocating for Patients of Color as a Labor and Delivery Nurse
1. Explore Travel Nursing
Learn about travel nursing, what to anticipate, potential pitfalls, and the advantages through travel nurse blogs.
– American Traveler: This blog, by a top travel nursing agency, offers advice for new travel nurses. Topics include adjusting to life on the road, in-demand travel nurse locations, and getting started.
– Jackson Nurse Professionals: Another top agency’s blog, offering practical tips. Recent topics include winter travel nursing locations and maintaining relationships during assignments.
– The Traveling Nurse: Follows a pediatric nurse’s global adventures and offers advice for fellow travel nurses.
– The Traveling NP: Written by a nurse practitioner, this blog covers career insights, travel during COVID-19, and networking, along with personal anecdotes and travel recommendations.
– The Fabuleux Nurse: Chronicles a traveling nurse’s journey with multiple sclerosis, providing coping strategies, career and lifestyle tips.
2. Network With Current Travel Nurses
Connect with current travel nurses for insights. If you lack contacts, inquire with nurse friends about acquaintances who are travel nurses. Request introductions for informal interviews. Alternatively, engage with travel nurses on social media.
You might also align your first assignment with a friend or experienced travel nurse on your unit. A familiar face can ease the transition, given that all hospital staff will be new to you.
3. Research Travel Nursing Agencies
After exploring travel nursing and networking, research travel nursing agencies. Avoid committing to one agency immediately. Keep your options open until you find the right agency and recruiter. Agencies differ in rules, benefits, and assignment quality. Be assertive with recruiters who pressure early commitments, advocating for your interests.
4. Don’t Burn Your Bridges
Think ahead. If you plan a travel nurse career, maintain positive relationships with former employers. This preserves the option to return to previous positions during breaks or if you decide to shift directions.
5. Consider Becoming a Float Nurse at Your Current Job
To simulate the travel nurse experience, become a float nurse at your current workplace. This exposes you to different hospitals, honing adaptability and ease in diverse environments.
6. Have a Savings Account
While travel nursing agencies often provide housing allowances, upfront expenses persist even with reimbursement. Having a savings account offers a safety net in unfamiliar places.
7. Gain Specialty Experience in Needed Areas
Enhance your career prospects by gaining nursing specialty experience in high-demand areas. Versatile skills lead to more assignment and location options.
8. Earn Specialty Nurse Certification
Diversify your expertise and increase your marketability by obtaining specialty nurse certifications in demand areas.
9. Keep Your Basic Certifications Up to Date
Maintain essential certifications like basic and advanced life support, vital for most nursing facilities. Ensure you possess necessary certifications for your chosen specialty.
10. Keep Your Medical Records Portfolio Up to Date
Stay organized with medical records, including immunizations, flu shots, and tuberculosis tests, as different agencies handle assignment site records differently.
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