10 Ways to Prepare for a Career in Travel Nursing
Travel nursing can be an exciting way to earn money while exploring the world. This unique career path offers incredible rewards, allowing you to travel across the country or even the globe. Whether you’re interested in living as a snowbird, working in warm climates during winter and moderate ones during summer, or simply seeking a new adventure, travel nursing is a fantastic option.
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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1. Explore Travel Nursing
Learn about travel nursing, what to anticipate, potential pitfalls, and the advantages through various travel nurse blogs. These resources provide essential travel nursing tips and insights into the travel nurse lifestyle.
- 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 how to become a travel nurse.
- 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 provides 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. Networking is crucial for understanding the challenges of travel nursing and can help you discover travel nursing agencies that fit your needs.
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 various 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. Look for agencies that offer competitive travel nurse salaries and benefits.
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 exposure to different hospitals helps hone adaptability and ease in diverse environments, skills vital for success as a travel nurse.
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, ensuring you’re prepared for any financial challenges.
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, making you a more competitive candidate in the travel nursing market.
8. Earn Specialty Nurse Certification
Diversify your expertise and increase your marketability by obtaining specialty nurse certifications in demand areas. This can significantly boost your attractiveness to potential employers.
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 the necessary certifications for your chosen specialty to remain competitive in the travel nursing field.
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. An organized portfolio is essential for smooth transitions between assignments.
Conclusion
Preparing for a career in travel nursing requires careful planning and consideration of both the rewards and challenges. By exploring travel nursing opportunities and networking with experienced professionals, you can set yourself up for success. Remember to stay organized, maintain your certifications, and continually seek out specialty areas in demand. With the right preparation, you can enjoy the benefits of a fulfilling and adventurous travel nurse lifestyle while achieving your personal and professional goals in this exciting field.
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