Travel nurses should always keep their paperwork up to date and be honest with their recruiters. For example, your recruiter needs to know if you want to go somewhere specific or aren’t interested in certain jobs.
Remember that most travel nurse assignments are 13 weeks, so ensure you’re prepared to be away from home for that long.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Travel nursing is a great way to see the country, earn a good salary, and gain experience in your field. However, it can also be a little challenging, especially for first-timers. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make the transition to travel nursing as smooth as possible.
Start by getting in touch with a staffing agency that specializes in traveling nurses. It will pair you with a recruiter who can match you with Texas travel nurse jobs at hospitals. You can find these agencies online or by asking other travel nurses for recommendations.
Once you’re paired with a recruiter, be sure to communicate regularly. It will help ensure that your needs are met and that you’re on track to meet your contract obligations. Also, don’t forget to ask about travel expenses and housing benefits.
Don’t be afraid to say no
A travel nurse’s life can be hectic, and it is essential to be able to say no. Not only does this help keep your assignments short, but it will also save you from feeling overwhelmed. Travel nurses are often tasked with working in new places, which can be challenging to adjust, especially for first-time travelers.
Often, hospitals will need to hire travelers quickly due to shortages or natural disasters. They can offer high wages because they have to fill in the gaps quickly, and travel nurses can often earn more money than staff nurses due to their non-taxable housing stipends and other reimbursements.
While taking every assignment that comes your way may be tempting, it is essential to consider how your choice will affect those closest to you. Will you be leaving your partner, children, or family behind? If so, have an open and honest conversation with them about what you are doing and consider how they will be affected. If you must miss an event, help your friends and family plan a way to attend and make it less of a blow for everyone involved.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a raise
Travel nurses can work in many different parts of the country. It can give you a broader perspective on medicine and allow you to meet people from diverse backgrounds. It can also challenge you in ways that you might not have expected.
It’s important to know that not all hospitals and facilities are created equal. Some are more willing to pay a travel nurse more than others. It is especially true if the facility is rural or needs specialty staff.
In addition to knowing the pay rates in each state, travel nurses should establish viable alternatives – like PRN jobs or side hustles – before negotiating. It will increase their negotiating power and help them avoid accepting jobs that pay less than their bottom line.
Another reason to be a fantastic travel nurse is that it benefits your recruiter’s reputation. Agencies are likelier to send their best travel nurses to the most sought-after assignments. It, in turn, helps the agency’s standing with the hospital and increases the chances that other hospitals will hire them.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a day off
As a travel nurse, you can explore new places in the US and worldwide. However, the experience can also be stressful, especially for first-time travel nurses.
One of the best ways to reduce stress is by ensuring a healthy work-life balance. It means separating your personal and professional life and ensuring you have time for both.
For example, processing it may take several weeks if you need a state nursing license. It is also helpful to keep a savings account for emergencies, unexpected expenses, housing stipend and travel expenses.
Travel nurses typically make more money than staff nurses, and the pay varies depending on location, specialty, shift, and facility. In addition, many travel nurses get non-taxable stipends and benefits such as travel reimbursements and health insurance. However, it is essential to remember that these benefits aren’t guaranteed and can be subject to change.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a new assignment
If you are unhappy with your travel nursing assignment, asking for a new one is always a good idea. While it is not guaranteed that you will get the assignment you want, it is often in your recruiter’s best interest to make this happen. They earn, on average, 30% of your contract pay, and it is in their best interests to ensure that you are satisfied with your assignments.
If you feel uncomfortable at your current assignment, or if there is a problem with the hospital administration, it is essential to communicate this to your recruiter. They can often work with the facility to fix the problem and ensure you are a happy travel nurse.
Another issue that may come up is the distance from family and friends. While many travelers build a small community of friends at each location, it can take effort to maintain long-term relationships when you are constantly changing locations. If this is a significant concern, consider signing up for travel nursing jobs closer to home.
