Learn the knowledge left by other experienced travel nurses.
“Where to Begin!”
1) Get Organized. Whether you are browsing or getting ready to embark on as a first time travel nurse you need to stay organized. Make sure your license information is updated. Make sure your health and immunization records are up to date. Prepare for your phone interview. Bring copies of any necessary documentation to your first day.
2) Be Flexible. Some travel nurse companies will tell you they can place you anywhere you want as a first time travel nurse. However, the fact is that you might not always get your first choice. Be flexible on location, setting, and facility and you will get a travel nurse job quickly. After you have experience you can be more picky on where you want to work.
3) Pick A Place of Comfort. It can be daunting to pick-up and move to a new location as a travel nurse. One tip we give first time travel nurses when first speaking to them is pick a place you know. Pick a place that has friends or family members. Perhaps there is a destination you have traveled to frequently. This will help calm any nerves as a first time travel nurse.
4) Don’t Take Things Personally. Being a nurse is a stressful job. It is fast paced and you are dealing with the health of others. If a patient or their family say something it’s important to listen but do not take anything negatively said personally. Share anything said with your supervisor to get feedback on how to proceed and stay professional.
5) Arrive Early On Day One. There is no feeling worse than feeling rushed. Especially when it is your first day as a first time travel nurse. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at work and it’s best to arrive early. You only get one time to make a first impression. Best to have that first impression be positive.
6) Take Care Of Your Home Logistics. What are you going to do about your mail? Forward it? What are you going to do about any deliveries? Hold them? What about power? Cancel it? There are a lot of big things to think of before starting your first travel nurse assignment. However, don’t forget about the small things too.
7) Pack Smart. Remember that most travel nurse assignments are 13 weeks. Think about what you absolutely need and what you can live without for a few months. You might not need to bring every pair of shoes. Instead of bringing your TV, can you get by with your laptop or tablet? There are also things you can buy when you arrive that you don’t need to pack.
8) Do Your Own Research. You will have plenty of assistance before, during, and after your first travel nurse assignment. But before on signing your contract on as a first time travel nurse do your research. Research which company you want to work with. Think about where you want to work. Ask other travel nurses their opinions. The more you know, the better prepared you will be.
9) Chat With Other Travel Nurses. One of the best places to chat with other travel nurses is using a community network like Gypsy Nurse. This is a great place to see what other travel nurses are talking about and ask any questions.
10) Have A Positive Attitude. Stress a guaranteed part of any nursing career. Understanding how to deal with the stress can be difficult, especially for a first time travel nurse. See below, List of 11 coping skills for new nurses which can help you remain positive. Try some of these things to keep a positive attitude for your entire assignment.
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