Top 5 Ways to Prepare for Travel Nursing
Whether you’re new to travel nursing or a seasoned veteran, it’s always good to be prepared. Our recruiters are pros at supporting health professionals in finding their next assignment and they’ve put together their top five ways to prepare for a new career in travel nursing, or a new assignment. Check it out below or view our Traveler’s Tuesday video on Facebook to hear them firsthand.
1. Secure Your Finances
For traveling health professionals, it doesn’t hurt to check and double check your bank accounts. Ensure you have a bit saved up ahead of time to account for unexpected costs or emergencies. With any move, there’s bound to be a few things unaccounted for. Make sure you’re prepared for the unexpected.
2. Research Housing Options
Finding a new place to live is one of the more fun experiences of being a traveling nurse and traveling health professional. Don’t wing it! Before applying to any position, make sure you’ve done your research on the housing options available. New York City may sound exciting but navigating the complex apartment rental market of the big city may not be. Housing in Maine is incredible affordable in the winter months but escalates during the summer. Ensure you’ve researched the average costs of living in the areas you’re considering, and double check those numbers line up with your potential earnings.
3. Review Requirements
From licensures to vaccinations, it’s important to have all requirements collected and accounted for. If you’re moving to a new state, you may need a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) which provides a multi-state license allowing you to practice with patients across state lines. We also suggest collecting documentation for BLS, CPR, PALS and ACL certifications, vaccination and physical documentation (most providers require a physical, TB screening, as well as MMR, varicella, flu and COVID vaccinations – or medical/religious declination). Make sure you driver’s license and social security card are ready to go as well.
4. Update Your Resume
Ensure your resume is up-to-date, especially with details from the last two years. Be specific about what units you’ve worked on and your scope as that helps hiring managers and your recruiter find the positions that are best for you. We recommend having at least two references, preferably from supervisors who can speak directly to your expertise.
5. Be Flexible
You never know what might happen! Details can change throughout the process whether it’s a delay in retrieving documents, a background check postponed or a start date gets pushed back. Changes are often out of anyone’s control, so it’s good practice to be flexible and have a plan b or c in your back pocket.
Here at Voyage Healthcare, our recruiters take time to get to know our traveling nurses and prepare them for any assignment. We know the process can be both exciting and stressful, that’s why we’re here to help you prepare and achieve the job of your dreams. Learn more about becoming a traveling nurse professional at https://www.voyagesolutions.com/job-seekers.