As I am finishing my first assignment, I wanted to share a few things that I've learned in the process. In the beginning, I read quite a few blogs written by travelers so I figured I'd join in!
Couple things before we start, about me. I have yet to travel out of state, I choose to stay in state to be close to my husband while he finishes school and then the plan is next summer start going other places together. So there is a whole aspect of being a traveler that I have yet to experience. However, I work with a lot of travelers currently that live within a 2-3 hours radius like myself. The money is still there if commute back and forth every week. Another thing I wanted to share is that I worked in the same hospital for almost 8 years before beginning travel nursing. I was an aid for several years and then was a nurse for almost 4 before I started this new chapter. I worked medical for 2 1/2 and telemetry for 1 year. That's my background. All that to say, here's goes my 20 things:
1. Shop around. I started looking into travel nursing because of an add on Instagram. I entered my info into an online bank and almost immediately started getting phone calls and e-mails. There are A TON of companies out there. It can be EXTREMELY overwhelming, so just take your time. I also messaged a few people that I followed online who were travelers to get their input on companies. I spoke with 3 different companies before finding my current one, and so far I have had the best experience with them. The things I would look out for when you are choosing a company is: A) Consistency and availability - I had a really good conversation with someone and at that time I was just looking into to it, I was told to let them know if I changed my mind, I did and they took weeks to get back to me. B) Do not be bullied - these recruiters are out to get their job too. If you can tell they more concerned about they're agenda then yours, move on. I had one crack jokes related to my marriage and verbally stressed his frustration that I didn't want to leave my state at that time. Needless to say, this is your life, make it work for you.
2. Everyone who is not pursuing traveling will not understand, but it's okay. I love that nursing has all sorts of different people. Some will stay and work in the same hospital for 20+ years and some will change jobs every year. Travel nursing will not always be apart of my life, but I have been willing to venture out to see how I would like it. It's okay to like it, it's okay to not like it. But don't take advice from people who've never done it, because honestly, they don't know.
3. Ask a lot of questions of your recruiter. Money questions, time frame questions, concerns or things you don't understand. Share your honest strengths and weaknesses. Be open and honest (that's why you have to pick one your comfortable with). My recruiter tells me to ask anything, because the worst response would just be no.
4. Order scrubs early! This seems silly, my life was extremely busy the month before I started traveling and I didn't realize until the week before that I needed to buy scrubs. Most places have specific colors and you want to make sure you have enough time to get the scrubs you want, because there's a possibility that you will have to order online.
5. Take time off beforehand. There's a lot of paperwork, especially when you're first starting with a company and then when you're starting a new job too! I had two weeks off and I wish I would've taken 3-4.
6. Orientation is hard. Lots of passwords, tests, etc. Take it in stride, try hard not complain, you'll get through it and feel like a real nurse again.
7. Be honest, but mindful. Don't just bring your concerns to your boss, also speak about the positive things that are happening on the floor.
8. Let yourself grow and adapt the first 3 weeks. Adjusting takes time. I trained with seasoned travelers and they confirmed that you won't feel back to yourself for 2-3 weeks.
9. Pack most of your own food. If you end up commuting like I have been, eating out is going to get really old, really fast.
10. Get a diffuser! Hotel rooms smell weird and it's possible you may have a harder time relaxing since your not at your own house.
11. Take vitamins and supplements. I mainly take a pro-biotic. Because you are contracted, getting sick is really not in your best interest. Take care of yourself first!
12. Don't wait to change hotels if you're not happy. I am not a smoker, and definitely not used to smoke. I could tell when people started smoking inside the building (in the smoking rooms) even though I wasn't on the same floor as them. I waited 2 weeks to see if it got better and I battled a head ache on and off the whole time. Finally changed and I'm so happy.
13. Cheaper isn't always better, see what you're money is getting you. This goes with hotels for sure!
14. Put a travel box together so that you're not unpacking all the time (again, if you are commuting). My favorite things in mine are my cleaning wipes (for hotels, my phone or my shoes - again, staying healthy), plastic & paper utensils and my dish soap and scrubber!
15. Get doubles of your stuff, especially toiletries, again so you're not unpacking every week.
16. Even if it's just for dinner, explore where you are and hangout with your coworkers. If it doesn't make you less homesick, at least it'll break up your time there.
17. Pick up extra time when you want to and do it in advance so you're prepared.
18. When you are home, enjoy your time. I know that seems like a no brainier, but I've ever found that cooking and cleaning is very relaxing when I come home.
19. When you're on the road, enjoy your time. Enjoy your co-workers and your patients. Even though you're there for a short period of time, just like any other kind of nursing, it can't just be about the money.
20. Who you are as nurse matters. You are unique. Someone needs you to be you. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Being confident is so important as nurse and than I think it becomes more important when you are doing shorter periods of time in places. I became a nurse to impact people's lives and help them, sometimes when I get frustrated about new systems or new policies, I keep that in mind.
Hope this helped anyone who was on the edge of deciding if travel nursing is for them or not, I spent about 6 months looking into it before I got my first assignment. I am so thankful I looked into things and that I added this new level to my life, I have been richly rewarded, and the pay increase didn't hurt either!
