Most people’s New Year’s goal is to travel, but at the moment many of us can’t afford it. However, there is a way for nurses to have the best of both worlds, and that is by becoming a travel nurse.
Right now, there are over 1,696,386 travel nurses currently employed in the United States who are getting paid to travel and work. Imagine that’s you. Every new contract means working in a new city and building bonds with people across the United States.
In this article, talent4health writer, Chloe Mumford, has put together some top tips make travel nursing work in 2022.
Pack Light
Have you ever gone on holiday and packed way too much stuff that it becomes a nuisance? Well, it’s the same for this. It’s 13 weeks, not 13 years, you don’t need to bring your whole house with you. Trust me – that wouldn’t be fun.
Instead, pack the necessities. If you are like me and often forget to bring something as important as a toothbrush, well, you can always buy another one.
Think about what you will most likely use and benefit from taking. For example, don’t bring flip-flops to a freezing cold state. Do your research beforehand and bring what is necessary.
Take Breaks
Having a break is important for everyone, hence why it’s essential to plan time to relax. I recommend having a break after your assignment ends. This doesn’t have to be after every assignment but remember you have this luxury, so you may as well use it.
Whatever you do in these breaks is up to you – you have an array of options. You could save up and go on vacation or spend some well-earned time relaxing with your family and friends. The choice is yours!
Find the recruiter right for you
You also have options as to who your recruiter is. It’s important to find and build a solid relationship with a recruiter, as they will be the ones advocating for you to get these assignments. There are a lot of healthcare recruiters, so you don’t need to settle for someone who you don’t think has your best interests at heart.
They are your primary resource in finding assessments and your point of contact during your contract. Therefore, it must be beneficial for both of you. It may take a few frogs to find your prince, but it will be worth it once you do.
Be Flexible
To succeed as a travel nurse, you NEED to be flexible. This is even more important if you’re just starting as a travel nurse. Like any job, the experience you accrue will provide you with more choices.
However, at the start of your journey as a travel nurse, they may be more limited, and you may not get the option to choose the most desirable location. The more flexible you are with your pay grade, location, and setting the more options you will have throughout your career.
It’s also important to know what you expect to get out of this role. If you’re in it for money, then expect to take on the less desirable assignments. However, if you’re in this role for traveling, then you should expect to earn less than someone in a less desirable assignment.
Have fun with it
If traveling is one of the core reasons you think this is the job for you, then embrace it. Go on adventures. You could pick assignments an hour or two drive away from popular attractions or places you would like to see.
Embrace the opportunity you have and try to make it beneficial for you. Yes, the point of a job is income, but in the healthcare industry, it’s important to find some happiness along the way. As a travel nurse, you are likely to meet many interesting people and make friends along the way. The experiences from traveling and meeting new people could make this job more fulfilling as you travel to the United States.
Life is what you make of it, therefore take on the assignments that make you happy. You may choose some contracts because they will give you the best financial gain, and if that’s your priority then that’s great. However, there are so many incredible cities and states to explore, a good reason to make the most out of these kinds of work opportunities.
If you have enjoyed these tips and want to learn more about working with Talent4Health, then visit our website or contact us.
