Once you’ve been to nursing school, gained your credentials, and are ready to step into the working world, there may be something that fills you with dread – staying in one place. While some nurse practitioners are happy to stay in one location, others have dreams of traveling the country and even the world with their job.
Whether you only venture to the next state or head overseas, life as a travel nurse practitioner can be highly rewarding. Before you make any rash decisions, here are some useful tips for the first-time travel nurse practitioner.
Establish Your Reason
Travel isn’t for everyone, and you’ll find some nurses jump in without any planning and preparation. If you’re certain you don’t want to stay in one place, it’s time to ask yourself some questions before going any further. The main one is the purpose of your travel. Are you traveling for the money, the travel, or the overall experience? You may find you don’t have funds in place to jump on a plane and go elsewhere.
For those who have young children, this will naturally affect your home life, their schooling, and other parts of your life too. There’s no need to rush your decision. Instead, you should weigh up the pros and cons of being a travel nurse practitioner. If you don’t have any commitments at home, this should make the decision process much easier.
Find a Reputable Agency and Recruiter
Once you’ve determined why you want to be a travel nurse practitioner, the next step is to find a reputable agency and recruiter who can get everything in place. Some travel nurse agencies are known for excellent pay, while others have more job opportunities. You may find some agencies have a combination of both of them.
When searching for a recruiter, you need to choose one that matches your personality and what you’re looking for. If you have any problems while working away from home, you may want a recruiter who you can call as and when you need to. Make sure you clarify any issues with your recruiter before you head out the door, as you may be expected to work evenings or weekends.
Get Organized
Whether you’re simply inquiring about what a travel nurse does, or you’re ready to embark on your first adventure, you need to be organized from the get-go. This includes ensuring your license information is up to date.
As a nurse practitioner, you should already be organized with your workload. There are lots of things to sort out before you go on your first trip, so make sure you stay in control, otherwise, you could end up with a mountain of tasks that may put you off going. You will have a phone interview that you need to prepare for too, and make sure you bring copies of any important documentation on your first day.
Be Flexible
While there are many states where nurse practitioners are in high demand, that’s not to say you’ll end up in your chosen location. Some travel nurse agencies will say they can house you anywhere you desire for your first trip. However, you may not end up getting your first choice. You should try and stay open-minded and be flexible in terms of location, facility, and setting. What should put your mind at ease is you should get a job quickly.
Once you gain experience as a travel nurse practitioner, this will allow you to be pickier regarding where you work. If you stick to the United States only, there are good and bad places in every state. Try and broaden your horizons and think of the positives, rather than concentrating on the negatives.
Network With Other Travel Nurses
One of the best things you can do before venturing off on your first work trip is to engage with other travel nurses. Understandably, there will be travel nurses who have years of experience in the field. This means you can gain expert advice and get an honest, first-hand account of what a typical day-to-day in the life of a travel nurse practitioner will entail.
Wherever you end up traveling to, it can be incredibly lonely working and living in an unfamiliar location. Therefore, making some friends before you arrive can be a big help. Use the internet wisely, as there are tons of groups you can join on Facebook for travel nurses. Make sure to ask questions and get recommendations for eateries and housing from those who have worked in the city you are heading to. Who knows, you may even find a roommate!
Pack Smart
You need to be aware that most travel nursing assignments run for 13 weeks. This means you need to have a good think about what you will really need. You don’t want to end up taking everything but the kitchen sink. It’s wise to pack smart and focus on the essentials. Instead of bringing your TV with you, it’s best to invest in a laptop instead. Not only can you use a laptop for watching all your favorite shows away from home, but you can also connect with loved ones on platforms like Zoom.
Regarding clothing, it’s recommended to pack versatile items and shoes that you can wear over and over. Rather than bringing a stash of food and snacks with you, it’s better to head to the grocery store once you arrive. If you’re in doubt of what to or what not to bring, make sure you talk to an experienced travel nurse practitioner.
Plan Your Housing
Even though you’ll only be away from home for a matter of months, you still want to choose the accommodation that promotes peace and relaxation. After a busy shift, arriving home and shutting the world outside is a must. Therefore, take your time when planning your housing. You have the option to either find your own accommodation or ask your travel nurse agency for help.
If you’re heading to a major city, you may want to live in the heart of it to experience the hustle and bustle, whereas others nurses may prefer some peace and quiet and stay somewhere away from the action. Remember, if you do reside in a city center, expect to pay more for your accommodation.
Research the Area
Once you know where you’re heading to on your first working assignment, you should spend time researching the area to check out local attractions and excursions. While a large chunk of your stay will be working, there will be lots of downtime too. If you’re working in a big city, there will be tons of fun things to do on your days off. Whether you head to a local zoo, park, or you’re lucky enough to be in NYC and see a Broadway show, having an idea of things to do can help you get the most out of the experience.
Also, if you plan to take public transport to and from the hospital, it’s essential you look into route maps in advance. This will give you an idea of timings and ensure you don’t rock up to a shift late! Obviously, your safety and security always come first, so research the neighborhood before committing.
Remember the Extras
When you’re preparing for your first trip away, it can be easy to forget something important. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination to find you’ve misplaced an item. As long as you have your passport, electronic copies of your nursing license and certification, as well as comfortable shoes, pens, and a phone charger, you should be okay.
Some travel nurses like to bring their pets along for the ride too. If you have a furry friend who cannot stay at home, make sure you bring lots of snacks, a comfortable bed, and their vaccination records.
Make Your Mark
Although you will be only working at a facility for a few months, you should still treat your travel job as though it is the most important role of your career. Once you start work, do your bit in pitching in and helping where you can. You should also get to know the leaders of the hospital, and if a shift comes up that no one else wants, volunteer for it. Showing you’re dedicated to your craft and take your job seriously will impress those higher up.
If you fall in love with a particular place and have plans to relocate, making your mark and showing your worth may help in terms of getting an interview for a role and scoring your dream job.
Working as a travel nurse practitioner can provide invaluable benefits, allowing you to see parts of the country and world you never dreamed of being in. As long as you’re okay being away from home, venturing somewhere new, and have an open mind, you should flourish in your endeavors and gain a great sense of accomplishment knowing you’re helping others far away from home.