May 12, 2010 - Succeeding as a travel nurse doesn’t require any special formulas or perfect mixtures of specialized clinical skills and character traits. A nurse who is dedicated to the profession, experienced and possesses a good attitude can find that success in travel nursing comes naturally. However, getting some expert travel tips can definitely give you a leg up on your mobile career.
Here, industry experts divulge their insider tips for travel nursing success.
Top Tips for Travel Success
There are many factors that come into play during a travel nursing assignment. From navigating around an unfamiliar city to getting acquainted with your new facility and co-workers, there are many external factors beyond a nurse’s control that can make (or break) an assignment. But, thankfully, it is the traveler who has the control over the most important elements—attitude and outlook.
“A good attitude is extremely important—probably the most important thing,” said Dianne Anderson, travel program coordinator for Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Calif. “If you come in with a positive attitude, nine times out of 10, people will have a good attitude back to you,” she said.
Anderson works directly with travel nurses throughout their assignments at the facility, and said the secret to travel nursing success lies in the nurse’s overall attitude and disposition. It’s quite simple Anderson advised, “Be nice and leave your attitude out the door.”
Aside from attitude, another critical component of a successful travel nurse assignment is preparation.
Kendall Sawa, vice president of patient care services for Ketchikan General Hospital in Alaska and a former travel nurse, recommends that travelers do their homework before accepting an assignment in order to have the most success.
“Do some research before the assignment so you know what you are getting into,” he said. Sawa advises travelers to not only research the potential facility they will be working at, but to also explore the area where they will be living.
Travel nurses can research virtually everything about a city or town without leaving home with just a few clicks of a mouse. Visiting any city’s chamber of commerce Web site will give you ample information on the city as well as upcoming events and activities. Sites like City-data.com list statistics for hundreds of U.S. cities and offer forums for user-generated discussions.
In addition to preparing and researching an assignment beforehand, it is also essential to be prepared at the start of the assignment. Anderson said travelers who arrive at the facility with all of their requirements in hand tend to have the most success for the duration of the contract. A good recruiter can also help the traveler know what is expected.
“Every facility is different in terms of requirements, but it is best to have all of your credentials, licenses, identification and other paperwork with you at the start,” she said. “Remember your BLS card, TNCC , Social Security card and anything else you think you might need. It’s better to have your things with you than not.”
Travelers who are prepared for an assignment and come in with a good attitude are already primed for travel nursing success. But another secret to a successful assignment is flexibility—both in personality and clinical skills.
Sawa said that one of the most important characteristic traits he looks for in travelers is a willingness to adapt and try new things.
“I look for nurses who are flexible, adaptable and willing to stretch themselves to try new experiences,” he said.
Anderson agreed with the importance of flexibility, adding, “Flexibility is a big deal; being flexible will allow you to work more.”
More and more, facilities are looking for travelers who have clinical experience in multiple specialties, units and patient-care settings. Travel nurses who expand their specialty scope through their assignments will find it easier to secure future assignments.
“We look for people who have experience in multiple specialties and are also willing to work in other specialties,” he said. “Organizations want to get the most out of their travelers.”
Communication is another crucial component to success. Both Anderson and Sawa point out that successful travelers are the ones who are open and willing to communicate with their co-workers throughout the assignment.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Anderson said. “Even if you think it is a ‘stupid’ question, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Regardless of the facility, location, staff or any other number of factors, success in travel nursing lies within the traveler.
“I would say overall, the three most important elements to travel nursing success are attitude, flexibility and not being afraid to communicate and ask questions,” Anderson concluded. “If you have these three things you will be a successful nurse at any facility.”
