Most travelers will agree that there are several factors that contribute to the success of a new assignment. From the initial research and preparation to important on-the-job skills, there are a lot of dynamics that make up a successful travel nursing experience.
Make a Connection
Ask any traveling RN about the key to travel nursing success and you will find that establishing—and then maintaining—a good relationship with a recruiter is essential. Kari Richardson, senior recruiter with travel staffing company, Medical Express, stresses the importance of a good recruiter-traveler relationship when measuring the success and happiness a nurse experiences on a particular assignment.
“The most important thing a traveler can do is find a recruiter they can get along with and that will be an advocate for them,” she said.
Recruiters are responsible for navigating a potential traveler through the sea of assignments, from location to facility and unit specifications; a recruiter will be the traveler’s primary resource and contact throughout the process. Communication and teamwork are key.
Alexis Garcia, a recruiter with travel staffing company, NursesRx, says that nurses should ask experienced travelers for recommendations on good recruiters and companies to travel with.
“Don’t settle for a sub-par recruiter, there are too many companies out there to choose from to settle for someone who’s not going to work hard for you. Ask your friends who travel for their suggestions about company, recruiter and hospitals, but use what you hear as a starting point for your research, not a final answer,” Garcia explained.
“Also, the traveler should feel comfortable with the recruiter that she’s working with, because without a great recruiter, even the most perfect assignment can be a disaster.”
Be Prepared
Researching licenses, facilities and location are all important elements that contribute to a successful assignment. The more research that is done in advance, the more prepared a traveler will be before they actually start working.
Many nurses do not realize that the state they already hold a license in may be a compact state; making it valid in several other states, Richardson said. “There are also walk-through states that allow you to walk-in and walk-out with license in hand the same day,” she said.
Having a state license in hand helps nurses land the jobs they want in the locations they want. Facilities are looking for travelers to start right away, so being prepared with the right license is essential for travelers who are eager to book a specific location or facility.
Sarah Galloway, RN, who is on her second assignment with leading travel staffing company American Mobile Healthcare, said that a small amount of research and planning can make any assignment that much more successful.
“I think researching the area’s weather before you leave on assignment will help you know what to expect,” she said. “I also recommend creating a budget so you have a guideline for much to spend once you get there, and also making a list of what clothing and household items to bring with you so you will be prepared once you arrive.”
Know What You Want
Whether it’s earning the highest pay or getting the chance to live near the beach, every traveler has different priorities and needs when choosing an assignment. Travelers should make a list of their most vital criteria and express these things to their recruiter, who can help them find an ideal match for their specific needs.
Marina Chowaiki, senior recruiter for travel staffing company American Mobile Healthcare said that the more her travelers communicate their needs with her, the better chance they have of getting their ideal assignment—a success in itself.
“If a travel nurse is driven by location then we have to look at the time frame and the license requirements, if they are looking for a prestigious hospital then we look at the top names and make sure they have the right experience to get in there,” she explained.
Be Flexible and Eager to Learn and Help
Succeeding as a travel nurse involves a great deal of flexibility, from keeping options open to learning the ins and outs of a new facility. But the most successful travelers all have a few characteristics in common—a great attitude and a willingness to take on new challenges. Learning new clinical skills and techniques is a special perk to traveling, and this experience helps RNs advance in their careers at greater speeds.
“A successful traveler must always remember to keep an open mind,” Galloway said. “Everyone is going to do things a little differently at each hospital. It is an opportunity to learn a new way of doing something familiar”
Chowaiki always reminds her travelers that attitude is everything while on assignment. “A smile and a hello speaks volumes—even if you are wanting time off. If you are accommodating and a hard worker then those requests will be so much easier to get. As my mother says, ‘You’ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar’!”
In addition to bringing a positive attitude to the new facility and always lending a helping hand to staff nurses, the most successful travelers also realize the opportunity they have at their fingertips, and always make the most of every assignment.
“Make sure to travel the area and be a tourist,” Chowaiki concluded. “It is an unbelievable opportunity to see the country and get paid well for it, no other industry has this type of benefit.”
