Cultivating Professional Relationships on the Move as a Travel Nurse
Establishing relationships as a travel nurse is like caring for your patients. Doing so requires empathy, commitment, and adaptability when things change in ways you don’t expect.
At AB Staffing Solutions, we understand how travel nurses face challenges when it comes to cultivating professional connections. Creating anything long-lasting is difficult when you’re always on the move. Thankfully, we’re here to share tips on developing relationships as travel nurses. Keep reading to learn more.
Effective Communication in New Teams
On average, you stay in a location for around 13 to 26 weeks before moving to your next assignment. This short duration means a constant cycle of new teams, which requires you to learn their preferred communication methods. Here’s what you can do to achieve effective communication.
Understand Team Dynamics
You may have experienced how each new medical institution has its unique dynamic and culture. To become a part of this new team, you must understand their communication style and adapt to their culture. So, make sure to learn about each colleague and their role. We also recommend understanding their preferred communication methods, whether they thrive on verbal or electronic communication.
Try Active Listening
Active listening is the practice of analyzing what the speaker is saying instead of just passively hearing them talk. With active listening, you can reply with more substance and show that you really do care about what others are saying. This practice helps with clearer communication while also enhancing collaboration within the team.
Be Approachable But Professional
Friendliness and openness are critical at the start. These qualities help you make an excellent first impression, making you more approachable to the rest of the team. Plus, a mild and amicable personality can help you gain their trust, resulting in a more cooperative environment. Still, be sure to establish your boundaries and maintain professionalism.
Building a Strong Reputation Across Travel Nursing Assignments
Having a good reputation as a travel nurse gives you various advantages. You’re more likely to get new assignments, expand your network, and have more substantial negotiation power. Here are a few ways you can build an excellent reputation.
Maintain Professionalism at All Times
Staying professional across all aspects of your work is crucial when establishing a good reputation. You must:
- Adhere to the facility’s policies at all times
- Maintain friendly yet professional relationships with colleagues
- Always be punctual
- Uphold the highest standards of patient care
Be Open to Feedback
Even though you may already be a long-time professional in your chosen specialty, there’s still room for growth. Be open to feedback about your methods and find ways for improvement. We recommend that you actively seek feedback. This practice shows your willingness to learn and your dedication to becoming a highly competent nurse.
Cultivate Your Network
Based on the average length of assignment, travel nurses usually have four assignments annually. Being in a new location once every quarter means meeting many nurses and other healthcare professionals. Use this opportunity to create a vast network in the industry. That way, you can find new opportunities and access a support system. Having this large number of professional relationships will do wonders for your reputation.
Dealing With Conflict and Misunderstandings in New Workplaces
Disagreements and miscommunication are unavoidable, whether you’re in a traditional nursing setup or working as a travel nurse. However, you can resolve issues in the workplace with a few tips to maintain good relationships and reduce stress even when trouble comes. Here are some things you can apply.
- Understand Regional Differences – Your assignments are likely to bring you to various states across the nation. Each one has its unique quirks that may be different from what you expected. Understanding these regional differences, like patient demographics and local healthcare attitudes, helps you navigate conflicts better. You’ll better understand why people react a certain way or subscribe to specific belief systems.
- Leverage Conflict Resolution Strategies – Some roles in nursing, like nursing supervisors, require you to become a mediator. You’ll have to use conflict resolution strategies to help issues between workers or nurses and patients. Having such skills will help you maintain a peaceful and positive environment.
- Remain Calm and Professional – When conflicts arise, it’s important to stay calm and professional. Avoid reacting impulsively or emotionally. Instead, take a step back, assess the situation, and approach it with a problem-solving mindset. You must maintain a respectful tone and focus on finding a resolution instead of assigning blame.
- Set Time for Self-Care – Nursing is already stressful, with up to 75% experiencing burnout. Conflicts only add to the stress, so it’s important to set time for relaxation and self-care. Practices like yoga, meditation, and talking to loved ones can help you recharge. A calm and relaxed mind is more capable of forming relationships and managing workplace conflicts.
Professional Relationships and Traveling Nurses
Cultivating relationships as travel nurses may seem like a fruitless endeavor, but it offers many benefits, such as networks, professional growth, and strong connections. So, follow the tips we shared above, like learning to communicate effectively and resolve conflict.
For more tips on working as a travel nurse, contact us at AB Staffing Solutions.
