Travel nursing affords you the opportunity to meet professionals in your field, expand your base of knowledge, and learn about cultures and communities. While it is rewarding, it can also be challenging because you’re away from loved ones and familiar experiences. Before you start travel nursing, let’s explore what it’s like as you take your first contract, interact with a recruiter, and begin your journey.
You can’t hop into travel nursing right out of nursing school.
It sounds great to earn while exploring and having a flexible schedule but that doesn’t happen without putting in your time. Most agencies, including AB Staffing, require 1-2 years of nursing experience before you can become a travel nurse. During this time, you will learn patient management systems, have experience working in a nursing environment full-time, and engage with patients and their families. These skills translate well to travel nursing so make the most of your first few years out of nursing school.
Next, you will need to have your documents ready.
Every agency will request an updated resume, certifications, copy of diploma, vaccination records, identification like a driver’s license, nursing license, and references. It is a good idea to let your references know you’re interested in becoming a traveler as well as the specialty or experience you’d like them to highlight in their conversations. This will help them showcase you in the best light; you can use this skills list and share it with medical facilities where you work.
If you need additional guidance, check out the Travel Nurse Checklist.
Once you’ve found an agency and assignment, read the contract and ask questions.
We never want you to be caught off guard so we encourage all our travelers to thoroughly read their contracts before signing with us. We want to be sure you and your recruiter are on the same page in terms of what is being offered. As we say so often on this blog, please utilize your recruiter as a resource before travel nursing and as you accept more positions.
Budgeting is a must when you start travel nursing.
The word “budgeting” has a bad reputation but it is a necessary task, especially as a travel nurse. In How to Budget as a Travel Nurse, we recommend starting with income and expenses. What are necessary expenses and what are nice-to-have? What will be the same as you travel and what will be different or new? Budgeting doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to spend money on what you like, only that you have to have the money set aside for that item. If you love to buy a coffee before each shift, for example, then include that in the budget.
The two differences our traveler nurses experience are that they may be responsible for paying taxes and may need money to cover housing. When you take a travel contract you will need to plan ahead and have a little bit of money saved to cover until you get your first paycheck.
Pack what you need.
In Travel Nurse Packing List, we say that there are those who pack light and those who wish they did. It isn’t necessary to take everything you own. In fact, we discourage it because you may be in a dormitory or communal living situation. You may not want the expense of moving everything every 13 weeks, the length of a contract, to a new location.
Instead, think about what you will need for where you are going. You don’t need a winter coat in the summer in Arizona, so don’t take it with you. Consider the activities you want to do, like hiking or trail running, and take what you need.
You will have many first days in travel nursing.
Before travel nursing, consider that you will always be the new person on your first day as a travel nurse at a new assignment. Not everyone likes to be in that position so consider how you will handle it. Our seasoned travelers tell us they go in with a smile and an open mind, remembering that while they have experience, they are new to the facility.
Don’t get picky about the schedule.
As a traveler, you are there to fill in where your skills are needed. The schedule may not be ideal. You may be a floater. It depends on the facility and the contract. Keep in mind that you are getting other perks like living in a place you’ve always dreamed of living, gaining new skills, and meeting new people. You can also take time between assignments, especially if you budget well.
