Our Travel Nurse Recruiters work hard to connect you with the best opportunities. We always stress the importance of communicating with your recruiter throughout the entire process. In this article, we are excited to bring you their real-world advice, answering questions like what it’s like being new to travel nursing, how to get hired quickly, and advice for all travelers.
Thank you to everyone for sharing your expertise and advice about being a travel nurse recruiter!
If you are new to travel nursing, our Recruiters say…
David: “Communicate with your recruiter. If you have preferences, non-negotiables, concerns, hesitations, problems, excitement, roadblocks, feelings, ANYTHING…share those! We are always willing to do whatever is needed, and sometimes that means just listening. The more you communicate, the better your relationship will be with your peers, managers, and recruiters.”
Elijah: “My advice would be to do some of your research beforehand. Truly ask yourself, do you picture yourself here for the next 13 weeks? Ask yourself, what’s my end goal?”
Allison: “Be open to exploring new areas! You may hear about opportunities in areas you’ve never thought of, but keep an open mind to new possibilities. Also, maintain a good relationship with your recruiter. It’s important you have someone in your corner that you can trust to help with decision-making.”
If you want to get hired quickly, our travel nurse Recruiters say…
Eric: “If you want to get hired quickly, be flexible. Things are constantly changing, and if a traveler can adapt to the sudden changes (start date, schedule, unit, etc.), they will be more successful.”
Mike: “Be flexible and have thick skin. If little things bother you, traveling nursing might not be for you. You must be able to adapt in the workplace and not take your work home with you.”
David: “Be flexible. Travelers are trusted and relied on to fill the holes at the facility. A team-first mindset will show those around you that you are here to help and will make for a much more enjoyable experience for you.”
#1 Piece of advice you always find yourself giving travelers, our Recruiters say…
Elijah: Always take a picture of your timesheet for your records.
Jennifer: Go into any assignment with an open mind and willingness to learn and help, and it will go smoothly.
David: Communication and transparency are essential when it comes to traveling! Ask questions, share hesitations, etc. I am here every step of the way.
Kirsten: Bring up any concerns you have so we can address them right away. We are here for you. Communication is key. Be sure to ask your manager facility-specific questions during the interview (scheduling, ratios, etc.).
June: Drive to your assignment if you can. It will be much easier for you to get around and you will feel more comfortable driving your car.
Like June says, drive to your assignment to have your car. Also, take a test drive before your first day so you know where you are going and aren’t late.
Advice for when looking for an agency or recruiter, our Recruiters say…
Elijah: “Be transparent. As a recruiter, I’ll always have jobs open and ready to go, but I need to truly know what you’re looking for to set you up for the best success.”
David: “Find someone you work well with personally. While a working relationship is not a top priority as a traveler, it makes everyone’s life easier. Find someone who wants to work for you and with you! At the end of the day, you are the one traveling away from your home, family, friends, and everything you know. You deserve someone with your best interest in mind.”
Eric: “For any traveler looking for a recruiter, I would recommend doing your research! Understand how you want your relationship to be with your recruiter and communicate that to the recruiter. Understand the job market and make the best decision with the knowledge you have acquired.”
Travel Nurse Recruiter Archive
We appreciate our Recruiters sharing real-world experience. To enhance what we’ve already mentioned, we’d also like to add articles from the archive.
- How to Find a Great Travel Nurse Recruiter – Tips for finding an agency, getting to know recruiters, and asking for referrals from friends and colleagues.
- Questions to Ask Your Travel Nurse Recruiter – What to ask about the facility, travel and housing, the process of working with the agency and recruiter, and the what-if questions.
- Healthcare Recruiter Red Flags and Green Flags – What to avoid, including red flags like recruiters sending automated follow-up messages, calling you on a work phone without an appointment, and using non-branded email addresses like @gmail or @yahoo rather than @companyname. Green flags include having a dedicated recruiter rather than a recruiter pool, consistent, personalized follow-up, and positive reviews from other travel nurse clients.
Contact us if you want to learn more about what makes AB Staffing a leader in travel nurse recruiting.
