With today’s nursing shortage there is no hiding the
fact that nurses can write their (own) ticket to anywhere… and they
are! More and more nurses are taking advantage of their nationwide demand
and they are hitting the road with travel staffing companies.
Traveling allows nurses to journey to new places, to live
and work. The experience can be exciting and rewarding. But the last thing
you want is to end up in a commitment to a company that is not right for you.
There are things you need to know before you go, from knowing what you want
from a company to being able to identify contracts that may restrict your
career. NurseVillage comprised a “Top 10” list to help make sure
your travel experience is one that you will want to repeat.
Go With Who You Know. Before you take
an assignment with any travel staffing company ask around and see what you
can find out about them. Talk to travelers you have worked with, friends,
and family, even acquaintances. Chances are nobody is going to purposely
steer you down the wrong path. You may also want to look for a company that
has been in the industry for a long period of time. A stable company will
help you travel with peace of mind.
Signing a Contract: Keep Your Opportunities Open
— Control Your Destiny. When you are entering into a contract
be sure to read it carefully. Take your time. Go through it line by line.
You don’t want to work for a company that doesn’t have your
best interest at heart. If an agency wants you to promise to work at a specific
facility only through them, ask yourself what happens, after your first
assignment, if you like the facility but not the agency. You may be precluding
yourself from other opportunities. You should have the freedom to work with
several agencies if you want to. If something on a contract does not seem
right or fair to you, QUESTION IT!
The Benefits that Benefit Travel Nurses.
Just because you are not at a facility on a permanent basis doesn't mean
you have to sacrifice the health, dental, and professional benefits you
are accustomed to as a staff nurse. The better travel staffing companies
offer their nurses complete comprehensive health and benefit plans. But
health benefits aren't the only perks you receive. As a traveler you almost
always have the option to take advantage of free housing or receive a generous
housing allowance. Plus, you usually receive some type of travel reimbursement.
And again, a more reputable and well-established travel company will also
handle all the details of setting up your new home, turning on the utilities,
making sure the apartment is clean, and that your furniture is delivered.
When you arrive at your assignment everything should be ready for you.
Bountiful Bonuses To Be Had. Many travel
staffing companies will offer different types of bonuses, like referral,
sign-on and completion bonuses. The more established companies will also
offer shift-differentials.
Work at the Nation’s Top Hospitals.
Becoming a traveler is the quickest route to success for many nurses. Traveling
allows you to build your resume, sharpen your clinical skills, and stay
current on the latest technology. And working with an establish staffing
company can help assure you positions in hospitals that ranked among the
country’s best according to U.S.News and World Report. These opportunities
mean working side-by-side leading healthcare professionals, which gives
you a better chance of getting the hands-on training you need to stay ahead
in your specialty area.
Destinations Should be Yours for the Picking.
Travel nursing usually means changing your working environment every 13
or 26 weeks, the typical length of an assignment. One of the obvious benefits
to becoming a traveler is being able to go where you want to go. That’s
why when deciding on a company look for one that can offer you a real variety
in assignments. Larger staffing companies will have opportunities in all
fifty states and possibly the Caribbean too. There is so much to see out
there – Enjoy!
Loyalty Should be Rewarded. You should
feel comfortable with your travel company. Comfortable enough to take many
assignments with them. On that note, your loyalty deserves to be recognized.
A well-run staffing company will offer some type of loyalty program that
rewards you based on the number of years you have been with them.
Professional Guidance Whenever You Need It.
Everyone wants advice now and then, especially when it come to our careers.
Make sure the guidance you receive comes from a trusted source. At least
one of the top staffing companies actually has a department made up entirely
of registered nurses to support you. They serve as Clinical Liaisons to
the company’s travelers. Travelers can address professional concerns,
seek educational advice, and even receive support during their facility
evaluation.
Traveling Alone Shouldn’t Leave You Alone.
Just because you reach your assignment destination doesn’t mean you
should be abandoned. Make sure the company you choose has some one you can
contact if you need to. A more reputable travel staffing company will offer
a 24-hour emergency service number.
You Are the Priority. Remember, you are
what a travel staffing company is built on. You want a company that recognizes
this fact. Customer care is important. Look for a recruiter who can provide
you more than a great job, but also offer you insight and guidance on every
assignment. You should receive personal attention. You never want to be
just a number. If you are ever unsatisfied with your recruiter, you should
always have the option to change to someone with which you feel completely
comfortable.
We hope this list of information will help make your traveling
career rewarding, both personally and professionally. Ultimately, travel nursing
will satisfy your sense of adventure and your need to succeed. From housing
to comprehensive health benefits, to 401(k) plans and continuing education,
the company you choose should offer you everything you want. There’s
never a reason to settle. The right company is out there.
