A solid clinical skill set helps travel nurses stand out from hospitals. It shows that you’re well-rounded and can adapt to any situation. Find a recruiter that prioritizes your preferences. They’ll help you get from point A to your dream travel nursing job, even if the path is different.
Make Yourself Standout
If you choose to be a travel nurse or allied health professional, you want to land the ideal assignment in the place of your dreams. The competition is fierce, but you can stand out from other candidates by crafting a well-rounded resume, staying flexible, and working with a reputable agency. Hospitals look for nurses with diverse skill sets who are ready to hit the ground running. Your resume should showcase your nursing experience, specialty certifications (CCRN, TNCC, NIH), and continuing education courses. It should also highlight any unique or additional training you’ve completed that makes you stand out.
Being flexible about where you’re willing to work and what shift you’re comfortable working will also help you get your ideal assignment. For example, if you need more time to be ready to do nights or prefer a certain days-on/days-off ratio, let your recruiter know before applying. A reputable travel nurse agency will maintain strong relationships with healthcare facilities nationwide. Plus, they can assist you with licensure and credentialing, making the process more seamless. Ask your friends and fellow travel nurses about their experiences with different agencies to find the best fit for you. Be sure to partner with one offering free housing, pet-friendly policies, and tuition reimbursement.
Be Honest
When applying for travel nursing jobs, honesty is the best policy. If a job description asks for a particular skill set you still need to acquire, be honest in your answer and explain how you plan to address that gap by training yourself in the future. It shows you’re committed to advancing your career and are serious about your travel nursing goals. It’s also crucial to communicate honestly with your recruiter if you accept assignments that must be corrected. It helps your recruiter understand your preferences, allowing your preferences, allowing them to find more travel nursing assignments that meet your needs. If you need help determining you need help determining whether your desired travel nurse job is possible, contact possible, contact a fellow travel nurse for advice. They’ll likely have plenty of tips and tricks for landing a dream assignment, and they can give you insight into the realities of the travel nursing experience to help you make an informed decision. To land your dream travel nurse job:
- Create a strong resume showing your unique skills, awards, and accomplishments.
- Collaborate with a reputable travel nursing agency that maintains relationships with healthcare facilities nationwide to connect you with opportunities that match your preferences and skill sets.
- Be flexible, honest, and prepared—and you’ll soon land that dream assignment!
Be Flexible
A travel nurse’s career requires flexibility and adaptability to various healthcare settings. During your interview, highlight your willingness to learn new protocols and quickly integrate into different hospital teams. Your recruiter plays a significant role in finding your dream travel nursing job, so developing a transparent and open relationship with them is essential. They should review your nursing license and resume to ensure you’re ready for your next assignment. Plus, they can help you choose a reputable travel nursing agency and negotiate contract terms and salaries. Travel nurses must also be flexible about their assignments, especially if they aren’t happy with the location or hospital. If you decline a task, be prepared to explain why, such as salary requirements, needing a certain days-on/days-off ratio, or if the location doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
- Being flexible also means being ready to move on from a lousy assignment early, if necessary. It’s always better to book your next assignment before you leave the last one, as this will allow you to secure holiday time off and get any required state nursing license arrangements done in advance. Booking your assignment early increases your chances of your candidate file getting to the top of the stack for the position you want. It will also ensure you can start your next assignment on the desired date.
Be Prepared
One of the best ways to be prepared for a travel nurse assignment is to keep your expectations realistic. Focusing on what you want to get paid, when you want to work, and where you want to work is easy. Keep in mind that these are not deal-breakers. Hospitals have different needs and requirements based on their staffing and season, so they may not be able to meet your exact demands. It’s also important to be ready for your interview, which will likely take place over the phone. Ensure your phone is charged, you’re in a quiet environment, have eaten a nutritious breakfast, and have adequate sleep. You’ll also need to be able to manage your assignments from the field, which will require some level of technological proficiency. A few apps allow you to handle all aspects of your travel nursing or allied healthcare assignment from the comfort of your smartphone, including timesheets and payroll.
Most importantly, build a relationship with your recruiter and communicate openly. Always respond to your recruiter’s texts and calls, be honest during assessments, and let your recruiter know if you want them to address any red flags on your record. They are your advocate and can help you land that dream assignment!
