You're logged in as Your Dashboard Logout

Nurse First News Blog

3 Ways to Prepare for Your First Travel Nursing Job

Posted December 21, 2020

Woohoo! You’ve made the decision to start travel nursing. Since this is your first travel nursing job you probably have lots of questions about the process. Good thing we’ve worked with tons of awesome nurses since 1995 and learned from the best. Below are three ways to prepare for your travel nursing job and some helpful travel nursing tips!

Be Flexible and Organized

When approaching your first nursing contract, it’s important to come into the process of being open-minded and flexible. While you should always let your recruiter know your expectations, sometimes there are even better opportunities in other parts of the country, with different shifts, or at new facilities. Don’t limit yourself!

Travel Nursing Tip: Stay organized! This may seem like an obvious one, but having copies of your certifications and documents ready when filling out your application makes the process easier and faster. We recommend taking a day to scan all your documents and storing them in a folder on your computer so it is all in one place and easy to upload. Some agencies, like PRN Healthcare, have a credentialing specialist whose job is to ensure all your documents are collected so you can focus on landing your contract and preparing for your first travel nursing job.

Find Travel Nurse Housing

apartment complex photo

Finding nurse housing can be stressful, especially for first-time travel nurses. Here at PRN Healthcare we have a housing coordinator who has established awesome relationships with rental properties, hotels, and extended-stay hotels across the nation. Just tell us what kind of accommodation you want, if you are bringing a pet, and your expectations for commute time. Remember to ask your housing coordinator what is all included with the rental so you can plan and pack accordingly.

Travel Nursing Tip: Refrain from overpacking – no, you probably don’t need that slow cooker. For more packing tips take a look at 5 tips to packing for a 13-week contract! Still want more travel nurse housing tips? Read about how to make your travel nurse housing feel like home!

Network and Do Your Research

The best way to seek out advice about travel nursing is to find someone who is a veteran traveler! Travel nursing is a community of all walks of life who come together to travel, care for others, make great money, and experience new adventures! Don’t know any travel nurses personally? No problem. Join some travel nursing groups on Facebook, or read blogs from experienced travelers on Pinterest. Don’t be afraid to ask your recruiter tips and tricks too, since they’ve dealt with handfuls of nurses throughout the years and have heard many good and bad stories!

Travel Nursing Tip: Find a nurse mentor. Have you found a travel nurse that you just click with? Ask if they would be willing to mentor you through your first travel nursing job. This is a great way to network and get great advice from someone who has been in your shoes.

Starting your first travel nursing job is SO exciting! Come into the process prepared for success with the tips and tricks listed above. Have more questions about how to get started travel nursing or want to chat with a recruiter? We are here for you 24/7! Happy traveling.

Employee Applicant Statement

I certify that the information provided by me in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if I am employed, any false statements or omissions can lead to immediate dismissal, and I agree that Nurses PRN shall not be held liable in any respect if my employment is terminated for that reason. Nurses PRN is hereby authorized to verify the information I have supplied and to conduct any investigation of my personal history records. I authorize the companies, schools, and persons named in this application to give any information requested regarding my employment, character, and qualifications, and release and hold harmless Nurses PRN and the companies, schools, and persons from any liability. I understand and agree that if hired, my employment is at-will, for no definite period and may be terminated at any time without prior notice and without cause. I further understand that any offer of employment may be conditioned upon the results of a physical examination, including tests for the use of controlled substances in accordance with applicable laws.

If hired, I agree to abide by all rules and regulations of Nurses PRN, which I understand are subject to change by Nurses PRN at any time for any reason without prior notice.

Nurses PRN is an equal opportunity employer. Nurses PRN considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally-protected status. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application and/or the interview process should notify Nurses PRN and request such accommodations.

Should an investigation or legal proceeding adversely affect my professional license/certification or ability to perform the functions of the job, I understand that I am obligated to immediately report said occurrence to Nurses PRN’s Chief Nursing Officer at 888-830-8811. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

I represent and warrant that I have read and fully understand the foregoing.

Cookies

By using this website, you automatically accept that we use cookies. What for?