Traveling Healthcare Professionals: The “411” on How To Prepare for Your First Travel Adventure

Congratulations!

You just accepted your first travel assignment and are eager to get packing for your adventure. This is certainly an exciting time for you, however, it may also be a little nerve-wracking. After all, other than packing your belongings, you may not know exactly what next steps to take. Here at SpringBoard Healthcare, we understand that the stress of preparing for your assignment may cause some sleepless nights. We’ve worked with a lot of first-time traveling healthcare workers and have rounded up some tips to ensure your success as a traveling healthcare nurse or technician. 

Organize and Prepare

As simple as it seems, getting yourself ready for your travel assignment is your first task as part of your new role. To begin preparing, make sure all of your licenses are updated, your health information is current, and that you’re also up-to-date on your vaccinations. In addition, during this time, it would be a good idea to begin searching for affordable housing. After all, anything you can do to prepare in advance will certainly make the transition into your new position easier!

Arrive a Few Days Early

After you’ve found housing, arrive early enough to settle in and become familiar with your new “home away from home.” Be sure to get used to navigating around your new location and find the best route to get to your new facility. While doing so, visit the local supermarkets in the area to stock up on food, so you can prepare meals in advance. Additionally, for those who own pets, now would be a good time to help your pet settle in and locate pet sitting services, if needed. 

There are several Facebook groups that are dedicated to connecting travelers to help them build community. Some of the most popular groups include: “Travel Nurse Network-The Gypsy Nurse” and “Wanderlust Travelers.” SpringBoard Healthcare also has two active Facebook groups for travel healthcare professionals — Cath Lab Cabana and EP Exchange. Facebook groups are an excellent way to build a mini network in your new town.

Learn Your Facility’s Time-Keeping System

While going through orientation, be sure to ask about your facility’s time keeping system or “time clock.” Specifically, ask: how to punch in, who approves time and when, and how you make corrections to previous time sheets. You are paid by the facility based on the time you report; therefore, it literally “pays” to understand their system.

Join a Travel Nursing Group Online 

There are several Facebook groups that are dedicated to connecting travelers to help them build community. Some of the most popular groups include: “Travel Nurse Network-The Gypsy Nurse” and “Wanderlust Travelers.” SpringBoard Healthcare also has two active Facebook groups for travel healthcare professionals — Cath Lab Cabana and EP Exchange. Facebook groups are an excellent way to build a mini network in your new town. 

Ask Questions

When in doubt, ask questions! Be sure to communicate your questions about your traveling assignment to either your staffing agency or your facility, depending on the situation. Asking questions can eliminate both mistakes and confusion, as well as shows initiative.

Have a Positive Attitude

As mentioned previously, starting your traveling healthcare professional career can be overwhelming at first. Instead, try to remain positive and don’t let stress affect your ability to provide care to patients. This tip goes for your facility too, have a positive attitude toward embracing protocols and new colleagues and take a “When in Rome” perspective.

If you’re looking for a qualified healthcare staffing agency to find your next assignment, consider SpringBoard Healthcare. SpringBoard Healthcare places Cath, EP and IR nurses and technicians in careers all around the U.S. Contact us or reach us by telephone at (866) 465-6286.