How to be a Rock Star Travel Nurse

You’ve got your nursing skills down pat — but do you know what it takes to be an amazing travel nurse? Whether you’ve taken travel nursing jobs for years or are still contemplating your first one, a few tips can help you up your game and have an even better relationship with your coworkers, your patients and your RNnetwork recruiter. Here are five ways to be a rock star travel nurse:

Get organized

We’re not talking about cleaning out your junk drawer (although that never hurts, either). The best travel nurses have their work history listed chronologically on a CV, an up-to-date list of references, copies of transcripts and school records, and even proof of immunizations. They also make sure their licenses and certifications are current and apply for new state licenses in advance of their travel nursing assignments.

If you’re scrambling to find necessary documents when your recruiter needs them or can’t remember the last time you updated your resume, it’s time to get things in order. You’ll have a better experience and be prepared for future assignments.

Communicate frequently with your recruiter

It’s not necessary to call your recruiter every day, but check in with him or her at least every couple of weeks, especially if you encounter any problems or need someone to talk to after a difficult shift. Your recruiter can help if there are scheduling conflicts that violate your contract, problems with your housing or concerns about facility policies and find ways to solve them.

Ask lots of questions

Some travelers feel like outsiders and are afraid to voice opinions or ask about procedures for fear of annoying staff members or seeming incompetent. Don’t risk making a mistake or jeopardizing your career; ask your supervisor and coworkers for help when you need it, even if it’s a question about a software program or the supply closet. Even when you’re not working, it pays to talk to people. Ask your neighbors their recommendations for the best restaurants in town, or talk to other travel nurses about their favorite parts of the area.

Provide plenty of feedback

If things are going terribly on your assignment and you dread going to work every day, let your recruiter know. If you don’t feel safe in your apartment or worry about parking your car while you’re at work, tell your recruiter about that as well. It’s important to provide feedback, both good and bad, about your assignment so that your staffing company can improve and future travelers don’t have the same problems you did. If you receive a survey about your assignment, fill it out honestly and with as much detail as you can.

Be friendly and helpful

Be the kind of nurse you’d want to work with all the time. No matter the circumstances, try to be positive, make friends with the other staff members, get along with the physicians and supervisors, and be courteous to even the most difficult patients. Treat the travel assignment almost as an internship: What steps would you take if you wanted to be hired on permanently? You’ll find that challenging jobs become easier when you try to be happy and make everyone around you feel valued as well.

You won’t always have a great day at work, but you will feel better knowing you are an excellent nurse who made a difference. Share your tips for being a great travel nurse below!