Travel nursing is an exciting job where you can combine your passion for work with the adventure of traveling. Becoming a travel nurse has many benefits such as higher pay, discovering new cities, meeting new people, and much more. But before you pack your bag and book your flight, you must be prepared to make your experience smooth and successful. Whether you are a seasoned nurse or a first-time travel nurse, in this blog we will give you a checklist to prepare before you travel for your nursing assignment.
Travel nurse assignment checklist
Understanding your assignment
If you are a first-time travel nurse it is so important to understand the details of your assignment. During your travel nursing interview ask questions about the facility and assignment details so there is no confusion when you start your job. Confirm the following details of your assignment:
Location and facility: it is important to know about the facility to make sure you are comfortable with it. Your temporary housing should be near to the facility for easy commute to save time and money. Also check the environmental factors such as climate, weather, and natural disasters before signing yes to the contract.
Shifts and hours: ask about your overtime pay rate, hours, and shifts to avoid burning out.
Understand your role: understand your job description and role and what type of medical equipment you will be working with.
Housing and travel stipends: Understand whether housing is provided or not to plan your finances accordingly.
Licensing and certifications
Your certifications should be updated, and your license should be valid. Double-check if you require any additional certifications for the job. If you want to work in multiple states, apply for a compact state nursing license that will help you work in multiple states, saving time and money.
Pack accordingly
Packing according to your assignment is another important factor in preparing for your first travel assignment. If the weather is cold pack sweaters and jackets and if the weather is warm pack t-shirts. Check if the housing they are providing has all the necessities. To learn more about packing tips and tricks read our blog Travel Nurse Packing Checklist (Guide for Travel Nurses). Things to consider while packing are:
- Nursing gear
- Updated documents and records.
- Clothing according to seasons
- Personal items and household items.
Prepare your finances
Financial planning is another important thing to consider when going on your travel nursing appointment such as travel expenses, housing, and other living costs.
- Set aside money for upfront costs.
- Understand pay and benefits.
- Knowledge of Insurance and retirement contributions.
- Select a travel nursing agency
- Find an agency and make sure they have experience with first-time nurse travelers.
- Check the certifications and licenses that are required.
- Review contracts carefully.
- Understand insurance, pay packages, housing stipends, etc.
Health and insurance
Knowing health and insurance is another important thing to consider and be prepared for before going on with your first nursing assignment.
- Purchase travel health insurance if possible.
- Make sure vaccinations are up to date.
- Plan for emergency health situations.
Read our blog Travel Nurse Packing Checklist (Guide for Travel Nurses)
Top 10 Tips For New Travel Nurses
Conclusion
Embarking on a travel nursing journey is exciting with a lot of benefits and helps nurses to grow professionally and personally. However, it is important to be prepared before going on your first travel assignment to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Preparing for your first travel assignment includes managing finances, understanding tax, job details, etc. With the right planning, your nursing career can open doors for success and can help you grow personally and professionally.
Whether you are a seasoned travel nurse or a first-time travel nurse, SkillGigs is here to help you boost your career. AI technology that will help you match your skills with the right jobs that match your interests and needs. Sign up now and become a travel nurse with SkillGigs.