Travel Nursing is a brilliant concept for medical professionals who are open to adventure or have been bitten by the ‘travel bug.’ At the same time, it can be daunting to have to adjust not only to a new place but a new working environment.
If you are a medical professional who is a new entrant to this field or are looking to join, read on below to learn the important Do’s and Don’ts all travel nurses must follow.
The Top Do’s in Travel Nursing
Do your homework
Before you embark on a new assignment, make sure to find out all the information about your workplace and destination that you can. For example, it is important to understand what your working conditions will be like and what is required of your job role.
It is also necessary for anyone to know about the place they will live in. Make sure to research every aspect, from the destination’s climate to popular activities. Since you will be living and working with locals, do also make sure you understand the area’s culture and social norms.
Do show commitment and eagerness
When you enter a new working environment, it is possible that co-workers doubt your skill or passion for the job. This is even more likely when they know that you are only there for a short assignment.
Therefore, it is doubly important for traveling nurses to show a commitment to their patients and an eagerness to learn from their superiors. Simply asking taking initiative on tasks and asking questions can go a long way in showing that you care about your work and create a lasting impression.
On the other hand, being careless or lax about your patients could reflect badly on you and also cause resentment from your co-workers.
The Top Don’ts in Travel Nursing
Do Not be rigid
One of the most crucial skills of a traveling nurse is adaptability to different environments and situations.
The more you travel during your career, the more you will realize that each organization has a slightly different way of working. As long as these differences are minor, they should not affect your performance.
The worst thing you can do is to be rigid in your working style and not adapt to your workplace.
Do Not skim your contract
As in any other job, your contract will lay down the essence of your assignment. It will list your working hours, your pay, and often, important rules of procedure.
Considering the importance of this document, it is important that you practice utmost diligence before signing it. After all, you don’t want to find out that you committed to regular 36-hour shifts after you have already started your new assignment, right?
So, make sure to not skim through your contract. Instead, read and re-read it to make sure you understand everything correctly and reach out for clarifications if you need to.
These tips are not only for rookies but also for experienced traveling nurses to follow. Just keep them in mind as you approach any new assignment, and you will be able to gain the most from travel nursing.