5 Insider Travel Nurse Tips

While there are many perks and advantages to being a travel nurse, it can be hard to navigate your way around your new life. Our seasoned travel nurse recruiters have come together to provide you with insider tips that are especially helpful for those who are just starting out in the travel nurse industry.

#1. Have a good reference

Stay in contact with your previous managers and supervisors and build positive relationships with them. It helps to stand out in the crowd. One way to be more competitive is to ask your supervisor for a reference letter. For your convenience, we also have aform that your reference can fill out if you do not have a letter. Finding a job can be competitive, so beefing up your resume and having references will help set you up for success.

#2. Communicate with our recruiters

At TotalMed, we are here to serve you. We know that all our travel nurses have different needs that they would like met. For some, adventure and location is the most important deciding factor for assignments. For others, highest pay is the driving factor. When partnering with TotalMed, feel free to ask us questions and communicate your needs or worries. We like to keep an open channel of communication between us, so we can solve problems for you early on before they become big problems. Being responsive and talking to our recruiters within a 24-hour time frame, is crucial to helping you land your dream assignment. So be sure to keep an eye out for our phone calls. You never know, it could be an interview for your future assignment.

#3. Keep your files on hand

We want to help you transition into your new assignments as smoothly and quickly as possible. To help expedite the process, always keep copies of your files of compliance (vaccinations, mask tests, certifications, physicals, etc.) ready. One way to keep your documents organized is to scan them into your computer and have an electronic file available.

#4. Be adventurous

Be outgoing, friendly and adventurous. Make friends with your fellow travel nurses and explore the city together on your days off. Don’t just immerse yourself in your job, but also be open to making friends in your new community.

#5. Be flexible

If there is one suggestion that will apply and benefit all nurses, it is to simply keep an open mind and be flexible. You will get the most out of your travel nursing experience when you are open to new experiences. I often like to think about this quote from Bruce Lee when I am trying to be flexible. “You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.” Be like water, and you will be surprised by all the awesome opportunities that await you.

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