⬜ Professional growth.

⬜ Challenging work.

⬜ New destinations.

⬜ New friendships.

⬜ An adventurous life.

If you’re looking for a career that checks all of these boxes, you’ve come to the right place. A traveling nurse has the opportunity to enjoy all of these things while being compensated well for her work. Does this sound like just the kind of career you’re looking for? TREK Healthcare Staffing has been building bridges to connect talented medical professionals with the hospitals that need their skills for some time now, and we’d love to help you find the perfect place to make your next career move.

Is Travel Nursing Right for You?

To determine if you’re likely to thrive as a traveling nurse, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I adapt well to new environments and with new people?
• Am I open-minded about new methods of doing things?
• Do I communicate well (both talking and listening)?
• Do I possess problem-solving skills?
• Am I strong in emotional intelligence?
• Am I a team player, one who is willing to lead when necessary but who can pivot and provide a supporting role?

If you can confidently say “YES!” in answer to these questions, you have the potential to be an outstanding travel nurse. If you aren’t so sure, ask your current manager or co-workers you trust to provide you with some honest feedback.

A Traveling Nurse Works for a Staffing Company.

As a traveling nurse, you will be working through a company, such as TREK, that matches qualified professionals with placements that best suit their skills. As you might expect, the terms of contracts and guidelines for working with a particular staffing company will vary widely. When you sit down to discuss working with us, ask as many questions as you need to feel confident you understand all of the details. We also encourage you to talk to a couple of other nurse staffing companies before committing to join us. Compare the benefits and detriments of each, and think you’ll find you really like what TREK has to offer.

Preparing to Travel

Because a wide variety of nurses and medical professionals are needed to serve in hospitals across the country, any credentialed nurse, from an ADN to a PhD can find work. However, your chances of securing a placement are greater if you have at least a bachelor’s degree. Thanks to the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact, RNs can work in 39 states with the license of their home state, rendering new licenses for each job placement unnecessary. If you are looking to work in a state that isn’t a part of this compact, you may need to apply for a license in that state. Thankfully, many of these states offer temporary licenses for short-term workers.

To ease yourself into the traveling nurse lifestyle, test yourself by becoming a float nurse in your current hospital before signing a contract. This will give you a taste of what it will be like to work with different staff in different roles so you can get a better sense that this is right for you. 

When you determine that you are ready to turn in that two-week notice and launch your travel career, do so gracefully, keeping that doorway into your old place of employment open. You may decide to only travel as a nurse for a few years and then return to a permanent position. The way you leave can go a long way toward providing you a warm welcome sometime down the road. 

Make sure your certifications are up to date. Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support are expected almost everywhere, but advanced certifications can open you up to a broader range of opportunities. 

Be Prepared for the Challenges.

Even with all of the benefits of becoming a traveling nurse, there’s a reason we use the phrase “going to work.” No career path is without its challenges, and travel nursing presents some unique ones, and those who are prepared for them have the best experiences. 

Because you are the outsider coming into a new work environment, adaptability and flexibility are key. No two units are going to operate exactly the same way, and it will serve you well to enter with a sense of curiosity as you support and strengthen the longstanding staff who will continue to keep that unit running long after you have moved on to your next assignment. 

Taking care of yourself to remain healthy, upbeat, and focused on your work is vital. You’ll not only be working in a new place, but you’ll be living in a new one too, away from the conveniences and community of life at home. Try these tips to mitigate the effects. 

1. Learn all you can from the wisdom of those who traveled before you. Several traveling nurse blogs will provide you with everything from a good laugh to destress to practical tips for thriving as you work. Try The Traveling NP, and The Gypsy Nurse as inspiring starting points. 

2. Connect with other traveling nurses who can help you navigate the waters of finding housing, travel hacks, caring for yourself, and great destinations to add to your wish list.

3. Know your limits and how to recharge. No one knows better than you what your capacity is for work, play, and rest. Set aside time in your busy schedule to decompress, make social connections, get outdoors, exercise, and do activities that are good for your mind, body, and spirit. 

We’ll Help You Take Your First Steps

One of the greatest benefits of working with TREK Healthcare Staffing is experienced, knowledgeable support that will guide you through the process and work with you to achieve your professional goals. We’d love the opportunity to sit down with you, answer all of your questions, and guide you through the process. Give us a call today, and in no time you’ll be making the best career move of your life.