Travel nursing is a career path that comes with adventure, but not without its own challenges. According to the 2023 National Travel Nursing Report, demand for travel nurses has grown by 35% over the past five years. This rise is driven by both seasonal patient spikes and the growing need for flexible working hours by nurses. 

However, adjusting to a new hospital setting isn’t always a walk in the park. It can be stressful, overwhelming, and, let’s be real, a little exhausting. Worry not! We’ve gathered practical, real-world advice along with insights from seasoned nurses to help you succeed. Whether this is your first rodeo or you’re a seasoned traveller, these tips will help you thrive in every assignment without burning out.

Practice Work-Life Balance To Avoid Burning Out:

Let’s face it: travel nursing is exciting, but one needs to be mindful about practicing work-life balance. The thrill can lead to overworking and burnout if you don’t set boundaries. Here’s how you can keep yourself sane in between the chaos:

• Put yourself first by prioritizing self-care. Taking care of your feet is a no-brainer. Invest in high-quality nursing shoes/joggers. Compression socks to avoid varicose veins and poor circulation too are needed. 
• Travel nursing can get lonely if you let it. Find a soul sister or brother from travel nursing Facebook groups or attend local meetups to connect with other fellow nurses. Having someone to vent to or grab coffee with makes all the difference.
• Don’t just clock in and clock out. Seriously! While work is a priority, one also needs to make memories.

Choose The Right Gear: Comfort with Style and Functionality:

While being a travel nurse means you need to wear clothes/scrubs that are comfortable and functional. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in high-quality work essentials that make you feel and look great.

• Find the Right Joggers/Sneakers: Investing in top-quality nursing shoes can help prevent fatigue and foot pain from standing on foot for long hours. Your best bet is to look for brands designed for healthcare professionals. 
• Keep a “Go-To” Bag Ready: Having a small backpack with all your essentials in it can save time and stay prepared for unexpected long shifts. 
• Pack Smart and Light: On the note of having a go-bag, packing only the essentials is the smart choice. Consider a high-quality stethoscope, versatile scrubs, and personal comfort items that help you make yourself feel at home in your temporary housing.

Research, Research, Research:

There’s no such thing as too much research when it comes to travel nursing. Thus, make sure to research what facility has been appointed to you thoroughly before heading to a new hospital. Every hospital runs differently and showing up unprepared can make things rough for you initially. 

• Ask other nurses for reviews. Websites like Nurse.org, Glassdoor, and private Facebook groups have a plethora of information. If a hospital has a toxic work culture and unrealistic expectations, it is better to be safe than sorry
• Know your state licensing rules. Not all of them are a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC for short, so make sure to start the process early if you need one.
• Generic advice, but calculate your real paycheck. A 5500$ weekly paycheck sure does sound incredible. Until reality hits, and the rent in San Francisco or New York is eating half of it.

First Impression Is The Last or a Lasting Impression:

Your first few shifts at any new hospital set the tone for any upcoming assignments. How well you integrate with the team and introduce yourself can create a lasting impact. 

• Be proactive and network. Let your coworkers know you’re willing to learn how things go around and also be a team player. 
• Be smart about what you want to know. Instead of asking generic questions, focus on learning how things work in your unit.
• Show appreciation to build good relationships. You never know whether a simple “thank you for helping me out” can make someone’s day. 

Celebrated travel nurse Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, who trained thousands of nurses emphasized, 

“Confidence and competence go hand in hand. The more prepared you are, the faster you’ll be welcomed into a new team.”

Quickly Adapt to Different Charting Systems:

One of the main challenges that every travel nurse faces is adapting to new electronic health record systems, which differ from hospital to hospital. A few common ones include:

• Epic, which is used in over 50% of the hospitals
• Meditech
• Allscripts
• Cerner

The best part is that many facilities offer online tutorials. If not, then a quick YouTube search/Google can go a long way. Going in prepared before your first shift is always better.

Maximizing Your Pay-Check and Professional Growth:

A major perk of travel nursing is the potential for high earnings. But one needs a strategy to truly maximize your income.

• Sharpen up your negotiation skills. Agencies sometimes offer lower base pay but higher stipends and per diems, which are tax-free.
• Specialize in fields higher in demand. Specialties such as ICU, PACU, AND CVICU have a higher earning potential. For instance, a nurse anesthetist’s salary can range from 190,000$ to 260,000$ yearly, while NICU nurses earn significantly less per year. 
• Opt for crisis or strike contracts. Some crisis contracts pay 10,000$+ per week, especially during severe staff shortages. 

A six-figure travel nursing salary is possible, but one has to be smart about their contracts and avoid being lowballed.

Plan in Advance for your Next Assignment:

Even if you’re in the middle of a contract, it’s better to start planning in advance about what’s next. Smart travel nurses secure their next opportunity before their current contract ends to ensure there are no hiccups.

• Make use of job boards to find opportunities. A quick Google search for RN jobs near me or travel nursing jobs through reputable websites can go a long way.
• Expand your network with recruiters. You never know if your recruiter friend can help you land your dream travel nursing job. 
• Request for references before you make your exit. An excellent way to ensure job security is to leave on good terms. Ask your in-charge nurses or supervisors for a letter of recommendation even before your contract ends. 
• Reflect on your experience. Take note of what you really enjoyed about your adventure and what you would avoid. This’ll help you refine your job criteria for your next assignment. 

Final Thoughts

Travel nursing is more than a career or job—it’s a lifestyle. Each new location brings in a different set of new opportunities, challenges, and adventures. By staying flexible, always well-prepared, and proactive, you can make every assignment a success. 

Whether you are looking for travel nurse jobs in your own city, considering how to become a travel nurse or even working with the best travel nursing agencies to find your next contract, the world is your oyster to build a fulfilling career.

So pack your bags, embrace the wilderness, and enjoy the journey while making sure to take care of yourself and setting firm boundaries when needed!