7 Things I Wish Knew Prior to Getting Into Travel Nursing

Travel nursing poses many challenges. You are ALWAYS the new nurse on the block. Here are some tips that helped me as I started travel nursing. What have you found helpful?

7 Things I Wish Knew Prior to Getting Into Travel Nursing

It's amazing what I've learned in just this short time in travel nursing. I made this video to help out new travel nurses with some of the things I wish I need before getting started in this specialty. When you are the new person, there is both a lot of responsibility as well as possibly some anxiety. You have new people to meet, new EMR's possibly to learn, new procedures...So, here are some tips that have helped me. Hope it helps!

What has helped you to be the best travel nurse? Share your tips.

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guest042302019

About guest042302019, BSN, RN

Progressive Care (Step-down) Travel Nurse; from US

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Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

Awesome video! So true and to the point.

Travel nursing reminds me of working perdiem. You are thrown in and given the assignment that no one wants.

You learn to survive real fast! It also makes you stronger, quick in wit,fit and hones your critical thinking.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
Awesome video! So true and to the point.

Travel nursing reminds me of working perdiem. You are thrown in and given the assignment that no one wants.

You learn to survive real fast! It also makes you stronger, quick in wit,fit and hones your critical thinking.

I completely agree. My first assignment I was on the floor for two days and that's it! I met a per-diem nurse half way into that assignment and she had, literally minutes to get used to the floor! Per-diem nursing is a whole notha' level of intense!

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Your video was awesome. They do depict traveling nursing as just one big sexy dream. I definitely don't want to get catfished by a possible future assignment if I should decide to be a TN. I really would like the tea on how different it is for Black nurses and what their experiences are.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
Your video was awesome. They do depict traveling nursing as just one big sexy dream. I definitely don't want to get catfished by a possible future assignment if I should decide to be a TN. I really would like the tea on how different it is for Black nurses and what their experiences are.

I appreciate your comment. Honestly, I have no idea how it is for black nurses. I suspect you would encounter the same BS as you would as a staff nurse. If you're referring to crazy, judgemental, stereotyping, or discriminatory people, unfortunately, those are nationwide (worldwide I suspect).

Overall, I'd like to think and hope your skin color doesn't affect your travel nursing experience. Unfortunately, there are still incredibly stupid people out there. I hope that would prevent you from trying out this awesome specialty :)

Take care!

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Thanks for the video! Some of the tips will help me, some I am already familiar with:) I have been a nurse for 10 years now. My first job, after 1 hour of orientation, they decided I was good to go and sent me off on my own!! Within 2 months I began agency/temp work because I figured it was no big deal to be thrown to the wolves anymore! I actually loves being able to work somewhere new all the time and as I worked night shift, I was used to too many patients and not enough help. I have also had to cross pick it lines, so I am absolutely familiar with working where I am loathed!! I have worked in every field from LTC, Sub-Acute, Hospice, Dementia, Psych to Maximum Security Facilities, and from Infants to Elderly so I'm all set for whatever is throw at me. I did, however, definitely need the packing advice! I am at a complete loss for what I would need to bring with me. I also would be traveling without my other half as he cannot leave his business for weeks at a time, so I would love to know what is the safest place for me to stay. I am not to keen on sharing a room with a stranger though. I would be hopefully staying on night shifts and do not want to make someone deal with my crazy schedule. So if anyone has any more tips, I would greatly appreciate them!!!

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Sharing a room with a stranger? You mean a house perhaps? In any case, you are free to stay in any housing from a private apartment to the Hilton, no roommate is forced on you.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.

I have heard of extreme circumstances of travelers staying with roommates they didn't know. I know that's not the norm by any means though.

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
Sharing a room with a stranger? You mean a house perhaps? In any case, you are free to stay in any housing from a private apartment to the Hilton, no roommate is forced on you.

Though it's only hearsay. I couldn't verify the living circumstances though. :)

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.
Thanks for the video! Some of the tips will help me, some I am already familiar with:) I have been a nurse for 10 years now. My first job, after 1 hour of orientation, they decided I was good to go and sent me off on my own!! Within 2 months I began agency/temp work because I figured it was no big deal to be thrown to the wolves anymore! I actually loves being able to work somewhere new all the time and as I worked night shift, I was used to too many patients and not enough help. I have also had to cross pick it lines, so I am absolutely familiar with working where I am loathed!! I have worked in every field from LTC, Sub-Acute, Hospice, Dementia, Psych to Maximum Security Facilities, and from Infants to Elderly so I'm all set for whatever is throw at me. I did, however, definitely need the packing advice! I am at a complete loss for what I would need to bring with me. I also would be traveling without my other half as he cannot leave his business for weeks at a time, so I would love to know what is the safest place for me to stay. I am not to keen on sharing a room with a stranger though. I would be hopefully staying on night shifts and do not want to make someone deal with my crazy schedule. So if anyone has any more tips, I would greatly appreciate them!!!

Housing is one of the most commonly searched and discussed issues in travel nursing. So much that there are facebook groups devoted to this very topic. I would suggest starting there. Though, NedRN, is right! You don't have to stay with anyone! You have complete control. :)

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I decided that I'm going to do travel Nursing early next year...Ive been a RN for 4 years in Med/Surg/Tele, LTACH currently and Spinal Cord LTC...I was a LPN for 10 years first..and in the ARMY almost 20 years so I love traveling. I been stationary for the past 7 years now that my youngest in graduating next year I want to get back into travelling and hopefully move down South. So any suggestions on Travel Nurse Agencies?

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Specializes in Progressive, Intermediate Care, and Stepdown.

Truthfully, most top agencies have the same benefits and similar pay packages. I look for a great relationship with the recruiter because they are the ones that'll advocate for you. Here are some legit resources for you. Good luck! Contact me anytime with questions.

Best Staffing Agency - Who Really are the 'Top 1

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