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Travel nursing jobs allow you to take extended time off, experience new facilities and see parts of the country you’d never see otherwise — but did you know you can turn occasional assignments into a career with back-to-back jobs? Here’s how to do it:
1. Keep in touch with your recruiter. If you want to schedule your next assignment to immediately follow your current one (or take only a week break in between), make sure you let your recruiter know about six or seven weeks before your assignment ends. He or she can discuss an extension with the facility, if you’d like to stay on longer, or help you figure out where you’d like to work next. Your recruiter will also know which jobs have opened up, so you can try working at a different facility in the same area or move across the country for a new assignment, if you want to.
2. Know the timeline for getting nursing licenses in various states. You may have the best intentions to start your new job the Monday after your previous assignment ends — but if you don’t factor in extra time to get another license in a new state, you may not be able to start work on time. Be sure to apply for a license early so there won’t be any gaps in your assignments. If you do find you won’t have enough time to get a new license, consider taking an assignment in one of the walk-through states, which allow you to get a temporary license within 72 hours. Working in a compact state, which recognizes licenses from other states in the compact, is also a good option.
3. Check your agency’s website for new jobs while you’re on assignment. Your recruiter will keep an eye out for jobs that might interest you, but you can help her out by checking the website and sending her specific job numbers you’d like to apply for. Doing so can help you secure your next assignment early and not have to worry about finding one as your current job is ending.
4. Put your best foot forward during every assignment. Be the best possible travel nurse you can be while you’re working so you make a great impression and connect with colleagues who can help you land other opportunities. Your coworkers will remember whether you were on time, flexible, friendly and willing to work as a team, and they’ll be more willing to help you and give you a positive referral.
5. Let supervisors know if you like your job and want to stay in the area. If you want to extend your assignment before working somewhere else, make sure the charge nurses and supervisors know how much you like your job — and prove to them that you’re a valuable employee and worth them offering you an extension. Even if this isn’t possible based on budget or staffing concerns, your charge nurse may be able to help you find another job in the hospital or a different facility in the area.
Travel nursing can be a rewarding job, whether you only take a few assignments a year or are on the move every 13 weeks or so. These tips can help you no matter which route you choose.
Interested in a new assignment now? Check out our open travel nursing jobs.
