You want to find a travel nurse job that suits your wants and needs. That means choosing assignments based on criteria that matters to you. One assignment may be great for another traveling nurse, but may not work well for you. How do you know how to choose the right assignments as a traveling nurse? We have some advice to help you move in the right direction.
How to Find a Travel Nurse Job?
Before we talk about how to choose between different assignments, it’s important to talk about the process of finding a travel nurse job. If you’re just starting out or even just exploring the idea of becoming a traveling nurse, you need to know some of the steps involved.
When you work with our travel nurse agency, we work with you to match you with jobs that are ideal for your unique situation. Our team at AHS NurseStat matches you with an experienced travel nurse recruiter who is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.
Our recruiters get to know you so we can find assignments that may work well for you. You can also browse our job board with real-time assignment updates. Once you find an assignment that works well for you, then our recruiters help you through the process of applying, interviewing, and obtaining necessary credentials. After you accept the job offer, our team also helps with things like finding housing, submitting necessary documents, and also offering support while you’re on assignment.
Then, rinse and repeat. As your assignment is coming to an end, we help you find another job that fits your needs and wants. We are here to make travel nursing an easy and rewarding experience, no matter what your goals are.
Tips to Find a Travel Nurse Job That’s Right for You
Now, let’s talk about how you find a travel nurse job that suits you. Of course, the first step is finding travel assignments that fit your nursing specialty. However, there are so many other factors that affect whether an assignment is right for you or not. We have some tips to help guide you through choosing a travel nurse assignment that fits your needs.
Choose a Travel Nurse Agency that Cares
The first step to finding the right assignments for you is to find a travel nurse agency that understands and cares about you. It’s also important to choose an agency that you jibe with. The agency you work with affects the type of assignments available to you as well as your overall experience.
Travel nurses shouldn’t feel like just another number, because you’re not! Every nurse has their own unique needs and goals. You’re not there to simply fill an open assignment, you’re looking for a job that really matches who you are. Many agencies seem to forget that there are real people behind that amazing resume, but that can really sour the experience. So, we recommend choosing the right agency for you.
Set Your Goals
You also want to know what your goals are. Knowing your “why” for becoming a traveling nurse can help you find a travel nurse job that is right for you. There’s a reason you decided to become a travel nurse! Those goals should be in your mind (and in your recruiter’s) every time you look at different assignment opportunities. Everyone has different goals, but two of the main ones are travel nurse salary and destinations.
Maybe you want to pay off some debt, save up for a house, or just fund plenty of experiences and hobbies. Whatever the case, it’s important to know if pay is your primary goal. Then, you can keep this in mind when you go to find a travel nurse job. This way, you can look at assignment pay and local cost of living to maximize your earnings.
Destinations are another common goal for travel nurses. Being able to travel around the country doing what you love is a unique opportunity that attracts many nurses. If your primary goal for travel nursing is to see different places, you might care more about assignment locations. There are many locations where you may want to work as a travel nurse, so consider starting a list and finding assignments in those areas.
There may be other things that are important to you as you try to find a travel nurse job. For example, the type of shifts, the type of facility,
Talk to Your Recruiter!
We mentioned this briefly, but it’s worth saying again: talk to your travel nurse recruiter about which assignments you want. Your recruiter is your best resource when you need to find a travel nurse job. So, make sure you communicate exactly what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to be specific about your goals and preferences.
For instance, telling your recruiter that you don’t want assignments that pay less than a certain amount or in rural communities helps them find assignments that will really be a good fit.
Also, if you say no to a certain assignment your recruiter sends you, we encourage you to explain why. Sometimes it’s easier to know what you don’t want rather than what you do, and that’s okay. However, as you refine your expectations for assignments, telling your recruiter can help them help you better.
Flexibility Can Help You Find a Travel Nurse Job
It’s important to have goals and be specific about your wish list when trying to find a travel nurse job. However, it’s also helpful to be flexible! Being open to different opportunities can be helpful when choosing travel nurse assignments.
Of course, everyone has their own list of must-haves and immediate-no’s. You probably don’t want to compromise on those. However, if amazing opportunities come up, consider whether some of your nice-to-have preferences really trump the advantages of a particular assignment.
For example, let’s say your dream to take an assignment in Hawaii or Alaska. If this is true, it might be worth it to compromise a little on the salary or the type of facility you usually prefer to work for.
Or, maybe you really want to work in a particular city. Yet, there might not be assignments available in the heart of the city currently. You might consider looking at assignments that are within driving distance instead. Just remember that flexibility can help a lot when you want to find a travel nurse job that suits you.
AHS NurseStat – Making a Difference for Travel Nurses
If you want an amazing experience and access to opportunities in desirable facilities and areas, our team at AHS NurseStat is here for you. We are a top travel nurse agency that offers competitive compensation packages, amazing assignments, and a team that really understands you. We are here to serve you and help you further your career goals as a traveling nurse. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can make a difference for you.
