|
Recently I’ve read several articles and Internet posts regarding the effects that the current economic situation has had on the healthcare industry and travel nursing. There’s genuine concern that hospital censuses are lower than usual which in turn affects the availability of travel jobs. As healthcare workers, we don’t like to think of healthcare as a business but in truth it is just that-an extremely large one. So it comes as no surprise that many hospitals like other businesses are looking to tighten the bottom line by using fewer travelers and trying creative ways to entice travelers to become permanent staff.
However, travel nursing continues to offer many important benefits such as the ability to venture to new locations, travel reimbursement, good pay, benefits packages, free housing(usually with paid utilities) or housing stipend and the opportunity to increase your skills set in a new environment. There are still travel jobs. I continue to get phone calls from travel companies almost daily in addition to emails about travel assignments. Getting the travel job that you want just takes strategic planning to ensure that you are ready to hit the road when the time is right for you.
|
|
The philosopher Lao Tzu said it best – “The journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.” Of course some would say that the first step is usually the hardest, but with proper planning-it doesn’t have to be. If 2009 is the year that you’ve decided will be your year to transition into traveling; then the time to start is now. Don’t wait for New Year’s Day. Set your goals now and take action! Here are a few basics to get started.
Travel 101
- Get a small divided notebook, folder or create a travel folder on your computer. Once you begin researching-you will come by quite a bit of information and will need a place to keep it organized. Begin by listing your goal of becoming a mobile healthcare professional. Yes, write it down.
- Next, set a timeline based on the date you anticipate hitting the road. Doing this helps you stay on track and helps you target specific tasks to accomplish each week. It is much easier to accomplish tasks over a period of time as opposed to trying to do everything at the last minute.
- List your reasons for traveling along with what you expect to get out of it. Having a clear picture about what you want from your traveling experience will help you to choose travel companies, travel packages (benefits), assignments, and practice settings that are a good fit for you.
- Once you have defined what you want, doing a simple Google search about travel nursing will bring up millions of hits (4,160,000 the last time I checked). Pick a few sites and let the research begin. My trusted favorites are http://healthcaretraveler.modernmedicine.com. This site has a wealth of information on any and everything for travelers. There are monthly articles spotlighting current travelers and their experiences in addition to information on travel companies. You can get a free subscription to their monthly magazine even if you are not currently traveling.
- Delphi forums- http://forums.delphiforums.com/travelnurses is an online moderated community of mobile professionals where you can learn about traveling, read posts from other travelers and even post your own comments and questions. You can get first hand information from seasoned veterans and newbies alike. I use this site to get feedback from travelers who have been to places I want to go to or who have worked with a particular company that I am interested in traveling with. The members there have no problem posting their good and bad travel experiences and alerting other travelers of the pitfalls to avoid. You can join for free as a basic member if you want to participate in discussions. Some other sites are www.pantravelers.org and highwayhypodermics.com . Both sites have an abundance of travel information, forms and tips on getting started in addition to references on several books about traveling.
- The pay calculators at the pan travel site are very helpful tools and the site is currently being updated to include information on all the state boards of nursing that will include paperwork needed, fees, time it takes to get licenses and much more. This site also has a free basic membership.
- Check out the e-Chapter website, www.echapter.org for current articles on traveling and future spotlights on travelers within our AORN community. The Travel Corner will feature travelers in the U.S. and those traveling abroad. Plus you will get updates on our virtual chapter’s happenings.
- Start gathering all the documents now that you will need when you start to travel such as applying for licenses in states you want to work in. Keep in mind that each state has different regulations and the process in some may take longer. Obtain proof of updated physicals, current immunizations, TB tests, etc. which you should already have if you are currently working. Keep current on all certifications like BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP or anything you might be required to have to work in your specific specialty areas.
- Talk to as many travelers as you can. Most are willing to share what they have learned and answer questions. As a traveler, I enjoy helping someone transition into the mobile healthcare professional family!!
- Brush up on your travel lingo. Learn about travel packages, stipends, mileage reimbursements, housing allowances, contracts and the different types of travelers. Do you want to be a “traveler” (get an assignment in which a travel company acts as a liaison between you and the facility), a “seasonal” (a contract between you and the facility directly usually during their peak high census months) or do you want to be an “independent contractor” (basically your own boss responsible for negotiating your terms, housing, paying your own taxes and insurances,).
- Choose the length and type of assignments you want. Some assignments may be as short as four weeks or as long as twenty-six weeks or more depending on your needs and the facility’s. Know your travel style. Do you want to go to places for brief periods or do you enjoy staying longer? Do you want higher pay or popular destinations? Jot down what you just have to have in an assignment and what you are flexible about. (My must have is safe, comfortable housing with a washer and dryer or easy access to on site facilities. Most everything else for me is negotiable).
- Finally, when you are ready, pick a few companies that seem to be a good fit for your travel needs and go for it! It’s best to begin by checking out the websites and if you are still interested-give them a call. Be mindful though, once you give out your phone number-you will get called as recruiters try to romance you into securing employment with their company. Be wary of any company that tells you that you have to commit to or sign anything before you have even gotten the basics from them. Run and run away fast!! Never agree to or sign anything until you are absolutely comfortable!!!
Remember, this is You, Inc. It’s your responsibility to present yourself and to get what you want in a travel assignment; to find a company or facility that meets your needs and to negotiate terms that you can live with for the contracted period.
|