Travel nursing is a good experience for you to start and grow your career while getting to explore new places and meet new people. However, it might be a scary experience because you will be venturing into a new environment and have to start everything from scratch, including your connections.
With these easy tips, it will be easier for you to prepare for your assignments on any travel nursing jobs in Florida.
1. Explore and Research
There are many travel nursing companies and agencies ready to help you get your travel nursing jobs in Florida. However, it is important to research each of them and get to know how they operate.
The best way to do that is by reading the reviews of the people who have worked with those companies. That will give you the best and most accurate feedback. You should also read blogs or watch videos of other travel nurses in Florida and get to know about their experience. Some of them might even recommend some companies.
You should also make an effort to visit and interview some of the companies you will be considering just to see how they handle the people they work with. Be keen on their response time and how many people you will be in contact with once you start your assignment. That will reassure you that you will not be alone in case anything goes wrong at your job station.
2. Network
You never know where you will be posted, which is why it is important to network and create a relationship with current travel nurses. If you do not know any, ask your friends if they have any travel nurse friends and request an introduction.
You can then invite them to dinner or ask them to meet up so they can tell you more about their experience. That will help you, especially if that will be your first time looking for travel nursing jobs in Florida. It will give you an idea of how working in Florida is.
3. Get Organized And Know The Requirements Early
Even before you decide on a recruiter, ensure that you have everything that will be needed, including your driver’s license, current certificates, update your immunization and health records.
Once you have chosen a recruiter, enquire if there are any additional requirements they will need, and have them all organized for your first day. Having this information early will help you not forget any document or any requirement.
4. Be Flexible
Some recruiters will tell you that they will place you wherever you want, but the truth is that might not always be the case. Be flexible on facility, location, and setting, and always be ready for anything. Have a positive mindset, and don’t let your location change your view of travel nursing.
That flexibility and open-mindedness will help you secure a job faster, especially if you are a first-time travel nurse. After you get some experience, you will have the freedom to be picky.
5. Decide On Housing
Decide on the type of housing you want and the ideal location in Florida for you. Do you want to be in a more central area such as Orlando, or do you prefer a city near the beach such as Miami or Tampa? You can rely on your recruiter or some friends to help you look for the perfect house, or you can do it alone. However, always make sure that it is a safe place for you, because sometimes you may be working night shifts.
6. Communicate With Your Recruiter
Your recruiter should be there to help you with any and everything you need and to ensure that your contract begins on the right foot. Always have their number on speed daily in case you need clarification about anything or if you need their help with something.
One of the major things you need to clarify with your recruiter is about your salary and benefits. Make sure they clarify that just in case there will be any misunderstandings in the future. On your first day on the job, ensure to also ask a lot of questions during orientation and seek clarifications where needed.
7. Choose Your Mode Of Transportation
How you get to work will determine if you will always be late or on time. Decide whether you will be taking the train, bus, taxi or if you will hire a car. In any case, ensure that you know where each of the waiting stations is and where you can easily get a car for hire.
8. Get To Know Your New City In Sunny Florida
You never want to be late for your assignment with an excuse that you could not find the grocery store. Explore your town and know where every essential store is located. Also, get to know the streets and the easiest and fastest way to get from one place to another. That will not only save you a lot of time, but it will also help you move freely and confidently around town.
9. Accept Your Assignment Open-Mindedly
Sometimes when you are new in a place, they will give some of the tasks that nobody wants to do, not because they think you are not qualified, but because they want to test your patience, professionalism, and your skills.
If this happens to you, do not take that personally; instead, accept it with an open mind and positivity and do your best to let your skills and knowledge shine.
Also, do not take a lot of the things co-workers and patients might say to heart. Some people are hard to work with, and we all have bad days. Do not let some of their statements or actions keep you from doing your assignment to your level best.
10. Do A Test Run
Just like we practice ahead of a speech, you need to do a test run before your first day as a travel nurse. Drive down to the hospital and see how much time it will take to get there. Also, look at the parking and the layout of the whole facility.
You can also get inside and see how some of the operations are done and familiarize yourself with the place. That will help you get fully prepared for your first day.
11. Pack Your Day One Essentials
Before going to bed the day before you start, ensure you pack everything you need for your first days, like a snack, water bottle, pen, and all the needed documents. The first impression matters a lot and being organized will earn you some points.