If you are a travel nurse, it's important to utilize the resources available to you in order to have the most successful assignment possible. Your best resource throughout this career may be your travel nursing agency. From helping you land your dream assignment and setting up your housing accommodations to helping you with financial matters and offering packing tips, your travel nursing agency is there to help. Your recruiter should serve as your right hand before, during and after every assignment.
Your travel nursing agency is a great resource when you are planning to move to a new location for your next assignment. While living in a different city for several months is very exciting, having a great experience will require planning that your recruiter may be able to assist with. After all, he or she has helped many travel nurses just like you have an enjoyable assignment and has likely witnessed a few blunders along the way.
"Probably one of the first things to do after receiving your assignment is to get a sense of the layout of the city and the neighborhoods of your new city," explains senior editor for Frommer's Travel, Christine Ryan. "You may want to have the shortest commute possible, you might want to be where the nightlife is, or be close to the beach or other attraction." Then work with your housing representative to select a housing location that meets your needs.
These are the kinds of decisions you can discuss with your travel nursing agency. The more you talk to your recruiter and are able to form a trusted relationship with him or her, the better. By having a friendship with your travel nursing recruiter, he or she will have a better understanding of what you're hoping to get out of the assignment and your general interests. Your recruiter may be able to offer suggestions about where to go and what to do in your new city, and can give you some insight into the hospital's orientation process and culture so you'll know what to expect.
Working as a travel nurse is a very rewarding and fast-paced career that can provide you with experiences and memories you will remember for a lifetime. Just make sure to make the most of your travel nursing agency. The recruiters are there to help and want to see you succeed!