There are many paths by which to advance in the travel nursing profession, so people in the field are always looking for ways to improve their job performance and put themselves in the best position to propel their careers. However, it is not always easy to know how to best go about this process. If you ask 10 experienced travel nurses, you’re likely to get 10 different ways to improve your skills, but there are a few methods that nearly everyone in the field agrees will help you become a more effective travel nurse.
Seek input
It’s easy to feel like you need to build your travel nursing skills on your own and become as self-sufficient as possible, but in most cases, it is actually better to get as much input and direction as possible. This is especially true for people who are newer to the travel nursing profession.
According to Jacksonville University’s School of Nursing, asking questions early and often is the best way to find your footing and quickly improve your performance. Regardless of how busy your co-workers or supervisors appear or how embarrassed you feel to ask what could be viewed as a silly question, you will find that seeking feedback and answers as often as possible puts you in the best position to improve your performance.
Help out your co-workers
The flip side of this equation is equally true. It is good to lean on your colleagues on occasion, but it helps if you are willing and able to repay the favor. In practice, this means not only helping out your co-workers when they are swamped, but also doing your work as well and thoroughly as possible to prevent your colleagues from having to pick up the slack.
According to NurseTogether, establishing a mutually trust-based relationship with your co-workers and supervisors is one of the best ways to demonstrate what a valuable contributor you are. Keep your promises, don’t hold grudges and be quick to lend a helping hand. These simple steps can help you build a better work environment and give your patients the best possible care.
Keep learning
There is a lot to learn as a travel nurse, and it can sometimes feel daunting. However, only by continually expanding your travel nursing knowledge can you reach your professional goals. This doesn’t mean that you have to enroll in a school to earn another degree – although you can do that – it just means that you have to be willing to grow and evolve.
One way to do this is to take regular notes or maintain a work diary, as this can help you remember your thoughts and questions later on. As a travel nurse you will have many assignments in a variety of healthcare facilities, so it is especially important that you keep track of how the different environments affect your performance and what you can do to continuously improve.