The primary responsibility of a travel nurse is to provide excellent care to patients, but recent research suggests that this cannot be accomplished if the travel nurses themselves don't feel comfortable, safe and healthy. A recent report, "Through the Eyes of the Workforce: Creating Joy, Meaning, and Safer Health Care," reports that patient safety is closely linked to nurses' well-being, which means that travel nurses need to play an active role in ensuring that they and their colleagues are best equipped to provide care.
Here are some tips to take care of yourself on the job and put yourself in the best position to be an effective travel nurse.
Seek institutional support
Healthcare facilities have a vested interest in supporting their workers, of course, so you should feel comfortable relying on them in times of need. Every facility is different, so take time to find out about each new assignment as early in the process as possible.
There are many ways to achieve this, but you should start with your recruiter and the HR department at the facility. Many hospitals have programs in place to support their nurses, and understanding how to find help when you need it can help you prevent situations from getting out of hand.
Your colleagues can also be a big help in this regard. While you may be new to a particular facility, there is likely a more tenured nurse on staff who can help you find assistance should you need it. Even if you feel competent and happy, it can provide peace of mind to know what services the facility offers, so don't hesitate to do some preliminary research.
Be open
After you gain an understanding of what a facility's institutional support system looks like, it is important to keep an open attitude and to make regular use of communication channels. According to the National Patient Safety Foundation, nurses should always be open to reporting incidents or conditions that worry them. This can mean telling superiors about minor shift events or bringing their attention to larger, more serious situations.
Ultimately, this dedication to openness and clear communication will help health care facilities provide the right atmosphere for their workers and improve your ability to care for your patients. After all, a safe and well-run health care facility is essential for high-quality care.
"The basic precondition of a safe workplace is protection of the physical and psychological safety of the workforce," said Paul O'Neill, former U.S. Treasury Secretary.
Provide support
Although your supervisors and the people in charge of the healthcare facility in which you are working are ultimately responsible for the safety of the environment, you should also do your part. If a co-worker is in need, don't hesitate to help him or her. Workplace issues often start small, so paying attention to your environment and being willing to help out in times of need can help you preserve the integrity of your workplace. Whether this means helping a new nurse navigate the first few weeks on assignment or sticking up for a dejected co-worker, you shouldn't be afraid to play a role in improving your work environment.