As a travel nurse, you are continually moving from assignment to assignment, joining a new team with each one. Maintaining your professionalism at all times is critical to your success and realizing your ambitions as a travel nurse. Follow these tips to help you be the very best travel RN you can be. Plus, your actions may rub off on others who are struggling to maintain their own professional behavior.
Roles and responsibilities
Travel nursing professionals are likely to have questions, and asking them is the only way you're going to find out what your roles and responsibilities at work are. Likewise, if someone new comes on board while you are on an assignment, be sure to help guide them in figuring out the ropes. As someone who is accustomed to being the newbie, you may have a few pointers worth sharing. Go to your healthcare staffing manager when it comes to questions regarding what it is you are expected to do at work. Guessing can result in things slipping through the cracks, while other duties are being unnecessarily covered by more than one person.
Professional involvement
There are many professional benefits that come from working as a travel nurse. Not only will you be able to expand your network, you will also have the opportunity to learn more about new practices, technologies and the latest developments in your field. As with many other careers, nursing requires ongoing education. With technology quickly expanding and many advancements leading to changes in medicine, it's important that you be current so you remain on the forefront of nursing practice. When applying for travel nursing jobs, you want to make sure your resume is also updated to reflect all of the knowledge you have obtained over the years. This can go a long way when you are up against another candidate for an assignment you desire.
Attitude
As an RN, it is your responsibility to help others, and bringing personal issues or drama into the workplace can have an extremely negative effect. Everyone is entitled to have crummy days, but it is imperative that you not let it get in the way of treating patients. Additionally, you can easily make your colleagues' jobs more difficult by making them a part of personal problems you are having outside of work. There are other ways that your attitude contributes to your level of professionalism at work. While your priority is caring for patients on travel nursing jobs, you should also spend time assisting your co-workers. Whether it's lending a hand to someone who is overwhelmed or providing support when they are working with a difficult patient, these acts of kindness will not go unnoticed. Teamwork is key to a successful healthcare career.
In your ever-changing job, you have to adjust with the times. With your experience in travel nursing, you already have the tools for success in this department. Be sure to keep your work professional to benefit your career and the well-being of patients you treat.