So, it's your first Travel RN assignment...
In honor of finishing Week 1, I've put together my Top 5 tips for a successful Travel RN assignment. These will help you on your first assignment, or your 51st.
- Be prepared. If it's feasible, get into town a few days early and map out the facility. I like to drive my route to work the day before to make sure I'm not lost + late on Day 1.
- Remember you're there to rectify a staffing emergency, so be flexible. If you have time off requests, let management know as soon as possible. (I recommend getting dates blocked in your contract so you don't have any issues.)
- Note, being flexible ≠ lack of boundaries; be communicative with management. If you find you've worked every weekend and your contract states every other or every third, bring that to their attention. Your contract is just that, a binding agreement (which is why I advocate having any variables put in writing). Example: you interview for a day/night rotating contract, during your interview the manager casually states you'll be able to work a straight shift. Have your company put this in the contract you submit to the facility.
- Be (overly) helpful. It's the secret to a great shift, and building great working relationships + a great reputation with the unit. For my ICU nurses wanting to get higher acuity assignments, this is key. Showing the nurses + charge nurses you work with that A) you can be trusted with their patients B) you can handle high stress situations well, is a foot in the door.
- Comparison is the thief of joy. "At my home hospital we..." Stop this. Every hospital/clinic/unit functions differently. You'll encounter new advanced best practices, and techniques you've seen done better another way. Oftentimes, facilities are open to hearing ways that they can improve patient care. I've had plenty of staff + educators pick my brain, but, continuous outward comparison looks derogatory very quickly. Instead, I challenge you to absorb + add the techniques/protocols that are new to you as a notch on your 'nursing skills' belt.
- Remember why you started. The real tea is that every contract won't be stellar. It's life. Now, I'm not advocating that you tolerate abuse or dangerous working conditions. Your safety + license are top priority. Outside of the aforementioned, however, I am suggesting that we have the power to reframe our experiences. Build those relationships with your patient's + families, find a mentor that's in your next desired role, go/do/explore. Focus on your why!
Have a great shift!
xo,
Nēss
