By Titan Medical

June 11, 2021

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4 Tips For Staying Safe During Summer Thunderstorms

This article was provided by Titan Medical.

Thunderstorm season is here, and as a traveler, you might encounter severe thunderstorms when traveling between assignments. Here are some tips for staying safe and recognizing signs of when the weather might take a turn for the worse.

1. During a thunderstorm

Avoid standing or leaning on concrete as electricity can easily be conducted through it. You’ll also want to stay away from trees, electrical wires, fences, and anything that electricity can easily pass through. If driving, pull to the side of the road and wait for the storm to pass.

2. Sign up for weather alerts

Download a weather app and allow it to access your location when you are not using the app. This will allow your phone to automatically update and send you weather warning notifications if a thunderstorm is near.

 3. Set up an Emergency Bag

Fill your emergency bag up with a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, and even some nonperishable food items. If you can get your hands on a portable generator, that would be a great addition to your emergency bag.

4. Safety while driving

When headed to a new location and a thunderstorm approaches, research the nearest storm shelters on your route. If no shelters are near while driving, pull over to park your car, keep your seatbelt on and engine running and cover your head with your hands and any extra clothing or blankets you have.

We hope you found these tips for staying safe during a summer thunderstorm helpful. Do you have any thunderstorm safety tips that you think other travel nurses would find helpful? Comment them below.

If you are ready for your next travel assignment this Summer, give Titan Medical a call today at 866-332-9600, and we’d love to assist in finding your next adventure!

By LRS Healthcare

June 10, 2021

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Working with a Social Media Recruiter

This article was provided by LRS Healthcare.

There are plenty of avenues for getting in contact with a recruiter to find your next travel adventure. Many find that reaching out by sending in your resume to a company website the old-fashioned way works just fine. With social media taking up a good chunk of everyone’s free time, whether we like to admit it or not, it is sometimes a bit easier to find a recruiter while scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Here are some tips to finding a great match with a social media recruiter while browsing your timelines:

Join Facebook Groups

There are plenty of Facebook groups that are geared towards the travel healthcare industry. More specifically, you can join groups that focus on your profession. Groups like Travel Jobs RN Demand post jobs daily that allow you to peruse job listings from the comfort of your own home or on the go! Looking at what’s going on in the travel world and where jobs are heavily located can give you an idea of where you’d like to travel to next!

Post in Facebook Groups

After joining any of the wonderful Facebook Groups available to you at the touch of a finger, it’s always a great idea to post what you’re looking for. Plenty of nurses can post in these groups when t they’re looking for specific travel options such as 13-week assignments in Chicago or Seattle and are contacted directly by social media recruiters and recruiters alike. This helps with your time management of companies only reaching out to you if they have exactly what you’re looking for.

Get to Know your Recruiter

It’s important to have a connection with your social media recruiter – not just have them set you up with your next travel adventure. This can look different for everyone depending on what you prioritize in the relationship with your recruiter. Take, for instance, Sarah Weeks, a social media recruiter ready to help with your next assignment. Other than working in the industry for two years and having a successful track record in finding nurses their next dream travel assignment, Sarah enjoys the outdoors, such as hiking, kayaking, and exploring nearby lakes. Maybe you need ideas on where you would like to travel to next? Social media recruiters are constantly hearing about fantastic places and adventures nurses have experienced, such as seeing the Northern Lights in Alaska, visiting lighthouses in Maine, taking in a game at Fenway Park in Boston, walking Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, or kayaking the Buffalo River in Arkansas.

At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right travel assignment for you! Finding the best adventure doesn’t have to be difficult; it can be found while you browse your social feeds after work or during your lunch break. Happy traveling!

Are you looking for your next assignment? Click here to check out our job board!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Medely

June 9, 2021

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What is AIDET? (And, why does it matter to Travel Nurses?)

This article was provided by Medely.

The amount of information you learn throughout nursing school is truly mind-boggling. From terminology to pharmaceutical interactions, from anatomy to practice policy, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals become walking textbooks of medical knowledge by graduating from their respective programs. And AIDET is more than another important acronym for healthcare workers to learn.

But it takes more than theoretical theory to practice as a Nurse successfully. Some of the essential skills in healthcare are not taught in an academic setting but absorbed through practice and real-world experience. Professionals must develop soft skills, including bedside manner and patient communication on the ground. 

Luckily, new Nurses have a set of tools at their disposal, making the intricacies of patient interaction a little easier. One of these tools is known as AIDET. 

What is AIDET?

AIDET is a concept of patient communication designed to decrease patient anxiety, increase patient compliance, and improve clinical outcomes. It serves as a guideline for practical, straightforward, and policy-compliant interactions between patient and professional. 

AIDET is an acronym illustrating the steps Nurses and other Allied Health Pros should take when speaking with patients or families about care. The letters in AIDET stand for:

Acknowledge.

Greet your patient by name, and recognize any family members who also might be present. You can ask them their names and how they are related to your patient. This step can set the mood for the entire visit, and it’s essential to have a warm attitude and friendly demeanor. 

Introduce. 

Let the patient know who you are. Include your name, profession, title, and any other pertinent information they may need to know. If you are replacing another Nurse who has gone off-duty, acknowledge the shift change and provide them with a brief explanation. 

Duration. 

Give your patient an accurate and precise timeline for their treatment that day. Let them know when providers will perform tests, the turnaround time for those tests when the physician will arrive, the next steps in their course of treatment, and any updates on their progress.

Explanation. 

After confirming that they understand why they are receiving care, give a detailed step-by-step explanation of their planned course of treatment in your facility. A medical understanding can include prescribed medications, how to prepare for specific tests, any planned operations or procedures, and where they can contact you if they have questions or need support. 

Thank you. 

Express your gratitude to the patient for their time, understanding, cooperation, and patience. If appropriate, thank the patient for choosing your particular hospital or clinic. It would be best to thank the family for being there to offer their support to your patient. 

Benefits

AIDET is more than just a convenient acronym that helps you talk to your patients and their families. It is an evidence-based communication technique that enables you to provide better and more effective care to your patients. Multiple studies have shown that the AIDET technique helps increase patient satisfaction and improve medical outcomes. 

One of these studies from Jason Scott of Witham Health Services demonstrates how the use of tools like AIDET helps to facilitate a culture of quality care among medical staff. Better care, in turn, led to better patient outcomes and increased patient satisfaction—patients whose Care Team use AIDET genuinely feel that they receive quality care. 

Other benefits gained from the AIDET method include:

  1. Approaching your patient in a friendly and welcoming manner can help put them at ease and foster a sense of trust. It can be scary receiving medical treatment, and it’s easy for patients to feel anxious, defensive, and dehumanized. However, if you are kind and forthcoming with your patient, this will help calm their anxiety and make treatment more accessible. Comfortable patients are more likely to accept treatment, leading to better outcomes for both the patient and the healthcare facility.
  2. The AIDET method helps maintain patient loyalty over the long term. Especially in densely populated areas, patients may switch healthcare providers if they have had an uncomfortable or unpleasant experience. One of the previously mentioned studies shows communicating with patients using the AIDET method has a better perception of the quality of their treatment. And a satisfied patient is more likely to stick with your facility and recommend it to their friends and family.
  3.  Implementing the AIDET method at your facility can also help to create a culture of quality care. It’s a great way to ensure that providers deliver consistent measures of empathy, concern, and appreciation for their patients. Patient communication is often considered an intangible value within healthcare facilities, but using AIDET can help formalize and strategize aspects of provider/patient interactions. Using AIDET benefits your patients and gives your facility the tools it needs to improve company culture and organizational outcomes. 

By The Gypsy Nurse

June 8, 2021

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3 Top Considerations for New Travel Nurses

Being a travel nurse is not only a rewarding career but can also provide immense opportunities for personal growth. As being a pivotal part of the medical industry, travel nurses help cover gaps when staffing needs are high at hospitals and facilities due to maternity leave, seasonal fluctuations, or simply a lack of staff. Below are some things to consider as you are starting out in this industry. 

Travel: The Pros and The Cons

One of the most exciting parts of this job is the ability to travel! As a travel nurse, you have the ability to travel to different areas of the country while still being able to work, which is something that many jobs don’t have the ability to offer. Having a sense of adventure while working is a major advantage in this line of work as you are able to fully experience new areas as opposed to a vacation where you mostly pass through your destination. 

While this can be exciting for some, the concept of constant travel can be tedious for others. Sometimes traveling in this manner can feel like a vacation, yet it’s important to remember that you are stationary for usually 13 weeks at a time (but this can be anywhere from 4 to 26 weeks). Depending on your circumstances, this might fit in well with your current lifestyle, or it may cause some change in your way of life. For example, relocating often to different time zones can impact your sleep schedule for at least a few days but might also interfere with how often you communicate with loved ones back home. 

Packing and relocating your belongings is another area of travel that needs to be considered. Again, contracts can range, so the amount of luggage you bring could drastically change based on your contract length. Because of this, relocating to your next location can be difficult if you have packed a lot for a prior contract, or you might find that you need to make some purchases if you extend your contract. Keeping all of these travel thoughts in mind will help you make the most of your new career opportunity. 

Family: Consider the Impact at Home

If you have any kind of family back home, being a travel nurse can make life challenging at times. While it’s possible to have your family relocate with you, it might not always be practical. Although you might not be able to physically be with your family all the time, it’s natural that you want to protect them as much as you can. One way to do this is to look into a life insurance policy. While it’s not pleasant to consider, an important concept to think about is how your family will be financially affected in the case of your passing. A life insurance policy payout is a tax-free, lump sum of money that is paid to whomever you deem your beneficiary, and you can name more than one person to receive these benefits. This money can help pay off funeral expenses but can also replace the lost income that was provided. Taking this into consideration now will only help provide peace of mind for when you are on the road and away from the ones you love most. 

Licensing: What You Need to Know

To make the most of this career, you will want to have licensing agreements to be able to work in multiple states. For this purpose, a compact multi-state license exists, which will cover you to work in several states with just one license. However, there are some states like Washington, Florida, and California that require you to be licensed to practice specifically in their state. Because of this, it can get expensive to maintain the proper licensing for this type of work. Not only can multiple licenses be expensive, but this process can be time-consuming based on processing turn-around times. To combat this, speak with your travel nursing agency frequently and feel free to ask recruiters about their licensing process. Keep in mind that the more licenses you have in place, the better your opportunities will be to work in higher-paying facilities. 

Starting a new career as a travel nurse can come with many new experiences and opportunities. By preparing yourself now, you can ensure that you are setting yourself up for a lucrative career path that you will love!

By Lirika Hart

June 4, 2021

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How to Keep Your Adventurous Soul Alive as a Travel Nurse

A travel nurse is a nursing specialty, whereby the nurse takes on a contract for a very set frame of time where he or she is assigned to in a particular location. Many agencies can place travel nurses into specific assignments in different states and provinces and all over the world. A usual assignment might last from anywhere between 8 to 30 weeks or so. The typical average is approximately 14 weeks or so. For many nurses with an adventurous soul, this is sufficient time to soak up a whole new country or new city and take a look at its culture. Apart from that, it is also an excellent opportunity to positively impact the lives of its citizens that require nursing care.  However, many nurses can get jaded with the routine of near-constant travel. Let us see what you can do to keep your adventurous soul alive as a travel nurse:

Space out your Assignments

Once you end an assignment, it is very important to opt to take at least some time off before sending in a request for another position that begins immediately. It is very important to understand that this is precisely this very job flexibility that is one of the single most important perks of any good travel nurse’s career. Look at it this way. Not only will you always get to be in the driver’s seat, but you will also be able to decide where and when you will be able to work. This will enable you to plan around any and all of your planned or, for that matter, unplanned life events.

Participate in a Charity Fundraiser

 As all nurses know, helping the needy is a highly rewarding activity. If you participate in local fundraising activities and walks, you won’t feel lonely in a strange land. Apart from that, it will also connect you to the world around you. This way, you won’t get the time to feel homesick as such. Such activities are also a great opportunity to meet new friends and other people who might feel as passionate as you when working for the same causes.

Let The Spirit Of High Adventure Re- Invigorate Your Soul

You should become a holiday spirit instigator. For example, you can go about starting a potluck with the other members of your nursing unit. Or you can do the same with the family that has hired your services.  Or you can invite other travelers who are from your home town or nation. Have people bring a dish to your place for your one-dish party. This will effectively eliminate the shear stress of preparing lots of food for everyone in the group. It is also a good idea to actively encourage healthy options apart from the standard party fare junk food.  These friendly invitations have the potential to lead to many long-lasting relationships, especially in a place you might consider your home even while being away from home.

Secure an International Driving Permit

There are few things as important as independent travel, especially when you live and travel in another country. You will be able to use your own transport while commuting from home and work, or even when you want to take in the countryside on your day off. This is why it is very important to secure an international driving permit beforehand.

Make Your Home As Comfortable As Possible

Sometimes, you will have to rent a place to stay for a long time. Under the circumstances, it is important to make your new home as comfortable as possible. You should personalize the environment around you, so you don’t feel lonely. How about making your kitchen cabinets look just like the ones you have back home so you won’t feel nostalgic?

Conclusion

All travel nurses can avoid becoming jaded if they take the time out to like the places where they go. They can personalize their living spaces and acquire their own transport to retain their independence.

We hope you found these tips for keeping your adventurous soul alive while travel nursing helpful. Have you found activities to do to keep your adventurous soul alive while travel nursing? Comment your tips for keeping your adventurous soul alive below.

By TheraEx

May 27, 2021

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6 Ways to Know if You Are Working with the Right Travel Nurse Agency

This article was provided by TheraEX Staffing Services.

Travel nursing is a great way for nurses to gain experience, travel the country, and earn an above-average income. While there are numerous benefits of traveling, achieving success comes down to choosing the right travel agency. Most travelers will sign up to work with a couple of different agencies to ensure that they are maximizing the advantages. So, how do you know if a travel company is the right fit? Here are six ways to know if you are working with the right travel nurse agency. 

Strong and Long-Standing Reputation

Due to the growing popularity of travel nursing, there are a wide variety of companies to choose from. Throughout all industries, anyone can start a business. This means that there are both low and high-quality companies to work for. Aim to choose a stable agency with a positive history of reviews by fellow travelers. There are several websites and nursing blogs that list and share testimonials on top-rated travel companies, which can help you determine which are most desirable.

Benefits 

When first starting out with a new company, it’s important to decide whether you need benefits. Will you need a retirement account or health insurance? When do the benefits take effect? How expensive are they? Some companies provide benefits at day one, while others require travelers to wait a full 30 days before gaining access. Additionally, does the company offer to set up housing or rental car services at the location? For those who require benefits, these are essential questions to ask during the decision-making process. 

Sick Time and Quarantine 

COVID-19 has sparked a lot of discussion for travelers on how to approach a mandatory quarantine when your company does not offer any paid sick leave. Since the traveler will not receive payment during that time, this can be a financial concern. Furthermore, what is the company policy for calling out sick? Some companies charge a ‘missed shift fee’ for each day that the traveler does not work when they are scheduled to come in. Understanding these policies in advance can provide key insights on anticipated and unanticipated time off. 

Assignment Contracts

Does the company have travel contracts in desired locations? Keep in mind that an agency can be excellent in other ways but not be located in an area where the traveler wants to work. Many companies will not share details on their contracts until a traveler agrees to work with them, while others will post locations publicly. If a traveler does not have a strong preference on the particular setting, this may not be an issue.

Pay

Serving as a driving force for pursuing the travel nurse path, payment is a critical factor in the selection process. Transparency around contract rates is one way to determine whether your company is compensating nurses fairly. It is also important to compare apples to apples. If a company is offering a weekly rate that seems high, break down the individual pay structures to make an accurate comparison. For example, the weekly rate may also include housing stipends, travel reimbursement, call pay, overtime, and holidays. Focusing on individual pay structure will give you a better idea of how much money is involved in the entire contract. 

Recruiter

Recruiters are the primary contact for the company, and it is critical to maintaining a good relationship with these individuals. However, the first recruiter you work with will not always be a perfect match. It is completely acceptable to request a different recruiter if you are happy with the company but not thrilled with the recruiter. It is also important to honestly communicate your expectations around frequency and methods of communication, as well as what you are looking for in a travel assignment. It is crucial to fully trust the individual who is lining up your next travel assignment and managing all of its complexities.

Takeaways

Choosing the right travel nurse agency comes down to a traveler’s unique preferences. While every agency won’t offer the same experience, plenty of companies will provide the type of benefits, locations, recruiters, and contracts you’re looking for. Be sure to do your research before making a decision, and keep in mind that completing one contract with a company does not mean you have to stick around. Take the time to compare the advantages of different agencies to determine the best fit for you and your travel lifestyle.

If you are a new travel nurse or a veteran travel nurse looking for an agency, click here to check out all that TheraEx Staffing Services has to offer their travel nurses.

By Theresa Cofield

May 26, 2021

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Travel Nursing: Things To Think About Before You Start

Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is why you can’t start a career without having a plan, including being a travel nurse. To ensure you don’t find yourself wanting to quit less than halfway through your first travel nurse job, here are some things to consider before starting.

Staffing Agency

If you’ve ever tried online dating, you know that it is vital to make a decisive choice amongst various options. When starting as a travel nurse, you will have several staffing agencies to choose from, making it a tough choice. But you have to choose a staffing company, and it has to be one that can help you succeed in your career.

This is why picking a staffing agency is the foremost thing to do before starting as a travel nurse. When selecting a staffing company, assess it in terms of:

  • Experience in the travel staffing industry
  • Whether they are Joint Commission-certified
  • Rooster of available assignments
  • Exclusive agreements with facilities
  • Pay rates and benefits

As a travel nurse, you have to identify what matters to you and what you want to get out of traveling. Next, use whatever answer you get to pick an agency that meets your needs. Don’t be in a hurry to choose a staffing company; ensure their value matches with yours, and they tick off most things on your priority list.

Recruiter

According to Melissa Hagstrom, a Travel Nursing contributor, seasoned travel nurse vets advise starters to work with a recruiter. The recruiter would serve as a guardian angel, watching your back and rendering advice when needed. The person would also understand your needs and find you placements that meet them.

Having someone who understands you makes life easier as a travel nurse. However, with so many recruiters, you have to sift through to find someone you can work with. If you and a recruiter are never on the same page, it would adversely affect your career. Once you find a match, it is crucial to keep communication lines open and resolve conflicts amicably.

Experience and Readiness

It might sound like a cliche, but “Experience” is sometimes and indeed the best teacher. Before you begin a travel nurse career, ask yourself if you have the required experience and readiness level. Although it varies, most facilities require a travel nurse to have at least 18-months of experience in their specialty.

Know that specialties like intensive care or emergency departments are quite competitive. Thus, to stand a chance, you have to have the needed experience and be ready for the challenges that come with the role. Nurse Journal advises that you obtain a specialty nurse certificate if you lack one. It would set you apart when applying to famous centers.

Contractual Terms

Most travel nurses start a job and realize they don’t like their contract terms. But, it’s too late to change it unless they want to face a lawsuit. This is avoidable if you carefully go through the conditions before signing. If you can work for only 16 hours, ensure you don’t agree for 18.

Ask questions as many times as needed, and ensure you’re clear on everything. Note that travel nurse contracts are different from that of a regular staff member. It offers tax-free benefits that a permanent staff is not entitled to. Show it to your recruiter before singing, and have them explain any part you don’t understand.

Licensing and Paperwork

If you’re planning to work outside the state you reside, you need to get licensed to work in the new state. Find out about the requirements and learn all you can about them ahead of time. If the state you reside in is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), it will make the licensing process much easier.

Housing

You don’t want to start a job as a travel nurse without securing a place to stay. Thus, once you’ve landed a job, look into the available housing options. Some travel nurse companies offer free and private housing, but you can make personal arrangements if you desire.

Packing

The key is to travel smart and only take the things you need. Depending on how long you’re staying away, you should take only the necessaries. Also, have someone check your home periodically. Pay bills electronically, and inform the post office on how long you’ll be away.

The Takeaway

Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, so you need to dot every “I” and cross all “Ts” before starting a travel nurse career. Create a checklist and carefully tick off everything before starting. The more prepared you are, the fewer chances you have of making mistakes. So, carefully go through this list, and use it as a guide.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Fastaff Travel Nursing

May 21, 2021

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More Licenses = More Opportunities

This article was provided by Faststaff.

As a travel nurse, you’re probably familiar with the question that every recruiter asks: “What state licenses do you hold?” Your answer to this common question can open the doors to more opportunities around the United States, allowing you to earn more, do more, see more, and be more. 

The more state licenses you hold, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn higher pay and enhance your career. When choosing which states to get licensed in, many travel nurses research and select premier hospitals they’d like to work at, which can help kick start their travel nursing journey into a highly successful one. Choosing prominent facilities or renowned teaching hospitals will enhance your resume and allow you to gain valuable experience in the field – and vast knowledge that you can take from assignment to assignment.  You will grow your value and earn your worth.

Once you’ve narrowed down the states that you’d like to work in, time is of the essence to avoid a missed opportunity. The time it takes for states to process licenses varies, so ensuring you’re ready to go with the required paperwork and requirements will set you up for a quicker turnaround time. States with the highest-paying assignments, like California and New York, can take more than a month to process your application, so the sooner you start the process, the faster you can earn the pay you deserve. Fastaff recruiters are always available to guide you through this process to help get you on the road to your next assignment.

Maintaining multiple state nursing licenses is an investment that will give you expansive choices when you are looking for your next travel nurse assignment. Fastaff is committed to fueling your ambition, and we offer licensing programs to help nurses become licensed in states they are not currently licensed in. Our team is well-versed in the various nurse licensing systems and can help guide you through the process.

Fastaff offers opportunities to work across the United States.  If you apply for a new or renewed state license and accept and complete a Fastaff assignment in that same state, we will reimburse your fees. Give our friendly recruiters a call if you’re interested in accelerating your career, on us: 800-736-8773.

By Host Healthcare

May 19, 2021

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Finding the Best Travel Nurse Recruiter

This article was provided by Host Healthcare.

Travel nurse recruiters are the backbone of any staffing agency. As a travel nurse, finding the right travel nurse recruiters can make a world of difference in your career. Rather than dedicating your time to job hunting, you can use your free time to enjoy the location of your current assignment between shifts. Finding a trusted recruiter that will take the initiative in finding the best-fit assignment for you will leave you feeling at ease in focusing on fine-tuning your craft.

Tips for finding great travel nurse recruiters:

Here, we have compiled a list of tips for finding the right travel nurse recruiters for you. Look out for these qualities and ask the right questions. You will be sure to establish a relationship with your recruiter to advance your career as a travel healthcare professional.

great travel nurse recruiter

Look for These Necessary Qualities in Your Travel Nurse Recruiters

Finding the recruiter that’s right for you takes having a conversation. While some agencies, such as Host Healthcare, pride themselves on matching clients with top-tier recruiters, you still need to be sure that they have the necessary qualities that you find value in this partnership. Some qualities to keep in mind that might be beneficial to you include:

  • Responsiveness- This is the number one most desired trait in a recruiter. If your recruiter is stretched too thin, they can’t dedicate themselves to finding an assignment perfectly catered to your needs. To test if they have the necessary bandwidth, ask them a question over email, and make sure they respond within 48 hours.
  • Friendliness- A great travel nurse recruiter is someone with who you feel comfortable, and there is trust between the two of you. Having a friendly recruiter is a great thing to look out for because you will be spending a lot of time with each other.
  • Experience- If you partner with a staffing agency, this will likely be a given. Agencies such as Host Healthcare have top-tier recruiters in their pipeline vetted and gone through a screening process and training procedures. Don’t be afraid to ask your potential recruiter hard-hitting questions.
  • Knowledge- You should be able to confide in your recruiters for any advice regarding travel healthcare. They should know everything about the position and the industry to answer your questions.
  • No-Pressure- The right recruiters will not use pressure tactics to get you to sign or move forward with a contract. Recruiters can have this reputation, so finding a staffing agency like Host Healthcare ensures no-pressure tactics can save you the awkward feeling of being pressured into an unfit assignment.

Ask the Right Questions

Asking all of the right questions will lead you to the perfect match. No question should ever be dismissed, and all questions should be answered confidently if you have the right recruiter on your hands. Although you should feel free to ask any question, here are a few questions you should probably address:

  • “When are you available?” – Alignment of schedules is obviously critical in a traveler-recruiter relationship. Make sure you can align on specific days and times where you can meet.
  • “What is your submission to interview ratio?” – A submission to interview ratio refers to the number of assignments a recruiter applies for versus the number of interviews their clients actually book. Look for a recruiter with a high submission to interview ratio.
  • “What insurance benefits will I get?” – Staying protected in the event of illness or injury need to be at the forefront of your mind when considering a new assignment. Ask your recruiter about the coverage secured for an assignment before agreeing to it.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have. If you ever receive push-back or the recruiter is reluctant to answer your questions, it might be time to look for another recruiter.

Establish Trust with Your Recruiter

Trust is probably the most important thing to strive for in this relationship. They should be looking out for you every step of the way. You should be confident that your recruiter is advocating for you in every sense of the matter. Trust looks like this:

  • Securing Maximum Pay– For every assignment, your recruiter should be working on getting you the best pay grade possible. You should trust that they are working hard to secure you in the best position possible.
  • Considering Your Wants and Needs– Your recruiter should always be asking you what your wants and needs are. With every assignment, they will take those wants and needs and relay them to the potential employer. Also, if you have particular locations in mind for where you want your next assignment to be, they should advocate for that.
  • Keeping a Constant Flow of Communication- Communication is at the heart of creating a trusting relationship. Your Recruiters should always be available to chat and address any questions you may have.
  • No-Pressure- As mentioned above, if a recruiter ever pressures you into signing or moving forward with an assignment, this is a red flag. Trust is built through mutual respect and understanding. Use a staffing agency like Host Healthcare that prides itself on no-pressure tactics.

With these tips to finding the best travel nurse recruiters, you will find a relationship that serves your career and enhances your daily life. Go into your search with these things on your mind, and you’re bound to find trusting, nurturing, and experienced recruiters to stand by your side!

Have you found great travel nurse recruiters during your career? Do you have tips to help other travel nurses find great travel nurse recruiters? Comment them below.

Sources:

 Nurse.org. How to Find a Good Travel Nurse Recruiter – 5 Tips to Pick the Best. https://nurse.org/articles/how-to-choose-the-best-travel-nurse-recruiter/ 
 Blue Pipes. What You Should Know About Your Travel Nursing Recruiter’s Job. https://blog.bluepipes.com/what-does-a-travel-nursing-recruiter-do/