Go Healthcare Staffing provided this article.
More than 2 years into the first “crisis” travel contracts that began in Washington State and then the COVID crisis contracts in the Northeast, RNs who have chosen to work as travel nurses are still in high demand throughout the country. Hospitals are understaffed, and some are at their breaking points. Healthcare workers throughout all disciplines and specialties are burned out. As a Travel Nurse during this pandemic, you will not have a shortage of job opportunities presented to you. Be aware of these 5 mistakes travel nurses are making that are hurting their career prospects past the current shortage and crisis staffing.
Canceling a Travel Assignment Contract without proper notice.
As a Travel Healthcare Professional, this may be the most detrimental decision you can make. We understand that some contracts are not the right match for you. As an RN Traveler, you have the flexibility to find the right travel job for you. Every contract you sign has a clause outlining what type of notice (usually a 14-day notice) is required to avoid financial or professional penalties. This notice allows the Agency and the Hospital a chance to find a replacement for you. If you cancel a contract without notice or simply “no call/no show” on your assignment, your reputation and status as a traveler who cancels a contract will follow you from one travel opportunity to another. Most health systems are managed by larger Staffing Agencies called MSP (Managed Service Providers) that manage multiple health systems in the area. If you walk” from a travel contract and are deemed a “Do Not Return”/DNR with a particular agency, you may inadvertently find yourself “blacklisted” from multiple hospitals within a certain area and throughout the country.
Not Keeping Up with Credentialing Requirements.
Most experienced travelers know being ready and organized all of your “docs” can make or break your travel nursing experience. Currently, most travel contracts are looking for ASAP/immediate start dates. Taking the time to organize the necessary documents/certifications properly will not only make for a smooth experience but can get you the contract that you truly want or looking for.
Not Accepting the “Extension Offer” immediately.
Holding out on taking a travel extension “just in case” something better comes along has been a mistake a lot of travel nurses are currently doing. If you are currently on a decent travel contract offering “crisis pay,” take the extension if it’s offered to you. An extension will often guarantee that your current pay will remain. Waiting for higher pay somewhere else is a risk that has not worked out for the majority of travel nurses we have worked with.
Disappearing.
Have the courtesy of when you get an offer not to ghost. You are hurting your future chances of working with agencies that are working hard for you to get you an offer. It is okay to decline. But to ghost? You are hurting the agency and the hospital that offered. They are focused on getting staff for care.
Working with expired licenses or certifications.
So many opportunities are missed if we are unable to present you without the proper certifications or licenses. Be prepared, and ways take inventory of when renewals are coming up.
These are the 5 Common Mistakes that we are seeing/experiencing with travel nurses. What else should be on this list? Please feel free t share.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
