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Home > Career Center > Travel Nursing Resource Center > Articles
 
Travel Nursing Resource Center
What a travel nurse company seeks in you
Want to travel? Find out if you're a suitable candidate.

BY JEAN T. PENNY, RN, ARNP, PhD
President
JTPenny's, Inc.
Jacksonville, Fla.


Do you have the experience and qualities that travel nurse companies seek in a nurse? If you're not sure and you're thinking about signing up with a travel agency, find out if you fit the bill before taking action.

First, you should know that some travel companies prefer to hire nurses who are certified. So if you're not already certified, consider obtaining specialty certification. This way, you'll have an edge over other travel candidates.

Second, seasoned travelers can tell you that the ideal candidate has a strong clinical background with at least 1 year of recent experience. Some recruiters recommend that you get experience in as many specialty areas as possible before applying for a travel position. One way to gain this experience is by floating to different units within your facility.

Other recruiters recommend exposing yourself to high-census units so that you can get used to multiple assignments. If you can't do this in your present setting, consider working per diem for a while before pursuing a travel career.

If you have experience and superior clinical skills, you're one step ahead. But remember, having the right personal qualities is also critical to being a successful travel nurse. Here are the qualities travel agencies seek:

  • flexibility. Being flexible enables you to cope with the unexpected and adapt to the constant change associated with being a travel nurse. Remember, you'll have to adapt regularly to new environments, policies and procedures, cultures, and work flows.

  • assertiveness. As the new kid on the block, you'll need to speak up for yourself and ask for things you need.

  • organization. Traveling to a new location every 3 months or so requires excellent organization skills. Each time you accept a new assignment, you'll need to gather important paperwork and coordinate your move to ensure a smooth transition.

  • a desire to seek challenge. You must thrive on challenge, particularly because travel agencies expect you to float, work rotating shifts, and take on other hard-to-fill positions within different institutions.

  • strong interpersonal skills. To work well in new environments and make friends easily, you must be outgoing, friendly, even-tempered, and open-minded. A sense of humor and excellent communication skills will help you succeed as a travel nurse.

    Keep in mind that recruiters also look for confidence, independence, and a desire to learn new skills and techniques.

    Taking action

    If you're ready to make a major lifestyle change and you have what it takes to become a travel nurse, go for it. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Carefully print or type your application. Remember, this is your first opportunity to make a favorable impression. How you present yourself on paper speaks volumes about your professionalism and ability to follow directions.

  • Supply impeccable references. Make sure the people you choose speak highly of you and present you in the best possible light.

  • Be honest when completing the clinical skills checklist. Base your self-report on how you currently rate yourself, not how you think you'll perform in a new setting. Your travel nurse company will use this checklist to match your skills with an appropriate assignment.

  • Refine your interviewing skills. Whether conducted over the phone or in person, the initial interview is your chance to create a lasting impression. To make sure you shine, develop a 30-second presentation about yourself. Then practice it until you feel comfortable. Anticipate the questions a recruiter may ask you and prepare responses so you won't be caught off guard.

    To make things easy on yourself once you've signed on with a travel nurse company, request only assignments that match your skills and experience. This will minimize stress and help ensure that you're comfortable with your first few assignments.

    If you follow these tips and have the right experience and disposition, you're sure to be a solid candidate for any travel nurse company.



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