If so, this book is the guide to help you navigate the travel nursing path and reach that goal. These numbers guarantee continued employment of registered nurses and fuel the fire in the travel nursing industry.
INTRODUCTION
QUALIFICATIONS
Fast facts in a nutshell
DOCUMENTATION
Be sure to include the number of beds in each unit or floor where you work. If you have experience in an OR, cardiac catheterization laboratory, electrophysiology laboratory, and/or special procedures laboratory, please note the number of rooms for each setting.
NOTEBOOK ASSEMBLY
Fast facts in a nutshell: summary
Finding a travel agent to represent you at the hospitals and facilities is the next step needed to embark on a successful travel career, and it is an important milestone on your journey. You can choose from over a hundred travel nurses, ranging from small local agencies to large international conglomerates.
NARROWING THE FIELD
Ask the recruiter the questions about assignment payment, insurance and housing options shown in exhibits 2.1 to 2.3. If you are connected to voice mail, leave a message with a contact number and a time that is convenient for you for the "interview".
THE INTERVIEW
What is the average number of working hours per week and is mandatory overtime required? Insurance is the next area you should cover with the recruiter before choosing a travel staffing company.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The permanent department can help you find a position at a hospital you may want to move to permanently. These are the companies you'll want to sign up with and start the paperwork process.
NURSE INTERVIEW
INFORMATION PACKET
The travel company recruiter will ask you to complete a skills checklist for each area of nursing that you currently work in or have worked in in the last year. Always ask for help to complete a task you are unsure about. This will allow you to become proficient in the skill while keeping your patient and your license safe.
ADDITIONAL TIPS TO EASE FINDING AN ASSIGNMENT
PROBLEMS WITH A RECRUITER
CASE STUDIES: HANDLING RECRUITER DIFFICULTIES
She has a day shift available in Boulder for Katie, but there is no local housing in the area that will accept a 40-pound dog. He agrees that there is no housing available in Boulder for a traveler with a 40-pound dog.
Lessons Learned from the Case Studies
Katie tries to discuss taking her dog on the assignment in Boulder, but Ellen says there just isn't any housing available and offers no other options. You need to consider many factors when making this decision, including the issue of temporary housing when you arrive at your location.
CHOOSING A LOCATION
The choice of location is important, as "the world is your oyster." A final decision does not need to be made yet. Once you have selected a company and a helpful recruiter, check the availability of positions against nursing needs. This will help determine a destination for your first assignment.
TYPES OF TEMPORARY HOUSING
Of course, income and adventure aren't the only things to consider when choosing a location. The result is a location that provides a huge change in environment and lots of entertainment.
STAFFING COMPANY-PROVIDED HOUSING OPTIONS
Private Housing
Shared Housing
SELF-ARRANGED HOUSING Subsidy Payments
The time to discuss the grant amount is when you are getting the initial details of the grant. If you think the amount is low, ask the recruiter for an increase. It's a good idea to discuss taxes on housing grant with your accountant before deciding to make an allocation, as the rate of taxation varies depending on how the business pays the grant.
Self-Arranged Apartment or House
The higher the cost of living in an area, the higher the subsidy should be. Check for other assignments in the desired area, as the amount of the subsidy may be partially controlled by the facility.
Rooming with Family or Friends
It is also difficult to preview the apartment if you are not in the area before the task starts. This accommodation option requires a lot of hard work from the travel nurse.
The Recreational Vehicle Option
HOUSING FYI
Fast facts in an nutshell: summary
This chapter explains the planning required for a travel nursing assignment to an island country in the United States and abroad. Planning required to practice travel nursing on an island in the United States or overseas.
PLANNING
When considering an island allotment, consider the remoteness of the area. The type of transportation to the location, along with the things you will need to transport with you, may vary according to the access available to the area. Planning, preparation, organization and research are all necessary when considering an "island" location for a travel nurse assignment.
THE PROS AND CONS OF “ISLAND” NURSING The island experience has a lot to offer. Accepting a travel
Some native cultures still have difficulty adapting to modern medical practices. The nurse manager will be understanding, but she will have high expectations. Your co-workers will be grateful for your help, but expressing it may be another story.
INDIVIDUAL STATE NURSING LICENSURE
Every state will require a background check, with permission from the FBI, before issuing a nursing license. Each state nursing license requires proof of completion of an approved nursing curriculum.
HOW TO OBTAIN STATE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Obtain this credential from the State Board of Nursing that issued your initial nursing license. Completing this should be as easy as signing a release form from the State Board of Nursing.
Fast Facts in a nutshell
The Board will notify you if the class is required and provide a location where the class can be taken. Rest assured that the State Boards of Nursing will notify you of any additional requirements and provide information on how to meet them.
NURSING LICENSURE COMPACT
A few states have certain classes, such as HIV education and child abuse, that must be completed before a reciprocal nursing license will be issued. EXHIBIT 5.3 Nursing Licensure Compact states, as of July 2008, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT
Working Holiday Visa
The Nursing Licensure Compact applies to nurses who are residents of an NLC state and hold an active nursing license in that state. Proof that you are qualified by education and/or experience to accept the offer of employment.
Participating Countries
Eligibility
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Taking a family member or a pet on a travel nursing assignment can provide both parties with a fun and rewarding experience.
FAMILY MEMBERS
With proper planning, the nurse and children will enjoy travel assignments, making bonds and making memories that will last a lifetime. When taking kids on an errand, plan well to ensure experiences that will create lasting memories.
PETS
If you receive a rental car or car subsidy, make sure it is documented in the contract. Most assignments that require calling should include this provision. If you prefer not to float, get it documented in the contract. This will help to avoid problems later.
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
Airplane Travel
If you are traveling with a pet, check the airline's pet policy along with its departure and arrival requirements regarding the animal. If you are flying to the assignment location, check with the staffing company how to get to your accommodation once you are in the destination city.
Train Travel
Automobile Travel
There's nothing worse than looking forward to an event all day, only to find out it's closed or sold out. Plan some fun sight-seeing trips as you commute and check venue hours.
Fast facts in nutshell A cellular phone is a must when “traveling.”
Recreational Vehicle Travel
If you are bringing a tow truck, you should check with the parks in the region of your assignment to see if an additional vehicle can be parked. The four main modes of transportation for traveling to an assignment location are plane, train, car and recreational vehicle.
PERSONAL EFFECTS
Pack personal items for daily use along with 1 or 2 “just in case” items when preparing for a travel nurse assignment. This will allow you to bring the right scrubs, if you already own the right color, or buy what is needed before you arrive at the location.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
Ask what size bed is in the assignment apartment. This way you can take the right size sheets with you. Careful organization can help a travel nurse alleviate the problems that may arise during an assignment.
BANKING
The bank manager is contacted but cannot make changes over the phone or the internet. Troy is frustrated and waits until he's home between assignments to make changes.
Lesson Learned from the Case Studies
You plan the amount to pay and the customer to send to, and the bank prints and sends the check. If it is not possible to find a bank that meets all the criteria, choose the bank that offers what you think is most important.
HOME
The key is to maintain some sort of 'home'. Having a home base will alleviate problems with mail, residency qualifications and the like. The main issue regarding a.
TAXES
The most important thing to do before and after you find a good accountant is to save every receipt while you're on the job. Arrange them into an accordion. APPENDIX 10.2 Paperwork and other items to be brought to the assignment in addition to the documentation binder.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
JUST A FEW MORE THINGS TO NOTE
What to expect upon arrival at staffed accommodation and how to deal with problems that may arise. What to expect from self-insured housing options and how to resolve issues that may arise.
COMPANY-PROVIDED HOUSING
Before you accept the accommodation provided by the company, you will go through a walkthrough. If the company doesn't try to help with any issues that arise, find another company for the next job.
SELF-PROVIDED HOUSING
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE ACCOMMODATIONS The RV alternative is an independent housing choice where,
Several upgrades have been made in recent years to accommodate larger buses. Regardless of the type of self-sufficient housing used, you must call your recruiter or housing coordinator if the arrangements do not work for the entire length of an assignment.
NAVIGATING THE ASSIGNMENT AREA
One such example is that looking towards the ocean points to the west and looking towards the mountains points to the east.
EXPLORING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Visit the “local” restaurants, markets, shops and eateries, as well as the tourist destinations. My husband and I found the best brunch in the world while eating with a local hippie guy on a Sunday in Malibu.
PETS ON ASSIGNMENT
Taking the Rover with you will allow you to explore parts of the city that you might otherwise miss.
COMBATING LONELINESS
My husband and I made long-lasting friendships with people we met on assignment. Some information is required by JHACO, while others are provided to show a general picture of the hospital, the unit and the operation of both.
HOSPTIAL ORIENTATION
A computer class will most likely be included in the orientation. The federal government has mandated that medical records be made electronic by 2015 or it will reduce Medicare reimbursement to the physician and/or facility. You will be asked to sign several documents during your orientation. The forms that must be read and signed are listed in Exhibit 13.1.
UNIT ORIENTATION
Find out how to get "after hours" access to the hospital or facility. I was locked out once. You will receive a unit orientation to get used to the new floor and job duties.
KEYS TO BECOMING A CONFINDENT TRAVEL NURSE
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONNAIRE Complete the Questionnaire
Answers to the Questionnaire
- I will need to prove my clinical competency daily
- The staff must like me
- I will be friends with the staff nurses
- The doctors will not trust me or believe I am competent
- I should not expect my nurse manager to have an un- derstanding of my unique position as a “traveler.”
- I need to know how to perform every procedure without additional resources or education
A nurse manager must be knowledgeable and understand the unique situation of a travel nurse if she plans to hire one. It's okay to ask for verification of anything that might require reassurance or clarification.
CHEAT SHEETS
The "cheat sheet" part is handy because a list can be compiled of where to get things, how to get to places in the hospital, or how to get procedure trays and/or medications for specific doctors' use. set. To avoid asking the regular staff every time I had to set up a tray, I kept a cheat sheet for each procedure and doctor in my pocket book.
SAFETY CONCERNS
PERSONNEL CONFLICTS
SCHEDULING PROBLEMS
FLOATING” ISSUES
This problem can be avoided by clarifying your schedule, phone call, days off, and other scheduling needs during the job interview. Floating is usually a part of travel nursing, but arrangements can be made to make it comfortable.
PRECEPTORSHIP
Teaching is an honor and can be rewarding, but a travel nurse is not expected to take on the responsibility.
PROBLEMS THAT REMAIN UNRESOLVED
A staffing company recruiter is a good ally when problems that arise during a travel nurse assignment are more difficult to resolve. Drifting to another unit is required during certain assignments and preceptorship may be requested, but it is not mandatory while working as a travel nurse.
HOUSING SAFETY
It could be that the current housing location is dangerous or that there is toxic mold. How to handle the situation will vary depending on the type of temporary accommodation chosen.
INADEQUATE FACILITIES
DISRUPTIVE NEIGHBORS
RESOLVING HOUSING PROBLEMS
The travel staff company will help resolve any safety issues that arise in company-provided housing. Nurses who provide their own housing must also provide their own solutions to any problems associated with those arrangements.
CHANGING THE TYPE OF TEMPORARY HOUSING
Where this is the case, the traveler may be required to forego housing subsidy for the remainder of the contract, as a result of the arrangements already made by the agency. However, because this book is titled Fast Facts for the Travel Nurse, it covers both topics and provides information on how to handle these delicate situations.
PERSONAL EMERGENCIES
CONTRACT TERMINATION
It is very rare for a staffing company or institution to cancel a contract. If this already happens, it is usually before the start of the contract. A staffing company and/or facility rarely cancels or terminates travel nursing contracts.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EXTENSION AND A RENEWAL OF A TRAVEL-NURSING CONTRACT
This is a good time to consider an extension or renewal of the current travel nurse contract. Let's look at a few case studies to highlight the difference between an extension and a renewal of a contract.
RENEWAL/EXTENSION CONSIDERATIONS
By extending and/or renewing, you have eased the workload of the recruiter, the company and the facility. Consider some downtime between the end of the current contract and the start of the extension or renewal.
EXTENSION/RENEWAL NOTIFICATION
It may be that you like the facility but want to try a different unit. What to do when it's time to look for a permanent position and/or return "home."
THE NEXT STEP
Support from friends and family is important. Making a list of the pros and cons of constant travel is a great way to start the decision-making process. Make a decision about continuing the journey only after consideration and with the support of loved ones.
ACCEPTING ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT
Learning from others' experiences is a good way to avoid some pitfalls, but always remember to consider the source of the information. While talking about the sites, the food and the beaches, the traveler mentioned how one of the staff nurses took her sightseeing in a white convertible.
SEARCHING FOR A PERMANENT POSITION
I wish I could list all the times I've experienced: “Oh, I know him!” or "Yes, I've heard of her." You never know who you will work with or who will work with you. If you decide to settle down, the experiences of a traveling professional will always be a part of you.
Fast facts in nutshell
If you decide to continue on the travel nursing adventure, you must determine the location for another travel assignment using the steps in Part I. I also authorize the travel staffing company to release any information on this statement relevant to employment in order that any its client facilities.
