In life, our imaginations are usually far from the reality. This becomes even clearer when it comes to travel nursing. Most people are just getting started in this job imagine that their lives will be full of adventure and freedom only to find that that is never the case. There are so many things that can go wrong if you are not careful enough to avoid some of the most common pitfalls.
Being too narrow-minded and skimming through your contract
When people begin out as travel nurses, they usually have specific goals in their minds and that is a good thing. However, being too rigid with your goals can be a bad thing and you will realize this very fast. You need to be flexible in your goals without lowering the bar too low. You should talk to your recruiter about your goals so that they know what you want. Always consider all possibilities that are available to you. Being flexible in what you want makes you employable
Secondly, it is important that you take enough time to read through your contract from the beginning to the end because it is the most important part of your assignment. Check to make sure that your contract is complete and accurate. Pay specific attention to pay rate, shift hours, travel reimbursements, assignment dates, special agreements, and requested time off among other details. Only if you are satisfied with what you see in the contract should you go ahead to sign it.
Bringing way too much stuff
As a new travel nurse, it is most likely that you will be tempted to bring everything you deem important to your new assignment. You will be moving to a furnished house with everything you need for an average lifestyle and that makes it unnecessary to bring all the other stuff you may be thinking of. You should try to find out what is included in your furnished house so that you know what you need to pack and what you don’t.
When it comes to your wardrobe, you need to research about the average temperature in your new home and carry clothing accordingly. Think of layers when it comes to your wardrobe and always carry clothing that can serve more than one purpose. Bring only the essential items that you can’t leave without.
Being unprepared
Don’t let your excitement make your first day at work be a bad one or give you new boss a bad impression of you. Ensure that you bring all the essential documents such as state nursing license, credentials and other documentation. All these documents should be current as well. You should know when you are expected to start your new job and where you should report to when you start. Keep time on your first day and on all days as stipulated in your contract. You should also know who your supervisor will be and what they expect you to wear at work.
You should be good to go with this kind of preparation. When in need of travel nurse jobs Kentucky should be one of the places you prioritize in your search.
