5 Things Every Travel Nurse Should Do To Prepare for The New Year
As an unprecedented 2020 comes to an end, here are the things every travel nurse should do to prepare for the new year.
With continued social distancing, mandatory masking in some states, and travel bans still in place across parts of the United States, travel nurses need to prepare more than ever for the new year. Taking the time to ready yourself for the coming year is essential for travel nurses.
Ready to start travel nursing? Start here.
#1. Update Your Certifications
Travel nurses are required to maintain certification just like staff nurses. These include BLS, ACLS, NRP, and PALS, to name a few. If a certification is near expiration, a hiring manager will often look to another applicant for a position so there is no risk of expiring in the midst of an assignment.
Travel nurses should ensure that all certifications are active for the duration of the assignment.
Local Red Cross organizations offer courses for a nominal fee.
#2. Finish Continuing Education Courses
All travel nurses are responsible for completing a specific number of continuing education credit hours prior to nursing license renewal. Each state has specific requirements and it is important to check with the board of nursing prior to applying for license renewal.
If the RN license is part of a compact nursing license, the CEU requirement will be for the state of permanent residence. Some states require CEUs related to COVID-19, child abuse, narcotics, and/or pain management.
Speak with a recruiter about available assignments today.
#3. Polish Your Resume
A recent up to date resume is essential for all travel nurses.
Don’t forget to add all of the new skills you’ve learned, EMRs used, and new nursing licenses. Resumes are a chance to brag about your experience and show a nurse recruiter and hiring manager why you are the best fit for an opening.
Based on a resume, interviews are set up to fill a position. Use the resume as an opportunity to list your accomplishments, objectives, professional experience, and education.
While you’re at it, here are some tips to make your resume stand out.
#4. Discuss Your First 2021 Assignment With Your Recruiter
It’s impossible to predict how 2021 will be for travel nurses but right now nursing travel assignment offerings are booming. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, the upcoming flu season, and the reopening of America, nurses will be more in demand than ever.
It’s important to reach out to your recruiter to figure out the best option for your first 2021 travel assignment.
#5. Take Some Time For Self Care
This has been a hard year for travel nurses, with canceled contracts, short term COVID contracts, and an almost halt for some travel nurse specialties.
During the past few months, very few nurses have made time for themselves. With limited vacation options, social distancing guidelines still in place, and mask mandates self-care looks a little different now. Read a book, watch some football, grab dinner with friends within your COVID “bubble,” get a massage, or even stay in bed all day watching movies.
If 2020 has taught travel nurses anything, it’s to be more prepared than ever. Don’t delay on getting a jump start on these must-do tasks!
