#11 - What does it take to be a SUCCESSFUL Travel Nurse?

Cindy writes, "I’d love to be a travel nurse after graduation, what should I be doing now to prepare for this job?"

Well, Cindy, let me tell you a story.

Amanda is a successful travel nurse and has worked all over the country. Years ago, when Amanda was my student, I first got a glimpse of her love for travel when she joined me on a medical mission trip to Africa.

As a student, Amanda was developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes vital to a successful future in travel nursing.

Here is what I observed from the time we spent together while she was a student and how that has translated to her current job as a travel nurse. As a student, Amanda had a love and compassion for vulnerable populations. As a travel nurse, her placements have included areas with high rates of uninsured and underinsured. She works regularly with the homeless population, those with addictions and immigrants.

As a student, Amanda had a love for experiencing new places and people, more than just surface level, but really getting to know what life was like for a local. As a travel nurse, her placements allow her 13 weeks or more to get a feel for what it’s like to be a local and truly gives her a window into her patients’ world.

As a student, Amanda learned to be flexible and adaptable in caring for patients in a new environment. As a travel nurse, Amanda has fine tuned her ability to adjust to new units, policies, procedures and technology.

As a student, Amanda learned to be efficient and resourceful, using what she had available to get the work done. As a travel nurse, Amanda is able to learn & navigate a new environment quickly and adapt her nursing care with the supplies on hand.

As a student, Amanda learned to a team player, recognizing that more heads and hands are better than 1 in providing patient care. As a travel nurse, Amanda looks for ways to be helpful to her coworkers. She quickly builds trust in her new placements by being valuable to the team.

Amanda has traveled all over the country working as a travel nurse. The knowledge, skills and attitudes that she practiced as a student helped her prepare for this role. 

Cindy, I hope this story was helpful. Maybe you have a friend who is interested in travel nursing? Please pass this on to her. Nursing School Masterclass can help!