7 Things Every Travel Nurse Should Do Before the End of the Year
By the TravelNursing.com staff
1. Make a travel bucket list for next year
Who says you need a lifetime to complete a bucket list? Just think what you can do with a full year. With some advance planning and a good recruiter, you could spend the winter skiing in Utah or Colorado, experience southern hospitality and the tradition of the Kentucky Derby in late spring, spend your summer along the California coastline, and live among the fall colors in a quaint New England town. You can work in thriving cities or find an adventure off the beaten path; the job and location possibilities are almost endless.
2. Talk to your recruiter about your next assignment
Recruiters are already booking travel nurse assignments for winter and spring, so it’s time to harness that bucket list and make your first decisions. You can also sign up for TravelNursing’s job alerts by text or email; just identify your specialty and preferred location. When you find the right job, you can either apply from your computer or submit a quick application on your mobile device, and a recruiter with one of our staffing partners will start you on your way.
3. Update your skills checklists and résumé
You’ve been busy this past year, and your travel assignments have likely given you a wealth of new skills, experiences and contacts. Did you learn a new EMR system, complete some continuing education units, add a certification, get acquainted with a new unit or master a cutting-edge technique? Don’t forget to add that information to your skills checklists, résumé and online applications.
4. Earn cash by sharing the benefits of travel nursing with a friend
One way to share your love of travel nursing and earn some extra holiday cash is to refer a friend who you think would make a great travel nurse. TravelNursing.com partners with leading travel nurse staffing agencies who offer bonuses for referrals--even if you aren’t currently traveling! Your friend would just need to complete an assignment and you can get paid. Bonus payments will vary, based on specialty and current need, but you can expect to earn anywhere from $500-$1,000.
5. Complete some free continuing education
Brick-and-mortar schools may be closing for a few weeks during December and January, but there are a wealth of continuing education courses available online--ready to complete on your schedule. Accredited education providers like RN.com make it easy to stay current in your field, with more than 150 courses, and travel nurses that work with our travel staffing partners are eligible for a free, unlimited membership. RN.com also offers paid memberships with unlimited access to CEUs for just $4 per month.
6. Get $1,000 to advance your nursing career
Looking to get a new nursing certification, an advanced degree, join a nursing volunteerism project, attend a specialty conference, or boost your career to the next level in some other way? Sometimes you need a little financial help to reach your next professional goal. TravelNursing.com wants to give that assist with a $1,000 scholarship. Simply tell us why you became a nurse, how you’d use the money and you could be our next winner.
7. Make some time for yourself
Even with all the fun and excitement, this holiday season can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to host the ultimate Thanksgiving feast, create the perfect Christmas party or find the most unique gifts for everyone on your list. Instead, find ways to simplify and make time to really enjoy the offerings around you. If you are on assignment in a new city, find out what the locals recommend and invite some traveler friends to experience those things with you. You might want to find the neighborhoods with the best light displays, take in a college bowl game or a holiday parade, see a play or attend a quirky regional event. Each location has its own charm, so take the time to enjoy it!
Keep up with travel nursing opportunities in your specialty by signing up for TravelNursing.com’s free job alerts, available by text or email.
Related articles:
10 Things to Put on Your Travel Bucket List
With So Many Travel Nursing Jobs, How Do You Choose?
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