Think about your preferences
Maybe you have no idea where you want to travel. No specific city seems to be calling your name. You can start to narrow it down by asking yourself questions about geography. Do you prefer big cities or rural areas? Do you want to work somewhere with all four seasons or in a place that is warm all year round? How do you feel about snow? Do you want your travel nursing job to be near mountains? How about close by a beach? Use questions like this to specify which assignments you will take and which ones you will pass up.
Consider proximity for your travel nursing job
How far are you willing to move? While some people take being a travel nurse across America to heart from their first assignment, many others choose to start at a location within their state or a neighboring state to test the waters. If everything works out, you can always go farther next time.
Actually moving is another important consideration of proximity. How far are you willing to drive that rented box truck you packed all of your things into? Moving from the east coast to the west right away may be too much to handle in one trip. Instead, try to set up placements in such a way that you move farther each time from your original home but not so far from each assignment that moving is a huge hassle. After all, travel nursing jobs only last about 13 weeks.
Be flexible
In an ideal world, you would get the location, salary, and shift you want at every travel nursing job. In reality, this does not happen too often. Figure out where you are willing to compromise and where you aren’t. Maybe moving close to the beach means picking up night shift even though that isn’t normally your thing. Or maybe you will go to a city you never thought you’d live in because the pay is really good. Being flexible is an important part of being a travel nurse.
While travel nurses often get to choose their locations, sometimes there just aren’t many open placements. When this happens, you have to be extra flexible. What is more important – being somewhere you like or receiving an assignment at all? Don’t be afraid to pick up travel nursing jobs you think you won’t enjoy, especially if they are on the shorter side time-wise. Who knows, it might end up being your best experience as you travel nurse across America.
Need help finding a travel nursing job?
Wondering how to become a travel nurse? Connecting with a travel nursing agency is one of the first steps. Whether you know exactly where you want to be placed or not, New Directions Staffing can help. The agency is committed to making long-term partnerships with their clients, so you will have access to placements for as long as you want them. Call (888) 654-1110 or visit them online to learn more.
