Travel nursing can be an exciting career that allows registered nurses to take temporary assignments across the country while earning higher salaries. However, travel nurses face unique challenges that nurses in permanent positions may not encounter. Being prepared for these challenges is crucial for success as a travel nurse.
One such challenge is adapting to a new hospital or medical facility for each contract, requiring quickly learning new policies, procedures, documentation systems, and technology with minimal orientation. Building relationships with new coworkers and learning organizational hierarchies can also be difficult when starting over every few months.
Other key challenges include securing short-term housing, gaining providers for health insurance with each new contract, and establishing rapport with colleagues to integrate into new workplace cultures. Managing logistics like travel, housing, and orienting to new communities with each assignment can get tiring over time.
Being prepared for these challenges upfront makes it easier for travel nurses to thrive on the road.