Travel nursing offers a unique opportunity to combine adventure with your nursing career. But while exploring new locations and gaining diverse experience is exciting, it can also present some challenges. To help you make the most of your assignments, we’ve gathered insights from a travel nurse, Autumn Werner, who has firsthand experience working with CORE Staffing. By sharing her tips and real-life stories, we aim to provide valuable advice for both seasoned and new travel nurses.
Navigating Housing Challenges: Finding the Right Fit
One of the common challenges travel nurses face is securing comfortable and convenient housing. Autumn shared that finding furnished housing is often tricky. “My preference is to find furnished housing for ease of traveling back and forth,” she explained. “Sometimes this gets tricky, so I typically use hotels until I can find something that works for me.”
Tip: Housing options can vary depending on the location of your assignment. The strategy of using hotels as temporary accommodation is a smart approach when longer-term housing isn’t immediately available. CORE Staffing suggests using travel nurse housing platforms or short-term rental services as well. Always have a backup plan, whether it’s an extended stay hotel, Airbnb, or rental apartment, to minimize the stress of finding a place to stay.
Effective Communication: The Key to Adapting Quickly
Starting a new assignment means adjusting to a new team and workplace culture. Autumn emphasized the importance of communication as her go-to strategy when joining a new care team. “When I’m the new person, staff at the locations are very aware I’m new, so I make sure to communicate with the members of the care team,” she said. Open communication allows her to quickly establish trust and build rapport.
Tip: When you arrive at a new facility, introduce yourself to your colleagues and be proactive in asking questions about workflows and team dynamics. Even without a formal preparation routine, being approachable and communicative goes a long way. At CORE Staffing, we stress the importance of communication not only with your assigned facility but also with your agency to ensure smooth transitions and clear expectations.
Balancing Work and Life: Planning Ahead for Success
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be a challenge, especially when travel nursing takes you far from home. Autumn shared her strategy for managing her time: “I try to choose 12-hour shift contracts to allow for more off days for myself,” she explained. Planning ahead to manage both her work and home responsibilities helps her stay balanced. “I make self-care and maintaining friendships and relationships a priority,” she added.
Tip: CORE Staffing encourages nurses to consider shift lengths when choosing contracts, as longer shifts often allow for more consecutive days off. It’s also important to create a self-care routine, whether it’s exercising, relaxing, or staying in touch with loved ones. By prioritizing both your personal life and your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of travel nursing.
Building Connections: Quick Integration Through Communication
Establishing relationships with new coworkers is key to quickly feeling like part of the team. Autumn’s strategy for building these connections is simple: “Communication and being present or available,” she said. By staying open and accessible to her colleagues, Autumn is able to foster strong working relationships early in her assignments.
Tip: Travel nurses often have to hit the ground running, but making time to get to know your coworkers can enhance your overall experience. Ask for tips about the workplace and offer assistance when possible. This shows you’re not only committed to your job but also to being a team player. CORE Staffing believes that networking with coworkers can create a more positive work environment, which can lead to stronger professional relationships and potential future opportunities.
Exploring New Locations: Get the Inside Scoop
One of the biggest perks of travel nursing is the chance to explore new places. For Autumn, the best part of discovering a new city is getting recommendations from coworkers. “They usually have the best information!” she said.
Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask locals for advice on what to see, do, and eat. Coworkers can offer insights you won’t find in guidebooks, helping you make the most of your time off. From hidden gems to popular local attractions, leveraging these recommendations adds to the excitement of each new assignment.
The CORE Staffing Difference: Responsive and Supportive
When it comes to working with CORE Staffing, Autumn emphasized the ease of onboarding and the level of support she receives. “The onboarding and everything at the beginning of each contract has been smooth or figured out by the facility by the end of the first day,” she noted. “My recruiter is always very responsive with my role-specific questions, and the rest of CORE Staffing is quick to respond when I have questions.”
Tip: CORE Staffing prioritizes a seamless onboarding process, ensuring that nurses feel supported from day one. Responsive recruiters and agency staff play a critical role in helping you navigate new assignments, and you should never hesitate to reach out with any concerns. Knowing that you have a team backing you up makes each assignment easier and more enjoyable.
Recognition and Appreciation: A Memorable Moment
For many travel nurses, recognition can be a powerful motivator. Autumn recalled a particularly meaningful experience when a department manager thanked her for her work. “I don’t know specific details of the situation or what I did, but it was nice to be recognized shortly after starting my contract,” she shared. Moments like this reaffirm the positive impact travel nurses have on the healthcare system.
Tip: While recognition may not always come with fanfare, knowing that your contributions are valued is rewarding. Travel nurses are essential in providing care across the country, and CORE Staffing ensures that you feel appreciated throughout your assignments. Even small acknowledgments can make a big difference in how you experience your work.
Make the Most of Every Assignment
Travel nursing is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to explore new places, grow professionally, and make meaningful connections along the way. By communicating effectively, planning ahead, and relying on the support of CORE Staffing, nurses like Autumn have been able to navigate challenges and thrive in their assignments.
If you’re ready to start your own travel nursing journey with CORE Staffing, reach out today to learn more about how we can support your career and make your assignments as rewarding as possible.
