How to Begin Your Adventure

So you’ve landed your first Travel Nursing assignment. Congratulations!

Now what?

If you’re nursing with Nightingale, you’ll have been assigned an experienced Travel Nursing recruiter whom you can call at any time to answer your questions and help you through every step of your assignment.

But let’s break down the process anyway, so you can see what’s in store for you as you begin your first Travel Nursing adventure!

First, you’ll need to make sure that all of your paperwork is up to date. This is especially true of any licensure that you will need to begin your assignment. Be careful to consider the full term of your assignment (typically 8 to 13 weeks) and renew any items that may expire before the end of your assignment. Your Nightingale Recruiter will be happy to assist you as needed.

You’ll also want to consider the term of your assignment when deciding what to pack. Depending upon where you are traveling, you are likely to experience some degree of seasonal change during your assignment. So you’ll want to bring clothing that is appropriate for a variety of different weather and temperature.

You will also need to decide how you are traveling, and whether you are going to be staying in housing provided by the agency. Nightingale offers free, fully-furnished housing for our nurses, so you won’t have to pack too heavy. Obviously, if you are flying to your assignment, you will need to be more efficient and discerning in the items you decide to bring with you. If you are uncertain whether to bring something, you should probably just leave it behind.

Your Nightingale Recruiter can provide you with a list of recommended items to pack.

You should also make arrangements to ensure all or your current obligations will be met while you are away on assignment. Find someone to water your plants and look after your pets, if they are not coming with you. Nightingale can usually provide pet-friendly housing, but you’ll need to arrange this with your recruiter in advance.

Be sure to research your destination. Go online and find out as much as you can about things to do near where you’ll be staying. Make a list of “must-do” places and side trips, so you can plan and pack accordingly. Remember that once you arrive, you’ll want to get recommendations from the locals as well, but it helps to have as much knowledge of the area as possible.

Finally, go and enjoy your adventure. Remember, it’s only your first assignment, just the first step in the amazing, life-changing journey that is Travel Nursing. Make the most of it!