The new year is here! For many people, the new year brings resolutions, goal-setting and a fresh start. One great way to kick off 2020 is with a new job.
Whether you took the holidays off from traveling, or are planning to hop directly from assignment to assignment in the new year, read our quick tips to help you snag not just the job you’re offered, but the job you really want.
Decide on your must-haves
Take advantage of the fact that nurses are in demand. Don’t be afraid to be picky and intentional when choosing your next travel assignment. Create a checklist now of what’s important to you including location, salary, facility and schedule. List them in order of importance. When it comes time to evaluate offers, you will have exactly what you want and need handy.
Also, take some time to reflect on past nursing assignments and decipher what you liked and what could have been different. Having a clear vision of your criteria is beneficial. Chances are you won’t be able to find your perfect assignment, but you can get pretty close!
Research!
One of the most important things to do before starting a new assignment is research. This includes researching the type of facility you want to work at, exploring various locations across the United States, and of course, learning about different agencies.
Travel nursing gives you great flexibility. Narrow down your options by knowing what interests you. When it comes to finding the right agency to work with, scan their Facebook page, read reviews and explore travel nursing online groups. See what companies offer what bonus packages or hidden extras.
The travel nursing industry is extremely competitive and moves quickly. Have a handful of potential locations, facilities and/or agencies in mind. When it comes time talk to an agency, you will have a good handle on their culture and what they can offer you.
Talk to friends and colleagues
What better advice is there to receive than from a person who has been there and done that? Friends and colleagues are a great place to start when it comes time to plan for your first 2020 job. They may have advice and recommendations on where to start looking, referral programs and which agencies have the best recruiters.
People with first-hand experience can be a great indicator on whether a facility, city or agency will be a good match. Get the wheels turning by opening a dialogue with fellow nurses.
Polish and organize job materials
In preparation for your first great job in 2020, polish your resume and LinkedIn pages, and organize your job materials. Have a friend or colleague read over your resume, and take time to organize your files in one place. Presenting your best self can help you land your dream assignment.
Build a digital file with your immunizations, licenses, credentials, etc. in one place on your computer. We recommend keeping these files in digital formats. Take some time to scan, download, and/or upload all of your important nursing forms and place them in one folder. When it comes time to send-off your forms, they will be polished and in an organized fashion.
Follow our steps and you will start 2020 off on the right foot. We wish you a prosperous new year!