Taking time from work to enjoy the holidays and recuperate is highly suggested for you physical and mental health. Continuous time on-task not only hurts focus, it sets off chain reactions, such as stress, fatigue and an overall negative mood. The result is an inability to remain attentive and solve problems, things that are vital when working in the healthcare industry.
Those who do take the much needed break, however, return to work believing they need to be productive immediately. In some lines of work, this might be possible, but starting a new assignment isn’t the same.
Take a look at some ways you can better prepare yourself before you head to your next travel assignment:
Keep a travel folder with you
You never know when you might be interviewed. If you want to enjoy the holidays knowing you’ll have an assignment once they’re over, we suggest being as prepared as possible. Carry your travel folder with you when out and about, so you can keep track of your interviews for upcoming assignments anytime, anywhere.
Keep hard copies and electronic copies of your important documents
It’s time to get a flash/USB drive if you don’t already have one. These cool little gadgets can house all your important documents and fit snuggly in backpacks, purses or laptop bags. Of course, don’t forget to keep the hard copies, too. Many facilities request that you fax hard copies instead of emailing.
Here are the documents we recommend having on your thumb drive, as well as stashed in a folder:
- Medical documents, vaccine records, etc.
- Resume
- Certifications
- Credentialing documents
Being able to access and send documents in a timely manner will help you tremendously. Plus it shows potential employers that you’re dependable and can react quickly.
Thinking of taking a traveling gig over the holidays instead? Read why you should!
Make sure your car is up-to-date on maintenance
Get your oil changed, check the air in your tires, get them rotated, etc. Travel can be arranged, but for those who want their vehicle, it’s important to keep your car is in good shape for your next assignment. This is an easy task to move down on the list of priorities, but it’s important and keeps you safe.
Take care of administrative tasks before you depart
Administrative tasks can be daunting in general, but these following tasks can be done quickly and will be so important for your peace of mind.
If you aren’t working with your medical staffing agency to secure housing, be sure to visit the new city’s website and find the list of their providers for cable, internet, phone, gas, water and electricity. Do this ahead of time, and spend the first week of your assignment enjoying the new scene, not on the phone with the cable company.
Be familiar with how to change your address every three months. The USPS has methods of forwarding your mail, too!
Pack smart! Use our handy checklist to ensure you aren’t forgetting anything.
Make your travel wishlist for the next three months
Being a traveling healthcare professional has many benefits, and one of them is getting to experience new things in new places. To make sure you don’t miss out, make a “wishlist” of things you want to do in your next city. You’ve got a limited time in your chosen location, so planning these activities in advance will help you make the most of your time.
Many travelers choose to skip working over the holidays altogether. After all, flexibility is one of the many benefits of being a traveling healthcare professional! If you choose to go this route, then it’s important to note that a significant percentage of travel nursing contracts start in early January. In fact, January is usually the busiest month of the year for most healthcare staffing agencies.
As a result, it’s a good idea to get your January assignment locked down sometime in December. Waiting too long could mean you miss your dream medical assignment or lose out on work for a short yet costly period of time.
Looking for your next opportunity? Triage Staffing has many available jobs for traveling healthcare professionals nationwide. View our open allied and travel nurse jobs or call us at 800-259-9897 to learn more about our opportunities.