As a new Travel Nurse, you’re excited of course, and probably a little nervous as well. That’s normal when it’s your first day at the job, remember your first day of clinical? First day as a Psychiatric Nurse?
There is no need to get stressed as the following tips should make this experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Dry Runs Will Help
It’s nice to have a GPS and maps, but you’ll want to do a dry run so you know where to go, how long it takes to get there, the traffic, parking and so on. You cannot rely on your mobile phone all the time, as you’ll never know if you’ll end up someplace without a reliable Internet connection.
Rest
Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep the night before. You’re excited yes, but try to get some rest so you don’t feel sleepy the next day while you’re on the road. The more rest you get, the better you’ll feel in the morning.
Prepare Everything Early
Prepare all the stuff you’ll need to bring the night before or even earlier. Bring all the paperwork that involves the facility as well as cards, certificates, licenses, and other items. Make three copies of each, one for the facility, one for you and another one just in case. If you have to carry a lot of documents, ready days earlier as preparing the night before might rob you of sleep.
Get There Early
Be sure to have a solid morning routine in place, it is of utmost importance! Being late on the first day of work isn’t going to create a positive impression. That is why we suggested a dry run earlier. By doing so you will know what the traffic situation is like and how early you need to leave to avoid being late.
Bottom line is don’t be late. It is better to be early so when the others get there they’ll see you’re early. Keep this up and you’re going to leave a good impression.
Ask Questions
During your first day you will be asked some questions, but don’t expect them to be similar to the ones you were asked before if you’d had experience. Whatever the case may be, don’t hesitate to ask questions about stuff you want to know about. Whether you’re asking a nurse or educator, make sure the answers are satisfactory.
Be Positive
If you come with a good attitude and a smile, things should turn out fine. It doesn’t take a lot to smile and having a positive outlook about the whole thing will help. Competence is essential, but your attitude and behavior make a huge difference especially if you’re new to this.
Be Ready for Anything
You’ll never know if your first day will be quiet or if there is going to be some emergency that requires your attention. Just be prepared for any eventuality.
Conclusion
Being a Travel Nurse is a lot of fun, and it will be even more so if you follow the tips given above. By simply following these suggestions you don’t have to worry about what will happen on your first day of work.
