Travel nursing involves constantly resetting yourself with each new assignment. Everything can change as you transition from one facility to another, which makes it important to look at every new assignment through fresh eyes. Understand the unique opportunities each new placement affords you and capitalize on them — it’s the key to becoming the well-rounded professional you’ve always wanted to be.

Ready for your next travel nursing assignment? Consider going somewhere you’ve never been before this time. There are facilities all around the country that have positions open and need you, so why not visit as many as you can in your travel nursing career? Whether you’re a souvenir collector or just like to immerse yourself in new culture, there’s plenty of opportunity when you make it a point to diversify your destinations.

HIPAA laws are a foundational part of every nurse’s education and training. Yet, although keeping patient information private is a simple concept, social media complicates things. Nurses today need to be mindful of what they’re posting on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter — HIPAA laws must come first and foremost, even on social. The simple practice of being mindful of HIPAA laws on social media could prevent suspension or job loss.

Nurses are accustomed to situations that require them to act quickly to save lives. Couple this with their innate ability to quickly adapt to a new work environment and it’s easy to see why travel nurses are in high demand during or after a natural disaster. The benefits are high for seasoned travel nurses to lend a hand during these devastating times.

You’re about to spend 13 weeks or more on assignment. Finding a place to live is at the top of the priority list. You can opt for agency housing or take a housing stipend — or you can try one of the more unconventional housing options out there. It all depends on what kinds of accommodations you can find, what they cost, and how open to adventure and uncertainty you are!

Bitter winters, torrential rains, and destructive winds are just some of the inclement weather variables different parts of the country face seasonally. If you’re a travel nurse headed to a new assignment in an unfamiliar part of the country, get familiar with the climate before you go.

Certifications are the next rung up the ladder for many nurses. But it’s not always easy to determine what kind of certifications are best for you or if it’s worth pursuing one in your current position. It pays to look at the type of professional you want to be, as well as what certifications interest you before jumping into further study.

If you’ve never had C. diff, count your blessings. If you have, you know how bad it can be. Regardless, it’s crucial for travel nurses to protect themselves against it. That could be harder than ever, according to news reports about a super strain of the bacteria. Here’s what you need to know to keep yourself safe from this painful, unpleasant condition.

No matter how prepared you are for your next assignment, there’s still going to be a transitional period. You need to learn how they do things and what the expectations are. Instead of fearing the unknown, embrace it ― adapt to your assignment and have confidence in your skills to carry you through. You’ll quickly settle in and become comfortable doing what you do best: helping patients.

The stress of your career is bound to bleed into the rest of your life. Imagine trying to relax after a day of nonstop patient intake, gruesome injuries, and tense situations. The life of an ER nurse is exhausting — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Coping with stress in a therapeutic, proactive way helps it from bleeding into your personal life, causing burnout and lasting emotional trauma.