The new year is an opportunity for everyone to look at the future with fresh eyes — and fresh goals. But setting goals isn’t always easy, and you might not be sure how to approach it — especially if you have big dreams. This year, take time to map out your goals, and create a framework for achieving them. As a travel nurse, defining your goals can put your career on a higher trajectory — for 2022 and beyond.

If you’ve never spent the winter in a state known for harsh conditions, winter can be downright dangerous. Travel nurses headed to cold, wintry climates for the first time need to pack more than a parka. Know what to expect if you’re taking on an assignment in Minnesota, Wisconsin, upstate New York, or anywhere else with a reputation for unforgiving winter weather.

Travel nursing anxiety isn’t usually crippling, but it often affects nurses right before the start of a new assignment. Trepidation can make starting a new assignment feel more complicated or overwhelming than it is.

Travel nurses walk into a new situation every 13 weeks. Reasons and roles vary from one assignment to the next — depending on the needs of the hospital, its staff, and their patients. Travel nurses aren’t just highly capable nurses. They’re gifted problem solvers and plug-and-play solutions for every healthcare facility’s challenges.

Having trouble keeping your eyes open for your shifts? Struggling to fall asleep once you’re finally in bed? Feel like you never get enough rest? Sleep is fickle and can be even more difficult if you’re constantly adjusting your sleep patterns. Travel nurses should be mindful of their sleep cycle and take steps to promote healthy habits — despite assignment changes, unpredictable shifts, and off hours.

As cases of the delta variant of COVID-19 climb, so do questions about it. People aren’t sure what to make of it, or they’re misinformed about the danger and risk of contagion. As nurses are bombarded with questions, it’s important to have simple, succinct answers at the ready. When people understand the severity of delta, they can do more to properly protect themselves and help curb the current surge.

Travel nurses sometimes feel guilt when they decide to take time off between assignments. Don’t! Hanging up your scrubs for a couple of weeks is a great way to recuperate and get yourself ready for whatever your career has in store next. Taking time between assignments also gives you a chance to catch up with loved ones, organize your life, and attend to things you might’ve neglected while you were busy at your last assignment. Here’s a look at why many nurses choose to buffer time between assignments.

Opting for the travel nursing housing stipend is a great way to maintain control over where and how you’ll live when you’re on assignment. Follow these tips to keep costs low and enjoy the space you call home while on assignment.

The transition from nursing to travel nursing can be an abrupt one for nurses who feel anchored to their routine. Many nurses dream of getting out there and traveling but are held back by travel anxiety. If you could just get past your anxiety, you know you’d flourish in the field! Here’s a look at some tried-and-true methods for addressing travel anxiety and what it means to develop new routines that last 13 weeks at a time.