When you take a new assignment, one of your goals should be to shine professionally. Based on a decade of experience as a
mobile nurse, I am pleased to share a few tips with regard to keeping your skills, competence, and character to the highest
standards as you go from one contract facility to the next.
YOUR HOURLY RATE
Recently, a regular staff member asked another travel nurse and me how much money we earned. While I informed her that I do
not discuss my salary, the other traveler said, "I don't care; it isn't that much," and proceeded to disclose her hourly rate
and the housing allowance that was given to her every week. I was mortified.
You never should discuss your salary with permanent staff or even other travelers. It's unprofessional, and talk of pay is
often a prime reason for contention among colleagues. If they're considering healthcare travel, some clinicians may be genuinely
curious about the pay scale in given locales. Still, it's best to respond with, "I'm sorry, but I'm not at liberty to discuss
my salary. If you're interested in reviewing healthcare travel as a career alternative, though, I'd be happy to give you my
recruiter's name and contact information."Should an awkward situation develop or persist, don't hesitate to bring it to the attention of the unit supervisor. The bottom
line: Your wages are a matter between you and your employer.
THE RUMOR MILL
While it can be tempting to "get the dirt," do not indulge in idle gossip. This kind of chitchat is unacceptable and often
toxic to the work environment and relationships with staff. Instead, try setting a positive pattern by refusing to participate
in such negative conversations. Not only will this ensure you are not involved in unpleasant scenes at a later time, your
peers will respect your professional demeanor and admire your ability to step away from inappropriate dialogues.
RELIABILITY RECORD
Because you are a traveler, punctuality and your attendance record are particularly crucial, so be dependable and ready for
work. When unit managers and company representatives consider a mobile provider for an assignment, reliability and clocking
in on time are two of the most important factors to weigh. Simply put, they need to be assured that they—and the patients—can
count on you to be there when you're scheduled to work.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD
As a mobile nurse, you represent not only yourself, but also your staffing agency and travelers as a whole. Therefore, your
work ethic and the manner in which you conduct yourself must be stellar. By establishing professional habits, you can ensure
the road you travel is paved with sheer enjoyment and golden opportunities.
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE
When regular staff members are in a bind, they are sincerely appreciative of travelers who offer to lend them a hand, particularly
when such assistance extends beyond scheduled hours. If you're able to do so, volunteer to help out when needed. Your co-workers
likely will be happy to return the favor if you have something unexpected crop up, and the simple act of providing added assistance
will demonstrate that you are part of the team.
ROLE MODEL
Several years ago, I was on call and had to respond to an emergency. I encountered difficulty with a dialysis machine needed
for a treatment. After trying several employee numbers and not receiving an answer, I called Pauline, another traveler I had
met at the facility, for help. After numerous attempts through her advice, the machine still wouldn't work. So Pauline came
to the hospital at 1 a.m. to assist me. She never complained, and her kindness started the friendship we share to this day.
Everyone is "new" at one time or another, so when a new traveler or regular employee arrives at your assignment facility,
be the living, breathing welcome sign he or she seeks on the unit. Help new co-workers become comfortable with the daily routine,
and assist them in locating the things necessary to do their jobs.
CELL PHONE USAGE
At the right place and time, cell phones offer a wonderful means of communication. Yet, if you've ever witnessed a co-worker
checking his or her voice mail or responding to messages when a patient needs attention, you often may find yourself longing
for the days before they existed. Simply put: Use of such technology is inappropriate while on duty and at the bedside.
Travelers are sent to facilities in critical need of support, so save cell phone calls and text messaging for break times.
If a call truly is urgent, you must find a qualified colleague to oversee your duties, excuse yourself from the area, and
complete your conversation in a timely manner.
LILA JOHNSON is a traveler with Cross Country TravCorps. This article originally appeared in Healthcare Traveler, a sister publication.
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