5 Things to Consider Before Accepting a Travel Healthcare Assignment

Planning your next travel healthcare assignment soon? Before you accept it and sign the dotted line, make sure to do your research on the location, and ask your recruiter these important questions first.

1. Assignment Location
Traveling somewhere you've never been before can be exciting and a little scary. To help ease your mind, consider these factors when deciding on the perfect fit:

• Are you going to be on assignment during tourist season? If so, make sure to plan accordingly to secure housing. We recommend opting for an extended stay hotel for the first week or two, and then potentially moving elsewhere if it makes sense, or if you come across a travel buddy to split housing costs with (which allows you to keep more of that stipend in your pocket!).
• Are you comfortable going to a rural/secluded area? To help ease your mind, consider downloading a couple of these safety apps so that your loved ones can know your location along the way.
• Ask about inclement weather policies and prepare accordingly. (If you'll be on assignment in Wisconsin from December-March, expect snow and cold temperatures. If you're heading south to Florida or Alabama during summer and fall months, you might find yourself there during hurricane season). 
• Are you comfortable with flying or driving? 
• If you're driving, make sure to have an emergency car safety kit on-hand in case you get a flat tire or break down along the way. And get an oil change for good measure!
• If you'll be flying to your new assignment, try to book an early morning flight. That way, in case you get delayed, you still have the option to get on a later flight the same day. Typically, flights are cheaper on Tuesdays, rather than on weekends.
• How are the housing options in the area? How close is your housing to your assignment? Think about the commute time each day -- will you be driving 30+ minutes after working the 12-hour night shift?
• Will you have to take a bus/shuttle to the building? What about parking -- is there a monthly parking fee?

2.  Understanding Pay - Weekly Gross, Taxed Hourly Rate, and Stipends 

• Will your untaxed stipend vary at any point during the contract? Stipend amounts are determined by the GSA.gov website and can vary by season, especially in tourist areas.
• What is the cost of living in and around the assignment location? For example, states like California and Massachusetts may have higher-paying contracts, but that doesn't necessarily mean that nurses will end up with more money in their pockets. And that is due to these areas having a higher cost of living, limited housing or higher housing costs, more expensive gas prices, and so on.
• Is there shift differential or holiday pay? 

Make sure to ask your recruiter the following questions before accepting your next travel assignment:

• Is there an option to do block scheduling so that you can work three 12-hour shifts in a row? This might be ideal to maximize down time and explore the new area.
• Will you be floating to other units/buildings? 
• Will you have to rotate weekends?
• What is the current nurse-to-patient ratio on the unit?

Ready to find your next travel contract? Take a look at our Job Board to find direct care assignments in long-term care and acute care settings.