The Tooth-To-Tail Guide for Starting Your Travel Nurse Assignment
Starting a travel nurse assignment seems to be a simple endeavor. Be prepared, however, for the process rhythm and the pitfalls that could delay your start.
I am often asked, “How long until I start working my travel nurse assignment?” And, nothing would make me or your recruiter happier than to respond, “Tomorrow!” The real answer is, “It depends.”
Submitting a good application and receiving positive professional references will most often influence the facility to move quicker on scheduling an interview and ultimately, making an offer for you to become a travel nurse. For the sake of this article, we will assume that this is the case and that your recruiter has received an application that clearly identifies your duties from your other assignments or full-time positions. And, that the credentialing team received positive references.
Submit to Multiple Facilities
So, you’ve been submitted – what’s next? Before we answer that question, when your recruiter tells you that you have been submitted, you should respond, “Where else was I submitted?” Casting a broad net is crucial to securing the travel assignment that is most suitable for you. Consider this – if you are submitted to a single facility, what happens if the manager decides late in the process that she no longer needs a traveler? Or, if someone more qualified lands the position? If you have been submitted to three or four travel opportunities, you may have several to choose from.
When Will I Be Interviewed?
Your recruiter will buff and polish your submission profile before sending to the facility with the open travel order. Typically, the person receiving your submission will be a staffing coordinator (or travel coordinator) who plays ‘traffic cop’, managing the inflow of submissions. The staffing coordinator then forwards your submission profile over to the unit manager for review.
Your recruiter will work with his/her account manager to secure an interview. The account manager works tirelessly calling, emailing, sky-writing – just about anything to prod the facility to schedule an interview. Certainly, clinical care is the unit manager’s first priority and their patients take priority over an interview – understandably. Generally, however, you should expect a scheduled interview 48-72 hours after the submission.
If your submission went to a VMS (Vendor Management Service) or MSP (Managed Service Provider), then your interview may occur quicker as they have clinicians on staff whose job it is to conduct interviews and qualify candidates. They are not splitting time between clinical care, managing a unit, and interviewing candidates.
Is There Anything I Should Ask During My Interview?
Yes – lots. The interview process is not just for the facility, it’s also for you. These are some questions that I would encourage you to ask:
- How many beds are in this unit?
- What type of patients (acuity)?
- What type of equipment does this have available?
- How often will I float, and to which units?
- Is call required?
- How often are your travelers canceled?
- How many candidates will you be interviewing for this position?
- When will you make your decision and select the candidate?
- Is there anything I can do to best prepare me for working in this unit?
You may find that this is not the right fit for you – and that’s OK. Recruiters work very hard for you and yours likely has been submitting you to other assignment opportunities that may be a better match.
I’ve Had My Interview – Now What?
If your interview was with the unit manager, you generally will know within 48 hours if you were selected. If your interview was with a clinical interviewer for a VMS or MSP, they may tell you right there, “I’m recommending you for the position.” Either way, you will know no later than two days after your interview.
I’ve Received My Offer – Now What?
Congratulations! You are about to embark on your exciting journey as a travel nurse. But before you can hit the floor, there are many other steps required to complete, including (but not limited to):
- On-Boarding (sometimes referred to as “Credentialing”)
- License and certifications
- RN license
- ACLS, BLS, PALS, TNCC, etc.
- Competency test
- Regulatory acknowledgements
- HIPAA
- Core Competencies
- National Patient Safety Goals
- Infection Control
- Restraints
- Medication exam
- Background release form
- Job description and acknowledgement
- TB Questionnaire
- MMR Immunizations or Titers
- Two immunizations – OR –
- One titer for each
- Varicella Immunization or Titer
- T-DAP, Flu HepB
- Immunization – OR –
- Declination
- Physical/Health Assessment
- Two-Step PPD
- Two PPD’s, each fewer than 12 months old
- Photo ID
- Payroll Documents
- W-4
- I-9
- Direct Deposit Form
- Facility Specific Documents (these can often be lengthy)
- Lodging
In tandem with the on-boarding process will be selecting your lodging arrangements, if you have negotiated the agency to secure housing for you. As mentioned in former posts, you will take home a great deal more money by declining agency provided housing in favor of a lodging reimbursement; however, we are able and willing to secure the housing for you. It is important to be very clear with any unique requirements you may have, including:
- Pets
- Requirement for top or bottom floors
- Distance willing to travel from facility
- Quality of lodging (this will reduce or increase your pay)
- Extended hotel
- Apartment
- Studio
- Housewares
Bottom Line
The process from tooth-to-tail can vary, and patience is a requisite during this entire process (from submission to your orientation). The following can be used as a guide for expectations:
- Day One to Day Two
- Candidate submits application and skills checklist
- Valley Healthcare Systems performs
- professional references
- license verification
- criminal background
- Candidate is submitted to multiple opportunities
- Day Three to Day Four
- Facility(ies) review submission 24-48 hours after submission
- Facility forwards submission profile to unit manager
- Day Four to Day Five
- Facility/manager schedules interview with candidate
- Candidate interviews with facility
- Day Five to Day Seven
- Facility makes offer to travel nurse or declines candidate
Again, these are general timelines and guidelines for the submission process. Many submissions will progress quicker than the timeline above, and there are a small few that will progress slower. Generally, a facility will make a decision within a week.
During this process, however, your recruiter will be submitting you to other opportunities for which you are qualified to work, and match your assignment requirements (location, unit, shift, etc.).
It is our standard to work diligently to secure multiple offers for you so that you can make a decision that best suits your needs.
If anything changes for you during the submission process, please contact your recruiter and let them know. In the meantime, your recruiter will be contacting you daily to give you a status on your submissions and any feedback the facility has given.
To start your career as a travel nurse, call Valley Healthcare today at 916-779-1616, or visit www.valleyrocks.com to learn more. Be sure to search our jobs at www.valleyrocks.com /jobs. You can even sign up for our Smart Job Board and let the jobs find you via text or email!