Deciding to pursue a healthcare travel job is a big decision. After all, you will be moving to a new city and starting a new job. Although it can be a great change of pace and exciting, a new travel assignment can also make you a little anxious. Avoiding common blunders or mistakes regarding working as a healthcare traveler can make the process go a lot smoother. Consider some of the blunders healthcare travels make and how avoid them.
Thinking you are Too Old to Work as a Traveler
If you think only young, single people work as healthcare travelers, you are mistaken. Working as a traveler later in life when children are grown and you have experience can be a great adventure. In addition to age, don’t let other factors discourage you, such as your level of experience and specialty. You never know what healthcare specialties will be in demand in certain parts of the country.
Advice: Don’t rule out working as a healthcare traveler before you give it a shot.
Not Being Flexible with Location
Hawaii, Florida, and Southern California may be great locations to work as a healthcare traveler, but competition can be tough to get those prime locations. Keep in mind that there are plenty of great locations throughout the United States that you may not be familiar with.
Advice: Consider accepting a travel assignment somewhere you never thought of. You never know where adventure awaits.
Ignoring Housing
You may be excited to start working as a healthcare traveler and skim through your contract and information about housing. But make sure you know what you are getting. Determine if housing is completely furnished, if pets are allowed, and whether you will have a roommate or private housing.
Advice: Give plenty of thought into the type of housing situation you would accept. You do not want any surprises once you arrive.
Getting Involved in Hospital Politics
Sure, you want to fit in with your coworkers. Let’s face it, people gossip and may complain about their job, management, and hospital policies. But as a healthcare traveler, the last thing you want to do is get involved in problems at the facility or difficulties between staff members.
Advice: Consider yourself Switzerland. You are a neutral party. Be friendly, but don’t take sides when it comes to hospital politics or battles between coworkers.
Talking About Your Pay to Coworkers
An easy way to start a rift or cause resentment between your coworkers and yourself is discussing salary. It is a no-win situation. If you make less than your coworkers, you may get upset. If you make more, your coworkers may see that as unfair and think you should be doing more work than they are. There is no reason to discuss what everyone is making. When your travel assignment is coming to an end, if you decide you would like to apply to be a regular employee, you can ask human resources about salary.
Advice: Pay is private.
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