A cliff notes guide to getting started as a travel nurse:
You’ve got a good amount of staff experience under your belt. Now, you’re ready to take the jump and begin your travel nursing career! Where do you start? We’ll walk you through the first steps.
Talk to a recruiter
Our recruiters are here to guide you through the unfamiliar process of starting your travel nursing career. Get in contact with us to set up a meeting with a Phoenix MedStaff Recruiter. Your recruiter will ask about your professional experience and your job search criteria to help you find the best fit. We take a lot of pride in our recruitment staff, check out their reviews!
Update your resume
Make sure you have all recent, relevant experience listed on your resume. Be sure to include the full dates of your completed education and work experience. Don’t forget to include any relevant certifications! If you need help putting it all together, we have a resume builder available for your convenience.
Gather additional profile information
Your recruiter will need at least two professional references for your profile. Your references will need to come from supervisors in the workplace. You will also need to complete a skills checklist for your specific modality, your recruiter will provide you with a Phoenix MedStaff skills checklist. You may also need to provide proof of vaccination, depending on the position you are applying for. Other requirements for profile submission and onboarding will vary by facility, but our team will be available to assist you every step of the way!
Prepare for an interview
Go into your interview calm, confident, and prepared. Touch base with your recruiter if you have any questions going into your interview. Consider doing some research ahead of time to get a sense of commonly asked questions in your nursing modality. Come prepared to share personal examples of successes and challenges in the workplace.
If you’re working in the Cardiac Cath Lab, check out our recent blog: How to Prepare for a Cath Lab Travel Interview.
Looking to venture out even further? Apply for your compact nursing license.
Obtaining your compact license allows you to travel to numerous US states under one single license. For more information about Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) licensing, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s website.
This is an exciting step forward in your healthcare career. The freedom of travel nursing is unparalleled! The staff at Phoenix is here to get you where you want to go, and we’ll be cheering you on the whole way.
