Travel Nursing Tips for Your First Week

The first week of a new travel assignment can be both exciting and overwhelming! Here are some tips to help you navigate that first week and set yourself up for a successful experience.

The Day Before

Take the day before your start date to prepare and get organized. Lay out your clothes, pack your bag, and prepare your lunch; pack something with a good shelf life (AKA something that doesn’t need to be refrigerated) until you know what the breakroom situation is.

Make sure to bring something to write on, like a little notebook to throw in your pocket. Then you can jot down important info like phone numbers, door codes, and anything else you’ll need to remember.

Review your first day instructions (these should come in the days leading up to your start date). Confirm the time and location for your orientation. Plan your commute, factoring in things like morning traffic. It might be a good idea to drive to the facility the day before to figure out the parking situation.

And most importantly, get a good night’s sleep!

Your First Day

Orientation can be pretty different depending on the facility. Some places go all out with a detailed intro, while others keep it short and sweet. Just stay open-minded and flexible. Try to soak up as much info as you can, and don’t hesitate to ask questions. It’s up to you to find out what you need to know to be successful.

The first couple of weeks may feel intimidating, but you can handle it! It’s a good idea to have a list of questions ready for your first week. If you’re not sure what to ask, check out our first shift checklist below. You can also download the list here & bring it with you.

First Shift Checklist:

1. Find out how to contact providers.

• Who should you notify first? NP, PA, resident, attending?
• Does the hospital use a traditional paging system or secure messaging?
• Is there a directory/on-call list on the intranet, or can you find it somewhere on the unit?

2. Important numbers & codes.

• Ask for important numbers and codes like the unit phone number and codes to the medication & supply room (and save them somewhere, like the notes app on your phone).

3. Charting requirements.

• Find out what documentation is required and how often.

4. Timekeeping.

• How are you supposed to clock in and out for your shifts?
• What time do you need to clock in/out?

5. How to call a rapid response or code blue.

• Who runs it? (Does the hospital have a RR/code team that comes to the bedside?)
• Does the hospital call their Rapid Response or Code Blue something different overhead?

6. Ancillary staff.

• Find out what your ancillary staff are responsible for (CNAs, PCTs, etc.) Do CNAs grab unit vital signs? Are they assigned certain patients to help with hygiene care? Are PCTs allowed to check blood sugars?

7. Scheduling.

• How does scheduling work?
  • Are you allowed to self-schedule, or should you be submitting your requests?
  • Who is in charge of making the schedule?

8. Policies & procedures.

• Where can you access hospital policies?
• What are the protocols for standard procedures on the unit?

9. Calling in sick.

• What is the procedure for calling in sick?
• Is there a staffing office you should notify or should you call the unit?

10. Unit tour.

• Ensure you know how to find everything: supply room, med room, crash cart, linens, staff bathroom, etc.

11. Set up & access.

• Ensure that your badge works (if it will be used for accessing doors, units, etc.) & you can access the charting system, Pyxis/Omnicell, secure messaging system, etc.

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