What You Should Know Before Starting a Travel Nurse Contract

We are thrilled you have decided to embark on a travel career! You’ll join the thousands of healthcare professionals who are helping patients across the country while enjoying exciting new adventures.

We also understand that it can be a bit overwhelming to sort through all the information on how to actually start a career as a travel nurse.  Go Healthcare recommends you break down the process in a few steps before you sign on the dotted line.

1. Recognize eligibility requirements
2. Find the perfect recruiter
3. Understand your contract

Recognize Eligibility Requirements

At Go Healthcare, our eligibility criteria based on our Joint Commission certification requirements as well as what our hospital clients are looking for in an RN candidate. These include:

• Active U.S. RN license in good standing. 
• At least 2 years experience as a Registered Nurse. 
• At least 1 year current or recent experience in the specialty you are applying. 
• Active BLS/BCLS card.
• Additional certifications required for your specialty such as: ACLS, PALS, TNCC.
• 2 Professional references within the past 2 years from nursing supervisor.
• Nurse resume or we may request for you to complete an online application.
• If these items are met, then your recruiter will ask you to complete a specialty skills checklist and/or online core competency testing.

These requirements are part of, but not the full extent of our screening process, so that we can get to know your strengths, skills and experience. By going the extra mile to better understand your profile, we can better match you to a rewarding assignment and ensure you can count on continuous employment.

Find the Perfect Recruiter

At Go Healthcare Staffing, we strive to develop a relationship with every traveler that results in all around satisfaction and doesn’t disappoint. We are committed to professional partnership and these Seven Key Principles:

1. Treat everyone with respect. 
2. Appreciate the job you do as a traveling health professional.
3. Listen with compassion.
4. Accept responsibility to resolve problems/issues when they happen. 
5. Support personal and professional growth throughout your travel.
6. Promise truth and transparency in our words and our action.
7. Strive to prevent shortages so that no patient is ever without proper care.

In addition, Go Healthcare Staffing is monitored by respected industry organizations and maintains the following diversity certifications:

• The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
• Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)
• Joint Commission

These are just some of the reasons our organization is so special, our clients are so satisfied, and our travelers remain so loyal. To meet our amazing recruiters, visit our Meet the Team!

Understand Your Contract

We hope you are incredibly excited about working in a new place, but try not to be over anxious.  It’s important to carefully evaluate your contract to check all expectations are agreeable and can be satisfied. Always ask for clarification when you are unsure because the specifics of contracts can vary greatly.

Our team has compiled a list of several areas that may be included in a travel nurse contract, it’s not intended to be all inclusive. We suggest you compare this list to your contract and highlight which areas are detailed to your satisfaction and which may need clarification. Conversations are always encouraged to ensure your contract meets your needs and you are able to deliver as expected.

•       Specific hourly rate

•       Specific overtime rate

•       Clear definition of how overtime is defined

•       Missed hours penalties and charge-backs

•       Non-compete clauses and exclusivity clauses

•       Contract cancellation penalties

•       When and where you will be working

•       Reasonable start date

•       Bonuses, license reimbursement and travel pay explanations

•       Benefits, including medical benefits, housing, utilities for that housing, travel expenses

•       Allowances for meals and incidentals

•       When will insurance/medical benefits go into effect?

•       Will housing be private or shared?

•       What housing amenities are provided?

•       Floating expectations—how often and where are you supposed to float?

•       Specifics on how to manage and report stipends

Go Healthcare wants you to start your travel career journey just as soon as you are ready. Our team is always standing by to answer questions and provide guidance. Let us help you take the first step to an exciting assignment today, call us at 844.916.8773. Ready to apply? Click here! Or visit our Job Board to see our open positions. We look forward to hearing from you!