5 Awesome Qualities of a Good Travel Nurse Recruiter 

5 Awesome Qualities of a Good Travel Nurse Recruiter 

by | May 27, 2023 | Travel Nursing

5 Awesome Qualities of a Good Travel Nurse Recruiter 

As a travel nurse, your travel recruiter must be willing to work with you and help you when you need them. And while being a travel nurse is exciting, having a trusted nurse recruiter is one of the keys to success.

How can they help you? What are the excellent qualities of a reputed travel nurse recruiter you should look for? 

The Best Qualities

A successful travel nurse job relies on how good your nurse recruiter is. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and many end up with a recruiter that isn’t as helpful. So, here are the qualities you should look for when working with a travel nurse recruiter. 

1. Must have extraordinary communication skills.

A recruiter’s ability to communicate is vital to the success of a travel nurse. They must have an open line of communication and be in close contact with those new to travel nursing.

Even pros in travel nursing still need to contact their recruiter in case of emergencies or when a contract suddenly gets canceled. 

Being in a new place and starting a new job in a different part of the country as a nurse can be an overwhelming experience for new travel nurses.

It is essential that nurses feel supported by their recruiters so they don’t feel alone during this transition. 

2. Honest and has integrity.

An excellent recruiter will tell you how it is whether you are trying to decide if a travel nursing job is the one for you or dealing with a situation while on contract; your recruiter must know how to relay facts and information as accurately as possible.

However, this must be a two-way relationship. 

To build good relationships with your recruiter, you must also be open to communication and constructive criticism. You must know how to communicate your needs and be upfront about your expectations.

Your recruiter must also reciprocate this honesty. And be the help you need, whenever and wherever.  

3. Pleasant to work with.

Anyone who isn’t pleasant to work with brings down the excitement of the job, right? The same goes when you are working with a recruiter.

Look for a friendly travel nurse recruiter who is open to good interaction.

They must also be kind, compassionate, and caring. In short, they must also have nurse-like qualities.

Find someone with who you can have a genuine connection. You’ll not only work with recruiters but may also build lifelong friendships with them. 

4. Must be patient

Our society is fast-paced, and everyone is in a hurry to do anything. Travel recruiters must have one of the most-needed qualities: patience.

Look for a recruiter who takes the time to listen and answer your questions.

Find someone who can provide you with the reassurance you need. And find a recruiter that has the patience to help you through each step of the process. 

5. Trustworthy

How can you work with a recruiter that you don’t trust? It sounds ridiculous if you ask me. That said, you need to find a trustworthy recruiter.

As a travel nurse, you need someone honest, attentive, and dedicated to your needs.

A travel nurse recruiter that wants to know you and treats you fairly, and understands that not all positions fit everyone. 

In Closing

If you can find a recruiter with all these qualities, then consider yourself lucky. It’s hard to work away from your family and comfort zone as a travel nurse, so finding a recruiter that stands by you is like having someone you can call a friend.

Make sure to take note of these outstanding qualities, good luck!

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

EP 217: Blood Transfusions and Cell Technology with Carly Newton & Lori Harada

EP 217: Blood Transfusions and Cell Technology with Carly Newton & Lori Harada

by | May 26, 2023 | Podcast

Blood Transfusion and Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies

In this episode, we would like to introduce you to Carly Newton & Lori Harada, who are both registered nurses working as managers at Terumo Blood & Cell Technologies. Carly uses that experience to educate Health Care Professionals on the most effective ways to prescribe Red Blood Cell Exchange. Lori leads a team of 12 Specialists who train and support their customers on the company’s medical devices. Lori is also a leader in the industry with more than 35 years of apheresis experience. We discuss blood transfusions, donations, the blood shortage, and current technology.

Questions and Topics

  • Can you give us a background about yourselves and how you got involved with Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies?
  • What is Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies?
    • What do they do?
    • What is the company goal?
    • Does Terumo do any R&D? What are they currently working on?
  • What is RBC and Plasma exchange?
    • What is apheresis?
  • Where does the blood go?
    • What is the full scope of components you can donate?
    • What patients or illnesses do the blood and its components help with?
  • What are some common misconceptions about donating blood, or where is the lack of education regarding donations or treatment?
  • Why do you think medical sales and pharmaceutical sales get a bad rep?
  • During the pandemic, how did things change for you?
    • Was there a greater influx of donations?
  • What do you enjoy doing on your off time?

Watch full episode: https://youtu.be/uWS0r2d1Qsk

GUEST SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: https://www.terumobct.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-newton-a98286144/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-harada-6221a815/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terumobct/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/terumobct

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofnursespod/
  2. Cup of Nurses: https://fanlink.to/CONsite
  3. Cup of Nurses Store: https://fanlink.to/CONshop
  4. Free Travel Nursing Guide: https://fanlink.to/Travelnursingchecklist
  5. Nclex Guide: https://fanlink.to/NCLEXguide
  6. Interested in Travel Nursing? https://fanlink.to/TravelNurseNow
  7. Cup of Nurses FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cupofnurses
  8. YT: https://www.youtube.com/@CUPOFNURSES
3 Ways to Answer the “Why Do You Want to be a Nurse?” Question

3 Ways to Answer the “Why Do You Want to be a Nurse?” Question

by | May 20, 2023 | Nursing Student

3 Ways to Answer the “Why Do You Want to be a Nurse?” Question

Getting into a nursing school or applying as a new nurse will always have an interview date. During this interview, you will be asked several questions that you must answer truthfully and in the best way possible.

One of these questions includes, “Why do you want to be a nurse?” Don’t be nervous. Preparing yourself for this question is the key to acing your interview. In this post, we will give you helpful tips on answering your interviewer with this question in total confidence.

 

Get Ready to Be a Nurse

When asked, “Why do you want to be a nurse?” gather your thoughts first. Take your time answering. You can take several steps to plan your answer during the interview.

Writing your answers is helpful; you should avoid memorizing them. It may sound nice in your head, but it won’t sound as genuine to the one interviewing you. Here’s how you can prepare for your interview. 

 

1. Be Genuine 

There’s no need to embellish your answer or create a response so you sound good to the interviewer. You only need to take some time to reflect on your core values. Think of the reasons why you felt inspired or motivated to pursue a career in the nursing field.

If you’re unsure how to answer it directly, think about this – what’s with nursing that makes you excited or happy? What made you interested in being a nurse? And what do you hope to achieve once you become a nurse? 

If you can answer all these questions, you can also answer the question, “Why do you want to be a nurse?”

 

2. Have a personal anecdote

Sometimes, sharing your personal story about why you want to be a nurse shows your employers a glimpse of your values. Bringing anecdotes into your interview sets you apart from other candidates.

One good example is that you may pursue a nursing career because one of your family members is a successful nurse and inspired you to be one too.

It could also be because one of your family members experienced a health problem that pushed you to become a nurse. Whatever reasons you have for pursuing this career, the question allows you to relate and articulate the different factors of your life.

Besides, sharing a personal story is always memorable. Why not share yours? 

 

3. Get inspiration from your experience

Use your background and interests to draw your answers. For example, let’s say you’ve been helping children, volunteering in a senior home, or feeding the homeless.

If you’ve worked with these people, you can share your experience and how it has impacted your life. Including your experience in your answer will add value to the interviewer. It’s excellent input to add too. 

Once you’ve answered the question, close your answer with a nod to the future and what you’d like to accomplish in your nursing career. Bringing your answer from the past and into the future shows that you’re thinking ahead and have the determination to make your dreams a reality. 

 

In Closing

Nursing is an exciting profession, but it’s not always going to be rainbows and butterflies. It involves your skills and knowledge and may require your physical strength. So, you must be sure that you are ready for this job.

Answering the question, “Why do you want to be a nurse?” is your first step. If you can answer it honestly, you’re one step away from a bright future! 

 

Looking for more student resources? Check out these helpful links!

EP 216: A Critical Look at Childbirth Standards With Nathan Riley

EP 216: A Critical Look at Childbirth Standards With Nathan Riley

by | May 19, 2023 | Podcast

The Failure of Modern Medicine: A Critical Look at Childbirth Standards

We would like to introduce you to Nathan Riley. Nathan is a board-certified OB-GYN and fellow of ACOG who left the medical industrial complex due to his disillusionment with the “standard of care” within the conventional maternity care model. He advocates for home birth and still attends births for those in need. He boasts a c-section rate of <5%, which is one of the best in the U.S. His mission is to uphold midwifery as the art that it is and to honor birth as a sacred process and the transition to parenthood as a spiritual transformation.

Questions and Topics

  • Can you give us a little background about yourself? Why did you choose the OB-GYN route? Is it something you were always interested in?
    • What do you do as an OB-GYN? What does your day-to-day look like? Do you do home visits?
    • What are some of your responsibilities?
  • What pushed you away from the typical OB-GYN career path?
    • What was it missing? When did you realize the flaw in patient birthing or the typical hospital birthing process?
  • How is it being a male working as an OB-GYN?
    • Did people or your colleagues look at you differently because you were a male going into this field?
  • How does your practice differ, and how have you achieved such a low C-section rate? (Average rate was about 30% in 2021)
    • Can you walk us through the whole birthing process, the actions you and the future mother take, and some of the emotions that come with it?
  • What do you think physicians in your field need to understand? Where is the lack of education, or even where does medical school fail its students?
  • What is man’s role in childbirth, and how do you balance the masculine and feminine roles?
    Infertility is starting to become a problem; where do you think it stems from? Is it because people choose to get pregnant later in life, or is diet and lifestyle an issue? Is it multifactorial?

    • What is some advice you can give to future mothers and fathers
  • Can you share with us some history of medicine and what is Rockefeller’s medicine?

Watch full episode: https://youtu.be/CRFlWxZt5BE

GUEST SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: www.nextlevelnurses.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanrileyobgyn/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nathanrileyobgyn
Twitter: https://twitter.com/holisticobgpod
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@theholisticobgynpodcast/featured

  1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupofnursespod/
  2. Cup of Nurses: https://fanlink.to/CONsite
  3. Cup of Nurses Store: https://fanlink.to/CONshop
  4. Free Travel Nursing Guide: https://fanlink.to/Travelnursingchecklist
  5. Nclex Guide: https://fanlink.to/NCLEXguide
  6. Interested in Travel Nursing? https://fanlink.to/TravelNurseNow
  7. Cup of Nurses FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cupofnurses
  8. YT: https://www.youtube.com/@CUPOFNURSES
8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

by | May 13, 2023 | Travel Nursing

8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

Working as a travel nurse is one of the best decisions you will ever make in your nursing career. Of course, just like any other newbies, you can’t wait till you are assigned to a different location.

While waiting for an assignment, it is best to read about the eight mistakes that rookie travel nurses make so you can avoid doing them in the future. Here’s what you need to know. 

Avoid These While Going Through Your Contract

#1. Skimming through your contract.

It is a big booboo on your part if you do not read your contract thoroughly. Your travel nurse contract is an essential part of your assignment, so any responsible nurse will carefully read through it before signing [1]. Skimming through your contract will place you in a situation that you might not like. 

Before signing, make sure to check for accuracy and completeness. Check also for the assignment, pay rate, dates, travel reimbursements, bonuses, time offs, and other special agreements that you may have.

Your agency should be able to answer all your concerns if needed. So, don’t just skim through it; read your contract well!

#2. Being unprepared for your assignment.

As nurses, we are trained to be ready at all times. We can even give boy scouts a run for their money if we talk about preparedness! It is a part of our nurse’s skills to be alert and ready for anything.

However, rookie travel nurses are too complacent about their assignments that they don’t bother preparing – a big mistake! They let their excitement get the best of them. Remember, you are traveling for work, not for fun.

Be in a work-mode mindset as you take on an assignment. While you can still see sights along the way or during your offs, you still have to be prepared to do your nursing duties. Avoid these mistakes that rookie travel nurses make, and you will save yourself from trouble.

Agencies will help you process everything you need – even your license entering a compact state. In short, you have all the help you need. All you have to do is show up on time and make sure that you make a good impression on your first day.

Always bring your supporting documents if your supervisor needs them – it will show how responsible you are for a rookie travel nurse!

#3. Bringing too much stuff with you.

The shortest duration of your assignment is around four to eight weeks, with the longest of thirteen weeks. There’s no need to bring too much stuff with you.

Bring only the essentials, and make sure you have enough to reuse. If you are assigned to a different state during winter, bring clothes suitable for the weather. Other than that, leave the ones you don’t need during this assignment. Besides, the weeks will fly by, and the next thing you know, you are off to another location again. 

Take note also of the place you are staying. Is it furnished or not? See what is included in your accommodation. This way, you can decide whether to bring other items along or not. 

#4. Not asking questions.

As a travel nurse, you will always be the “new kid” in town. And as much as you want to do your job and go, it is not always the case. Whenever you are assigned to a new facility, be sure to ask the right questions.

You need to learn where things are, who you need to call for emergencies, what practices are done, or protocols to follow. Asking these questions will help your survival on each shift. 

Be sure to make new friends too. Sure, you are the extra hand, but it won’t hurt if you greet people and be friendly. After all, you work in the same facility. Besides, having new friends broadens your network.

So, do not hesitate to be nice to everyone you meet along the way. You will need guidance and help as you go. 

#5. Acting like you are not part of the team.

Sure, you may be a temporary nurse extending help, but that does not mean you should also exclude yourself from others. Staff nurses will expect you to do your best. Showing up on time and doing your duties are essential, but you are not hired to work there to separate yourself. 

Try to be a part of the team, be nice to people, be prepared, and do your part. If you work like you are part of the team, your coworkers will treat you the same. Don’t be a total stranger. 

#6. Acting like you know it all.

Another mistake that rookie travel nurses make is acting like they don’t need help from anyone. Being a know-it-all is something you should avoid. Sure, you have the skills and knowledge, but ignoring protocols and not following the standard procedures in the facility you are working in is a huge mistake. 

Take time to listen and learn from your coworkers. It does not matter how long you have been a travel nurse or new to the job. Being open to suggestions and learning the trade is vital if you want to keep your job.

Learning new skills will only strengthen your ability as a nurse. Once you have shown that you are valuable to the team, you might find your coworkers asking for your input. 

#7. Joining the hospital drama.

One mistake that rookie travel nurses make is by joining hospital politics during their brief stay [2]. As a result, they found themselves tangled in the drama that they could’ve avoided in the first place. 

As tempting as juicy gossip can be, avoid engaging in it. Remember, you are only working in this facility for a few weeks. It is always better to build strong relationships than to be part of the gossip crew.

Besides, you don’t know the people involved or the whole story, so why bother becoming a part of it? So, do what you came to do, avoid gossiping, and focus on your patient care. You will be appreciated more!

#8. Working hard or hardly working.

Last but not least, one of the mistakes that rookie travel nurses make is working too much or too little. As a nurse, your work is a priority, but you can become a workaholic when you work too much and don’t pause to breathe.

So find time to balance work and recreation. One of the reasons you became a travel nurse is to see other places, so do it! Take a look at your schedule and plan an activity for the day.

While you are assigned a job, why not take the opportunity to see places? Knowing when to work and have fun has its perks. Besides, after a long day of serving patients, a breather sounds about right. Enjoy the moments while you can! 

Find Balance on Your First Job

Becoming a travel nurse is exciting, primarily if you are assigned to a place that you haven’t been to before. But as you do, find balance in your work and play. Be mindful of your ways, be presentable, arrive on time, and leave work at work.

Over time, you will enjoy each assignment, and you don’t have to make the same mistakes rookie travel nurses make! Being a nurse is a rewarding job, and for you to deliver quality care, you must also take care of yourself.

Hopefully, this list cleared it out for you. Best of luck! 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!