Practical advice for perioperative travel nurses

AORN Journal,  Oct, 2002  by Cindy L. Brumley

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS

After the nurse has selected the travel company, it is time to submit paperwork. Travel companies will expect

* a completed application;

* a skills assessment for scrubbing and circulating experience;

* a signed release form for references and background check;

* a physician-signed physical fitness form and urinalysis for drug screen;

* a copy of a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation card, license(s), and other certifications; and

* a copy of a current tuberculosis skin test and vaccination records.

When the company receives this information, it will verify a start date and give the potential traveler a selection of jobs. It is important for the nurse to decide what size and type of facility he or she prefers--small to large, private or teaching facility. Many nurses will use the Internet to search for hospital web pages, travel nurse forums, or benchmarking hospital lists before committing to an assignment. Asking other travel nurses which hospitals are their favorite assignments can help prospective travel nurses make informed decisions. A very selective nurse, however, will have fewer assignments from which to choose.

The recruiter should discuss the hourly pay rate, work hours, length of the assignment, and availability of completion bonuses for each hospital. If none of the assignments appeal to the nurse, the recruiter will continue to search. After an appealing assignment is found, the recruiter will submit the applicant's information to the hospital or hospitals selected. The recruiter will let the applicant know if his or her skills match the needs of the hospital. If so, the applicant will be interviewed by the facility's manager or a hiring designee.

Nurses should prepare for a telephone interview as they would for a face-to-face interview and be prepared to discuss strengths, as well as areas to improve. This also is the time to discuss work hours, including weekends, call hours, and preplanned vacation days; hospital trauma level designation; whether the employee is expected to supply his or her own scrubs; and any other issues that will influence the nurse's decision to commit. A telephone interview does not allow the nurse to see the physical work setting. If seeing parking lots, lockers, or surgical suites is important, the nurse should request descriptions or maps. If the interview goes well, the nurse may be offered the job at the end of the interview.

CONTRACTS

The cardinal rule of experienced travelers is "if it's not in writing, don't count on it." Many travelers have found that some recruiters or hospital interviewers will glamorize the position to fill a slot. Nurses should read their contracts carefully, ensuring that start and stop dates and total work hours, including weekly and completion totals, are correct. Some contracts have a clause allowing an earlier completion date if the total required hours have been worked. Some contracts have a clause that any unworked hours will be repaid by the travel nurse. Unfortunately, some hospitals are not traveler-friendly, which can result in the nurse choosing to end the assignment before completion.