Tips on Preparing for a Successful Assignment

1. Research Your New Location.

Here are a few sites to help you learn about your new assignment location.

Arizona Guide:
A great entertainment and information guide to your new area

Best Places:
Insightful community facts

Explore Arizona:
From activities to lodging, planning out your trip to Arizona is quick and easy

Dog Friendly:
Learn about what places in Arizona are pet friendly

Ask questions about Arizona as you can often find others who can give you first hand experience.

Traffic Alert:
Keep up to date on current traffic patterns in many Arizona cities

2. Prepare Your Licensure.

Double check your licensure and documents and make sure to send them off to your travel company before you leave. Your travel nursing coordinator will be a great resource and help you obtain all the documents you need to start your assignment successfully. Be sure to bring at least one copy of your records along with you on your assignment because you never know when you might need them!

Obtaining an Arizona nursing license:

1) Walk-through
Arizona licenses can be issued on a walk-through basis. Timeframe for walk-though is 48 hours.

2) Mail-in
Make sure to give yourself a few weeks to obtain licensure if you are not applying in person. Timeframe is roughly two weeks to obtain licensure through mail-in process.

Arizona State Board of Nursing

National Council of State Boards of Nursing: Compact state information and more

Arizona Hospital and Healthcare

American Heart Association: Sign up for a PALS, ACLS, or BCLS course

National Institute for Healthcare Education

3. Go Over Your Assignment Package.

Before signing your contract remember asking the right questions is key to getting exactly what you want. You will also want to clarify details like:

Pay Rate: What is your pay rate? Is this a flat or blended rate? Are there any completion bonuses?

Health Coverage: Who is your provider? What nearby facilities are you covered at?

Housing: How close is your housing to your work? Any special accommodations that you need? Traffic Patterns?

Make sure to shop around online, many agencies offer online informaiton about their Arizona travel nursing jobs.

4. Start Planning Your Free Time.

Arizona offers lots of exciting activities and some unique breathtaking landscapes. Whether it’s rafting, hiking, shopping, dining, entertainment, horseback riding or hot air balloon riding, make sure to start making an itinerary:

Yelp: Get some insight about the best restaurants, shopping and entertainment

Arizona Menu Guide: Great food and dining suggestions

Sierra Club: Start preparing for the great outdoors

Igougo: Resource for some great Arizona destinations and events

Digital City: Local entertainment guide for Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma

Arizona Sites and Attractions: Search for attractions in Arizona by city or town.

5. Keep It Positive.

Keeping a positive mindset will make your life so much easier as a traveling nurse. While there are bound to be some bumps in the road, you will find that most everybody will help you with open arms, especially if you have an optimistic outlook and attitude.