Before you take on a travel assignment, you should understand how scheduling works so you can prepare accordingly.

<div>Are you considering a career in travel nursing?</div>



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  As an increasingly popular alternative to a traditional nursing job, travel
  nursing can provide amazing opportunities for both professional and personal
  growth. However, as you consider travel nursing, you may wonder what your
  schedule would be like as a travel nurse. Naturally, a job that requires
  frequent travel to a new town or city will have more unconventional hours than
  a typical nursing job.
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<div>
  Before you take on a travel assignment, you should understand how scheduling
  works so you can prepare accordingly. And, though parts of your schedule will
  not always be within your control, here are some tips for getting a grasp of
  your travel nursing schedule ahead of time.
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<h3>Be Assertive in Asking for What You Want</h3>

<div>
  While most nurse managers are mindful about scheduling travel nurses fairly so
  they aren&rsquo;t working every night and weekend shift, this isn&rsquo;t
  always the case. If you know of a day or weekend you definitely need to have
  off, it&rsquo;s a good idea to have it written into your contract prior to
  your state date. You&rsquo;ll find that many nurse managers will be willing to
  work with your schedule as long as you provide enough notice. However,
  remember that your role a travel nurse is to help accommodate a specific
  hospital&rsquo;s staffing needs and be flexible, so be reasonable with your
  scheduling requests!
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<h3>Remember Your Start Date is Non-Negotiable</h3>

<div>
  Though there are many aspects of travel nursing that are flexible in nature,
  your assignment start date and number of hours cannot be adjusted. Assignment
  start dates are usually based on the specific hospital&rsquo;s orientation
  dates, which will likely be communicated to you by the hospital&rsquo;s human
  resources department. In fact, some facilities will charge you a fee for
  changing your state date or cancelling your contract prior to your start date,
  so always remember that this is set in stone!
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<h3>Budget for the Unexpected</h3>

<div>
  On a travel assignment, there is always the chance that unexpected
  circumstances will arise, such as illness or personal emergencies. Keep in
  mind that most travel nursing companies will not offer vacation or sick pay;
  therefore, you must be financially prepared for any time you will have to take
  off during your assignment. Also, it&rsquo;s recommended to purchase your own
  accident insurance in the unfortunate event that you get hurt on the job. If
  you get hurt on a travel nursing assignment, you will not get paid if you
  cannot work. To alleviate these types of concerns, be sure to evaluate your
  budget well in advance of your travel assignment.
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<div>
  With any travel nursing assignment, it&rsquo;s expected that you have a
  certain degree of flexibility and adaptability. Getting an idea of scheduling
  expectations ahead of time will help you better acclimate to new work
  environments and prepare mentally and physically for your travel nursing
  experience.
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<div>
  If you&rsquo;re seeking more information about travel nursing, get in touch
  with Cross Country CCN and let our talent acquisition specialists help you
  today.
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Travel Nursing Schedules: What You Need To Know