Starting a new job is always a bit frightening, and mistakes are bound to happen. What’s important is that you learn from them, compile your own tips, tricks, and hacks, and be kind to yourself along the way.

You hear it repeatedly— travel nurses must hit the ground running, prepared for anything. With the constant air of change, sometimes the little moments at the end of a day, like a nice meal your past self graciously prepared in advance, can be a cozy constant. 

Nurses working in long-term care perform routine procedures such as recording vital signs and administering medications while providing specialized treatments for progressive and chronic conditions. These nurses also provide educational and emotional assistance to patients and their family members.

Regardless if you’re a seasoned pro or new to the realm of travel nursing, working with the right partner will always be paramount to defining how you’ll experience the profession. However, it’s not as easy as throwing a dart and landing on a perfect fit for you. You have to ask these questions: What do you want out of your career? What is your ideal work environment?

Over the past few years, the number of nurses needed and the number of nurses leaving the profession are rapidly increasing, resulting in a nursing shortage that is making it more difficult to ensure quality patient care in some areas.