Negotiations are always on the table, whether you’re deciding the terms of a new assignment or looking over an extension. Why is negotiation necessary? Pay rates for travel nurses can vary dramatically, meaning the wider the range of outcomes, the more you stand to lose if you don’t negotiate.

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.

If you’re looking for a few pointers before diving into traveling, here are five of the most common mistakes we’ve seen new travelers make and suggestions for avoiding them.

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?