As a travel nurse, you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of your patients. While it is important to have the professional skills, and certifications, necessary to do your job, it is also important to be prepared for any situation that may arise while on assignment. Here are 25 skills every travel nurse should have.
Personal Skills
Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse or work closely with sick or elderly people. You must be compassionate and have excellent people skills to be a good nurse, let alone a travel nurse. You will work with patients from all walks of life and with varying degrees of illnesses. It is important that you are able to connect with your patients on a personal level in order to provide the best possible care.
Time Management Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients who have varying schedules and may have other responsibilities outside of work. It is important to be able to manage your time so that you can get your work done and still have time for yourself.
Communication Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients from all walks of life. You will need to be able to communicate effectively with them in order to provide the best care possible.
Organizational Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be responsible for keeping track of your patients’ medical records and medications. It is important to be organized so that you can easily find the information you need when you need it.
Critical Thinking Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be responsible for making decisions about your patients’ care. It is important to be able to think critically so that you can make the best decisions possible.
Problem-solving Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be faced with many unique challenges. Every day you might encounter a new situation you haven’t come across before. You will need to be able to solve problems so that you can provide the best care possible for your patients.
Emotional intelligence
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients who are dealing with difficult situations. It is important to be emotionally intelligent so that you can understand and empathize with your patients.
Patience
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients who may be in pain or who may be difficult to deal with. It is important to be patient so that you can provide the best care possible.
Compassion
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients dealing with difficult situations. It is important to be compassionate so that you can understand and empathize with your patients.
Attention to detail
As a travel nurse, you will be responsible for keeping track of your patients’ medical records and medications. It is important to pay attention to detail so that you can accurately keep track of all the information.
Flexibility
As a travel nurse, you will be working in different environments and with different people. It is important to be flexible so that you can adapt to different situations.
Stress management skills: As a travel nurse, you will be working in a fast-paced environment. It is important to be able to manage your stress so that you can stay focused and provide the best care possible.
Physical Stamina
Another thing you’d better have as a travel nurse is physical stamina. You will be on your feet for long periods of time. It is important to have physical stamina so that you can handle the demands of the job. To keep your stamina up, make sure to eat healthily and exercise regularly.
Bedside Manner
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients who are in a hospital setting. It is important to have a good bedside manner so that you can comfort and reassure your patients.
Time Management Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be responsible for managing your own time. It is important to be able to manage your time so that you can get all of your work done and still have time for yourself.
Communication Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients, doctors, and other nurses. It is important to be able to communicate effectively so that you can share information and provide the best care possible.
Teamwork Skills
As a travel nurse, you will be working with a team of other nurses. It is important to be able to work well with others so that you can provide the best care possible.
Professional Skills, Requirements, and Certifications
Aside from the many personal skills you will need to be a successful travel nurse, there are also some professional skills, requirements, and certifications you’ll need to have.
A Valid Nursing License
In order to be a travel nurse, you will need to have a valid nursing license. You can obtain a nursing license by passing the NCLEX-RN exam. They must be renewed every two years and are only valid in the state in which they were issued.
Basic Lifesaving Techniques (BLS)
As a travel nurse, it is essential to have the basic skills to save victims of cardiac arrest, choking, or drowning. Otherwise known as CPR, this course is available to anyone, not just nurses. The BLS certification is offered by the American Heart Association or American Red Cross and it is valid for two years.
Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS)
The PALs certification is for nurses who want to work with children. It will teach you how to recognize and treat conditions and emergencies specific to young children and infants. You will need to be BLS certified as a prerequisite to taking the PALs course. The American Heart Association offers certification for pediatric advanced life support. To become certified, you will need to take a course and pass an exam.
ACLS Certification
ACLS stands for Advanced Cardiac Life Support. As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients who have heart conditions. It is important to have your ACLS certification so that you can provide the best care possible. To become certified, you need to take a course and pass an exam. Once you are certified, you will need to renew your certification every two years.
ECG Interpretation
As a travel nurse, you will be working with patients who have heart conditions. It is important to be able to interpret ECGs so that you can provide the best care possible. ECG interpretation is a critical skill for any travel nurse. In order to interpret ECGs accurately, you need to be able to identify different heart rhythms and understand what they mean. You also need to be able to identify any abnormalities on the ECG. This can be a difficult skill to master, but it is essential for providing the best care possible for patients with heart conditions.
There are a few different ways that nurses can learn ECG interpretation. One way is to take a course online or in-person. There are also many online tutorials that can help nurses learn how to interpret ECGs. Nurses can also practice interpreting ECGs by looking at real ECGs and trying to identify the different heart rhythms and abnormalities.
Telehealth Nursing Certification
As a travel nurse, you may be working in a telehealth nursing position. In this type of position, you will be providing care to patients via video conferencing. It is important to have your Telehealth Nursing certification so that you can provide the best care possible. Even though telehealth nursing does not currently require a specific certification, you can develop the necessary skills for this role by completing the Ambulatory Care Nursing certification. Examination fees range between $300 and $500 for certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the certification is valid for five years.
Wound Care
As a travel nurse, you will be responsible for caring for patients with wounds. It is important to be able to properly care for wounds so that you can provide the best care possible. The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board has offered certification in wound care since 1978.
Patient Education
As a travel nurse, you will be responsible for educating patients about their condition and treatment options. It is important to be able to effectively educate patients so that they can make informed decisions about their care. There are many organizations that offer courses for Nurse Patient Educators. The American Institute of Health Care Professionals, for example, offers online courses for Nurses seeking Certification as Certified Nurse-Patient Educators.
Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification
The CCRN certification prepares travel nurses to treat the most serious illnesses and injuries. This certification is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and it is valid for four years. To become certified, you need to take a course and pass an exam.
Phlebotomy Technician Certification
As a travel nurse, you may be responsible for taking blood samples from patients. It is important to be able to take blood samples correctly so that you can provide the best care possible. The American Society for Clinical Pathology offers certification for phlebotomy technicians. To become certified, you need to take a course and pass an exam.
Although this list is not exhaustive, it provides a great starting point for travel nurses looking to improve their skillset. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, it’s important for travel nurses to stay ahead of the curve and continually develop new skills. What other skills do you think are essential for travel nurses? Let us know in the comments below!
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