Whether you are new to the contract nursing world or a veteran travel RN, communicating with recruiters is an inevitable part of the journey. Sometimes, it can seem tricky to keep in touch with a recruiter while working tough shifts as a nurse, but it doesn’t have to be a barrier between you and your dream contract. We asked our Premier team, and they delivered some top tips for communicating with a travel nurse recruiter.

Employ Smart and Effective Communication Strategies That Work for Both Parties 

When communicating with a travel nurse recruiter, it is important to establish your contact preferences right off the bat. It’s super important that you and your recruiter are on the same page when it comes to getting in touch with one another. Recruiter Brianna advises, “let the recruiter know how you like to be communicated with, if you prefer texts or calls, tell them. We want to know the fastest way to get a hold of you.” Recruiter Lauren P. adds, “give a heads up on the current shift you’re working so we know when to expect to hear back from you and we can respect your sleep schedule.” Getting things done quickly is a top priority for recruiters at staffing agencies– they want to get you employed as soon as possible! Keep your phone handy when you’re in contact with your recruiter, and don’t leave them hanging. “Respond promptly – I try to get back to my clinicians as soon as I can and appreciate prompt communication in return,” says recruiter Hannah, “it makes it so much easier on my end – having to continuously follow up takes a lot of time away from other tasks, like searching for their next great position!” Another pro tip comes from recruiter Cailey: “Save our number – we know you get bombarded by many recruiters. Help us both by saving our name and number so you can easily pick out our messages.” 

Be Upfront & Transparent 

Another top tip for communicating with a travel nurse recruiter is to not leave them in the dark about your goals and preferences for your assignment. Director of Recruitment, Russ, says, “in any partnership it’s important to be straightforward. Don’t assume that your recruiter knows what you want in your next role, whether it is location, setting, shift or hours. Be direct so that wrong assumptions are avoided.” Honesty is the best policy when working with a travel nurse recruiter. Brianna advises, “be honest if you’re working with other recruiters or already submitted places. We know it’s not personal and you’re looking for the best position, we just want to be kept in the loop.” When in doubt, overcommunicate. “We need to understand your wants and needs! We can’t read minds,” says recruiter Cailey. 

Ask All the Questions 

 There is no such thing as asking too many questions when it comes to communicating with a travel nurse recruiter! “Ask what regions are the focus/most successful for their company so you know what jobs you would be seeing the most from that recruiter specifically,” advises recruiter Nicole. It is also a great idea to ask your recruiter about trends in rates and job availability, so you know what to expect going into the process, especially if it is your first time using a staffing agency. Personal attention is one of the top qualities of any great recruiter, so answering your questions is a priority for them. Brianna says, “if you are unsure about anything in the process or the job, let us know. Our job is to make sure you are fully prepared to take the offer and that it’s a good fit.” 

Be Understanding 

In order for your relationship with your recruiter to be the most successful, it is important to be understanding, open-minded, and patient. Director of Recruitment, Russ, says:  

“The market is always changing- be it pay rates, volume of openings, hard-to-fill openings, demanding clients, etc. They are people too and they want understanding from those that they partner with to find mutual wins. This includes both the clients/facilities they work with but also and, more importantly, their candidates. Recruiters are not job vending machines. It takes a lot of work to find, match, and onboard new staff. Be patient and understanding that we are all in it together to get the best possible care to those who need it most.” 

Knowing that your recruiter cannot change the volume of job openings or pay rates, it is important to be receptive to what is going on in the market at any given moment. You and your recruiter are riding the wave together, and ultimately, you are a team- both working toward a great outcome. 

Ready to start communicating with travel nurse recruiter? Get in touch here! 

Job interviews are always a source of stress among applicants, and as a travel nurse, you’ll have more than your fair share of them. If you struggle getting through those tough intro calls or meetings with recruiters, don’t worry! We’ve got your back. Here is some of the best travel nurse interview advice straight from our very own Premier recruiters.

Be Well-Prepared

The travel nurse interview advice that popped up most often when we asked the Premier recruiters was be prepared. Recruiter Dominick says: “Have questions prepared ahead of time that you would like the facility or recruiter to answer. Be prepared to take them through a brief description of your work experience and cater it to what the job responsibilities are in the job posting.” Furthermore,  Leigh advises: “Have a list of questions ready to go on a file in your phone so you are always ready. Make sure to take a look at them from time to time to edit them.” It can’t be stressed enough that the more prepared you show up for an interview, the smoother it will go. Always research the staffing agency beforehand so you know all about the company and their core values- it will demonstrate your genuine interest in landing a contract.

Ask Questions!

One of the most important pieces of travel nurse interview advice we’ve all heard before is to have questions prepared for your interviews. Some great options of questions to ask your recruiter during your interview are:

• What would my housing situation look like on this travel assignment?
• How long have you been staffing at this facility?
• What’s different about working with your agency than other staffing firms?
• Is there anything I can clarify for you about my qualifications or experience?
• What are the next steps in the hiring process?
• What is your favorite thing about working at this staffing agency?

Asking questions during an interview is a great way to start building a rapport with your recruiter. Your queries will often turn an interview into a conversation rather than a bland Q&A session.

Be Honest and Direct

Being honest is great advice for life in general, but it is especially good travel nurse interview advice. Premier recruiter Lauren K. says: “Be honest and transparent to save everyone’s time.  Let the recruiter know what the top three things you are looking for in an assignment.” Director of Recruitment, Russ, says: “If you want something, ask for it. Looking for a specific shift, setting, location, or pay package? The more direct you can be in your communication; the better chance your recruiter can help you find a great job match.” When hiring, recruiters want to make sure that the candidates they choose are honest and straightforward in their work ethic, and they expect to see that come through in interviews as well. So don’t hold back on what you’re looking for and be upfront about your preferences in order to land a placement that fits exactly what you’re looking for.

Confidence is Key

Going into an interview with confidence can feel tough at times, especially when you’re nervous. Keep in mind that mustering up confidence, even if you have to fake it, is a piece of travel nurse interview advice that should not be skipped over. Premier recruiter Lauren P. says: “Be yourself. Have confidence!” Letting your true personality show during an interview will help put you at ease and appear more confident. Make sure to talk about your past nursing experiences with the same passion you’ll bring to your future travel nurse contract. This will help you open up and start building a positive relationship with your recruiter. Premier’s Director of Recruitment, Russ, advises: “Having a great relationship with your recruiter is vital. It will play a huge role in your enjoyment of both the job search process and ultimately your travel healthcare assignment.”

Be Flexible and Open Minded

While it is super important to be direct and upfront about your preferences, Premier recruiter Lauren K. says it is equally important “to be open minded and flexible when considering options for an assignment.” Don’t get discouraged if during your interview, your recruiter mentions that they currently don’t have a job open that fits your exact criteria perfectly. Be curious and inquisitive about the opportunities they do have available because you never know if it could be a great fit for your needs after all. Life as a travel nurse is full of adventure, and you should always be open to opportunities that could enrich your career.

Looking to work with of our awesome Premier recruiters? Apply here!

Congratulations, you just accepted your first contract nursing assignment! Now what? The next step in getting you ready for your contract is completing the compliance process. Healthcare staffing agencies and the facility you will work at need to make sure you meet all the basic requirements to start working with patients. What does that involve and why is it important? Our all-star compliance team at Premier is here to answer all your burning questions about compliance and give tips on how to get through this process without a hitch.

Why is the compliance process important for a clinician?

“Compliance ensures that both Premier and our clients receive a clinician who is competent, safe, effective, and up to date on all their requirements in order to do the job,” Premier Compliance Specialist Tim S. says. “Compliance works as the bridge between potential and opportunity. It is a vital piece of the process for all involved.”

How long does the compliance process take?

“The compliance process takes around 10 days, but it depends on how quickly the clinician gets us everything we need,” Compliance Specialist Rebecca D. notes. Tim adds, “Everyone’s compliance process may be more or less involved. Especially if they have an extensive travel background or limited time to do Occupational Health. I like to say, you never really know a clinician until they hit compliance.”

During the compliance process, the staffing agency will complete a background check, verify all your education and work history, check your certifications and licenses, as well as contact your references. This all can take a while, so staying patient during compliance is necessary. Our compliance specialists work hard to ensure they are sending the best of the best to clients.

Tips to ensure a smooth compliance process?

“Having a nursing resume that is up to date without unaccounted-for gaps is key,” Tim points out. “Be available for your appointments (drug screen, physical, and other testing) at the earliest opportunity ensures we have the time to obtain the results for compliance.” Rebecca adds, “Have vaccine records on hand!”

Communication is super important during the compliance process. Make sure you are consistently checking your email for updates from compliance. If you have issues completing your compliance to-dos, please reach out to your compliance specialist! They are there to help, but they need you to keep them in the loop.

To learn more about your compliance checklist, check out our blog post here!

Anything else you’d like prospective employees to know about compliance?

“We are here to work with and for you,” says Tim. “Although sometimes it seems like compliance is always pushing and hassling to get something done, or redone, it is 100% for the benefit of getting a clinician in the right shape to succeed in their role. I want clinicians to know we are their assistants at the ready to help them grow their experience and careers with Premier.”

Ready to start your contract nursing journey with Premier? Apply today!

In the world of travel nursing, there are few things more important than a strong recruiter–traveler relationship. Recruiters are the guiding light of any travel journey, whether it’s your first contract or your 50th. But how do you distinguish a top-tier travel nurse recruiter from all the rest? How can you be sure you are working with someone who has your best interests at heart? As it turns out, there are several qualities that set the best recruiters apart. Here are five characteristics to look for in a travel nurse recruiter.

1. Stellar Communication Skills

You travel nurse recruiter will be your first point of contact as you start your contract nursing journey and someone you will stay in close contact with throughout your traveling career. It can be an overwhelming experience deciding what city to move to and choosing your new place of work, which is why your recruiter should always be available to answer any and all of your questions.

Travel nurses will tell you that the importance of a recruiter’s communication skills cannot be stressed enough. Katie F., an RN who traveled with Premier, noted the importance of communication with her recruiter Sarah: “Sarah spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with me answering all of questions/concerns I had prior to taking the leap into travel nursing.” Not only is it essential for your travel nurse recruiter to be in touch and communicative during the submission, interviewing, and onboarding processes, but you should also expect them to stay in touch during your contract. RN Tatonesha remarks of her Premier recruiter Rebecca, “she always follows through and stays in contact with a weekly hello or ‘how is everything going’ which lets me know that she and the company care about their clients.” Continued, long-term communication is key when working with a recruiter, as they can help you work toward your goals as a travel nurse and walk you through changing or extending your contract.

2. Honesty

A good recruiter tells it like it is. Whether you are trying to decide if a travel nursing position might work for you or dealing with a situation while you are already on assignment, you want to work with someone who will relay the facts and portray all information as accurately as possible.

But that type of honesty should be two-way street. To build a successful working relationship, you as the nurse candidate should be open in communicating your wants and needs.  Recruiters are not mind readers, and it is essential that you are upfront and honest about your expectations from the very beginning.

3. Personal Attention

A travel nurse recruiter should always make you feel like a priority. Individualized attention is key to a great recruiter-nurse relationship and will put you at ease while transitioning into a new contract. “Although I’m not new to travel nursing, I consistently feel on edge when trying to decide on my next assignment,” says Premier RN Richelle, “I can always count on my recruiter Nicole to find the right fit for me. Her one-on-one personal attention makes the whole process flawless.”

4. Well-Researched

One attribute that separates good travel nurse recruiters from great ones is that they will do their homework and research a wide variety of contract opportunities that will fit your needs. “She goes the extra mile by figuring out what my true needs and wants are,” says RN Katie of her Premier recruiter Lauren H. Top-notch travel nurse recruiters will always keep your preferences in mind while also presenting you with multiple options, some you may not have considered before. A travel nurse recruiter who digs deeper to present you with the most contract options is one that definitely wants to see you succeed.

Meet Premier’s team of travel nurse recruiters here!

5. Patience

Patience truly is a virtue, and in the fast-paced world of nursing, it is more important than ever. A patient recruiter takes the time to listen, answer questions and provide reassurance. Your travel nurse recruiter should never make you feel like a burden and should always be available for your needs. A good travel nurse recruiter will never rush you through any process and will meet you where you are.

Want to travel with Premier? Get matched with one of our experienced recruiters: