What to Do Now That The Travel Contracts are Going Away?
What will your next move be when travel contract opportunities are gone?
Recently, Congress, the American Hospital Association (AHA), and other healthcare agencies requested an investigation of nurse staffing agencies for reports of inflated prices. Reports state that staffing agencies are charging hospitals “two or more times” pre-pandemic rates for travelers. As a result, some state legislators have proposed placing a cap on how much agencies can charge for healthcare staff.
A potential wage cap could limit travel nurses' pay and positions, drastically affecting nurses and nurse practitioners who have shifted from staff positions. Healthcare entities are requesting more regulations for staffing agencies, which will lead to an increased number of nurses searching for job placement. Are you prepared to find your next full-time position?
What Now?
Maybe you’re considering leaving the travel world for something more stable or looking for a change, but you dread going through the job search and hiring process. It’s so much work to prepare your résumé, job search, complete applications, schedule and prepare for interviews… the list goes on and you have got life to live.
EARN Cares Can Help
EARN Cares helps take the guesswork out of job searching and matches nurses and nurse practitioners with jobs that fit them best. EARN nurses help by evaluating the nurse’s experience in their industry to help make placement more seamless. EARN recruiters evaluate the needs, desires, and goals of the applicant, and then execute a search to find permanent opportunities with vetted companies. Also, EARN does not operate like greedy travel agencies, their fee is always the same and it’s paid by the employer when a match is made.
When screening job descriptions, recruiters narrow the job search and remove jobs that don’t fit the nurse. EARN will fast-track the interview and hiring process. EARN Cares ensures that the job is a good fit for the nurse and the nurse will be a good fit for the company before pursuing the position. EARN will ensure that the nurse and the company align.
5 Factors To Consider When Looking At New Positions
EARN recruiters consider the nurse’s needs, but nurses must determine what is important to them. When contemplating a new job, be sure to assess the job location, commute, cost of living, and salary when discussing new positions with an EARN recruiter. Significant areas to consider include:
Job Location
Are you considering a position close to where you live now or are you willing to relocate to another area? Contemplate this before going into the job search to prevent complicated decisions down the road. If you are relocating, will relocation benefits be offered? How will this change your property taxes, insurance, and other costs?
Commute
Whether or not you need to relocate, consider how far you have to commute to your new job. The commute can drastically change the amount of time commuting, offering more or less time in your day. Also, consider how difficult this travel might be, given terrain, weather, or your current transportation situation.
Cost of Living
Research the cost of living where the new job is located, whether that means staying where you are or relocating. Cost of living includes food, clothing, utilities, entertainment, transportation, taxes, etc., which are considered everyday expenses.
Salary
It's essential to be aware of how your experience plays into what salary you are capable of earning. Be mindful of local market value, your education, skills, and certifications. You may also find it noteworthy to know how frequently you will be paid, what tax deductions will look like, and how performance evaluations are assessed that impact potential raises.
Benefits
Compensation packages can make a position more enticing. Find out about potential benefits, when they are available in accordance with a start date, and the overall value of the benefits. You should know that some companies offer larger benefits packages that compensate for lower salaries, but be mindful that there is not always a balance.
Take Your Next Step
If you are ready to step into your next full-time position, or even if you are not quite ready, schedule your EARN Evaluation with a peer nurse and get started. This free, no-risk 15-minute virtual meeting will get you started on the path to a new position.
Written by Brady Hall
Brandy Hall is a Nurse Writer who established The Writing RN to create meaningful content that promotes better health through easier patient education for health and wellness providers. Brandy is a mom of two girls — a teen and a toddler, plus two cats, a military spouse, and a stepmom of two, who loves traveling, food, and fitness. She can be found at mrsbrandyhall.com creating blogs, social media content, and more.
