In the world of healthcare travel, timing is everything. Whether you’re a nurse, therapist, or allied health professional, landing the right job quickly can mean the difference between a smooth transition and weeks (or months) without income.
With competition increasing and healthcare systems moving fast to fill roles, it’s crucial to position yourself as a ‘ready-to-go’ candidate. Here are 10 proven steps to help you secure travel healthcare jobs faster—and with less stress.
- Always Tell the Truth: There is nothing worse for a Recruiter or Candidate than finding out a job submission has been rejected because of a Poor Reference, Background Check, positive Drug or Alcohol Test. Be up front and honest with everybody from the outset.
- Optimize Your Resume and Skills Checklists: Your resume should be concise, professional, and easy to read, including current certifications, specialties, unit experience, equipment knowledge, EMR systems used and Travel or contract experience. Also complete your skills checklist thoroughly.
- Submit Documents Quickly: Travelers should keep their credentials (license, certifications, resume, references, etc.) updated and ready to submit right away. Delay in paperwork can mean missing out on fast-moving jobs.
- Be Clear About Preferences: Clearly communicating their location preferences, shift availability, pay expectations, and facility type helps recruiters match them efficiently.
- Stay Responsive: Fast responses to texts, calls, or emails allow recruiters to act quickly when opportunities arise—many contracts are filled within hours.
- Be Flexible: Travelers willing to take assignments in high-demand areas or during less desirable shifts (e.g., nights, weekends) are easier to place quickly.
- Complete Profiles Promptly: Many healthcare staffing agencies require travelers to fill out online profiles. Completing these thoroughly and accurately saves time and boosts visibility.
- Keep Licensure Up-to-Date: Holding compact licenses or being licensed in multiple states expands the job pool and speeds up placement.
- Communicate Availability: Letting recruiters know when they are available for new contracts (and giving advance notice) helps them prepare and pitch jobs early
- Consider Short-Term or Rapid-Response Jobs: Hospitals often have urgent staffing needs and may offer higher pay for quick starts. It can pay to consider, 4–6 week assignments, “Crisis” contracts, Float Pool positions. These jobs can often lead to extensions—and they show you’re reliable and flexible.
Getting a healthcare travel job quickly is all about preparation, flexibility, and responsiveness. When your documents are ready, your recruiter is on your side, and you’re open to new opportunities, you’ll spend less time waiting—and more time earning, exploring, and growing!
