If you’re a CNA preparing for your first travel assignment, you’ve come to the right place. While signing up for a travel position may be exhilarating, it’s important to remember that being nervous is also normal. What better way to calm your nerves than to start your new assignment with confidence? Read on to discover some helpful CNA tips and advice for new travelers!
CNA Tips and Advice for New Travelers
There’s a lot that goes into planning for a first-time travel assignment. Once you’ve finished packing and booked your housing, it’s time to mentally prepare yourself for the job. Here are some CNA tips and advice to help you thrive during your first CNA travel assignment.
Have a Notebook Handy
Before you start your new travel assignment, make sure you have a small notebook and pen that can fit into your pocket. Those who work in travel healthcare positions are expected to be quick learners, but even the best of the best cannot be expected to remember everything they’ll need to know on their first day. Use this notebook to write questions you may have, patient information, and personal reminders. Having a reference guide like this will keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Make sure you check what you’ve written throughout the day and cross out anything that is no longer relevant.
Invest in a Waist Pack
Another item you should bring along is a waist pack. It may not be the most attractive accessory, but you will regret it if you don’t wear one. You can fill your pack with pens, gloves, tape, and anything else you might need throughout your shift. It’s also a good idea to grab a decent pair of medical scissors before you start your job. This tool will become your best friend while you’re on a shift. Be sure to mark your pair in case you lose them, too!
Observe Other CNAs
In addition to finding a mentor in your field, it’s also a good idea to observe other CNAs as they work. This will give you an idea of how a specific facility is run and what will be expected of you during your time there. You may struggle to adjust to your new workplace during your first few days, but this is nothing to worry about. Just try to record as much information as possible through your observations and go from there.
Study those Care Plans
Familiarizing yourself with your patients’ care plans is one of the best ways to understand your tasks and timetables. If you have any questions about the content of these care plans, such as the abbreviations used by your new facility, make sure you ask someone about it early on. This will give you a headstart when it comes to learning about your new place of work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. No one expects you to be completely adjusted right away. How can your new co-workers help you if you don’t speak up? Don’t be shy, that’s how you learn!
Don’t Give Up!
The first week at any job is always tough. This is especially true for people working in travel healthcare. You’re placed in a new facility every few weeks and expected to do everything you can to help your patients and fellow staff members. Just remember that your job will become easier over time. You will learn how to rise to new challenges in your own way. As long as you keep your head up, you’ll be able to build a rewarding and exciting career as a traveling CNA!
Are there any CNA tips and advice that we missed in this blog? Let us know in the comments below!
March 11, 2020
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