January is an excellent time to hire travel nurses. Healthcare facilities start the year with a new budget for more travel nursing assignments, and the post-holiday period typically sees an increase in patients due to postponed elective surgeries and flu season. Travel nurses have the versatility and adaptability that allow them to quickly take a burden off permanent staff, which is essential. With the holidays, staff burnout, and the need for extra support after the holidays, travel nurses provide the additional support your facility needs at the start of the new year.

Increased Patient Demand

Due to the holidays, inclement weather, and flu, many patients put off non-urgent medical visits, and when January comes, so does a surge. Staffing your healthcare facility during this time can be a challenge. Because travel nurses can enter intense environments and provide immediate patient care, January is a perfect time to hire them. Travel nurses are versatile and experienced and can quickly adapt to your facility, and you can provide continuous quality healthcare even during times of increased demand.

Staff Burnout

The holidays drain healthcare workers. Although the holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, many healthcare professionals work overtime or cover extra shifts, leaving them exhausted in January. Hire travel nurses in January to give your staff a break, let them recharge, and ease their stress and anxiety. Travel nurses are typically acclimated to the travel experience and are ready to provide relief for your staff. They can also help your facility retain local staff while helping to maintain a high level of patient satisfaction.

Planning Ahead

January is not far off, so now is the time to plan for your January staffing needs. Carefully consider what your facility needs specifically. Communicate these needs, required skill sets, and desired schedules to a reputable healthcare staffing agency. Remember that the more detailed information you can provide about your needs, the better your chances of finding a perfect match. As you receive profiles from the staffing agency, start scheduling interviews. The staffing agency will provide information such as employment history, skill set, and availability.

As you prepare for interviews, write down the questions you want to ask before making the call. Also, prepare answers to questions that the candidate may ask you, such as:

• What is the nurse-patient ratio?
• What type of patients do you treat?
• What is the float policy?
• What are the responsibilities of the position?
• What are the hours for this position?
• Why are you hiring a traveler?
• What type of orientation do you provide?

Look for candidates who are quick learners and adapt to new situations quickly. You want a travel nurse who can communicate effectively, hit the ground running, and are flexible with their schedule. And be sure to sell your strong points! Most travel nurses will have more than one option when selecting an assignment.

If your healthcare facility needs travel nurses for January, check out ADN Healthcare. Let them use their 40 years of staffing experience to provide the best travel nurses for you.