Travel nurses are essential to healthcare. These professionals ensure the continuity of care in difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, some facilities find integrating travel nurses into their larger staff challenging because they are temporary workers who bring with them a different dynamic. Failure to onboard properly can have a negative impact on patient care and workplace efficiency. It does not need to be this difficult. Here is why it matters, along with some best practices for quickly onboarding travel nurses.

Why Properly Onboarding Travel Nurses Matters

Proper onboarding for travel nurses is essential for their success and for your facility. If you rush through and overlook things during orientation, problems will arise. The onboarding process is crucial. A comprehensive onboarding brings many benefits, including:

• Better patient care
• Improved nurse performance
• Fosters team integration
• Reduces turnover
• Saves time
• Enhances the reputation of your facility

As travel nurses receive limited time to adjust to new settings, onboarding done right helps to reduce their anxiety, build their confidence, and improve team collaboration. The well-planned onboarding process works well for patients, hospital staff, and the travel nurses themselves.

Best Transition Practices

For a smooth transition, send the travel nurse helpful information such as policies, details of their shift, a map of your facility, and contact lists. You can also get a jump start on checking credentials, certifications, and immunizations. There will likely be questions, so consider assigning them a contact person. Clarify your expectations and discuss patient ratios and caseloads.

Provide a short but comprehensive orientation that covers the EHR systems and documentation protocols. Try to ensure that the nurse’s EHR login credentials are set up ahead of time and, if possible, provide them with a cheat sheet. Provide unit-specific expectations, too. Include a facility tour to ensure the traveler knows where the break rooms, supply closets, and other essential areas are. Assigning a mentor can help the new arrival learn the flow, the unwritten rules, and the cultural norms of the unit.

A welcoming culture is one of the best things you can provide. Be sure to introduce the travel nurse at a staff meeting or huddle. Encourage your permanent staff to be inclusive as well. Make it a point to check on the nurse during their first few days. Finally, gather feedback on the onboarding and gauge how things are going for the travel nurse. The follow-up with the travel nurse is the time to offer support they might still need.

Let a Staffing Partner Help

ADN Healthcare can help your healthcare facility handle licensing, background checks, and any skills assessments. The professionals at ADN Healthcare can handle the logistics and start dates that fit your schedule and staffing needs. They will consider team fit and culture to help nurses integrate with your team. The professionals at ADN Healthcare will take the time to understand your unique staffing requirements. And provide a staffing solution to help your facility provide exceptional patient care.