Don’t believe everything you hear. I just had to get that out of the way. The thought of becoming a travel nurse has been in my mind for a while. As my urge grew stronger, I reluctantly jumped on board hoping and praying all the rumors I heard travel nurses experience in hospitals would not be true.  

On this particular day, I worked 12-hour shift on a weekend. As I started my shift I met the weekend crew. This was a point of contention in my mind. On one side all the tales I’ve heard and in reality, these kindhearted nurses. They beamed with warm smiles, curiously crafted questions about my ethnicity and strange name (a topic I'm used to by now), and welcoming me with open arms. 

What would’ve happened if I listened to the rumors and my fear? This made a positive impact on me. This was not only on the weekend, but every day there was a sense of camaraderie.  Everyone contributed their skills and expertise to help out the other. My co-workers instantly became enjoyable to work with and their kindness went beyond to make a difference in their patient's lives.

 Gasp! This was a great team and I was glad to have taken the chance to start this adventure. After a long weekend of work, my lyft driver was taking me home. I was looking out the window and it was raining. My heart is light and in a state of gratitude. I wouldn't trade the decision to be a travel nurse and have Dallas Children’ s Health to be the first hospital to work at as a travel nurse.  

If you're curious what I did to prepare for this experience here are...
8 STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FIRST DAY AS A TRAVEL NURSE. 
1. Prepare, have all documents on paper or email. 
2. Dress to impress.
3. Study the hospital or company you’re going to work for.
4. Communicate, communicate, and communicate with your go-to person. For me, it was my agent. 
5. Arrive early and bring a snack. 
6. Give just the right amount of information, in just the right balance by speaking eloquently and ask questions. 
7. prepare pertinent questions and ask prior to starting. 
My first day during my first case as a Travel Nurse I had a code, luckily we successfully resuscitated the baby, and I can honestly say its because I prepared and asked questions about who to call and how to respond to a situation like such prior to the incident that helped me know what to do exactly in that moment. Yes, it helps to have experience, but at a new hospital as a new travel nurse you are expected to react and knowing where things are can help you overcome any worst case situation. So ask questions regarding what resource you have in the worst case scenario. 
8. Smile you've worked so hard to get here and send out some positive vibes.