Tips for Travel Nurses in Louisiana

1. Get to know your environment. When you are moving to a new state, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the details of your community, it will help you get around, settle and understand your client group more easily.

Visit Louisiana
Check out travel tips, discover adventure and find entertainment.
Louisiana Community
Learn about Louisiana’s community profiles.
Louisiana Cities
Find out about the different areas in Louisiana and what each place has to offer.
Driving in Louisiana
Find driving directions and keep up to date on traffic alerts throughout the state.

2. Organize your documents. Keep all your travel nursing documents organized and up to date. Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding licensure. Travel nursing companies have specialists who will work with you to ensure that you obtain the required license for your assignment state well before your start date. The contract with your travel nursing agency will be usually renewed on an assignment-by-assignment basis.

3. Understand your assignment. Selecting an agency is one of the most important steps in becoming a travel nurse. Each company is different with regards to the benefits and services it provides, so it's important that you do your homework.

• Pay Scale: Your salary is one of the most important factors, so be aware that different companies will be able to offer different packages.  While being financially focused is great, you will want to consider the importance of a wide array of other variables that will affect your pay rate.
• Float Policy: Ask your recruiter about the float policy for your assignment. Travel nurses with skills in different areas may be asked to float to other fields; this is a great opportunity to add to your experience.
• Health and Benefits: Find out about your insurance provider and the type of coverage. Ask where your nearest health facilities are located.
• Accommodation: Do some research; find out about your local community, the residents, schools and crime rate.
• Re-location fees: Ask your recruiter about reimbursement of re-location and travel fees.
• Length of assignment: The length of your assignments may vary, often lasting anywhere between three and 12 months, but you can extend.

 
4. Free time fun and enjoyment. Louisiana is packed with fun things to see and do, both indoors and outdoors. Choose from wildlife and nature like you’ve never seen before; throbbing night life at the state’s many bars clubs and restaurants; or a family day out at one of the museums, parks or historic sites. Here are links to some helpful sites:

Louisiana Entertainment:  Find out what’s going on and where.

Louisiana Dining: Discover great places to eat, from fine dining to fast food. 

Roadside Louisiana: Offers suggestions for some off-beat places to visit in Louisiana from the Tabasco Factory and Jungle Gardens on Avery Island to the Jerry Lee Lewis Family Museum in Ferriday.

Louisiana’s National Parks: Explore the natural parks and trails in the “Pelican State.”

Louisiana’s Historic Sites: Visit the wealth of historic sites throughout the state.

City Data: Details every city in Louisiana

5.  Think ahead for the holidays. Holidays are an important time of year and you will need to think ahead and decide where you want to be. For example, you may want to be close to family and friends around Christmas and thanksgiving, while other times you may want some alone time. Remember these details when you are searching for an assignment.

6. Your Outlook Counts
A positive outlook, a flexible approach and an eagerness to embark on a new adventure are all important attributes for travel nursing. Be open to new changes and learn quickly. A friendly attitude and good communication skills will ensure you enjoy your travel nursing experience.