Reasons healthcare travelers are sweeter than Christmas morning

Travel healthcare companies know that healthcare travelers provide tons of benefits within the places they work. We couldn’t compile a list of every reason there is to love them because that list would go on and on. So, instead, we’ve gathered some reasons we believe healthcare travelers are sweeter than Christmas morning!

They love people

Love is all you need! As a result of the wide variety of facilities that healthcare travelers work at and the abundance of places they visit, they have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on countless  lives. Traveling healthcare professionals provide comfort where it is needed most, and they leave a lasting impression on their patients and colleagues. Even if they move on to their next job in a new city, the facility and families they serve will remember them.

They’re reliable and trustworthy

It’s all about communication! Communication is crucial to the success of traveling healthcare professionals. From the beginning, they work with their recruiter to find a great placement. Along the way, they let their recruiter know how things are going. Communication skills make them reliable and trustworthy. You can count on them to relay necessary information and be a good employee.

Their positive attitude and open-mindedness

Positivity enhances any workplace. It takes an open-minded person to be open to traveling and going on tons of adventures. Sometimes healthcare travelers accept a contract in a place that isn’t necessarily their favorite, but they take it because the job position is exactly what they’ve been looking for. It takes a lot to be a healthcare professional, especially one who loves traveling and builds it into their career!

They can learn a new skill and grow

Healthcare travelers are constantly on the go, so they’re able to learn quickly. They’re adaptable and comfortable with change. If your facility needs someone who is flexible with hiring dates, a healthcare traveler is a great option! Every 13-week contract they have is a slightly different position, expanding their skills and knowledge in the field. Everything they learn in one place is within 13 weeks, and then they’re onto the next adventure.

Their experience

With every assignment that traveling healthcare professionals move on to, they bring something from the previous assignment. They visit tons of different facilities that all deliver patient care in different ways. They may be able to suggest a new way to do one thing or recommend new technology to improve your workplace. They provide high-quality care for patients, just like your permanent staff, and they have broad experience to share that will leave a lasting impression.

Work with travel healthcare companies
If you’re interested in working with travel healthcare companies, the time is now! There are several reasons to become a healthcare traveler. Also, there are tons of facilities that need to be staffed from time to time, when current employees are sick, on maternity leave or dealing with a personal emergency. If you want to help make a difference, consider partnering with us! Contact us today to begin your journey.

Benefits of booking your winter contract early

January is one of the busiest months for healthcare travelers. Think of all the people who had a contract end in December, or those who took time off for the holidays and now need to find another assignment. Even if you’re planning to take time off, you can set up your future contract to be prepared and have less stress down the road.

There are several benefits to booking your winter contract with your traveling medical staffing companies early. If you know you’re wanting to take time off for Christmas, or if you want plenty of time to plan for the New Year, it’s easier to do when your assignment is all booked up and ready to go. Discover why you should book your winter contract today!

Higher winter pay rate

Many facilities are already offering winter rates. If you wait until the end of December or January to start finding your next assignment, you will not see these higher rates as there will be more candidates to choose from and the facilities won’t be as motivated to pay employees more. You can also avoid going multiple weeks without a paycheck by having your next contract set up, and you might even see your winter rates reflected in the spring.

Avoid early January start rate

Most healthcare travelers start their contracts on Jan. 1 to streamline their contracts throughout the year. If you want to start on a Monday, consider the Monday before Christmas Day and the Monday before New Year’s Eve. This is because there will likely be no orientation on those days. Impacted start dates will be a week or two after January begins, around the 7th or 14th. 

Better chance of getting holidays off

First come, first serve. There is a better chance of getting the holidays off if you accept a position and have already discussed time off with the facility. Maybe you want to work during the holidays, but if you know you’ll want time off spend with family and friends, the earlier you tackle it, the better.

Time to get any needed licenses or certifications done

Is there a new position you want to start in the future? There might be new licenses and certifications you don’t already have that you’ll need. Make sure you know where you’ll be working when and which ones you’ll need so you can finish them in time.

Choose RTG Medical as your traveling medical staffing companies

Partnering up with one of the best traveling medical staffing companies is a great way to ensure you find an assignment you want in a place you want to travel to. We partner you with one recruiter who can assist in getting your winter contract booked. Sit back and relax with your family and friends during the holidays by having your first contract of the next year set up beforehand! Contact us today with any questions.

Work life balance for healthcare travelers

As a healthcare traveler, it can be difficult to maintain a work-life balance. You love traveling, but it sometimes wears you out. You adore your job, but from time to time you find yourself needing a break. Taking time off after each 13-week contract is one of the great things about this profession. 

As one of your top healthcare staffing agencies, we wanted to give you some ways to help strike a good work-life balance!

Prioritize 

Physical and mental health are equally important to your work. Start prioritizing your tasks if you’re feeling stressed at work. Is one more important than the other? If so, do that one first and the rest will fall into place. Through prioritizing, you’ll learn to set boundaries with your work so you can be at your best.

Ask for help

It’s okay to ask for help. If you’re currently with one patient and another buzzes your phone needing assistance, see if one of your coworkers is available to check on them while you finish up with what you’re doing. Taking everything on by yourself is a surefire way to begin feeling burnt out, which will only harm you in the long run. Asking for help is a form of teamwork that will ensure success for you all.

Keep up with your passions

Think back to why you choose this profession. Remember all of the amazing places you’ve been able  to see and experience firsthand, and think about all the lives you’ve impacted along the way at each facility you’ve worked in. It’s also important to have a hobby you can resort to when you’re feeling overwhelmed. A hobby can help you regain motivation in your life and job.

Find your balance

There is no perfect balance between work and life, but you can find a happy medium in the midst of it all. It takes time to establish a balance between work, traveling and your personal life. A lack of balance can stress you out, diminishing your quality of life and the amount you’re able to give at work. Strive for success, and start by doing what you can. Take breaks during the day, and find time to relax and practice what you love outside of work.

Work with your healthcare staffing agencies

We’re here to help through every up and down, every assignment and adventure. Turn to your healthcare staffing agencies when needed and keep in touch with your recruiter. We want you to keep traveling and to continue making a difference in the lives of others, but we know that can only happen when you feel like you have a good work-life balance. Contact us today with any questions or concerns!

Working a travel assignment with friends

If you’ve become friends with other healthcare travelers while on assignment, it is possible to travel with them again in the future. It is possible for your recruiter to find you and your friend jobs at the same facility, and other times they can find you jobs at different facilities but in the same area. Flexibility is the key to making this work!

Traveling with a friend can make for a great experience. You’ll always have someone to grab a bite at the local restaurant with and someone to split housing with. First, make sure you communicate with both your friend and recruiter. Here are some tips on working a travel assignment with friends.

Set expectations

The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure your and your friend’s expectations are clear. Your recruiter should also know your expectations. Recruiters will inform you of their capabilities and limitations. It is important for everyone to be on the same page. Make sure you are open about your dates, working at the same facility or at different facilities, and having different shifts. 

Keep in touch with your recruiter

Communication with your recruiter is always important, but it is even more so when planning trips with other healthcare travelers. Recruiters are on your side and want to make sure you both get your needs and expectations met, but they can’t do that unless you’re constantly in communication with them about what you want.

Be flexible

The key to success here is flexibility. Setting your sights on a specific facility and job will make this more difficult. By narrowing your specifics, you will narrow your options. You may end up both being able to fulfill a need for travelers at the same facility, but you could also live in the same place and work at different locations. While you might be able to get similar shifts in the same unit, being flexible will be more beneficial to you both.

Weigh the options

It’s best to come to your recruiter with many places you’d like to travel to. If they have a variety of cities to choose from, they are more likely to find similar jobs in the same location at the same time. Your recruiter will have more options to work with if you provide them with more options.

Have patience

A key component of success is patience. Setting up two or more friends takes longer than setting up one traveler going on assignment. The process is doable, but it takes a bit longer. Trust that your recruiter is doing what they can, and if everyone is patient the process will go smoother.

Travel with your fellow healthcare travelers

If you’re ready to go on an adventure with your healthcare friends, don’t let anything hold you back and get going today. RTG Medical’s recruiters are here to help you find the perfect assignment. There’s an abundance of places and things to experience! Contact us today to get started.

How you can still celebrate Thanksgiving as a healthcare traveler

Everybody should have a good time during the holidays. With constant travel, it’s hard to make the most of the holiday season. It’s November, which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The holidays may be a time for family and friends, but you can still enjoy yourself with traveling healthcare jobs. You can celebrate Thanksgiving as a healthcare traveler in these ways!

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with some of your new friends

Everyone can agree that there’s nothing like waking up on Thanksgiving Day and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Consider watching it in-person with some of your new coworkers or friends if you work in New York City. It will be broadcasted on NBC and available to stream on Peacock for all to see. Traveling does not prevent you from participating in this aspect of Thanksgiving.

Eat a Thanksgiving meal with the new people you have met

There is nothing like turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie to complete your Thanksgiving meal. Put together a Friendsgiving with the new people you’ve met while on your assignment! The delicious meal can be eaten while you are being thankful for your family and friends.

Donate to a charity or volunteer with one

Taking part in a local charity is a great way to give thanks. There are many homeless shelters that need volunteers to help prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals. Food drives will also be organized by other charities and organizations during the holidays. Find something close to your heart and give what you can, from coat drives to gift drives for families with children.

Decorate your facility

You can brighten up your workplace by decorating during the holidays. Add some color to your everyday life with small pumpkins and gourds for you, your coworkers and your patients to enjoy. You can also place fall leaves and corn stalks around the facility.

Run in a turkey trot

If you’re into exercising, running in a turkey trot on or around Thanksgiving is a great way to get some cardio in. Turkey trots are a popular tradition around the United States. You can run in a group virtually or as an individual in your local community. Since you’re going to be eating a full meal, some people opt to burn off the extra calories so they feel their best.

Enjoy the holidays while on traveling healthcare jobs

If you’re a football fan, you can also watch NFL Thanksgiving football games. Wherever you are located this Thanksgiving for your traveling healthcare jobs, you can still embrace the tradition. Despite there truly being no place like home, these tips will help you make the most of your holiday.

Some healthcare travelers will choose to take time off in between contacts and be at home for Thanksgiving. That’s okay, too! Contact RTG Medical today if you’re looking for the perfect place to be this Thanksgiving.

Reasons to become a traveling healthcare professional

If you’re a healthcare professional and you love traveling, a career in healthcare traveling might be the perfect fit for you. Healthcare travelers perform the same tasks as nurses, therapists, radiologists, pharmacists, lab technicians and more, but with the perk of traveling from place to place and seeing different parts of the country. A typical contract lasts 13 weeks, but can go as long as 26 weeks.

RTG Medical is a traveling healthcare staffing agency that offers assignments in all 50 states across the U.S., extremely competitive  compensation, and great benefits. If you’ve been wondering if this is the career  for you, now is the time to try it out. Here are a few reasons becoming a traveling healthcare provider could be right for you.

First and foremost… you get to travel

So you love being adventurous and exploring different places. Oftentimes, when choosing your next assignment you can pick what state or states you might want to go. Have you wanted to cruise the inside passage in Juneau, Alaska? Or the White Sands National Park in New Mexico? How about seeing the waterfalls in California? No matter where you want to go, you can travel to new  destinations while practicing what you love through your work.

Enjoy a higher pay

Travel nurses often make more than staffed nurses. You can enjoy tax-free stipends, a reimbursement of travel expenses, and other monetary benefits. You may also be eligible for bonuses such as a facility-provided bonus.

Experience diversity

Through travel nursing, you can encounter all different types of diversity, including people and places. You may find yourself at a large facility, or a smaller facility in a small town. You can expand your skill set to be more adaptable, a better thinker, and learn different ways to communicate effectively with your peers.

Take breaks between contracts

In between your 13 or 26 week contract, you can enjoy some time off. You can spend this time going on another adventure, resting, practicing self-care, volunteering, planning your next assignment, spending time with family and friends, actually enjoying the time off, and cleaning up around the house. 

Meet new people

Being a healthcare traveler gives you the opportunity to build your professional network and connect with new and interesting people. If you’re outgoing and friendly and already love doing this, consider joining a traveling healthcare staffing agency. 

Try new things

Another perk is being able to try new things. You can visit local museums, spas, restaurants, bars, community events, local shows, live music, and places to shop. You can also indulge in the foodie part of whatever city you’re in. Take a look at this travel guide for food in the major cities for the best places to eat.

Grow professionally

Professional development is important for any career. You can build your resume, and it shows you’re always up for a challenge. You can also discover ways to advance your career throughout each job. Maybe you’ll really love a certain contract and it will help you choose location you want to lay down some longer term roots. 

Have a flexible schedule

Traveling is fun, but can get exhausting.  Having the ability to choose where you want to work and take time off can be priceless. You can expand your interests and hobbies when your schedule is flexible.

Choose RTG Medical as your traveling healthcare staffing agency
Choosing a traveling healthcare staffing agency can be difficult, but RTG Medical is here to make it easy. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a traveling healthcare professional, we can help connect you to the right  recruiter who will find you the best fit. Contact us today with any questions!

How to best fit in with the permanent med staff

Once you’ve chosen from the many travel healthcare companies, have been paired with a recruiter, and are onto your next assignment, you might be wondering how exactly you’re going to fit in. It can be difficult to fit in with the permanent medical staff as a traveling healthcare professional. You’re constantly on the go from assignment to assignment, but you’ll be more comfortable if you make some friends along the way. A simple gesture and being openly positive can go a long way.

It is likely that the permanent medical staff have already formed numerous bonds, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t welcome to forming a relationship with you while you’re there. We wanted to give you some best practices on not only how to fit in, but also how to make the most of your current assignment.

Connect by reaching out, attending events, and making an investment

If you enjoy meeting new people, you might not struggle at all. Regardless, taking note of some of these useful tips can be beneficial to you. Once you put yourself out there, you’re sure to see it come back in a fulfilling way. Ask someone to grab coffee with you or see if anyone wants to get lunch. Since you are already going to be exploring the city or local nature hot spots, ask if anyone wants to join. They might even offer to show you some of their favorite spots.

Check bulletin boards and be in the know about upcoming events, such as a work happy hour. It’s nice to have time to yourself, but a quick drink in a non-work atmosphere with some new coworkers is a successful way to form friendships. Asking open-ended questions is a great way to engage in conversation both at work and at an outing. 

Be respectful and willing to pitch in when necessary

You might have some good ideas to improve the facility you’re at, and although leaving your unique mark is important, try to avoid giving any unsolicited advice. Many won’t see that as, “Oh they have a wonderful idea to make this run more efficiently.”Rather, it will come across as negative, and you will end up alienating yourself.

But remember, you are where you’re at because this place needs your skill set. If you see a way you can jump in and help, go for it. That will come across more positively and the permanent medical staff is sure to see it as you assisting in a positive way. This is a great way to earn trust and contribute to the team. You are there temporarily, but you don’t have to act like it’s temporary. 

Travel healthcare companies are here to help you succeed

If you leave your assignment feeling inspired and like you’ve left your mark, congrats – you understood the assignment. It’s exciting to be in a new city, with new opportunities, and to have the chance to grow professionally and personally. You all share the same goal; taking care of your patients as a team. When you put your best attitude and foot forward, you’re sure to succeed.

Working with travel healthcare companies can be rewarding in many ways. If you’re interested in becoming a traveling healthcare professional, RTG Medical is here to support your next adventure. Reach out to us today to discuss your career opportunities on becoming a traveling CNA, nurse, radiologist, therapist, pharmacist, or laboratory professional.

RTG Medical Celebrates 20+ Years with New Logo Release

RTG Medical Launches a New Logo to Reflect the Company’s Culture Focused on Building Relationships with Healthcare Travelers and Clients.

Our vision for the future is to become the most trusted and innovative partner in healthcare staffing solutions by enhancing the experience for our travelers and clients.

“At RTG Medical, we have a history of embracing change in all facets of the healthcare staffing industry. We will continue to embrace change with our new logo design as we move forward. However, a new logo is only as good as the people behind it, and at RTG Medical, our greatest asset is and always will be our people.” 

-Charlie Janssen President and CEO of RTG Medical

The new logo is an evolution of the company’s previous logo, with a look and feel that embodies RTG Medical’s dedication and commitment to improving the lives of those we work with. RTG Medical is a national leader in healthcare staffing and a five-time Inc. 5000 recipient for Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in America. RTG Medical prides itself on building an in-house culture based on family, integrity, and community that was recognized and awarded three times as a Baird Holm LLP “Best Places to Work in Omaha.” After recently being named to the 2021 Largest Healthcare Staffing Firms in the United States by SIA, RTG Medical looks to expand their team over the next 3-5 years as they move to their new headquarters in 2022. The timing of our new logo aligns with the significant growth that is taking place across the organization.

RTG Medical new HQ location coming Spring 2022.

The new 54,000 sq. ft. headquarters is located off highway 275 in Fremont, NE providing easy access for commuters from Omaha and surrounding communities. The new logo represents RTG Medical’s growth over the past 20 years and reflects the company’s dedication to improving the experience for our travelers and clients. “RTG desires to be an organization with a professional yet friendly feel. While our name remains the same, RTG prides itself on the integrity and values we form our relationships on. Therefore, we wanted a logo that warmly introduces us to a conversation about what we can do for you. As we launch a newly designed logo, we want RTG travelers and clients not to forget who we are. We are still the same honest, transparent company we were prior,” said Chief Operations Officer and Co-Founder Jeremy Guenthner. 

About RTG Medical:

Established in 2001, RTG Medical is a veteran-owned healthcare staffing agency that connects, facilitates, and manages the placement of traveling healthcare professionals to healthcare facilities of all sizes across the country. Headquartered in Fremont, Nebraska, RTG works hard to provide simplified solutions that positively impact both patient care and the country’s ongoing healthcare shortage. For more information, visit www.rtgmedical.com.

Meet RTG Medical’s Newest Hire

RTG Medical is excited to welcome Melissa Byrd! She brings an enthusiastic, positive energy to the table, and is a beam of sunshine at the office. Get to know her! She answered RTG’s new employee questionnaire- and it’s chock-full of everything that makes her tick!

melissa-byrd-e1568137551407.jpg

If you could have dinner with any one person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Ellen Degeneres because she is amazing, funny and full of positive energy. I love people like her.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and how would you use it? I would want to have constant positive energy and to be able to give it to others! I am a pretty happy person, so I want to share that with others.

What was the best concert experience you’ve had and why? Tiebreaker between Home Free and Garth Brooks. I just love music in general– all genres pretty much!

Name something on your “bucket list” and why? I would love to go to New York City at Christmas time to see the trees on Rockefeller Plaza all lit up. 

If your house was burning and you could only save one item, what would it be and why? Besides anyone in my family, I would save my journaling bible because it is special to me. 

mel

Melissa shares about how her family is one of the most important things to her. She loves spending time with her three children AJ, Anna, and Jackson.

melissa b

When she has the chance to visit, she loves to spend time with her two brothers Mitch– who lives in Chicago–and Merritt– who lives in Seattle.

mell

Pictured above is Melissa’s mom, dad, brothers, and sisters-in-law.

Melissa is such an amazing, caring person; RTG Medical is thankful to have her on the recruiting team, helping healthcare professionals find their #adventurewithRTG.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining RTG Medical’s growing team, click here to apply!

Meet Sara: RTG Medical’s Newest Recruiter

RTG Medical is one lucky company to have our newest solo hire, Sara Findley. Sara grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska, and currently lives in Omaha. She is coming to RTG Medical with public relations experience from the Omaha World-Herald and as a program director at Goodfellows. She is just as pumped to be at RTG as we are to have her! Sara says, “I was drawn to RTG because I enjoy helping others reach their full potential! Working with RTG to help our nurses do what they love and travel to see the world while doing it, makes my heart happy!”

sara-finley-1.jpg

Sara is an avid concert attendee with her sister and mother. It is a ritual that each year, the three of them pick a concert to attend together. She says, “It is always a laugh, and each one tops the last. Our latest was CHER and it was fantastic!”

Germany Cast 2002

One of Sara’s proudest accomplishments is traveling the world for six years with the Young Americans.

fj

Sara enjoys spending time with her fiancé, wedding planning, and hanging out with her two fur babies, Koda and Bear.

fb-e1559937879673.jpg

Still, her bucket list is packed! She says, “I would love to travel to Ireland and New Zealand because they are beautiful countries that I would like to explore.” Sara is always up for something new and exciting, which is what ultimately drew her to apply at RTG Medical.

Sara says she is most excited about working at RTG because of the ability she has to create her own success while facing challenges constantly.

RTG Medical is excited to have a diverse and multi-talented staff. It’s the wide array of talents from recruiters that make this workplace so special.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining our growing team, click here to apply!

Up ↑