What to Expect on Your First Day of a Strike Assignment
Quick answer: On a strike assignment, you'll go through an induction and orientation (I&O) day before your first shift. This includes credential verification, facility onboarding, and receiving your schedule. Arriving prepared, with documents uploaded to AMN Passport, makes the process faster and smoother for everyone.
Strike assignments move fast. From the moment a healthcare organization gives notice, the clock starts and before you know it, you're on a plane, checking into a hotel, and getting ready for your first shift.
In our previous blog, What Happens When a Healthcare Organization Gives Strike Notice? A Step-by-Step Look, we covered the 10-day preparation period: how AMN Healthcare books your travel, coordinates your hotel, and keeps your credentialing on track. But once you land at your assignment location, a new phase begins. Here's exactly what to expect during induction and orientation, and throughout the rest of your strike assignment.
What Happens During Induction and Orientation (I&O) Day?
I&O day typically takes place one to two days before Day 1 of the strike. Think of it as your formal check-in: this is where AMN Healthcare verifies your credentials, completes your facility onboarding, and gets you set up for your assignment.
One thing to keep in mind: I&O day can be long. Bring water and a snack so you're not running on empty by the afternoon. A little planning goes a long way on a day that's already packed with activity.
What Documents Should You Bring to I&O?
Bring copies of all licenses, certifications, vaccinations, and other compliance documents you have on hand, such as your physical results and TB test. Many of these can be uploaded to AMN Passport ahead of time, and doing so will speed up your check-in considerably. The more you complete in AMN Passport in advance, the less time you spend waiting in line on I&O day.
Why You Should Upload to AMN Passport Before You Arrive
AMN Passport is your single source of truth throughout a strike assignment. When your profile and documents are current before you arrive, credentialing moves faster, and you get through I&O with fewer delays. Clinicians who arrive with everything in order often move through the process significantly quicker than those who don't.
One more detail that may seem small but matters: no acrylic nails. Infection control standards at many facilities require natural nails, and clinicians have been asked to remove acrylics before shifts. Save yourself the hassle and take care of this before you head to I&O.
What Happens After I&O Day?
Once I&O wraps up, you'll receive your schedule and settle into your private hotel room. You'll know exactly what's ahead before your first shift even begins.
For the duration of the assignment, AMN Healthcare provides transportation between your hotel and the worksite. You don't need to worry about navigating an unfamiliar city or coordinating your own rides.
What Should You Expect During the Strike Assignment?
Flexibility is one of the most valuable things you can bring to a strike. Needs can shift quickly, sometimes overnight. An ER nurse may be reassigned to a different unit the next day. A snowstorm, like those that affected a New York strike, can change logistics entirely.
Your hotel could also change based on operational needs. It's not common, but it happens. Going in with an adaptable mindset makes the whole experience smoother for you and for your patients.
Get Ready Before the Next Strike Is Announced
Strike assignments don't wait around. The clinicians who get contacted first are the ones who are already prepared in AMN Passport. That means a complete profile, up-to-date credentials, and strike assignments selected in your job preferences.
Download AMN Passport and update your profile today so when a strike is announced, you're ready to go from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does induction and orientation day typically last on a strike assignment?
I&O day can be a full day. The exact length depends on the facility and how many clinicians are onboarding at the same time. Bringing water, a snack, and all of your compliance documents will help the day go more smoothly.
What documents do I need to bring to strike assignment induction and orientation?
Bring copies of all licenses, certifications, vaccinations, and compliance documents such as your physical results and TB test. Many documents can be uploaded to AMN Passport before you arrive, which speeds up the check-in process.
Can my hotel or assignment location change during a strike?
Yes. Needs can shift quickly due to weather, staffing changes, or facility requirements. AMN Healthcare works to keep disruptions minimal, but flexibility is an important part of any strike assignment.
Why does AMN Healthcare require natural nails for strike assignments?
Many healthcare facilities enforce infection control standards that prohibit acrylic nails. Clinicians are expected to arrive with natural nails to remain compliant and avoid delays to their start date.
How does AMN Passport help during a strike assignment?
AMN Passport tracks your credentialing progress, stores your compliance documents, and lets you set your job preferences, including strike assignments. Keeping your profile current puts you at the front of the line when a strike is announced.
