Nursing Uncharted Ep 113 - Skip the Scramble and Plan Your Winter Travel Nurse Assignments Now

What if the secret to a stress-free holiday season started months in advance?  

In this episode of Nursing Uncharted, host Ann welcomes back Bianca O., Recruitment Director at AMN Healthcare, to unpack everything you need to know about winter seasonal orders. From snagging your dream location in California or New York to locking in your shift and holiday preferences, you'll learn why these highly coveted contracts move fast and how AMN Passport will put you first in line.  

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Key Topics Discussed

• Winter Seasonal Orders: What they are and why they fill quickly in top locations. 
• The AMN Passport Advantage: Keeping your profile ready for auto-submission and fast offers. 
• Recruiter Relationships: How transparency and trust unlock your best opportunities. 

Chapters: 

• 00:00 - Introduction & welcoming back Bianca 
• 00:52 - What are winter seasonal orders? 
• 05:48 - The benefits: shift, location & holiday preferences 
• 10:34 - How quickly winter orders fill 
• 12:46 - Why your recruiter relationship matters most 
• 26:27 - Talking pay: competitive winter rates 
• 28:07 - Early start dates & this year's trends 

Guest Spotlight 

Meet our guest, Bianca, whose expertise on the recruitment and technology side of travel nursing makes her the perfect guide for navigating winter seasonal orders. With a genuine passion for helping clinicians plan ahead and find the right fit, Bianca shares practical, insider tips that empower nurses to take control of their winter assignments and step confidently into the new year. 

Ready to plan your next winter adventure? Subscribe to Nursing Uncharted and share this episode with a fellow traveler today! 

Transcript

00:00:00:00 - 00:00:21:01
Unknown
Hey guys. Welcome back to another episode of Nursing Uncharted. I cannot believe we're about to have the conversation we're going to have in the start of summer. But that's kind of where we are. And I'm so excited to welcome back. Two, two Nursing uncharted, a fabulous guest that I got to meet a few months ago.

00:00:21:01 - 00:00:52:17
Unknown
But thank you for joining us again, Bianca. Thank you. I am so glad to be here today. Yeah. Wild. We're halfway through. Yeah. It's summer. It's crazy. I know, it's so crazy. And, like, when we had this conversation, I'm like, why? Why are we talking about this in summer? And I. I'm really. I'm really happy that we're going to have this conversation because this this is important for people to know, because it can really solidify what the rest of their year and how they're going to enter the new year is going to look like.

00:00:52:17 - 00:01:19:21
Unknown
So let's dive in to what we're here to talk about, which is winter orders and planning your holidays. All the way in summertime. You know, it's crazy to think, but I feel like you already kind of hit the nail on the head like preparation. And as summer is what's going to really lead you to success for the remainder of the year and even up through 2027.

00:01:19:21 - 00:01:45:09
Unknown
So I'm thrilled to dive in right now. How did that happen? This year has been a little crazy, but really looking forward to just talk through and really build hopefully best practices for everyone. To be successful. Yeah. Yes. So when we're talking about this, people are like, wait, what are we what are we talking about? But it's the seasonal orders.

00:01:45:09 - 00:02:08:17
Unknown
So winter time and this was different for me because I'm a nick nurse so I don't really get affected, which was a really interesting thing that we kind of had a side convo about is like, oh, this was a really, you know, interesting topic for me because I don't experience this. So this is specific to other specialties that, you know, have these needs, whereas my needs are in a different time.

00:02:08:17 - 00:02:30:04
Unknown
So, let's kind of I kind of give that away, I guess. But like what? You know, what is this? What are the season seasonal orders, the winter orders. And like, who does that really affect? So I think when we talk about seasonality there's different seasons. Right. So and as we discussed we talked about your specialty and being in Nick you being the nick season.

00:02:30:04 - 00:03:03:00
Unknown
So it's almost flopped in comparison to those adult specialties. So yeah you are impacted by it as much. But you're almost it is really flopped. Right. So what we're talking about right now is the winter season for the adult specialty is going into flu season, cold season, the holidays. We usually see an uptick of census during October all the way through kind of March.

00:03:03:00 - 00:03:26:09
Unknown
April, the next year is kind of where I it tails off in. So that is more so like that adult specialty winter season. And that's what we're talking about. And so why you're not impacted is because for Nick Gill it's the opposite. So I feel like it's March. April through October is your peak. So it's literally the complete opposite.

00:03:26:09 - 00:03:50:15
Unknown
So there's seasonality for different specialties. And right now and what we're talking about is adult specialty going into the winter season, to really support obviously we know those colds, flus, all of the bugs that happen during that winter time and during all of the holidays. So that is really what it's all about. A good. Yeah, that's a good, good point.

00:03:50:15 - 00:04:05:03
Unknown
And again, like it's so funny because I was like getting excited about this. And I'm like, well this doesn't affect me at all. But I'm like, this is kind of fun. Like I'm like this. Like we can make this like a fun thing. And, you know, it's something that if I didn't know about this, maybe it's because of my specialty.

00:04:05:09 - 00:04:27:21
Unknown
But also if you're new to the travel world or just even interested in entering into it, this is a really good thing to talk about because, you know, there's some really good benefits of getting ahead of the game. And, you know, thinking about, okay, I'm going to apply for my winter plan for my winter work all the way in summer when a lot of us take that time off.

00:04:27:21 - 00:04:53:04
Unknown
So, you know, it's it's really, really interesting and really important for people to understand that. So I'm excited for this. We get excited as well. So just as you are excited, this is very exciting for us. And yeah, it's busy. It gets a little bit crazy. We built upload bulk orders. So for our recruitment teams it's a lot.

00:04:53:06 - 00:05:29:08
Unknown
But it's also a lot of fun. And so yeah, there's a ton of benefits and to the nitty gritty of what that may look like and the benefits of getting your profile updated now, making sure everything is up to date. So when those winter orders drop, you are locked in and you are first in line, right? Because there is a little bit of a frenzy behind those winter orders every single year we do see a lot of clinicians that will only travel during that time, and they will do that seasonality.

00:05:29:08 - 00:05:48:10
Unknown
And then they come back and you have those reoccurring nurses that will come back every single season, understanding the excitement behind it and also truly the benefits behind it. So there is some excitement of that planning piece. But and then there are a lot of benefits that you do gain

00:05:48:10 - 00:05:59:19
Unknown
what are those benefits. Like why why should someone be looking at their their holiday schedule or their winter schedule this early?

00:05:59:21 - 00:06:30:16
Unknown
So first and foremost, I think the biggest thing is where these winters typically are, where these winter orders typically drop are in very highly preferred locations. So they're typically in California and New York. So with that being said, we know the current demand and our where we are currently are with open orders. Right. So ICU, tele, PSU, med surge, there is not as much in certain pockets in.

00:06:30:16 - 00:07:00:02
Unknown
This really gives you that in really making sure that it allows you to have first dibs on your shift preference. Right? So first dibs on shift preferences, which is huge, especially if you're a day shift nurse and, you're very location specific, right? So you have that shift preference. You also have the ability to select one of the three holidays.

00:07:00:02 - 00:07:32:07
Unknown
So you get a preference on your holidays. Why it so and then see that's nice. That's actually really important. I kind of want to stay there for a second because for me, like when I take an assignment during the holidays season, that's a no go. You are going in there knowing that you are working those those holidays. So a lot of a lot of nick nurses, they'll do the contracts from maybe work over Thanksgiving, ended a few days before Christmas, and then pick back up again over New Year's because you don't have that option.

00:07:32:07 - 00:07:57:18
Unknown
So that that's actually really a that's really amazing and interesting and important to highlight. I feel and I'm sure you have a complete different lens, but I will say a lot of clinicians do like that where they can they can end at one time and start back in January, and that's perfect for some. But for those that really feel that they still want to work, they do have the ability to have first dibs.

00:07:57:20 - 00:08:39:21
Unknown
And we typically can like approve five days within the contract. So once again, you get first dibs on what time you want off during the holiday season. So you get that shift preference, you get the location preference. And then in some locations are also able to do 26 week contracts rather than 13 week contracts. So for housing, for all of those other details that all of you guys have to like, nail down to make these travel contracts work for you and what's best for you guys that six months is can be really helpful as well.

00:08:39:23 - 00:08:59:18
Unknown
For but just helps you plan all the way across the new year. And I know we this is like a sensitive thing to talk about, but like with with pay, obviously these contracts during this time tend to bring a little bit higher rate than it would in in an off season, let's say 26 weeks versus 13 is a big deal.

00:08:59:18 - 00:09:20:07
Unknown
Like that's you know, that's kind of locking you in and or you know, obviously changes can sometimes happen. But like that's that's a pretty amazing thing, you know, because sometimes for me personally you can be during a peak season, you're like, oh, I'm going to extend and your rate drops because there's no longer that, you know, you're not in that critical need portion.

00:09:20:07 - 00:09:41:13
Unknown
So, you know, I think that that's a really that's a really cool thing too. The 26 weeks versus the 13 I agree, I agree. And even if you wanted to do like different locations, right. So if you wanted to do 13 weeks in Southern California and 13 weeks in New York, you can do that. Or if you want to do southern or northern.

00:09:41:13 - 00:10:03:09
Unknown
So you have a lot of options and you can really like plan ahead. Even if you don't want to do the exact winter season, you can even already start planning for January. So you have a ton of flexibility. But the thing about these winter orders, and I think the most important thing is once we fill them, we don't really have pockets of more of them popping up.

00:10:03:11 - 00:10:34:01
Unknown
So the urgency on getting into when they're hot and nail is critical. So once they still we don't have the ability to really do it later. So you're thinking, okay, why am I planning so far in advance? Well, if you don't plan really far in advance, the opportunity is not there. So that's the biggest selling point, right? That if you don't get in it, you can kind of wean yourself out of that opportunity unintentionally.

00:10:34:01 - 00:10:59:04
Unknown
Just not getting behind the idea of, oh, this is so far in advance, but let me get in sooner rather than later. Yeah, that that's actually kind of crazy that, you know, that they, they feel like. And how fast do they feel like what when you say they, they feel fast, you know, like is that, you know, there are some that are gone the minute they hit the passport or, you know, they they don't even make it to passport, you know.

00:10:59:04 - 00:11:20:17
Unknown
So are we talking like things move that quickly. Move that quickly. So they do move that quickly. I love that you said passport. Passport is like my best friend. So I absolutely love that you said I thought I knew you are new. You are as well on the tech side on that tech side of that passport.

00:11:20:19 - 00:12:04:18
Unknown
Right. But yeah. So a few things, right. Passport is definitely your best friend through this as well. And I'm going to hone in on that because you said it. Yes. Get everything. Get your stuff loaded on passport. Have your profile ready. Set. Good to go in passport order preferences what location you're wanting to go into. Because what ends up happening on that speed is once they get uploaded, everyone who has those order preferences are automatically being submitted alongside with all of our recruiters simultaneously is submitting clinicians.

00:12:04:18 - 00:12:46:18
Unknown
So really it is dependent on the specialty on how quickly we can fill. But a lot of them are same day, a lot of them are within a week. And there are bulk bulk orders. So there are hundreds of orders being uploaded and hundreds of orders being filled simultaneously. So that urgency to one have everything updated on your passport is going to be kind of like your recipe and you're in and then alongside what that really strong relationship with your recruiter letting them know, yeah, how open you are to location.

00:12:46:18 - 00:13:13:19
Unknown
Right. So if location A is your first choice and you want to go to San Diego and then San Diego fills and what's next, is it LA? Is it fun? Hannah. Is it in New York City? Where is it? Right. So those order preference will help. But that relationship with their recruiter is also critical in making sure that you want.

00:13:13:21 - 00:13:39:22
Unknown
Yeah, that's true. And, you know, going back this is something before we get into that recruiter relationship because I mean, that is like that's that's your bread and butter. Yes, I love that. It's like what I can drill into everyone till I'm blue in the face. But you know, something that's been trending with a lot of the conversations I've been having, this year already is, you know, having the passport ready to go and and it, you know, it's so easy.

00:13:39:22 - 00:14:11:04
Unknown
You literally can have everything done. Your skill checklist, make sure that's up to date. You get notifications. I mean, I can speak personally, you know, if if I've been on an assignment for a while or, you know, took took a break that needs to be refreshed and you're getting the, notifications on the passport itself. So if you just make it like a mental note, make that like your weekly check in to make sure that all your stuff's ready to go, because that auto submission can really help.

00:14:11:04 - 00:14:26:07
Unknown
I mean, these orders are a little different. I think we to when we when we first talked about this, the recruiter relationship is number one with these orders. I, I hearing that that is my take on it. But also with any other thing the auto submissions, you know, you want to be able to not miss out on these jobs.

00:14:26:07 - 00:14:46:22
Unknown
So, you know, I think that that I just wanted to circle back to that because it is something that, you know, really makes a difference when we're getting the jobs and it's so competitive. I know personally it's really competitive. And I'm sure with how you've described this, there is the urgency, there's the excitement, and there's that. Like quick response that is needed.

00:14:46:22 - 00:15:09:14
Unknown
So having that up to date, I think I can, you know, just keep hammering that because it it does make a huge difference. Absolutely. I agree and I mean the goal is for it to make your life easier, right? I think that's the biggest thing with passport. Like it's really quick. It's at your hand at all times. It takes seconds to update your skills checklist once it's done.

00:15:09:14 - 00:15:37:18
Unknown
It's so quick. The order preferences, it's very intuitive right. So and it it really if that is up to date you're setting yourself up for a win. And then yeah. So of course that recruiter relationship that we will absolutely speak to is going to be critical. And I feel like once again, like just what we were talking about, just as you guys and all of the nurses are excited, the recruiters are equally just excited.

00:15:37:18 - 00:16:03:06
Unknown
So that's what kind of makes us so much fun. Going into the winter season, is that there is that excitement and that buzz, because when things go quickly, there's like a little bit of that FOMO. No one wants to miss out on anything. The recruiter doesn't want to miss out. The clinician doesn't want to miss out. The recruiter doesn't want to drop the ball right and need it.

00:16:03:06 - 00:16:26:16
Unknown
And so that's where like that partnership passport, because our recruiters do have multiple things that they are responsible for. Kind of is like the best tag team that you can get to get yourself into the door. Yeah, yeah. We'll let you know what. Let's talk about that recruiter relationship since we both love it so much. You know, like you, you obviously this is your pride and joy as well.

00:16:26:16 - 00:17:02:23
Unknown
But you know what is specifically with these type of orders? Why does that relationship matter so much in the recruiter relationship? I think, I think it's critical. Right. So for, for a multitude of reasons. One, sometimes they get more insight and they get insight prior to everyone else, right? Prior to going on passport peak to make sure they are know they're educated, they know exactly what they're speaking to when those winter orders do drop into our system.

00:17:03:01 - 00:17:26:16
Unknown
So when you're able to have that relationship, they will know your preferences. That's the goal, right? When they're going to tell you exactly what needs to be updated. What is your skills checklist out to date? Do you need to do a new vibe to you? Whatever is needed for you to go in, they know and they will let you know what is going to be the best way to set yourself up for success.

00:17:26:16 - 00:17:29:06
Unknown
When those winter orders do drop,

00:17:29:06 - 00:17:43:23
Unknown
That's a good point because I you know, when I talk about the nurse recruiter relationship, I think about like, you know, just having that, you know, that bond, that friendship. But being ahead of the game too is is nice to know that they know that stuff to be like, hey, friendly reminder.

00:17:43:23 - 00:18:11:15
Unknown
Like that's that's a good thing to highlight because I didn't even I didn't even think about that in this. Like when when I was like, excited to talk about this conversation. It wasn't I didn't think about that as having even before these orders drop, knowing that they're coming, you know, even before they see them, but knowing that they're coming, you know, reaching out or like, you know, just having that open line of communication that, you know, hey, get this stuff ready because when these do drop, it's going to go fast.

00:18:11:15 - 00:18:33:11
Unknown
I like that point. Yeah. And I think and it also goes back to like what's most important to you is that that day shift, is it the night shift. Is it an evening. Are you going to be flexible to the shift if we are able to get the location that you want. So without that recruiter relationship, you don't really get all of those details.

00:18:33:11 - 00:18:52:18
Unknown
And so I think once again it's not a two way street. You need to let them know what are your wants, what are your needs. What are you going to be flexible on? What are your non-negotiables? Do you have a wedding in the middle of the holiday season that you absolutely have to go to? And they're going to be your advocate, so they're going to advocate for you.

00:18:52:18 - 00:19:18:09
Unknown
The moment that those orders drop in, and they will advocate for you and let you know, hey, you know what? Ann is interested in this location, but if we don't have that, we have X, Y, and Z. She's open to this. And it allows it really does allow for the recruiter to curate kind of what are your next steps for that remainder of the year and opening you into the new year?

00:19:18:09 - 00:19:51:09
Unknown
We want to have you guys start fresh as well, and then a great place. So it's not only that relationship piece, but it's all of your preferences of what's important to you so that we can make that happen. Our goal is always to make that happen in one way, shape or form. But our relationship is so important when the fact that they know, even because I didn't know this till I asked you that, that question is like the recruiters do have a little bit more of an edge compared to when it drops on passport.

00:19:51:09 - 00:20:16:17
Unknown
There is that little delay. I don't know what that delay is, but knowing that that that is the case, that should push that conversation and we say relationship. And I think that that can be, you know, interpreted a few different ways. But, you know, when I think about my recruiter, I there's transparency, right? Like there's not there's no reason to withhold information from like from the recruiter.

00:20:16:17 - 00:20:45:03
Unknown
Like you should know they're here to work with us, not against us, you know. So it's like, hey, I actually I can't do this because I have yeah, I have jury duty or I have a court date, you know, like, even, like things that can be a little personal, you know, that could happen. Whatever. I mean, I don't know why I pulled that out of my my hat, but you could, like it's a personal thing that people may feel, oh, I shouldn't share this, but the transparency from both sides, I think, is what really cultivates that trusting relationship.

00:20:45:08 - 00:21:26:23
Unknown
And that's how I kind of approach this is like, you have to be able to trust each other and respect one another so that, you know, we can fill the hospital needs. Number one, why we're here right. And, you know, also get get me the job that I really I really want and I think a part of that also is really making sure once again, like once our relationship is built, it allows the recruiter to have a little bit of autonomy going in to move quickly and to get you what you want without that knowledge, you're like touching base back and forth in the middle of it.

00:21:27:01 - 00:21:51:17
Unknown
And then it might not set you up for success, but when you allow that relationship to really form, on a business level and a little bit personal, right, like you kind of want to be friends with your recruiter. So you want to tell them the things that are going on so that they have your best interest in mind when these things do pop up.

00:21:51:19 - 00:22:19:10
Unknown
And that transparency is critical, right? So if it's the skill set, may not you may want a location, but based on skill set that may not be a great fit. So we may have to redirect you to another location. And it's just nice to have a lot of that information up front so that when everything comes through, you already have a solid gameplay, and you're feeling confident that you're going to be able to move forward and get exactly what you're looking for.

00:22:19:10 - 00:22:40:07
Unknown
So I think on both ends and hopefully the goal with that is that the clinician also feels really comfortable that when the recruiter presents a job, it's exactly what they want. And if not, they know that there has to be a reason why, right? Like I may not be exactly yet, but we've done x, Y and Z up to this point.

00:22:40:09 - 00:22:56:08
Unknown
So yeah, I've had that like that for me. You know, I bring it back to me because that's the only thing I can relate it to. But, you know, I can get a text from my recruiter that's like, hey, I know this isn't like really what we've talked about, but I think this might be a really good opportunity.

00:22:56:13 - 00:23:15:23
Unknown
And to be honest, I took a job because of that. I didn't want to go to this place, but it was an amazing opportunity and, you know, it definitely is something that I'm going to remember forever. So I personally like to just take that risk and just knowing knowing what's important. And, you know, at the end of the day, sometimes it is a high pay rate.

00:23:16:00 - 00:23:38:09
Unknown
You know, as much as you know, that is people get, you know, whatever ruffles feathers when we talk about pay. But it's like sometimes that is the driving factor in filling, filling a hard to fill location or whatever it may be. And I'm so happy I did it because I had an amazing experience, and I've talked about it on on this podcast, and I met some amazing people.

00:23:38:09 - 00:24:00:20
Unknown
So, you know, just like you said, coming into it being like, hey, I know this might not be what we talked about, but this is it could be a really good opportunity for you. You know, it's like that big, big brother, big sister looking out for you, right? Yeah. I love that. We call them. Call me crazy because we're like, we know, we know you don't necessarily want this, but we think it's going to be a really great fit for you.

00:24:00:22 - 00:24:23:04
Unknown
But yes, like if you didn't have that relationship, that probably wouldn't have been the case, right? And then once again, that's totally like the goal of that cultivation. And that relationship is so that you can hopefully get a new experience that you'll remember for a lifetime. She and she knew that the did in my case, it was going to be filled like really quick.

00:24:23:04 - 00:24:42:05
Unknown
So she's like totally already submitted you. But we can always. And I was like no, no, keep it. So I like the recruiter. I realized, you know she's she's on it. She's had she's had some experience. So yeah it's it was it was just nice and I am I will literally never forget that phone call I was walking out of my current job.

00:24:42:06 - 00:24:57:20
Unknown
And or maybe I don't know why. It was like a midday weird thing. Maybe I did, like a partial shift and she calls me and she's like, hey, I just did this. And I'm like, oh no, I know what it was. I got pulled to another hospital. I had to go to one of the sister hospitals where I was, so I was in my car and she calls me.

00:24:57:20 - 00:25:10:00
Unknown
She's like, you know, or text me, you need to answer my phone call now. And I'm like, okay. So I answer, you know, she calls me an answer and she's like, so I did X, Y, and Z, and I'm in the car and she's like, do you have any friends that want to come with you? I'm like, yes, I'll send them your way, you know?

00:25:10:00 - 00:25:31:08
Unknown
So it was just like a and when we talk about excitement, this is like the same opportunity, right. Like my, my things are not maybe these winter orders but like from majority of the travel nurse population, these are, these are the bread and butter. This is what people want. And this is the excitement and my scenario like I it was exciting and I remembered it.

00:25:31:08 - 00:25:47:22
Unknown
So you know I'm driving mid shift to the other hospital. I just took a job somewhere that I never wanted to go, but it's like great, you know, and it's just like fun. And, you know, it just was it was cool. So I just thought I'd share that little story. I love it. I appreciate the confidence in your career.

00:25:47:22 - 00:26:05:03
Unknown
Like, let's go because we have conversations relationship. Yeah you do. And like at the end of the day she'll be like, I'm closing out my day. Just want to catch up. Let's chat. You know, and it's it is a friendship at the end of the day. So it's it's nice to have that. And it feels good to have someone in your corner.

00:26:05:05 - 00:26:27:09
Unknown
And I think everyone would want to feel that way. So it's a two way street, like you said. But if you both put in the work, this could really set any everybody up for success, especially with these winter orders. Absolutely. And I think just and all, I'll tap into something that you cited. You briefly said it because I know we kind of stay away from that a little bit.

00:26:27:11 - 00:26:54:05
Unknown
Right. So we'll talk a little bit about that. Just really thinking about that. Right? Pierce. Right. That's also part of that relationship. So what is what is that amount that you are willing to move forward with and you're not willing to move for work, right. And what's that true. Non-negotiable. So yes, of course, I would love to make an X amount of money every single week.

00:26:54:06 - 00:27:23:14
Unknown
But is it realistic right now? Right. So of course I would love that. If we can make it happen, we will make that happen. But typically and historically, what we have seen is there may be a little bit of an uptick of an increase during winter. And sometimes that is the case and sometimes it is if it's over above market value and it is the highest in the nation, we may not see that huge uptick.

00:27:23:16 - 00:27:47:10
Unknown
But regardless, they usually are still very competitive rates. So they're very competitive. And to lock yourself in, you kind of want to get there in the beginning to really make sure that you got what you're looking for. And I know the money thing, we kind of try and keep it off the table a little bit, but it's a big driver for a lot of nurses.

00:27:47:10 - 00:28:07:14
Unknown
It is a reality. You and I can absolutely not ignore that. But with these they're always very competitive rates, which is usually music top sellers as well. Yeah. Yeah. And something we didn't I don't think we talked about this. I know we spoke when we initially spoke about it, but there's a change that you're seeing this year a little bit.

00:28:07:14 - 00:28:33:12
Unknown
Right. Like things are happening that you didn't necessarily see years prior, which could, which could help with even getting you into these winter, winter orders sooner. Yeah, absolutely. So we have seen in years prior, there was there was essentially a few months of that gap, that summer gap that you kind of were speaking to and alluded to earlier on.

00:28:33:14 - 00:29:03:07
Unknown
There's like that summer gap where clinicians want to take the summer off. But what we are seeing as we are starting to see consistency, so we're seeing pockets of consistency across we're anticipating some August September start dates, which in years past that wasn't necessarily the case. So if I was a traveler and I really wanted to get my foot in the door and the location, that was really something that was important to me.

00:29:03:09 - 00:29:29:23
Unknown
If I can get there and August, September and then just extend through the winter season, I would absolutely do so. And typically because I write pieces like, okay, so what's in it for me if I start in August, September, am I locked into a lower rate? And if it does increase, can I get that right? So historically it's a huge question and it's very valid.

00:29:30:01 - 00:29:58:10
Unknown
Yeah. And the great news is that historically we have always seen like 9.9 times out of ten, we have always seen an uptick. And that pay rate. And if it does go up, it usually impacts all of our travelers on assignment that are eligible. So we definitely take that into consideration. If we're capable of making the change, we absolutely will make the change.

00:29:58:10 - 00:30:20:22
Unknown
The client usually does what's right for everyone. And they usually do right if there is a reason where it doesn't. And we'll, we'll talk through that. But nine times out of ten, you're going to see that impact of the rate increase after a certain date. So it might be August. September rates may increase in October. Right.

00:30:20:22 - 00:30:52:11
Unknown
Hypothetically speaking then your rate would increase on that October date. And we usually get communication out well in advance. So that our clinicians are well aware and our recruiters are, like we said before, they got a heads up also. So they'll be having those conversations to and I think, you know, when I said we take summers off, it kind of is like that is one of the perks of travel nursing is we work hard through the winter and like the cold seasons, and then it's summertime and we want that time off.

00:30:52:13 - 00:31:16:19
Unknown
But, you know, that's really in most places. July is like the really like heavy month that people just want to be off. You know, with the holiday and everything else. But if you I just thought of this like if you if you're listening to this right now and you're like, I want to be in this place, this is where I want to be you obviously there's a want to be in that location.

00:31:16:19 - 00:31:41:15
Unknown
So starting in August, September in a big picture is actually not a big sacrifice of your summer. You know, you if you if you decided to take summer off. So if you want to get to those places, the ability to have an earlier start date that's going to be a little less competitive because people aren't going to be, you know, really wanting to end their summer are they know, though, I'm going to start work after Labor Day.

00:31:41:15 - 00:31:59:14
Unknown
You know, usually that's what I've heard from from other nurses. So, you know, if you're willing to kind of get in there sooner, that's going to really set you up for success. And, you know, it's if you like the place you're going, what what does it matter spending, spending the last month of summer there. Right. Absolutely. I kind of agree with you more.

00:31:59:14 - 00:32:28:08
Unknown
It does. It kind of gives you that shoe and. Right. And I mean, when thinking of where a lot of these orders are at, it's usually in New York, it's usually in California, both really great locations to spend your summer. I think. So there's so I think they're really desirable locations. So absolutely agreed. If you can start a little bit earlier, we're not thinking June.

00:32:28:08 - 00:32:53:23
Unknown
Right. So we're not thinking the midst of summer. You still get your summer is still up July start in August. But it definitely gives you that shoe in when those orders job, you already have that relationship built in with that nurse manager. You already have your shift. You probably, if you start in August, September, we'll have those holiday dates off earlier on.

00:32:53:23 - 00:33:16:06
Unknown
So there's a lot of benefit and upside to it. Yeah. And you know and we're having this conversation in summer. So obviously those winter orders are coming in and you know but the next few weeks yeah yeah. So being on the assignment already because you're going to sign your contract for an August date far before these orders drop.

00:33:16:08 - 00:33:37:01
Unknown
Right. So you're going to be there knowing that these are going to these are going to happen and you're going to be solidified. And you can plan your whole winter at that point, you know, because if you have the option for those 26 weeks, if it is at one of those locations, you're set, which is, you know, having a travel nursing is fun, but there is a stress element to it.

00:33:37:01 - 00:33:57:21
Unknown
Obviously. It's like, what am I going to do? Am I going to get the job eliminating the potential of having that big stress is huge. So it's so funny. I know we initially had this conversation. I'm like, I'm excited and this doesn't even affect me. Like, I know I want to circle back and have or like have someone.

00:33:57:21 - 00:34:19:12
Unknown
This is the goal. I'm going to have someone that like, did everything that we told them to do and then come back and, and I want to interview them and I want to hear how this paid off for them, because I want to share that excitement, because this is really cool. Like, travel nursing is fun because it you there is that like that, like adrenaline aspect of it that it's like, oh my gosh, this job.

00:34:19:16 - 00:34:38:21
Unknown
Like sometimes I'm like, I can't even text my recruiter fast enough because I just found this job that I really want, you know? So there is that there's always that adrenaline that comes with it. And this just seems like it like bumps it up like ten more levels so tightly it does. I mean, I think even for all of us, like, winter season is crazy for us.

00:34:38:23 - 00:34:59:18
Unknown
And it is that adrenaline. We know a tactic. We know it's busy. We know sometimes what that excitement is. You're like, oh, okay, I'm stressed about it. I have to get your credentialing done. You got to do X, Y, and Z, all of these things. And hopefully passport helps with our credentialing piece as well. But it helps a ton.

00:34:59:20 - 00:35:30:03
Unknown
But truly it it is it it is excitement. It's there is a buzz behind it. And ultimately I and we've talked about this before I take that patient care. Right. So winter season it is the busiest time for a lot of these hospitals. So you're also going in to support their busiest time of the year. So there's also that reward and that itself that, you know, you're going in.

00:35:30:03 - 00:35:51:07
Unknown
These jobs are critical. They're going to be busy. You're going to be there, you're going to be busy. A lot of these locations that we do have winter orders for are very traveler friendly. So they are very used to having travelers on assignment. So you, you kind of find a home for the winter and that's also nice as well.

00:35:51:07 - 00:36:14:05
Unknown
But it's exciting for all of us. Yeah, yeah, it you know, I just like my mind's got you're telling this story. And I was like, thinking, you know, this kind of did affect me. Especially like post-Covid in the pedes world, RSV was terrible. Terrible because because no one went outside. So RSV just became this, like, you know, superbug for a while.

00:36:14:05 - 00:36:33:20
Unknown
And it was like, why are these NICU contracts coming up? And it was like, because we can get floated to pedes and take care of the the one year olds up to one year old. And it benefited for me. So like my beso, my brain was like going in a circle. But it's like, you know, you're able to be there in care for these sickest times of the year.

00:36:33:20 - 00:36:52:22
Unknown
And, you know, as nurses, we want to be doing good things. That's why we're here. That's what we're what we're doing. And, you know, it's it's nice to be a part of that. And, you know, like you said, you've you found your home for winter, you found your family over the holidays because you're going to probably be separated with, you know, from them it's part of a part of this world sometimes.

00:36:52:22 - 00:37:18:15
Unknown
So it is it is nice to get in and, you know, create those relationships and have those people that can be with you during the holidays, which I think is another special little cherry on top for that. So, this has been wonderful. I think that all of this information is good. I think this is in if you're listening to this and you're not excited, then I don't know what to tell you because this has been a very exciting conversation, even from someone that this doesn't even really impact.

00:37:18:17 - 00:37:38:11
Unknown
But what you know, what is the biggest piece of advice you could give to someone that's like, wait, I'm excited? Like, what do I need to do? You know, because we're going to be listening to this, right? When these orders are about to drop. So what would what would your piece of advice be for someone? Download passport. So download passport.

00:37:38:13 - 00:38:11:03
Unknown
Make sure that is on your phone. Make sure that also in conjunction with that passport, you have a very solid relationship with your recruiter. Those two would be the biggest things. And then have everything on that passport app up to date. So your skills checklist, your social security number, your data birth that by auto offer that by that virtual interview that can get you an offer very quickly like within 20 30 minutes.

00:38:11:03 - 00:38:47:00
Unknown
Sometimes. So really making sure that you're able to have everything on file up to date, but also letting your recruiter know exactly what you're looking for, give them all of those updates for what are your preferences and what are your non-negotiables to right like we need to know at all. So I think those would be the two things is and make sure your, your recruiter knows exactly what you're looking for and having everything up to date and then apply now, right?

00:38:47:00 - 00:39:12:01
Unknown
Like if you're not in the system or a part of an already and you're not in it of why now? Because the orders are coming. If they're not already here, like they're coming over here. So you don't want to miss out on that whatsoever. Once again, like once the orders fell, they fell. So you want to make sure that everything is just set up on your profile.

00:39:12:01 - 00:39:32:11
Unknown
That's really going to represent you to the best of your ability. So we want to make sure you are having everything up to date so we can show a very strong candidate profile to our clients as well when we are getting flooded with files. So what what's going to set you up for success would be that. Yeah, be ahead of the game.

00:39:32:16 - 00:39:56:22
Unknown
Yeah. You know, be ready to go. Be on the sidelines ready to you know coach put me in the air I agree. That's exactly coach put me in is what you need to succeed. Yes absolutely. But yeah, it's it's such a fun time. We're really, like, really looking forward to what we've already been talking about it. So we talk about it well in advance.

00:39:57:00 - 00:40:15:10
Unknown
We plan for it well in advance. So it's it's definitely something big for us and hopefully for everyone else. That's a part of it as well. Yes, yes. And thank you so much. And honestly what I said earlier, I want to get someone who listened to this took took your advice and went through this. And we're going to circle back.

00:40:15:10 - 00:40:35:20
Unknown
So someone listening reach out because I want to know how this looks for you and how and how your journey looked over the winter winter season. Because it's it's it's exciting to me and I want to see a result. Great. I would love to see multiple results. So there's a lot of hand raisers. I am all for that as well.

00:40:35:22 - 00:40:58:13
Unknown
We can hook you up with a really great recruiter. But yeah, I would love a hand raised. I would love to see someone go through the full cycle and just have a incredible experience. Yeah, well, more more to come. 2027 will hit you up. So. Yeah. Perfect. So great day. It's like six months out I know five months out.

00:40:58:13 - 00:41:13:02
Unknown
How are how are we here. But we are here and ready for it. So yeah. Really. Well thank you so much. This is this is a great episode and I think I think this is going to show people and teach them things that they didn't know. So I'm really excited and things are coming back. It's always a pleasure.

00:41:13:08 - 00:41:15:05
Unknown
It's always a pleasure. Thank you.

00:41:15:05 - 00:41:55:04
Unknown
Thank you for tuning in to Nursing Uncharted. You can learn more about this episode and our show on our website at amnhealthcare.com. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and subscribe to our show on your favorite podcast platform. You can also find show updates and nursing opportunities on our Instagram @amnnurse. Special thanks to AMN Healthcare for making this show possible.