Nursing Credentials – Taming The Monster – By Kay Slane

You are all excited about your new travel nursing assignment, and then you get an email from your recruiter that is a mile-long list of nursing credentials that she must have before you can officially start your assignment. Welcome to the real world of travel nursing!

Nursing credentials are the most painful parts of getting a new travel assignment. I guarantee that as soon as you think that you have it all figured out, your recruiter or QA person will come up with just a few more nursing credentials you’re missing! Newbies are always caught off guard; but after reading this, the shock should be less.

One of the first things that first-time travelers have to remember is that different hospitals have different mandatory tests that have to be done. And yes, it amazes me how everyone is doing what is called for by The Joint Commission; but there is always some little thing that is different.

As a 15-year seasoned traveler, I definitely feel overwhelmed during this time, but I do understand that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. This article was written for all of the newbies who go through all the credentialing process feeling blindsided by the system.

I have done everything from 2 step ppds to getting records going back 7 years for the ppd. One of my friends had to photocopy and send the hospital a copy of a high school diploma. I’m telling you: some things are just plain out weird, but just about every hospital that you go to nowadays requires something new. Don’t be surprised if you must do all your MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis titers all over again if they have not been done in the last two to three years.

Here is a list of the nursing credentials that you will need before the submission:

• * Copy of Nursing License front and back together on the same page, which must be signed.
• * Copy of BLS and ACLS cards front and back together on the same page, which must be signed.
• * Copy of any additional certifications you have, such as PALS, NRP, and TNCC, front and back, together on the same page.
• * Two signed reference forms.

Here is a list of nursing credentials that you will need to provide during your week of credentialing misery:

• * Copy of your license for the state to which you are going.
• * Drug Screen, one for each assignment.
• * TDAP vaccine,
• * Annual Fit Test & Physical / Medical Release form
• * Confidentiality Agreement
• * HR Policies, Sexual Harassment Policy, and other General Guidelines
• * RN Medication Test, Basic Knowledge test by specialty, & EKG test.
• * Any special testing BKAT or PBDS which might be done in hospital orientation.
• * Other special credentials such as ENPC, TNCC, AWHONN, or NIHSS.

Arm yourself with a folder and appointment booklet! Here we go with the top seven things that you can do to make this process better.

• * Gather up all your previous titers for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis. Keep them in that folder and with you at all times.
• * Scan all your records into your computer and keep a particular folder there.
• * Send your documents immediately to your recruiter or QA person.
• * After sending in all that you have for credentialing, the QA department will send you a note back on what you are lacking.
• * Do NOT put off until tomorrow what you could do today. Get it done and out of the way.
• * Fax/email all compliance material back to the QA department and be prepared for the last-minute test that the hospital wants now.
• * Take yourself out for a big chocolate milkshake; you made it!

By having your nursing credentials together, the credentialing process will be much more comfortable, and you will impress the hospital, your company, and your recruiter on how organized that you are. Your Titanosaur dinosaur will become a Compsognathus.

Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM has been a nurse for over 26 years and a traveler for 15 years. She is the author of the number one travel nursing book on Amazon, “Highway Hypodermics: Travel Nursing 2017.” Check out her website, which provides the roadmap for today’s traveling nurse: www.highwayhypodermics.com. Her opinion on nursing credentials is incredibly researched and informed.