The ability to travel is one major benefit associated with Locums, despite normal transportation hassles. Proper preparation, however, can help you easily navigate any airport.
Locum Tenens work is unique in the fact that it allows participants to travel to new and exciting destinations. While most individuals only get a few weeks of vacation time per year, Locums workers actually get paid to travel year round. While this traveling comes with many benefits, it also comes with typical hassles, such as navigating airport security. Fortunately, there are many easy steps that Locums workers can take to avoid unnecessary traveling troubles.
The Benefits of Traveling for Work
There is a reason why “travel more” is such a popular New Years resolution; traveling is exciting, educational, rewarding, and relaxing. If you have the opportunity to travel often, such as for work assignments, you may experience the following benefits:
- Meet new friends and colleagues: Positive social interactions have been found to improve overall health. Traveling will expand your ability to build bonds with individuals regardless of physical location. Additionally, the more relationships you make, the greater your ability to network, which will help you advance your career.
- Expand your worldview: The more people you meet and the more places you work, the more knowledge you will gain. With this knowledge, you can be an informed citizen.
- Appreciate home more: Seeing how others live can make you appreciate your own life more. Simply put, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- Be more adventurous: With new locations come new sights to see, new foods to try, and new people to meet. You may experience something you never thought you would before.
- See how other organizations function: By working in a variety of healthcare organizations, you will see what works, or doesn’t work, for each. This experience is invaluable to each facility you work for.
While traveling for business comes with many benefits, one potential downside is the difficulty of dealing with airports, especially during times of heightened security. Fortunately, there are many tips that these individuals can follow to make flights annoyance-free.
Traveling Tips for Locums Workers
While not all Locums workers travel by air, the following tips will help those who fly to avoid any relocation-related hiccups.
- Arrive Early: It is recommended that travelers arrive at the airport two hours before any domestic flight. Typically, this will allow you to get to the boarding gate within 30 minutes of the flight, as suggested by most airlines.
- Check for Delays: Most airlines provide multiple avenues for passengers to check for travel delays. You can check on their website, social media pages, or by phone. Many even offer flight status updates via text or email.
- Sign up for TSA Pre–check: The TSA offers Pre-Check to qualifying, low-risk passengers. With this service, you will be able to keep your “shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets” right where they are…no need to remove them during the security check.
- Travel Light and Right: It is important that all airport travelers are aware of the rules regarding what they can and cannot bring on a plane. For liquid or gel items like toiletries, they typically must be stored within a quart size bag, among other requirements. If your assignment is of shorter duration, it may also behoove you to pack light, this way you can avoid lugging heavy bags as you travel. In some instances, you may also be able to avoid checking a bag at all.
- Don’t Travel on Busy Days: Holidays or school vacation weeks are typically the busiest times at airports. Avoid traveling during these times, if possible. If it is not possible, make sure that you arrive at the airport extra early to avoid missing your flight.
- Talk to Your Recruiter: Your Locums recruiting agency will work with you to arrange any and all travel plans. These individuals will also help you avoid delays during the relocation process.
Working Locum Tenens provides excellent benefits to those doctors, nurses, and PAs who choose to participate in this exciting field. To join, contact Medstaff National Medical Staffing.