Do you have spring fever yet?

Every year around this time, I start to get tired of the cold and snow of Omaha, NE. Throughout the months of October to February, I visit with a lot of travelers who want to go south for the winter to get out of the cold. Luckily, many of you have that wonderful option. Now that January is quickly coming to a close, it’s time to start thinking about where you’ll be heading to get out of the heat this spring and summer. I know it feels like those warmer months are a long time from now, but trust me; they will be here before you know it!

How can you prepare for your next change of pace? Getting out of the heat for the summer is often a big selling point among travelers taking a spring/summer assignment. My suggestion is to look at locations with lower temperatures and lots of fun outdoor activities. Some examples are Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Maine. Not only do these locations typically have great pay rates, but getting licensure for those states can be pretty easy compared to some!

If you’re someone with a compact/multi-state license, you have a lot of travel options and need fewer licenses. But, some locations do require some planning. For example, Washington and Massachusetts don’t always require that you have the license in order for a facility to look at your profile, but it can definitely help push you to the front if you already have it. On the other hand, Michigan almost always requires that you have the state license in-hand before a facility will even consider you for an assignment.

I suggest letting your recruiter know which locations you are most interested in for the upcoming seasons – sooner rather than later. Even if it is months in advance, they will be able to advise you on current travel trends, where you can get the best pay package, how long licensure has been taking most recently, and where you can have the most fun in the sun!

Brooke Alstrom joined Aureus Medical Group in May 2013. She works as a Team Lead in the Nursing Recruitment division.  In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog, trying new restaurants, going to concerts and other events, completing DIY projects, and traveling.