Now that we have all settled into a new “normal” almost a year into the pandemic, it seems as if travel nurses are getting back into a sort of rhythm. Whether you are hustling from one crisis job to the next or avoiding them like the plague (no judgment either way) if you are a seasoned travel nurse you have likely figured out how to juggle the new challenges that have come with the last year of changes in the medical field.

As travel nurses, we rely heavily on technology to make our jobs easier. We often don’t have the ability to sit down at a computer to do all of the research for each new assignment, and in the last couple of years, companies have risen to the challenge of creating apps that support travelers’ needs from the convenience of their phones. Here are a few of the best new apps for travel nurses. 

1. StaffDNA App

This app is fantastic because it allows you to browse travel nursing jobs without having to register with any recruiters. The StaffDNA App launched in 2020 and has taken off. You can even see pay breakdown, job locations, and estimated weekly take home for each position.

The other huge benefit to this is you can sidestep waiting on recruiters. With the app, you can have complete control over what jobs you want to see and submit to, and even have the option to see details such as scrub colors required at each facility. It truly is remarkable how much information this app puts in the traveler’s hand. 

2. MedVenture

On a different side of the travel nurse spectrum is the MedVenture app. Founded by two veteran travel nurses, MedVenture set out to innovate how travel nurses connect and socialize. Featured in CNN Travel, this app helps you connect and meet up with travel nurses local to your contract, and also allows you to give feedback about cities and facilities. 

3. Furnished Finder

Furnished Finder is a short term housing platform that specializes in furnished rentals. The website is great for travel nurses because there are no booking fees or taxes charged directly to the traveler. You can simply connect with landlords, see upfront pricing, and reach out via email or directly on their app.

While in the past, you would have to reach out via your personal phone number or email, the app can allow you to keep a bit of anonymity until you feel comfortable with a potential landlord. And since Furnished Finder does not collect booking fees, when the time comes and you would like to share your email or phone number, you don’t need to worry about the app editing out that information.

4. Kamana

Kamana is another app founded by travelers that takes a lot of the back end work off a travel nurse’s plate. This app helps you keep track of all of your credentialing paperwork, licenses, and certifications. Rather than searching through old emails or sifting through your Google drive (or worse–carrying around a ton of paper), you can upload everything to their platform and keep it safe there. Plus, you can simply send your Kamana profile over to any recruiter who may need your information. And they send handy reminders when it is time to renew licenses!

5. MedBridge Education

If you hate keeping up with CEUs or finding courses that fit your needs, MedBridge is an extremely helpful tool. This is a subscription-based CEU platform that gives you unlimited access to education. Even if you don’t need CEUs, this app is a great tool to refresh skills you may not have used in a while. 

6. Keener App

Bridging the gap between mental health support and nurses, Keener was designed to help nurses both connect and release any negative feelings they are having. The app includes everything from shift reflections, to self-care tips, and even videos of real nurses sharing their stories so you feel less alone after a stressful shift. 

7. ShiftLife Organizer

With changing shifts and sometimes even rotating schedules, it can be hard to keep track of your schedule as a travel nurse. This app helps you track not only your shifts but can also help you anticipate how much you can expect each check. This is a handy tool, especially if you like to work overtime and have varying check amounts each week. 

Being on the cutting edge of technology certainly isn’t a requirement as a travel nurse, but it can definitely make your life easier. Not only do apps help you access information faster, but using them to the network can also be hugely beneficial. The more people you know in the travel nurse industry, the more options will become available to you and your opportunities will grow from there. 

Alex McCoy currently works as a pediatric travel nurse. She has a passion for health and fitness, which led her to start Fit Travel Life in 2016. She travels with her husband, their cat, Autumn and their dog, Summer. She enjoys hiking, lifting weights, and trying the best local coffee and wine.