April 8, 2024

257760 Views

Charting Made Easy: The SOAPI Note

Posted on April 8, 2024April 8, 2024 by Marina Matsiukhova

There are several different ways to write a nursing note, but this article will focus on one of the most popular and how it is written: the SOAPI note. This article will break the SOAPI note down so you can decide if it’s a format that will work for you. As always, check with your organization to determine how they want their notes written.

You may have heard the adage in nursing school or from a co-worker: As a travel nurse, “If you didn’t chart it, it didn’t happen!” Charting takes up a large portion of your shift, especially if you do it correctly. While time-consuming, good charting is essential to providing top-notch patient care. Not only does charting provide travel nurses and doctors caring for a patient on future shifts an accurate picture of what happened on previous shifts, but it also becomes a permanent part of the patient’s medical record. It can even be used for legal purposes.

Some organizations have certain requirements for how charting must occur. Most hospitals have gone to a computerized documentation system, but you may occasionally come across an institution that still does things with pen and paper. Regardless, writing a good note at the end of your shift is essential for every patient.

SOAPI Note

The term “SOAPI” is an abbreviation of the parts of the note. These are Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, and Interventions.

Subjective

Subjective refers to things the patient can tell you, often including pain level and feelings or concerns. It can also refer to things a patient’s family members tell you.

Objective

Objective refers to the hard data you collect regarding the patient. This can include vital signs, laboratory results, observable signs and symptoms, and your physical assessment findings.

Assessment

Assessment refers to your overall interpretation of the subjective assessment. Is the patient improved since admission? Are there new issues that you are observing that need to be addressed? All of these things belong in the assessment.

Plan

The plan refers to the patient’s plan of care. How is the medical team addressing the patient’s health problems? Are there upcoming tests or blood draws? Is the patient on medications to treat a problem that you are monitoring response to? These are examples that fall under the plan.

Interventions

Interventions refer to the things we are doing for the patient. Examples of intervention can include treatments, medications, and education provided to the patient on your shift.

Below is an example of a SOAPI note:

“S –

Mr. Smith is an 88-year-old male with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. The patient is alert and oriented x 1 but pleasantly confused. He complained of shortness of breath on this shift and stated the 2 liters of oxygen made him feel better. He verbally denied pain, and his nonverbal pain score was 0. His daughter visited today and advised that he was trying to climb out of bed to go to the bathroom because of his confusion. She stated he “forgot he was in the hospital.”

O –

Today, the patient’s vital signs were as follows: BP 162/82, Pulse 64 and regular, Respirations 20 per minute, and pulse ox 98% on 2L Oxygen via nasal cannula. His lungs are diminished with scattered crackles. Bowel sounds are active; the patient had a bowel movement x 2 today, both soft. Incontinent of urine and wearing a diaper. Skin intact at this time. Skin color is pale. 2+ non-pitting edema noted in bilateral calves and ankles. BNP was greater than 20,000 today.

A –

The patient’s status is improving, and he is less short of breath than in previous days. He continues with edema. Currently, the patient is at risk for falls due to confusion and will need fall precautions enforced.

P –

Initiate fall precautions with a bed alarm/body alarm. Continue with Lasix for diuresis. Awaiting a cardiology consult tomorrow. Pt had an echocardiogram today, and the results are pending.

I –

Assessed patient and reconciled medications. Spoke with daughter, pt’s power of attorney, to provide update and education on the patient’s condition. Laboratory obtained morning labs without a problem, and vascular therapy placed a new 18g peripheral IV as the previous one was due for a change. Pt took all morning meds without a problem. Reoriented patient and provided opportunities for toileting and for making needs known every 1-2 hours today to lessen the risk of fall.”

With a good quality nursing note, such as a SOAPI note, travel nurses can make it crystal clear exactly what is going on with a patient’s care. Nursing notes are a crucial part of the patient’s medical record and provide all the information future caregivers will need to provide continuous care for patients in the healthcare setting. They are also the perfect way to wrap up your shift with confidence and ease.

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By Paula Snyder

March 20, 2022

11019 Views

How Travel Nurses Can Maintain a Healthy and Affordable Diet

Posted on March 20, 2022March 20, 2022 by Paula Snyder

Guest Post By: Paula Snyder

How Travel Nurses Can Maintain a Healthy and Affordable Diet

As a travel nurse, you know that maintaining a healthy and affordable diet is not easy. You may know all about the vacuum packed, plastic wrapped food that’s served as breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the plane. On top of poor quality, the portion sizes never seem to touch the edges, leaving you forever opening your wallet for even more overpriced bite-sized morsels. Depending on where in the globe your plane is touching down, you might also have to deal with poor quality food at your destination. However, with a bit of planning, you can make wiser food choices and keep your energy levels high for the adventure that awaits at touchdown.

It’s not uncommon to reach an exotic destination and have the desire to head to the nearest Golden Arches of McDonald’s through fear of foreign foods. I admittedly raise my hand in guilt. But it was this one time I traveled for 32 hours straight, and all I craved was my creature comforts and then to pass out in my hotel bed. However, if you’re a travel nurse or hold another important job that requires intense periods of focus, commitment, and energy, you can’t afford to make the mistake of eating poor quality food.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy and affordable diet as a travel nurse.

Research The Local Cuisine Ahead of Time

The beauty of our modern day lives is that there’s just so much information available at your fingertips. Think of all those that traveled to your destination and have already blogged about their experience in detail. Dedicated foodies will shuffle about the globe for the sole purpose of tickling their taste buds by exotic cuisine, and I think they might just be onto something.

Search for recommendations on the best restaurants and special diet options if you’re a vegetarian or vegan. As a travel RN, make the most of these moments in transit by carrying out this important research to avoid a headache later. Think about it. Even if you find just two good restaurants, you’ll be sorted for the often turbulent first few days in a new town or city. I’m sure the owners of those two restaurants will love having you as a repeat customer – breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Take Your Own Snacks

This is painstakingly obvious but often overlooked in the chaos of packing for your trip. Taking the time to plan and prepare healthy portable snacks at home and throwing into your hand luggage is the perfect way to set foot on your travels. Think of cacao energy balls, homemade muesli bars, or high protein options. Protein is the key to keeping fuller for longer and removing the temptation to buy overpriced airline food. I’ve even noticed some budget airlines charging more than eight times the price of supermarket items!

Take Your Own Supplements

While most of your nutritional needs should come from fresh, whole foods, they’re not always available when you’re on the go. While traveling, I’ve always topped up my daily intake of vitamins and minerals through supplement form. You can get your supplements at a health store or from reputable online distributors, such as Zen Spirit. Some of my staple supplements are:

Multivitamin – once a day supplement covers all bases
Vitamin C – to keep immunity in check
Chlorophyll or spirulina – supports all round glowing health and a healthy digestive system
Vitamin B Complex – especially vital if you’re a vegetarian or vegan as vitamin Bs are mostly animal derived
Matcha green tea – A powerful dose of antioxidants. I’ve even gone so far as buying empty gel capsules and filling my own on-the-go matcha supplement! You can do this with any powdered superfood.

When you’re on a travel RN assignment and you reach the end of a tiresome day, you can be confident that you’ve bumped up your mineral intake.

Find Out Where The Locals Shop

This is important, especially if you’ve traveled to a country where tourism is booming. There’s just so many tourist traps when it comes to dining out and often prices are dramatically inflated. Kick back in a local café and people watch for a bit. Try to pick up on the eating habits of the locals versus the tourists, as I guarantee you they will be vastly different.

You can even ask some locals where the fresh food markets are and prepare your own meals. This will save you mega bucks as a travel nurse, and ensure that you’re getting the freshest varieties of all the local delicacies.

You’re allowed to let some habits slide, provided your overall eating habits while traveling veer towards the healthy side. You’ll notice a huge improvement in your overall energy when you dedicate time to selecting the right nutritionally dense foods. This will set you up for a much more enjoyable time away from home on your next travel nurse assignment.

Want more information on travel nursing?

Check out our Travel Nurse Guide

By Evan Kaden

March 6, 2022

12159 Views

How Travel Nurses Find Balance

Posted on March 6, 2022March 6, 2022 by Evan Kaden

For a travel nurses, finding balance between work and exploration is a skill worth mastering.

Being a Travel Nurse starts with the art of self-care. Let’s face it, nurses are by nature the world’s nurturers. Your compassion for others is your ‘why’ for your chosen career. In order to be really good at what you do, however, you know you have to put your own metaphorical oxygen mask on before you help the passenger next to you. Adventuring can help you achieve the life balance you need.

Work from a Lifestyle of Self-Care

Adopting a philosophy of self-care first will give you the confidence to work the rest of the balancing act without compromising yourself in the process. Whether you’re home or on assignment, developing a lifestyle of self-care including a healthy diet, exercise, quiet time, and personal time to explore interests will make you a happier person and a better nurse. Self-care is the foundation of the life you create; everything springs from this single well. Only a healthy, rested, energized travel nurse can have satisfying adventures and a joy-filled career.

Travel Nurse, Know Thyself

This is where you give yourself permission to design your own life and own it. Exploring your likes and dislikes can help frame your work life. If you don’t like hot weather, then a job at a higher elevation in Panama would be a better fit than one on the coast. Maybe you can’t get enough of big city monuments and museums, or maybe off-roading the high desert revs your motor.

Does adventure mean the adrenaline surge of base jumping or dropping into a monster wave to you, or is your idea of adventure exploring a new culture or hiking through a deep forest? As a travel nurse, you have the flexibility to follow your bliss – so figure it out, own it; go there, do that.

Make a Bucket List, and Check It Twice

Let’s say you get a nursing assignment in New York City. (Who wouldn’t jump at the chance?) Sit down and make a list of all the things you dreamed of doing if you ever made it to The Big Apple. As Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind flows through your headphones, get busy on that list: the Apollo Theater in Harlem, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square; your list of urban adventures continues to grow. Let it all out. Once you finish your list, circle your top ten choices. This is the must-do content for your upcoming adventure schedule.

You’ve developed a habit of self-care, figured out the kind of environment that suits you, and explored the kinds of adventure activities that give you the emotional response you crave, be it excitement, fearlessness, accomplishment, or something else. Now it’s time to turn ideas into reality.

Insist on a Predictable Work Schedule

There are few careers, especially in helping industries, where those you serve aren’t constantly pushing against your boundaries. Responsibilities scale up, downtime gets encroached upon, clients become more particular or demanding, and everyone has an opinion about your job description. Of course, you want to play nicely and be accommodating where you can (after all, that’s kind of who you are), but your schedule is the one place you need inviolable boundaries. Even if it isn’t the schedule of your dreams, predictability is the only sure way to strike a work/adventure balance as a travel nurse.

The rest of the plan hinges on your ability to say no when you need to, so you can protect the space you’ve created for self-renewal, also known as adventure!

Use Your Adventure Tools – Books, Maps, and Apps

Lonely Planet is one of the best travel guide books you can own for nearly any region of the world. You can get them as trade books or downloadable ebooks. They’re excellent for detailed maps, local attractions, lodging, restaurants, regional planning, and travel advice. They’re also updated often. You can become fairly well-informed about an area before you ever get to your next gig.

Schedule Your Upcoming Adventures

Planning helps you get the most from your free time. On your calendar, fill in your work hours and see where you can schedule a day trip to a nearby town, a three-hour snorkel tour, or even an hour-long stroll along a boardwalk. Even if it’s only a few hours a week or a weekend a month, there’s something about formalizing your adventures by writing them out that makes them stick. Well-laid adventure plans help you make the most of your downtime, and bring balance into your life.

Author: Evan is a rare-breed of freelance writers who, believe it or not, doesn’t drink coffee! Currently serving as a content specialist for FreedomCare, an agency that helps with Medicaid’s CDPAP program, he’s grateful for the opportunities he’s had to share his thoughts and stories with people through this crazy place called the internet.

Find your Next

Travel Nurse Adventure

By Elizabeth Scala

December 30, 2021

10819 Views

Make Travel Nursing Fun: 2 Secrets to Working ‘On the Road’ with Enthusiasm

Posted on December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 by Elizabeth Scala

The following is a Guest Post via Elizabeth Scala:

Travel Nursing Fun?

Traveling is fun. No doubt about it. In fact, one of my ‘heart’s desires’, ‘big money whys’ or vision work is: to travel.

My vision boards are full of pictures of places I’d like to go, cut-outs of maps for trips I’d like to take, and so forth. What’s a vision board? Great question- in a moment, I’ll share more detail.

When I travel, I’m always learning. I immerse myself in the culture by finding interesting people to talk to, visit with, and share space. I love hearing about and seeing the world from their perspective. Even when I travel locally, I always come home a brand new woman, filled with a refreshed energy for life.

So what’s this got to do with nursing? Especially if you’re traveling for work?

Here are two ways to bring this enthusiasm for travel to travel-nursing and make travel nursing fun!

Let’s start with vision boarding.

The conventional way to create a vision board is to get an armful of magazines, a blank larger poster board, and an open mind and heart. What you want to do is flip through the magazines, looking for words/photos/images/colors/anything that jump out at you.

Cut out pictures of things you want to be, do, and/or have in your life. Take words and/or sayings that inspire. Make it pleasing to your eye because what you do next with the board is the most important part.

You can also do a vision journal. Write out your vision of what you want to be, do, and/or have in the first person, present tense, as if it’s already happening to you. You can do this daily, every so often, or weekly. It’s up to you!

When you have your vision, you want to own it. As I wrote about the journal, you want to experience it as if it’s already happening. This is key. So once you have your board (or whatever sort of vision creation you’ve made), you want to visualize the things on the board as though they are already yours. Feel them when you bring strong emotion to anything. Your much more likely to receive it!

A second way to bring enthusiasm and energy to travel-nursing is through those lasting relationships you make.

I’m just coming back from a conference, which I’ve attended every September for three years now. And every single fall, I have a new vitality for my work! What’s happened is I meet new, exciting, and supportive people at this event.

I come home with heart-based connections I can call upon when I am down, frustrated, or lost. It’s always great to know that guidance, mentorship, and help are just a phone call or email away.

As you travel through nursing (quite literally in your case), be sure to invest the energy, effort, and time into building supportive relationships. And if you ever feel lost in a new place you’re at… you can always turn to this ever-growing space of virtual support.

The Gypsy Nurse has created an awesome space for travel nurses here on this blog. Other nurse entrepreneurs have done the same in their field. Even me, I’ve created a virtual conference for nurses that helps us to refresh, renew, and re-energize our passion for our work!

Please click HERE If you would like to submit your story to The Gypsy Nurse.

By The Gypsy Nurse

October 16, 2021

23998 Views

Writing a GREAT Travel Nurse Resume

Posted on October 16, 2021March 18, 2024 by The Gypsy Nurse

An up to date resume is a vital part of any Travel Nurse Portfolio when submitting to a new travel nurse agency. Writing a great travel nurse resume can be daunting. The old adage of ‘keep your resume one page’ does not apply to the Travel Nurse resume.

Steps to Writing a GREAT Travel Nurse Resume

#1 Your Header

Your Header is at the top of your resume and contains your name and contact information. It’s also the first thing a hiring manager or recruiter will look at. Make certain to include both an email address and a phone number.

#2 Summary

Recruiters are busy these days and often, great resume’s get missed. Recruiters often scan resumes for keywords. Use these keywords in your summary and make it clear your years of experience and specialties.

#3 Certifications / Licenses

If you hold multiple state licenses and certification, this section can get lengthy. Don’t Stress. Provide clear details on State licenses (including expiration dates) and all pertinent certifications that you hold.

#4 Work History

Detailed work history is important. Include the Agency, Hospital, Unit, Dates, and brief description of your role.

#5 Education

Be sure to include the Institution Name and location, degree obtained and dates of attendance. You will likely also have to provide your agency with a copy of your educational transcripts.

#6 Computer / Charting Systems

List all of the computer charting systems that you have worked with. These skills can be key for some travel nurse positions. Are you a ‘super user’? If so, be sure to note this on your resume. Having skill with multiple computer charting systems will help your travel nurse resume stand out.

#7 Other Skills

Do you have other skills that might set you apart from other applicants? PICC line insertion, CPR Instructor, member of the Code or Rapid Response Team, participant in hospital ethics committee are just some examples. Be sure to highlight any additional skill that you have gained. Include any committee work that you’ve done as well.

You’ve perfected your Travel Nurse Resume…now what?

Now that you have perfected your travel nurse resume, you can check out these Top Agencies to help you find your next great travel nurse contract. Following these tips will help get your resume noticed and open doors to interviews. What change can you implement to improve your resume today?

Check out these HOT Travel Nurse Jobs

By Lori Boggan

September 11, 2021

7129 Views

Wellness on the Road

Posted on September 11, 2021January 26, 2023 by Lori Boggan

There’s nothing like packing the car and hitting the road or boarding a flight to your next adventure. It’s the element of change, enrichment, and unknown common to all of us as travelers. We seek it, are driven by it. I applaud every one of you for the true sense of support and community you provide one another. I love perusing all your photos and reading about your experiences.

Wellness on the Road

Over the next few months, I am excited to offer a little advice and inspiration I like to call “Wellness on the Road.” It’s part food, part mindfulness, and a sprinkle of yoga. It’s geared toward maintaining balance while on the road. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about stopping at In-N-Out along I-80 in Northern California and indulging in a cheeseburger (always ask for animal style), fries, and chocolate shake!! It’s a must in California! But how do we learn and maintain balance on the road and when settling into our new environment??

Plan Plan Plan

Plan your snacks when on the road and at work. Fruit and nuts are easy and healthy alternatives. Drink mostly water. Plan 30 minutes at the start or end of your day to exercise, whether it’s going for a walk, unrolling your yoga mat (Gypsy sequences to come), checking out your local gym, swimming hall, or dance studio. Try something you’ve never tried before. It’s in your Gypsy blood. Find your routine and stick with it.

Create a Sense of Home

Wellness is not just about exercise and eating well. It’s also about a sense of well-being. While we enjoy exploring new environments, it is always nice to take a piece of home with you. Many of us have traveled with our pets, which is the closest thing to taking home with us. Some other great ways to bring warmth and a sense of home to your new environment are to bring photos, plants, trinkets, and/or your favorite candles. I always pack one box full of photos and candles. It gives a sense of familiarity. If you are not an expert plant person (me), ask for help finding the lowest maintenance plant.

Embrace Your New Surroundings

This is why we travel. We yearn to taste new food, see new sights. The perfect place to start is your local Farmer’s Market. You will find the freshest local and seasonal ingredients. Check out the festivals in your area. Take a moment to breathe it all in. Find Gypsy friends. Ten years later, I am still in contact with my Gypsy friends. Some become your friends for life.

Moderation

Being on the road often can lead to chronic poor food choices. Indulge! Eat the foods you love. Try to commit to once a week. On your other days, try to get your healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and grains in. Keep a bag of trail mix in your work bag. It’s an easy and healthy hunger fix. Drink even more water.

Listen to Your Body

Get enough sleep (Gypsy yoga for sleep to come). Learn to say no when it is necessary. Learn to ask for help. Just because you are a traveler does not mean that you know everything and can take on anything. We all need help sometimes. On the days you have a ton of energy, take that long run or go to your favorite invigorating yoga class. On the days you wake up with less energy, maybe opt for a walk or a restorative yoga session instead.

We need to learn to take a moment for ourselves. We need to focus on our wellness. We are caretakers by nature. We can easily lose our own well-being in the process and often suffer from the same stress-related illnesses we lecture our patients about. My message, take care of yourself. Until next time <3

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 15, 2021

9168 Views

5 Easy Ways to Make a Space Feel Like Home

Posted on August 15, 2021August 15, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

This is a guest post by: Kelly Holland.

It can be hard to travel for work when feelings of homesickness arise. Staying busy with a job is great, but you are sure to have downtimes when your temporary living space feels different than home. Consider these 5 easy ways to make a space feel like home while working away from your comfort base:

1. Add Familiar Landscapes

There is no better way to remind you of home than to have a picture, drawing, or painting that reminds you of the landscape back home. Surrounding your new space with a picture of something that you loved back home, whether it be a building, skyline, or main street, will all help with making your new space feel that much more like home. Seeing these familiar places will bring comfort and add a sense of belonging even if you aren’t living in the same area.

2. Incorporate Favorite Plants

Just one or two plants native to your home location will help make your new space feel more inviting. If you didn’t bring any plants with you, consider purchasing a few from a local store or ordering some seeds online. Things like a favorite flower or even dried stalks of wheat will add beauty to your new space as well as help keep you connected to your native home wherever your job may take you.

3. Add Creature Comforts

There is nothing like coming home after a long day at work and snuggling up in something comfortable. Make sure that your new space is filled with comfortable pillows, throws, and a set of extra comfy pajamas that will go a long way in helping you wind down and relax after a busy day. Consider purchasing a few different blankets, one for your bed and one for the couch, to always have something cozy nearby to wrap up in and forget about the day.

4. Print Out Pictures

We know that you have plenty of pictures on your phone. But they can be hard to appreciate and look at when stored in a device. Consider using an easy picture printing app that will help you print those favorite pictures to have in your new space. Hang pictures of family, friends, and a favorite pet on the fridge to bring those familiar faces into your everyday life. Purchase a few nice frames for special pictures that you want to showcase in your new space. Even create a gallery wall that will help your new place feel even more like home.

5. Add Scent to Your Space

Does lavender always make you think of your sister? Or perhaps the scent of home-baked cookies from the oven brings back great memories from grandma’s kitchen? Consider incorporating these favorite scents into your space to make it feel more like home. Walking into your new space after a long day and being engulfed in scents from back home will help bring comfort without even realizing it. Other ways to add scent include purchasing a favorite perfume or cologne that a loved one wears. To be reminded of that person even if they aren’t physically there.

Your new space should be a place of refuge. Where you can come in after a day at work and enjoy your time to unwind, consider placing family pictures throughout the space. As well as pictures of a favorite landscape to make your space more like home. Adding scents from home as well as favorite plants will help create a more inviting space as well. Finally, make sure that your home is filled with comfortable pieces that will help you relax. This can include; blankets, throws, and pillows as an easy way to make a space feel more like home.

Looking for housing while on assignment?

Check out our Housing Section

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 7, 2021

7594 Views

Places to Consider When Traveling in the Fall

Posted on August 7, 2021September 28, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Fall. The time of year that reminds us how beautiful change is as winter draws near. While it seems a bit early to be thinking about Fall, it will be here before you know it, and now is the time to start planning your fall assignment! From colorful trees to slow freezing streams, here are some locations you should consider when planning your next travel assignment.

Places to visit while traveling this fall

Washington

Washington– Rolling hills, waterfalls, and national forests will keep you busy as you venture throughout Washington. You’ll want to be sure to carve out time so you can stop by vineyards to indulge in not only the scenery but the flavors of fall as well.

New Jersey

New Jersey– Known for the monarch butterfly migration in the fall, you can also stop to see stunning sunsets on beaches across the state. Catching rays of sunlight between clouds, you’ll see the colors of fall casting their hues across New Jersey’s bodies of water.

Vermont

Vermont– Foliage, as you drive Route 9, will leave you breathless; trees with shades of red, yellow, orange, and green fill vast areas of land across the state. In addition to the dramatic drive, there is a good chance you could see various types of wildlife, bears, deer, and moose, to name a few.

Minnesota

Minnesota– A family-friendly state known for its outdoor activities makes Minnesota a top spot to take in fall-time views. The are many opportunities for you to go camping, kayaking, and fishing to immerse yourself in the season and state. And really enjoy the views that come with the season.

Tennessee

Tennessee– The Great Smoky Mountains and nearby farms will make for a memorable stay in Tennessee. You can take in the views by horse-back and hiking the many trails in the surrounding area. Already rich in history, visiting Tennessee in the fall will only add to the experience.

We hope this list of great places to visit while traveling this fall helps you along your travel nurse adventures!

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By The Gypsy Nurse

July 4, 2021

5093 Views

Top Fourth of July Spots

Posted on July 4, 2021July 4, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

I don’t know about you, but coming together with family or taking a trip in the summer around the Fourth of July is something I wait for all year. It could be the cool summer breeze off your favorite lake while boating with friends and family or the sights, sounds, and new memories you’re creating in this chapter of your nursing career. We asked you, adventurous souls, where your top Fourth of July spots to celebrate the week and/or weekend of the 4th are and here are our top choices:

Lake Tahoe, California

People come from all around to take in the experience that is Lake Tahoe. Rated nationally as one of the “top 5 Fourth of July” vacation spots. There is no lack of activities for you and yours to enjoy. Take your pick from a plethora of community activities. Relaxing on the beach, cruising around the lake, enjoying the local food and drink specials, and so much more. No matter what you choose to do during the day, the real magic is the choreographed fireworks and music at night. With upwards of 100,000 onlookers, it’s not to be missed.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston hits the top of the list for being the largest gathering for the Independence Day celebration. It brings in around 3 million people. The cities Revolutionary War history alone draws in guests. The war reenactments, speeches, live bands, and historic heritage keep the visitors coming for more. Most importantly, most events around are free. It’s a great way to indulge in the exciting atmosphere without breaking the bank. Find some great tips for what to do here.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Of course, we would not forget where the Declaration of Independence itself was signed. Philadelphia has an array of fun things to do, and again most of these are free. Between concerts, museums, kids’ activities, an obstacle course, and even a zip line, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy at this celebration of our country. Even your beloved pets are allowed to join in on the fun.

Everything comes together after the concert (which is said to be one of the largest free concerts in America with guests Mary J. Blige and Boyz II Men) at around 9:30 pm to start the grande finale firework at Ben Franklin Parkway. I could honestly go on for days with the number of amazing activities this city has to offer. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself!

New Orleans, Louisiana

It’s hard to talk about celebrating America without mentioning the culture-rich city of New Orleans. Aside from being one of the best places in the US to eat, it’s one of the best at throwing a good party. With unique performances like dueling river barges, synchronized to lights and music, and the amazing Essence Music Fest paying tribute to African-American music and culture. This is sure to celebration you don’t want to miss. Fireworks kick off at 9 pm after the sounds of celebrities like John Legend and Diana Ross.

Chicago, Illinois

It’s hard not to fall in love with a city like Chicago. Seeing the skyline lit up behind the river is truly a sight everyone should see at least once. The Windy City has wonderful spots for every kind of attraction. One of their most captivating would definitely have to be Navy Pier. Whether it be from atop the Centennial Wheel, or rooftop at a beautifully lit building, it’s a must for your Fourth of July bucket list.

Lisle Park District will be hosting the “Eyes to the Skies” event. Food, music, a carnival, and even hot air balloons. During this same time, there will also be a great way to fill your bellies. Head uptown to enjoy the Windy City Rib Fest June 30th-July 2nd. At Wrigley Field, all you need to cheer on the World Series-winning Chicago Cubs is a great hotdog.

Whatever you choose to do during this holiday, we hope you stay safe, and most of all enjoy yourself and your family!! Let us know where you like to celebrate and why you think we need to add it to our list!

Want to see more suggestions? Click here to see what our Travel Nurse Network members said are the best places to be for the 4th of July!

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

SOAPI Note

Subjective

Objective

Assessment

Plan

Interventions

Below is an example of a SOAPI note:

“S –

O –

A –

P –

I –

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

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Elevate Your Style and Comfort: Top Picks for the Best Medical Scrubs for Men

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Research The Local Cuisine Ahead of Time

Take Your Own Snacks

Take Your Own Supplements

Find Out Where The Locals Shop

Want more information on travel nursing?

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7 Easy Self-Care Tips for Travel Nurses

7 Ways to Prevent Dry Eyes While Traveling By Plane

Eating Healthy as a Travel Nurse: 5 Tips for a Balanced Diet on the Go

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Work from a Lifestyle of Self-Care

Travel Nurse, Know Thyself

Make a Bucket List, and Check It Twice

Insist on a Predictable Work Schedule

Use Your Adventure Tools – Books, Maps, and Apps

Schedule Your Upcoming Adventures

Find your Next

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Coping with Loss While on Assignment

4 Ways to Improve Your Health While Working Nonstop

Pro Tips to Boost Your Energy at Work as a Travel Nurse

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Travel Nursing Fun?

Let’s start with vision boarding.

A second way to bring enthusiasm and energy to travel-nursing is through those lasting relationships you make.

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How are Hospitals Dealing with the Nursing Shortage?

Top 5 Tips For Dealing With Difficult Patients While Travel Nursing

Nurses Going A Step Beyond Camaraderie

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Steps to Writing a GREAT Travel Nurse Resume

#1 Your Header

#2 Summary

#3 Certifications / Licenses

#4 Work History

#5 Education

#6 Computer / Charting Systems

#7 Other Skills

You’ve perfected your Travel Nurse Resume…now what?

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How to Survive Your First Nursing Assignment

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Wellness on the Road

Plan Plan Plan

Create a Sense of Home

Embrace Your New Surroundings

Moderation

Listen to Your Body

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