November 29, 2018

17394 Views

Travel Nursing: Experiences of Nurses Around the World

Posted on November 29, 2018May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Travel nursing is a career that offers both flexibility and adventure. The job requires nurses to experience working around the world, and after a few weeks or months, they move to another place. The main reason this concept was initiated was due to the lack of ample nurses in different regions.

It looks exciting, for sure. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to choosing this career.

The advantages:

Travel Nursing: Experiences of Nurses Around the World

High income: Travel nurses are among the highest paid healthcare personnel. They also receive tax-free stipends, healthcare and retirement benefits, bonuses and generous reimbursements.
Career growth: Through encountering different facilities, travel nurses learn to be more flexible.
Adventure: Since travel nursing involves a lot of travelling, you will find yourself in new and unusual places with each posting.
Exposure to new cultures: The world is a hub for different cultures. A career in travel nursing exposes you to some of these cultures.
Freedom and flexibility: As a travel nurse you get to choose where you want to work and when. Therefore, you choose the time you spend with friends and family.

The disadvantages:

Temporary employment: In most cases, travel nursing employment is contract-based. You end up jobless when a deal comes to an end.
No paid time off Most companies doesn’t offer time off to travel nurses.
Low or no insurance benefits: They get low insurance benefits because they are based on taxable wages, which are also low.
Difficult to maintain personal relationships: Time spent traveling often means long-distance relationships.

I moved to New Zealand in 2001 because I wanted to visit a new place and explore a different culture. I started working at Wellington Hospital in the intensive care department.

Later I got married to Andrew, and we now have two beautiful children, Conor and Aidan. In 2017 I received a PhD in nursing, and I’m a full-time academic at Victoria University of Wellington researching on nursing values. At the moment here in New Zealand, nurses are complaining about the low pay, lousy working conditions and low staffing.

Sharon Steeves

I work at DeSalaberry District Health Center in southern Manitoba, Canada. I love my nursing career because this is what I have always wanted to do, since I was four years old.

The theme of International Nurses Day for this year motivated me to join a group of other protesters to agitate about the ongoing cuts to our health services. I like how as nurses we come together to ask for justice and human rights.

Laura Byrne

I’m currently working as a volunteer in a community clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. The clinic mostly deals with refugees from DRC, Zimbabwe and Central African Republic.

The nursing experience for me has been very challenging here because it is different from what I’m used to in Ireland. The patients here are vulnerable, and diseases like HIV, malnutrition and TB are prevalent compared to Ireland.

The Irish nursing degree has helped me work in different environments. For instance, I had the opportunity to work in Australia as an agency nurse for a year. I have also worked for Princess Cruises for a year, and I loved it there.

Michelle Roche

I left Ireland five years ago, and since then I have been working in Victoria, Australia. Emigrating is the best decision I have ever made; working full time in Ireland I was never able to pay my bills.

Here in Australia, I have a good life; I am well compensated for the hard work. I am now a unit manager and there are numerous opportunities available to me.

Kerr Janer

I am a paediatric nurse from Limerick, Dublin where I used to work earlier in a children’s hospital. Currently, I work at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh City. Emigrating has grown my career and also led to personal development. I now work in a big specialist hospital with people from different cultures. There is better pay here with free accommodation and 54 days paid annual leave.

Without a doubt, travel nursing is one of the best things that happened to the nursing community. From the experiences shared above by several nurses, it’s clear that emigrating has been very beneficial. Most of them now work with flexible schedules and receive high incomes. By working in different environments, they have gained personal and professional growth.

Though it comes with some disadvantages like being away from family and difficulties in adapting to a new environment, it is still one of the best careers. It is important that nurses are opting to move away from low-paid jobs and lousy working conditions. Nurses do great work so they should be respected and paid well. There are various organisations around the world that have come up to help nurses fight for their rights and also help them get better job deals around the world.

Sandy Getzky is the executive coordinating editor at The Global Nail Fungus Organization, a group committed to helping the 100+ million people suffering from finger and toenail fungus. Sandy is also a registered Herbalist and member of the American Herbalist’s Guild.

Email:

sandygetzky@gmail.com
sandy@nationalnailfungus.org
sandy@provemymeds.com (with Gravatar account)

By cheryl hurt

September 11, 2018

16619 Views

So, You Want to go to Nome Alaska?

Posted on September 11, 2018January 26, 2023 by cheryl hurt

Guest Post By: Cheryl Hurt, co-written by: Kimberly Richter

Being an Alaskan travel nurse is an exciting and unique experience. Here are some tips from travelers that are or have been to Nome. These tips will help you prepare and know what to expect on a contract in Nome, Alaska.

Orientation

Hospital orientation is generally four days long. The first two days are focused on standard hospital business and Native Alaskan Culture. Day 1 your badge photo and fingerprinting will be done.(yes, you will have your fingerprints taken at the hospital) Lunch will be provided for you.

Day 2, you will visit the cultural center in the afternoon and have the opportunity to try Eskimo salad (something that you really should try) or Seal.

Day 3 Healthstreams (Yikes, there are 44). Dress for days 1 and 2 are business casual. Days 3 and 4 are scrubs. This is only a guide and not set in stone as each department has its own schedule.

Tips and Suggestions:

Housing Tips

Nome is a very walkable town. Plan to walk!
Cabs are available for $4 one way in town. (the town is not big!)
Housing is corporate female shared housing or Male Shared housing, No Co-ed, so plan on being a great roommate and respect each other.

Shipping and Mailing Tips

Ship as much as possible in flat-rate shipping boxes that you can get from the post office. You will ship them to:

(your name)
113 W. Front Street
Nome, Alaska 99762-9800
(This is general delivery at the post office)

When shipping items, remember the postal service is not gentle with packages. Pack accordingly.
There is a waiting list for P.O. Boxes. If anyone is going to ship items to you, use the address above and have them notify you when items have been shipped.
Remember, if you are landing on a Saturday or Sunday, the post office is only open M-F from 0900 – 1700. Make sure you have the essentials for the first few days.

Supplies / Food / Etc.

Food is expensive; gluten-free is even more expensive. There are only two grocery stores; Hanson’s and ACs.
Meal prepping is essential. The food here is expensive (12 oz. bag of fresh green beans is 4.99, Bananas are 1.29/lb., Strawberries/Blueberries 6.00-10.00). This also reduces wasted food. In words given to me, “suck it up and forget about the price tags.”
Restaurants are expensive. There are only a few. I highly recommend the Gold Dust Saloon at the Nugget Inn. The food and drinks are delicious. They serve sushi (and more) and have trivia on Thursday nights at 1900. The Polar Cafe is another great choice. They have a great breakfast.
Paper towels, toilet paper, spices, aluminum foil, zip-lock storage containers, and zip lock bags, etc., are expensive as well. Ship as many of these items as possible. (The items I shipped were items that I knew I would use and not have to ship back home at the end of my contract).
Ship teas/coffee; these too are expensive. Along with your favorite water bottle, tea/coffee cup.
Amazon Prime will be your best friend for toilet paper, paper towels, and non-perishable food pantry items. OR for anything, you have forgotten at home.
Reusable grocery bags are essential. This will keep you from buying more than you can carry while walking unless you want to pay for a taxi which is $4 one way in town.
There are no “Dollar Stores” in Nome.

Packing

Mud Boots (i.e., Bogs, Muck Boots, Extra Tough Boots) are also a must in Alaska. There is only approximately 1 mile of paved roads; all other roads are dirt/gravel. There is a lot of mud when it rains, and you can walk in the surf (my favorite part).
Bathing suit for the Suana, which is located in the Rec center.
Sunglasses: Lots of sun into the wee hours of the night and back up in the wee hours of the morning. (It does not get dark during Spring and summer)
A good raincoat. Why? It rains, and you will inevitably be walking in the rain. We walk here regardless of the weather.
Ear Band, Gloves, Hat, Scarf. It still gets cold even in June. Not to mention the wind and rain. You will want to go outside, explore and enjoy the pristine beauty of Alaska and stay warm doing it.
A good knife (particularly a pocket knife or survival knife for cutting things.)
Lunch Bag — Obvious reasons. The cafeteria is tiny with limited hours. Restaurants do delivery; however, they charge at least 8.00 as your food is delivered by taxi.
Ship or pack vitamins, medications, and supplements-you most likely will not be able to find them here, and if you do, they will be expensive. The exception to this is some over-the-counter medications and vitamins are available at the hospital pharmacy, and they are cheap (i.e., a Bottle of Tylenol 2.00).
Chargers for phone, tablet, laptop. Also, make sure that if you are bringing electronics, you put them in your carry-on. Airlines are not gentle by any means with luggage.
House Shoes – floors get sandy/muddy.
Bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth. They should be provided, but just in case.
A notebook – Sometimes, you just want to write/journal.
A good book – There is a beautiful library. It is located at the cultural center.
Bring clothes you can layer. Some days it actually does get warm, and most structures (houses, apartments, restaurants, hospitals, etc. are kept warm).

Other

Wells Fargo bank is here and a local credit union.
Money-Cash is nice to have, especially if you have to take a cab (they do not accept credit/debit cards). I brought 50.00 in singles. Everywhere else accepts credit/debit cards. ATMs are available.
Make sure to notify banks of your travel. The worst thing that could happen is they block/lock your card because they thought someone had stolen them. Contact your credit card companies as well. They usually do not block/lock cards without notification unless you are leaving the country.
Check with the wireless service providers to see if they have service coverage in Nome. GCI is the provider here in Nome, but it is expensive. Trac Phones are available, and I’m told that they get good service. I have Verizon, and I have had ok service so far. (Turn your phone off and then turn it back on when you get to Nome.)
Nome is Rural! You cannot drive to Nome as there are no roads that lead to Nome. 2 roads go about 50 miles out east and west. Fly in and Fly out!
You can rent a car, but it’s very pricey, like 175.00-200.00 per DAY.
There is a movie theater in Nome, Sundays at 4 pm are $9.00 (it’s in the Subway.)
You have to have a fishing license to fish in Nome, Alaska. I think they said it is $150.00/175.00 for the season for nonresident/non-Native.
Animals- Musk-ox, Moose, Bears, Reindeer, Eagles, Huge Ravens. Polar bears are rare in Nome. We have found a baby seal on the beach. You might see Beluga whales passing thru, but with the position of Nome, it’s Rare, they say.
Do Not bring a firearm as they are NOT allowed in Corporate housing.

Things that others have shipped OR put in an extra suitcase and paid for the extra baggage:

(believe us, it’s worth the extra fee!)

Spices/Salt and Pepper
Oatmeal
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Soap/Lotion
Razors/Shaving Lotion
Qtips/Dental flossers
Dish Soap
Hand Soap
Laundry Detergent/Fabric Softener
Toilet Paper/Paper Towels
Crackers Cereal
Feminine items
Hot Sauce/Condiments
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Protein Powder
Dry packaged food
Zip-Lock Storage Container/Bags of various sizes.

***Tips- Place plastic wrap under lids of liquids to keep from spilling. If you have a Food Saver, seal liquid containers. If not possible, place liquid containers in Zip-Lock bags.

Did I mention you will be walking everywhere?

Most importantly…

Bring an open mind. When you are flying into Alaska take in the beauty of this land from the sky. It is gorgeous! But wait until you land; then it becomes breathtaking!

Directions for once you have landed:

At the first opportunity, stop and take it all in. “Shut your mouth (sorry, be quiet), close your eyes, take a deep breath and let it take hold of you. Listen to the sounds, feel the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze of your skin, smell the world coming to life around you and taste the saltiness in the air. Take a deep breath and open your eyes-she “Mother Nature” has never been more beautiful.”

Alaska will change your life if you let it.

Words cannot describe the majestic beauty of this land/sea. The culture and the history are intriguing. The unspoiled and untouched lands are home to some of the most beautiful animals.
Finally, you will have arrived in one of the most amazing places on earth. Keep an Open mind and enjoy Nome. But be careful. A lot that lives here was once travelers and fell in Love with Nome. There is No Place like Nome!

P.S. Don’t forget scrubs, stethoscope, trauma shears, a watch etc. as you will be expected to work a little.

By The Gypsy Nurse

September 8, 2018

21379 Views

The Art of ER Triage

Posted on September 8, 2018May 7, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Guest Post By: Richard D Ramsey

Triage is quickly becoming a lost art.

For those of you who don’t know, triage is the art of adding degrees of urgency to medical matters. For highly trained medical personnel, it’s a rapid process.

I can look at a room full of about 50 people and tell you if any of them are critically ill in about ten seconds. It’s the way ER nurses are taught to think and process information. Secondarily, we’re trained to take vital signs and ask the right questions to determine if a medical matter deserves immediate attention or not.

But, this skill is being eroded under the paradigm of patient satisfaction, that grim specter that’s killing healthcare from the inside out. Let me take you back to an emergency room twenty years ago. You go to the ER for whatever is ailing you, and the first person you encounter is the triage nurse. This person makes note of your chief complaint, takes your vital signs, and gives you a quick once over. Your treatment plan starts right then and there.

Emergency Rooms aren’t just spaces with cubicles. They’re set up in verities of ways to accommodate different needs. In fact, most ERs have minor care areas where you can be seen for bumps or bruises without having to compete with the critically ill. Also, they have different rooms with capabilities. Some rooms are larger than others, giving more room to work on more critical people. Some rooms have oxygen, some rooms have toilets, and some rooms are even better suited for pelvic exams. In a majority of hospitals, rooms are assigned to nurses in bundles. When a nurse comes on duty, they’re assigned a bundle of rooms, and they rotate patients in and out of those rooms throughout the day.

The triage nurse and the charge nurse (which is my role in the ER) must have a good working relationship and line of communication. Together, we determine where patients can be placed to maximize outcomes and efficiency. Knowing my team of nurses is important in determining this. I need to know everyone’s experience, particular skill set, strengths, and weaknesses. These factors are an important part of where I’m going to place you in the ER. Sounds logical, right? You would think so.

Let’s skip forward to today. Third-party payer systems (Medicaid, Medicare, insurance, HMOs, etc.) have warped competition between healthcare companies. When you choose which gasoline to put in your car, you usually chose the cheaper option. That’s why fuel stations post their prices on their signs. With emergency care, you don’t care how much it costs. Your third-party payer covers it, and you’re just responsible for the copay. Even if you’re not covered, you can still be seen and opt to get a bill in the mail. There is NO INCENTIVE for hospitals to lower their cost of goods and services. I’ll say that again. There is NO INCENTIVE for hospitals to lower their cost of goods and services.

So where does that leave us? Hospital A still wants your business over hospital B. So, how do they compel you to use their service over the competition? Simple, they’re going to gratify you. There’s so much we could discuss about how the paradigm of patient satisfaction has changed healthcare, but we’re here to talk about triage. Remember the triage nurse we were talking about earlier? A recent development in the race to the bottom of patient satisfaction is called immediate bedding. Immediate bedding is exactly what it sounds like. You walk into an ER and they immediately place you in a bed. This has come about as a result of satisfaction metrics, like “door to doc” time. That’s the time it takes you to see a doctor after you walk in the door. Metrics just like that are the new driving force behind how healthcare is run. This has even become such a big deal that Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement is being attached to it under the pretense of “quality indicators” as implemented by laws like Obamacare.

Just look at the billboards in your hometown. Signs that tell you how long the wait at Emergency Room X is have sprung up left and right! This sounds like a great plan, and in some respects, it is. It’s practical to get patients in front of doctors faster. That is why they come to the ER, and we shouldn’t arbitrarily hinder that process. But, the devil is in the details. When we “immediate bed” patients, we’re not taking those critical five minutes to find the best place for them so we can maximize outcomes for everyone. A child with an earache is placed immediately in a critical area because that’s where the open beds are poor stewardship of resources, and it’s highly inefficient.

In the dawn of the 21st century, when people are living longer, and those with chronic illnesses are surviving them, our ER clientele as a whole is getting larger and sicker. Skipping steps in their health care plan to improve satisfaction metrics is both inappropriate and dangerous. Be relieved if you have to wait a few minutes in the ER. It’s the people that go ahead of you that are in the worst shape. They had a competent triage and charge nurse that made that decision based on objective data.

About Richard Ramsey: I’ve been in nursing since 1995 and full-time ER since 2000. I live in Deep East Texas with my wife and my teenage son. As well as nursing, I play music, write (having many fiction books published) and appear on TV shows from time to time; most notably “Untold Stories of the ER,” where I wrote and acted in episodes for seasons 9 and 10.

By The Gypsy Nurse

September 5, 2018

5945 Views

Best Road Trip Stops from LA to Seattle

Posted on September 5, 2018May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

So it’s that time again; your next adventure awaits! We saw some of you lovely people reaching out for the best road trip stops from LA to Seattle and based on your responses we made you a quick little cheat sheet! Here’s a list of the best attractions, nature and grub for your next 13 week adventure on the West Coast.

Redwood National Park-

There’s just not many things that can make you feel as small on this big planet then standing next to a mammoth tree in California’s Redwood forests. This park for instance is home to tallest of all the redwood trees. For the Instagram savvy, you may want to stop at the Drive-Thru Park and pay $5 to drive through one and get to snap a quick picture to prove it!

Cannon Beach –

Cannon Beach is truly like a dream come true. Celebrated as one of America’s 10 most beautiful towns on the West Coast, there’s a little something to captivate everyone. Personally, I like exploring and taking in the sights, so Haystack Rock would be a must for me to enjoy the landscape, the areas Tufted Puffins and the beautiful marine life in the tide pools. For those more adventurous, you should check out the zip-line tours, surf classes or even a helicopter ride!

Yosemite –

Found in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite and it’s indescribable beauty is on most adventurers bucket list. It’s best known for it’s breathtaking waterfalls, but has nearly 1,200 square feet of landscape to roam and explore. Camping sites are available for tents, as well as RV’s, if have a few days to unwind and enjoy in the great outdoors.

Crater lake-

With it’s crystal clear and nearly pristine fresh water, Crater Lake is a must-see for those traveling through Oregon’s,Cascade Mountain Range. This beauty was created nearly 7,700 thousand years ago from volcanic eruption that caused a mountain peak to collapse. The water gets it fascinating beauty from rain and snow, and is the deepest lake in the United States!

Monterey –

Roll down Highway 1 and take in all that Monterey has to offer. Like the rest of these sites, there is so much beauty in nature that it’s hard to make a short list! Some of the top attractions are famous Bixby Bridge on the way to Big Sur, hang-gliding above Marina State Beach and diving deep with the scuba team at Seven Seas Scuba. If you’re lucky enough to travel with your significant other, you have to check out Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove.

Do you have any other suggestions? Places I’m crazy to have not mentioned? Drop a comment below and let us know! We love hearing about your experiences so we can share them with our growing gypsy community!

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 18, 2018

92258 Views

Travel Nurse Guide Introduction

Posted on August 18, 2018January 4, 2024 by The Gypsy Nurse

As many of you know, The Gypsy Nurse Travel Nurse Guide has helped hundreds of would-be travel nurses over the years get started on their travel adventures. Where to start travel nursing? The Gypsy Nurse Travel Nurse Guide is a great travel introduction for nurses trying to decide if this is the path they want to take.

In this travel nursing guide, I’ll be breaking down each of the following steps into easy-to-follow directions. It is recommended that you follow them in order. If you have any questions that aren’t covered in our travel introduction, please feel free to join our network on Facebook and post them there: Travel Nurse Network – The Gypsy Nurse or contact us directly here.

Using the Travel Nursing Guide

Knowing where to start when you’re a new travel nurse can be a bit daunting. Due to this, we’ve broken our travel nursing guide down into easy-to-digest snippets. The guide is designed so that you can jump into it at any point. However, it’s recommended that you use the travel nursing guide beginning at Step #1. Even if you have already completed a travel nurse contract, this guide will help you to be better prepared. Furthermore, our agencies tell us that members that follow the guide are more organized and ready to tackle travel nurse challenges.

Travel Nurse Guide: Assessment

When you are thinking about travel nursing and just don’t know how to start, we recommend that you go through these steps to figure out if travel nursing is right for you. Additionally, completing these steps will make you better at effectively communicating your needs to the agency.

Step #1: Determine Why You Want to Travel
Step #2: What Do You Want/Need out of Travel?
Step #3: Where and When Are You Willing to Go?
Step #4: Understanding the Myths
Step #5: Know Your Deal-Breakers

Travel Nurse Guide: Planning

Now that you’ve decided to start travel nursing, here is where the work begins. Completing all of these steps will help you start travel nursing with ease. Planning is your key to success!

Step #6: Building your Travel Portfolio
Step #:7 Research Travel Nurse Agencies
Step #8: Submission of Your Profile
Step #:9 Working With Your Recruiter(s)
Step #:10 Prepare For the Interview
Step #:11 Preliminary Contract Negotiations
Step #:12 Determine if The Job is A Good Fit
Step #:13 Sealing the Deal
Step #:14 Get Ready for the Journey
Step #:15 Packing for the Travel Nurse
Step #:16 Prepare Your Vehicle
Step #:17 Keeping Track of the Paperwork
Step #:18 Make It A Great Road-Trip

Travel Nurse Guide: Implementation

The first travel nursing assignment is usually the most intimidating. You’re heading into an unknown world, and we’re here to help with every step of the way. From your arrival at your new location all the way through the entire contract, we provide a guide on what you need to focus on. Above all, this guide is designed to ease some of those fears.

Step #:19 Arrival On Location
Step #:20 Settling In (unpacking and finding the necessities)
Step #:21 The countdown Begins: Your Travel Nurse Assignment Day One
Step #22 How to Make the Most of Your Travel Nurse Contract
Step #23 Travel Nurse Contract – 8 Weeks to go
Step #:24 Travel Nurse Contract – 4 Weeks to Go
Step #:25 Travel Nurse Contract – 2 Weeks Left
Step #26: The Final Week
Step #27: Wash….Rinse…Repeat!!

We hope you find this travel nurse guide helpful. If there are items that you feel should be addressed here, please let us know in the comments below.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 3, 2018

5905 Views

10 Spots To Get Back To Nature In Oklahoma City

Posted on August 3, 2018May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

This is a guest post by Sarah Miller

As a travel nurse, you likely spend most of your day worrying about the well-being of others. Being on the road and on your feet for a majority of the day can certainly take its toll on your own mental and physical well-being. Now, if you’ve already had the opportunity to explore Oklahoma City, you’ll know it is a big friendly city full of garage sale fanatics, outstanding comfort food, and home of the Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball team.

Aside from the hustle and bustle of any city though, are nature’s wonders. When your work environment is exhausting and stressful–take a break from it all by relaxing in one of these stunning natural spots in Oklahoma City.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

These botanical gardens are some of the city’s most beloved public areas, offering over fifteen acres of natural space to unwind. The park is home to a children’s garden, off-leash dog park, and several splash fountains. The gardens also feature dozens of walking and jogging paths and even offer educational programs and workshops to help you fully engage in the diverse ecosystem you are surrounded by. With so much to explore, it’s easy to get lost in this urban oasis.

Martin Park Nature Center

This nature center advertises itself as “more than just a park,” and if you’re looking for a place to unwind, that statement couldn’t be closer to the truth. This serene location offers an interactive learning center and quiet woodland trails spanning over two and a half miles. The park also features a visitor center with live animals and an ADA accessible trail.

Will Rogers Gardens

The Will Rogers Gardens offers several themed walking areas, including the Will Rogers Garden exhibition Center, the Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum, and the Charles E. Sparks Color Garden. You’ll unwind by traversing around one of the parks’ many walkways, enjoying rose gardens and beautifully cultivated landscaping features. This city park offers hands-on gardening exhibitions and horticultural classes, allowing you to learn and kick back at the same time.

Earlywine Park

Earlywine Park, encompassing nearly one hundred acres, offers a more active spin on outdoor recreation, offering visitors tennis courts, an aquatic center, and a golf course. Of course, the park is also home to multiple walking and running trails, allowing you to choose between a group or solo relaxation adventure.

Lake Hefner

This reservoir lake is a great place to spend a day, it is a popular spot for sailing and fishing, but is also a great place to take a deep breath. The lake features a lighthouse, and offers scenic trails that are well maintained and provide a spot for deep relaxation.

Crystal Bridge

Crystal Bridge offers an outdoor experience just outside of the ordinary. This cylindrical greenhouse is home to dozens of waterfalls, along with over seven hundred different types of plants. You can traverse this greenhouse on elevated walkways, and we guarantee that just one look at the expansive greenery in this center will make you feel more tranquil almost immediately.

Arcadia Lake

Arcadia Lake is a man-made lake and is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and anglers alike. That being said, this spot offers a leisurely retreat for hikers, bikers, and swimmers as well. If you’re looking for an outdoor retreat that will allow you to get up close and personal with some of Oklahoma’s wildlife, this is the place to go.

Mitch Park

Mitch Park is well within the city limits, but you’d hardly know it by the relaxing experience it provides. This 280-acre park features paved trails and other recreational options, like a skate park and playground, so that you can get away from it all without having to travel far.

Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge

Another great spot to observe wildlife, this refuge is a haven for native flora and fauna. It also offers some excellent forest areas for hiking, bird watching, and kayaking, allowing you to enjoy the area’s native environment without having to drive for hours outside of the city.

South Lakes Park

This park spans over 150 acres and offers numerous amenities to the forever stressed population of Oklahoma City. Visitors enjoy soccer fields, walking trails, and fishing ponds, all within the comfort of the Oklahoma City limits.

It can be tough to find time to relax and unwind with your busy schedule. However, by taking a moment to breathe deep in one of these outdoor spots in Oklahoma City, you’ll likely find yourself more energized, invigorated, and ready to return to your important career.

Sarah Miller is a writer, self-claimed nutritionist, and CrossFit junkie. She spends most of her time meal prepping and actively trying to beat personal records in the gym, but always enjoys a meditative walk through a nearby woodland area or near a lake.

By The Gypsy Nurse

September 19, 2017

19483 Views

Travel Nurse Banking

Posted on September 19, 2017May 19, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

In Step #14 of the travel nurse guide, we discussed knowing in advance what your bank allows and doesn’t when it comes to traveling. This is an important and often overlooked step. Now let’s take a closer look at the banking aspect of Travel Nursing.

Travel nurse banking should be a non-issue, right? Wrong. There are multiple potential complications for the travel nurse when it comes to banking.

You should consult with you bank before you leave home and cover these basic questions:

Is there a local branch at my assignment location?
Does the bank offer online check deposit?
Will I incur ATM fees and are they refundable?
Are my withdraw limits something that I can live with?
How do I resolve Fraud Alerts/blocks on my account?
If my bank cards are lost or stolen, what information will I need to obtain a new card?
Does your bank offer free online bill pay?

It doesn’t happen often but what happens if your company didn’t get your direct deposit set up on time for your first paycheck and you are issued a paper check?
Receiving a paper check and having no local branch can be frustrating. This issue has been resolved in most cases by the mobile apps that are now available for check deposit. Find out if your bank offers this as an option.

There isn’t a local branch or ATM. How do you handle the ATM fees?
ATM fees can add up quickly. Some banks will refund these as a curtosey to customers on a monthly basis. If your bank doesn’t refund these fees, there are other options. Most department stores ie Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc. will allow cash back with no ATM fee with a purchase. This option however depends on you making a purchase in order to avoid bank fees.

I recommend talking to your bank about their ATM policies and considering if the cost is avoidable. Your bank may have ‘partner’ banks in the area that you are unaware of. If your bank doesn’t offer a way to avoid these fees, figure out in advance how you will deal with withdraws. There are several options available:

– Budget and plan your weekly expenses so you only have one ATM withdraw weekly.
– Assess you need for additional cash EVERY time you make an ATM purchase and have an opportunity for a fee-free cash withdraw.
– Find a different bank option that will allow no ATM fees

Do you know what your daily withdraw and purchase limits are? If your wallet is lost or stolen you will want to minimize the potential amounts that would be available to a thief.
If your bank has automatically set your withdraw and purchase limits, they may be well above what you even need. Find out what the limits are and determine if they can be lowered. If you rarely make a purchase above $500, there is no need to have your purchase limit set at $1500. If your maximum cash withdraw is never above $200 then change this as well.

When I initially called my bank to have my limits lowered they were floored. They couldn’t understand why I wanted my limit lower and not higher. I live pretty frugally day to day and the limits were way over what I would ever need on a routine basis. I explained to the bank that if my wallet was stolen I would rather the thief only be able to hit my account for $500 instead of $1500 and they began to see my logic.

What happens if I lower my ATM/Withdraw limits and need to make a purchase or withdraw that is over my pre-set limit?

If you have analyzed your spending habits thouroughly and have set an appropriate limit, this should happen only rarely. This is very easy to adjust while on the road. Simply phone your bank and ask for a one-time withdraw or purchase. The bank should be able to set this up right away and you’ll be on your way to big spending.

In addition to minimizing your potential losses if your bank cards are stolen, having a lower limit will cause you to contemplate any large purchases. It’s a great way to curb any impulse spending.

Have you ever been standing at the check-out line with a full basket of groceries only to have the teller inform you that your card was denied?
As a service to it’s customers, banks will place automatic holds on your account for any suspicious activities. It can be frustrating if this happens but it’s important to remember that this is for your protection. Help the bank help you by communicating with them. How were they to know that you were going to be living in Seattle for 3 months? If you have never had transactions from the opposite coast and suddenly you have 10 of them, this will set off a fraud alert and lock you out of your account until it’s resolved.

This has happened to me and beyond the annoyance of having to figure out why, it was the pure embarassment of the situation that stands out in my memory. You can’t totally prevent this from ever happening but you can reduce the potential. All it takes is a simple call to your bank and inform them that you will be traveling. They will need the dates of travel as well as the locations. Don’t forget to include any surrounding states or areas that you think you might want to explore while on contract.

What do I need to know if my wallet is stolen while on contract?
I’ve had my wallet stolen only once while on contract. I happy that it was only once but it was a near nightmare to deal with. Along with the fear that goes with any theft, there was a myraid of things that were just difficult to deal with gettiing replaced while away from home.

Banks will NOT mail your new bank card to any address other than your primary address listed on your account. This is important to know especially if you only have one bank. My first recommendation is to always have two banks and have them linked together. If your ATM card is lost or stolen, you can easily transfer money to the alternate bank and at least be able to buy gas and groceries until you receive the new card.

Have a back-up credit card or savings account in case of emergency with enough available balance to cover anything unexpected.

NEVER keep all of your cards in the same place. Having two accounts will do you no good if they are both lost or stolen.

Depending on how you have set up your mail, it could take a week or two to receive your new bank card in the mail. What would you do if you couldn’t access your account?

You should always have important banking phone numbers available. It’s a good idea to make a paper or digital copy of the front/back of all of your credit cards and save in a secure location in case of theft/loss.

Is online bill pay an option?
The advantages of online bill pay for the traveler are tremdous. I have utilized online bill pay for several years now and can’t imagine going back to paper bills. As travelers, receiving mail can be timely. By the time you have received a bill it may be just days to a due date. If your like me and don’t read your mail quickly, you could easily be facing paying something late.

There are many options available for online bill pay. From fully automated scheduling to single payments. Once you have set up the online bill pay schedule that you are comfortable with, it can nearly eliminate not only the paper piles but also the monthly headaches.

Are there other questions that you have regarding banking while on contract? Do you have tips to add to the list above?

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 4, 2016

16782 Views

Travel Nurse Pay: How Do I Know I’m Getting a ‘Fair’ Offer?

Posted on August 4, 2016April 20, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

This article was provided by: Aya Healthcare

Determine your Minimum Worth

My first advice to any traveler is to know what you feel your minimum worth is. Determine how much you need to make a travel contract worth your time and effort. We all have bills, and expenses and knowing your absolute minimum is a great place to start.

Once you have figured out what your personal minimum amount is, you should consider the location that the position is being offered in.

Why should the Contract Location affect my pay?

The extreme differences in the cost of actually living from place to place across the country are astounding. An easy example of this is the cost of gas from one region of the country to another. See the map below as an example.

Click anywhere on the map for a state-by-state average list of fuel prices.

AAA Fuel Gauge Report

If I’m working a contract in Missouri, gas is as low as $3.37/gal, whereas if I am working in California, it’s as high as $4.24/gal. This is just one example of how the actual cost of living can affect your final take-home or living money.

Based on the cost of living, I could take a contract in Missouri at my minimum pay but would be very hesitant to do so for a contract in California.

Shop Around

Please realize that this is a very touchy subject and can be somewhat unethical depending on how it’s done. I would never recommend that you give job specifics from one company to another. This will not go over well with any recruiter. I do, however, offer a slightly different approach. If you know that you would like to work in San Francisco and are being offered X amount from Company A, there is nothing to say that you cannot talk to companies B, C, and D and ask them what positions they have in the same city or even ask them if they have contracts at a particular hospital. If they do, find out what they are offering.

I do not recommend that you pit one company against another when it comes to negotiations. Ensure that you are clear with all companies you are working with that it is NOT acceptable to submit you to any position without your express permission. The last thing you want to happen is to have a low-paying company submit you when you have another company looking at the same position.

Many of the contracts out there are actually submitted through some Vendor Management. Ultimately, there may be dozens of companies, all with the same contracts at slightly different rates.

Every agency contracts with the hospital at a different rate, no different than each travelers contract is different than another travelers contract. Some companies will be able to pay you more based on their bill rate and some less.

Consider Your Relationship with the Company/Recruiter

Your relationship with your preferred companies and/or recruiters can also play a huge factor in your decision. Perhaps company B is offering slightly more, but you have worked well with Company A, who is slightly underpaying? Is it worth $1/hr to you to deal with a company or a recruiter that you don’t really know or fully trust? Is it possible that with a little nudging, Company A would up the pay just a little due to your extended relationship?

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The advantages:

The disadvantages:

Travel nurses share their personal experiences: Dr. Helen Rook

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