May 4, 2018

8836 Views

What to Do When all the Traveling Catches Up to You

Posted on May 4, 2018May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

The Following is a Guest Post by: Tara Heath

Are you feeling the burn of your “gypsy” lifestyle? Has all of that traveling finally taken its toll on you? If so, take a deep breath and get ready to relax your stresses and tensions away. Here are some tips and tricks for soothing your weary bones when the Traveling catches up to you.

The life of a traveling nurse is certainly rewarding. Helping others in need worldwide, traveling to new and exotic destinations, and seeing the amazing sights and attractions is very fulfilling; however, all of that traveling is bound to catch up with you sooner or later. When you’re tired and run down, you aren’t much good to yourself – or anyone else. To be the best nurse and caretaker that you can be, you need to be well-rested.

Take some time off.

One of the best ways to get the much-needed relaxation you need is to take some time off. Yes, there are so many people to help, and yes, you want to be able to do all that you can for them, but if you don’t take a few days off for yourself, you aren’t going to be able to help anyone effectively.

So, take a look at your schedule and arrange for a few days off. During your time of rest, kick back and relax. Spend some time at home and get reacquainted with yourself, your family, and your friends. Or, you can plan a trip to a relaxing destination. How do a few days laying out on a sandy beach while soaking up some rays and sipping some refreshing beverages sound? You deserve the time to rest your mind, your body, and your spirit.

Start practicing yoga.

If taking time off isn’t an option, but you feel the effects of your hectic lifestyle, give yoga a try. This age-old art form is known for its ability to relax the mind and the body. When you get back to wherever you are staying, spread a mat out on the floor and de-clog your mind with a few yoga positions. In addition to regaining your center, you’ll also experience a great workout for your body, which will do wonders for releasing all of that built-up tension.

Enjoy a spa day.

Everyone deserves a little pampering from time-to-time, especially a busy traveling nurse. What better way to pamper yourself than by spending a day at the spa? Get a massage, a manicure, a pedicure, a facial, and even some reflexology. You might even want to check out one of those body scrubs or super soothing soaks. As a nurse, you have dedicated your life to taking care of others; enjoy letting others take care of you now and again. You deserve it!

Being a traveling nurse is one of the most gratifying and meaningful occupations, but it can exhaust. Make sure you stay in tip-top shape by remembering to take care of yourself when all of that traveling and caretaking catches up to you.

About the Author: Tara Heath is a freelance writer in Southern California. Having traveled a great deal, she knows how exhausting it can be, and she always attempts to find ways to relax afterward. She often contributes to the Candy Concepts Inc. blog.

By The Gypsy Nurse

March 3, 2018

15181 Views

Night Shift Nurse: Finally, A good night’s (day’s) sleep!

Posted on March 3, 2018October 31, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Many night shift nurses have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Check these tips to help you get a great night (or day’s) sleep.

Insomnia:

Insomnia is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Episodes may come and go (episodic), last up to 3 weeks (short-term), or be long-lasting (chronic).

Create Darkness:

Two great ways to create darkness to help you sleep better during the day are to use a Sleep mask like this one by Sleep Master or to create a dark room by using some Black-out shade or window covering like the one pictured here by Shift Shade.

Limit Noise:

Turn off your cell phone and other items that may distract you from sleeping. White noise is helpful for some to block out any external noises like the neighbor’s lawn mower or kids playing. Try this White Noise Sound Machine.

Herbal Sleep Aides
Occasional use of sleep aids may help get you to sleep if you are having trouble on a particular occasion. Get the lightest dose you can, and don’t use it daily. Using sleep aids daily can cause dependency and drowsiness during your shift. Check with your physician and ensure that there aren’t any contraindications with any prescription medications you are taking. Check these Natural Sleep Aides

Other Tips:

Get plenty of regular exercise.
Set a sleep schedule and try to stick to it even on your days off.
Set regular meal times.
Make an effort to get a moderate amount of sun. Sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D.
Maintain a Healthy Diet.

What do you do to ensure a good ‘day’s’ sleep when working the night shift? Give your tips in the comments!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

February 17, 2018

8490 Views

Make Your Health Your First Priority

Posted on February 17, 2018January 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

The following is a Guest Post via Elizabeth Scala

Now, I’ve never been a travel nurse but I am imagine it can be just as busy- if not busier- than being a nurse who stays in one location.

Prioritize your health

I bet that when you move to a new place, where you’re less likely to know anyone, the temptation to work all of the time creeps in. You’re lonely, in a new place, with nothing to do- so why not work when they need help, right? What better way to spend your time than making money and helping out the organization your working at?

Great idea? Well, in theory, overtime and more money sound great-but I have to say: wrong! This can be a very, very bad idea.

Being a nurse is a nurse is a nurse. Whether you travel or not working all of the time is not good for our health. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and even socially- this is not good for our well-being.

So what can you do if you’re on the road, looking to make some extra cash, and trying to fit in and make new friends?

Do what I always advise: put yourself first whether you are at home, on an assignment, at work, or not- see yourself and your health as your priority.

**What are some tools and techniques that you can do to strengthen this ‘I am #1 muscle’? Here is a list of things I teach and work with my clients on:**

• Balance your ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ responses. We are all nurses. Many of us went into nursing because there is something about our personality that likes to help, nurture, and care. So when I tell you to say ‘No’ from time to time, I’m not at all suggesting that you become this mean-hearted, selfish person that doesn’t help anybody out. No way! I’m totally into playing for the team, and when we do this, it makes nursing that much better. But make a list. On the top of the page, put your header. So let’s use ‘Being Called into Work Overtime’ as our header for this example. Under the header, make one column ‘Yes’ and the other column ‘No.’ And each time work calls- make a little mark in the column associated with your answer. Observe your behavior. Is it balanced? Are you putting yourself first, or are you always letting work win out?

• Value yourself. This is a hard one. For nurses, for everybody, really. We are typically our own worst critics. When everyone else can congratulate us and tell us what we’ve done well, we can usually find the one flaw out of all the good we do. Start slowly with building up your own appreciation for yourself. Each night before bed, write down 5 things you did well that day and 5 things you love about yourself. Place a little notebook right on your pillow so that you don’t forget. When you begin to appreciate yourself more, you will value your time. You will put yourself first and stand up for your own health.

About The Author:

I’d love to hear how either of these tools worked for you, or if you have any others you’d like to add to the list. If you’re interested in finding out more, come visit me at www.livingsublimewellness.com. Sign up for my newsletter and receive my special gift, a 3-Part Video Series, “Here’s Time for Your Health”.

By The Gypsy Nurse

January 18, 2018

6114 Views

Knowing the Nurse Within

Posted on January 18, 2018January 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

The following is a Guest Post via Elizabeth

Hi there! My name’s Elizabeth Scala and I’m a Nurse Coach and Reiki Nurse. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to guest blog on the Gypsy Nurse site. I really enjoy writing… I find it healing, relaxing, and fun. I hope you enjoy my posts on well-being and healthy lifestyle and if you are looking for a certain topic- just let me know!

Candy gave me a bit of background on what it’s like to be a travel nurse. Now I’ve never been one, but I can share with you that I am quite shy, slow to ‘warm up’ to a group, and have been building self-confidence my entire life. That sort of personality, coupled with not having many close friends, makes for a greater risk of loneliness.

Through reading the posts on the Gypsy Nurse Blog, I’ve come to see some similarities between myself and y’all.

· Being a travel nurse can be lonely when you move to a new location (I’ve moved a bit and find it hard to make new friends)

· As a travel nurse certain personalities enhance our chances of homesickness (I shared my personality above and I am quite the home-body!)

· Boredom, loneliness, or disappointment can lead to increased chances of stress and job dissatisfaction (been there, done that!)

In my work, I approach our overall and total well-being through a sense of healthy balance. I believe it isn’t just physical, nutritional, or mental that goes into our feeling well and happy. Spiritual, emotional, environmental, career, educational, social, relational, etc. –all sorts of things play into our total well-being.

If we’re not feeling happy and healthy in our location, our career, or our current situation- then our health suffers.

Over the course of my posts here, I’ll share with you several ways we can enhance, uplift, and ultimately sustain our overall well-being. But first I want to touch on a fundamental piece: knowing, listening to, and being comfortable with ourselves.

Many times when we look to make lifestyle changes we check out what’s going on around us. What’s the latest research, fad, or trend with respect to nutrition? How have our friends lost weight? Where are the most up-and-coming places to exercise?

Don’t get me wrong; it’s really great to get support, guidance, and look for ways to be accountable. However, sometimes this is done to a fault.

We’re so busy looking externally for answers; we forget that the healing, happiness, and peace have been right within our reach. Health is within.

This is really awesome news for the travel nurse!

If you’re feeling lonely, getting homesick, or experiencing dissatisfaction with your current assignment- you have a phenomenal asset right at your fingertips. You!

What are several ways we can get to know ourselves- thus ultimately enhancing our health- a little bit more?

· Sit quietly. One sure-fire way to get to know and be able to hear your inner you is through tuning in and tuning out. There is a ton of ‘noise’ out there. We have such a high risk of getting distracted. When we are over inundated with information we run the risk of losing touch with ourselves. By sitting still, being quiet, and just observing we can come back to knowing ourselves in a much deeper way.

· Journal. I’ve committed to writing 3 pages of long-hand in my journal every day. It doesn’t have to be about anything or it can be about everything. I’ve found it has helped me to work through decisions, deal with struggles, and get answers that I can’t find anywhere else. When I write- I can hear my inner self so much more clearly!

· Observe nature. There is no more beautiful, humbling, and grounding way to get in touch with our inner self than going outside and just watching. Use all of your senses- smell the air, feel the breeze, hear the animals and vegetation. Being with nature taps us into our inner most wisdom.

· Enjoy yourself. Just have fun doing what YOU enjoy for a change! Make a list of all of the things you liked to do as a kid. What did your parents drag you away from? Find comfort in doing those things that make you smile!

If you’re interested in finding out more, come visit me at www.livingsublimewellness.com. Sign up for my newsletter and receive my special gift, a 3-Part Video Series, “Here’s Time for Your Health”.

About The Author:

Elizabeth is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master’s degrees in both Business and Nursing. Originally from Carmel, NY, she now lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two dogs. Visit www.livingsublimewellness.com for more information.

By The Gypsy Nurse

November 5, 2017

16196 Views

Eating Healthy On-the-Road

Posted on November 5, 2017September 28, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

The following is a Guest Post via Elizabeth Scala

As a travel nurse, I bet you’re hit with a ‘double whammy’ when it comes to eating healthy.

First: you’re a nurse.
Every nurse knows what a nurse ‘lunch’ looks like… standing up, eating between patients, while answering the phone, and checking orders – if you’re lucky to find time to eat at all!

Secondly, you’re traveling. From what I gather, being in a new place, a new environment, a new organization… it’s tricky, challenging stuff. And what do most people do when they are uncomfortable, looking to make new friends, and trying to fit in? They eat! Ever notice that food is linked to celebration, praise, recognition, meet-and-greets, networking, and all sorts of activities that have us eating, socializing, and possibly making unhealthy choices.

Today I’d like to talk about this: Healthy eating and how you can do so even when you’re away from home. And it doesn’t have to do with food at all! No matter what food it happens to be that we put into our mouths; we are able to make it a healthy meal.

So let’s talk about how all of the foods we eat have the potential to be ‘healthy’ for us. I’ll share with you a couple of reasons how and why we have the ability to make each meal nutritious for us.

Bioindividuality. I learned in my Institute for Integrative Nutrition course: ‘one man’s food is another man’s poison’. What I eat may be good for me, but not for you. What you eat may be wonderful for you, but harm another. We are all unique individuals and so we all have to find what foods ‘work’ for us. There is no one be-all, end-all diet that is going to help every single unique person out. Fad diets don’t work. What you’ve got to do instead is listen to your own body, find out what foods are ‘healthy’ for you, and create a plan.

So you may be thinking (screaming), “Wait a minute! Wait a minute! I thought she was going to HELP me!! “How am I going to know if I am eating healthy?”

Meal Routine. Notice how you eat and start to reflect on your own habits. Who do you usually eat with? Do you typically do anything else during your meals? How does your food taste? Do you enjoy your food? What did you think when you eat? Notice your mood when you come to a meal. How do you usually decide you’re done eating? How do you usually feel after your meals? When we are more aware of our intake practices we can get a handle of our eating behaviors. We become more mindful of our intake; creating a healthier eating environment.
Mindful Eating. Try to eat in a quiet place, eliminating as much distraction as possible. Breathe in between bites. Allow the body to taste, experience, smell, notice, feel, and digest the food. Pay attention to the meal. Express gratitude for the nutrients, for those who created the meal, and for the food preparation and shipment process itself. Bring awareness to your intake so that you experience the meal and can tell when you are full. When you eat the food mindfully, you will be more satiated… needing less food later on quickly after mealtime.
Find Like-Minded Friends. Being in a new place, with new people, and unfamiliar tastes and places… look around for a networking group, meet-up, or colleagues from work who are interested in eating healthy. See if you can search for any whole foods resources in the area. Is there a cooking class, health foods store, or farmers market where you can talk to people? Find out where the farm-to-table restaurants, healthy markets, or organic establishments are.

About The Author:

Elizabeth “Coach” Scala, MSN/MBA, RN is passionate about helping healthcare professionals, nurses in particular, to embody holistic living and embrace self-care. Through her business, Living Sublime Wellness, she writes regularly on the topic of self-care, conducts wellness workshops, and offers both in-person and online seminars for busy nurses.
Elizabeth is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and holds Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Master’s degrees in both Business and Nursing. Originally from Carmel, NY, she now lives in Baltimore, MD with her husband and two dogs. Visit http://www.livingsublimewellness.com for more information.

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

By The Gypsy Nurse

March 7, 2013

12487 Views

Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Resources and Information

Posted on March 7, 2013January 16, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. In support, The Gypsy Nurse has put together some resources with information. Below you will find this list of Colon/Colorectal Cancer Resources.

According to Cancer.org:

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States for 2020 are:

104,610 new cases of colon cancer
43,340 new cases of rectal cancer

They also state that “In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It’s expected to cause about 53,200 deaths during 2020.”

This is not an all-inclusive listing; just a little something to help you get started.

Resources and Organizations:

CDC

Colon Cancer Prevention Project

Fight Colorectal Cancer

Awareness Forums:

Support

Cancer Survivors Network

Health Boards

Blogs:

Chris 4 Life

Adventures in Colon Cancer

The Stolen Colon

What’s Up Your Butt?

If there are other resources that you use or know about and would like to recommend, please list them in the comments!

Health / Fitness

What to Do When all the Traveling Catches Up to You

Take some time off.

Start practicing yoga.

Enjoy a spa day.

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Night Shift Nurse: Finally, A good night’s (day’s) sleep!

Insomnia:

Create Darkness:

Limit Noise:

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Make Your Health Your First Priority

Prioritize your health

**What are some tools and techniques that you can do to strengthen this ‘I am #1 muscle’? Here is a list of things I teach and work with my clients on:**

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Knowing the Nurse Within

If we’re not feeling happy and healthy in our location, our career, or our current situation- then our health suffers.

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Eating Healthy On-the-Road

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Resources and Information

According to Cancer.org:

Resources and Organizations:

Awareness Forums:

Blogs:

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Take some time off.

Start practicing yoga.

Enjoy a spa day.

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6 Essential Health Products to Bring While Traveling

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Insomnia:

Create Darkness:

Limit Noise:

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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**What are some tools and techniques that you can do to strengthen this ‘I am #1 muscle’? Here is a list of things I teach and work with my clients on:**