June 21, 2018

5768 Views

Cloud Storage for the Travel Nurse

Posted on June 21, 2018November 10, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

How Living in the Cloud Can Save Time and Your Sanity

The Following on cloud storage is a Guest Article via The Nerdy Nurse.

To some, terms like “the cloud” seem like foreign computer jargon used by only the nerdiest of computer geeks. However, the cloud is actually a very user-friendly way to store documents online and allows for nearly instant access to them from anywhere. This can be a beneficial tool for nurses in any role to keep track of paperwork. And now, services like Google Drive and Dropbox make living in the cloud easier than ever by using desktop synchronization automated after initial set up. This makes documents on your laptop accessible from your smartphone, work computer, or any other computer you feel comfortable logging in on.

What does it mean to “Live in the Cloud?”

Living in the cloud means storing all your documents and files online. This makes switching to a new device a breeze and can allow you to access your personal or business files whenever and wherever. It elevates your productivity because as long as you have internet access, you can create and store documents from anywhere. The key to living in the cloud is storing all your documents, pictures, music, and movies on a cloud service.

Why Should Nurses Live in the Cloud?

Often, nurses are asked to provide documentation about their licensure, social security information, or copies of other records. This can happen more often for travel nurses, who usually have to provide a packet worth of information for each new travel assignment. While many nurses may have a file cabinet at home where they store all these documents, wouldn’t it be much easier to log in to access those documents via your smartphone or another computer and present them instantly? Think of how much time you can save by not having to pilfer through that file folder and then make copies (again) of all those documents that you repeatedly need to access.

How Can I Start Living in the Cloud?

Now that you’re no longer intimidated by the cloud (or at least have the curiosity and interest to keep reading), you can get started living in the cloud. This can be done by following a few steps:

Select a cloud storage services provider.
1. I recommend Google Drive or Dropbox for superior user experiences to most other cloud services. However, Box adheres to HIPAA and HITECH standards, so if you are going to have PHI or your personal identity data in the cloud, you might want to consider this option.
Download the desktop application
1. Whether you are a Windows-based PC or Mac user, most reputable cloud services have a desktop client. This allows you to allocate a drive on your computer to store all your documents. This makes locating files on your computer a seamless experience and automatically syncs those files to the cloud without any manual intervention.
Download the smartphone App
1. One of the biggest benefits of cloud computing is that you can access your documents and files from pretty much any mobile device. If you want to view paperwork that you know resides on your home computer or a picture that you have to show a friend, there is no need to be concerned with whether you’ve synced that file or picture on your phone. As long as you have a cell phone signal, you can access any file you need anytime!
Store Your Documents and Files in the Cloud
1. Once you have downloaded the desktop app, make sure that you are storing any document you may need to access remotely on this synchronized drive. I personally recommend paying the extra fee (for Google Drive, it’s about $5 a month for 100 GB of storage) so that you can store all your documents in the cloud. This way, you won’t have to determine which files are more valuable than others. You can automatically backup and access all your files via the cloud.
2. You should also make efforts to use a digital scanner like NeatDesk or smartphone scanning applications like Jot Not Scanner Pro or Scanner Pro to make PDFs for pertinent paperwork. This will be especially helpful when applying for your next nursing job or travel nurse assignment.

When you first consider using the cloud, it can be intimidating and overwhelming. But hopefully, the information provided in this article has given you the tools you need to use the cloud to become more mobile and productive. No longer will you have to make hard copies of paper documents. You will be free to access your important files from anywhere at any time.

Technology can help nurses make life easier, and this is only one small example of how this can be done. For more examples of how nurses can use technology to improve their lives and the care, they deliver to patients, check out The Nerdy Nurse’s Guide to Technology.

Author Bio:

Brittney Wilson, RN, BSN, also known as The Nerdy Nurse, is a Clinical Informatics Nurse practicing in Georgia. In her day job, she gets to do what she loves every day: Combine technology and healthcare to improve patient outcomes. She can best be described as a patient, nurse, and technology advocate and has a passion for using technology to innovate, improve and simplify lives, especially in healthcare. Brittney is the author of The Nerdy Nurse’s Guide to Technology. She is a social media influencer and blogs about nursing, technology, healthcare, parenting, and various lifestyle topics at thenerdynurse.com. You can also connect with her on Twitter @TheNerdyNurse or Facebook The Nerdy Nurse.

By Gifted Healthcare

June 5, 2018

14121 Views

Top Ten Items For Travel Nurses

Posted on June 5, 2018May 20, 2021 by Gifted Healthcare

Sponsored post from Gifted Healthcare:

Being on the road week after week takes So. Much. Energy. Staying organized and on top of things can easily fall to the wayside when you’re adjusting to an unfamiliar workplace with new co-workers and patients. Luckily, there are ways to make these transitions a little easier and with the right supplies, the ‘travel’ part of travel nursing can be so much easier! Here are the top ten items for travel nurses that will help your adventure be more about pursuing your passion, and less about dumping out your suitcase trying to find your phone charger and toothbrush.

Top 10 Items for Travel Nurses

Travel Cubes

If you check out one item on this list, go for these. Travel cubes come in sets with different sizes. You can keep your scrubs all in one accessible place, which is perfect if you’re juggling 8 to 12 hours shifts with exploring a new town. You can open and place into drawers, making it easy to access the contents and then easily repack. Using the cubes also helps prevent your clothes from being wrinkled (double win!). When not in use, the cubes can be folded compactly and stored. The largest one also makes a good laundry hamper in a pinch.

Packable Daypack

My favorite part of exploring a new area is taking day trips to explore my new surroundings. When I go, I don’t want to haul ALL my luggage with me so with a smaller go-bag, you can take just the essentials and enjoy the sights and sounds of a new environment. Plus, this bag folds up into a small pouch and takes up very little room in your suitcase.

Electronics Organizer

Sometimes after a long day, you want to curl up with your tablet and read or scroll Facebook endlessly until you doze off. That’s hard to do without charged electronics. This organizer will help you remember to pack all the appropriate chargers and allows you to find them with ease.

Hanging Cosmetics Organizer

As it turns out, having things visible and easily accessible can reduce moments of frustration in your day. Much like the other organizer, this can streamline your day and save you time.

Quick Drying Towel

As satisfying as a long shower can be after a shift, going to dry off with a damp towel is not fun. With a Turkish towel, you’ll never have to worry about finding it still wet. Folded or rolled up, this item is also much more compact that the standard bath or beach towel. Outside the house, they can also be used for many purposes. Coming in an assortment of beautiful colors, many use them as a shawl, a neck pillow, swimsuit cover up, or even a blanket. They get softer with each wash, but remain durable, lightweight, and fast drying.

Packable Raincoat

For rainy climates, get obsessed with this incredibly lightweight raincoat. It fits stuffed up into one of the pockets and no bigger than the size of a fist. It’s the perfect go-to for outdoor adventuring.

Portable Phone Charger

“Oh I’m so glad my phone died while I was at work” said no one ever. This compact brick can hold up to seven full battery charges, just attach your phone’s USB charger and you’ll have no problem staying connected. With two USB ports, you can even look out for a coworker in need of a quick recharge.

Insulated Water Bottle

As someone who loses water bottles like it’s my day job, this is one I’ve held onto for years. It’s sleek design fits in most side backpack pockets or even some medium to large sized purses. It insulates hot drinks for up to 12 hours and cold ones up to 24. Plus, the designs are so trendy, they always get a lot of compliments on the road or in the breakroom.

Lightweight Shoes or Sandals

Having the right shoes makes every situation better. You can pay less attention to the blisters caused by those cute but uncomfortable flats, and more to the adventures of travel nursing. These shoes are lightweight and easy to slip in even a small suitcase or backpack. The sandals are great for long walks or even hiking that will make you forget about the last 12 hours you spent running around helping patients.

Mindful Travel Journal

Last but not least, it’s important to reflect on your amazing travel nurse experiences. This journal gives prompts on how to notice your surroundings better and promote de-stressing and gratitude.

Whether you’re packing for your next assignment or looking for a gift for your favorite travel nurse, these items for travel nurses can let you focus more on helping your patients while having fun on the road.

By The Gypsy Nurse

June 4, 2018

9013 Views

Travel Nursing: 6 Reasons It’s The Most Underrated Job in Healthcare

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

Guest post by Sandy Getzky:

Television is filled with shows about the medical profession. But more often than not, it focuses on the doctors. If you think about it, you’d be hard-pressed to identify any medical show centered on nurses. It’s not that there is none. It’s just that it’s extremely rare. Because nursing as a whole is a very underrated job.

It may just be fiction, but it plays a part in the recognition that nurses get for what they do. Although it’s hard to admit, nurses are generally underappreciated and nursing is an underrated job. They’re often looked down on because they’re not doctors. Just as overworked, although not as glorified.

Read on if you’re looking to learn more about nursing as a profession. You’ll realize that it goes beyond taking orders from doctors, checking blood pressure, or getting blood samples from your arm.

The job can be as flexible as you prefer.

As a nurse, you can work full-time or part-time, depending on your availability. You can work for as little as four hours to over twelve hours in a day. Your weekly schedule might consist of working only during weekdays, or you can choose to work also on weekends.

Not just that, but you can also work during the shift you prefer. You can work in the morning, or in the evening. Nurses are needed all day every day, so there isn’t just one set of work hours for nurses.

The job is highly flexible, giving you plenty of options if your working hours are unstable.

The pay is good.

The median pay for nurses is around $70,000. And that’s just for registered nurses in general practice. It varies depending on which state you’re in. The highest paying states are California, Massachusetts, and Hawaii.

You can choose to specialize in a certain field. It’s even preferred. This gives you an edge over the others. And in turn, you can demand higher pay for your specialization. A certified registered nurse anesthetist can earn as much as $135,000 per year.

As a bonus, there’s always room for improvement. You can work your way up and get even better pay as a result.

You can work anywhere.

Nursing can be practiced anywhere. It’s a global profession. You can practice it in any state, in any country around the world. You can study in America, and practice in Asia. All you need to do is take and subsequently pass the necessary licensure exam in the region, and you’ll be allowed to practice.

There are even nurses who choose not to be tied up to a specific hospital. Others choose to become a freelance consultant. They don’t report to a single clinic or hospital. Instead, they go directly to their clients for appointments.

You can choose your own career path. There are options available depending on what fits you.

Demand is high.

Nursing, as part of healthcare, will always be needed hence the constant need for nurses. And with the ever-growing population, the number of nurses required is also increasing. Every day, more and more people are getting sick and requiring treatment. And the first line of interaction they get is through nurses.

There are a lot of countries in Europe that have a high demand for nurses. Even in North America, especially in Canada and several states in the USA, the need for more nurses just keeps growing.

Rest assured, you’ll find an opening somewhere if you choose to look.

It is never boring.

It’s a highly engaged profession–centered on delivering service to patients. Every single day, you encounter different people with different needs and different personalities. You won’t end up doing the same routine day in and day out.

Aside from the patients, you also get to interact with other professionals in healthcare, such as doctors, physical therapists, and radiologic technologists, among others. They are just as diverse as the patients nurses deal with.

In addition, patient ailments and symptoms greatly vary. You can treat two people with the same diagnosis and still have two different prescribed treatments.

It is highly rewarding.

Finally, nursing is one of those professions where the reward is almost instant. As is generally the case in healthcare. Nurses get to see their patients get better or get the results they need. Some take years to improve, but nurses get to see their journey through.

Nurses don’t just deal with abstract concepts or figures, but with something more concrete: lives of people are at stake.

This is also why, as rewarding as it usually is, the downside is equally traumatic. When you deal with people’s health and lives, the stakes are high. A single mistake can cause permanent damage to a patient. Or worse: permanent loss.

Nursing is not for the faint of heart. It demands great sacrifice and a lot of emotional strength. Tragedy can strike at any time, and nurses have to be strong enough to face them when it strikes.

There’s a lot to love about nursing.

Equally, there is also a lot that needs to be changed. It is a constantly demanding profession. You won’t always be at your best. But every day will require it from you. Anything less would cost someone their health, or worse, their life.

As Ariel Jacoby once said: “Becoming a nurse is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake. In a society of so many different races, cultures, customs, and beliefs, nurses are a universal gift to all, and the dedicated work that they do and kindness they deliver on a daily basis should serve as a reminder of the fundamental humanity inside us all.”

That quote beautifully sums up what nursing is. Nursing transcends classifications. It doesn’t care about stereotypes. As long as you are someone that needs treatment and care, nurses are there to help you.

So if you’re thinking about getting into the profession or making a career out of it, just make sure it is something that you really want. Otherwise, you might just end up resenting it. Think about your decision thoroughly. It is a high risk, high reward industry after all.

Do you agree that travel nursing is an underrated job? Do you have more reasons why it is an underrated job? Comment your thoughts on why travel nursing is an underrated job below.

Sandy Getzky

Travel Nursing: 6 Reasons It’s The Most Underrated Job in Healthcare

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)
Social:
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By The Gypsy Nurse

May 23, 2018

8781 Views

The Anatomy of a Road Trip for the Travel Nurse

Posted on May 23, 2018April 20, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Building the road trip can be an exciting part of travel nursing. The pieces and parts of the trip all combine to make up the anatomy of the road trip. But what goes into it isn’t always how it works out in the end.

My most recent road-trip was a long one. Traveling from the Louisville KY area to Eureka California it was nearly 2500 miles. I had two routes that I could contemplate; the northern route via I 80 which would allow me to stop in and visit with my recruiter and the more southern route via I40 which would take me through the middle of the country.

Due to the nature of our business, we rarely get to meet with our recruiter or our company in person.

Knowing this I choose to take the Northern route…knowing that it would take me through some pretty remote parts of the US. If you have ever driven through Nebraska, Wyoming or Northern Nevada, you’ll understand what I mean when I say remote!

Don’t get me wrong; all of these states have their unique charms and if you have never driven this part of the US, I highly recommend it at least once. Take a friend along, it will lessen the boredom when you have no cell service and the radio is only 3 stations…all country music.

Making Connections along the way was a mission for this trip.

I had planned an overnight stop in Omaha Nebraska where my current company Triage Staffing is located. I met up with my recruiter Jason Sagehorn at a local place called Jimmy’s Egg for breakfast. I’ve met Jason previously and we had a great time catching up on personal stuff and finishing up some last minute paperwork for the upcoming job.

After meeting with Jason, I set up a meeting with Atlas MedStaff. Atlas is one of the sponsors for the 2013 Gypsy Nurse Brunch/Luncheon happening in Las Vegas in October. When I realized that they were in Omaha, I couldn’t resist meeting with them in person. The crew at Atlas met (and treated) me for lunch at Joe’s Crab Shack. We discussed the business of travel nursing, some of the ups and downs and of course the upcoming events in Vegas. I wish that I’d had more time with this group as they were a ton of fun to visit.

We also scheduled a Meet & Greet at the Cheesecake Factory after our business lunch. Joe Smith from Travel Tax was in the area and came out to meet with us.

From Omaha, I traveled on to Cheyenne WY. It was late when I finally arrived and I can’t tell you if there is anything fun or interesting to see/do in Cheyenne because I basically ended up sleeping then hitting the road again…onto Salt Lake City. In SLC, I met up with a fellow Gypsy Nurse Andrea. We chatted for a bit but I had arrived a day earlier than expected and she was at work…

The final leg of the trip ended up much longer than I’d expected.

I had planned on taking 2-3 days for the remainder of the trip and ended up instead traveling the rest of the route in one fail swoop. I just kept thinking… ‘I can make it to Reno…it’s only x miles’ then it was ‘gosh…I’m just not tired, let’s see how far I can get tonight’.

So, I’ve arrived in Eureka California and have had a couple of days to relax and settle in before I start work on Monday. It’s not the road-trip that I planned and I wouldn’t recommend traveling from SLC to Eureka in one ‘fail swoop’ but it was the trip that it was….

Sometimes even the best-laid plans go awry…

**My camera decided to stop working on this trip which deterred me from doing much sightseeing along the way. There were several spots that I normally would have stopped and gotten out to explore and take a few photo’s but it all seemed futile without my camera.

By Joseph Smith @ Travel Tax

May 15, 2018

49353 Views

I Use an RV for Travel Nursing– Can I Deduct The Expenses?

Posted on May 15, 2018April 29, 2024 by Joseph Smith @ Travel Tax

Using an RV or 5th Wheel as your assignment lodging is a great way to work as a traveler. It removes the dreaded task of loading/unloading your vehicle with each assignment and having to find another apartment. Even though an RV, 5th Wheel, and Travel Trailer are similar terms, we will use the word “RV” to avoid repetition.
RVs are not cheap, and some cost more than a regular home. It’s quite an investment. Paying apartment rent at assignments is equally as expensive, and once spent, the money is gone. Unlike an RV, the place is still yours.

So…. Can you deduct your RV expenses?

If you rented an apartment at the assignment, you would deduct the expenses less any per diem you received. Since an RV is bought as a substitute for an apartment or rented home, you would think that RV expenses would also be deductible when used in the same manner.

First, let’s clear one hurdle.

To deduct ANY travel-related expense for assignments, a traveler must maintain a qualifying tax residence. Not just a permanent legal residence which is something different. A tax home is your Principal Place of income, OR when a person does not have a main place of work, their tax home can be at their principal residence if they have substantial expenses to maintain their dwelling that is duplicated when at an assignment.

Second, an RV must be a SECOND residence.

If you travel in an RV and do not maintain a job or have the main dwelling that you incur a financial burden for, we have failed the tests. Some RVers will leave behind an empty pad or vacant land and do not have a second residence for lodging. A pad or vacant land is not a dwelling.

Now that the basic stuff is covered, let’s get to our question about deducting the RV expenses.

RVs are considered a “residence” in the Tax Code

1) RVs are considered a “residence” in the Tax Code and, more specifically, a “dwelling unit.” Basically, anything that one can live in with adequate provisions for a living can rise to this level. RVs, boats, apartments, and homes are all included
in this category. Just as mortgage interest and real estate taxes are allowed as a deduction for the main residence, interest is paid on an RV and boat loan. Property taxes substitute for real estate taxes in RVs, so those payments to local governments are deductible as well.
But what about the rest of the expenses?

RVs fall under a peculiar part of the tax code

2) Since an RV is a “dwelling unit” and considered a residence, it falls under a peculiar part of the tax code (§280A ) that places specific restrictions on deductible expenses for dwelling units. Whenever one uses a dwelling for more than 14 days for personal lodging or >10% of days in which the dwelling unit is rented to other parties, deductions for the dwelling are limited to income derived from the RV or within the RV (like an office in the home) or not allowed at all.

Unfortunately, the rule in #2 answers the question that many travelers ask. It would be one thing to rent someone else’s RV on the road, but owning the RV as a residence triggers limitations that keep personal living expenses from becoming business expenses. Once you watch TV in the RV or do any personal act, you are using the RV for personal purposes as a dwelling and cannot deduct any further expenses. This is true even though you are using the RV as a second residence to deduct rent for an apartment at the assignment location normally. The ownership changes the deal.

Summary:

As a traveler using your RV as a work residence, you can deduct interest and taxes on the RV. You cannot deduct the costs of the RV nor depreciate the RV since it is used as a residence for> 14 days. As to the housing per diem, it applies to other expenses such as paying rent. Check out the TOP 10 Questions for Travel Nurses on Taxes.

References:
Jackson v Commissioner TC Memo 2014-160,
Dunford v Commissioner TC Memo 2013-189

By The Gypsy Nurse

May 2, 2018

9972 Views

From Detroit to the Western Slope: What I Learned During My First Travel Assignment

Posted on May 2, 2018January 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

As a twenty-something Detroit native, I like to consider myself a typical Midwestern type. Though I love everything about where I grew up, I started to feel unsatisfied. After two years in Labor and Delivery (LD) and 4.5 years as an RN… I was ready to start traveling. I made the decision just like I make most decisions in my life, quickly and without too much forethought.

When it came to choosing my travel company, I hopped online and did a little research. I contacted two companies by days end and had spoken to one recruiter. I suppose you could say it was love at first chat. The recruiter that contacted me was polite, seemingly driven, and very organized. We talked for about 40 minutes and he answered all of my questions without hesitation. The next day I told the recruiter I was ready to move. Two weeks later I accepted my first travel assignment in Grand Junction, Colorado; I was to move in four weeks. How big of a deal could it be to pack my apartment, quit my job, and move across the country? (my naivety is almost laughable).

I would like to note that while everything was a bit busy, it was completely manageable. Now finishing out the extension of my first contract, I would like to give tips and tricks I have picked up on my first travel assignment that I feel have been useful.

Phone Applications

1. EveryDollar:

I am terrible with maintaining a budget but I wanted to make sure I could put away some money before my move. I started to use “EveryDollar” to track my spending and maintain a budget of sorts. Easy to use and super helpful.

2. Hotel Tonight:

I used this during my drive across the country. I didn’t make a set plan of how far to drive each day I just did as much as I could. Using this app helps find last minute hotels in your area that are available.

3. CamScanner:

This is a lifesaver! Allows you to take a picture of your documents, convert them to PDF and mail them to your recruiter. I use this app religiously.

4. Airbnb/VRBO:

Since I had NO CLUE about anything regarding the Western Slope, and I am a little hesitant to use Craigslist as a single female, these apps made finding a living arrangement seamless.

5. REI National Parks:

I guess this is more for the explorers out there: this app is great for looking up hiking/biking/climbing trails and reading other explorer’s input on where to go/what to see. Being in Western Colorado, I have used this app a lot!

Starting at a new Hospital

Orientation:

Being a traveler, you don’t have the history you may have had as staff, and you only have 13 weeks to prove your competence. I asked a lot of questions about the charting system and their Fetal Heart monitoring program (LD specific). Familiarized myself with policies I felt would be important and made sure I followed up with my management. I familiarized myself with the OR and the scrub techs I would be working with. Have a good flow in the OR (especially in LD) is really important, especially in STAT situations.

Alone in a new town

I think the best thing I did was start to explore the town before I moved. I had seen that there was a climbing gym in the area (something I had really wanted to get into) and I signed up to join. It wasn’t too hard to meet people there. I also found it super helpful to go to the local REI and see if they had any outdoor group events coming up.

I have mastered the art of sitting and enjoying a meal alone, making small talk with strangers and trying new things without someone to join. To me, however, the best part of this job is the ways you meet new people and how quickly they become your family.

My first travel assignment has been one I’ll never forget! A lot of learning, a lot of laughing, and I have met some incredibly gifted and wonderful nurses. I am so excited to start my next contract, and share more knowledge with you guys: my gypsy family!

About The Author:

Author: Janelle Edwards, RN is a Labor and Delivery Nurse (LD).

By The Gypsy Nurse

February 19, 2018

12306 Views

How to Make Temporary Travel Nurse Housing Feel More Like “Home”

Posted on February 19, 2018January 3, 2024 by The Gypsy Nurse

Hey Gypsies! So you found yourself a new travel nurse assignment, and you just arrived at your new “home”! Congratulations! Now, try and make it feel a little cozier and more comfortable since it’s where you will be coming “home” to after every shift.

Making your new travel nurse temporary housing feel welcoming is an essential part of your health and happiness while on assignment. Below are a couple of examples of easy and inexpensive tips to help guide you through decorating temporary housing (without breaking the bank!) and making it feel more like home.

Candles and Diffusers:

The scent is known to trigger memories and feelings. Whether that smell takes you to a place or reminds you of a person, we’ve all had that experience. If you burn certain candles at home, bring that scent to your new temporary home. Different smells have different effects, and certain oils or incense can help make your home more inviting and calming!

Photographs:

Bring some pictures of loved ones, animals, and family with you and put them up in your bedroom, on the refrigerator, or buy some frames and hang them on the wall! Nothing beats the comfort of a reminder you feel when looking at pictures of people you care about or places you have been!

Art:

Not many things are more depressing than dull, generic walls. Grab some inexpensive artwork from discount stores like TJ Maxx or Marshall’s to spruce up the walls a bit. Wall decals are an awesome (and cheap) way to decorate as well, and the best part is that they easily peel off when you’re done with them.

Add some color:

Whether these colors are homelike themes or you want to go with a bright palette you’ve never tried before, color is a lively way of helping you forget that this home is temporary. If your housing is completely furnished, try buying a vibrant throw blanket to dress up the couch or substituting the comforter with a crazy quilt. Making your home away from home colorful will help it feel much less boring and bland.

Plants and Flowers:

Flowers are an attractive and fun addition to your temporary home furnishings. Grab low-cost flowers from the grocery or some easy-to-care-for green plants. Plants and flowers can brighten any room!

We hope these tips help you enjoy your 13 weeks (or more!) stay at your new assignment. Have other tips on how to make your temporary travel nurse housing feel more “homie” you would like to share with fellow gypsies? Please leave your decorating tips here in “comments.”

FIND TRAVEL NURSE HOUSING

By The Gypsy Nurse

February 17, 2018

8054 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

February 5, 2018

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10 Travel Nursing Mistakes I Made

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

I made a lot of mistakes early in my travel nursing career. I’m going to share my top 10 Travel Nursing mistakes. Knowledge is the key to success. We’ve all heard it before and I’m going to share mine.

I was uneducated and unprepared for the life of a Travel Nurse.

I headed out on my first Travel Nurse Contract without having any idea what I was doing. I ended up surviving but it could have been much smoother if I had only done a little research before I left home.

I had no idea what my wants and needs were.

All I knew when I left for my first contract was that I wanted to get ‘outta Dodge’. I didn’t think about what I needed or even wanted out of travel nursing. I took the first job offered and off I went.

I choose to leave home to begin travel nursing without a financial cushion.

Unfortunately, this was not a lesson easily learned for me. I did this time and time again and always ‘swore’ that it wouldn’t happen again! I was once on contract in San Diego and the company wasn’t paying me correctly or on time and I ended up canceling the contract and having to call my Dad for help to get home. Talk about degrading! Don’t let this happen to you…have a financial cushion.

I didn’t keep track of my paperwork and was disorganized.

Trying to find the paperwork needed for the agencies was sometimes a nightmare in the beginning. I had some things stored on my computer, some in paper format and none of it in the same place. Submitting to a new travel nurse staffing agency was always a daunting process.

I didn’t research travel staffing agencies well enough.

See #3! If I had researched the agency, I would NOT have been put in this situation. There were warning signs (that I choose to ignore) and after the fact I found out that this was a common issue with this particular company. If only I had researched better prior to accepting the contract; perhaps I could have avoided this situation.

I totally over-packed.

When I left home for my first contract, I had a 4-door Explorer packed to the gills! I don’t think I could have found room for an additional teaspoon. I didn’t know what to expect from the housing so I brought everything! Couple this with having to unload all of it and unpack and I quickly learned to down-size.

I didn’t know what questions to ask in the interview.

Not knowing what to ask can make the first few days/weeks on contract even more stressful than it has to be. I had no idea what resources I had, what the patient mix would be, etc. Ask questions!

I had no idea how to negotiate a contract or even what should be included in my contract.

I mentioned in a previous article that anyone pursuing a career in Travel Nursing should work as a car salesman first. I really am not kidding! Your negotiation skill will be very important and you MUST use them. If you don’t negotiate, companies will offer you the bare minimum.

I didn’t scrutinize the contract before I signed.

Even though we had agreed during the interview that I would have x day off for a personal reason…I didn’t make sure that it was noted in my contract. I ended up missing an event that was quite important to me because of this.

I didn’t listen to what ‘experienced’ travel nurses were telling me.

This is perhaps the most important lesson that I have learned. LISTEN. If everyone tells you that company A is a company with a bad reputation for something….they probably know. Listen and take to heart what other more experienced Travel Nurses have to say.

Are you an experienced travel nurse? What lessons did you learn the hard way? Share them in the comments!

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