By Vibra Travels

October 7, 2024

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Staying Healthy While On Your Fall Travel Assignment

Vibra Travels provided this article.

You play a vital role in healthcare, but it’s essential to prioritize your health, too! Staying healthy while on your fall travel assignment ensures you can continue providing top-notch care to your patients, AND enjoy everything your assignment has to offer this fall!

Essential Fall Travel Assignment Tips:

fall travel assignment
  • Get Vaccinated: Protect yourself with an annual flu vaccine to reduce your risk of illness and prevent spreading the virus to vulnerable patients.
  • Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Carry travel-sized sanitizers and disinfecting wipes while traveling.
  • Proper PPE Use: Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and be ready for varying requirements at different facilities.
  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your immune system strong. Dehydration weakens your defenses.
  • Rest and Sleep: Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and prioritize quality rest to support your immune system.
  • Balanced Diet: Eat a well-balanced diet. Seek out local grocery stores and healthy food options while traveling.
  • Exercise Regularly: Incorporate physical activity into your routine to boost immunity and reduce stress.
  • Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest guidelines from your healthcare facility and local health authorities. Familiarize yourself with healthcare resources at your location and telehealth options.
  • Sick Day Protocol: Know your facility’s protocol for sick days so you’re well-prepared if you fall ill.
  • Symptom Awareness: Be vigilant about flu and respiratory illness symptoms. Early recognition helps you seek care promptly and protect your patients.

Safe travels, and stay well on your fall travel assignment!

Easy chocolate chip pumpkin muffins

🍪🍂 Get cozy this fall with these delicious and easy-to-make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins—a favorite of our team!

fall travel assignment

Recipe:

  • Ingredients:4 eggs; 2 cups sugar; 1 (16 oz) can of pumpkin; 1½ cup vegetable oil; 3 cups flour; 2 tsp baking soda; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp salt; 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Instructions: In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups ¾ full. Bake at 400°F for 16-20 minutes or until the muffin test is done. Cool for 10 minutes before removing and place on a wire rack.

Try this recipe, and be sure to share your baking photos with our Vibra Travels community! Enjoy!

Don’t forget to download Vibra Travels New Mobile App: Google and Apple

fall travel assignment

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your housing search.

By Furnished Finder

September 22, 2023

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How to Stay Healthy on the Road as a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing is a wonderful career path and offers many benefits to those who embrace it, including adventure, challenge, and flexibility. But it can also be a challenging career, with long hours, demanding patients, and ever-changing work environments. One of the most challenging aspects of travel nursing is maintaining your health when you are away from home. With some careful planning and healthy habits, it is possible to stay healthy on the road as a travel nurse.

healthy on the road

1. Plan Ahead and Bring Healthy Snacks For The Trip

One of the biggest challenges of travel nursing is managing your diet. When you are on the road headed to an assignment, it is easy to fall into the trap of grabbing fast food or snacking on convenience store junk food. Before you leave home, pack a cooler with healthy snacks like fresh fruit, nuts, and protein bars. This will help you resist the temptation to grab unhealthy snacks on the go. Additionally, plan your meals in advance, and pack healthy lunches and snacks that you can eat on the go.

2. Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Sleep is a critical component of your overall health, and it is especially important when you are working as a travel nurse. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule will help you feel rested and alert throughout your shifts. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on your days off. Additionally, make sure that your sleep environment is comfortable and conducive to restful sleep. Invest in some earplugs and an eye mask to help block out noise and light if you’re a light sleeper. 

3. Stay Active and Exercise Regularly

Another key to staying healthy on the road as a travel nurse is to stay active and exercise regularly. Even if you are working long hours, try to incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. This can be as simple as taking a brisk walk during your lunch break or doing some stretching exercises before you go to bed. Additionally, look for opportunities to engage in more vigorous exercise, such as swimming, hiking, or cycling, when you have time off from work.

healthy on the road

4. Stay Hydrated!

Staying hydrated is crucial for your overall health, especially when you are on the road as a travel nurse. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during your long shifts. If you are working in a hot environment, be sure to drink even more water to avoid dehydration. 

5. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Finally, it is important to prioritize your mental health when you are working as a travel nurse. Travel nursing can be a stressful and demanding career, which can take a toll on your emotional well-being. Make time to pursue hobbies and interests that help you relax and unwind, such as reading, meditation, or yoga. Additionally, take advantage of support services available to you, such as employee assistance programs, counseling, or peer support groups.

Travel nursing can be a challenging but rewarding career path, and taking care of your health is a critical component of success in this field. By planning ahead, maintaining a healthy diet, and prioritizing your mental health, you can stay healthy as a travel nurse. Remember to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally, and you will be able to provide the best possible care for your patients while enjoying the adventure and excitement of travel nursing.

We hope you found these tips for staying healthy on the road as a travel nurse helpful. Do you have any tips to share with fellow travelers? Comment them below.

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!)

By Kevin Devoto

September 5, 2022

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Staying Fit As a Travel Nurse

Nursing is an incredibly physical profession. You’re on your feet all day, lifting patients, making beds, and doing everything you can to keep people comfortable. To be a successful nurse, you have to have some level of physical fitness. Without both mental and physical strength, your body will give up before you’re ready to retire. If you’re a travel nurse, here are some tips to help you stay fit. 

Compound Your Movements

The first tip for you to stay fit as a travel nurse is to compound your movements. Because of your busy schedule, you don’t have time for long, drawn-out workouts that isolate each muscle for maximum definition. The solution? Big, compound movements that work for the entire muscle group. For instance, do squats rather than seated leg raises. You’ll still work out your quads, but you’ll also include your glutes, calves, and hamstrings in a single movement. Similarly, do bench presses instead of chest flies. You’ll work your chest, shoulders, and triceps instead of isolating your chest. 

job board

In addition to compounding your movements, take a pre-workout and post-workout nutrition supplement with you. These supplements give you helpful nutrients you need to maintain energy throughout your workout, allowing you to do big compound movements for a longer period. Choose supplements that have all-natural ingredients, so you can feel confident about what enters your body. Le-Vel Thrive reviews are positive, with many clients being professionals like you. If you combine natural pre-workout supplements with compound movements, you can improve your fitness.

Use Commercial Gyms

Another tip for staying fit as a travel nurse is to use commercial gyms. While these fitness centers may not have the homey and welcoming feel of your local gym, many chains are available nationwide. Getting a membership to a commercial gym such as Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, or 24-Hour Fitness gives you access to well-stocked gym facilities at any placement. As a travel nurse, you move around often. Having a standard, you can rely on will provide a sense of normalcy when you’re away from home. 

A second benefit to commercial gym chains is that they all have similar equipment. When you get a membership to a gym chain, you can rely on each facility to have the same gear as the next. Each work placement has an adjustment period. You have to figure out your housing, your work, and the local grocery store, but your gym will always stay the same. When you’re a member of a commercial gym, you don’t have to relearn how to work out every time you move. 

Have a Backup Plan

Finally, having a backup plan will help you stay fit as a travel nurse. If there isn’t a commercial gym in the community, you’re placed in, or you don’t like the environment of a busy fitness center, having a plan to work out at home is a must. While you may not be able to get the same effect from a home workout as you would from a gym, you can still stay fit and healthy. The beauty of the digital age provides many free workout programs on platforms such as Instagram and Youtube. Simply search the muscle group you want to work with and your experience level and get started. 

Packing fitness gear with you while you move can help you maintain motivation. If you have a yoga mat and gym clothes, you’ll be more likely to exercise between shifts. Don’t let a lack of gear keep you from staying healthy. By packing your exercise materials with you on each move, you can encourage yourself to stay healthy and fit. 

Overall, nursing is hard on your body. By staying fit, you can reduce the amount of damage your profession does to your joints and soft tissues. 

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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!)

By Cristina Thorson

October 13, 2021

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Staying Healthy While Working the Night Shift

Working the night shift can be quite draining, in large part because it goes against the human body’s natural circadian rhythm. The circadian system regulates our body to be awake during daylight hours, so working the night shift means you’re fighting one of your body’s ingrained systems. In order to provide the best care as a nurse, you first need to prioritize taking care of yourself. Read on for some tips that will allow you to work the night shift and stay healthy.

Set a sleep schedule

If you haven’t started your night shifts, get a head start by sleeping during the day. You can also train yourself to incorporate quick naps at convenient times.

Consume caffeine in moderation

Caffeine can be a lifesaver, especially during the night shift. Many depend on it to get their minds and bodies moving during work hours. However, try not to drink too much, because you don’t want to crash during work. You also want to be able to fall asleep when you get home.  

Eat healthy foods

Getting through the night shift will be harder if you have to deal with the ups and downs of blood sugar. Lack of sleep can throw off your body’s cravings. It can be difficult to reach for something that will give your body fuel, especially when you’re tired. Meal prepping is a great way to eat nutritious, inexpensive food without having to cook every night.

Stay hydrated

Keeping your body properly hydrated regulates your digestive system and helps you stay energized. Try to drink a bottle of water before you begin your shift, so you can get a head start on hydration. 

Exercise regularly

It might feel draining to motivate yourself, but exercise will give you more energy in the long term. Try something small and simple—it doesn’t have to be hardcore weightlifting. Just make sure you’re properly fueling your workouts and getting enough sleep to feel good! 

Schedule night shifts close together

It can be hard to get used to the odd hours, so try to schedule them back-to-back. It’ll give you an opportunity to take advantage of your time off.

Create a routine

Routines will help you plan your days off, so you can maximize your free time. A routine can also help you regulate your sleep schedule. As a travel nurse, it can be hard to set a routine. However, trying to do something as simple as brushing your teeth at the same time every day can help your body feel soothed and ready to relax.

Avoid alcohol

Alcohol might help you fall asleep, but it actually decreases the quality of your sleep and makes you feel less energized when you wake up. To avoid brain fog, try to avoid alcohol 24 hours before your next shift.

Use free time wisely

If you have free time to do something fun, you should do it! Just try to stay consistent with the sleep schedule and routines you’ve created for yourself. 

Keep your household in the loop

Allowing your household access to your schedule will enable them to respect your resting hours and make plans with you when you’re free. It can be difficult to coordinate, so try sharing a calendar (whether it’s virtual or hanging on the wall) to make it a little easier for them to see what you’re up to. 

Take nap breaks

If you have breaks and are tired enough, use them for naps. Naps are a great way to rejuvenate your energy levels. The best time to nap is around 20-30 minutes. 

Prioritize self-care

Self-care is so important, and many of the items on this list can actually work as self-care. When it comes down to it, self-care is about checking in with yourself and making sure your mental health is at its best.  

Design a sleep-friendly bedroom

It helps to adjust your sleeping environment so that it simulates nighttime, so if that means getting blackout curtains, go for it. Try to avoid loud noises or distractions.

Limit blue light

Limiting blue light before bed is one of the ways to make your bedroom more sleep-friendly. Try to get off your phone right before you go to sleep. If you have time to unwind and watch TV, try to do it a couple of hours before you go to bed. 

Nurses are essential workers, and we’ve recognized that more than ever in the past year. Because nurses are so important, it’s often a necessity for nurses to work the night shift. Do your best to prioritize your physical and mental health—if you need to take some time off, do it! Above all, you want to stay healthy so you can take on your shifts safely and successfully.

We hope you found these tips for staying healthy while working the night shift helpful. If you have any tips for working the night shift and staying healthy, comment them below.

Below you will find an infographic with some more information.

the night shift

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!)

By Kevin Devoto

November 4, 2020

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5 Tips For Staying Happy and Healthy as a Travel Nurse

If you’re a nurse hoping to get into the traveling medical profession, you probably have a lot of questions. While the career is exciting and full of unique opportunities, it also brings some unique stressors and can be difficult if you’re not properly prepared. As a nurse, it’s vital that your health is in top shape as you travel. This article will help you find ways to stay happy and healthy and at the top of your game as you prepare for takeoff.

Tips to help you stay happy and healthy

1. Stay Healthy

It’s difficult to stay on top of your nutrition while traveling, no matter where you’re going. As a nurse, you’re probably accustomed to putting aside your personal comfort in order to provide care for your patients. But maintaining your health starts with making sure you’re getting the nutrients you need throughout the day. If nutritious options aren’t available where you’re traveling, you might want to try a vitamin supplement from Nucific, derived from real fruits and vegetables. This is an easy way to stay on top of your vitamins as you travel, no matter what the food options might be.

2. Plan Ahead

There are probably a lot of items on your packing list as a traveling nurse. Everything from immunization records to address updates needs to be completed before you take off, especially if you’re traveling out of the country. Your new job will probably require you to bring documentation with you on your first day, so make sure you have sturdy folders and binders to keep your papers wrinkle-free on the journey.

Don’t wait until the last minute to begin preparing for the job, as a lot of necessary to-do items will require a few months to complete. You might want several lists of what to do a year, a month, a week, and a day out from takeoff. This will help you to avoid becoming frazzled and stressed, and will ensure that you get a good night’s sleep leading up to your big move.

3. Ask Questions

A lot of possible fears and stressors around starting a new job are in the what-ifs. By becoming comfortable with asking your recruiter any questions you might have, you will be able to avoid a lot of nerves leading up to the move. It might feel daunting to ask questions if you don’t think they’re important, but remember that everyone had their first day at some point and you’re in a very normal position.

If possible, try to make contacts with other nurses at your new posting before it begins. This will help you to feel like you already have friends, a great way to avoid homesickness and feeling lonely in a new location. You’ll also want to review any documents and policies that are sent to you, to avoid unnecessary mistakes and embarrassments in your first few days.

4. Track Your Wages

Part of taking care of yourself as a traveling nurse is making sure you’re advocating for yourself at all times. Whether you’re working overtime or on holidays, make sure each paycheck accounts for the extra pay you may be owed. Make sure your contract has been signed before you pack up and leave home, and make sure that the contract has everything you need to have to feel safe and happy with the new job. You might love your work and your patients, but working for free and being taken advantage of can seriously derail your happiness with a position.

5. Get Time Off

You may feel like this is thinking too far ahead, but if you know in advance of the job starting date that you’ll be needing time off, make sure it’s in the contract. By having it written in stone, you won’t have to inconvenience anyone with your time off, and you’ll be guaranteed that time no matter what the circumstances are at your post.

These tips are a great starting place for you to begin planning your career as a traveling nurse. Use them to make sure that you’ll be happy, healthy, and ready to thrive at your new job.

We hope you found these tips for staying happy and healthy as a travel nurse helpful. Do you have any tips to help fellow travel nurses stay happy and healthy? Comment your tips for staying happy and healthy as a travel nurse below.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Kevin Devoto

August 19, 2020

4843 Views

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5 Ways to Stay Healthy on Your Vacation

Vacations are fun ways to get some much-needed rest and relaxation with family or friends. While they are good for your mental and emotional health, they can really derail your healthy habits, though. Here are some ways to keep yourself on track even while you’re traveling. While these tips for staying healthy are great for vacations they can also come in handy while you are on your travel nurse assignment.

Staying healthy while on vacations

1. Drink Lots of Water

It’s all too easy to forget to stay hydrated while you’re traveling, whether it’s because the water tastes bad, you don’t want to take another bathroom break or you just forget. Keeping your body’s fluids replenished is vital to keeping your immune system strong, warding off bloating, and helping you feel alert and ready to have fun on the plane or at your destination. Plus, walking to the bathroom is a good reminder to stretch and get moving. If you struggle to drink water, set a goal for yourself for how many bottles you need to drink while you travel, or promise yourself a treat like coffee or tea once you’ve hit your quota.

2. Bring Some Supplements

While you’re at home, your body gets used to the meals and nutrients you give it. When you travel, that can often be thrown out of whack by the stress of traveling and new foods and environments. Bringing some supplements along can help you combat this. Whether it’s a multivitamin, probiotic, or something to target more specific concerns you have, a little extra boost can make a big difference for your body. You can compare supplements on Fin vs. Fin if you don’t already have a go-to. Just make sure you try everything out before you go to make sure you don’t have any negative reactions.

3. Find Ways to Stay Active

Even though you may not have the time to work out every day in the gym, you can still do some simple workouts in your hotel room. These will get your blood flowing and keep your muscles strong without taking much time away from sight-seeing. Finding tours and activities that will get you moving can also help. Take the walking tour instead of the bus tour, go for a hike or sign up for an adventurous bike ride. Even going for a swim in the ocean or a long, romantic walk on the beach will benefit your body and enhance your vacation experience.

4. Provide Your Own Food

It’s difficult to find healthy, tasty restaurant food. On your next trip, try visiting the local grocery store to stock up on healthy options for breakfast and snacks. This will help you avoid overeating at the hotel breakfast buffet and buying junk food when you get hungry throughout the day. If you have a kitchen available to you, consider making a few of your lunches and dinners at home. It’s just as much of a cultural experience to go to a market and cook with local ingredients as it is to visit a restaurant.

5. Be Prepared

The key to staying healthy on vacation is to go in with a plan. Bring items you’ll need to keep yourself on track and decide ahead of time what you’re going to do to get yourself moving and eating right. Even little things like packing your own snacks and a reusable water bottle with a filter to make that water taste better will make a big difference. Adapt your current habits to your vacation as much as you can, but also allow yourself to enjoy your trip. Try that gelato, spend a day sitting on the beach and stay up way too late hanging out with your family. Balance is important, and your healthy habits should help you relax, not keep you from it.

Vacations don’t have to mean backsliding in your physical fitness and diet. With a little planning and discipline, you can keep your body at its best while you’re relaxing and having fun. Adapt your current good habits to your vacation, and you may enjoy it even more than you would if you didn’t focus on staying healthy.

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!)

By Favorite Healthcare Staffing

July 23, 2020

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5 Simple Tips for Staying Healthy as a Travel Nurse

This article provided by: Favorite Healthcare Staffing.

Life as a travel nurse is both exhilarating and challenging. When you’re constantly moving to a new destination every few months, it can be all too easy to slip into a pattern of indulgence and overlook your normal health and wellness practices. Here are five tips to stay healthy as a travel nurse.

Start every day with a glass of water

An easy habit to incorporate into your routine is to start each day with a glass of water and make an effort to continue drinking it throughout the day. Although your favorite latte from Starbucks may be tasty, nothing has the benefits a simple glass of water will. Staying hydrated will not only keep you energized, but it will also help you stay focused throughout the day.

Stay active

Exercise is one of the most important ways to keep your body healthy. Find a local gym to join and ask about their short-term membership options. If the gym isn’t your thing, you can still find alternative ways to stay active.

Maybe you’re on assignment in Florida and can take up swimming or jogging. Are you on assignment in Colorado? Lace up your hiking shoes and go explore the mountains! Wherever you are, find ways to make working out fun. Your body will thank you for it in the long run.    

Eat healthy

Although it’s convenient, skip the fast food and try not to eat out for every meal. You will not only save calories when you do this, but you will save money too.

When you arrive at your new destination, look up the nearest grocery stores and try to do some shopping. Cook fresh dinners at home and prep lunches for the next day packed with protein. Eating healthy will help you feel less bloated and lethargic, and more energized.

You may still want to try new restaurants and experience the local cuisine, and that’s okay! It’s all about moderation. Plan to eat out every once in a while but try to pick a lighter option on the menu or substitute healthier side dishes.

Get enough sleep

As a nurse working long shifts, getting adequate sleep is easier said than done. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night to give your body enough time to recharge from the previous day.

Try sticking to the same sleep schedule every day to keep your body’s internal clock balanced. You can also create a calming bedtime ritual to help your body wind down by avoiding electronics before bed. The bright lights from the screens of our electronic devices actually activate the brain and can make it more difficult to fall asleep. A great alternative to phone scrolling is reading a book before bed or writing in a journal.

Having trouble falling asleep in an unfamiliar place? Consider using a white noise machine, blackout curtains or a humidifier. You will wake up the next day feeling energized, refreshed, and ready to continue helping your patients!

Make mental health a priority

Practicing self-care is one of the most important ways to combat stress and burnout. Every individual will have their own techniques to help reduce stress, but some popular methods include meditation (try using an app like Calm https://www.calm.com/), regular exercise, journaling, talking to a loved one or listening to music.

Whatever method you choose, make sure to give yourself plenty of ‘me-time’ so you can recharge for the next day and avoid feeling overwhelmed. You can’t take care of those around you if you don’t take care of yourself first, so don’t overlook the importance of your emotional health.

Following these five simple healthy habits will help you feel your best, will give you the energy you need to experience all your new city has to offer and keep you healthy as a travel nurse!

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!)