August 19, 2021

5899 Views

Picking an Agency that Supports You on Your Nationwide Travels

Posted on August 19, 2021January 16, 2023 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by TNAA.

Every travel nurse has a preference on where and how far they want to travel. Some nurses prefer to travel locally, some prefer to stay in the same U.S. region, and others fill a tiny SUV with all their belongings and drive thousands of miles to their next assignment. No matter which traveler you see yourself as you’ll always want to be backed by agency support when you take your life on the road. Here are a few benefits to look for when picking an agency.

Travel Reimbursement

A multi-state trek can be costly. It doesn’t matter if you choose to fly and have your belongings picked up by a professional moving service or you decide to haul your belongings by yourself; the price for traveling adds up quickly. Ask your travel nurse agency if they offer to cover part or all of the bill. Some travel nurse agencies will pay a hefty sum of the moving costs, but others might not reimburse you at all. For those agencies that do cover your travel expenses, ask when you can expect your reimbursement. Some agencies might put it on your first check, but others may wait.

Just be sure to keep your receipts, and if you’re driving, document your mileage at the start and the end of your cross-country trek. This documentation will likely be needed before your agency can send your travel reimbursement.

Traveler Perks

Say you’re trucking along to your next assignment, you’ve put miles on your tires, and suddenly, one goes flat. A vehicle issue is the last thing you have time for before starting your new healthcare job. It would be great if you could fall back on agency support when life’s roadblocks get in the way. See if your agency offers traveler perks, like discounts for rental cars or roadside assistance, so that you know help is available even when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Housing Assistance

The housing market is tight right now, and last-minute scrambling for housing isn’t going to cut it. When you have everything lined up for your assignment except for a place to stay, you’ll want to see how your agency can help take the guesswork out of travel nurse housing.

You might opt for agency-provided housing or see if your agency has other resources for traveler-friendly housing. If you want to find a place to stay on your own, connect with your agency to see if they offer a housing stipend. Some travel nurse agencies even have a Payment Assistance Program to help with up-front costs, like a security deposit or the first month’s rent.

As a travel nurse, you have a helper’s heart. You’ve signed up to travel miles from home to aid others who need your care. Make sure you choose a travel nurse agency that simplifies the process and makes your job as a healthcare traveler as easy as possible.

We hope you found these tips for picking an agency that supports you on your nationwide travels helpful. Are there any tips you would share with fellow travel nurses when it comes to picking an agency? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you have your next assignment but need housing? Click here to view our housing page.

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 Paula Rouse

June 6, 2021

19414 Views

Thriving on the Night Shift: Survival Tips and Sleep Schedule Strategies for Nurses

Posted on June 6, 2021December 19, 2023 by Paula Rouse

Why is it that the 12-hour shift from 7 am to 7 pm is the shift that nobody really wants to work, and those of us that choose to work the night shift because we love it are just seen as psychotic? Night shift is certainly not for everyone, and when you ask nurses why they work the night shift, most of them are obligated due to their facility not having openings on days.

You will find that there are usually more needs posted for the night shift for an assignment in terms of the travel nurse world. There are always day positions as well. I’m just pointing out that the needs for the night shift are always greater. Why is this? Mainly because the night shift goes against your body’s natural wake-sleep cycle. With this in mind, here are my 5 tips to help you survive the night shift.

1. Sleep during the day

For those that sleep during the day, this process is an art form that you have to master if you’re going to survive on the night shift. I need complete darkness and silence in my room, including blackout blinds or shades, blackout curtains, and an eye mask. For the silence because the wonderful thing about sleeping during the day is that everyone else is awake and someone is always doing yard work. For silence, I either use a white noise machine or earplugs, sometimes both, depending on how much I need to drown out. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep between your shifts, at least 6-8 hours. Before your first night shift, try and get eight hours of sleep or sleep in super late that day. I usually stay up till 4 or 5 am and sleep in for as long as I can. For me waking up early and doing a lot before my shift, and trying to take a nap before work makes me more tired and groggy, but some nurses prefer this approach.

2. Establish a bedtime routine

If you’re working your night shifts in a row, which I recommend making it easier on yourself and getting back to a normal sleep schedule once your workweek is over, then creating a bedtime routine is huge. Your routine should include anything that helps you relax or unwind after work and gets your body ready for rest. My routine includes getting home, taking a shower having a cup of hot tea, or a glass of wine, depending on how good or bad the night was. I either read or journal for about twenty to thirty minutes to decompress from everything that happened during my shift and during my commute home because this can also be stressful. No one wants to sit in traffic for thirty minutes after working 12 hours, but sometimes, depending on where you live, that’s your life.

3. Do not eat before bed

Not everyone agrees with this, but I mean, do not eat right before you get into bed when I say this. Of course, after work, you’re going to be hungry, and nothing makes you feel better after a rough night, like some good comfort food to wash all that stress away. This is not good for you, though try to eat at least two hours before you go to sleep. Eating right before you lay down leads to weight gain and feeling bloated. Also, you’ll find you will not sleep as well if you eat super heavy right before you sleep. I usually eat on my way home from work. I make up some instant oatmeal after I clock out and eat it during my commute home. If you are going to eat right before sleep, try something light, like a small salad or fruit.

4. Healthy habits during your shift

Getting through the shift is a struggle on its own for most of us. It’s super busy in the beginning, then settles, then picks back up, then hits a wall around 0300/0400 while trying to stay awake during your shift to avoid crazy amounts of caffeine or sugar. Crazy, I know, considering those are the things you want most at 3 am when you’re trying to stay awake. Consider making some healthier substitutions such as green tea, drinks with fresh juices, or yerba mate. Snack wise chooses healthier options that boost energy like nuts and dried fruits, apples and peanut butter, veggies, and hummus. These will give you a nice little boost and keep you from gaining that night shift weight; secondly, if you find yourself getting tired, go for a walk around your unit or climb a flight of stairs anything to get your heart rate up and get you through the rest of your shift.

5. Enjoy your days off

Try to give yourself at least three to five days off between your night shift stretches if you can, especially if you have to flip back to a day shift schedule. On your days off, get plenty of rest, hydrate, exercise, and try and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This will help you so much. When you take care of yourself when your body is functioning on a normal sleep schedule, it will be easier to maintain when it’s not on one. Relax and treat yourself when you can try and get a massage, do yoga, go for a hike, whatever you do to relax, do that. Lastly, spend time with your loved ones with your crazy vampire schedule. You probably haven’t seen them, and sometimes comfort and affection from the people we love are what we need most after working.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Luke Smith

May 30, 2021

7081 Views

Staying Physically and Mentally Healthy While Away from Home

Posted on May 30, 2021November 10, 2023 by Luke Smith

Staying physically and mentally healthy as a travel nurse is vital. There are over 3.8 million nurses in the U.S., making it the leading occupation in the healthcare industry. Of those millions, over 25,000 are travel nurses. As you already know, there are plenty of benefits to being a travel nurse, including:

Consistent employment opportunities
A higher salary (on average)
Increased demand around the globe

Travel nurses have always been important when treating people and meeting the needs of the sick and injured across the globe. In light of the recent coronavirus pandemic, travel nurses are more important than ever. The virus has affected more than two million people around the globe and has contributed to nearly 100,000 deaths so far. Qualified healthcare professionals are not only needed here in the U.S. but all over the world to help combat COVID-19.

Of course, that kind of demand can quickly take a toll on you, especially if you’re away from the comfort of your own home. So what can you do to stay physically and mentally healthy while you’re traveling, so you can continue to help others?

Tips for staying physically and mentally healthy:

Find Ways to Decompress

Stress can be a big problem for anyone in the healthcare industry. When you have people’s lives in your hands, and you’re working long shifts, stress is expected. Unfortunately, too much of it can contribute to health issues like:

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Heart disease
Obesity

Finding relaxing activities you can do from anywhere in the world can help to reduce stress and keep you healthy. These activities are different for everyone depending on what helps you to feel relaxed. Still, some effective options include yoga, going to see a concert, hiking, or running out in nature.

Exercise has many benefits for both your physical and mental health. Let’s touch more on what staying active can do for you.

Eating Right, Staying Active, and Getting Enough Rest

As a nurse, you already know the importance of an active lifestyle. Getting enough exercise, especially by doing so outside, can help you to avoid burnout from your job. That’s critical in these uncertain times, so you can continue to help others without feeling worn down. Exercising outside can boost your mood, give you more energy, and even help you to feel more at peace.

In addition to staying active, eating right while you’re traveling can make a big difference in how you feel. While it can be tempting to reach for comfort foods that aren’t necessarily good for you, sticking to a healthy diet will keep your energy levels up and will help to improve your mood. It’s not impossible to eat right on the road. If you’re having a hard time sticking to a healthy eating plan, try the following tips:

1. Create a routine that’s easy for you to follow.

2. Meal prep as much as possible so you’re not tempted by “grab and go” options.

3. Have plenty of healthy snacks on hand.

4. Download a food-tracker app to hold yourself accountable.

Finally, and this probably goes without saying, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Travel nurses work long shifts and are on their feet much of the time. Your body needs adequate rest to repair itself — physically and mentally. If you have a hard time sleeping while you’re away from home, try creating a specific nighttime routine for yourself that can help you to feel comfortable wherever you are. Trying to sleep at the same time each night and waking up at the same time in the morning.

Taking Time to Practice Self-Care

The term “self-care” gets tossed around a lot these days, but it’s more than just treating yourself to a day at the spa. Self-care for travel nurses includes everything we’ve already touched on in this article, as well as focusing on your emotional health. Being away from home isn’t always easy, so you can focus on your emotional self-care by staying in touch with friends and family, keeping as organized as possible, and changing your mindset if you’re looking at your traveling opportunities in a negative light.

Another way to make self-care a priority while you’re traveling is to practice mindfulness. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of your job. So, take a few minutes each day to ‘meditate’ and focus on being present. It can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day.

When you’re traveling across the world and helping those in need, it can be far too easy to ignore your own physical and mental health. But, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Make your health a priority, so you can continue to care for others.

We hope you found these tips for staying physically and mentally healthy while away from home helpful. Do you have any tips you have found helpful for staying physically and mentally healthy while away from home? Comment them below.

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 AB Staffing Solutions

March 29, 2021

7273 Views

Floating During a Travel Assignment

Posted on March 29, 2021May 19, 2021 by AB Staffing Solutions

This article was provided by AB Staffing.

If you’re thinking about becoming a travel nurse, it is important to consider the good and the bad. You will have many perks, including higher pay, great experience, and traveling to new areas, but you may also be asked to float during your assignment. This is especially true in areas impacted by winter weather and the pandemic.

When you float, you’re asked to move from one department to another for coverage. A common one is from ICU to a stepdown unit, but it’s not always like that. You may be working in other areas of the hospital, making it important to stay in touch with your on-site manager and your AB Staffing recruiter. You will need to keep them in the loop so they understand what is happening and can address any concerns.

As a floater during a travel assignment, you may be sent to another unit to cover shifts, breaks, and shortages in other areas of the facility. The reason is that hospitals are required by federal and state requirements to have a certain number of nurses per patient. While it can be challenging, the work can also be rewarding, especially if you like a new experience regularly. For others, it can be a struggle. In this article, we offer tips for success when you have to float.

Floating During a Travel Assignment

As a travel nurse, it is common to be asked to be a floater. This will likely happen more if you are in a private or commercial hospital compared to a federal facility. Every hospital has a different policy, so make sure to ask your recruiter before taking the contract. They should be able to give you an idea of how often it will happen at that specific facility. If you accept a contract and are asked to float and don’t want to, there may be little we can do except move you to another facility at the end of your contract.

Will there be an orientation for your new unit?

Likely, there will not be an orientation, and you will be learning on the job. While some travel nurses love the challenge, others may find it frustrating. Either way, it will be important to ask questions, pay attention, and stay calm. Follow the lead of the other nurses and take advantage of the learning experience.

When will you be asked to float?

It’s likely you will be asked to float at the beginning of your shift to cover an area in need of help, whether due to a patient-to-nurse ratio or a nurse shortage. It is probable you will stay in that unit for your entire shift.

How does a hospital choose where to send a floater?

They will, or should, send you to a unit that is similar to your skills and experience. They are unlikely to send a labor and delivery nurse to ICU as those are opposite ends of the spectrum, but if you’re an ICU nurse, you may be sent to Med Surg or similar.

You should never be asked to work on a unit where you do not understand the basics. Once you arrive, observe all that you can. Our nurses tell us they often learn something they can bring to their unit or improve a process as they observe others. If you’re not comfortable where you are moved, speak to your supervisor and recruiter. Your patients and your license should never be at risk.

Is the pay different when you float?

In general, travel nurse pay is higher than staff nurses. When you are asked to float during your shift, your payment will be the same as your department. There are separate opportunities to be a float pool nurse, and they generally are paid higher rates receive an average of 15% more than their permanent counterparts. Work with your recruiter to negotiate a contract that makes sense for you, your family, and your skills and experience.

What to do if you feel floating is getting excessive?

Your recruiter is your advocate, so we always encourage you to speak to them. If something seems unfair about what you are doing on any travel assignment, communicate it so that we can offer guidance to resolve the issue. We never want you or your license to be at risk.

When you’re floating during a travel assignment, communication with your on-site team and AB Staffing recruiter is key to your success. The experience of floating can prove to be educational, expanding your skills and experience.

If you’re ready for your next travel assignment, contact AB Staffing today at 888.515.3900.

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

February 16, 2021

11470 Views

7 Useful Things Nurses Need to Bring on a Shift

Posted on February 16, 2021April 29, 2024 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by Travel Nurse Across America.

As a travel nurse, you’re used to being busy during your shifts. This is why working with an agency that supports you and prioritizes your well-being is important, as it will help you deal with the stress that can create. However, you might also get stressed when you can’t find something when you need it. That’s why it’s a good idea to be as prepared as possible. Keeping these nursing essentials on hand will help you keep going throughout your travel nurse shift, even when things get a little hectic.

Extra Pens/Permanent Markers

Most travel nurses agree that you can never have enough extra pens and permanent markers. These are always important to have but can be easy to misplace or lose in the craziness of a shift. Bringing extras with you will ensure you always have one when you need it. Try to find pens and markers that you can easily attach to things like your badge, scrubs, or clipboards, as this will help you keep track of them. Frixion pens can be good to use since they’re erasable and let you easily color-code your patients.

Bandage Scissors

Keeping bandage scissors on hand is great because of how versatile they are, as they’ll be able to cut through just about anything. Keeping a pair with you will mean that you won’t have to try and find some scissors to use should you need to cut something. Instead, you can take care of the issue and keep things running smoothly.

Extra Scrubs/Clothes

Unfortunately, being a travel nurse can be a bit of a messy job. Since you won’t want to go through your shift with dirty scrubs, having a backup pair in your locker is great, so you can quickly change on the fly. The same goes for bringing a backup pair of socks and shoes- wearing ones that are messy or uncomfortable not only feels bad but can be dangerous as well. If you have longer hair, extra hair ties will also be useful.

Lotion & Chapstick

All the hand washing you do as a nurse will dry your hands out very quickly. With how annoying this can be, having lotion with you will help keep your hands moisturized and healthy. Since hospitals also tend to be rather cold and dry, try to keep some Chapstick with you, too, when your lips get chapped.

Snacks & Water

Keeping your energy levels up is crucial when you’re on the job. However, finding the time to sit down and eat isn’t always easy. Keeping something small to snack on, like a granola bar, is perfect for those times when you need a pick-me-up. Bringing a water bottle with you will also help keep you hydrated, even as you’re moving back and forth across the hospital. You might want to keep some gum in your pockets, too, so you can keep your breath nice and clean.

Phone Chargers

After a long shift, coming back to a dead phone is always a bummer, so bringing a phone charger with you will make sure that won’t happen. Having a charged phone is always useful, especially when you’re in a new area and are still getting the lay of the land.

Spare Toiletries/OTC Medicine

It helps to have a way to freshen up during or after an especially tough shift. That is why travel nurses will bring things like deodorant, toothpaste, and a toothbrush to their shifts. This gives them a chance to feel nice and refreshed and is particularly helpful if you’ve got a long shift. As for dealing with the aches and pains that come with the job, bringing some ibuprofen is a great solution.

When it comes to travel nursing, it’s key to prepare ahead of time. Bringing useful items like these with you will help you power through the day, even when things get hectic. Do you have any useful items you bring to your travel nurse shifts that didn’t make our list? Comment them below.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Soliant Health

February 10, 2021

5658 Views

Fall Back in Love with Travel Nursing – Five Reasons Why You Started in the First Place

Posted on February 10, 2021May 19, 2021 by Soliant Health

This article was provided by Soliant Health.

No doubt about it, 2020 was rough. It was rough for the average human, much less those working in the healthcare field, especially nurses. It could’ve been the hardest year of your career and challenged you in ways you never thought possible. It might have very well been the fight of your life. Yet, here you are. You made it. Let’s not pretend that 2021 isn’t shaping up to be just as…interesting, but never again will you be caught off guard like you were in March of 2020. Never again will you think, ‘well, that can’t happen’ because now you know it most certainly can, and best of all, you most certainly can handle it. The downside of all this empowerment and growth is, you may be feeling a bit tapped out. Maybe even like you’re at the end of your rope with all this ‘humanity’ nonsense and having very clear and present thoughts about going off-grid and forgetting the world exists, and we wouldn’t blame you.

However.

We would like to remind you of that little kid who made up their mind about the rest of their life so young, people were shocked when you made it happen. Or that high-schooler who applied to the school of their dreams…and got in! Or that grad student who thought they would never see the light of day again, but they did. And that very first day, of your very first assignment, when you took a deep breath and knew it had all been worth it. Whether you’re a life-long travel nurse or just getting started, there is a reason why you choose this field, and now is a great time to remind yourself why.

It’s Exciting:

You’re not built for a desk job. Sitting in an 8×8 cube and staring at a screen all day would drive you crazy, and you know it. It’s something you knew pretty early on too. Your mind can download and process information quickly, and as such, you require more stimulation than the next person. New cases, new patients, and new opportunities every day invigorate you. Now, add in the travel aspect of your career choice, and you’re right where you need to be, wherever that is.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T:

For 18 years in a row, nurses have been rated the most honest and ethical profession according to Americans’ Gallup surveys, outpacing doctors by 20 points (and members of Congress by 73). In a world where people don’t trust anyone, they trust their nurses. They listen to their nurses. They respect their nurses. Your integrity and professionalism proceed you from assignment to assignment, and you’ve earned that respect. You should be proud of yourself. We sure are.

Job Security:

Stability appeals to you. Nurses and healthcare professionals will always be in demand. It is a recension-proof (and we now know apocalyptic virus-proof) field of study. 2020 taught us that while always in demand, the healthcare field can change just as quickly as any other profession. Being a travel nurse means you’re ready to go where you’re needed and, as such, are a precious resource. In fact, one article referred to travel nursing as ‘the hottest job during a pandemic,’ and the need keeps on growing.

Flexibility:

There’s something to be said for a flexible work environment, and this control over your schedule is important to you. You chose nursing because it offers multiple opportunities for flexibility in scheduling, work settings, and specialization. Medical facilities need someone 24-hours a day and typically base work shifts and days off according to the facility’s expected demands and employee requests. Travel nursing opens this door even wider for per diem and PRN assignments, allowing you to take control of your career path and take time for yourself and your mental health. (Not last year, of course. But usually.)

To Make a Difference:

Hands down, the number one reason nurses in all fields across the globe give for choosing their profession is to make a difference in the lives of others. Like this nurse in Nebraska who stopped on the way to her daughter’s wedding to save a life or this nurse in Indiana who saved a life while volunteering, stories about nurses going above and beyond the call of duty flood the internet. This is your calling. This is what you were made for. This is your bag, baby.

Here at Soliant, we have a saying, a motto if you will. We make life better for those who make lives better. We see you. We see you going above and beyond every day. We see you hanging in there when others might have thrown in the towel. We see you making life better for everyone, and we think it’s time someone helped make your life a little bit better too. Give us a call today and let us show you how we can help manage your travel assignments, putting your focus back on what you’ve always loved: saving this crazy world – one patient at a time.

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 Kevin Devoto

January 25, 2021

4034 Views

How To Perform Your Best During Long Workdays

Posted on January 25, 2021May 19, 2021 by Kevin Devoto

No matter how much you love what you do as a travel nurse, long workdays can exhaust you. To make matters worse, that exhaustion often kicks in before your shift is over. By the time your day off rolls around, you may have no motivation to pursue your hobbies or stay active. If you practice more intentional living, you can create a solid action plan for tackling these long workdays.

Start With Meditation

If your workday requires getting up early, the thought of setting aside time to meditate might seem impossible. With some practice, you can make it happen. Start by setting the alarm for a minute earlier every day for a week. It might not sound like much, but within a week, you should have created almost an extra 15 minutes for meditation. Use this time to ground yourself and mentally prepare for the workday.

People meditate differently. Some people focus on clearing their heads and hone in on their breathing. There are others who allow their thoughts to play out in the morning, so they do not become distracted by them later in the day. Find the approach that works for you.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

If you worry you might not have enough time to make something healthy, consider prepping your meals ahead of time. Buying specific products can make things easier. You can also learn how to incorporate some cooking into your morning routine that will barely tack on time. Here are some tips:

Buy travel packets of jam, peanut butter, cream cheese, etc.
Buy yogurt.
Try instant oatmeal.
Package fruits from the night before.
Start the coffee pot as soon as you get up.
Start toasting the bread a few minutes before you head out.

Add Supplements

Sometimes, during your long workdays, you may not have enough time to eat healthily. Even when you do, your diet could probably use a boost. Supplements are a great way to ensure you cover all your bases and get all the nutrients your body needs to function at its most optimal point throughout the day. Multi-vitamins are often enough for most people, but not everyone.

For example, vegetarians and people with low-meat intake may need additional protein. When choosing supplements of any kind, be sure to do your research. Power Life High Impact Plant Protein reviews are a good starting point. You can also check health blogs, hospital websites, peer reviews, and even Amazon customer reviews.

Stay Active

Newton’s First Law of Motion shares that a body in motion stays in motion when propelled. Similarly, a body at rest will remain at rest until an external force changes this. Newton may not have meant literal human bodies when he made this scientific observation, but the rule still applies.

If you stay active, your body is more likely to treat long workdays as another walk in the park. This is especially true if you spend a lot of your workday on foot. Not everyone likes the idea of going to the gym, so here are some alternatives to consider:

Walking or hiking
Running
Biking
Rock climbing or bouldering
Yoga

Make It a Habit

The only way to ensure you get results is to keep your good habits consistent. One way to ensure this is to tackle one thing at a time. Trying to do everything at once can feel overwhelming and only add to your exhaustion.

Pick the tips you think will have the greatest impact on your long workdays, and then add more once you master one. If one doesn’t work, don’t feel discouraged. Move on to the next, and keep pushing. As your intentional living steps grow, consider creating a to-do list to keep track of everything.

By taking intentional steps to tackle your long workdays, you’re in a much better position to anticipate challenges and address them. You also improve your chances of success. You also improve your chances of success and reduce the amount of stress you feel throughout the day.

Do you have any tips or tricks for long workdays? Comment them below.

By Ronald Cain

December 27, 2020

4939 Views

How To Look After Your Mental Health During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted on December 27, 2020January 16, 2023 by Ronald Cain

Looking after your mental health is important for your whole wellbeing. The restrictions and changes to daily life as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have led to increased feelings of anxiety, isolation, stress, and worry in some cases. Luckily, there are steps you can take to assess and improve your own mental health so that you can stay healthy.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

Talking about your feelings can enable you to feel listened to and supported. As a result, you are less likely to feel lonely or overwhelmed by negative emotions. It can also encourage others to open up to you in return.

2. Look After Your Physical Health

Looking after your physical wellbeing will also help to improve and maintain a healthy mental state. Make sure that you are getting some exercise every day. Simply going for a short walk each day can help you stay physically active. You could also exercise outdoors with a friend or relative, whilst following physical distancing rules. Regular exercise can help to boost your self-esteem, improve your concentration, and sleep.

It’s also important to ensure that you are eating well. Aim to eat three nutritious, balanced meals each day, as well as drinking plenty of water. Limit your alcohol consumption and avoid relying on alcohol or drugs to cope, as these will do more damage to your body in the long run.

3. Create New Routines

The coronavirus pandemic has meant that regular routines have been significantly changed. With so many changes, the ‘new normal’ can sometimes feel very challenging.

“Daily routines can help provide us with a sense of achievement and stability. Try to create new routines for yourself and your family. As far as possible, try to separate work and school time from your family time. Try to incorporate aspects of your usual routine, such as a gym class, into your new routine by joining an online class instead,” suggests Rose Johnson, a health writer at Writinity and Researchpapersuk.

4. Stay Connected With Friends And Family

Although restrictions and social distancing measures may prevent you from meeting up with family and friends in person, it’s still possible for you to stay connected. You may want to schedule virtual coffee dates with friends via video chats, join an online group, talk to friends and family on the phone, or even meet outdoors whilst maintaining social distance. It’s essential that you maintain your social network and connections as these will help you to feel well, safe, and provide an outlet outside of the pressures of work for you to reset your mental state.

5. Take Time To Yourself

Between the demands of a stressful job and other responsibilities, it can be easy to forget to set time aside for yourself. Remember to be kind to yourself and set aside some breaks where you can have some ‘me time.’

“Whether you just take a few minutes to do some meditation or breathing exercises, go for a quick walk alone or read a book, it’s important to give yourself time and listen to your body. You could also take up a hobby. This will help boost your self-esteem and allow you to forget your worries,” says James Rosenthal, a blogger at Draftbeyond and Last Minute Writing.

6. Ask For Help

Everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time. During the coronavirus pandemic, with increased worries about our own health and those of our friends and family, it can sometimes be difficult to cope. When you are the one caring for others, it can be difficult to carry the burden and worry. It’s important to know that you can reach out and ask for help if you’re struggling. Talk to your family and friends, or seek help from a health professional or an online or phone chat support service.

Conclusion

Being aware of your own mental health and taking steps to sustain and improve it are essential, particularly during challenging times such as the pandemic. Acknowledge your feelings, ensure you stay connected with friends and family, and look after your physical health to promote a healthy mental state. If you are struggling to cope, remember that you can always ask for help. Above all, be patient and kind to yourself.

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 Wendy Ladd

December 12, 2020

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Surviving and Thriving: Tips for Travel Nurses

Posted on December 12, 2020May 19, 2021 by Wendy Ladd

I was struck this morning by this quote from Maya Angelou, “my mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” It really made me think about how I am living my life.

I’m a survivor

I have always said, “I am a Survivor” and been proud of it! I identify as a survivor because I have been knocked down and picked myself back up so many times. I did this the best way I knew how, by doing everything myself and choosing habits that made me feel safe. Habits that no longer serve me or allow me to be powerful.

I want to thrive

I have survived many things in my life beginning with my birth as a two-pound premie. I thought these events made me who I am. As I started to think about this quote, I realized these events do not make me who I am. I no longer want to survive, I want to thrive.

I found it important to look up the definitions:

To survive: is the act of surviving under adverse conditions; in my case: divorce, jobs I didn’t like, menopause, you get the picture.

To thrive: to grow or develop and is characterized by success.

Survival Mode

As I dove deeper into the meaning of surviving and thriving, I realized that I was so entrenched in survival mode, I didn’t even see that there was another way to live. I listed the things I do when I am living in survival mode. The list is long! I blindly put one foot in front of the other trudging through each day. Happy to have made it through another day. I am often exhausted at the end of the day, thinking there has to be another way.

I became comfortably uncomfortable, doing the same thing day, in day and day out, because I was comfortable. What I was doing no longer worked for me. I wanted my life to be different. Yet, I couldn’t seem to change.

After all, I was surviving, right?

As I read the descriptions of these words in dictionaries and articles on surviving, I saw that the act of surviving was really meant to provide basic life needs: such as food, clothing, and shelter. Having the skills necessary to maintain life. If I could provide those things for myself and my family, I considered myself successful. After all, I was surviving, right?

Research equates surviving with barely getting by, a daily grind, feeling unfulfilled, feeling like you are drowning so much in problems that even a simple act of survival feels like a win.

It gets even deeper—survival is fueled by fear; it is always hustling to be able to get by, it is the fear of running out, fear of not having enough, fear of losing everything. Knowing that if you do what you have always done, you will be OK. This was me!

The horizon in survival mode is small and closed up.

You are only able to focus on the next thing to be done. Survival means taking the path of least resistance, living from a place of lack, and feeling stuck. When I am in survival mode, I fear failure and see it as wrong. This way of thinking keeps me small and afraid to grow. I am reacting to people and challenges, so I push them away. I find myself complaining and blaming others for my circumstances. All these things I realize have become so embedded in my daily life.

In survival mode, I surround myself with negative people and experiences because it is what I know. I am lonely and isolated because it is hard to reach out for help and support when times are tough, and in survival mode, times are always tough. I have learned that I don’t need anyone. I’ll do it myself.

Survival means I am afraid to step into my power because I am afraid of the unknown. This is not the kind of life I want to lead!

To thrive is to be healthy, to flourish.

To thrive means to make steady progress, to grow healthy and strong. To live your best life. To think and live abundantly and joyfully. Thriving is a choice. Choosing to thrive pushes you outside your comfort zone. You can choose to live a life of optimal wellbeing, including having compassion for yourself and self-care. It means no longer reacting to situations but taking the time to respond instead.

Thriving means taking 100% responsibility for myself and my actions. It means seeing “failure” as a step to success. It means getting to know myself, finding my strengths, and acknowledging my accomplishments. It means welcoming change and challenges into my life. It means surrounding myself with positive people and things that make me happy. It means choosing connection, looking for the good in life, and giving back.

What can we do to go from surviving to thriving?

Own it! Realize that you have been living in a place of survival because life knocked you down and you picked yourself back up again. Set an intention every day that you want to thrive.
Be honest about your feelings. Name them. Feel them in your body. Then let them go.
Journal about 5 things you are grateful for every day.
Celebrate your wins: at the end of each day, focus on what went well.
Move your body for at least 30 minutes every day.
Find more opportunities to be in the “zone.” Find your “flow” activities, those activities where you are fully engaged and hours go by without you even noticing. These activities could be dancing, hiking, painting, singing, playing a game or an instrument, reading a book, or writing. Do these activities several times per week.

Like Maya Angelou, if we find things we are passionate about, have some compassion for ourselves, laugh a little, and have a little style, we can learn to survive and thrive.

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

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

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However.

It’s Exciting:

R-E-S-P-E-C-T:

Job Security:

Flexibility:

To Make a Difference:

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