August 4, 2024

1185 Views

Managing Shift Work: A Nurse’s Guide to Staying Healthy

Posted on August 4, 2024July 15, 2024 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Taylor Howell, Recruitment Consultant, Medical Edge Recruitment

As frontline providers, nurses play such a crucial role in the healthcare system, often putting the well-being of others before their own. However, maintaining personal health is essential not only for their own sake but also for delivering optimal patient care. Here are some health tips for nurses to help prioritize their health and well-being amidst their demanding profession. As being a travel nurse comes with an unpredictable work-life routine, this guide will ensure that you are treating your health as well as you would your patients’.

Health Tips for Nurses:

1. Prioritize Sleep

Adequate sleep is fundamental for physical and mental health. Despite irregular shifts, nurses should strive for a consistent sleep schedule by creating a calming bedtime routine and optimizing their sleep environment. Ensuring 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep can enhance cognitive function, mood stability, and overall health.

2. Healthy Nutrition

Long shifts and irregular meal breaks can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Nurses should plan and pack nutritious meals and snacks rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoiding excessive caffeine and sugary foods can help maintain steady energy levels throughout demanding shifts. As easy and convenient as it is to grab an unhealthy food option, your body will function much better with the proper nutrition. Planning ahead will be the best way to be on top of this.

3. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can impair cognitive function and physical performance. Nurses should carry a reusable water bottle and aim to drink water consistently throughout their shifts. Avoiding excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages and sugary drinks is crucial for maintaining hydration.

4. Stay Active and Outside

Despite busy schedules, finding time for physical activity is vital. Incorporating short bursts of exercise, such as stretching or brisk walking during breaks, can improve circulation, reduce stress, and boost energy levels. Taking walks outside on your day off would be so beneficial for your stress levels, as the fresh air and vitamins from the sun will provide you a great reset before your next shift.

5. Manage Stress

Nursing can be emotionally and physically demanding, leading to chronic stress if not managed effectively. Practices such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can help reduce stress levels. Engaging in hobbies or activities outside of work provides an outlet for relaxation and promotes work-life balance.

6. Promote Work-Life Balance

Balancing professional responsibilities with personal life is essential for overall well-being. Nurses should schedule regular days off, use vacation time to recharge, and set boundaries to prevent work from encroaching on personal time. Maintaining a fulfilling social life and engaging in activities outside of work fosters a sense of fulfillment and reduces stress.

Prioritizing personal health is not only beneficial for nurses themselves but also enhances their ability to deliver high-quality patient care. By incorporating these strategies into their daily routines, nurses can maintain physical fitness, emotional well-being, and professional fulfillment amidst the challenges of their demanding profession. Taking proactive steps to nurture their health ensures they can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of their patients and communities.

Searching for an agency that will support you?

Medical Edge Recruitment is a premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making a personalized provider experience a priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits. Let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

We hope you found these 6 health tips for nurses helpful. Do you have any other health tips for nurses? Comment them below.

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

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

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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By Miles Oliver

January 19, 2023

2753 Views

Tips for Managing Chronic Illness While Travel Nursing

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Miles Oliver

Travel nurses deserve all the praise in the world. Considering the physically and mentally demanding nature of the work, it’s incredible how they can care for others the way they do.

Those managing a chronic illness while navigating a travel nursing career are even more deserving of praise. Chronic diseases are complicated to deal with on their own. Add a demanding job like nursing and the difficulty multiplies. Still, it’s doable.

First, know what’s available to you through your health insurance. Understand the resources available, how much they’ll cost, and the medical help you can get as you travel to different cities, states, or countries. Then, implement these three tips.

Create a Physical Health Routine

Travel nurses are always on the go. Because of this, it can be hard to maintain a routine that caters to your physical health. But by neglecting your physical health, your chronic illness can worsen.

Creating and sticking to a physical health routine will help. First, prioritize your nutrition. It’s easy to get sucked into the fast food, junk food diet while on assignment. But a diet like this can exacerbate symptoms if you’re living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or GERD.

Instead, adopt a low-residue diet or one with limited fiber intake to help reduce symptoms.

Whatever diet you decide to embrace, meal prepping can help ensure you stick to it and aren’t enticed by unhealthy food choices.

Next, get some exercise. Exercise not only helps keep your physical body healthy, but it can relieve stress and keep you sharp mentally, both of which are critical in travel nursing. It’s not so much about what you do. It’s how consistent you are with it.

So, whether it’s a 10-minute workout per day, a walk every other day, or the gym twice a week, choose something you enjoy and can remain consistent with, despite your hectic schedule as a travel nurse.

Finally, get on a regular sleep schedule. One of the worst things you can do for a chronic illness is not getting the rest you need. Healing and recovery happen during sleep. Allow your body the opportunity to experience this so that you can better work and live with your chronic illness.

Embrace Mental Health Care

Nurse.org recently prepared a State of Nursing report that revealed: “87% of nurses feel burnt out, and 83% feel their mental health has suffered.” Poor mental health and burnout can make managing a chronic illness even more challenging. It can also make it hard to be consistent with treatment.

So, embrace mental health care as you manage your chronic illness. Take note of how you are mentally throughout your journey with your chronic disease. Get firm diagnoses from a mental health care professional, if you can, to ensure you’re treating symptoms adequately.

If you don’t want to go the therapy or counseling route, you can tend to your mental health in these ways:

Take a vacation
Recite daily affirmations
Implement a self-care routine
Discover new hobbies and passions
Take mental breaks whenever needed
Read books related to mental health
Adopt an inherently positive mindset

Develop a Better Relationship With Yourself

“Listen to your body.” How often have you heard or read this advice when seeking guidance for managing your chronic illness? Better yet, how often have you given this advice in your nursing duties?

As well-intentioned as this suggestion is, it’s not as helpful as one might think for someone managing a chronic illness. This is because aches and pains are often a daily occurrence, and not everyone should be met with worry, panic, or a trip to the emergency room.

That said, listening to your body is still important to ensure you seek more serious help when warranted. So what do you do? Develop a better relationship with yourself and a more substantial familiarity with your body so that you can trust what you’re “listening” to and your decisions after that.

To help you cope with how hard it can be to “listen to your body” and develop this robust relationship with yourself, try the following:

Attend therapy regularly
Practice self-compassion and mindfulness activities
Join a community of travel nurses navigating a chronic illness
Refer to how things have fared in the past when difficult symptoms flare
Focus on positive outcomes and what you can control in your day-to-day
Journal about your symptoms, what triggers them, how you feel in certain situations, and your overall journey with your chronic illness

Travel nursing is physically and mentally demanding without a chronic illness. But with one, it can be even more taxing. Put the tips above to work to manage your chronic disease healthily and ensure it doesn’t disrupt your duties as a traveling nurse.

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:

START HERE

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

By Titan Medical

January 12, 2023

2659 Views

Enjoy Your Travel Journey While Staying Active!

Posted on January 12, 2023January 12, 2023 by Titan Medical

Titan Medical Group provided this article.

Traveling around the country for your career may make it difficult to find a steady workout routine that accommodates your schedule! As a travel healthcare worker, finding a gym can be tricky!

Luckily, there are options for gym memberships that allow you to use your membership at any of their locations across the country. This is the perfect option for all gym lovers or people who enjoy staying active while on your travel journey, especially when it revolves around your healthcare career!

While some of these options are more costly than others, pick somewhere that best fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Great gym options to help you stay active while on your travel journey:

1. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness is one of the most popular gyms for anyone looking to stick to the basics and get a good workout on, mainly because all locations are open 24 hours! They have a wide variety of machines to target most exercises. From cardio machines to ab machines and dumbbells up to 100 lbs. Planet Fitness offers many workout options! As a traveler, you’d want to choose the Planet Fitness Black Membership, as it allows you access to any of their locations nationwide. This membership costs about $23 a month with a $39 annual fee (once a year). They offer showers and well-maintained locker rooms for anyone on the go!

2. Gold’s Gym

This gym is known for being the most popular out of the popular gym chains! While this gym is known for “lifting” purposes, they offer many cardio machines to get your heart rate going. If you’re new to lifting or like the group workout environment, you can use one of their personal certified trainers or go to a group fitness class that they offer at all of their gyms! The cost of this gym varies based on which city you’re in, but all are around the $55 a month range with a $59 startup fee.

3. 24-Hour Fitness

24- Hour Fitness is another great option for travel healthcare workers as their 24-hour gyms are perfect for those who need to work out at specific times. 24-hour Fitness is known to be a “step up” from the average Planet Fitness as they offer more variety with their free-weight barbell option and weight plates. They also provide group training for a wide variety of workouts such as HIIT, cycling, strength, and dancing. The cost of this gym ranges from $40-$50, depending on your location, with a $49 annual fee.

4. OrangeTheory Fitness

OrangeTheory is a gym where a certified OT coach leads each workout! The workout changes each day and is the same for every location! OT is an excellent workout for endurance training, strength training, cardio, running, etc. They offer heart monitors for members to wear to track their workouts and keep track of their workout statistics. Their known for the amazing community they create, so this is a great option if you’re looking to meet new people! Their membership costs are more than your traditional gym, with memberships ranging from $60 to $160 depending on how often you go per week.

5. Pure Barre

This studio offers group classes that combine pilates, yoga, ballet, and small movements. This type of workout targets strengthening the entire body and is just as challenging as traditional weight training but different as it’s low-impact. The classes are typically 50 minutes long and vary in intensity. This gym costs more than most; you can expect to pay up to $199 each month for an unlimited membership.

6. Crunch Fitness

Crunch Fitness is an excellent option for those looking for a clean and friendly gym that offers a wide variety of equipment. It is a traditional gym where you get the strength training machinery, cardio equipment, free weights, and turf area. Some of their facilities offer saunas and spas! Access to all of their locations is about $22 per month with an annual fee of $15.

Always remember that it can always be nerve-racking to try out a new gym. However, remember that every person at that gym is there for themselves, just like you are. If you’re going to a traditional gym to do your own personal workout, it’s a good idea to have a plan before going! No one knows where everything is on their first visit to a new gym, so never be hesitant to ask where things are.

Find the place that works for YOU. Being more expensive doesn’t always mean it’s better for you; find somewhere which matches your lifestyle and goals! Constantly traveling to new destinations for work doesn’t have to take a toll on your fitness and lifestyle goals. With plenty of gyms available nationwide, you can find a place to go that you’re comfortable and happy with, no matter where you are!

We hope this article with tips for staying active while on your travel journey was helpful. Have you found ways to stay active while on your travel journey? Comment them below.

At Titan Medical, we have assignments across the country for you to find your place. If you’re ready for your next travel assignment, give Titan Medical a call today at 866.332.9600 or check out our website at Titanmed.com, and we’d love to assist in finding your next adventure!

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:

START HERE

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

By AMN Healthcare

January 10, 2023

1496 Views

Make 2023 Your Healthiest Year Yet: Tips and Advice for Travel Nurses

Posted on January 10, 2023January 10, 2023 by AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare provided this article.

As you ring in the new year, you may make some New Year’s resolutions. This year, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is embracing a “Start Now” theme to help nurses live healthy lives in 2023.

Learn how to take control of your health and put yourself first this year.

Healthy Habits for Travel Nurses

Maintain a Healthy Diet

As a travel nurse, you probably often remind patients of the importance of a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean protein. If you’re not taking professional advice, though, now is a great time to recommit to healthier eating habits.

Pressed for time, like many nurses are?

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, these strategies may help you:

Use a meal kit or meal delivery service. These are convenient when you don’t have the time or energy to prepare a meal. All you have to do is follow the instructions.
Order lighter fare at restaurants and fast food restaurants. Vegetable-based entrees, as well as grilled chicken or baked or broiled fish, can be good options.
Watch your portion sizes. You can still indulge. Just do it in smaller amounts.

Don’t Discount Your Own Needs

If you’re suffering from nurse burnout, you’re not alone. And it may have come from prioritizing everyone else before yourself. Many nurses have internalized a mindset that they must “be a good, nice, acceptable person,” says Ann Becks, MSN, a nurse practitioner who retired so she could spend some time reconnecting with herself and mentoring others.

“When people learn the skills and tools to unhook from this conditioned way of responding and feel the groundedness of their truth, everything changes.”

So, don’t discount your own needs, physical and emotional. You’ll also do a better job caring for others if you’re taking care of yourself.

Even the small stuff counts. “It sounds cliche to say, ‘go take a walk’ or ‘build a Lego tower with your children’ or ‘read something you enjoy’ or ‘find a few minutes to gather with friends,’ but these small things truly make a big difference in your overall well-being,” says Sisk.

Get up and move more

Yes, you are on your feet a lot at work. But it would be best if you made some time to exercise to experience the many benefits that will improve your life. Research suggests that regular exercise will help you lose weight or maintain weight loss, sleep better at night, decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease, build bone and muscle strength, and improve your mood.

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderately-intense exercise to get your heart pumping per week. And yes, you can break it up into manageable chunks of time to make it fit better into your busy schedule.

Somethings to Try

Brisk walking
Water aerobics
Dancing
Gardening
Biking

Check with your employer to see if you get any relevant benefits. Sisk noted that Memorial Hermann offers on-site gym facilities and organizes competitive activities, such as weight loss and walking competitions, to motivate employees to incorporate more exercise into their lives.

Be intentional in all you do

Whatever you choose to do to improve your health, be intentional about it. You might even replace your New Year’s resolutions with intentions to help you maintain a positive attitude and make positive changes to your life.

“An intention focuses on your core values rather than some hard-to-attain goal,” says Teri Dreher, RN, founder of NShore Patient Advocates, based in Chicago. “It can be a powerful tool for change because it is forgiving and gives you room to explore and grow.”

2023 can be your healthiest yet! You can set out to make healthier choices. We hope that this list of tips helps get you started. Have you made any changes in your life to be your healthiest? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search 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 Medical Edge Recruitment

November 16, 2022

3088 Views

Managing Your Medications While Hustling as a Travel Nurse

Posted on November 16, 2022January 30, 2024 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Melissa Reeves, Recruitment Consultant, Medical Edge Recruitment

You are a travel nurse; you work long hours on your feet taking care of others; it is your passion. You know you are strong – you can do this; after all, this is what you signed up for, but you did not ask for a medical condition, consuming more time than you have. The hassle of scheduling time for doctor appointments and pharmacy lines is already daunting; factor in working a demanding career requiring you to travel often, sometimes changing states, and it can quickly become overwhelming. Some who take daily meds, especially those prescribed controlled substances, may wonder if travel nursing is even an option for them. Many seasoned travel nurses who require daily medication have shared these tips for managing medications while on assignment as a travel nurse.

Managing medications while on assignment as a travel nurse

Research the state you plan to travel to

The first thing you must do is research the state you are planning to travel to; each state has different laws in place regarding prescription medications. Depending on the medication, you may find there are limitations to where you can travel. Some states have laws that are more relaxed than others. Some limit your prescription to 30 days at a time, with refills pending doctor visits; some states do not accept paper prescriptions at all and might require the prescription be written by a doctor from that same state. The bottom line, know the laws in the state you are planning to travel to and make sure you have a plan before accepting a contract in that state.

Utilize telemedicine

Many nurses who travel regularly say that telemedicine appointments are the most useful tool when traveling with health conditions. Try an app like Push Health or Circle Medical to help find a doctor who can see you through an online visit. There are other apps like Health Warehouse, an online pharmacy that will deliver right to your door. Using an app to find a doctor, schedule online visits, and get prescriptions is a new era in healthcare and could be the best way for you to minimize the challenges that come with managing your health while traveling to different states.

Some travelers prefer to seek treatment from one doctor they trust and who is familiar with their treatment plan. They say to have an open discussion about the demands of your career and ask what your doctor offers their patients who travel for work. Find a doctor who can accommodate you with virtual visits and 90-day prescriptions.

Choose a pharmacy chain.

Another helpful tool is to choose a pharmacy chain available in all the states you will be going to, like CVS or Walmart, making it much easier to transfer your prescriptions from state to state using the same pharmacy. Whatever chain you are looking at, be sure that the pharmacy takes your insurance. For example, CVS doesn’t take Blue Cross Blue Shield, but Walgreens does. Also, be careful because some chain pharmacies will not accept your prescription from an online doctor or telehealth app, be sure to check with your pharmacy first.

Even with these tips, some travelers will tell you that the medications prescribed to them are so regulated that nothing seems to work, and their only option is to have someone they trust to pick up their prescriptions and mail them. This is not always a good idea; there are laws restricting the types of medications that can be sent in the mail; always do thorough research into the policies and procedures of each state.

Do your research and figure out which combination of these tips works best for you.

Your healthcare needs should not limit you. Accept the fact that you might not be able to go to every state, and you may have to make a trip home a few extra times a year to get the care you need. Your health comes first, and without that, you will not be able to take care of all those who depend on you.

We hope you found these tips for managing medications while travel nursing helpful. Do you have any ways of managing medications while you are on an assignment that we didn’t mention? Comment them below.

Looking For an Agency Who Understands Your Needs?

Medical Edge Recruitment is the premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making a personalized provider experience a priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits; let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

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:

START HERE

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

By Lina Belegu

October 1, 2022

1210 Views

The Advantages of a Healthy Lifestyle You Should Know

Posted on October 1, 2022September 13, 2022 by Lina Belegu

Get this. Adults in America only make up 13% of those with healthy metabolisms. Thirteen percent only!

Your body’s capacity to maintain appropriate triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference is called metabolic health. Your overall health may be measured using all of these statistics. Your general health will be improved the better these figures are. It must not be beneficial to make an effort to get there if there are so few individuals who are healthy, right? If not, everyone would be performing it! Not so. A healthy lifestyle has many advantages, and incorporating healthy behaviors doesn’t have to be difficult.

Here are the best lifestyle changes you can make, along with their advantages and what you can do right away to put them into practice.

The Advantages of a Healthy Lifestyle You Should Know

1. Eat wholesome foods

Although this information is not brand-new, it is nevertheless essential to developing a healthy lifestyle. Almost nothing you accomplish will matter if you don’t eat well. Fueling your body with clean energy is the key to building a healthy lifestyle.

Your diet won’t change overnight. However, you may choose better options. Get rid of junk food first, or at the very least hide it away in a difficult-to-reach place.

You’ll be more inclined to snack on nutritious foods like fruits and veggies if you arrange them in areas that are simple to access. Spend some time each week preparing vegetables, so they are simple to eat alone or to add to a recipe.

Find fresh things you enjoy eating and attempt a new healthy meal every week. It takes time to change your diet, but you’re preparing yourself for a better life every time you opt for health.

2. Every Day, Move

This also isn’t surprising. You’re aware that you should work out more. What then is stopping you?

But the cool part is right here. You may reap the rewards of increased exercise without going to the gym. The healthiest people exercise often throughout the day, not just at the gym.

Begin by just moving more. Every hour, set your phone to remind you to get up for three minutes or so. During lunch, go for a stroll—park towards the rear of the lot. Consistently use the stairs.

But you should also discover a type of exercise you enjoy. Although cardio and weightlifting are important, exercise shouldn’t seem like a hassle. If you like yoga, dancing, soccer, rock climbing, or anything else that gets you moving, go for it!

Additionally, you’ll feel better about yourself, look better, and be more active for longer. Even sadness and anxiety symptoms can be reduced with regular exercise.

3. Schedule Your Sleeping Time Regularly

A crucial component of maintaining good health is getting enough sleep. You would awaken and go to bed in accordance with the cycle of the sun. Even if your lifestyle prevents that, you should still establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time that you adhere to daily.

Draw attention to the issues preventing you from sleeping well. If you’re not comfortable, get a better mattress or bed sheets, or get blackout curtains if the light keeps you up at night. To sleep better, turn on pink or white noise.

Establish a bedtime regimen that will allow your thoughts to rest. Include activities that help your brain relax, such as keeping a journal or putting up a lavender-scented diffuser.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to stop using technology an hour before bedtime and stop eating three hours before.

You may increase your attention throughout the day and wake up with more energy if you follow a regular sleep schedule. Additionally, it enhances cognition and reduces inflammation in the body to keep you healthy. Even weight loss is possible with it.

4. Consume A Lot of Water

You’re doing it wrong if you’re drinking your calories. Your main beverage should be water; you should get all your calories from whole foods.

Get a favorite water bottle and start taking it everywhere. Get an infuser and add cucumbers, mint, strawberries, or lemon to your water if you don’t like the flavor of it to make it more enjoyable.

Just having water handy might frequently encourage you to drink more. Additionally, you may set triggers throughout the day, like right after waking up or right before a meal, to remind you to drink.

5. Manage Your Life’s Stress

You do well with a little stress or a little stress in brief spurts. Chronic stress can cause serious damage. It causes ulcers, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and headaches.

Thus, maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires understanding how to manage stress.

The two greatest DIY methods for managing stress are often journaling and meditation. Finding a confidant, whether it be a close friend, a member of your family, or a therapist, is also a good idea.

It’s a good idea to make time in your life for enjoyment and relaxation. Think about relaxing activities like yoga, painting, hiking, or other hobbies.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, more than just taking care of your body is required. Building a solid social network is the greatest approach to feeding your soul, which is something you also need to accomplish.

Spend time with your loved ones, community, and friends. Reestablish contact with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, or sign up for a new organization or club. Try to schedule frequent brunch or coffee dates with friends so that you may get to know your neighbors.

Having dependable relationships in your life might help you overcome sadness and loneliness. These folks can push you to live your best life and can help you get through difficult situations.

7. Avoid skipping doctor’s appointments

Make sure you go to the dentist and doctor as regularly as advised. ‘Early detection is the key to curing most fatal diseases, and these diseases can’t be discovered early if you never attend the doctor,’ claims the dentist in Scottsdale.

Make sure you have a future visit with a doctor booked. Regularly see the eye doctor, dentist, and doctor. Make an appointment now if you haven’t in a while.

A Healthy Lifestyle Is Worth It Despite the Work Required to Achieve It
Living a healthy lifestyle has several advantages. Even while getting there requires effort, the foundations are simple to comprehend and put into practice. The benefits outweigh the work required to develop healthy behaviors.

So, use this advice to live a healthy lifestyle and take pleasure in living your best life.

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:

START HERE

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

By Gifted Healthcare

August 4, 2022

1566 Views

National Wellness Month: Wellness Tips for Every Travel Nurse

Posted on August 4, 2022August 3, 2022 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Your overall wellness is important to help you live a higher quality of life, and as a travel nurse, this becomes even more of a priority while on assignment.

Everything we do, from work to bedtime routines, and every emotion we feel throughout the days contribute to our overall well-being. It is this same well-being that directly affects human actions and emotions, so the cycle all ties into one another. Prioritizing your overall wellness will help manage stress, reduce the risk of illness and aid positive interactions and feelings throughout your life.

Wellness is determined by a variety of categories, including environmental, mental, physical, social, spiritual, financial, intellectual, and occupational. We are diving into some of these categories and focusing on how you can enhance your wellness as a travel nurse.

Environmental Wellness

As a travel nurse, your environment is changing regularly, and as exciting as a new environment is, it is also a shift in your routines and alters your atmosphere. As you prepare for a new travel contract, you can prioritize your wellness in prep for the transition.

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Include extra days in your moving timeline leading up to your first shift, so you have plenty of time to make your new place feel like home. An unpacked and organized environment benefits your environmental wellness and will help you feel prepared for your new assignment.

Create Space for You

While unpacking, try to set up a spot in your home where you can retreat after work. Maybe it’s an outdoor oasis with twinkle lights or a comfy chair and blanket set up by a window for a reading nook. Whatever helps you decompress, prioritize that area of your space because a pleasant and stimulating environment supports your well-being.

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Extra time will also give you a chance to adjust to your new community. Explore your coffee shop options, find a local park, or map out your commute to get a feel for your surroundings. Having these little familiarities will make a huge difference as you transition to a new assignment.

Another big environment that is changing is your work environment. Give yourself a little grace as you adjust to navigating the floor, locating the nurses’ station, or getting lost looking for the bathroom. These are all things that come with time.

Mental Wellness

Your mental and emotional wellness has a large impact on your overall attitude and outlook toward life. This is a huge factor in your overall wellness and can ebb and flow over time. Your mental wellness will help you cope effectively, establish a positive self-regard, and create satisfying relationships in your day-to-day. Here are some tips to help your mental wellness while traveling.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. There are a variety of ways to practice it, so start with some trial and error to see what works best for your body and mind.

If your brain is busy planning, problem-solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative thoughts, you can feel drained. It also adds levels of stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression to your day. Take time each day to practice mindfulness exercises such as meditation, breathing, guided imagery, and more to relax your mind and body.

Check out these five simple practices for daily life to get started.

Self-Care Days

Along the lines of mindfulness, a self-care day can go a long way in easing your chaotic thoughts. Set aside time on a day off to go on a long walk, listen to a relaxing podcast, pamper yourself, or anything else that helps ease your mind and allow you to recover. Even if it is just 30 minutes you set aside, this will help chip away at the stress our bodies build up over time.

Talk It Out

In a world where virtual therapy is more commonly accessible, take advantage of it. Through the ups and downs of your personal life, shift experiences, and travel schedule, a therapist, is a great outlet to put yourself first and prioritize your needs. Don’t let your mental wellness get lost in the shuffle of your other priorities.

If a therapist is not available, rely on your loved ones for a little bit of time here and there to let your feelings out.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is not just about working out; it is about your body’s need for physical activity, healthy nutrition, and sleep. While adjusting to your new travel assignment, start to navigate your workout, eating, and sleep routines so you can feel balanced during the transition.

Find Your Workout Spot

Research local gyms and fitness studios near your house or hospital, depending on what time of day you prefer to move. Many studios offer a first-class free or some type of trial period membership, so don’t limit yourself to places you recognize from other cities. There might be a workout that is brand new to you and ends up being your favorite way to work out!

You also shouldn’t limit yourself just to the gym. Venture around the area and look for local trails to hike, parks for running and walking, or outdoor excursions to try for a change of scenery.

Eat Local, Cook at Home

A huge perk of travel nursing is exploring parts of the country you might have never been to before, and with that comes local produce and food. Hit up farmer’s markets to experience local vendors and culinary items that the town or state is known for.

Pack a cookbook with you and use your new favorite farmer’s market items to make some home-cooked meals. Cooking not only soothes your mind, but it’s a way to nourish your body and promote physical wellness. The best part is packing the leftovers for your next shift!

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Whether you are working day shift, night shift, or a combo of both, your sleep as a nurse has to be a priority. Sleep improves your mood, regulates your blood sugar, improves your mental function, relieves stress, enhances athletic performance, and so many other bodily functions. You can help yourself in this area by setting up a successful sleep environment.

Depending on how you prefer to sleep, there are a variety of ways to control your sleep environment like the temperature, lighting, noise level, etc. If it helps you, pack an eye mask, turn on white noise, blast the ac, or read a book before bed. All of these options will help soothe your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep.

Having a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system goes a long way with your social wellness. While traveling, you might feel a void where those connections used to be, so you will need to actively seek social interactions to enhance your social wellness while living in a new city.

Connect With Friends from Home

If you are traveling alone, connecting with your friends and loved ones while on your assignment will make you feel more at home. Share the exciting experiences of your new town with friends over a FaceTime catch-up, or send pictures to your parents so they can live vicariously through your adventures. These little moments will enhance your social wellness.

Connect With Patients

One of the coolest things about nursing in general, but specifically travel nursing, is that you are helping people that you would have most likely never even met outside of the hospital. Every patient at your bedside has a story, a life they have lived, the advice they would give, etc. Embrace the moments you have with patients to connect with strangers and feel the impact that one conversation can have on both you and your patient.

Take Yourself Out

Time with yourself can be social too. It doesn’t always have to be a home-cooked meal. Research the local hot spot restaurants and create a bucket list of menus you want to try. Check out upcoming concerts, free events, and more to connect socially with your assignment city. Being around the social atmosphere and taking it all in can improve your social wellness as well.

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:

START HERE

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

By Kevin Devoto

July 15, 2022

3402 Views

Foods Traveling Nurses Should Add To Their Diets To Keep Their Energy Up

Posted on July 15, 2022June 27, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

Many aspects of life require extra energy, particularly fast-paced, labor-intensive, stressful jobs. One job that may require plenty of energy is travel nursing. While the go-to method of gaining energy is caffeine, you can also boost your reserves by making dietary changes. Here are foods traveling nurses should add to their diets to keep their energy up.

1. Nutrient-rich Fruits And Vegetables

One of the best ways to keep your energy up is to load up on nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables such as spinach, strawberries, bananas, and kale. Doing so ensures you get the necessary amounts of energy-boosting nutrients such as iron, vitamin B6, and potassium. These are versatile foods that can be added to many recipes and meals. Many people choose to add cut fruit to yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal breakfasts. You can also blend many of these fruits and vegetables into smoothies. If you want an extra boost, you can also include nutrient supplements and powders such as opti greens.

2. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are also useful additions to your diet if you want to boost your daily energy levels. You shouldn’t eat seafood every day, but including these fish, in your diet several times throughout each month or adding a daily fish oil supplement to your diet can be beneficial due to the high amounts of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein in them. The protein ensures you feel fuller longer and have greater energy stores, while vitamin B12 supports your body’s iron levels and produces red blood cells in conjunction with folic acid.

3. Lean And Plant-based Protein

Protein is an important source of energy for your body, but you need to choose the right kinds of protein. Try to focus on lean meats such as poultry, protein sources that contain healthy fats, such as fish and eggs, and plant-based protein, such as nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes. Sources of protein that contain trans fats, such as processed meats, and saturated fats, such as red meat, should be consumed in moderation.

4. Wraps of All Kinds

As a travel nurse, you’re likely going to want many of your meals to be compact, portable, and easy to eat quickly. This applies to lunches and snacks in particular. A great option for ensuring you have a portable meal that also packs plenty of nutrients is by choosing to make wraps. A wrap can include the same ingredients as a sandwich in a more compact package. Wraps have as much variety as sandwiches, too. You can make them out of tortillas or lettuce and fill them with combinations of nearly all the other foods on this list, among others.

5. Green, Black, Or Oolong Tea

Coffee may be the go-to source of caffeine, but there are alternatives that allow your body to process caffeine more slowly and provide you with additional nutrition. Many types of teas, excluding most herbal blends, contain caffeine. Unlike coffee, tea contains a compound called L-theanine. This compound reduces the negative effects of caffeine, such as jitters, and moderates the dispersal of caffeine throughout your body. Drinking one or more cups of tea in a day is highly likely to improve your concentration and alertness. Tea also contains high amounts of antioxidants, namely flavonoids or polyphenols.

6. High-fiber Foods

No matter what your diet is like while you work as a travel nurse, make sure high-fiber foods are included in it. Foods that are high in fiber are well-known for regulating your digestive cycle, but they have other benefits as well. They provide your body with longer-lasting energy stores and regulate your blood sugar. High-fiber foods include most fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. You can also add fiber supplements to your diet.

Many people find that a balanced and nutrient-rich diet has better energizing effects than simply consuming caffeine. You can try out different dietary changes to determine what seems to work best for you. Consulting a dietician or nutritionist can also be quite beneficial.

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. There you can search for what you are looking for in housing.

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 Lina Belegu

June 20, 2022

1394 Views

Natural Energy Boosting Tips

Posted on June 20, 2022June 21, 2022 by Lina Belegu

Is your day dragging you down? It’s okay if you’re feeling a bit more tired than usual because life is so chaotic, demanding, and all-consuming these days.

While you may believe that going for a Starbucks or a can of Red Bull is the answer, there are some more natural ways to boost your energy levels. Here are six natural strategies to overcome weariness and increase energy levels so you can go about your day with more vigor.

Natural Energy Boosting Tips:

Get some sleep

This may sound obvious, but getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate weariness. According to the CDC, 35 percent of American adults do not obtain the necessary 7 hours of sleep each night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleeping for 7 hours can help prevent diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and poor performance.

Here are some sleep-related health tips to help you get some rest:

· Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

· Create a cool and dark sleeping environment.

· Diminish the amount of stimulus in your space by turning off electronics.

· Avoid coffee and alcohol before going to bed.

· Take a bath or read a book

Exercise

While getting off the sofa may be the last thing on your mind, exercise—even a simple walk—can help you feel more energized.

It is not totally obvious from a physiological standpoint, but there is a link between physical exercise and a reduction in low energy and exhaustion. Some of this might be due to the release of endorphins induced by exercise or the improvement in sleep resulting from regular activity.

The CDC advises 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and at least two days of exercise to build muscles.

Limit your alcohol intake.

There’s a reason why wine has been labeled “sleepy juice” by some. However, a single glass of wine at lunch may add to your afternoon slump. Also, that drink before bedtime may lead you to toss and turn and wake up feeling groggy.

While alcohol reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and appears to improve sleep quality in the first half of the night, it severely interrupts sleep in the second half of the night and impacts overall REM sleep for the night.

If you must drink, do it in moderation and at a time when you are not concerned about your energy levels waning.

Stay Hydrated

Feeling fatigued is one of the earliest signs of dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid feeling tired. For women, that’s 9 glasses, while for males, it’s 13.

Keep an eye on your diet.

Food is one of our primary sources of energy. The key is to stay away from processed meals, which can cause your energy levels to jump and then swiftly decrease, leaving you feeling sluggish. Choose meals with a low glycemic index, which means the sugars are absorbed slowly. Whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils are examples of foods having a low glycemic index.

To help, you might want to explore taking vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, but see your doctor first. Some dietary supplements might make your prescription work better or worse.

Discover Inner Peace

While you may not be able to entirely eliminate stress from your life at this time, it may be contributing to your weariness. Allow yourself some time during the day to help you clear your thoughts.

Meditation, yoga, and tai chi are among natural energy enhancers that help you focus on attentive breathing. If yoga isn’t for you, chat with a friend, keep a diary, or consult a professional behavioral health specialist. Some of these activities might help you sleep better and enhance your mental health.

Are you still tired?

If you’re still tired all of the time, the Restore 3 Program, a supplement that helps people enhance their gut health and immune system, is a good option.

But, low energy levels could be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. While these natural energy boosters are great pick-me-ups, they could also be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. If your exhaustion goes beyond what’s normal for your lifestyle, if it’s becoming worse, or if you’re not sure, talk to your doctor.

We hope you found this article on natural energy boosting tips helpful. Do you have any other natural energy boosting tips that you would like to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment below.

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

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

START HERE

Health Tips for Nurses:

1. Prioritize Sleep

2. Healthy Nutrition

3. Stay Hydrated

4. Stay Active and Outside

5. Manage Stress

6. Promote Work-Life Balance

Searching for an agency that will support you?

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

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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!)