November 11, 2022

3673 Views

7 Things to Consider When Looking For Travel Nurse Housing Rentals

Posted on November 11, 2022November 11, 2022 by Nurse First Travel Agency

Nurse First Travel Agency provided this article.

Travel nursing is a great career choice because it allows nurses to travel across the country or even around the globe. This job also offers flexible hours and the chance to earn extra income from home.

However, finding the perfect travel nurse housing rental isn’t always easy. You want to choose a place with good amenities, such as a pool, gym, laundry facilities, etc. Also, you don’t want to pay too much for rent.

Here are five things you should consider when searching for travel nurse housing rentals.

How Do Travel Nurses Find Housing?

Travel nurses often find themselves looking for affordable housing while working in a different city. While many travel nurse agencies out there specialize in providing housing for travel nurses, most aren’t very good at it. They usually just hand over a list of apartments or houses that they’ve found. This isn’t ideal because it doesn’t allow you to pick what works best for you.

However, there are agencies out there that do a better job. These agencies actually work directly with landlords and property managers, allowing them to make sure that the properties are safe, clean, and well-maintained. In addition, they’ll take care of everything for you, including finding you a roommate if necessary.

The downside is that these agencies charge a fee upfront. Some charge up to $1,500 per month, while others charge around $500 per month. But, depending on how much money you want to spend on rent, this could end up being a small price to pay.

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Next Housing

1. Location

The location of your accommodation is important. Is it near public transportation? Are there good restaurants nearby? What are the crime stats like? Does it have a pool? How much does rent cost? These questions can help you determine whether or not a certain area is worth considering.

2. Amenities

If you end up choosing a house or apartment, make sure that it offers amenities that you’ll actually use. For example, do you really need a dishwasher? Will you actually cook meals there? Can you store luggage safely? Make sure you know what you’re getting into.

3. Safety

Safety is another factor to take into consideration. Some places are safer than others. Ask around to see how safe a neighborhood seems. Also, check online forums to see if anyone else has been robbed or assaulted while staying in a particular area.

7 Tips for Finding Travel Nurse Housing

1. Ask about security deposits

Most landlords require a security deposit ranging anywhere from $500-$1000, depending on where you live. Make sure you ask about it upfront. You don’t want to find out later that you’ve been charged too much.

2. Check references

Your landlord may provide references for previous tenants, but it’s always best to check online. If you find anything suspicious, you’ll know immediately. Ask around and find out what people think about the property manager and ask friends and family members if they’ve heard anything about the landlord. If there are many negative ones, it might mean that the landlord isn’t very trustworthy.

3. Find out about pet policies

Some properties allow pets; some do not. This is something to consider before signing a lease. If you plan on bringing your dog along with you, be sure to let your landlord know ahead of time so he/she can prepare accordingly.

4. Research Local Amenities

When searching for furnished housing rentals, one of the most important things to research is the neighborhood itself. Look for areas that offer amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, parks, etc. These are often considered “must haves” when moving to a new city.

5. Know what you’re paying for

It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement when searching for an apartment, but you should also keep track of what you’re spending. Don’t sign a lease without knowing exactly how much you’re spending.

6. Do an inspection

Before you sign any paperwork, make sure that you inspect the place thoroughly. Look for things such as mold, leaks, and other potential problems. Don’t forget to look under sinks and behind appliances.

7. Consider Extended Stay Hotels

Extended-stay hotels are typically located near airports or major highways. They offer guests many of the same amenities as regular hotels, such as free Wi-Fi, cable TV, laundry facilities, and roomy suites. These hotels often feature kitchenettes, making it easy for travelers to cook meals or keep snacks handy.

While some travelers prefer the convenience of staying in one place for several days, others enjoy the freedom of being able to move around town without having to worry about finding a hotel. Extended-stay hotels make traveling easier for both types of people.

With a little planning, you can find an extended-stay hotel that suits your needs. Check out our guide to finding the best extended-stay hotels.

Conclusion

Finding travel nurse housing can be difficult, especially if you have no experience doing so. However, once you start looking, you’ll quickly realize that this type of accommodation doesn’t come along every day. Take advantage of these tips and tricks to help you find the perfect place to call home.

Traveling is fun, but it’s also stressful. There are so many different aspects to consider, but if done right, you can find the perfect home away from home!

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 Triage Healthcare Staffing

November 9, 2022

1776 Views

New Year Travel Assignments: Why You Shouldn’t Sleep on Finding One Now

Posted on November 9, 2022November 9, 2022 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

Triage Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

The new year seems so far away, but the reality is that it will be here before you know it. The time of year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s flies by for travel nurses, recruiters, and onboarding specialists, which means waiting to find a travel assignment that starts in January can leave you without a job come the first of the year. If you’re considering taking the holidays off and jumping back into the job market in January, here are a few reasons you should button up your new year positions now.

Why It Can Be Difficult to Find a New Year Travel Assignment

There’s one simple reason why finding a travel assignment in January can be difficult—many travel nurses plan to take time off during the holidays and then get back into the swing of things after the new year. Sounds like a great idea! And it is. Being able to completely customize when you work is one of the greatest perks of travel nursing.

However, because it’s something that a lot of travel nurses do, it can be harder to find a job right after the holidays. The market is flooded with travel nurses looking for new travel assignments, and recruiters are swamped trying to find their established travel nurses a job. So, if you’re thinking about switching to a new recruiter or agency, right after the new year is not the time to start. If you wait too long to start your January job search, you might be left out entirely and stay out of work longer than planned.

When To Look for a New Year Travel Assignment

It might seem too early, but the time to look for a January travel assignment is actually in October or November, before Halloween or Thanksgiving. If you’re planning on switching to a new agency or recruiter, you should start even earlier because you’ll need time to create your profile or make sure you find a recruiter that you vibe with. (Side note: this is where a Kamana profile is a huge benefit for travelers. The universal Kamana profile can be sent to any agency or recruiter, meaning you’re already ahead of the game.) When you start making these connections before the holiday season begins, you’ll have a better chance of finding a travel assignment where you want to go.

Having something lined up before the holidays allows you to still take time off, but without worrying about what you’re going to do when January rolls around. It also lets you go through the compliance process over a longer period of time, which is important. The folks at your agency, your facility, or even the labs where drug tests are processed like to spend time with their families during the holidays, which can sometimes slow things down. Remember, they’re people, not robots!

Tips for Finding a New Travel Assignment

Luckily for travel nurses who want to take time off during the holidays, a few things can help them find assignments.

Be flexible. Remember that everyone wants to go somewhere warm in cold, dreary January. So, if you’re willing to take assignments in northern states, you’ll probably have an easier time finding one.
Start early. Like we said before, getting your January assignment buttoned up ahead of time means you’ll have less competition for the available jobs.
Keep your skills current. If you’ve taken off more than a few months, finding a new assignment can be a challenge. It’s not a bad idea to pick up a PRN shift each week at a facility near your home. This keeps your skills current, which makes you a more attractive candidate to facilities.

Looking for a travel nurse agency that will treat you with honesty and candor? Triage Staffing listens to what you want and then shoots you straight. So you can make the decision that’s right for you. To connect with a Triage recruiter, apply for travel nurse jobs on the Triage website.

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 Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

November 8, 2022

1387 Views

Coping with Loss While on Assignment

Posted on November 8, 2022November 4, 2022 by Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

It’s no secret that leaving the comforts of home, family, and loved ones for travel assignments across the country is no easy feat. I think so many people have this preconceived notion that travel nursing is easy, but in reality, being away from all the things we hold so dear can truly have a huge impact on the way we function in our day-to-day lives. What can make these moments even more difficult is having to deal with the loss of loved ones while traveling on assignment.

This month marks 1 year since I (Ariel) unexpectedly lost my father. I’ve debated writing about this topic, but I think, despite how difficult it may be, it could help someone else who may be walking along that same bumpy road I call grief.

Since it’s been about a year, I’ve learned a thing or two about grief and coping with loss. I hope if anyone reading finds themselves in this incredibly difficult situation, these words will bring you comfort and help you along your healing journey.

Forgive yourself

First and foremost, you have to forgive yourself. I spent many months feeling guilty for not being home when my dad passed away. I was half a country away when I got the call, and I can’t tell you how heartbreaking it felt to be so far away from home in such a life-altering moment. I spent the next day flying home, trying my hardest (unsuccessfully mostly) to hold back the tears. It’s not like you ever know how these moments in your life are going to go, but I had to do a lot of work in the following months to just forgive myself and not feel guilty. I felt guilty for many things, but mostly for not being home.

I came to find that these feelings of guilt were normal in the coping process, but only to a certain extent. I allowed myself to feel those feelings but learned I couldn’t let myself stay there for long. You have to forgive yourself in order to move on. Loss is hard enough as it is, don’t make it harder by blaming yourself for things you can’t change. Remember, your loved one wouldn’t want you to hold on to those feelings of guilt either.

Take as much time as you need

Every time I think about the months after my father’s passing, I feel so thankful that I was able to take as much time off of work as I did. We had to end our contract at the time a couple of weeks earlier than originally planned and flew home without a return ticket. I know this isn’t realistic for everyone’s situation, but if it’s possible for you, do it. The freedom travel nursing has given us made it possible to take the time I needed to process my grief.

I will be honest, in the early weeks after his passing, the thought of going back to work and seeing patients who reminded me of my dad really made me doubt if I was ready to go back to work. I gave myself the time I needed until I felt ready, and I am so thankful that I did. I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, but nurses are notorious for putting ourselves last. This was the first time in a long time I decided to put myself first, and I think it was the best thing I could’ve done for myself and my mental health. If you ever find yourself in this situation or something similar, please remember that it’s okay to take all the time you need. It doesn’t make you selfish, lazy, or anything other than someone grieving the loss of someone special. You can’t take care of others if you haven’t taken care of yourself first.

Surround yourself with support

This is a huge one and something that I didn’t realize I needed until I did. When you’re going through something as devastating as a loss, you oftentimes feel very alone. While your best friends and family may not always know exactly what you’re feeling or going through, their support is essential in your healing.

Lean on them, and don’t feel guilty about that, either. If they offer you a hand, take it. It may even be a good idea to consider taking travel assignments close to home or close to your support system in the months after experiencing your loss. Remember that you will have days when you may feel totally alone with your grief, but you aren’t.

Therapy is not just for when things get bad. I think there’s a common misconception about when to go to therapy; it seems a lot of people think therapy is a reactive intervention rather than a proactive one. Therapy can be a fantastic tool all the time, but especially after experiencing a loss.

When you are on assignment, it can seem hard to prioritize mental health. However, nowadays, there are so many easy ways you can speak to professionals via video chats, phone calls, or even over text. I’ve personally used BetterHelp for a long time but found it especially helpful after my dad’s passing. It helped to gain some outside perspective, and it was also nice to have sessions in the comfort of my own space. Consider therapy, too, if you have experienced a loss. Even if you feel you are processing your emotions and grief appropriately, it doesn’t hurt to talk to professionals too.

Trust the process

Know that grief is not a linear process. For some ridiculous reason, I was under the impression that grief went from one stage to the next in a step-by-step fashion. I learned pretty early on that this was absolutely not the case. I found myself going in and out of all stages of grief many times, sometimes multiple times in one day. I still have good days and bad days even now, a year later.

The sooner I learned to trust the process and just let my feelings flow, the easier it became to process my grief. I also learned that there’s really no “end” to a loss. You won’t ever reach a point where you can say, “Yep, I’m all fixed and healed now!” That’s not to say that things don’t get better, but rather, it’s a new reality that you learn to live with.

Loss is truly one of the hardest things, if not the hardest thing, we have to go through as human beings. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and it’s moments when life doesn’t feel fair or real. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we will all experience loss. We see it as nurses, and we will deal with it as human beings. I wish there was a magic potion or special recipe we could make that would ease the pain that comes with loss, but the truth is time, patience, love, and forgiveness are your best friends during these difficult times.

It can be really hard, but remember, your loved one wants you to be happy. They want you to live your life to its fullest and not spend your time living in sadness and regret. Honor them by being happy and trusting that you carry them with you everywhere you go.

Lastly, I will leave you with a quote that has helped me a lot throughout my healing journey when I felt as though my grief was too much, and I saw it as a negative thing.

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot…Grief is just love with no place to go.”

-Jamie Anderson

We will all face grief at some point in our lives. But how do you cope with loss while on assignment? Ariel has some advice. Read it here.

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

START HERE

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

By The Gypsy Nurse

November 4, 2022

2112 Views

The Perks and Rewards of Being a Travel Nurse

Posted on November 4, 2022November 1, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Traveling is an opportunity to see new places, meet new people, and experience different areas. What’s better than being able to travel and work and get paid top dollar for it? Being a traveling nurse! Travel nursing has become more popular since the pandemic for many reasons. With high-paying contracts, flexibility, and growth opportunities, nurses who take on travel assignments in other places have many new rewards than traditional nursing roles.

Any type of nursing is a rewarding career, and the possibilities can be endless. If you decide to take on being a travel nurse, you will see it offers many rewards for both your professional and personal life.

Opportunity To Experience Environments

By taking on new assignments as a three or six-month contract, you have the opportunity to live in a completely new place and experience different hospital settings. As a traveling nurse, you can pick different cities and locations to move to temporarily. This allows you to try different living styles and see what you like and don’t like. You can learn to take public transportation and explore the buzzing nightlife in a city. Or you can enjoy the sunshine in Florida and the desert in Arizona.

Most hospitals around the United States offer contracts, so if there are places you have always wanted to visit, now is the time to do it. You can discover new restaurants and activities along every destination you travel to. This is especially important if you are unsure where you want to live long term. Experiencing different places to live will help you decide where you want to put your roots down permanently.

Ability To Learn New Skills

By working in various hospitals, you will meet many new people and, more importantly, learn new techniques that will help you advance your career. Each assignment you take will present you with unfamiliar challenges and learning experiences. That said, each assignment should incrementally offer more pay and responsibility. You will be building your resume and skill set along the way, allowing more flexibility in what you can ask for.

When being a travel nurse, you have to be able to adapt to different situations quickly. You may get transferred to a different unit, and you need to be prepared to tackle any obstacles that come your way. The benefit of this is you may gain more awareness about what parts of the job you enjoy and what specific areas you want to focus on. This is great if you plan on furthering your education down the road and need to pick a specific discipline like pediatrics, emergency medicine, or geriatric care. The professional and life skills you earn as a traveling nurse are endless, providing much insight into your career aspirations.

Maximizing Your Earning Potential

As a travel nurse, you can make significantly more because you fill an urgent opening requiring flexibility. In addition to the hourly wage, you receive housing stipends. You will need to have somewhere to live while traveling unless you have family or friends you can stay with. Your options are renting an apartment monthly, Furnished Finder, Air BNB, or staying in a hotel. The length of your contract, location, and personal preferences will determine the best fit for you.

With a larger income, you will have the opportunity to make smart money decisions and hopefully accumulate savings. With the extra funds, you may pay off your student loans, pay for your master’s, or save for buying a home. A smart move to consider is purchasing a home while making extra money. You will then have a “home base” to live in when you are not assigned to a traveling contract, and you can rent it out when you are away. This is a smart investment and a great way to maximize your salary as a traveling nurse. With your extra income, research how much house you can afford to see if you can comfortably purchase a house or condo. Investment properties are a great way to start building a financial portfolio and secure your future assets.

Meeting New People

A perk of being a traveling nurse is getting to meet people all over the world. While working, you will be able to make new friends through your co-workers and, hopefully, create long-lasting relationships. Also, you will get to experience new cities where you will meet people. Even once you leave an assignment, having a place you can always visit is a fun perk! Lastly, as a nurse, traveling or not, you will get to help others daily and show that you care.

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 Frank Hamilton

November 3, 2022

2580 Views

How To Write Awesome Social Media Posts As A Travel Nurse

Posted on November 3, 2022October 10, 2022 by Frank Hamilton

There is not a single day that we don’t use our social media to check the latest news happening in the world and updates for our favorite celebrities and social media influencers. In this post, we would like to take a closer look at the social media of travel nurses. The profession of a travel nurse is supposed to be interesting and quite different as they need to change their locations quite often, which means that, along with being a travel nurse, they can be travel bloggers and write about their new adventures and experiences. However, here comes the question: what type of content is acceptable for travel nurses, and what is not? Keep reading to find out what post ideas travel nurses can consider for their social media accounts.

The profession of travel nurse has its advantages and disadvantages like any other profession, for example, professional writers on service Rated by Students. You need to constantly change your place of living, which can be complicated for your mental health, as well as physical health, due to rapid changes in climate. Even if we talk about social media posts ideas, travel nurses will never feel the lack of topics.

As travel nurses change their locations very frequently, they can share their experiences of being in this or that country with their audience on social media. Of course, travel nurses have time off when they can explore the area, visit the most outstanding places of interest and share their impressions on their social media profiles.

Make connections with other travel nurses.

Social media is also a great tool to connect with other travel nurses who actively post on their social media accounts. For example, if you are going to a country other travel nurses have already been to, you can boldly ask them about the best places you would definitely need to visit. Also, you can connect with other travel nurses in the city you are currently in to spend some time together, exchanging your experiences and impressions from your new place of living. By the way, you can help each other to make appealing photos and videos for your social media to reach a broader audience.

Remain professional

Of course, as a travel nurse, your social media accounts are private. But it doesn’t exclude the need to keep your social media professional, even though these accounts are made for your personal needs. For instance, today, you had a horrible experience with your patient who made you very upset. However, you have no right to discuss the situation with your followers on social media. There is a huge probability that your employer or this patient will find out about it, and you’ll probably have some problems with your job. Once you post something in a social media profile, it will never be deleted, as all information will still be kept on servers.

Don’t post the private information of your patients.

Social media for travel nurses is not the place where they can share their use cases and information about patients, like what visits they had to use today, what diagnosis they had to conduct, and so on. All medical information is protected by HIPAA law, which is accountable for protecting patients’ sensitive information from third parties, especially if we talk about publications on social media.

Well, you can discuss various experiences you had at your work in general without not typing the personal information about your patients, the location you had the patient in, the medications you had to prescribe, etc. Due to various reviews on the writing service Top Writing Reviews, this type of content will just ruin your face as a professional travel nurse.

Keep growing skills and knowledge.

Generally, social media can influence your profession as a travel nurse differently, and this impact can also be positive. Social media is a great opportunity to build your face as a real professional as you can share the training and learning courses you passed, the certifications you got, follow outstanding healthcare leaders to find out more knowledge and develop your skills, etc. In addition, you can also share useful articles related to your job or overall healthcare industry with your subscribers to bring more value to your social media audience.

All in all, travel nurses can share general information about their traveling and new destinations, but we do not recommend publishing personal patient information as it can cause serious consequences for their job and healthcare career overall.

We hope you found this article on how to write awesome social media posts as a travel nurse helpful; as stated above, please be mindful of private information and HIPAA laws. For more information on social posting and HIPAA, click here.

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 RTG Medical

November 1, 2022

1770 Views

Why a Great Relationship with Your Recruiter Matters

Posted on November 1, 2022November 10, 2023 by RTG Medical

RTG Medical provided this article.

As a traveling healthcare professional, it’s critical to have a great relationship with your recruiter. Traditional recruiters find candidates for permanent positions, whereas recruiters for the best healthcare travel companies work together with their healthcare professionals on an ongoing basis. Contracts are typically 13 weeks, and what helps your recruiter find the right assignment each time is getting to know you.

RTG Medical knows how important relationships between our traveling healthcare professionals and recruiters are. A good relationship allows you to get the most out of your career and overall leads to your success. There are several characteristics that create a strong relationship with your recruiter. Let’s walk through them and discover the benefits of a solid relationship.

Why a Great Relationship with Your Recruiter Matters

Key characteristics of a good traveler-recruiter relationship

The key to any strong relationship is communication. This is the same for traveler-recruiter relationships. Having open communication while you’re trying to get the position will ensure your recruiter knows you’re engaged throughout the process. After you accept the contract, let your recruiter know how it’s going and provide them with any updates. Continual communication helps build a successful partnership. It’s also important to establish preferred communication methods with your recruiter.

Transparency, trust, and honesty are a few other characteristics necessary for a good traveler-recruiter relationship. Transparency and trust go hand in hand. Let your recruiter know if anything good or bad happens while on assignment. The more your recruiter knows, the better they can assist you from contract to contract.

How to build a strong relationship with your recruiter

When you become a traveling healthcare professional with one of the best healthcare travel companies, you’ll need to ask questions and set expectations with your recruiter. When you sit and speak to a recruiter for the first time, be sure to let them know exactly what you’re looking for in a job. Think about what specialty and location you want to work in. When you’re shown contract options, ask about pay, insurance, benefits, how many days of orientation, time off policy, and perks. This all helps you find the perfect contract to fit your needs best.

Being prepared and staying organized will also help you and your recruiter stay on the same page. Your recruiter works to make sure the process is streamlined and that everything goes smoothly for you. As you hop from one assignment to the next, you will develop more skills and life experiences. Your part is to ensure your skills, licenses, records, and other documents are up to date.

Benefits of a solid relationship with your recruiter

The benefits of a good relationship with your recruiter include knowing someone always has your back, being supported in your job search, and having someone to help you understand and negotiate contracts. If you’re stressed about an upcoming assignment or run into any issues, you can count on your recruiter to alleviate some of the stress and to be there for you from the beginning of the contract to the end.

Recruiters in the traveling healthcare industry will help you schedule interviews, choose the proper placement, and guide you through the rest of the process. If you’re looking to find several successful assignments and create a lasting partnership, a traveling healthcare staffing agency like RTG Medical can ensure a good experience!

Get connected with a recruiter at the best healthcare travel companies!

There are many reasons to become a healthcare traveler with RTG Medical. We employ healthcare professionals to travel across the country in various healthcare settings. We want to be your traveling partner. If you’re ready to become a traveling healthcare professional, contact us today!

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 TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

October 28, 2022

1799 Views

Preparing for Travel Nursing During the Holidays

Posted on October 28, 2022October 26, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

This will be the first holiday season away from home for thousands of new travelers. For some travel nurses, their family is why they began traveling because they want to earn money that gives their loved ones better lives. Spending this cherished time away from them can be taxing on mental health.

So, how do you prepare to be away during the holidays and set your mental wellness up for success? We reached out to our experienced TNAA ambassadors to get their advice for a holiday season well spent.

Preparing for Travel Nursing During the Holidays:

Don’t Spend It Alone

Our ambassadors’ greatest piece of advice is to team up with fellow travelers or locals on the unit to celebrate the holiday. Getting together to share favorite traditions and side dishes or laugh at a ridiculous holiday movie is a great way to bond and expand your network of friends. Following this advice has been the source of some of their most cherished memories.

Stay Busy

Some travelers cope best by staying busy and choosing to work the holiday. While it’s a bummer not being around your loved ones, it can feel good to know you’re giving staff nurses the opportunity to be at home with their families.

And, if you’re working, know that you are the source of holiday spirit for your patients, so have fun! Get creative with decorations or play festive music on your unit to brighten their spirits.

Plan a Video Call

As one of our ambassadors said, a video call “is a great way to feel included with your family while not being physically present.” Schedule a video call with your family and use the time to open a present or two to feel like you’re part of their festivities that day.

Celebrate Again When You’re Together

A perk part about being a travel nurse is that you can take extended periods off between assignments. So, if you find yourself working on a holiday, plan to celebrate it in full force when you’re back home – even if it is a couple of weeks or months afterward. Your family probably won’t mind leaving the tree up a little longer, baking and decorating treats, or sipping hot cocoa to get into the holiday spirit when you’re together again. After all, it’s not when you celebrate but who you celebrate with that counts the most.

Ask About Your Agency’s Resources

Additionally, whether you’re working the holiday or not, make sure you’re familiar with any mental wellness resources your agency offers in case you, a coworker, or a loved one might need them. The holidays aren’t always merry and bright like we want them to be. Sometimes, the holidays can be difficult to get through for a variety of reasons. Knowing the mental wellness resources accessible to you can set you up for success in the moments when a helping hand or comforting word are most-needed. Are you debating whether you should take off a few days for the holidays or work through them? Read our previous blog highlighting tips for having happy holidays on or off the job.

We hope you found this article on preparing for travel nursing during the holidays helpful. Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses for preparing for holidays as a travel nurse? Comment them below.

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

October 27, 2022

3548 Views

Unlocking Prosperity: Travel Nurse Earnings – Average Pay and Salary Insights

Posted on October 27, 2022December 19, 2023 by AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare provided this article.

When healthcare facilities need experienced nurses to fill nurse-to-patient ratios, they rely on travel nurses to fill in the void and get the job done. Travel nurses accept short-term assignments – typically thirteen weeks, to ensure high-quality patient care regardless of whether the healthcare facility has staffing shortages. Due to the flexible nature of the job and the experience the nurse brings to the table, travel nurses are typically paid more than permanent staff nurses.

Average Travel Nurse Salary

As of September 2022, the average travel nurse’s salary is $1,998 per week. (Indeed) There is potential for nurses to earn even more based on their location and specialty.

Highest Paying Travel Nursing Specialties

Speaking of specialties, the higher the demand for a nurse specialty, the higher the salary. The top five specialties for travel nurses include:

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) is the most sought-after nurse specialty because CVICU nurses are responsible for caring for patients after heart transplants and open-heart surgeries. CVICU nurses can generally earn $2,223 to $4,406 per week.

Labor and Delivery (L&D) nurses are also in high demand. These nurses are invaluable and work in the maternity wards. An L&D travel nurse generally earns anywhere from $2,342 to $6,231 per week.

Emergency Room (ER) nurses treat patients in critical condition and suffering from trauma or a condition requiring emergency attention. ER nurses can earn up to $1,900 to $4,284 per week.

Progressive Care Unit (PCU) is a high-demand nurse specialty. PCU nurses quickly think on their feet as they monitor patients’ vital signs. PCU nurses can earn up to $1,914 to $4,333 a week.

Telemetry (TELE) travel nurses monitor patients’ vital signs and assist doctors with various procedures. TELE travel nurses perform the same duties as nurses in permanent positions but earn $1,967 to $4,191 per week, depending on the assignment.

Highest Paying Travel Nurses Locations

The highest-paying travel nurse locations are typically always in California and New York; other cities outside of California and New York with high-paying contracts include; Orlando, FL., and Atlanta, GA. The highest-paying cities in the U.S. for travel nurses are New York, New York; San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando, Florida; Omaha, Nebraska; and Fort Myers, Florida. (Indeed)

As of September 2022, the states with the highest demand for travel nurses are California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Traveling Nurse Competition and Benefits

Travel nurses are always in demand, but the competition is chasing the highest salary. Fortunately, salary can be supplemented with benefits. Some agencies offer benefits that may include; health insurance, vision insurance, disability insurance, and life insurance.

How to Increase your Travel Nurse Pay

Travel nurses can increase their pay, which doesn’t require negotiations. American Mobile recruiter, Levi L., shared, “If you want to maximize how much you make, there are different strategies such as finding low housing cost so that you can take home more money, take housing we provide, or take the housing subsidy. Also, take a look at tax rates. Some states don’t have a state income tax, while in California, nurses receive time and a half (overtime pay) if they work over eight hours.

Another option would be to consider various certifications. For example, some ER nurse positions pay more for nurses who have a TNCC certification.”

“The best option is to tell your recruiter your financial or compensation goals. While you can easily find the highest wages using AMN Passport, you don’t always want to base your final decision on the wage to meet your compensation goals.

That’s what the recruiter is here for – to maximize your compensation and optimize your experience.”

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 Lirika Hart

October 26, 2022

3126 Views

9 Tips for Travel Nursing While Pregnant

Posted on October 26, 2022September 27, 2022 by Lirika Hart

The period of time when a woman is pregnant is very unique and important. It brings challenges and new worries, but the joy is great. However, some women may have a harder time and many challenges during pregnancy. Especially when the woman is a traveling nurse on duty while pregnant.

Below we have listed some travel tips for expectant mothers.

Inform the Facility about your Pregnancy

It is best to let your company or facility know that you are pregnant so they can support you. They can advise you on decisions you may need to make and other issues.

Once the recruiter knows about your pregnancy, they must also inform the people who will receive your invitations and short-term assignments.

Don’t avoid Regular Checkups

The road to motherhood leads through an exciting and joyful phase called pregnancy. A woman’s physical health must be closely monitored during this crucial time, as the health of the unborn child depends heavily on prenatal care.

Prenatal care visits are extremely important. Your usual prenatal visits will be affected by your work as a traveling nurse, but you should not skip them. Depending on whether you gave birth in a public or private hospital, in a birth center, or at home, your exams and tests may be done at a hospital, doctor’s office, or other location in your community.

Take care and avoid Hazardous Situations

It may be difficult for a pregnant nurse to avoid teratogenic and fetotoxic exposures and work situations that could jeopardize her pregnancy, depending on her workplace, particular immunity, and stage of pregnancy.

As a nurse expecting a child, be extremely careful and stay away from these hazards. Do not handle or expose yourself to heavy medications, such as chemotherapy drugs. Also, be careful when giving injections or medications by IV to avoid accidental needle sticks. Clean your hands thoroughly and put on a mask for extra protection if necessary.

Maternity leave

Time flies, so it’s best if you try to plan everything; even if the plan changes, be prepared for it. Make plans for maternity leave as well, because that way, you will be better prepared for the time when you have to go on maternity leave. If you already know where you will deliver your baby and when you plan to take your leave, it will be much easier to coordinate your travel nurse assignments with your delivery date. If you have the option, you should end your contract around 37 weeks after delivery to be extra cautious. Also, use a pregnancy calculator to calculate your pregnancy days. Most often, they indicate the exact time of the baby’s birth.

Take breaks and pay attention to your diet

Breaks and rest are critical to the health and well-being of you and your unborn child during pregnancy.

Taking breaks can help you stay hydrated and satisfied. Pregnant women are advised to drink plenty of water daily to stay hydrated and avoid problems like swelling, bladder infections, and even early labor.

Prepare healthy snacks for your shift, such as fruit or protein bars. Adequate and nutritious food is essential for your baby’s growth and development. Also, your body will produce amniotic fluid if you consume enough nutritious fluids. Don’t forget to take your prenatal vitamins, as they contain all the important nutrients for pregnancy.

Avoid stress

Stress is another element that can harm our bodies, and it is possible that it is the biggest threat to a woman’s overall health during pregnancy. High blood pressure can be caused by stress. You run the risk of developing preeclampsia, a dangerously high blood pressure condition, giving birth too early, and having an underweight baby. It is important to take care of yourself and make an effort to reduce stress now and throughout the year.

Have an emergency plan in mind

During pregnancy, it is important to have an emergency plan. If you are traveling far from home, your health may change suddenly. Before you leave, find out if your health insurance is accepted at different hospitals or in other states. Prenatal care, delivery treatments, and other services are covered by health insurance for pregnant women. Check the rate summary before choosing your health insurance plan. Each plan includes a summary that lists the expected cost of prenatal care. Because each plan uses the same form, it’s easy to compare prices and benefits. You can find the rate summaries on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

If you notice changes in your body, you may become anxious. Instead, find out about the signs that could indicate something more serious.

Pack what you need about your traveling as a pregnant woman

Even though there are many, you should keep in mind that you will need to pack a lot of things during pregnancy. However, it is advisable to be prepared and have everything you need during this time or for unforeseen circumstances. Take enough for a few extra days in case your travel plans change.

Do not Take Things Personally

Being a nurse is a stressful profession. When you are in this profession, try to avoid problems and don’t take things personally because it can harm your body and your health in general.

Conclusion

Every woman should plan her pregnancy carefully, but it can be more difficult if you are working. However, if you follow some rules, such as putting the health and well-being of the patient first, communicating with the facility, planning for the birth, taking care of the patient’s health, eating and drinking, taking supplements, and having an emergency plan, it can be easy to afford travel jobs as a nurse. If you are in this profession, try to avoid problems and don’t take things personally because they can harm your body and your health in general.

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

How Do Travel Nurses Find Housing?

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Next Housing

1. Location

2. Amenities

3. Safety

7 Tips for Finding Travel Nurse Housing

1. Ask about security deposits

2. Check references

3. Find out about pet policies

4. Research Local Amenities

5. Know what you’re paying for

6. Do an inspection

7. Consider Extended Stay Hotels

Conclusion

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

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

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Forgive yourself

Take as much time as you need

Surround yourself with support

Trust the process

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

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Share the travel experiences from new locations

Make connections with other travel nurses.

Remain professional

Don’t post the private information of your patients.

Keep growing skills and knowledge.

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