May 23, 2022

2116 Views

Housing Tips: Understanding Travel Nurse Housing Options

Posted on May 23, 2022January 16, 2023 by Brandy Pinkerton

Congrats! You’ve signed the dotted line on your travel nurse contract, and you’re ready to secure housing for your gig. Travel nurse housing may seem daunting, but I’m here to help. I’ve been successful with housing as a travel nurse, even as I travel with my two furry companions, making logistics a bit more complicated.

I’m proud to say I have many tricks up my sleeve and have been able to point many nurses in the right direction. I am here to give you tips to help you understand your traveler housing options so you have a safe, comfortable place to lay your head after a long shift.

Finding Your Own Housing

If you want to take housing into your own hands for your assignment, let’s get you set up with the right resources for success.

Make and Stick to a Housing Budget

First and foremost, you need to research the area and write out a budget that includes your travel nurse housing. Ideally, we all want to find reasonable housing with all of the amenities, but you want to be realistic with what you need, what you want, and your budget. Make a list of must-haves, and try to stick to the basics. A safe, clean, furnished place within a reasonable distance of the hospital is a great start.

I recommend doing your due diligence and researching areas you want to stay in and places you want to avoid. You will want to make sure your accommodations are as comfortable as possible. Some travelers like the perks that hotels provide, like breakfast, housekeeping services, and fitness centers. Plus, many hotels offer a corporate, long-term rate – just make sure to ask. I need to have a private place to take my dogs out to the restroom, and for walks, so I try to avoid hotels. However, it is a good option for many other travelers.

Mentor tip: When finding your own housing, get a list of included amenities to know what to pack. I try to find furnished places with a kitchen with pots and pans. I always bring my bed linens and towels. Also, a lesson I learned the hard way was getting to housing that did not have an air conditioner. Being a Texas native, I assumed everyone had air conditioning, but it is relatively common for many mountain townhomes not to have AC. In that case, you might want to bring a fan! Also, be sure you understand what utilities are included in your rent payment and whether or not you have parking or a garage.

Housing Referrals

I have had the best luck finding housing through referrals. Use your network of co-workers, friends, and peers to your advantage. I go to the travel nurse housing groups on Facebook and see who others have used for traveler housing. (If you would like me to add you to these groups, please send me a direct message on Facebook.) I will search and make a post in these groups. Within that post, I communicate my needs, dates, and budget. I will also request to join local Facebook groups, such as buy, sell, trade, or rental groups specific to that town.

I’ll also search through Airbnb, VRBO, Furnished Finders, and Craigslist for housing. Pay very close attention to offers that seem too good to be true because, unfortunately, they usually are. You want to avoid being scammed, so never send money until you do all your homework. Ask the landlord for references and ask them to do a FaceTime call to show you the property. If that is not an option, consider finding a friend or fellow traveler in the area to scope out the housing for you. Many travel nurses will even stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks once they get to their assignment to look at housing options in person and get a better feel for the area.

When you find a place you want to stay, ask for a short-term contract lease that includes your rental dates, deposit info, whether or not it is refundable, monthly rental rates, and what utilities and amenities are included. You can even ask for a month-to-month lease. A condition form should be included so that if there is any previous damage, you can point it out on this form and not be blamed for it later. Securing this contract protects both parties, but please know that you will likely still be responsible for paying the rent owed within the lease term if your contract is canceled early. If necessary, seek legal advice before signing the contract. I am a nurse, not a lawyer, and I never want to steer you wrong. You can always ask for a month-to-month lease.

Housing as a travel nurse is often one of the most significant pain points of the career. You have many options for your accommodations during each assignment, and each comes with benefits and risks. Be upfront about your housing concerns with your company and recruiter so they can assist you. Do your due diligence in the planning stages, read property reviews, research your new city, and ask questions. Happy travels!

Travel Agency Offered Housing Support

The best advice I can give you is to find an agency with a housing team with the skills and market knowledge to supply you with the best housing options. As a new traveler, this is something I initially overlooked when picking agencies. I quickly learned the hard way (once again) how beneficial it is to have this support and benefit.

Look over all the housing options your agency offers. They may offer a payment assistance program, a unique option designed to assist you with those costly initial move-in expenses. They might have additional benefits that ease the financial burden of moving, such as help paying deposits and fees and prorated rent. There may also not have to abide by certain restrictions and be able to give you a more comprehensive range of housing options, such as a room for rent, RV park, campground, cabin, and short-term hotel. If you use Travelers Haven, your company may be able to put the housing in their name, which means you can avoid credit checks.

Here’s another perk of having your company secure your housing – if the hospital cancels your contract due to low census, your travel nurse agency will likely help you find a solution to leaving your lodging early. However, be aware that if you leave your travel assignment early on your terms, you could have to repay the housing fees that your company encountered on your behalf.

Mentor tip: You will likely need to be cleared to start your assignment before your travel nursing company makes any payments or arrangements for housing on your behalf. Do your due diligence and get through the QA process quickly so your agency can assist you with accommodations and set you up for success.

As a first-time traveler, I cannot recommend having your company help you navigate this process enough. It takes a lot of added stress right off of your plate!

We hope you found this article on housing tips for travel nurses helpful.

Do you have travel nurse housing tips or recommendations? Please share them in the comments 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 nurse assignment? Click here to search our travel nurse 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 Kevin Devoto

May 22, 2022

2082 Views

Everything You Need to Pack for Your First Travel Nursing Assignment

Posted on May 22, 2022January 16, 2023 by Kevin Devoto

If you are just getting started in the exciting world of becoming a travel nurse, you already know there are many benefits associated with this job. Perhaps you get to travel and see more of the country than you ever dreamed, or maybe you like the pay that comes with this particular line of work.

Before getting caught up in the excitement, it is crucial you know how to pack before heading out on your next travel nurse assignment. These guidelines can ensure that you have everything you need and you are ready to go.

Find Out How Far You’re Traveling

Before doing anything else, find out where your travel nurse assignment is taking you. This will also help you plan for the weather ahead since you’ll need some regular clothing, too, outside of your work uniform. It’s important to learn if the weather is typically dry, wet, cold, or warm and how this will affect your living conditions. For example, if wet weather tends to give you a headache, it can be helpful to pack the right type of medication, so you aren’t trying to work through a migraine.

Determine What Essentials Can Help You the Most

Think about what essential items you’ll want to take with you.

Some of these could be:

Face care products
Moisturizer
Shampoo/conditioner
Body wash
Deodorant
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Dry shampoo
Nail care kit for hangnails etc

As you are compiling your packing list, don’t forget to think about other things you might need to make the process easier for yourself. Maybe you want to bring laundry soap along so you can easily wash your uniforms. Don’t forget to bring several sets of uniforms to wear since you don’t know how long it will take to get through a busy day at the hospital. The last thing you want is to wake up and not have anything clean to wear for that day.

Travel Size or Regular Size: Packing Based on How Long Your Travel Nurse Assignment Is

Often when packing, many people find it easier to take travel-size bottles. This eliminates the need for extra space in your bag. If you have shorter travel nurse assignments, this can make life easier for you. However, if you know you are going to be gone for a long time, perhaps it might make sense to take bigger bottles. This way, you can avoid the need to go shopping on your days off, and you’ll have everything you need on hand.

Have Enough Backups On Hand

No matter the length of your assignment, have enough backups of items you’ll need so you aren’t left scrambling at the last minute. This could be anything from underscrubs to extra socks or anything else that makes your life easier. Nursing is a demanding career, and you might not be getting enough sleep or necessarily have the time you need to take care of basic errands and tasks. When you have enough backups of daily items, you avoid running into problems associated with making you late for work because you had to stop and grab something.

Conclusion

Travel nursing gives you the opportunity to build upon your professional career while providing you with a change of scenery. Although it might sound like fun, it’s important to be prepared and have everything you need. Make sure you understand the length of time you’ll be gone and where you are going to since this can influence how you should pack. It’s useful to take items you know you’ll put to use and have backups as needed, particularly for essentials like uniforms. These suggestions can ensure you flourish while you are on your next assignment.

We hope you found these tips on everything to pack for your next travel nurse assignment helpful. If we missed something, comment those items 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 travel nurse 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 Victoria Casto

May 21, 2022

1808 Views

10 Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly as a Travel Nurse

Posted on May 21, 2022May 16, 2022 by Victoria Casto

We live on such a beautiful, diverse planet, and I feel incredibly lucky to have experienced so much of it. From lush and green spaces, rainforests, beautiful beaches and oceans, mountain ranges, glaciers, and tropical paradises, there are truly endless natural wonders.

It’s sad to think that future generations may not get to experience everything we have today, but it’s a very real possibility. The decline in our natural resources and environment that we’ve seen over the last few centuries is happening at an alarming rate.

I don’t want to dive too deeply into the fragile state that our ecosystem is in, but to put it simply, our current practices are not sustainable. If we don’t make some drastic changes, our resources will quite literally run dry.

If we each take accountability for our everyday actions and do our part, these small steps will have a big impact!

There are many simple ways that we can help sustain our resources and reverse some of the damage that has been done. Below are just 10 ways to be more eco-friendly as a travel nurse.

Ways to be more eco-friendly

Avoid single-use plastic and waste items when possible.

Plastic is made to last, and when it’s not reused or recycled, it can persist in a landfill for centuries—or even worse, float in our waters for thousands of years, broken down into microplastics. Over the last couple of years, I’ve slowly been replacing all of my household items with alternatives that reduce my plastic consumption.

I love my reusable water bottle, reusable sandwich bags, grocery bags, and mesh produce bags. Items sold in glass or metal are always a great choice too! Even better, bring your own containers and buy your produce and shelf staples from the bulk section instead of pre-packaged items.

Use eco-conscious cleaning and household items.

There are so many amazing products out there, and new ones are constantly being released. Try plastic-free laundry detergent, dishwasher pods, cleaning sprays in reusable glass bottles, paper products made of bamboo fiber, beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap, or reusable straws.

With so many amazing inventions, there’s almost no need to only use something one time! Utilizing compostable or biodegradable materials when possible is also better than regular plastics.

Recycle

Throw your recyclables into the bin, and they get reused—simple enough, right? Well, recycling is actually pretty complicated and can take a couple of extra steps. For example, make sure there’s no food residue left on the items, labels are removed if necessary, mixed materials are separated, and that the materials you’re putting out are actually in need.

Sadly, if there’s no market demand for certain materials, the suppliers won’t pay to reprocess them, and they’ll still end up in the landfill. In addition, some items that are recyclable need to be taken to special drop areas, such as plastic bags. Unfortunately, less than 10% of plastic used is actually recycled, and this is in need of reform. For more information on what/how to recycle, check your city’s regulations.

Eat less meat products and eat more plant-based.

Livestock farming is absolutely non-sustainable for our planet, and the amount of meat products we consume as a population is absurd. The amount of land and water it takes to produce enough grains to feed the animals is eroding our topsoil. As a result, we have less viable land to produce our own needed grains and produce that we could be eating instead of meat. Secondly, the byproducts of the animals and farms produce an enormous amount of greenhouse (carbon) emissions.

Eating more plant-based and vegan foods reduces these waste products and the resulting harm to our ecosystem. I’ve transitioned into a mostly plant-based diet and absolutely love it. I’m not expecting everyone to go vegan tomorrow but start small by cutting meat out of your diet for just a few meals each week. Then slowly cut back more and more—this helps ease into new habits.

By reducing our meat intake, we could actually practice responsible, pasture-raised livestock. This could work in harmony with the environment and allow us to consume healthier meat products in moderation. Plus, eating a plant-based diet has huge health benefits!

Use responsible means of transportation.

One day, we’ll all own electric cars, and gasoline-run engines will be long gone. But for now, choosing to walk, bike, carpool, use public transportation, or even opt for Uber Green are ways to cut down on carbon emissions.

Fun fact: ground transportation uses a fraction of the greenhouse gases that airplanes do, so opting to travel by car, train, or bus instead of flying when possible helps. This also means supporting local businesses or companies who use only ground transportation is beneficial.

Grow plants and start a vegetable garden.

Plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. House plants and herb and vegetable gardens are great ways to contribute and even save on some grocery costs! Another great practice some major cities are using is vertical gardening on the outside of buildings to help combat some of the carbon emissions.

Compost

Not going to lie; composting is something I’ve just started to research, and as someone who travels for work, taking a compost with me isn’t very practical. However, I finally have a rental unit with group compost and I’m so happy to contribute!

Composting helps keep a wide variety of paper and organic materials out of landfills. So instead of releasing greenhouse gases, they add rich material to enhance the soil we grow plants with, which then consume carbon. It’s such a win-win!

Eat less take-out and to-go food.

Have you ever noticed how much space take-out boxes and containers take up in the trash and recycling? It’s so unnecessary! If you want to eat out, opt to dine in when you’re not cooking at home.

Conserve energy at home.

It’s easy to forget that the power you use in your house costs more than what you see on your utility bill. Electricity, water, and gas all have an impact on the environment, so being conscious of what you’re using is important.

Unplugging electric devices when they’re not being used, using only necessary lighting sources and LED bulbs, and using water sparingly are ways to save energy at home. And although many of us are not homeowners yet, utilizing renewable sources for power such as solar paneling is idealistic.

Support B-Corp certified and local businesses when possible.

If you’re not familiar, B-corp certified businesses are accountable for their environmental impact and have full transparency of their practices—among many other strict qualifications.

There’s no doubt that being environmentally friendly takes extra effort and is usually more costly but supporting these types of businesses allows them to continue their conscious efforts and encourages other businesses to do the same.

Be mindful of where you shop, especially when online shopping. Avoid mega-corporations that mass produce, package, and ship their items irresponsibly. Many of your local businesses use significantly fewer resources—the products don’t have to travel as far to reach the store, and they also save on packaging. I love finding unique products that I can feel good about spending the extra dollars on. Plus, it supports your local economy.

By reducing our carbon emissions and finding ways to reverse the damage that has been done, there is hope for a greener future. Everyone leaves a carbon footprint—let’s make it as small as possible!

We can make these changes not only for ourselves to breathe cleaner air and put more natural substances into our bodies but so future generations can experience this beautiful Earth.

Smile at the world, and she’ll smile back!

We hope you found this article on ways to be more eco-friendly helpful. Do you try to be more eco-friendly? What ways have you found to be eco-friendly that we didn’t mention in this article? Comment any eco-friendly tips you may have 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 nurse assignment? Click here to view our travel nurse housing page.

eco-friendly

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

May 20, 2022

2453 Views

How to Travel Every Other Week as a Travel Nurse

Posted on May 20, 2022May 16, 2022 by Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

One of the coolest aspects of travel nursing that I have yet to get sick of is the possibility for new adventures every single day. Growing up, I did not have a lot of options of things to do, especially outdoorsy things. As an adult, I can safely say that getting outdoors is one of my absolute favorite things to do.

36-hour workweek

As nurses, we are blessed that most of us only have to work 36 hours a week to be considered “full-time employees” (I rolled my eyes a bit as I typed that because I know how exhausting “just” 36 hours can be!), but I felt lucky even as a staff nurse knowing I could get away with having 4 whole days off (or 3 if you are a night shifter) which was more than I could say about friends of mine who worked Monday-Friday, 8-5. We really do have it made as far as scheduling goes, but when I became a travel nurse, those 3-4 days off didn’t really feel like much after all. You truly don’t realize how much of a place is begging to be explored until you get there.

At our second travel nurse assignment last summer, we were asked how we felt about working 6 shifts in a row. Before I could even listen to the rest of the question, my mind was already thinking, “NOPE, NO WAY.” Six shifts in a row? There’s absolutely no way I could do that. Before I could say no, though, the director added, “You both would have 8 days off every other week with this schedule”. Now things were starting to sound interesting.

Fun fact:

When Oscar worked in administration prior to traveling, he worked a very similar schedule; Seven shifts working, seven days off. Back then, I didn’t understand how he was able to pull that off, but he would always say, “It’s really not that bad; you get used to it.” By nature, Oscar is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met, so I secretly never believed him. Fast forward to Assignment #2, and he said the same thing – “You honestly just get into this rhythm pretty early on in the stretch, and it doesn’t ever feel that bad; I think we should give this schedule a try.” So that is exactly what we did.

I was hooked

After the first month of working on this schedule, I was hooked. As travel nurses, now it felt like we had endless time to explore our new city AND our new state easily. Because we worked that schedule for almost 5 months, we were able to travel all over Washington State – we got to camp under the green canopies of Olympic National Park, kayak Diablo Lake in the North Cascades National Park, visit the charming Bavarian town of Leavenworth THREE times, take a ferry to the San Juan Islands, explore Mt. Rainier countless times, hike dozens of miles worth of trails, visit local family as often as we could, and so much more. So much of our time would have felt rushed, and some of these trips downright impossible had we worked a traditional 3 on, 4 off.

We wouldn’t choose any other way.

Now on our 4^th assignment, we have continued to work the same schedule and still wouldn’t choose to work any other way. I never thought I would be the type of person who could do so, but let me tell you, it is so worth it, and Oscar was right – it really is not bad. Part of the reason we decided to travel nurse was for the ability to explore and TRAVEL. Having essentially a week off every other week gives you so much freedom and flexibility to take some much-needed days off. It gives you the opportunity to recuperate without missing shifts and to enjoy your assignment without feeling like you are always working. You could even take those 8 days off and travel to a new country or spend time at home with loved ones. The possibilities truly are endless.

Preparation is key if you choose to work this way, though. Oscar and I each have 6 pairs of scrubs clean and ready to go before our long stretches. We also make it a habit of meal prepping so we don’t run out of food in the middle of our shifts either, and we try to have the RV cleaned and organized for the week as well. This schedule certainly is not for everyone, but I really encourage you all to give it a try if the opportunity arises. You don’t know what you’re missing until you do!

Wishing you happy adventures,

Ariel

thattravelnursecouple

We hope you found this article on how to travel every other week as a travel nurse helpful. Have you made your schedule this way as a travel nurse? How do you like it? 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 nurse 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 TheraEx

May 19, 2022

4916 Views

Adjusting to a New Environment as a Travel Nurse

Posted on May 19, 2022May 17, 2022 by TheraEx

PRN Healthcare provided this article.

A new contract means a new facility with new coworkers and policies. With 13-week contracts being a limited amount of time, nurses have to adjust to new policies and cultures quickly. This process can be stressful and a little bit overwhelming. With the proper knowledge of how to adjust, you can focus on your main job, advocating for patients. Do not worry; it gets easier the more contracts you take. Let’s go over some ways to make this process much easier!

Adjusting to your new environment:

Come Prepared

The best way to prepare for your new assignment is to research the facility. It goes a long way to take the time to find out more about the culture your facility has before going there. This can be as simple as reading their overview on the facility website. Once you have some base knowledge on the values of the facility, talk to your recruiter about some additional information they may be able to give. To take it a step further, you can even reach out to nurses and managers that work at the facility to get a better idea of what to expect.

Another way to prepare is to tour the facility before you start. This is a great way to meet some people within the facility, so you have some familiar faces on your first day. In addition to possibly meeting some new people, you will better understand the facility layout. Understanding where everything is can make your transition to the new facility much smoother. Making sure you come prepared is an essential way to help you adjust faster to the new environment.

Constantly Communicate

Another way to make sure your transition is smooth is to communicate effectively with your coworkers and recruiter. As in all things in life, communication is a vital part of success. Not only in your success as a travel nurse but also for your patients. Nursing is a difficult profession, and even the smallest details are important for you, your coworkers, and your patients.

Depending on the facility, patient information and hospital policy can be communicated differently. In a new environment, it may be stressful to keep track of everything, so don’t be afraid to ask another nurse or floor manager for help. Remember, your patient comes first, so making sure you’re doing everything correctly is essential. In addition, make sure you’re also updating the patients’ physician of any changes to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Lastly, make sure you keep your recruiter updated. This is important for your future with the agency as well as your enjoyment with travel nursing. Letting them know what is working well and what needs to change can help them understand where to place you in the future to make sure you’re providing the best care possible.

Dealing with Unfamiliar Situations

As a travel nurse, you have to be able to think and adapt quickly. The best way to do this is to familiarize yourself with the hospital policies. Each facility has different procedures; it is helpful to understand these policies at your current facility. Remember, your primary job is being a patient advocate. Understanding how each hospital operates is a great start to providing great patient care.

There may be a time when you find yourself in a situation, and you are not sure how to deal with it. The best way to overcome this is to ask coworkers, managers, or other staff to make sure you are dealing with the situation in the correct manner. The best way to minimize unfamiliar situations is to learn the hospital codes, watch how other nurses handle situations, and understand the layout of the floor and facility. It all comes back to communication, and if you’re not sure, just ask!

Understanding Your Contract

As a travel nurse, understanding your contract is important. To start, read everything. Make sure you understand what you are bound to do in the hospital and also the expectations of the agency you work for.

An important thing to review in your contract is to make sure your contract dates and times are correct. If any changes need to be made, they should be done before you sign the contract. In addition to checking your times and dates, make sure everything you discussed with your recruiter is in the contract and clearly stated. Making sure your contract is structured correctly will help you with some of the nerves you may have when starting at a new facility. Another important part of your contract to understand is the requirements for floating. Make sure all floating requirements in the contract make sense, and you are comfortable with them. At some point in your assignment, you may be required to float to another unit. Make sure the floating requirements make sense, and you’re floating to a unit you are qualified to handle.

Reaching out to your recruiter for help in understanding your contract is very important. No one wants to be taken by surprise when on a travel assignment. Being knowledgeable about your contract will give you the confidence to perform your best in every assignment!

Travel nursing requires agility to adapt to new locations, coworkers, and facilities. This adds excitement to each new contract. If you are nervous about the changing environment, make sure to fully understand your contract, communicate with your recruiter, come prepared on your first day, and ask questions! After the first few days, you will get into the swing of things and rock your contract!

We hope you found this article on adjusting to new environments helpful. Are there ways you have found to make adjusting easier? Comment them below.

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

May 16, 2022

3232 Views

Pros and Cons of RV Travel Nursing

Posted on May 16, 2022April 22, 2022 by Susan Keller

Travel nursing can take sightseeing to a whole new level, considering the different states you get to work in. While it has some great pros, it also comes with a set of cons. That said, you have to weigh them to see what works for you before choosing.

If you love to travel and see new places, travel nursing can be the choice of work for you, but if being outdoors and on the move is not your cup of tea, you should stick to a permanent residence as you tend to your nursing duties.

Pros

Travel nursing has its share of benefits, especially on your finances and enabling enjoying different cultures while on the job.

Flexibility

While a travel nurse does not get to apply for paid-off days, you can arrange your calendar so that you can be on vacation during the summer. The flexibility ensures that you control the time you are available to work. If you want to work six months or ten months, that’s entirely up to you.

Great Pay

Traveling nurses enjoy impressive compensation packages wherever they go to work. Chances are, when an institution is looking for more staff, you will receive a higher salary package. With travel nursing, you can earn a six-figure salary.

Avoid Work Politics

Given that you will be working on a contract basis, you will not be staying at one place for a long time. By the time you get used to people, your time will be up in that institution and on your way to vacation or a different institution.

Travel with Your Belongings

One of the major advantages of travel nursing is the provision of traveling with your belongings. Think of it as having your home, whichever state you work in. The principles of packing or unpacking your belongings, similar to when you say in a motel or apartment, do not apply to travel nursing.

Job Security

Travel nurses are always in demand. Whether a certain place faces shortages of nurses, chances are, with the right experience, you will get the job. The security reduces the uncertainty of you being out of a job.

You Get to Travel

Traveling and enjoying your new location is a plus for travel nursing. You can choose an activity that will take your mind off of work and help you relax on your off days. If you love to ride bikes, remember to bring one along. In case you don’t have one, think of buying it.

While scouring the internet, we realized that many people don’t know how to select a bike that fits their needs and financial standing. From tire sizes to disc brakes, you can choose the perfect bike for yourself. Fortunately, we found a great list of rugged gravel bikes under $1000. Other useful links include:

Cons

Even though travel nursing has some awesome pros, it also has cons that you should bear in mind when you contemplate joining other traveling nurses.

Varying Pay Rates

Since you will be working in different states, your pay will vary greatly and lead to differences when filing your taxes. Such a situation can be daunting, and you might need to hire a professional to file your confusing taxes.

Unfamiliar Environments

With the movement from one state to another, no place will be familiar like home. The constant change of locations will always expose you to new areas where you have never been. If you love adventure, this might not be so bad, but you will need some time to familiarize yourself.

License Issues

Licensing can be tricky to deal with when working in multiple states. The application and approval can be quite a process when submitting verification documents. The process can be quite daunting in instances where you cannot use a compact license but have to apply for a new one.

Final Thoughts

If you are an outdoorsy person, travel nursing can be a suitable job. Considering the job’s flexibility, you can choose which activities to engage in. Whether you want to go camping or to the beach, you choose your location when applying for the job.

If you get rough terrain, get yourself a gravel bike that will help you navigate as you go sightseeing and enjoy yourself.

We hope you enjoyed this article on the pros and cons of RV travel nursing. Do you currently use your RV for your travel nursing assignments? Comment some pros and cons of RV travel nursing you have found, 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 Kevin Devoto

May 15, 2022

1887 Views

How to Become a Traveling Nurse

Posted on May 15, 2022May 3, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

Many people are interested in becoming a traveling nurse, and there are plenty of good reasons driving this career choice. For example, as a traveling nurse, you’ll have the ability to travel the country, see new parts of the world, make money, and help others while doing so. If you are interested in becoming a traveling nurse, then read on to learn how to get your foot in the door.

Begin With Training and Experience

Many people who want to become traveling nurses have found that they lack the training and experience necessary for the job. If you are one of those people, there is no need to worry about this. You can get all of the training you need for this job by enrolling in a nursing program and taking some classes in the proper fields.

Becoming a traveling nurse is not easy. It takes a lot of time, patience, and perseverance. There are many things you need to know before you start your journey. First and foremost, you need to understand that the process of becoming a traveling nurse involves many years of learning and doing.

This includes the training and education required to become a traveling nurse and the process of getting licensed in your state. Whether you look at a renewable energy lesson plan or classes that teach infield skills, your nursing education serves as the foundation of your new career.

Next, you need to explore various programs that offer training for becoming a traveling nurse. You should also look at various schools that offer nursing programs with an online option or an accelerated program that can get you in and out of school quickly so that you can start working sooner rather than later!

Work With an Accredited Institution

There are many steps that one needs to take in order to become a traveling nurse. The first step is to complete an approved course through an accredited institution. After that, you need to find a job as a traveling nurse and work for at least six months with the same hospital system before applying for certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Once you have your ANCC certification, you can start looking for jobs as a traveling nurse.

Study and Pass Your Exams

The process of becoming a traveling nurse requires training and education and some time spent in the field before full licensure is achieved. There are several exams that you will need to prepare for to ensure that you have the required skills to pursue this profession,

Your journey to becoming a traveling nurse includes obtaining a nursing degree from an accredited university, followed by passing the NCLEX-RN exam, which certifies nurses for practice in any state. Studying for your exams is a key step in proceeding with your education. Without the proper exam plan in place, you may have to re-take your tests, a process that can set you back in a significant way. In these cases, you may have to work on obtaining licensure in each state that you want to work in, which can be done through reciprocity agreements or by taking additional exams.

Contribute to The Field and Gain Experience

The nursing profession is in high demand, but the supply of nurses is not keeping up with the demand. The United States alone has over 1 million jobs for nurses that are currently unfilled. Nursing schools have been experiencing a decline in enrollment since the late 2000s, and it is predicted that by 2020 there will be a shortage of over one million nurses.

So far, there have been many solutions to this problem proposed, such as increasing the number of nursing programs and boosting enrollment rates. However, these solutions do not address the root cause of this problem: there are not enough nurses to fill all these positions because they are not being trained fast enough.

Many agencies and facilities require or would like those applying to positions as travel nurses to have at least two years of floor experience. With that being said, you may still apply for a position for a travel nurse assignment. If you feel that your experience is adequate, just be ready to explain that to those interviewing you, should you get an interview.

As you can see, becoming a traveling nurse is not easy, but it is rewarding. When you study and plan, you will find that this career path is one of the most flexible and fulfilling ones you can find.

Are you looking for your first 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 Leslie Catalano

May 14, 2022

1905 Views

What are the Benefits of Travel Nursing to a Small Town?

Posted on May 14, 2022May 9, 2022 by Leslie Catalano

An exciting part of travel nursing is traveling around the country and experiencing life in all the major cities, but with COVID-19 numbers declining and travel nurse needs in hospitals decreasing, finding your next travel assignment might be more difficult. One solution might be to look for an assignment in a small or midsize town. It is easy to overlook a city you have never heard of, but there are benefits to accepting a travel assignment in a small or midsize town. Here are six listed below.

1. Open Positions

The need for travel nurses in big cities has declined with the declining COVID-19 numbers, which results in fewer jobs and lower wages. But Small or midsize towns still have a need for nurses. Even before COVID, many small towns struggled to keep patient ratios down due to the lack of well-educated nurses in their local areas. Next time you have a conversation with your recruiter, investigate smaller, less familiar towns.

2. Lower Cost of Living

The cost of living in a small town is less than in a big city. You may think, “Well, my company will pay for my housing.” That may be true, but it is not just housing that costs less. Groceries can be cheaper. Shorter commutes to work mean saving money on gas. If you choose to find your own housing, you may find a better deal in a small town than in a big city.

3. No Traffic

Living in a smaller town can be beneficial for your work commute. From my own personal experience of moving from Denver, CO, to Springfield, IL, I noticed my 30–40-minute commute went down to 15-20 minutes with no traffic issues. This was not just helpful for my work commute, but it was quicker and easier to grocery shop, find my way around, go to the gym, get coffee, and more.

4. Small Town Charms

The most amazing part about traveling to a small town is all the small-town charm you will find. Chain restaurants and stores are great for predictability, but nothing beats the unique finds of a mom-and-pop restaurant or family-owned store. Homemade cookies, jams, jellies, honey, and even wine from a local country store can be a life-changing experience. The idea of “shop local, buy local” has more meaning when you can purchase homemade goods from the people who make them. You might even find yourself making friends and connections you will keep for life at the corner diner or local coffee shop.

5. More Big Cities to Visit

When looking at small-town locations, you might find that many are located within just a few hours’ drive of a big city or two. . If you have a goal to see as many cities as possible, this is a terrific way to knock a few off your list with one assignment. For example, from my current location of Springfield, IL, there are three major cities, all within a 3–4-hour drive or train ride. Chicago is about 3 and a half hours away. Indianapolis is about 3 hours away. St. Louis is less than 2 hours away. All are great for a weekend getaway without the hassles of living in a big city.

6. More Nature to Get Lost In

If outdoor recreation is a passion of yours, small towns are a wonderful place to find nature. The whole reason small towns exist is because they are surrounded by unoccupied land. Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are not the only national parks worth seeing. Every state has their own national parks to visit. Anywhere you find mountains, rivers, lakes, or even beaches, you can find a small-town hospital in need of nurses nearby. Melbourne, FL is a midsize city in central Florida. It is about 3 hours north of Miami, 2 hours east of Orlando, and sits right next to intercoastal waterways. It is about a 15-minute drive away from the Atlantic coast beaches. Whether you are in the Midwest, South, East Coast, or West Coast, there are small towns surrounded by nature.

The draw of a big city can be exciting, but traveling to a smaller mid-size city or small town also has its benefits. Next time your nurse recruiter mentions a city you have never heard of, do not discount it right away. Instead, do some research, see where it is located, and ask yourself these questions. Is it close to a big city you have wanted to visit? What is the cost of living? What small town charms might it hold? Nursing is stressful. Moving is stressful. Maybe for your next assignment, a smaller, easier place to live is just the thing you need.

Have you taken an assignment in a small town and loved it? Comment your experiences 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 Triage Healthcare Staffing

May 13, 2022

1589 Views

What Your Travel Nurse Recruiter Wishes You Knew

Posted on May 13, 2022October 27, 2022 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

Triage Staffing provided this article.

Travelers and recruiters go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly or Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg. They’re each better when they’re together. However, even the best traveler/recruiter relationship can have a few bumps along the way. If you’re a traveler working with a recruiter, here are a few things that your recruiter wishes that you knew about them.

#1: We know you’re working with other agencies

Some travelers feel like they need to hide that they’re working with other agencies. Nothing is further from the truth. We understand that we might not have access to every job you’re interested in and that sometimes you might end up at another agency. We’ll do our best to still stay in touch—especially if we had a good relationship before. We know your assignment won’t last forever, and we’ll welcome you back with open arms.

#2: We’re real people

Just like nurses have outside responsibilities outside of work, so do we. If you contact us outside of normal business hours, it’s possible we can’t return the call immediately. We might be at a kid’s dance recital, coaching a little league game, or even on a date with our partner. We realize we are often your lifeline, and if it’s an emergency, we’ll return the call as soon as possible.

#3: Recruiters are always on the phone

Our phones are our lifelines in this industry. Our phones are constantly in our hands, in our pockets, or only an arm’s length away. Sometimes after spending all day on the phones, we go home, and it feels like we can’t speak another word!

#4: We’re not out to get you

The best recruiter/traveler relationships are true partnerships. We don’t want to send you to a crappy location, with a bad supervisor or in a department that seems unsafe. Good recruiters would rather be honest with you about what you can expect during an assignment instead of feeding you a line of candy-coated BS just to get you to sign on the dotted line.

#5: While texting is easy, a phone call is most efficient

It’s no surprise that we love texting. It’s fast, easy, and you can answer when it’s convenient for you as a traveler. But, there are a few things that need a phone call, especially as we’re getting to know each other. A phone call means we can get to the bottom of what you’re looking for quickly without a lot of time spent waiting for the other person to respond via text or email.

#6: We want you to be happy

We want you to be happy with the places you go and the facilities you work with. After all, a happy traveler is a return traveler. The last thing we want to do is send you to a hot mess that you’ll hate three days in.

#7: Having a profile ready to go means you’re first submitted

Good jobs go fast, especially in this market. If you have a profile ready to go, you’ll be the first one on the manager’s desk. One way to have this ready is with a universal Kamana profile. All your information is held in a secure portal, and you can share it with any recruiter at any agency. (Remember that part about us understanding you might be working with more than one agency?) For an even more complete profile, don’t forget to grab a referral from your most recent manager before you leave that position.

#8: Applying to the same job with multiple agencies can get you blackballed

It might seem like applying for a travel nurse job is a numbers game right now, and if you want to ensure you get a position, you should apply multiple times. No! If you apply for the same job with different agencies, many facilities will automatically reject both applications. It’s not worth a facility’s time to try to figure out which agency applied first or should be awarded the contract, so they cut them both, leaving those travelers without a job.

#9: Sending your timesheet late is a big hassle

Most agencies pay weekly for time worked the previous week, and it’s not uncommon for timesheets to be due sometime on Monday. That gives agencies only a few working days to process the timesheet, make sure all the time matches up and ensure stipends are calculated correctly. When you send in a late timesheet or send it in scribbled on a piece of notebook paper, it takes the payroll folks at your agency more time to process everything. They know that delaying a traveler’s paycheck is not an option and often work late to make sure you get paid on time. Help them help you get paid on time.

#10: We don’t control whether you’re canceled

There are plenty of reasons why someone might be canceled—lowered census at the hospital, an internal hiring campaign for staff positions, or even over-hiring travelers. Although we hate when you’re canceled, our hands are usually tied. What we can do is search tirelessly for a new position. If you’ve signed a lease, let us know, and we’ll do whatever we can to find you a position in the same general area, so you don’t lose out on your rent money. We can’t promise all the terms will be the same, but we’ll do what we can.

Bonus #11: Lavish gifts come out of your pay package

We all hear about lavish gifts during the holidays or during Nurses Week. North Face jackets, Figs scrubs, or fancy handbags are all things we’ve seen. However, companies that give gifts THAT lavish often can for one reason—they’re paying you less. These companies aren’t sending you expensive gifts because they’re being kind, it’s because they’ve taken money out of your contract to compensate themselves for your present. What would you rather have?

Bonus #12: We’re not always a fit

We know finding a good recruiter match doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes, the first recruiter you match with doesn’t vibe with your personality, or it’s just not a good fit. In these cases, there’s no shame in breaking up with your recruiter and finding another one. Have a chat with their manager, or use the tips in our previous article, “Breaking Up with Your Travel Nurse Recruiter.”

Looking for an agency that’s committed to treating 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 a travel nurse job on the Triage website.

We hope you enjoyed this article on what recruiters wish you knew. Do any of these things that recruiters wish you knew surprise you? Comment below. Recruiters, do you have any to add to this list?

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

Finding Your Own Housing

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Housing Referrals

Travel Agency Offered Housing Support

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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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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Ways to be more eco-friendly

Avoid single-use plastic and waste items when possible.

Use eco-conscious cleaning and household items.

Recycle

Eat less meat products and eat more plant-based.

Use responsible means of transportation.

Grow plants and start a vegetable garden.

Compost

Eat less take-out and to-go food.

Conserve energy at home.

Support B-Corp certified and local businesses when possible.

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36-hour workweek

Fun fact:

I was hooked

We wouldn’t choose any other way.

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Adjusting to your new environment:

Come Prepared

Constantly Communicate

Dealing with Unfamiliar Situations

Understanding Your Contract

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Pros

Flexibility

Great Pay

Avoid Work Politics

Travel with Your Belongings

Job Security