October 14, 2021

10040 Views

5 Things to Consider Before Taking a Travel Nursing Assignment

Posted on October 14, 2021October 13, 2021 by Gifted Healthcare

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

Travel nursing is full of possibilities. It offers great pay rates, schedule flexibility, and the opportunity for adventure. Some travel nurses prefer to work close to home, and others like to venture far and wide. The options are endless, so it helps to know what you want out of a travel nursing assignment before committing to a particular contract.

To help you with this process, we’ve created a list of things to consider before taking a travel nursing assignment.

Read on to learn more!

What Are Your Goals and Expectations?

The first thing to ask yourself is if travel nursing is the right fit for your schedule, professional expectations, and personality. While travel nursing contracts vary widely, there are a couple of things you can expect, no matter what your assignment may be.

Travel nurses often move from contract to contract, meaning that once your 8, 13, or 26-week contract is up, it’s time for you to move on. For most travel nurses, this is an exciting proposition. It provides a variety of experiences, clinical settings, and destinations in a fast-moving industry.

In addition, travel nurses are often hired due to staffing shortages, seasonal fluctuations, or spikes in inpatient census. In this scenario, you’ll be expected to provide fill-in quickly, provide support and remain adaptable on the floor. Again, this is often a source of excitement for travel nurses. They can gain valuable clinical experience and find a sense of purpose in caring for patients in these situations.

Are You Willing To Float?

“Floating” means moving from one unit to another. Sometimes, facilities require nurses who are permanently assigned to a specific unit to float to another unit.

Because travel nurses are filling in for staff, they are often the ones required to float when there is a need for it. A travel nurse that is willing to float is seen as an important resource. Floating will provide you with invaluable experience, make you adaptable, and give you a more comprehensive understanding of your clinical environment.

Versatility is an essential quality of a great travel nurse. While gaining clinical experience, remain open to floating. Cultivating this skill will open doors to more jobs in more locations.

Finding Your Ideal Assignment Takes Determination

As you search for your next travel nursing assignment, cultivate relationships and show initiative wherever you’re working. This will improve your chances of finding useful mentors and getting great references.

Get in touch with units that interest you and schedule facility tours. Make direct connections with staff and unit managers. Connect with clinicians and facilities on social media to learn about important information and events.

Finally, be prepared for interviews. Projecting confidence and knowledge with ease is a priceless asset when searching for your dream job.

Are You Ready To Be a Team Player?

Travel nursing requires commitment and a team mindset. Before you arrive at your assignment, the staff may have been pushed to their capacity. Remain aware of this and do what you can to show that you’re there to help.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If a coworker is helpful, show gratitude. Do your best to get to know your teammates. Or, bring everyone snacks or coffee before your shift.

While some staff members will be happy for the extra help on the floor, others might take longer to warm up to you. Whether you love all your coworkers or just get along with a few of them, try to treat everyone with the same level of respect.

Travel Nursing Is a Fast-Moving Industry

In order to secure the assignment you want, be prepared to communicate and move fast. The industry moves quickly, so you may have to remain open to accepting a job quickly.

Another thing to know is that verbal acceptance is the standard of the travel nursing industry. You will always receive a contract to confirm details and provide a signature, but once you verbally accept, the facility will start to count on you. Most RNs consider this to be a worthwhile tradeoff to the many benefits of a travel nursing career!

We hope you found these tips to consider before taking a travel nursing assignment helpful. Are there any tips we missed? Comment below if you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses.

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

October 13, 2021

5669 Views

Staying Healthy While Working the Night Shift

Posted on October 13, 2021October 6, 2021 by Cristina Thorson

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

Set a sleep schedule—

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

Consume caffeine in moderation—

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

Eat healthy foods—

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

Stay hydrated—

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

Exercise regularly—

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

Schedule night shifts close together—

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

Create a routine—

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

Avoid alcohol—

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

Use free time wisely—

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

Keep your household in the loop—

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

Take nap breaks—

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

Prioritize self-care—

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

Design a sleep-friendly bedroom—

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

Limit blue light—

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

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

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

Below you will find an infographic with some more information.

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 Kristen and Sam Smith

October 12, 2021

9657 Views

Cost Of Living In Hawaii

Posted on October 12, 2021October 12, 2023 by Kristen and Sam Smith

Are you looking at travel assignments in Hawaii and want to know the cost of living in Hawaii? Well, we have the answer for you! We moved to Hawaii for a travel nurse contract and are showing you our housing, groceries, and transportation budget.

Cost of Living in Hawaii:

Housing

The cost of our travel nurse housing in Waikiki is $3000 a month. The condo has a bedroom with a queen-size bed, a decent-sized TV, and a little sitting area. Off the bedroom is a balcony. The condo has a decent-sized kitchen with a full refrigerator, stove, and oven. On the other side of the kitchen is a second bed that is a trundle bed. The bathroom is a decent size that includes a nice-sized shower and vanity and offers extra storage. The condo is a 5-minute walk to the beach and is conveniently located near the bus stations and stores. The condo is a good size living space for the price.

The cost of our travel nurse housing in Kaneohe is $1900 a month. The housing in Kaneohe is part of someone else’s home, and it’s like a sub-home that they built. It’s like a little storage area they have converted to a living area, but it’s very convenient. What you have to learn about Hawaii is you get more things in a small amount of space. While this housing doesn’t have an actual oven, it has a hot plate, microwave oven, big-size refrigerator, and a sink—everything to make your meal and save yourself a lot of money. The kitchen is also the dining sitting area and workstation. We have a table in this area. The bedroom is a decent size, and the bed is also a good size. The bedroom offers a lot of storage for your clothes, including drawers. The bathroom is massive for the size of the space, and the shower is a great size as well. Being on this side of the island, you get a great mountain view. This housing also offers a little picnic area/patio as well.

Cost of Groceries

For price information, we visited Food Land, a grocery store here in Hawaii.

Fruits and Veggies: the price is around what we are used to paying. Some are even cheaper.
Bread and Grains: prices seem significantly higher. We were caught off guard by the rice, specifically.
Meat: at Food Land, prices are similar to what we are used to. We have seen other stores where the prices are significantly higher.
Coffee: the price of coffee is significantly higher
Canned goods: the price of canned goods is a bit higher in price
Toiletries: Shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste, the prices are very high. The cost of a pack of diapers is $5 more than in Texas.
Oatmeal and Cereal are around $1.00 more
Frozen Foods are more expensive as well.
The cost of less than a pound of Salmon at the time of filming was $21
Chips and Snacks are still priced great, which we love
Eggs: even with chickens everywhere, the price of eggs is extremely high
The cost of milk is even higher.

Eating Out

The cost of eating out isn’t too expensive.

Transportation

We use 2 methods of transportation: walking or the bus. The bus is about $2.50 one-way, or you can purchase the Holo card, which is $70 a month per person. Car rental is very expensive and averages about $300 a day.

So, keep in mind there are some adjustments you have to make if you’re coming from the mainland. You have to adjust to island life, and there are certain things you give up: we’ve given up milk, and we walk a lot more, but it’s worth living in Hawaii.

We hope you found this article on the cost of living in Hawaii helpful. Have you taken an assignment in Hawaii? Do you have any tips to share regarding the cost of living in Hawaii? Comment them below.

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

START HERE

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

By Kevin Devoto

October 11, 2021

4751 Views

4 Tips to Land a Travel Nurse Job

Posted on October 11, 2021September 27, 2021 by Kevin Devoto

Nursing is a rewarding field where you care for those who need medical attention. It can be a challenging, sad job at times, but there are few feelings quite like the one you have when an unstable patient makes a full recovery. There is pride knowing you are a significant part of the healing process for patients.

Travel nursing is growing in popularity. There are numerous benefits with travel nursing, most notably the increased pay and ability to relocate to new cities every few months. A significant factor in satisfaction through travel nursing assignments is that the contracts are limited time, meaning you won’t get bored or feel stuck in one unit for too long. You can also get experience in different specialties and settings while learning new skills, making you even more marketable for future jobs. If you consider becoming a travel nurse, try these tips for landing a great travel nurse job.

Tips to Land a Travel Nurse Job:

1. Highlight Yourself

Brainstorm any additional experiences, skills, and defining moments of your career. Remember stories where you went above and beyond or where you saw something extremely rare and find ways to implement these facts about your nursing style and experience into conversations and applications. Much like the sales process for a successful salesperson, you must know how to sell yourself to employers by marketing your knowledge, strengths, skills, and past work duties. These are great to present in a cover letter, recruiter interview, and other steps throughout the process.

2. Polish Your Resume

It may seem awkward to brag about your knowledge, experience, and skill set, but there is no better time to do so than when you are applying for jobs. Your resume is a quick overview for potential employers to get a glimpse into your professional life. Your resume should be formatted well and free of spelling and grammar errors. Use the space you have to market yourself, documenting experiences and skills that make you stand out from other applicants, as well as the license and certifications pertinent to your nursing career. Are you an expert with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)? Do you have your CRRN certification? These are valuable facts that potential employers want to see. Do not hesitate to use your resume to document what you excel at to show that you are qualified for the positions they need to be filled.

3. Take Initiative

If you truly want to pursue travel nursing, then it is in your best interest to take the initiative. Ensure you meet all qualifications for these jobs. Connect with over travel nurses, as they can lead you to good recruiters and probably know accounts that are looking for help. Reach out to recruiters but expect a lot of contact with open positions once you give them your information.

4. Be Open

Initially, you may have to accept an assignment that is not in your ideal location. This may be necessary to get you into the travel nursing pool and can be beneficial as you get used to traveling work. Your flexibility and willingness show excitement, commitment, and reliability, making you more attractive to recruiters and hospitals. One drawback to travel assignments is never knowing exactly where you may end up and the inability to cherry-pick a precise location. If you are passionate about pursuing this path, then you should have no problem finding work as long as you meet the requirements and are willing to take almost any opening. You can afford to be pickier about assignment choices once you have established yourself and gain respect with a travel company.

The Main Takeaway

Travel nursing is not for everyone, but if it has caught your interest, then it may be for you! Prepare to have a good method to learn new protocols, as you must be a quick learner and flexible to how each hospital prefers things to be done. The best thing you can do as you begin to apply for travel nurse jobs is to be ready. Research the requirements, the companies you will apply to, and network with other travel nurses to learn more.

We hope you found these tips for finding a travel nurse job helpful! Are you a travel nurse who would like to share tips for new or fellow travel nurses to help them land a travel nurse job? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your first or next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have the job but need to secure housing? Click here to view our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

By Amber Pickler

October 8, 2021

3402 Views

Gypsy’s Guide to Adventures in Bradenton, Florida

Posted on October 8, 2021November 10, 2023 by Amber Pickler

When the weather changes and gets cooler, that is the perfect time to take an assignment in Florida. Bradenton, Florida, appears to be a popular assignment location for travel nurses. We searched our Facebook group and found some recommendations for travel nurses to do on their day off; you will find some of the top recommendations below.

Fun things to do on your day off in Bradenton, Florida

Anna Maria City Pier

While the pier is roughly a half-hour drive from Bradenton, it truly is worth the trip. According to their website, the pier was initially used to drop off-island “day-trippers” coming by steamboat from St. Petersburg and the Mainland. Visitors would stroll down Pine Avenue to what is now the Sandbar Restaurant. They state on their website that “Now the city pier stands as a reminder of the past as today’s visitors still take in the view while enjoying sunny weather.” There is no admission fee to enjoy the pier. At the end of the pier, there is a restaurant and gift shop. You can also fish from the pier as well.

The pier isn’t the only thing to see when you visit Anna Maria. They also offer beaches, parks, fishing, golfing, spas, restaurants & bars (Waterfront or Beach Bistro, to name a couple), and shopping.

Beer Can Island

Beer Can Island is an undeveloped white sand beach located about 26 miles from Bradenton. Many people visit the island via boat. However, you can walk to the island during low tide as well. Many people who have visited the island say it is “like a remote and magical island oasis.”

While Beer Can Island doesn’t have restaurants or bars to visit, the island itself is a great place to relax and spend time in the sun. You won’t have the hustle and bustle, and you can truly unwind from the work-life you left behind.

Siesta Keys

This trip will take you about 40 minutes, give or take each way. But there is a lot to do in Siesta Keys. According to VisitSiesta.com, Siesta Beach was “Ranked the #1 Beach in the U.S. in 2020 by TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards™,” They state that “you will quickly understand why when you feel the quartz-crystal powdery sand between your toes, and experience the soft waves and the abundance of sun & fun at gorgeous Siesta Beach.” If you download the Visit Sarasota App and unlock the Beach Pass, you can earn exclusive prizes. The beach isn’t the only thing to do in Siesta, though. You can also visit museums, galleries, parks, go golfing, shopping, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and end the day with some entertainment and the nightlife that Siesta Keys has to offer. There truly is something for everyone to do in Siesta Keys.

Siesta Keys Oyster Bar

Speaking of something for everyone, one of the top-mentioned places was the Siesta Keys Oyster Bar. While their name would lead you to believe that they only offer oysters, this is not true. They have a full menu with something for everyone. The menu does include oysters, and according to their website, they do Happy Hour every day from 3 pm-6 pm, during which they offer 50% off of oysters. The menu also offers a large variety of other seafood options such as shrimp, grouper, and Mahi, to name a few. They offer appetizers, soups, salads, flatbreads, SKOBWhiches, All Natural Grass Fed Beef Burgers, and SKOB classics. The SKOB classics include such dishes as Chipotle Lobster Tacos, Big Boy Mac N’ Cheese, and Shrimp & Penne Pasta a la Vodka, to give you an idea. They also offer kid’s meals for those who are traveling with their family or children.

Another Broken Egg

Another Broken Egg is also located in Siesta Keys. According to their website, “Another Broken Egg Cafe isn’t your typical breakfast, brunch, and lunch place. Our menu is second-to-none, loaded with fresh ingredients and creative recipes across a wide variety of breakfast classics, memorable brunch dishes, and lunchtime favorites. Each location is designed to feel like a casual getaway, served up with a generous side of family, friends, and friendly service.”

They offer a wide variety of foods and drinks. They have a traditional menu, signature cocktails, gluten-friendly, seasonal selections, a kid’s menu, and a vegetarian menu. There truly is something for everyone. Their traditional menu includes pancakes, French toast, omelets as well as burgers. If you want to dine at Another Broken Egg, make sure to make it an early-day visit as they close at 2 pm daily.

Robinson Nature Preserve

The Robinson Nature Preserve is in Bradenton, and they offer many different options of things to do on your day off as a travel nurse. According to their website, “the preserve now consists of 682 acres that is a mix of preserved mangrove, tidal marsh, and former agricultural lands which have undergone an incredible transformation to coastal wetland habitat.” If you are an outdoorsy type of person, the preserve is a great place to visit. They have something for everyone. The site lists the following activities as things you can do while at the preserve:

Hiking and nature trails
Kayak/canoeing trails and launch
Outdoor education
Non-motorized bicycle trails
Rollerblading
Managed fishing
Picnic areas and pavilions
Wildlife viewing areas
Group camping
Observation tower
Dog walking

So, as you can see, the preserve truly has an activity for anyone.

We hope you found this list of 6 things to do in Bradenton, Florida, helpful. We will continue to bring you articles with things to do in different cities. Is there a city you would like to see an article on things to do? Comment the city below. If you would like to contribute an article about things to do in a city, please click here to email our Content Strategist.

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

October 7, 2021

6184 Views

6 Travel Nurse Tips For Packing Lightly

Posted on October 7, 2021September 27, 2021 by Kevin Devoto

It can be difficult to pack for extended trips, especially when you’re traveling for work rather than for vacation. Not only do you need everyday items such as clothes and toiletries, but you may also need cookware and even furniture. Here are six travel nurse tips for packing lightly for your next travel nurse assignment.

1. Use Combination Products

Products that combine two or more uses in one are particularly useful for reducing the number of things you need to pack. The most common combination products are personal care items and toiletries. For example, instead of packing separate sunscreen, you can pack SPF lip balm, foundation and moisturizer, and two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, so you only need to pack one bottle. Clothing and bags are also multi-tasking products. You should pack several pieces of light clothing that can be layered in cooler weather. Instead of small purses, backpacks, and cases, you can bring one medium-sized or large bag for everyday use.

2. Get Travel-size and Portable Items

You can use this strategy instead of or in conjunction with combination products. Travel-sized toiletries are sold at most stores and are useful if you’re flying or taking public transportation to your job destination rather than driving a personal vehicle. If you use items such as hair dryers, curling irons, or electric toothbrushes, look for portable versions of them, which are typically smaller and lighter than the regular versions.

3. Check Whether Bulky and Heavy Items Are Included In Your Housing

Many travel nursing employers are aware of the limitations associated with long-term work-related travel and so will work to accommodate you as best they can. Before you start packing, confirm with your employer what type of housing is included in your contract. Some companies provide corporate apartments, while others will reimburse you for temporary housing. Check with your employer what types of furniture, appliances, utensils and other amenities are provided, and then determine what else you need.

4. Research What’s Best to Purchase After Arrival

No matter how much is provided in your housing and how much you pack, you’re likely going to need to purchase at least one thing after you arrive at your destination. Food, cleaning products, and replacements for your travel-sized toiletries are the most common items you’ll need to purchase. If your mode of travel limits how much you can pack, you may need to plan to purchase items such as cooking utensils and hangers. Additionally, make sure you have refills on all prescription medications you’re taking so you can get them if you run out while you’re away from home.

5. Go Digital Where You Can

You need to carry all essential paperwork when you travel for work, including your government-issued ID, employment contract, and credit cards. You should also carry copies of documentation, such as your social security card and your nursing license. Aside from these, you should try to keep as many of your records, documentation and entertainment material confined to digital storage as you can. Carrying a laptop, an external hard drive, an e-reader or tablet, and a phone means a much lighter load than packing books, binders, and files.

6. Only Pack Essentials

You may think packing essentials only applies to things you physically need to live and to do your job. While you need to prioritize personal care items, medications, and clothing, you should also pack to accommodate your mental and emotional needs. Since you’ll be away from home for several weeks at a time, you should bring some small items to combat homesickness, such as a knick-knack that reminds you of home or a framed photograph of loved ones. You should also pack one or two items to help you relax and feel calm, such as scented candles, sheet masks, a plush blanket, or your favorite sweatshirt.

Conclusion

Remember, the things you need for work are important as a travel nurse, but you shouldn’t neglect your comfort either. Try to balance professional and personal items as best you can so you can stay healthy, happy, and able to do your job well.

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 Amber Pickler

October 6, 2021

6016 Views

Selecting with Precision: The Best Stethoscope for Nurses Unveiled

Posted on October 6, 2021December 19, 2023 by Amber Pickler

As a nurse, you know how important the quality of your stethoscope is. After all, you use it on every travel nurse assignment you take. You also know that they can cost a pretty penny. How do you know which stethoscope is worth the price? Your fellow travel nurses are here to help! A post made in our Facebook network group recently asked what the best stethoscopes are for travel nurses. There were many comments, and out of those comments, Three brands were mentioned the most. Before we get into the top brands, here is a little history of the stethoscope.

The stethoscope was invented in France in 1816 by René Laennec at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris. It consisted of a wooden tube and was monaural. Laennec invented the stethoscope because he was uncomfortable placing his ear directly onto a woman’s chest to listen to her heart.

Twenty-five years later, George P. Camman of New York developed the first stethoscope with an earpiece for each ear. This design would be used for more than 100 years with very few modifications.

Now, let’s find out what the top stethoscope brands are the best for travel nurses.

Top Stethoscope brands for Travel Nurses:

Littmann

Littman is probably the most well-known brand of stethoscopes. Littmann offers many options for stethoscopes. Whether you are looking for a classic stethoscope or a cardiac, there are many options to choose from. They also carry a line of pediatric stethoscopes as well. Their classic stethoscopes are a favorite among the group. They offer classic stethoscopes, cardiac stethoscopes, lightweight stethoscopes, and digital stethoscopes. They all come in various styles, colors, and ways to personalize the type of stethoscope you choose.

Littman has many resources on their website about stethoscopes, education on stethoscopes, how to choose the right stethoscope, and many other resources for medical professionals.

Ultrascope

Ultrascope offers something for everyone. They have a variety of styles and looks. They also offer a variety of types of stethoscopes that they list on their website. Below you will find each type along with information about each from Ultrascope’s’ website.

Single Ultrascope:

According to their website, Single Ultrascope is a pressure-sensitive stethoscope with a single-sided chest piece and would be considered a “normal stethoscope” that most providers carry… It has an adjustable or tunable diaphragm that allows the user to hone in on different sound frequencies without flipping the chest piece. It’s’ a true workhorse model that will often serve as the point of reference for comparing these different kinds of stethoscopes.

The Duo Stethoscope:

Their site states that “The Duo Stethoscope looks a lot like the Single Stethoscope but offers an additional feature: the ability to switch between stethoscope heads. This is the stethoscope for medical professionals who deal with patients of different sizes or ages. To switch heads, all you have to do is unscrew the head connectors and attach the head of your choice. This is also a great option for those who just enjoy having multiple stethoscope designs on hand.”

Extended Stethoscope:

The Extended Stethoscope differs from the previous kinds in one key aspect: the option of extending the tubing on your stethoscope.

A standard stethoscope has a length of about 30 inches. With an Extended Stethoscope, you have a tubing extension that increases the total length to about 51 inches, making it nearly double the standard length. The tubing extension is optional to use, so you can easily switch between the standard and extended-length as called for by the situation or patient.

Classic Stethoscope:

The Classic Stethoscope is very similar to the Single Stethoscope but differs in how it delivers sound to the user’s ears. Like the Single Stethoscope, it has a pressure-sensitive diaphragm on a single-sided chest piece that is great for picking up sounds of different frequencies. Unlike the Single Stethoscope, however, the Classic Stethoscope has two tubes emanating from the chest piece, with each tube delivering individual sound to the left and right ear, respectively.

The Classic Stethoscope can be a great choice for medical professionals who are hard of hearing or have hearing issues. Sounds travel to each ear separately, giving you better and more focused sound quality. Note that hearing aids must be taken out when using this stethoscope. This stethoscope, like the others above, may also be used on human or animal patients.

Teaching Stethoscope:

The Teaching Stethoscope may look similar to the Classic Stethoscope, but its two tubes serve a different purpose. These tubes emanating from the chest piece allow two users to use it at the same time: a teacher, as the name suggests, and a student.

Like all the stethoscopes previously mentioned, the Teaching Stethoscope also has a single-sided chest piece with an adjustable diaphragm. The advantage of the Teaching Stethoscope is that it allows instructors to hear what students are hearing in real-time. This is great for academic environments where aspiring medical professionals are taught and tested on their auscultation skills. Having separate tubing’s is also great for hygiene, as the ear tips don’t’ have to be shared between users.

MDF

If you are looking for variety and options, MDF has both. They have an extensive list of stethoscope options they list on their website. They offer fifteen different collections of stethoscopes, all of which offer something different from the other collections. MDF also offers a free parts for life program. As you know, your stethoscope can and does taking a beating, so this is a fantastic program. The information below comes from their website and details the program:

Yes, our Free-Parts-For-Life Program (including ear tips) is really free. Free-Parts-For-Life shipments will be sent to the shipping address on the original order or location of purchase. Suppose you have moved to another address or country other than the original shipping location. In that case, we will do our best to send Free-Parts-For-Life and Lifetime Warranty shipments from a designated distribution center or distributor. We have distribution centers in the USA, European Union, Mexico, China, and Japan. We have official MDF Instruments distributors in over 80 countries.

What is Included in the FREE-PARTS-FOR-LIFE-PROGRAM?

The parts include our ComfortSeal® Eartips in three sizes (small, medium, and large), ID Tag, diaphragms, retaining rings, and non-chill rings.

Your stethoscope is a vital part of your job. Picking the right one can be difficult. We hope that you found this information helpful in the process of choosing one. Did we miss a stethoscope brand or company you think should have made our list? Comment them below and if you would like to give a little information on them and why you think they are the best.

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

October 5, 2021

8283 Views

How To Write Covid-19 on Your Travel Nurse CV

Posted on October 5, 2021September 22, 2021 by Frank Hamilton

During the global pandemic, healthcare professionals were as demanded as never before. Travel nurses aren’t an exception. But despite the demand in the labor market, there is fierce competition that forces travel nurses to pay special attention to promoting themselves as a specialist.

For example, the experience of treating patients with COVID-19 can be crucial in landing a worthy job. Therefore, a modern travel nurse CV must necessarily contain information about COVID-19, if there is experience with caring for patients with it. How to properly highlight it in your CV? Below you will find some tips on how to create a competitive CV, mentioning your contribution to the global pandemic fight.

How to Write Covid-19 on Your Travel Nurse CV?

There are two main points regarding Covid-19 that you should note in your CV. It’s about what skills you got and how they affected your professional experience. How to describe them correctly? Below you will find a couple of insights in these areas with the help of which you can correctly highlight your experience during the pandemic.

Don’t Hesitate

When it comes to Covid-19, it can be decisive for your employment. If you have experience in caring for patients with Covid-19, have quickly adapted to new treatment protocols, or have received additional certification in lungs ventilation, then all this should be reflected in your resume without any hesitation. Even minimal experience in treating patients with Covid-19 can be decisive.

Mention Relevant Certificates

If you have undergone additional training, then undoubtedly it is worth mentioning this in your CV. Certified specialists are always in demand, especially during a pandemic, and such a point will beneficially highlight your theoretical background, which you will have to prove in the next sections of your CV.

Add Statistics

At the first glance, it may seem strange to have a statistic in a CV, but if we talk about a global pandemic, each person you helped to survive matters. Therefore, you do not have a single reason to devalue your services to society.

If you worked during the peak of the pandemic and you have indicators of how many people got better with your help, then this can be a good moment that will set you apart from the competitors. For example, you can indicate something like “During my employment at X, 148 out of 150 patients went on a full recovery”.

Expand the Skills Section

There is no doubt that due to the worldwide pandemic, you have gained additional skills that you could not have noted earlier. What skills are we talking about? If we talk about Covid-19, then you can additionally highlight the following vital skills:

adaptability to the situation,
instant decision making,
Covid-19 treatment protocol awareness,
the ability to work with different ventilation devices,
the ability to implement preventive measures for Covid-19.

Highlight the Achievements

If you have any awards that you received during Covid pandemic, note them in your CV. This includes both achievements and awards. For example, if you have such a nomination as DAISY, then it is worth mentioning this in your resume. There is no doubt that such an award will be another benefit you shouldn’t hesitate to show off.

Use Professional Resume Writing Help

Even though travel nurses are now in great demand, competition remains fierce. To get a high-paying job, you need to market yourself as a medical expert and empathic caregiver at the same time. Your CV is a good tool for this.

Use the professional help of writers to create a resume that will grab the attention of HR managers and employers. Use the best essay services reviews to discover the best custom writing companies to get quality help in CV writing.

How To Find Travel Nurse Job

After you have your CV ready, you can proceed to the final stage. Post your resume on local and global job boards, partner with relevant recruiting companies, and don’t forget about using social media.

For example, a platform like Linkedin can help you build the right connections with both employers and HR managers. If you have experience of working with an HR manager, then send your resume again. Perhaps the manager has a suitable job offer for you right now. Always stay in touch with managers, agencies and recruiting companies to be always updated on fresh openings and relocation opportunities.

Wrapping Up

Use the above tips to create such a CV that will differentiate you from the other travel nurses and will open doors to the best job offers. Highlighting your skills and experience in the right way is key to your career as a travel nurse. In this article, we have shared simple yet actionable tips on how to dwell on your experience in the context of Covid-19, so make sure to use them and turn your new skills into competitive advantages along with the opportunity to proceed with helping those in need.

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

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

START HERE

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

By Triage Healthcare Staffing

October 4, 2021

7624 Views

Kamana: The Last Profile You’ll Ever Need

Posted on October 4, 2021September 30, 2021 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Triage Healthcare Staffing.

If you haven’t taken the travel plunge yet, you probably aren’t sure what it means to build out your profile. Quite simply, your traveler profile is like a neatly packaged, detailed resume that agencies can use to help you find a job. Every agency you work with requires you to build out a profile with them, and they use it to find a job, and then like magic, a love match happens.

How the Traveler Profile Currently Works

If you’re currently working with multiple agencies (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you probably have quite a few profiles floating around in cyberspace, all that might include some personal info. Since each agency normally uses their own specific profile, this also means that you’ll have to update information over and over when something changes, like a license expiration date or even something as simple as receiving a yearly flu vaccine. Take a second and think about how many profiles you have out there and just how long it can take to update each one when you’re looking for a job. Annoying, right?

Enter the Kamana Profile

Kamana is an encrypted, universal profile that stores your information in one secure location. You can share your universal profile with multiple agencies, so say goodbye to creating and updating multiple profiles that need to be individually updated whenever you have a new piece of info. Update your info once, and your profile can be updated with multiple agencies with one click. Easy peasy.

Also gone are your paper folder and dusty laptop that you haul around from assignment to assignment. Since you access Kamana through a secure web app, you don’t need to text or email sensitive documents to your agency. Send the secured Kamana link and know that your data is safe.

What Info Can Kamana Manage

But what actually goes into a Kamana profile? Like an agency-specific profile, you’ll need to include personal info like your contact details and what you’re looking for in an assignment. Then, you can upload attachments, such as JPGs or PDFs of your license, certifications, or even vaccine records. The next step is to enter your work history, what electronic health record systems you’re experienced in, and even skills checklists.

How the Heck Does Kamana Actually Work?

Once you’ve completed your Kamana profile, you can choose to share your profile within the web app. Only recruiters or agencies that you create a relationship with are able to see your profile. Your profile comes with two versions—a limited view and a complete profile. With the limited view, agencies can only see your name, contact info, and a short summary of your qualifications.

With the full profile view, your receiver can see and download your full profile. In this case, your home address, work history, and reference contact info are available. Kamana recommends that you reserve a full profile share until you’re applying for a specific job with an agency. If you ever decide that you don’t want to work with a particular agency or recruiter anymore, you can also revoke access at any time.

In addition to making it incredibly simple to share your profile, Kamana also keeps track of any expiring licenses or vaccines and sends you a reminder before the expiration, so you are never caught off guard.

What if My Agency Doesn’t Take Kamana?

Over 100 agencies currently use Kamana to help speed up their onboarding process, but what if yours isn’t one of them? You can still send a link to your universal profile, and all the information your recruiter needs is at their fingertips, making your life easier.

Not a Traveler Yet? Kamana is Still for You

If you haven’t dipped your toes in the travel water, you can still take advantage of a Kamana profile. When your Kamana profile is up to date, Kamana can generate a downloadable PDF of your resume, so you don’t need to spend time formatting or updating information if you want to look for a new position. And, of course, Kamana still keeps track of your personal credentialing info and expiration dates, so you’re never unaware when something is about to expire.

To create your Kamana profile and connect with Triage, please visit Triage’s Kamana portal.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse job? Click here to view our job board. Have the job, but need housing? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

What Are Your Goals and Expectations?

Are You Willing To Float?

Finding Your Ideal Assignment Takes Determination

Are You Ready To Be a Team Player?

Travel Nursing Is a Fast-Moving Industry

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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Set a sleep schedule—

Consume caffeine in moderation—

Eat healthy foods—

Stay hydrated—

Exercise regularly—

Schedule night shifts close together—

Create a routine—

Avoid alcohol—

Use free time wisely—

Keep your household in the loop—

Take nap breaks—

Prioritize self-care—

Design a sleep-friendly bedroom—

Limit blue light—

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Cost of Living in Hawaii:

Housing

Cost of Groceries

Eating Out

Transportation

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Tips to Land a Travel Nurse Job:

1. Highlight Yourself

2. Polish Your Resume

3. Take Initiative

4. Be Open

The Main Takeaway

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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Beer Can Island

Siesta Keys

Robinson Nature Preserve

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1. Use Combination Products