March 29, 2021

7337 Views

Floating During a Travel Assignment

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

This article was provided by AB Staffing.

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

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

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

Floating During a Travel Assignment

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

Will there be an orientation for your new unit?

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

When will you be asked to float?

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

How does a hospital choose where to send a floater?

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

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

Is the pay different when you float?

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

What to do if you feel floating is getting excessive?

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

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

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

By CareerStaff Unlimited

March 25, 2021

5676 Views

Dreaming of a Spring Refresh? What to Consider When Changing Your Specialty

Posted on March 25, 2021May 19, 2021 by CareerStaff Unlimited

This article was provided by CareerStaff Unlimited.

Spring is a time of change and renewal. In any year, the warmer weather is a welcome change from the dark winter months that came before. And this year, spring is especially anticipated as we emerge from a tough winter.

Like many other nurses, you may wish to embrace this spirit of change by shifting your career to a new specialty or setting. After all, what better way to renew your love of nursing than by taking on a new challenge — one that’s better suited to your skills and preferences?

The fact is, nurses, make career adjustments all the time as they pursue new and better opportunities and attempt to improve their prospects. It could be a matter of moving from the intensity of a hospital ICU to delivering general patient care in a skilled nursing facility. Or, it could involve shifting to a different facility type — like from a clinic to an LTAC facility.

For travel nurses, there’s even more value in working in new settings. The pandemic has caused a huge rise in the use and recognition of full-time travel nurses. On the other hand, this higher profile is likely to inspire many new nurses to start traveling. As the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) continues to expand, the number of nurses traveling to other states for assignments will only continue to grow.

While that’s mostly good news, it could also mean more competition for existing travel nurses. And that’s all the more reason to consider expanding your specialty or facility experience. Before you consider making that kind of change, below are a few questions you should ask yourself.

4 questions to ask yourself before changing your nursing specialty

1. What’s your motivation?

First, it’s important to nail down what you’re looking for in a career change. Are you seeking a new experience or a chance to work with patients at different stages of the care continuum? Are you feeling burned out in your current role, dissatisfied with your environment, or have you reached a level you can’t advance beyond? Maybe you want to move from a big city to a small town?

There are a number of possibilities here. But if you feel like what you’re really looking for is an escape from your existing situation, then you may want to consider a short-term travel assignment (most are about 13 weeks). That way, you’ll have a chance to sample a new career path before committing to a huge life change that you may not necessarily be ready for.

2. How does the change line up with your personal situation?

If you do have your heart set on an entirely new type of specialty, there are some serious personal factors to consider. For example, how will the salary of the new specialty affect your personal finances — both today and in terms of future goals like retirement or homeownership?

Will you need new certifications for your new job? Will you need to go back to school? In most instances, this probably won’t be necessary. However, if you’re looking to shift to an advanced practice position like a nurse practitioner or certified nurse anesthetist, then you’ll want to factor in the time and cost of heading back to school.

3. Are you up for the challenge?

Some of the nursing specialties that have become in demand due to the pandemic (especially post-acute care) are, by their very nature, intense and stressful. In addition to the physical endurance required, do you have the personality type to manage that type of lifestyle? Will you need to take a step backward in your career path to get the basic entry-level experience you need to land a job — and if so, are you prepared to do that?

Do your research — ask other nurses you work with, or do some networking on social media. (Or browse the huge, highly informative archive at the Gypsy Nurse Blog.) Other nurses will be happy to tell you what it takes to succeed in a given specialty. At that point, it’s up to you to be honest with yourself as to whether you’re really ready for that kind of change.

4. Do you know how to find a job in your new specialty?

The chances are that if you have your sights set on a new specialty, you have a pretty good idea of where you’d like that job to be. If not, it’s easy to check — nursing job companies offer regularly updated job listings that can show you what’s available at any given time and in any given location.

If you’re seeking to refresh your nursing career, CareerStaff Unlimited has various opportunities across the United States. Visit CareerStaff.com to learn more or to see what nursing jobs we have available right now.

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 Mira Adora

March 10, 2021

5043 Views

4 Effective Tips for Travel Nurses to Stay Fit While on Assignment

Posted on March 10, 2021January 16, 2023 by Mira Adora

It’s challenging to stay fit when you’re traveling around all the time. You can never fully know where you’re going to end up or if you’ll be able to properly exercise in your apartment.

1. Limit eating out

Sometimes, it’s hard to stay fit and healthy because preparing personal meals just takes too much time. However, if you plan and prepare in advance, you can get your healthy eating back on track.

Plan ahead. Once you have your schedule, it’s time to sit down with your meal plan. Figure out what you probably want to eat day by day. Think of simpler meals for shorter breaks, but pre-plan a treat on heavier days so you won’t be tempted to break your diet.

Shop only for what you need. Don’t go to the grocery without an exact list of what you want to buy. If you go ready to “wing it,” you will probably grab whatever you feel like eating at the moment and what you need to be eating throughout the week. A good technique is to treat yourself to a good meal before going to the grocery. Cravings satisfied, you’ll be less likely to buy what you see.

Pack meals and snacks. Make your food into easy-to-heat and easy-to-carry packages that are stacked in your fridge. Add healthy snacks to the mix. That way, every day, you can just grab your meals and head for work without breaking the streak.

2. Watch the alcohol intake

Alcohol, as you probably know, is just a whole lot of calories but no or very little nutrition. As a result, they add to your body mass with a vengeance. However, there are ways to manage both your fitness and alcohol intake.

Plan your drinking sessions. Since you are already planning your meals, take the drinking sessions into account. If you know you’re going out after work or on the weekend, manage your calories during the day. Stick with healthy meals, light, healthy snacks, and just water. If you’re having a quick midday drink, make your lunch fibrous and low-fat.

Early morning workouts. A great way to manage your calories is to burn them in anticipation. Waking up early for a quick workout will set the mood, wake up your metabolism and endorphins, and prepare you for a long day. It also helps you manage your mood, so you won’t try to drink more than you’ve planned to.

3. Get your sleep

Being on the job all day is indeed tiring, and your mind might seek “mindless” activities such as social media or watching a movie at the end of the day. While that does help get your mind off work and your day, it certainly cuts into your sleeping time.

Sleep speeds up the metabolism. As you know, our bodies convert carbohydrates to fat when our metabolism isn’t running well. When we don’t sleep well, our metabolism slows down painfully. Even if our eating habits are healthy, we still retain more of the food in the form of fat.

Sleep makes working out safer. If we want to continuously work out, we need enough sleep. Otherwise, we run the risk of pulling muscles and straining joints. Any injury would affect our work and limit our workouts. Without sleep, working out is more of a risk than an investment.

Sleep keeps your reactions normal. As a nurse, there are many delicate operations you need to do. While they might be as easy to do, like breathing, you would probably rather not risk letting anything go wrong with your patient. Enough sleep helps your work, your workouts, and your fitness schedule all at once.

4. Join a local gym as soon as you arrive at your assignment

Why a local gym and not a national gym chain? The main reason is that some assignments won’t be near enough to a gym chain franchise to be of any use to you. Local gyms usually have dependable equipment and are less rigid in their rules and policies, which large gym chains tend to be. What should you remember?

Bring your own gear. While local gyms are usually well-equipped, they will probably have less rental equipment. They are also likely to be rather far from basic stores that help you choose the right kind of sports bra, for example. So make sure even your athletic wear is already with you.

Research ahead. You will be exhausted and getting into your new job rhythm when you arrive. If you research beforehand, you can call the local gyms and check how far they are from your home and workplace, so you know where to sign up when you arrive. You also want to know if they will give you a limited membership that accommodates the length of time you are at that assignment.

We hope you found these tips to help you stay fit helpful. As a travel nurse you are always changing locations, jobs and sometimes lifestyles. Staying fit can be difficult. Have you found ways to stay fit while travel nursing that we didn’t list here? Comment them below.

By Egbert Feron

March 9, 2021

5057 Views

How to Continue Acquiring New Nursing Skills While Working

Posted on March 9, 2021January 16, 2023 by Egbert Feron

Being a nurse is such a joy; there is so much fulfillment you get when you are helping people who really need it. When you are a nurse, there are always new nursing skills that you must add to your toolbox; it is a job that requires evolution and frequently. Through this article, you will discover the skills that all nurses need to be reliable and successful nurses anywhere in the world.

What Skills Are Needed?

One of the most important nursing skills one must acquire is to be able to think on the spot, critical thinking. When you are able to think under pressure and think quickly, this is a great advantage. As a nurse, you may be required to work with a new team at a new location, so being flexible with your ideas is a great asset. As a nurse, all the patients you will be serving are different. They all require different needs. So it is vital to have a fast mind that can deal with different scenarios that may be presented to them.

Another huge part of being a nurse is the amount of technology required to do the job. So it is very important to keep up to date with the various technologies that come onto the market. There are now apps that nurses can use which will tell them how much of a dose is needed for each patient. Nowadays, you need to understand websites to collect patient data and health records. So to keep reviewing technology as a nurse will certainly keep you up to date with everything you may face when you work on the job.

Communication is another skill that is super important as a nurse. To be able to communicate well with your patients and also your work colleagues. As a nurse, you are working on getting a certain outcome with your patients. So this requires lots of communication with each patient plus explaining to your fellow nurse when you hand over after your shift. This part of nursing is crucial and determines a good outcome or a negative outcome.

How to Keep Learning While on The Job?

This is always the challenge that every nurse faces. To learn new nursing skills is a difficult task on its own, but while you are working dealing with patients, it can really be a challenge. The best way to approach learning on the job is to incorporate it with what you are doing from day to day. So, in fact learning new nursing skills can work out better while you are doing your everyday shifts. The thing to remember is that we are always learning whatever we are doing in life, so it is important to keep an open mind while working and pick up new nursing skills as you go.

As long as you are someone that asks questions and is not afraid of getting something wrong, learning on the job will be no problem for you. It is a good idea to make sure you are looking at new technology in the hospital. It is always a good thing to practice your communication skills with other colleagues and patients whenever you can. The best nurses work with a notebook and are always taking notes as they work. You will also find that the best nurses when they are on their lunch breaks, are looking through books and notes to learn more.

Make the best of your time

The most important part of learning while you are on the job is to make the best out of your time. You must be organized. This is the number one thing to remember. As long as you can organize your time, you will be able to learn new nursing skills on the job. So a tip that is good to use is to stay a little later after your shift to see how other nurses start off their shift. This will help you see how other nurses deal with things. The more ways you see something done, the more methods you will have to solve problems in the future.

Best Skills to Learn on The Job

Effective communication
Organization skills
Keep up to date with all technology.
Critical thinking skills
Meet a mentor and watch them work
Always ask questions

These are effective tools that will help you become better at doing your job as a nurse.

Summary

With your new nursing skills, you will be able to deal with patients better, and it will also help you deal with fellow colleagues in a better way. You never stop learning when you are a nurse, so keep an open mind and be like a sponge, absorb all you can.

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 Theresa Cofield

March 4, 2021

13577 Views

5 Unusual Mistakes Travel Nurses Make On Their First Contract

Posted on March 4, 2021May 19, 2021 by Theresa Cofield

As a travel nurse, there are many benefits, such as you get to travel to various locations and learn from differently trained professionals. It is a job that can give you so much, especially in terms of achievement. A travel nurse is always on the move and stays in various housing, which is paid for by the company. Because of this, there is a sense of freedom and aliveness with every contract you get.

There is a lot to remember when you get assigned to your first location on your very first contract. It is important to always keep notes, so a diary is a good idea. This will allow you to revert to your notes when you are not sure of your daily tasks. There are more tips that you will read through here to help you succeed.

5 Mistakes To Avoid as a Nurse on Your Contract

There are some mistakes that can be made when nurses work on their first contract. This article will help those thinking of becoming a travel nurse to not make these mistakes.

The Contract

It is vital that you read through the nurse contract and understand your duties. This may seem a simple thing, but you will be surprised at how many nurses do not understand their contract and what is expected of them. By reading the contract, you will understand the hours you must work, any bonuses you are entitled to, and the important one, pay grade. By doing your homework on your contract, you will know what to do and how you are expected to work. If there are any issues in your contract, you can bring them up with your company before starting the job.

Errors in Your Records

This is something that can be difficult because, as a travel nurse, you are working in different locations from month to month. So it can be tricky to learn how certain hospitals keep their records. Each hospital does things differently, so it is important to make sure you understand how each location wants you to charter the records. This is a common mistake and is something that can be solved very simply by writing notes and asking your supervisor questions.

Do Not Take Your Work Home With You

When you are a travel nurse, you can be in stressful situations; this is all part of the job that you signed up for. Many travel nurses do not know when to turn their work off. After your 10-12 hour shift, make a point of turning your work brain off. As soon as you leave the hospital, you are free of work and can start living your normal life once again. This means you can do the things you enjoy, like meeting singles at http://datingjet.com/, doing yoga, or watching stuff on Netflix. If you keep taking your work home with you, you will find that your social and private life will be affected. This will then also have an effect on your work life.

Do Not Overpack

This is something that is easily done. Lots of travel nurses tend to pack too many items of clothes. This will only cause problems when you need to pack and move onto another location. It is a good idea to think about exactly what you will need to wear when you are working and what type of climate you will be in. Once you have done the relevant research on your location, you will have a good idea of what you will need to pack. A minimalist approach to packing will certainly help you in the long run, as you will not be weighed down with a heavy bag every time you are on the move.

Curiosity

This is something that is always very important, and many travel nurses are afraid of it. Never be afraid of asking questions and being curious about your work. There is a saying, and it goes, “there is no such thing as a stupid question.” How true those words are. Always be willing to ask questions to your supervisor and work colleagues. By holding your tongue and not asking questions because you fear you will look stupid, you may not complete your work in the correct way. Something as simple as a question about lunch breaks will not only educate you but it will show your supervisor that you want to learn.

Conclusion

So as you can see, there are several things to remember when it comes to working as a travel nurse. By following these steps and being open to learning, you can avoid making these mistakes. A travel nurse is a sought-after job with high responsibilities and great rewards. The perks of the job, which is travel and being able to work at various locations and even countries, is amazing. The amount of new people you meet and can learn from. As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to help so many people, but it is important to help yourself first.

By Katie Fitts

March 3, 2021

4892 Views

Northeast Georgia Why You Should Add it to Your Travel List

Posted on March 3, 2021January 16, 2023 by Katie Fitts

I am currently on assignment in a town called Gainesville, Georgia. No, no, not Gainesville, Florida, Gainesville, GEORGIA! Most people assume I am working in Florida when I tell them about Gainesville. No gators here in this Gainesville! I have to be honest; I had never heard of this town before this assignment. It turns out it’s a wonderful place for an assignment! Situated in an area deemed Northeast Georgia, adjacent to the Appalachian Mountains (the most beautiful mountains in the U.S. in my opinion) and right next to beautiful Lake Lanier, it’s a nature lover’s paradise and a relatively short drive to the city life of Atlanta and other lovely towns.

The Hospital

Northeast Georgia Hospital is based in Gainesville but has a few different smaller locations, including Braselton and Barrow, and plans for a Dahlonega facility. At 557 beds in Gainesville, it is quite large and is a level II trauma center, has labor and delivery services, cardiovascular services, and dialysis capabilities, as well as 23 operating rooms. Outside of Atlanta, it offers some of the most comprehensive services and state-of-the-art technology.

I have been quite impressed with NGHS. I would recommend this hospital based on my experience in the peri-operative area. They use EPIC for their EMR (electronic medical records), which is the best charting system I have seen.

What to See and Do in Northeast Georgia

Hiking

If you are anything like me and love nature and WINE, 🍷 you are in for a treat!

Hiking abounds! The Appalachian Mountains provide an incredible backdrop for all kinds of amazing hikes dotted with incredible scenic mountain views, waterfalls, and lush forests. I found a super great site that lays out all the hikes around the Atlanta and Northeast Georgia area, atlantatrails.com. It is very detailed in the trail terrain, distance, difficulty to be expected, and directions.

The infamous Appalachian Trail (AT) starts in Northeast Georgia at Springer Mountain and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine. I have now inadvertently been to the beginning and the end of the Appalachian Trail! Maybe a sign I need to do this hike one day?! In the summer of 2019, I had the good fortune to spend my time in beautiful Maine as a camp nurse, and that is another wonderful area to visit.

Whether it is the AT or other trails, Northeast Georgia provides for some spectacular hiking! Some of the trails I was able to explore and enjoyed included Amicalola Falls, Raven Cliffs Falls, Blood Mountain, and Preacher’s Rock. It would take months of consistent hiking, though, to really see all Northeast Georgia has to offer. Happy hiking!

Northeast Georgia Wine Country 🍷

Now to my close second favorite part (ok, probably my top favorite) about Northeast Georgia…. the wine! Did you know there were wineries in Northeast Georgia? Me neither! I was pleasantly surprised!

Despite being in the well-known hot and humid south of the U.S., the Georgia foothills provide moderately cooler temperatures and rich soil for grape growing and winemaking. From muscadine to sweet wines to more heavy-bodied wines, Northeast Georgia has it all!

Some of the wineries also have full-sized restaurants and also do superbly done brunch. Who doesn’t love brunch? There are also tasting rooms in the quaint little town of Dahlonega, GA, which is just 30 minutes outside of Gainesville and where I happen to reside for this assignment.

Some of the wineries near Dahlonega include Wolf Mountain, Montaluce, Three Sisters, Kaya, Cavender Creek, and Frogtown Cellars. A little further out near Helen and Cleveland, Georgia, you can find one of Georgia’s oldest wineries Habersham Winery, Yonah Mountain, The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, and CeNita, to name a few.

Charming Towns in Northeast Georgia

Dahlonega

I live in Dahlonega, Georgia; pronounced Duh-lawn-egah for my non-Georgia resident friends. It took weeks of purposeful practiced pronunciation as I read it as dall-o-nega (akin to Talladega) as any typical part unabashed southern redneck may do. 😂 It is derived from a Cherokee Native American word meaning yellow, as it was found as a gold mining hub in the 1800s.

At any rate, Dahlonega is about 35 minutes outside of Gainesville and is a quaint town locally revered as a Hallmark movie inspiration with its picturesque small town square surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, particularly during Christmas. A local Dahlonega bar also debuted in a country music song by Ashley McBryde, A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega. Who knew?! The square has many cute little restaurants and shops, and wine tasting rooms. If you like Greek food, you MUST visit Capers on the Square. I probably ate there 5 to 6 times during my stay, don’t miss the goat cheese and fig flatbread… to die for. They also have delicious baba ganouj, gyros, and moussaka.

Charming Dahlonega at Christmastime

Helen

A Bavarian-inspired town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Helen is full of charm. You will think you have just teleported to the Bavarian region of Germany! The architecture is stunning, and downtown has plenty of shops and German-inspired restaurants. It was revamped in the 1960s and modeled after Germany’s Bavarian region to increase tourism and bring life back to the town after an economic downturn.

Other Charming Towns

More towns to see within a relatively short distance include Clayton, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Cave Spring, to name a few.

Additional Things To Do in Northeast Georgia

Gainesville is pretty neat in itself! It has a quaint square downtown area with shops and restaurants. Gainesville boasts lakeside views of Lake Lenier, popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating. A special little treat for my garden lover friends, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens has a branch in Gainesville and is a lovely respite area! Moreover, they have special events like “Wine in the Woodlands” nights with food trucks and wine, so be sure to check their events page.

In the mood for big city life? Atlanta and the metro area are only about 70 miles outside of Gainesville. Plenty to see and do there as well!

Pro Tips for Northeast Georgia

Ideal times to visit and or do an assignment – Spring to Fall (Winters are dreary and cold and gray and not a whole lot of snow to make it a great winter destination)
Travel Nurse Housing is surprisingly expensive in Gainesville! This is likely because it is a lakeside community as caters to people making mountain/lake getaways. I opted to live in Dahlonega for much more reasonable pricing, although a hike from the hospital.

I hope you enjoy Northeast Georgia as much as I did and put it on your list to visit! With wineries and nature, you can’t go wrong. Happy travels!

Gypsy love,

Katie

By Laura Greco

March 2, 2021

4861 Views

Why Do We Provide Better Preventative Maintenance for our Cars Than We do For Ourselves?

Posted on March 2, 2021May 19, 2021 by Laura Greco

Self-care or preventative maintenance has a long list of benefits: optimizing your immune system, relieving stress, improving resilience, having a more positive mindset, greater well-being, improved sleep, better able to manage chronic pain, reducing your risk of heart disease, and enjoying a better quality of life. It is enjoyable, makes us feel better, and is easy to access.

So why don’t we do more of it?

People have misconceptions about self-care, thinking it takes too much time, is costly, or is selfish. People often question where the line falls between self-care and self-indulgence. Why do we provide better preventative maintenance for our cars or homes than for ourselves? Do we consider that preventative maintenance an indulgence?

Self-care is not an indulgence.

It is preventative maintenance for YOU, the whole you: body, mind, and spirit. It takes many forms but is basically any action that replenishes you and enhances your well-being. If it causes you to slow down, be present in the moment, contributes to better self-awareness, and leaves you feeling good about yourself, it is probably self-care.

If you are a car, you aren’t particularly useful with no oil, no gas, and deflated tires. To be of service, you need to have reserves, be tuned up, and ready to go.

When you are depleted you are no longer as effective or resilient. It is hard to give when you don’t have anything to give. The negative effects of stress, physical, mental, and emotional illness run higher in those who neglect their own care.

Methods of replenishment

Because self-care nourishes us physically, emotionally, mentally, intellectually, spiritually, it will be different for each of us. While some aspects of self-care are universal (caring for our bodies with sleep, nutrition, hygiene, and exercise), others are unique. We each need our own methods of replenishment. What restores your soul and lights you up?

Some behaviors have immediate benefits, and others are cumulative. Notice there are tiers of self-care: some things you do monthly, weekly, and others daily. Some of the suggestions below won’t appeal, and that is OK. But before you write off an idea as “I can’t do THAT!” pause and determine what you are reacting to, what it represents to you, and whether your reaction is how you really choose to respond.

Ideas for self-care (preventative maintenance):

getting a massage or facial
meditating
cooking from scratch
starting each day with an intention to find beauty in the world
getting sauna treatments
setting a bedtime and creating a bedtime ritual
practicing mindfulness several times a day (when you wash your hair, sip coffee/tea, brush your teeth)
practicing gratitude daily
devoting a weekend to reading a book
journaling
creating art
trying photography
having time with friends or family
enjoying your pet
having time to daydream
having time alone
spending time in nature
learning
getting enough non-work mental stimulation
exploring a city
practicing self-compassion
traveling
enjoying hobbies
soaking in a tub with Epsom salts
volunteering
taking stock of all, you have accomplished
watching a sunset
performing random acts of kindness
floating in a pool or ocean
maintaining work-life balance
creating healthy boundaries
dancing
having a source of meaning outside of work
playing sports on a team
taking breaks and vacations
breaking up work with play
making regular time for decompression and reflection
streamlining/simplifying life
shopping for something that isn’t a necessity
making a bucket list and tentative plans to accomplish it

What brings you joy or connects you to your purpose?

Self-care (preventative maintenance) is not about getting more done. Culturally we are encouraged to push through, do more, be more…do it all. After a while, this approach backfires, and we are less productive, less efficient, and less happy. Therefore, practicing self-care is an ongoing lifestyle, not occasional spurts of doing something nice for yourself. Like gas for your car, it is best to keep some fuel in your tank and not run down to empty.

As nurses, we excel at caring for others, and we must also care for ourselves…proactively and regularly.

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

February 16, 2021

11514 Views

7 Useful Things Nurses Need to Bring on a Shift

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

This article was provided by Travel Nurse Across America.

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

Extra Pens/Permanent Markers

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

Bandage Scissors

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

Extra Scrubs/Clothes

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

Lotion & Chapstick

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

Snacks & Water

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

Phone Chargers

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

Spare Toiletries/OTC Medicine

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

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

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Soliant Health

February 10, 2021

5676 Views

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

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

This article was provided by Soliant Health.

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

However.

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

It’s Exciting:

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

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

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

Job Security:

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

Flexibility:

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

To Make a Difference:

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

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

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

START HERE

Floating During a Travel Assignment

Will there be an orientation for your new unit?

When will you be asked to float?

How does a hospital choose where to send a floater?

Is the pay different when you float?

What to do if you feel floating is getting excessive?

Related Posts

Ask A Travel Nurse: Choosing a Travel Nurse Company?

Night Shift Nurse: Finally, A good night’s (day’s) sleep!

My Travel Nurse Contract was Canceled. Now What?

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

4 questions to ask yourself before changing your nursing specialty

1. What’s your motivation?

2. How does the change line up with your personal situation?

3. Are you up for the challenge?

4. Do you know how to find a job in your new specialty?

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!)

Related Posts

Travel Nurse Fun Holiday Gift Ideas

In-Depth Tenant Background Checks: Screening and Comprehensive Reports

The Fight Over Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios Continues

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

1. Limit eating out

2. Watch the alcohol intake

3. Get your sleep

4. Join a local gym as soon as you arrive at your assignment

Related Posts

Eating Healthy On-the-Road

8 Ways To Boost Your Immune System as a Travel Nurse

Gypsy Yoga for First Day Nerves

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

What Skills Are Needed?

How to Keep Learning While on The Job?

Make the best of your time

Best Skills to Learn on The Job

Summary

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!)

Related Posts

Best Camera Equipment for Capturing Memories

How Nurses Can Build Their Confidence

Top 6 Books All Travel Nurses Should Read

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

5 Mistakes To Avoid as a Nurse on Your Contract

The Contract

Errors in Your Records

Do Not Take Your Work Home With You

Do Not Overpack

Curiosity

Conclusion

Related Posts

Step #5: Know Your Deal-Breakers

Where are Travel Nurses Needed?

Step #27 Travel Nurse Contract Evaluation – Wash, Rinse, Repeat…

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

The Hospital

What to See and Do in Northeast Georgia

Hiking

Northeast Georgia Wine Country 🍷

Charming Towns in Northeast Georgia

Dahlonega

Helen

Other Charming Towns

Additional Things To Do in Northeast Georgia

Pro Tips for Northeast Georgia

Related Posts

A Midwesterner’s Guide to Travel Nursing in Cold Assignment Locations

10 Packing Musts for Travel Nurses

What Travel Healthcare Workers Should Know About Their First Job in a Rural Area