February 3, 2021

11029 Views

8 Things Every First-Time Travel Nurse Should Know

Posted on February 3, 2021May 19, 2021 by Gifted Healthcare

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

Travel nursing is an excellent way to see new places, meet new people, and gain valuable clinical experience.

If you’re an RN that wants to become a travel nurse, GIFTED Healthcare wants to help you prepare for your first assignment. That’s why we’ve created a list of things that every first-time travel nurse should know.

Read on for 8 tips to help you have an amazing start to your travel nursing career!

Organize & Prepare

Finding a great travel assignment is much easier if you’re organized and prepared. Make sure your records, license, and any other relevant documents are up to date.

All travel nursing companies interview and screen their applicants. Being prepared for your interview will increase your chances of getting the assignment you want.

Note: Most travel nursing companies do not place RNs with less than one year of clinical experience.

Be Flexible

Many RNs choose travel nursing so that they can practice nursing on their terms. However, due to their lack of experience, first-time travel nurses don’t always get the assignment at the top of their list.

Try to remain open-minded about the locations, environments, and facilities in which you’re willing to work. You can be more selective once you have travel nursing experience under your belt.

Communicate with Your Recruiter

At GIFTED, your recruiter is here to help you with any issues you have related to your assignment.

Before your assignment begins, your recruiter can help you find housing. During your assignment, call your recruiter immediately if any serious problems arise regarding living arrangements, your paycheck, or your schedule.

Feel free to check in to let your recruiter know how things are going during your assignment. You are not alone – we are here to support you!

Avoid Too Many Distractions

Travel nursing is a fantastic way to get out of your comfort zone and experience new things. But it’s important to set yourself up for success on your first assignment.

Consider choosing a location close to home or a place where you already have a network of friends or family. Ensure your living arrangements won’t expose you to stressful circumstances, like a lack of sleep or safety.

Do your best to minimize distractions so that you can perform well and enjoy your first assignment.

Packing: Be Strategic

Packing for any trip can be stressful. But there are plenty of ways to make packing for your assignment easier.

Keep in mind that most travel nursing assignments are 8 to 13 weeks long. Make a list of the essentials, and try to stick to it. Think about items you can buy once you arrive at your new location, like shower curtains, trash cans, and other household items.

Packing efficiently will make it easier to settle into your new home, giving you more time to prepare for your first day.

Day One: Make a Great First Impression

Making a great first impression will help you excel during your first assignment.

Arrive early on your first day to show initiative and familiarize yourself with the facility. Or, go the extra mile and ask to tour your unit before you’re scheduled to start your assignment.

Making the right first impression will help you make a smooth transition into your new environment, benefitting both you and your coworkers.

Be Friendly

Before you arrived, the staff may have been pushed to their capacity. Remain aware of this when you enter your new assignment, and do what you can to show you’re there to help.

As a first-time travel nurse, don’t be afraid to ask questions. If a coworker is helpful, show gratitude. Talk to your teammates about their hobbies and favorite restaurants in town. 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 get along with a few of them, treat everyone with the same level of respect.

For more strategies on settling in, read GIFTED’s tips on adjusting to new facilities as a travel nurse.

Give It Everything You’ve Got

Travel nursing requires commitment. Once you’ve settled into your new assignment, prepare yourself to give it your all.

No matter where you travel, the location of your new assignment is worth exploring. Be open-minded, learn about the local culture, and get involved in local activities that you truly enjoy. Plan a day trip, invite your loved ones to visit, and make new friends!

Also, dedicate yourself to learning everything you can at work. Hone your skills as a travel nurse and take advantage of the fantastic opportunities that travel nursing offers.

Do you have any tips for first-time travel nurses? Comment them below.

Begin Your Travel Nursing Adventure with GIFTED Healthcare

From travel to per diem assignments, GIFTED Healthcare provides nurses with exceptional, high-paying career opportunities.

Apply now to join the GIFTED Family today!

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 Favorite Healthcare Staffing

January 26, 2021

5588 Views

21 Destinations You Must Visit As A Travel Nurse

Posted on January 26, 2021May 19, 2021 by Favorite Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Favorite Healthcare.

2020 is finally over, which means it is time to start checking off cities on your travel nursing bucket list! Favorite Healthcare Staffing has chosen our Top 21 Travel Nursing Destinations for 2021 that we know you will love. See what cities made a list and start exploring the country!

Boston, MA

Home of and the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Tea Party, this Northeastern city is the perfect location for history buffs. Step back in time as you stroll the cobblestone streets and visit some of the city’s best American History museums. This city also boasts impressive architecture and plenty of parks to play in. Boston has everything you could want in a destination!

Worchester, MA

The first city to invent the monkey wrench! How clever! With beautiful fall leaves in the Autumn, multiple science and history museums, Worchester (not to be confused with Worcestershire sauce) is a great destination to visit.

Minneapolis, MN

One of the major cities that forms Minnesota’s “Twin Cities,” Minneapolis experiences all seasons during the year. Cold and snowy winters, but warm and sunny summers. There are many cultural landmarks to check out in Minneapolis, a city that can unlock so much!

Tucson, AZ

Tucson has an outstanding performing arts scene with multiple galleries and museums. The city’s dynamic multicultural heritage radiates and is front and center. Tucson is also celebrated for its sensational beauty with the Sonoran Desert, which covers this region with incredible cacti.

Chicago, IL

Home of big silver, aka “The Bean.” Chicago is the center of the United States and is also known as the “Windy City.” With many museums, sightseeing, and amazing nightlife, there is no way you would not love the hustle and bustle of this city.

Davenport, IA

Davenport is located right next to the Mississippi river! This city is green because of its massive number of parks – over 50 local parks to visit! Activities can include biking, walking, and outdoor events, all located right in Davenport.

Kansas City, MO

Kansas City, home of the 2020 Superbowl Champions and the famous KC BBQ! The city is constantly growing as a travel destination. Great shopping, beautiful Italian inspired fountains throughout the city, and one amazing art district will make you never want to leave.

St. Louis, MO

21 Destinations You Must Visit As A Travel Nurse

The Hill, The Arch, and The Cardinals all call St. Louis, Missouri, their home. Visit the city’s biggest attraction, the St. Louis arch, for unique views of the city. Make sure to take a trip to other popular tourist spots, like the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and St. Louis Art Museum.

Detroit, MI

Snowy Detroit, right in the center of the great lakes and across the way from Canada, is a great spot to travel to. The large presence of the auto industry gave the city its nickname, Motor City. Detroit is also the perfect place for music lovers as it’s the birthplace of Motown. Groove your way through D-Town!

New York City, NY

New York City is the city that never sleeps. With museums galore, shopping, and thousands of restaurants, you will never be bored at this destination. As one of the world’s major melting pots, it is guaranteed that you will always have something to do. Make sure to take a trip to the other boroughs of New York – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island – each unique in its own way!

Denver, CO

Denver, Colorado – The-Mile-High City – is the perfect blend of urban life and outdoor adventure. The city not only boasts top-notch craft breweries and a thriving music scene but is also conveniently situated near Rocky Mountain National Park – a traveler’s dream come true!

Cincinnati, OH

Located right across the state line of Kentucky in Southwest Ohio lies the city of Cincinnati. History lovers will want to visit some of the city’s popular museums, including the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the American Sign Museum, and the Cincinnati Art Museum. Be sure to also take a trip to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, which is the second oldest zoo in America.

Cleveland, OH

Cleveland’s 78 square miles are jam-packed with quality attractions. You will not be disappointed by the city’s top tourist attraction, the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Spend your days exploring the most popular destinations like the Cleveland Botanical Garden, West Side Market and the Cleveland Metroparks. Sports fanatics should also catch a baseball game at Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians Major League Baseball team.

Houston, TX

Houston’s sprawling city is the perfect location if you love to shop and is home to the Galleria, one of the best shopping malls in the state. Visitors can learn where the phrase, “Houston, we’ve had a problem” comes from taking a trip to the Space Center Houston. Let’s not forget about the cuisine. If you are a fan of Tex-Mex, put Houston at the top of your list!

Knoxville, TN

As Tennessee’s third-largest city, Knoxville is sometimes overlooked, but we promise you will want to put this city on your list! Knoxville’s charming downtown is easy to navigate and is filled with quaint shops and even better food. Nature lovers will feel right at home with the city’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains.

Lexington, KY

Lexington Kentucky, best known as the city of the Kentucky Derby, is the “Horse Capital of the World.” Enjoy the breathtaking views of farmland that stretches for miles and make sure to visit Kentucky Horse Park, home to the International Museum of the Horse.

Centralia, IL

Centralia’s downtown is the perfect mix of old and new with plenty of historic architecture, as well as new and modern development. The Illinois Theater is a wonderful spot to catch a movie on a Sunday afternoon. You can also check out some of the many local parks that allow you to fish and attend different sporting events.

Durham, NC

Home of the Blue Devils basketball team, Durham has become a must-visit destination for basketball fans. Explore all this city has to offer, including a vast number of restaurants, top universities, and a diverse culture where you can learn more about the history of Durham.

Buffalo, NY

One of the biggest cities in the United States consists of an art district to keep your creative juices flowing. The city’s growing restaurant scene will help you explore new tastes, and the historical sites will teach you more about the city. Tour some of Buffalo’s parks, gardens, and theatres that are scattered throughout the city.

Oklahoma City, OK

As the capital of Oklahoma, OKC is the main star of show. Ignite your taste buds by visiting popular breweries in the city. You also won’t want to miss out on other major landmarks, such as the Skydance bridge. For those looking to dance the night away, look no further! Oklahoma City has a vast nightlife scene. You won’t want to miss out all this city has to offer.

Las Vegas, NV

Most people visit this city for the Las Vegas Strip – home of more nightclubs, casinos, and replicas of major world landmarks than you can count. There is always some form of entertainment in Las Vegas, and, indeed, you will never be bored! There’s no other place in the world like Las Vegas, which makes it a must-see destination.

What do you think of our list of must visit destinations? Are there any we missed? Comment the destinations you think need to be included on this list below.

By Kevin Devoto

January 25, 2021

4052 Views

How To Perform Your Best During Long Workdays

Posted on January 25, 2021May 19, 2021 by Kevin Devoto

No matter how much you love what you do as a travel nurse, long workdays can exhaust you. To make matters worse, that exhaustion often kicks in before your shift is over. By the time your day off rolls around, you may have no motivation to pursue your hobbies or stay active. If you practice more intentional living, you can create a solid action plan for tackling these long workdays.

Start With Meditation

If your workday requires getting up early, the thought of setting aside time to meditate might seem impossible. With some practice, you can make it happen. Start by setting the alarm for a minute earlier every day for a week. It might not sound like much, but within a week, you should have created almost an extra 15 minutes for meditation. Use this time to ground yourself and mentally prepare for the workday.

People meditate differently. Some people focus on clearing their heads and hone in on their breathing. There are others who allow their thoughts to play out in the morning, so they do not become distracted by them later in the day. Find the approach that works for you.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

If you worry you might not have enough time to make something healthy, consider prepping your meals ahead of time. Buying specific products can make things easier. You can also learn how to incorporate some cooking into your morning routine that will barely tack on time. Here are some tips:

Buy travel packets of jam, peanut butter, cream cheese, etc.
Buy yogurt.
Try instant oatmeal.
Package fruits from the night before.
Start the coffee pot as soon as you get up.
Start toasting the bread a few minutes before you head out.

Add Supplements

Sometimes, during your long workdays, you may not have enough time to eat healthily. Even when you do, your diet could probably use a boost. Supplements are a great way to ensure you cover all your bases and get all the nutrients your body needs to function at its most optimal point throughout the day. Multi-vitamins are often enough for most people, but not everyone.

For example, vegetarians and people with low-meat intake may need additional protein. When choosing supplements of any kind, be sure to do your research. Power Life High Impact Plant Protein reviews are a good starting point. You can also check health blogs, hospital websites, peer reviews, and even Amazon customer reviews.

Stay Active

Newton’s First Law of Motion shares that a body in motion stays in motion when propelled. Similarly, a body at rest will remain at rest until an external force changes this. Newton may not have meant literal human bodies when he made this scientific observation, but the rule still applies.

If you stay active, your body is more likely to treat long workdays as another walk in the park. This is especially true if you spend a lot of your workday on foot. Not everyone likes the idea of going to the gym, so here are some alternatives to consider:

Walking or hiking
Running
Biking
Rock climbing or bouldering
Yoga

Make It a Habit

The only way to ensure you get results is to keep your good habits consistent. One way to ensure this is to tackle one thing at a time. Trying to do everything at once can feel overwhelming and only add to your exhaustion.

Pick the tips you think will have the greatest impact on your long workdays, and then add more once you master one. If one doesn’t work, don’t feel discouraged. Move on to the next, and keep pushing. As your intentional living steps grow, consider creating a to-do list to keep track of everything.

By taking intentional steps to tackle your long workdays, you’re in a much better position to anticipate challenges and address them. You also improve your chances of success. You also improve your chances of success and reduce the amount of stress you feel throughout the day.

Do you have any tips or tricks for long workdays? Comment them below.

By Amber Pickler

January 16, 2021

9527 Views

10 Tips for Your First 12-Hour Travel Nurse Night Shift

Posted on January 16, 2021November 10, 2023 by Amber Pickler

Travel nursing can be hard, add working a 12-hour night shift for the first time and it can prove to be even more difficult. This is always a hot topic in our Facebook network group. We have compiled the most popular ways to survive your first 12-hour travel nurse night shift.

Drink Coffee-

This may not work for everyone. Caffeine doesn’t have the same affect on every person. However, for those that it does help boost them, this would be a great option. Just be sure to not use too much sugar in your coffee, because contrary to popular belief sugar can cause an energy crash. So, while you may get a boost from caffeine the energy crash could outweigh the caffeine.

Water-

While some people believe that coffee is the key to staying awake during your first 12-hour travel nurse night shift. However, for those who do not like coffee, or it doesn’t wake them up, water may be a better option. Dehydration leads to fatigue because it impacts the flow of oxygen to the brain and causes your heart to work harder to pump oxygen to all your bodily organs, making you more tired and less alert. By staying hydrated you stay energized. Being energized will help keep you awake for your night shift. Water is the best drink to keep you hydrated. If you don’t like water, try putting some type of water flavoring in it. Just make sure it isn’t full of sugar because as previous stated it can cause you to crash.

Appointments-

You may not even think about your work schedule when making appointments. However, because you work night shift it is important to keep that in mind when making appointments. When making appointments, stick to the early mornings so you can go as close to the end of your shift as possible. If this isn’t possible try to get a late afternoon or early evening appointment. Having a mid-afternoon or early evening appointment makes it difficult to get a decent amount of uninterrupted sleep before your night shift.

Sleep as late in the day as possible-

Try to sleep as late in the day before your first travel nurse night shift. This may mean staying up later the night before and getting your sleep closer to your night shift. If you aren’t able to sleep during the day, you can try a sleep aid. There are many options of over the counter sleep aids, including melatonin. Melatonin comes in natural and synthetic forms. If these don’t do the trick you may need to talk to your doctor about a prescription sleep aid until you get used to the night shift life.

Exercise in the evening-

This is another option that may not work for everyone. While some people get a boost of energy from exercising, it may make others tired. For many working out gives them a boost of energy and gets them going for the night shift. Exercising releases endorphins which can give you a boost of energy. For some they even do some light exercising while at work on night shift. A couple ideas of easy exercise to do at work includes arm circles, jumping jacks, walking the unit and lunges. There are many more you can do but this just give you an idea to get started.

Keep sleep schedule-

Try to maintain your sleep schedule for night shifts even when you aren’t working. On days you aren’t working, sleep during the day and try to stay awake for as much of the night as possible. Our readers also suggest that you start your new sleep schedule before you start working the night shift. Many suggest a week before your first day. This will give you time to get used to your sleep schedule before you absolutely have to be on that schedule.

Black out curtains-

Black out curtains are always a popular suggestion from our members for travel nurses starting to work night shift. Our bodies are meant to sleep when it is dark, so trying to sleep during the day in daylight will make it that much harder to get used to your new sleep schedule. Black curtains come in many different styles and some will completely block out light while others will block out most of it. The heavier duty ones also help keep the heat and cold out, as well as can help buffer some sounds.

Stay active-

This is by far the most popular tip for surviving your first 12-hour travel nurse night shift. There are many ways to keep active while working. Walking the unit is a popular option. Light cleaning or stocking carts are other great options. Just staying up and on your feet will help you fight fatigue, like exercising this can give you a little boost of energy to keep you going.

Healthy snacks-

Healthy snacks at night can help keep you awake. Try to stay away from foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. According to The Washington Post “the quick spike in your blood sugar from eating junk foods high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars can cause a surge in insulin, leading to a quick drop in blood sugar. That leaves you feeling tired, cranky and hungry for more.”

If you are looking for suggestions of healthy foods to snack on during your night shift here are a few ideas to get you started.

Green Tea
Protein (jerky, boiled eggs and cheese are a few examples)
Chocolate (dark chocolate is best)
Fruits (Oranges, pineapples, strawberries and bananas are great options)
Whole grain foods (try whole grain toast with peanut butter on top)

Nap before work-

If you aren’t able to stay awake for a period of time after your night shift it is in your best interest to get up earlier and then take a nap before your shift starts. Power naps are a great option for night shift travel nurses.

To get the most out of a power snooze, follow these quick tips from Mednick:

Be consistent. Keep a regular nap schedule. Prime napping time falls in the middle of the day, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Make it quick. Set your cell phone alarm for 30 minutes or less if you don’t want to wake up groggy.
Go dark. Nap in a dark room or wear an eye mask. Blocking out light helps you fall asleep faster.
Stay warm. Stash a blanket nearby to put over you because your body temperature drops while you snooze.

Power napping before your first travel nurse shift will give you a little kick to start your shift.

We hope that these tips help you with your first travel nurse night first, or any night shift for that matter. These tips are just to get your started, you may find ways that work better for you. If you have any other tips or tricks for working night shift comment them below.

If you would like some information on self-care to keep your mind and body at its best these articles have some great tips!

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 ONESTAFF MEDICAL

December 24, 2020

6275 Views

7 Unique Places to Visit While on Assignment

Posted on December 24, 2020May 19, 2021 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

This article was provided by OneStaff Medical.

One of the greatest perks of being a healthcare traveler is seeing what different country areas have to offer. Of course, it’s a no-brainer to visit the must-see landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the list goes on and on. If you are looking for a unique experience or just feeling a little weird, these are the most unique places to visit while on your next assignment.

Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Graveyard (Waterbury, Vermont)

Oh, our “dearly De-Pinted” gone too soon but not gone forever? At the Ben & Jerry’s Original Factory in Vermont, you can visit their Ice Cream flavor graveyard, where they pay homage to their ‘failed’ flavors. Love a de-pinted flavor? You can help resurrect it from the grave by voting on the online poll for the flavor you wish to see back in the ice cream aisle. (vote here) If you’d like to pay your respects, visitation to the flavor graveyard is available with their factory tour.

7 Unique Places to Visit While on Assignment

Carhenge (Alliance, Nebraska)

Stonehenge but make its cars, because why not? This Nebraskan replica was initially created for the summer solstice of 1987 and hasn’t moved since. If you can’t get to Europe anytime soon, this is a great substitution and will be a fine addition to your Insta Feed.

Neon Boneyard / The Neon Museum (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Travel back in time via neon lights and see what you can discover at this non-profit dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting Las Vegas neon signs. Their main collection has more than 200 unrestored signs, which are illuminated at sunset. Alas, another Insta-worthy visit.

Cabazon Dinosaurs (Cabazon, California)

Move over, Jurassic Park! East of Los Angeles and North of Palm Springs, you can find two ‘life-size’ dinosaurs. Walk the dinosaur trail and enjoy the Wafflesaurus truck to enjoy the Cabazon Dinosaur experience fully. A perfect little day trip.

Husky Homestead (Denali Park, Alaska)

Meet Alaska’s finest four-legged athletes, the sled dogs, and puppies of Husky Homestead. Book a tour to learn all about this rural lifestyle from a four-time Iditarod Champion, Jeff King, and meet the pups in front of the sled.

Rock City (Lookout Mountain, Georgia)

Adventure through an enchanted trail and discover magical caves, incredible rock formations, and some stunning views. When you reach Lover’s Leap, you best believe you’ll be looking at SEVEN states. An all-around magical experience in nature and a great day trip for any season.

Mackinac Island (Michigan)

No car, no problem on Mackinac Island as the preferred mode of transportation is a horse-drawn carriage. Party like it’s the 19th century and live lavishly at the Grand Hotel, where meals are an event, and you can enjoy traditions such as Afternoon Tea in the parlor and finish your day with nightly dancing. Bask in the simplicity of no cars, no chain restaurants, stunning nature, and beautiful Victorian Architecture.

Travel Nurses are in a unique position as they travel the country from assignment to assignment. You can see all the country has to offer, the popular tourist destinations, and the unique places, not well-known parts of the country. It’s all for you to discover.

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!)

https://www.theactivetimes.com/travel/38-most-bizarre-tourist-attractions-america/slide-39

https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/wildest-and-most-unusual-places-to-travel-in-the-us-14554421#gid=ci0256b1b3f0012716&pid=neon-boneyard-and-neon-museum-las-vegas

By Furnished Finder

December 17, 2020

5670 Views

Bringing Holiday Cheer to Your Short Term Rental

Posted on December 17, 2020May 19, 2021 by Furnished Finder

As a travel nurse working a holiday contract, it can be hard to make your space feel homey and special during this season. You definitely don’t want to spend a ton of money investing in decorations that you likely cannot take with you, and you may not have a huge circle of friends to celebrate with. However, you can still make the holidays feel special in their own way and bring a little extra cheer into your short term rental over the holiday season.

Involve Your Housemates

If you have roommates, consider organizing a small gift exchange or doing something fun like filling each others’ stockings. Have each person make a small list of stocking stuffers they would enjoy, or even do something simple life gift cards or cozy socks (everyone likes socks, right?). This will bring a little extra cheer to the household and, if you have enough people to do it Secret Santa style, add some extra fun when you are guessing who has each other.

Get Creative with Decorations

For decor, you can check out places like Dollar Tree or similar shops to find cute holiday items that you can donate afterward. The great idea is to set a small budget, say $20, and see what you can create with that amount of money. Even some tinsel and a few holiday candles can go a long way.

Use Perishable Decor

Items like real pine wreaths or garland, homemade potpourri, a poinsettia, or even a small Christmas tree can be used to make your short term rental not only feel festive but smell great as well! You can buy these items to spruce up the place and feel less wasteful knowing they were one-time-use regardless.

Have Your Own Christmas Movie Night

Whether you are renting a room or have an entire space to yourself, take a night and have a cozy night in all to yourself. Grab a cozy drink, bundle up in some Christmas pajamas, and find your Christmas favorites on Netflix or Hulu. Just setting aside time for yourself like this can make the season feel special in its own way.

Arrange a Long-Distance Gift Exchange

This activity is fun because you could do it with several different groups. Travel friends, family back home, or old college friends could all have fun with this idea. Use a website like Elfster to create a Secret Santa gift exchange. Participants can put in their address and wish list, and the website will automatically draw names for everyone. Then, each person has to order the gift online and send it directly to their person! An even more involved idea would be to host a Zoom chat where everyone opens their gifts live and tries to guess who had them.

Embrace New Traditions

Working as a travel nurse during the holidays can be an adjustment, especially in your first year. Try to remember that this likely won’t be forever, and eventually, you will be able to look back on these unique memories and reminisce on this chapter of your life. Even though your holiday cheer might be a different style than usual, you can still have a fabulous holiday in your home away from home.

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

START HERE

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

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

December 15, 2020

3021 Views

Dealing With Stress This Holiday Season

Posted on December 15, 2020May 19, 2021 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by: Travel Nurse Across America

For many people, the holiday season is one where they get to take some time away from work. However, this isn’t always the case for health care travelers. Due to just how important their work is, many times they’ll need to work over the holidays. This can be stressful enough, but throw COVID-19 into the mix and many travelers are as stressed as they have ever been.

That’s why it’s especially important to know how to best deal with all this extra stress this year. Of course, working with an agency with a dedicated support team that’s there to help you will be a big plus. But, there’s also some things you can do on your own as well. Additionally, there’s even ways you can get involved in the holiday season so you don’t feel stressed about missing out!

Stress Relieving Tips

1. Take Care of Your Body

It’s important to take care of your body when you want to avoid and get rid of stress. Working as a travel nurse can be a quite physically demanding job, and now with COVID-19, many nurses are finding themselves having to work long hours with little time for breaks. This tends to lead to more stress, which then can make you feel pretty exhausted, both mentally and physically.

As such, it’s good to do as much as you can to help your body out. Things like eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep are all key for reducing stress and feeling good. Even just taking some time to refocus with some deep breaths can help you stay centered and calm, especially during those super busy shifts.

2. Unwind on Your Downtime

Another useful way to reduce stress is by using your time away from work to relax and enjoy yourself. For instance, your time off can be great for either exploring a new hobby, or getting back into an old one. Having something you that you enjoy doing is very helpful for relaxing and reducing your stress levels. Just taking some time to chill out and watch a show or movie can do the trick as well!

3. Treat Yourself

Practicing self-care is also a nice way to relieve stress, and that includes being kind to yourself. It’s been a rough year, so there’s nothing wrong with getting something nice for yourself. After all, if there’s one person who knows you best, it’s you! Even small treats can go a long way in helping you feel less stressed out.

Tips like these can help you feel less stressed from having to work during the holidays. But what if you feel a bit stressed or sad about being away during the holiday season? Don’t worry! There’s also some things you can do which’ll help you get to celebrate the holidays with those you care for, even if you’re far apart.

Celebrate the holidays even if you are away

1. Using Tech to Your Advantage

2020 has seen people make a lot more video calls than ever before since it’s been hard to have in-person meetings. However, planning out time to talk to your friends and family is a lot easier (and less stressful) than having to set up holiday travel plans. Something that you might want to do aside from just calling on the holidays is planning special holiday party calls. That way, you all get to celebrate together like you usually would, despite being away from each other.

2. Send Holiday Postcards

A very common holiday tradition is for people to send out holiday cards to those that they know. If you’re out on an assignment, you might wonder how you can do something like that as well. Enter the holiday postcard! Instead of sending a single type of card to everyone, why not send them special postcards from the area you’re currently at? Not only is this a fun, unique twist on the usual holiday card, but it also lets you show them you’re thinking of them even when far away.

3. Connect with Coworkers

Just as you might be away from home for the holidays, so will many of your coworkers, especially those that are also travelers. So, why not spread a bit of holiday cheer and celebrate with them? For instance, why not try doing a special virtual holiday potluck, where everyone tries out a recipe given to them by someone else? Or, you can organize a secret Santa where the gifts are sent to everyone, and then open them all on a call together

Even though this year is a bit different than those before, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the holidays and yourself in the process. Remember to try and take care of yourself, and don’t be afraid to get creative with how you celebrate the holidays this year!

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 Katie Bugbee

December 8, 2020

5817 Views

How to Handle a Hard Day Without Telling Facebook

Posted on December 8, 2020May 19, 2021 by Katie Bugbee

You argued with a patient’s family. Another patient passed away. Your team isn’t in sync. As a travel nurse on the unit, you are looked down on or mistreated. Paperwork is piling up. Work feels insane right now. Where can you vent?

Well, not on social media.

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok seem like natural places to voice some frustration. You can easily imagine the urge to post an Instagram photo of your chart pile with a funny (yet frustrated) facial expression and get a ton of empathy. But giving in to that urge could put you at serious risk of violating your patients’ privacy and, in turn, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). (Just imagine someone zooming into your photo and being able to make out a patient’s name!)

Don’t get us wrong: we know that social media plays a big role in our lives nowadays. We all have at least one social media channel that we use regularly, and we have a right to share photos of our last vacation or our cute new puppy on those personal accounts. That’s fine! However, as a healthcare professional, it goes without saying that you have to be particularly careful about what you post when the content veers into your work life. The minute you start using social media as a forum to discuss anything regarding your patients or their care (including venting about said patients) or as a way to interact with them for non-work-related reasons, you’re flinging yourself into dangerous HIPAA-violation territory.

You’re probably already well-versed on HIPAA but given how important this topic is (and how relevant it is to your career), it’s worth going through a little high-level refresher.

HIPAA Violations & Social Media

We’ll start with the basics: what is a HIPAA violation? Typically, a HIPAA violation involves the use or disclosure of an individual’s protected health information without their permission. So, what does this look like in the context of social media? We asked Diane Evans, publisher of MyHIPAAGuide.com, to share the most common types of HIPAA violations healthcare professionals commit on social media. They usually involve:

Sharing photos of patients with friends: Sharing patient information of any kind with unauthorized individuals is a direct violation of HIPAA. You just can’t do it. Period. End of story.
Adding patients as friends or liking their posts on social media: By interacting with your patients outside of work, you run the risk of someone drawing a connection between you two and making a guess that that individual sees a particular doctor or goes to a specific healthcare organization. You didn’t mean to, but you could have revealed the patient’s private information to unauthorized people.
Posting images, text, and videos of patients without their consent: Think: testimonials you may get from your patients. Unless they give you their (written) permission to use their likeness or quotes, you absolutely cannot make them public or distribute them in any way.

These types of HIPAA violations can lead to fines, sanctions, and potentially even the revocation of your license to practice. If the breaches are severe enough, you could even face jail time.

4 Stress-Relieving Tips for Nurses That Don’t Involve Social Media

Your job — and the stress it creates — are no laughing matter. You’re an essential worker, and the constant pressure you’re working under can be extreme. But while social media can help you get through a day, the real underlying causes of your stress need to be tackled ASAP. If not, you run the risk of suffering severe consequences, not the least of which are serious health issues, burnout, and potentially putting yourself in a situation that could threaten your career. Here are four stress-management strategies to start implementing today that will help keep you far away from that “Publish” button the next time you feel like venting.

Identify what’s triggering your anxiety.

You’ve been trained to push through stressful situations, but sometimes they can get the best of you. Make note of your feelings when you get anxious or upset and try to name them as they appear: you can say something like, “This friend always makes me feel really anxious” or “Reading the news doesn’t make me feel relaxed at all.” Sometimes, you’ll be able to limit your exposure to these stressors (e.g., a toxic friend, stressful news); other times, you might not be able to do that – particularly if they happen at work. In those instances, you’ll want to develop coping strategies that you can use in the moment to lessen their effect on you (more on this in a bit).

Also, beware of compassion fatigue. If your empathy for those around you is getting to a breaking point, remember that you can always say something like, “I’m sorry, but I can’t hear this right now. I need to focus on my patients without getting too overwhelmed.”

Strengthen your resiliency.

As a nurse, you’re nothing if not resilient. That said, you’ll be better able to handle stressful situations if your physical and emotional health are in good shape. You can do this by:

Making sure you’re getting enough quality sleep.
Maintaining a healthy diet
Hydrating
Exercising regularly
Staying connected with your support systems

Develop coping strategies you can use in the moment.

Here are some simple strategies you can try whenever you start to feel your stress levels rise (or, even better: try coming up with some of your own that you know work for you!):

Try doing some deep-breathing exercises.

These don’t need to be long or involved – play around with the length of your inhales and exhales until you find a cadence that helps slow you down.

Talk to a colleague.

Don’t be afraid to lean on your colleagues for support – you’re all going through similar things so you’re in the best position to help each other through it.

Focus on something positive.

It doesn’t have to be big – it could be as simple as remembering when a coworker thanked you for helping them or knowing that there’s a new episode of your favorite TV show waiting for you when you get home.

Treat yourself with kindness.

Watch out for negative self-talk; when you hear yourself going that route, think: “Would I talk to my best friend this way?” You could also try repeating a comforting or reassuring statement, such as, “I’m doing the best that I can right now.”

Take breaks.

This can be tough, especially if your team’s short-handed or you’re overwhelmed with things to do, but it’s absolutely crucial for your own mental health that you take breaks when and where you can. If you feel like it’s too hard to do, talk to your manager and see if they can help you find a way to build breaks into your schedule.

Talk to your manager(s) or Recruiter

Working toward change is always a great way to tackle the ongoing administrative issues that irritate you. When you do, make sure to communicate your suggestions in a positive and constructive way. Encourage your leadership to be proactive about protecting the staff from issues that might affect their mental health.

We hope you found this article and the information on HIPAA violations and how to avoid them online. As travel nurses, it can be difficult to find a means to vent about bad days. It can also be hard to know where to turn when you are constantly changing hospitals, assignments, or facilities. Do you have any advice for fellow gypsy travel nurses on ways to vent while avoiding HIPAA violations? Comment any tips on avoiding HIPAA violations 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 Gifted Healthcare

December 1, 2020

7960 Views

5 Holiday Gifts Travel Nurses Will Love in 2020

Posted on December 1, 2020November 10, 2023 by Gifted Healthcare

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

The holiday season is almost here, and it’s fair to say that 2020 was a year that travel nurses, the healthcare community, and the world will never forget. The healthcare industry has also changed quite a bit since January.

As we all prepare to gift shop for the RNs in our lives, some of this year’s top gifts for travel nurses will reflect the unprecedented changes that occurred during the Year of the Nurse. But there are also a number of items for nurses that will always be helpful, no matter what.

We’ve created a list of holiday gifts that travel nurses will love this year to help you choose the perfect gift for your RN friend or family member. Read on to learn how to make a healthcare hero smile this holiday season!

Personal N95 Respirator Mask

COVID-19 has changed the travel nursing landscape, making personal protective equipment (PPE) a must. The CDC recommends that nurses wear N95 respirators, and disposable N95 masks are available at hospitals across the country. However, disposable N95 masks can be uncomfortable, causing bruising, irritation, and foggy glasses.

Make sure the RN in your life is safe and comfortable while they’re doing their heroic work!

Underscrubs

Most travel nurses wear scrubs, a sanitary outfit worn by healthcare professionals involved in patient care. Underscrubs are the items of clothing RNs wear underneath, providing them with extra comfort and relief from excessive perspiration or cold weather.

Many companies are now creating lines of underscrubs made of high-performance fabrics, meant to provide male and female nurses with supreme comfort and an extra element of fashion while still maintaining their full range of motion and physicality.

For premium underscrubs, check out FIGS, Jaanuu, MEDICLO, or Amazon.

Insulated Tumbler

Whether they drink coffee, tea, juice, or water, travel RNs need a simple way to bring their drinks with them.

The YETI Rambler is a top choice for an insulated tumbler, but Amazon offers a large variety of great options. Hot or cold, caffeinated or decaf — no matter what your favorite travel RN likes to drink, an insulated tumbler will preserve it and let them take it anywhere.

PhoneSoap Phone Sanitizer

It’s easy to forget that most of our mobile phones are crawling with bacteria. We may wash our hands many times a day, but most people rarely wash their phones.

With new sanitation guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, make sure the travel nurse in your life covering all their bases with PhoneSoap, a phone-sanitizing device that uses UV light to kill bacteria while keeping electronic components unharmed.

According to PhoneSoap, its device can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria in 10 minutes! Not to mention it features a simple design that can function like a sleek, understated accessory.

Luxury Backpack

By definition, travel nurses are on the go. Why not get them a gift that will let them travel in style?

Backpacks are extremely versatile pieces of luggage. They’re perfect for daily trips to and from work, with enough space to pack scrubs, lunch, a laptop, and more.

Companies like Dagne Dover, Vessel, Everlane, Bellroy, and many others offer luxury backpacks that are modern, functional and luxurious but not flashy, making them perfect for everyday use.

We hope this list of gifts for travel nurses help you shop for the heroic RN in your life this holiday season!

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

START HERE

Organize & Prepare

Be Flexible

Communicate with Your Recruiter

Avoid Too Many Distractions

Packing: Be Strategic

Day One: Make a Great First Impression

Be Friendly

Give It Everything You’ve Got

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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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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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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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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