September 7, 2022

1918 Views

Keeping in Shape is Essential to Your Health and Wellness While Travel Nursing

Posted on September 7, 2022August 29, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

Travel nursing is a rewarding field that is also strenuous. These nurses fill temporary positions in high-need areas to help local medical professionals meet regional health care demands. A travel nurse spends many nights out on the road. This puts stress on your body and health. Here are some benefits of staying fit while working as a travel nurse.

Boost Your Energy

A regular fitness routine will help improve your energy and reduce symptoms of fatigue. When you travel, you risk being sedentary for long periods. This can make you feel less energized. Regular activity, such as a carb cycling workout plan, is an excellent way to combat this. You can incorporate your workout for a time that is best for you. Getting your body moving creates energy that will provide an immediate spark for you and increase your stamina over time.

Stave Off Illness

Exercise has also been shown to help people fight off illness. A fitness routine can improve your immune system by keeping your body working in optimal condition. Working out regularly can be beneficial in managing chronic illnesses such as heart disease and high blood pressure. If you are working on a temporary assignment where your services are needed, you will not want to be sick while you are on location.

Keep Your Weight Healthy

While traveling and working under stressful conditions, you may not have time to focus on your diet. You might have to eat when it’s convenient, and the offerings may not be the healthiest. One way to mitigate eating on the run or not eating optimal foods is to exercise regularly. A healthy weight will also help you keep chronic medical conditions under control and help avoid developing new diseases.

Help Manage Anxiety and Depression

Traveling by itself can be very stressful and cause a lot of anxiety. If you are at a location where you do not have regular social interactions because you do not know anyone, you may also be prone to depression. Exercise is an excellent way to help deal with any feelings of anxiety or depression you may have. Working out boosts feel-good chemicals in your brain that can improve your mood instantly. You will also feel more relaxed and less anxious after exerting yourself.

Improve Your Sleep

If you travel regularly, you probably experience disruptions in your sleep. In addition, you may work odd hours as a temporary nurse. You want to take whatever steps you can to improve your sleep quality. Exercise is proven to help you sleep better. Sleep is essential for your daily functioning and overall health.

Increase Your Strength

Working out will help you build and maintain muscle mass. This will allow you to become stronger over time. Your daily nursing activities will be easier to get through if you have stronger muscles that can operate efficiently. Strength training can improve your balance to help you avoid falls.

Bolster Mental Acuity

Working in a demanding field like travel nursing may leave you feeling burned out mentally at the end of your day. Exercise has been shown to improve your cognitive function. This can help you with planning your day and switching between tasks. A regular fitness routine can also benefit your ability to focus when needed.

Travel nursing places many demands on you with traveling and working long, arduous shifts. Taking care of your body is extremely important to stay mentally and physically healthy. You will want to keep a routine to get maximum benefits from exercising.

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

August 4, 2022

1600 Views

National Wellness Month: Wellness Tips for Every Travel Nurse

Posted on August 4, 2022August 3, 2022 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Your overall wellness is important to help you live a higher quality of life, and as a travel nurse, this becomes even more of a priority while on assignment.

Everything we do, from work to bedtime routines, and every emotion we feel throughout the days contribute to our overall well-being. It is this same well-being that directly affects human actions and emotions, so the cycle all ties into one another. Prioritizing your overall wellness will help manage stress, reduce the risk of illness and aid positive interactions and feelings throughout your life.

Wellness is determined by a variety of categories, including environmental, mental, physical, social, spiritual, financial, intellectual, and occupational. We are diving into some of these categories and focusing on how you can enhance your wellness as a travel nurse.

Environmental Wellness

As a travel nurse, your environment is changing regularly, and as exciting as a new environment is, it is also a shift in your routines and alters your atmosphere. As you prepare for a new travel contract, you can prioritize your wellness in prep for the transition.

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Include extra days in your moving timeline leading up to your first shift, so you have plenty of time to make your new place feel like home. An unpacked and organized environment benefits your environmental wellness and will help you feel prepared for your new assignment.

Create Space for You

While unpacking, try to set up a spot in your home where you can retreat after work. Maybe it’s an outdoor oasis with twinkle lights or a comfy chair and blanket set up by a window for a reading nook. Whatever helps you decompress, prioritize that area of your space because a pleasant and stimulating environment supports your well-being.

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Extra time will also give you a chance to adjust to your new community. Explore your coffee shop options, find a local park, or map out your commute to get a feel for your surroundings. Having these little familiarities will make a huge difference as you transition to a new assignment.

Another big environment that is changing is your work environment. Give yourself a little grace as you adjust to navigating the floor, locating the nurses’ station, or getting lost looking for the bathroom. These are all things that come with time.

Mental Wellness

Your mental and emotional wellness has a large impact on your overall attitude and outlook toward life. This is a huge factor in your overall wellness and can ebb and flow over time. Your mental wellness will help you cope effectively, establish a positive self-regard, and create satisfying relationships in your day-to-day. Here are some tips to help your mental wellness while traveling.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. There are a variety of ways to practice it, so start with some trial and error to see what works best for your body and mind.

If your brain is busy planning, problem-solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative thoughts, you can feel drained. It also adds levels of stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression to your day. Take time each day to practice mindfulness exercises such as meditation, breathing, guided imagery, and more to relax your mind and body.

Check out these five simple practices for daily life to get started.

Self-Care Days

Along the lines of mindfulness, a self-care day can go a long way in easing your chaotic thoughts. Set aside time on a day off to go on a long walk, listen to a relaxing podcast, pamper yourself, or anything else that helps ease your mind and allow you to recover. Even if it is just 30 minutes you set aside, this will help chip away at the stress our bodies build up over time.

Talk It Out

In a world where virtual therapy is more commonly accessible, take advantage of it. Through the ups and downs of your personal life, shift experiences, and travel schedule, a therapist, is a great outlet to put yourself first and prioritize your needs. Don’t let your mental wellness get lost in the shuffle of your other priorities.

If a therapist is not available, rely on your loved ones for a little bit of time here and there to let your feelings out.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is not just about working out; it is about your body’s need for physical activity, healthy nutrition, and sleep. While adjusting to your new travel assignment, start to navigate your workout, eating, and sleep routines so you can feel balanced during the transition.

Find Your Workout Spot

Research local gyms and fitness studios near your house or hospital, depending on what time of day you prefer to move. Many studios offer a first-class free or some type of trial period membership, so don’t limit yourself to places you recognize from other cities. There might be a workout that is brand new to you and ends up being your favorite way to work out!

You also shouldn’t limit yourself just to the gym. Venture around the area and look for local trails to hike, parks for running and walking, or outdoor excursions to try for a change of scenery.

Eat Local, Cook at Home

A huge perk of travel nursing is exploring parts of the country you might have never been to before, and with that comes local produce and food. Hit up farmer’s markets to experience local vendors and culinary items that the town or state is known for.

Pack a cookbook with you and use your new favorite farmer’s market items to make some home-cooked meals. Cooking not only soothes your mind, but it’s a way to nourish your body and promote physical wellness. The best part is packing the leftovers for your next shift!

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Whether you are working day shift, night shift, or a combo of both, your sleep as a nurse has to be a priority. Sleep improves your mood, regulates your blood sugar, improves your mental function, relieves stress, enhances athletic performance, and so many other bodily functions. You can help yourself in this area by setting up a successful sleep environment.

Depending on how you prefer to sleep, there are a variety of ways to control your sleep environment like the temperature, lighting, noise level, etc. If it helps you, pack an eye mask, turn on white noise, blast the ac, or read a book before bed. All of these options will help soothe your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep.

Having a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system goes a long way with your social wellness. While traveling, you might feel a void where those connections used to be, so you will need to actively seek social interactions to enhance your social wellness while living in a new city.

Connect With Friends from Home

If you are traveling alone, connecting with your friends and loved ones while on your assignment will make you feel more at home. Share the exciting experiences of your new town with friends over a FaceTime catch-up, or send pictures to your parents so they can live vicariously through your adventures. These little moments will enhance your social wellness.

Connect With Patients

One of the coolest things about nursing in general, but specifically travel nursing, is that you are helping people that you would have most likely never even met outside of the hospital. Every patient at your bedside has a story, a life they have lived, the advice they would give, etc. Embrace the moments you have with patients to connect with strangers and feel the impact that one conversation can have on both you and your patient.

Take Yourself Out

Time with yourself can be social too. It doesn’t always have to be a home-cooked meal. Research the local hot spot restaurants and create a bucket list of menus you want to try. Check out upcoming concerts, free events, and more to connect socially with your assignment city. Being around the social atmosphere and taking it all in can improve your social wellness as well.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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

START HERE

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

By Kevin Devoto

July 15, 2022

3448 Views

Foods Traveling Nurses Should Add To Their Diets To Keep Their Energy Up

Posted on July 15, 2022June 27, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

Many aspects of life require extra energy, particularly fast-paced, labor-intensive, stressful jobs. One job that may require plenty of energy is travel nursing. While the go-to method of gaining energy is caffeine, you can also boost your reserves by making dietary changes. Here are foods traveling nurses should add to their diets to keep their energy up.

1. Nutrient-rich Fruits And Vegetables

One of the best ways to keep your energy up is to load up on nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables such as spinach, strawberries, bananas, and kale. Doing so ensures you get the necessary amounts of energy-boosting nutrients such as iron, vitamin B6, and potassium. These are versatile foods that can be added to many recipes and meals. Many people choose to add cut fruit to yogurt, cereal, and oatmeal breakfasts. You can also blend many of these fruits and vegetables into smoothies. If you want an extra boost, you can also include nutrient supplements and powders such as opti greens.

2. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are also useful additions to your diet if you want to boost your daily energy levels. You shouldn’t eat seafood every day, but including these fish, in your diet several times throughout each month or adding a daily fish oil supplement to your diet can be beneficial due to the high amounts of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein in them. The protein ensures you feel fuller longer and have greater energy stores, while vitamin B12 supports your body’s iron levels and produces red blood cells in conjunction with folic acid.

3. Lean And Plant-based Protein

Protein is an important source of energy for your body, but you need to choose the right kinds of protein. Try to focus on lean meats such as poultry, protein sources that contain healthy fats, such as fish and eggs, and plant-based protein, such as nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes. Sources of protein that contain trans fats, such as processed meats, and saturated fats, such as red meat, should be consumed in moderation.

4. Wraps of All Kinds

As a travel nurse, you’re likely going to want many of your meals to be compact, portable, and easy to eat quickly. This applies to lunches and snacks in particular. A great option for ensuring you have a portable meal that also packs plenty of nutrients is by choosing to make wraps. A wrap can include the same ingredients as a sandwich in a more compact package. Wraps have as much variety as sandwiches, too. You can make them out of tortillas or lettuce and fill them with combinations of nearly all the other foods on this list, among others.

5. Green, Black, Or Oolong Tea

Coffee may be the go-to source of caffeine, but there are alternatives that allow your body to process caffeine more slowly and provide you with additional nutrition. Many types of teas, excluding most herbal blends, contain caffeine. Unlike coffee, tea contains a compound called L-theanine. This compound reduces the negative effects of caffeine, such as jitters, and moderates the dispersal of caffeine throughout your body. Drinking one or more cups of tea in a day is highly likely to improve your concentration and alertness. Tea also contains high amounts of antioxidants, namely flavonoids or polyphenols.

6. High-fiber Foods

No matter what your diet is like while you work as a travel nurse, make sure high-fiber foods are included in it. Foods that are high in fiber are well-known for regulating your digestive cycle, but they have other benefits as well. They provide your body with longer-lasting energy stores and regulate your blood sugar. High-fiber foods include most fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. You can also add fiber supplements to your diet.

Many people find that a balanced and nutrient-rich diet has better energizing effects than simply consuming caffeine. You can try out different dietary changes to determine what seems to work best for you. Consulting a dietician or nutritionist can also be quite beneficial.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. There you can search for what you are looking for in housing.

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 Timothea Bradley

January 8, 2022

4941 Views

10 Tips For Keeping a Balance Between Life and Nursing Work

Posted on January 8, 2022January 16, 2023 by Timothea Bradley

It turns out that nurses are the most popular and wanted professionals in the whole healthcare industry. Nurses have a very important job that not every person can handle. Sometimes, nurses can’t even keep the balance between life and work. As a result, it burns them out.

But there is a way to distance yourself from your everyday work. The tips below will help you to balance your work and life so that you won’t burn out. You can get the needed rest while you finish work, and it won’t affect your life.

Tips for balancing life and nursing work.

Deal with Conflicts Immediately

It might surprise you, but dealing with conflicts right away is a great way to clear your mind when you are at work or home. For example, something happened at work, and instead of solving the conflict, you go home and keep thinking about how to solve it. The best idea is to deal with the conflict immediately. Whether it’s a conflict with a friend at home or a work conflict, it won’t let you relax or focus on work.

Accept Certain Things

Nursing is a difficult job since it requires some level of empathy. You need to accept the fact that certain things can’t be changed. You don’t have to think about certain things or situations all the time since it impacts your well-being. If you keep thinking about different situations that you can’t change, it will burn you out. Accept that you can’t change everything. It’s normal, and don’t let these thoughts bug you.

Define Your Life Goals

Yes, you are a nurse, and you want to help people. But is it the main life goal? You aren’t just a nurse; you are also someone else. For example, you can be a parent or a child, a wife or a husband; you could be someone’s friend, loved one, etc. Figure out what you want to achieve in life so you can find peace and move towards accomplishing your goals and finding your place in life.

Healthy Lifestyle

A lot of people underestimate the role of a healthy lifestyle on their mental health. There is even a saying – a sound mind in a sound body. It’s extremely important to lead a healthy lifestyle to make sure you feel good. You don’t have to spend hours in the gym or stick to a strict diet to achieve great results. Just make sure you have time to do some exercise, even walking in a park works. And eat healthy and nutritious food.

Make It Simple

When a habit is too complicated, we drop it. But when we can’t leave something, it annoys us and makes us feel bad. If your work life is too complicated, then you should simplify it. For example, download and install all the necessary apps that you need to communicate with your patients. It’s sometimes easier to message someone or reply than have a phone call. Same with everyday life, make it simpler, so it won’t make you feel exhausted.

Time Management

It could be difficult to manage time at work and your personal life partially because it requires some sort of a schedule. If you don’t have a schedule to which you stick, it could easily burn you out. For example, show sympathy to your patients, but don’t spend all of your work time with just that 1 patient when you have others. Otherwise, you will have to use your free time to take care of other patients. Time management is very important, so try working on a schedule.

Develop Bonds

Bonding with your family members, friends, or partner is a step towards healthy relationships. The nursing job might take away some time that you spend with your loved ones. Make sure to set time when you spend time with people you care about. No job or other things should take away from you these moments.

Exercise

When your body is stronger, your mental health is also stronger. When you have a break, you can go on a walk. You may even go to a cafe to have a meal rather than drive in there. If the hospital has a gym, then you could consider using it. It would be very beneficial for you.

Take Breaks

You can’t help someone if you won’t take care of your needs in the first place. Make sure to have breaks in between visiting your patients. They don’t have to be too long, they should be sufficient for you to take care of your needs and have rest. Taking breaks makes sure you are in shape to help other people.

Get Enough Rest and Sleep

Sleep and rest are two basic needs of every human being. Without satisfying them, you can’t help anyone. You will be the one needing help if lack of rest and sleep develops into depression, insomnia, or some other illnesses.

Also, try to stick to positive moments in your life. Even if you have a conflict with someone, or you had an argument, don’t let negativity bug you. Try calling positive moments of the day. For example, you saw a happy mother who just had her newborn.

There is always more positivity than negativity in life, but people choose to remember negative moments. Be one of those individuals who go through positive moments of the day rather than negative situations.

We hope you found these tips for keeping a balance between life and nursing work. Do you have any ways you find balance between your personal life and work life? Comment them below.

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

START HERE

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

By Grace Hawkins

July 7, 2021

5786 Views

Tips to Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle as a Travel Nurse

Posted on July 7, 2021March 22, 2022 by Grace Hawkins

Travel nursing has many perks and challenges. And staying healthy while on the road is one of the most important of them. As a nurse, you can choose to work in different states, cities, and countries. You are constantly challenged with new organizations and are “on the move” many times throughout the year. Travel nurses face work-life changes when they sign up for different assignments. Therefore, it gets difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

But if you are already following a healthy lifestyle, staying healthy while traveling will be easy for you. And if you are someone who hasn’t found the time to acquire healthy habits, travel nursing might be the perfect opportunity to do so. All travel nurses can learn to manage stress, eat healthily and exercise while on the road with careful planning.

We have listed a few essential tips travel nurses can easily use to continue eating mindfully and maintain their health.

Always make a Plan

Anticipating the change helps and allows travel nurses to develop and prepare a plan. The plan can be as detailed as required, depending on the nurse. For example, with proper planning, it will be easy for you to identify nearby grocery stores and healthier restaurants near your assignment location. The travel nurses can even plan meals for their lunches and snacks to avoid the unhealthy foods in the cafeteria or restaurant. In the world of nursing, potlucks are pretty popular. If you are aware that potlucks can be a joint breakroom event at your assigned location, motivate other nurses to plan that as well.

Take CBD Supplements

A travel nurse schedule is a hectic one, with plenty of traveling and hectic work schedules. At such a time, CBD can be helpful. It is a stress reliever and helps to calm the mind. CBD can help promote the mental well-being of the travel nurse. It is widely used as an alternative to medication and relaxation therapies across different professions. You can buy CBD products like CBD oil, CBD hemp capsules from Weedsmart.

Drink Water

Drinking adequate water is essential. A healthy diet does not just end with food choices. Water helps in ramping up the metabolism when taken first thing in the morning. It also helps you feel full for a longer duration and helps in lubricating joints to prevent injury. Since nursing is a physical job, water is essential. Therefore, you need to drink adequate water throughout the day.

Follow a Routine

Following a routine is an efficient and good way of maintaining a healthy life. It is a practice that proved beneficial and fruitful for every person, whatever profession they might be. The schedule of the travel nurse is hectic and full of travel and duty that often leaves them fatigued and worn out. As such, it is important for you to follow a routine with healthy eating and regular exercise. Additionally, you should also resort to workouts. If the location you are traveling to doesn’t have a gym, carrying light weights, or other easily packable fitness equipment or a yoga mat can prove to be helpful. A good pair of sneakers can be a lifesaver at times. Also, a good run or jog in the morning or evening can equally prove effective. There are many free workout videos on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube to keep you fit and healthy.

Get a Fitness Buddy

If you have a friend who motivates you to stay fit, that’s an additional bonus. Teaming up with a friend is an effective way to stick to a healthy routine and diet as a travel nurse. You can have a long-time friend, a partner, family member, or even a co-worker at the new workplace as your fitness buddy. Additionally, this arrangement is a great way to strike up a friendship in an unfamiliar location. Like-minded people can help, motivate and encourage you to continue healthy habits, especially when you are beginning a new assignment. Working out with your buddy, swapping healthy recipes, sharing workout and fitness videos, or even scoping out nearby diet-friendly restaurants are excellent ways to keep each other on track.

Take Time for Yourself

As you already are aware, travel nursing can be stressful. Switching gear frequently is not easy and can also lead to setbacks. Hence, you should consider taking time off to help manage your stress. Fun activities such as continuing a hobby, going out sightseeing or exploring nearby places in your new location, and making new friends can help ease the stress. You can try out a relaxing activity like meditating, yoga, art, and journaling to help melt stress and anxiety. In addition to this, getting adequate sleep, taking time off from work, and prioritizing rest is vital in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Work as a travel nurse tests a person both mentally and physically. It is essential to maintain sanity and a healthy lifestyle to work and create a good balance between professional and personal life. We hope these tips help you put your health first and encourage you to continue to help others.

We hope you found these tips on living a healthy lifestyle helpful. If you would like to read more health and wellness articles click here.

By Gayatri Regester

May 3, 2021

4767 Views

Wellness for Warriors in Healthcare

Posted on May 3, 2021May 19, 2021 by Gayatri Regester

Wellness Warriors

As healthcare professionals, we give so much to others. For the longevity of our service to others, we must begin to give care also to ourselves.

From a place of contentment, happiness, even-mindedness, and inspiration, we are more equipped to handle stressful situations without burnout. And when we have faith in something bigger than ourselves, we carry hope even in the most difficult circumstances.

So how do we feel contentment? Even-mindedness? Happiness?

For me, it was the spiritual teaching taught by Swami Kriyananda*, “we cannot change our circumstances, but we can change how we respond to them.” The realization that I consciously have the choice to respond positively or negatively to people and circumstances. Whenever I choose to react negatively- say to get upset, hold a grudge, or some other contractive reaction, I do not feel good. On the flip side, when I choose to see compassion in others, not to let a situation rattle my inner peace, or to remain joyful even in difficult circumstances, I have a feeling of lightness.

The freedom comes from realizing that nothing and no one can affect your inner self-, the Self that is always joyful, always in a state of peace and calmness, always heart opened and filled with love. To live beyond the present moment and into the eternal now.

Swami Kriyananda explains superconscious living as “to trust one’s life to the flow of a higher wisdom.” I invite each of you to take a vow of superconscious living inwardly. Take action and see how your life is transformed!

Vow of Superconscious Living

To be true to your higher, Superconscious Self.
To be a channel of light, of blessing and love to all
To live in joy, not sorrow;
In truth, not error;
In victory, not failure
To blame no one in adversity but yourself,
And then, instead of blame, To accept responsibility,
With God’s help,
To change yourself.

*Ananda is a worldwide movement to help individuals realize the joy of their own higher Self. Ananda is based on Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings and was founded by his direct disciple Swami Kriyananda in 1968.

Thank you Wellness Warriors for all you do and are doing. We hope you found this article informational. Stay tuned for more articles from Gayatri.

By Jackson Nurse Professionals

April 26, 2021

3772 Views

Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Your Stress as a Travel Nurse?

Posted on April 26, 2021January 16, 2023 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article was provided by Jackson Nurse Professionals.

While you might love travel nursing and exploring new destinations, sometimes the stress and anxiety you experience on a day-to-day basis can make any assignment miserable. In fact, beyond your career as a nurse, travel anxiety is common; The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders reported that it’s not only brought on by commuting a long distance but also by meeting new people, putting yourself out there, and generally stepping outside of your comfort zone.

While relaxation techniques like meditation and taking long, slow breaths may help you cope with some anxiousness, acupuncture may be an alternative method to consider for longer-lasting results.

What is acupuncture?

According to the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture is a method of traditional Chinese medicine that is defined as the insertion of thin needles into the skin in specifically targeted points on the body. The idea behind acupuncture is that it has the ability to rebalance energy flow by stimulating nerves, muscles, and connective tissues within the body. It’s used to realign the body’s natural ability to heal.

Acupuncture is most commonly used to reduce symptoms of common conditions, such as tension migraines, lower back pain, neck pain, and menstrual cramps. More recently, acupuncture has been used to improve overall wellness, specifically in line with reducing stress levels and better managing anxiety. In fact, in a study released in 2021 by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, they found that “..two types of acupuncture significantly reduced survivors’ chronic pain.”

Can it help you?

Opinions vary, but Rosa N. Schnyer reports that 9 out of 10 of her clients respond positively to acupuncture. A clinical assistant professor of nursing at The University of Texas at Austin reports that her patients frequently respond with “wow!” after acupuncture treatment.

Ladan Eshkevari, Ph.D., CRNA, LAc, associate professor in the department of nursing and the department of pharmacology and physiology at GUMC, shared the potential benefits acupuncture can have on those dealing with stress and anxiety.

“The benefits of acupuncture are well known by those who use it, but such proof is anecdotal,” Eshkevari said in a press release. “This research, the culmination of several studies, demonstrates how acupuncture might work in the human body to reduce stress and pain, and, potentially, depression.”

What now?

Because results can vary from person to person, it’s better to meet with an acupuncturist and decide from there. They’ll ask about your medical history, health concerns, and symptoms you want to treat. Then, you can decide.

Travel nursing is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Maybe this is your chance to reduce your stress and anxiety while trying something new. If you do, let us know how it went!

We hope you found this information on acupuncture helpful. For more articles on wellness for travel nurses click here.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Abigail Morrissey Riordan

April 15, 2020

5269 Views

First Take Care of Yourself, Then Save the World

Posted on April 15, 2020November 10, 2023 by Abigail Morrissey Riordan

To my fellow Nurses,

You are working harder than anyone in the world right now, and you are working on behalf of the greater collective. Thank you for your compassion, for your ability to do 15 things at once, for your clinical skills, expertise, and warm heart. Thank you for sacrificing so much from your life to provide care and to advocate for those most in need. I want to thank you for showing up shift after shift. Thank you for being the cornerstone of medicine and now for being the cornerstone of our global fight against COVID-19.

I am here to advocate for you and remind you that your needs are equally as important of the patients and family members that you care for. To encourage you to take good care of yourself because now more than ever we need you to be working at your best. I am here to offer six recommendations and ways you can prioritize your needs during this global pandemic.

1. Gratitude

Make time for gratitude. Give thanks for all you have. Make your gratitude practice your own. You could practice before you go to bed and state five things you are grateful for out loud, or you could start your day by giving thanks and writing down them in a journal, or in your note app on your phone. Try to incorporate gratitude into your shift and give thanks while you wash your hands/ or sanitize them throughout the day. Practicing gratitude will increase your mindfulness, and practicing mindfulness will increase your gratitude. The two are directly linked.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness is being fully present in this moment. Being present in the moment and accepting what it is rather than trying to change or resist. Mindfulness is learning to observe your thoughts, acknowledging them and then letting them go. Seeing your thoughts and emotions like clouds in the sky, you see them and then they pass by. There are many different ways to practice mindfulness.

A Mindfulness practice you could try is taking a walk outside, and completely submerging yourself in the area you are walking through. Take your time to notice each step, engage all of your senses; hear the birds, feel the breeze, smell the grass, taste the spring air and see everything that you pass by. Another way to practice mindfulness is to connect to the breath. Find a comfortable seat, and begin to notice your inhale and exhale. Without judging the breath, just begin to become aware of it. Where do you feel the breath the most? Maybe you feel it in your chest, or maybe you feel it more in the belly. Not trying to change anything, simply become aware. Connecting to the breath is a tool that is always available to you, no matter where you are, your breath is life.

Meditation is another way to practice mindfulness.

Meditation is concentrating on one point without effort for an extended period of time. Learn to sit in silence with yourself. Different types of meditations will be better for different people. One example of a meditation is Metta Meditation or Loving Kindness meditation.

The meditation has three parts, first, you focus on cultivating feelings of love and kindness for yourself, then for someone you deeply care for and lastly for all of humanity, for all beings.

Find a quiet place and take a comfortable seat. Relax the face, the neck, and shoulders. Let your spine grow long. Silently to yourself say “May I be filled with loving-kindness. May I be well, peaceful and at ease, and be truly happy.”

Now think of someone you love and adore. Picture their image in your mind now. Silently to yourself say to this person… “May you be filled with loving-kindness. May you be well, peaceful and at ease and be truly happy.”

Now imagine your community, country and all of humanity. Visualize the entire human race in your mind. Silently in your mind send love and kindness to all of humanity by stating “May we be filled with loving-kindness. May we be well, peaceful and at ease and be truly happy.”

Feel love and kindness radiating from your heart center. Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out. When you feel ready begin to bring your attention back into the room.

Different meditations serve different purposes and will be beneficial depending on your needs. Explore the different types of meditations, play around using different apps, study with different teachers and see what works for you! Once you find a style or school you like, stick with it and become an expert!

3. Movement

On the days you are at work your body is in constant motion and working hard. When you get home, the thought of moving your body any more can seem daunting, almost laughable. Help your body recover from the strenuous day by stretching for five minutes. You could do simple yoga movements or Tai Chi. Or if you prefer, invest in a small massage tool or roller to help release areas of tightness and increase circulation to muscles that have been overworked.

On your days off use more vigorous types of exercise to help bring clarity to a busy mind, to flush out toxins from the body, and to increase mood and immunity. You might also find that you crave movement after working an overwhelming shift. Going for a run or doing 30 minutes of cardio may be what your body needs to get the adrenal from the shift out of the body.

4. Journal

If you find you are unable to let go of a conversation you had with a family member of a dying patient, or you are playing a scene or repeat in your head, grab a pen a journal and write it down. Start at the top of a new page and set a timer for 5 minutes. Write down the phrase…“I feel…” and then start writing, don’t stop until the timer goes off. Write whatever comes into your mind, even if it doesn’t make perfect sense or sound correct, write it down. This is called stream of consciousness journaling. Journaling can be very therapeutic and is another way to process the events and emotions of the shift. As nurses we are constantly assessing, caring for and looking after others’ needs. Make time to connect to your needs and feelings.

5. Nutrition and Hydration.

Don’t forget to drink water! Hydrate yourself. Create a new habit, drink water every time you sit down to chart or every time you turn a patient. Link the behavior of drinking water to something you do on your shift to make it second nature. For the love of God don’t go an entire shift without using the bathroom. If you are, you are not well hydrated. When we are dehydrated we are more likely to crave salty food and become lethargic. Staying well hydrated will encourage you to pick nutritious foods. Nutrition is what fuels the body and makes it work. Your body is a temple, treat it as such. Food can prevent or promote disease and infection. The choice is yours. Make your health a priority by focusing on your nutrition and hydration.

6. Create a Morning and Nightime Routine/ Ritual

Routines act as anchors in times of crisis. During this time of great uncertainty and increased pressure, rituals can help you feel grounded, and create a sense of stability and support.

To develop a morning ritual think of something that brings you joy or inner peace. Something that you can do for yourself, that you will be able to do every morning before you start your day, or your shift. Pick something that is healing and healthful for you. How do you want to start your morning/day/shift?

You will know best what morning ritual will be most beneficial for you.

Here are some examples though for you to get an idea.

lighting a candle and drinking a cup of hot water, set an intention for the day while watching the candle burn
Read one quote from a book of inspirational quotes and then reflect on it in a notebook
Play music and dance
Play a guided meditation and rub an essential oil blend on your neck

Once you decide what your morning ritual will be, commit to it and make it a top priority! Your morning ritual is sacred and special. Remember this is something that you are doing for yourself.

How you end your day is just as important as how you start it.

Unwind from your shift and develop a sleep ritual that will help your body get out of your sympathetic nervous system and help it transition into your parasympathetic nervous system. Give yourself time to transition from work to home, from home to sleep. Involve the senses, get rid of harsh, overhead lighting. Use smells and sounds to help elicit a sense of calm and relaxation. Connect to your body and get out of your head through movement or the breath.

Here is one example of a nighttime ritual you could use.

Stop using electronics 2 hours before you go to bed. Turn off your notifications and alarms. Set your electronics outside of the bedroom.

Dim the lights, and draw the curtains shut. If you don’t have curtains look into easy DIY blackout curtains or use an eye mask.
Make a sleep time playlist of your favorite songs or play calming music
Boil water and make a cup of hot tea or hot water.
Light a relaxing candle or turn on a diffuser with calming essential oils in your bedroom, so when you get into bed the room smells beautifully
Stretch/roll out on a foam roller
Get into bed and read a book
Practice a mindfulness technique: breath in for 4 seconds, hold the breath for 2 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat. Continue this breath pattern for several cycles of breath.

Whatever your sleep routine becomes, be consistent, perform your ritual every night. Aim to get 8-9 hours of sleep each night. Try your best to keep your sleep routine and times of waking and going to bed consistent.

These are my recommendations. This is my gift to you, an invitation to make time for yourself and to prioritize your needs. It will not come easy, it will take intention and repetition. The hospital environment and temperament of nurses will lead you to believe you are being selfish. Making time for yourself is not being selfish, this is filling your cup up before you fill someone else’s. Don’t let yourself hit empty. Take care of yourself, take good care of yourself first, and then you can continue on and save the world.

All my love,

Abby Morrissey Riordan

Additional Resources:

Meditation and Mindfulness Apps

Headspace
Insight Timer
Calm

Connect with me on www.setonshine.com

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 Melissa Davidson

June 29, 2019

16232 Views

How Do Travel Nurses Deal with Stress?

Posted on June 29, 2019May 20, 2021 by Melissa Davidson

Guest Post by: Melissa Davidson

Travel nursing is fun but it also creates unique stressful situations. How a travel nurses deal with stress can be as unique as the job itself.

It’s a good time in history to be employed as a travel nurse.

As baby boomers enter their golden years, the demand for nurses is expected to skyrocket.

By 2022, the nursing workforce is expected to grow to 3.24 million, up from 2.71 million in 2012, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Travel Nursing is Challenging

Travel nursing is a challenging, exciting and rewarding career choice, and every patient wants a professional who’s compassionate, smart, empathetic, calm and respectful – you all fit the bill. But even those nurses who are calm in stressful situations need to take care of themselves.

While job satisfaction is typically high in travel nursing, it’s still a stressful occupation given the nature of caring for others. You’re a community leader in a lot of ways, someone who creates positive change in so many ways.

Textbook tips for combating ‘compassion fatigue’ include ensuring a work-life balance, healthy eating and sleeping well, exercising, taking time for yourself, planning a trip, getting massages and pedicures, and talking to friends, family or a professional. Within their own circles, nurses will tell each other to set boundaries. Don’t work too much overtime, and be aware of signs of alcohol/drug abuse.

Here are 3 simple reminders to help travel nurses deal with stress:

Explore

If you work 12-hour shifts three days a week, that leaves four days to do fun stuff. What do you enjoy doing during that time? A recent article in Outside Magazine describes how many travel nurses incorporate adventure into their career. In fact, it’s a main motivator for some.

A 26-year-old nurse working in the ICU at the University of Utah Hospital describes skiing as her source of happiness.

“I can’t imagine working 9-to-5, five days a week, and only being a weekend warrior,” said Lucy Sackbauer. “I wanted to ski on Tuesdays when the rest of the world was at their desks.”

Travel nursing can definitely support your outdoor lifestyle. However, even if you’re not a big-time adrenaline junkie, getting out to enjoy your surroundings will increase those feel-good hormones. Going for a hike, joining a gym, and taking yoga classes are positive ways to de-stress and you’re likely to notice a difference.

Routine

Whether it’s a 4-week stint or 13, creating “normal” for you will help put balance in your life. We all need a work-life balance to maintain a sense of well-being.

On days off, are you scheduling how to productively spend time? Sleeping patterns, working out, cooking, reading, not drinking too much, cultivating gratitude are all things we need to pay attention throughout the days and weeks.

Socialize

Sometimes it’s tough to be around people, especially if you’ve given all your time and energy to dealing with patients, their families and doctors. Bonding with colleagues and meeting new friends will enrich life that much more.

Everyone needs time to recharge their batteries. Managers will often plan socialization or play for their nursing staff. Meals always bring people together, so organizing staff breakfasts or dinners is a great way to get to know your co-workers and bond. Concerts and sporting events in the area also bring people together.

Stress is one of America’s Leading Health Concerns

At the end of the day, let’s not forget that stress is one of America’s leading health concerns, which is why being proactive is so important. The American Psychological Association (APA) points to the fact the 51% of women and 43% of men in the U.S. experience the negative, physical effects of chronic stress.

In a column in the Huffington Post, David Freuedberg, the host of NPR’s Humankind, poignantly writes, “ Outnumbering physicians six to one, nurses spend more time with patients and in many ways they are the heart of American healthcare.”

Boost Your Energy

Stave Off Illness

Keep Your Weight Healthy

Help Manage Anxiety and Depression

Improve Your Sleep

Increase Your Strength

Bolster Mental Acuity

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

The A, B, Z’s of Travel Nursing – Why Sleep Matters

How Travel Nurses Can Maintain a Healthy and Affordable Diet

How Exercising Supports Your Immune System

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Environmental Wellness

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Create Space for You

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Mental Wellness

Practice Mindfulness

Self-Care Days

Talk It Out

Physical Wellness

Find Your Workout Spot

Eat Local, Cook at Home

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Social Wellness

Connect With Friends from Home

Connect With Patients

Take Yourself Out

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

Staying Healthy While On Your Fall Travel Assignment

Choosing a Travel Nurse Agency that Values Transparency

What Can Help COVID-19 Frontliners Who Are Exhausted and Overwhelmed?

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

1. Nutrient-rich Fruits And Vegetables

2. Fatty Fish

3. Lean And Plant-based Protein

4. Wraps of All Kinds

5. Green, Black, Or Oolong Tea

6. High-fiber Foods

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

7 Easy Self-Care Tips for Travel Nurses

Fitness Tips for After the Holidays: Back to Travel and Staying Healthy

Care for Yourself First: Self-Care Tips for Travel Nurses

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Tips for balancing life and nursing work.

Deal with Conflicts Immediately

Accept Certain Things

Define Your Life Goals

Healthy Lifestyle

Make It Simple

Time Management

Develop Bonds

Exercise

Take Breaks

Get Enough Rest and Sleep

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

Why it’s Important for Travel Nurses to Continue Dating

Knowing the Nurse Within

Health and Medication Issues for the Full-Time Travel Nurse

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Always make a Plan

Take CBD Supplements

Drink Water

Follow a Routine