November 8, 2024

1094 Views

Mastering Networking: Essential Strategies for Travel Nurses Seeking Opportunities

Posted on November 8, 2024November 2, 2024 by AB Staffing Solutions

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

The networking opportunities for a travel nurse are vast. You will meet other professionals in your industry in every location, from fellow nurses to specialists to hospital administrators. The connections you make can help to boost your career and broaden your horizons. 70% of all jobs are landed through networking. Of course, networking doesn’t happen automatically. It’s all too easy to get head-down in your work during each assignment and miss those golden opportunities to network. You can also network outside your travel nursing routines by reaching out and taking proactive steps to connect.

How can you fit networking into your busy schedule as a travel nurse? How can you master your professional network when seeking new opportunities? We have several useful strategies that you can incorporate into your plans to build your network and find great future jobs.

Leverage Social Media and Professional Platforms

Social media networking requires some investment in regular online activity, but many find social media discussions to be a relaxing and fun way to network.

Build a Professional Brand

Start by using LinkedIn and specialty forums to hone your professional brand. Build an online persona that is the best facet of yourself and represents who you are as a nurse. Include your professional title, specializations, and credentials on the profile page of each of your social media accounts. You can also build your professional presence by regularly answering questions and responding to discussions with practical medical truths. Choose a specific “voice” or tone and specific types of questions you often answer to define your professional brand.

Connect with Recruiters and Industry Leaders

Once you have built a professional page, begin reaching out to connect with recruiters and leaders in the healthcare industry. 84% of employers use social media for recruitment, and 86% of job seekers use social media as part of their job search. Join social media groups, discussions, and audience followings where you will become a recognized and valued member of online communities.

Attend Conferences and Workshops: Making the Most of It

In addition to traveling for your nursing assignments, you can meet even more medical industry professionals by attending conferences and workshops. These are an opportunity to build your insights and learn about the latest techniques while also meeting valuable new members of your network. 77% of business professionals find that live conferences provide the best networking opportunities. How do you make the most of your conference attendance?

Effective Networking

Don’t be shy to greet the person next to you at any moment. Go out there with the goal of making friends and connections. Chat with the person standing next to you in line, sharing a catered dinner table, or sitting with you in a workshop. Every meal is a chance to eat with a new friend; even brief conversations can end with swapping numbers or LinkedIn profiles.

Remember, everyone else is also likely looking to network, so you are helping out by being bold and friendly.

Engage with Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Don’t be shy about talking with the keynote speakers and workshop leaders. Share your most insightful thoughts or profound questions. You may earn the attention of someone with growing power in the healthcare industry, and your connection will grow stronger if you see them again at future workshops and events.

Follow Up to Nurture New Connections

Don’t forget to follow up with everyone you meet. Keep phone numbers, remember personal facts about each person, and reconnect after the conference. Send text messages, emails, and social media invites with a friendly request to keep in touch and remain networked friends. If you receive a follow-up, respond with cheer and start the conversation going again. You may earn not just network connections but also valuable new friends.

Join Professional Nursing Associations and Groups

One of the best ways to network in the modern age is to join professional groups for practicing nurses. Both official associations and online groups will give you a chance to meet and build your network with other members of the group. You might get invitations for meet-ups and have opportunities to visit your groups in person on future assignments to build a bond.

Associations for Travel Nurses

Explore different nursing associations to find those that work well for travel nurses and align with your specializations. Here are just a few that might help you get started:

American Travel Health Nurses Association (ATHNA)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
National Association of Clinic Nurse Specialists (NACNS)

Participating in Local and National Events

Once you have chosen an association (or several), keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved. Participate in local events and make plans to attend national events where you and other nurses will gather for shared training, workshops, charity causes, and more. You will discover great opportunities to network while making a name for yourself within your nursing organizations.

Networking Through Association Involvement

You can also get directly involved with your association. You can contribute to discussions, help plan events, and connect with fellow association members through shared websites and social media venues.

Build Connections with Each Travel Nursing Job

Last but not least are the valuable connections you can cultivate with each new travel nursing assignment you take. Travel nursing allows you to visit many different hospital and clinic environments all over the country. You may find yourself working in prestigious hospitals or alongside skilled specialists as a valued temporary member of the team. The friendships you build and the respect you inspire in each role can help you in the future if you make an effort to include each assignment’s colleagues as new additions to your network.

If you are looking for your next travel nursing job to grow your skills and professional horizons, we can help. AB Staffing specializes in connecting skilled travel nurses with appealing assignment opportunities in every state.

Find Your Next Travel Healthcare Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel healthcare gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities. We have opportunities for all travel healthcare professionals.

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By Alex McCoy

November 1, 2024

4293 Views

How to Decide If It’s Time to Quit Travel Nursing

Posted on November 1, 2024November 1, 2024 by Alex McCoy

Maybe you have been in the travel nursing game for ten years or maybe only a year. Regardless, there is bound to be a time when you ask yourself, “Am I ready to quit travel nursing?”. There could be a lot of factors that play into this. Maybe you met someone. Maybe you have kids. Maybe your family back home is going through a tough time. Or, maybe you have managed to find the spot where you just can’t picture yourself leaving. Here are a few signs it might be time to quit travel nursing and take a staff job:

How to Decide If It’s Time to Quit Travel Nursing:

You’re Tired

Let’s be honest: packing and moving and getting settled every three months is not for the faint of heart. Yes, travel nursing comes with a lot of perks, but it also comes with a lot of legwork. If you are dreading the upcoming move and are tired rather than excited by the idea of starting over again, it might be time to consider staying in one place for a while.

You Found Your Person or People

Friendly reminder that you are not a quitter if you decide you like having people you love nearby consistently. Sometimes, the people in a certain town or hospital snag a piece of your heart, and the idea of leaving them seems impossible. This may be a romantic partner or a group of really great friends. Either way, if you are ready to have these people in your life on a daily basis, a permanent job might be worth it!

You Miss Creature Comforts

While there are plenty of ways to make a temporary space feel more homey, it’s not the same as having your own bed that you picked out, a bathroom color that you love, or a super nice couch that you saved up for. There are a lot of comforts you certainly don’t need in your life, but if you want them, that’s okay, too! Maybe you’re ready to commit to a space for more than a few months so you can really make it feel like your own.

Your Family Needs You

Life happens. As healthcare workers, we all know that things can come up out of the blue, and sometimes, you need to be physically present with your family. The great thing about travel nursing is it will always be an option. If it’s time to go home for a bit, leverage your nursing license to your advantage and then head back to travel when the time is right.

You’ve Extended as Much as Possible and Still Don’t Want to Leave

Sometimes, your inner self is sending you signals you are refusing to acknowledge. If you find yourself eagerly extending over and over again and suddenly are stressed when the one-year mark creeps up, it might be time to commit. Don’t be afraid to leverage your time to your advantage, though–you can still make some extra money via sign-on bonuses or relocation stipends when transitioning from traveler to permanent staff.

You Want a Break From the Bedside

If you have been a bedside nurse your entire career and are ready for a change, it’s difficult to do that as a traveler. Sometimes, you can find a “unicorn” job that will allow you to try out a new specialty, but most of the time, you will have to head home and take a permanent job to do so. The good news is, you also get to pick where “home” is, so it still might feel like a new adventure!

Regardless of your reason for heading home, the reality is that most people don’t work as travel nurses forever. If you are ready to settle down, that’s okay! You might find a new specialty you love or enjoy the consistency of a permanent job. Then again, you might decide you only need a temporary reprieve and hit the road again when you are ready!

We hope you found this article on how to decide if it’s time to quit travel nursing helpful. Are you on the fence about whether you should quit travel nursing or not? Tell us what keeps you travel nursing in the comments below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Travel Nurses Inc.

October 31, 2024

997 Views

Untold Stories from the ER: A Sticky Situation

Posted on October 31, 2024September 20, 2024 by Travel Nurses Inc.

Travel Nurses Inc. provided this article.

There’s never a dull moment during Halloween in the emergency department. Depending on what day Halloween falls on, there could be people in costumes for days leading up to the holiday.

Walking out into the lobby to call a patient back is like walking out to a costume party. It’s entertaining when people come in a group, and they’re all dressed cohesively. For example, you may walk out to a group of female college students dressed as a six-pack of your favorite seltzers. Or perhaps Ken is here for a sprained ankle in a Barbie and Ken duo.

But today’s story from Travel Nurses, Inc. involves an angel and a very unfortunate mix-up.

Untold Stories from the Emergency Department: A Sticky Situation

Sealy Crider, RN, was working in the emergency department one Halloween night a few years back. She went to the lobby to call back her next patient when an angel stood up. But this was not your typical angel—this was a Victoria’s Secret angel decked out with giant wings, perfect nails, and everything.

Sealy noticed this patient had glitter all over, and her friend guided her back to the room. This was a little odd, but Sealy wrote it off because she had seen many things in her days as an ER nurse.

Once they were in the room, Sealy began her assessment and asked what brought this angel to the emergency department. At that moment, Sealy began to realize what was going on. This was a college student who was getting ready to go out to a Halloween party. Being in a college town, this was pretty typical for Halloween in Sealy’s ED.

The patient was drinking while getting ready for the party and made a pretty big mistake. She was wearing press-on nails and put on her nails a few hours before starting her make up. However, she did not put her supplies away.

When she went to put her eyelashes on, she accidentally used her nail glue instead of her eyelash glue.

By the time she realized her mistake, it was too late. In a haste after realizing she used the wrong glue, she tried wiping the glue off her hands on her skin. At this point, the glitter from her outfit was on her skin. It was a mess, and after a few seconds, her eyes were glued shut.

With this explanation in mind, Sealy was able to alert the providers, and they immediately got to work. After a few hours of work, they were able to soak the glue off, and the patient was able to walk out of the hospital.

Who knows if she still went to the party, but she vowed to triple-check her glues moving forward. If you have a crazy story from working in the ER on Halloween, send Travel Nurses, Inc. an email. They would love to hear your stories. You can email them at hello@travelnursesinc.com.

Do you have any crazy Halloween stories from your travel adventures? If you would like to share your crazy Halloween stories with the TGN readers comment them below.

Happy Halloween from Travel Nurses, Inc.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your housing search.

By Titan Medical

October 30, 2024

1124 Views

Leveling Up: How Strategic Travel Assignments Build Your Nursing Expertise

Posted on October 30, 2024October 25, 2024 by Titan Medical

Titan Medical Group provided this article.

One of the greatest advantages of travel nursing is the opportunity to develop specialized skills by working at top-tier facilities across the country. Each hospital, clinic, or specialty unit offers unique learning experiences that allow travel nurses to deepen their expertise and expand their knowledge in ways that a single permanent position might not provide. By choosing travel assignments strategically, every stop along the way can serve as a stepping stone toward advancing your career.

4 strategic travel assignments to build your nursing expertise:

Neuro-Heavy ICU Travel Assignments

For instance, working in a neuro-heavy ICU can sharpen your understanding of stroke care, neurotrauma, and advanced brain monitoring systems. This can give you an edge when applying for future roles. Facilities with comprehensive stroke centers or brain and spine institutes provide hands-on experience with critical neurological conditions, offering significant opportunities to grow in this area.

Similarly, if cardiac care is your passion, targeting cardiology-focused units can take your skills to the next level. Nurses in these environments gain exposure to advanced procedures like heart transplants, post-op cardiac care, and technologies such as LVADs. For example, at Titan Medical, we often refer travelers with strong cardiac backgrounds to the University of Louisville. They are a leading cardiac center with a variety of opportunities for nurses to work alongside top specialists and deepen their expertise.

Level I trauma center assignments

Travel assignments at Level I trauma centers are another excellent way to build skills, especially for nurses who thrive in high-pressure environments! These facilities expose nurses to critical situations, from gunshot wounds to severe motor vehicle accidents, refining their ability to make quick decisions and apply trauma protocols effectively. On the other hand, rural hospital travel assignments may seem less glamorous but provide unparalleled experience in autonomy and critical thinking. With fewer resources and staff, rural nurses manage a wide range of cases independently, often juggling multiple specialties within a single shift. This type of experience builds confidence and clinical versatility, making it a valuable addition to any nurse’s resume.

Academic medical centers offer yet another path for growth!

These institutions are often on the cutting edge of medical research and innovation. Travel nurses assigned to these hospitals benefit from access to ongoing education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship opportunities. Many academic hospitals, such as Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins, encourage nurses to attend lectures, participate in medical rounds, and engage with complex cases. This allows for both learning and leadership development. For those interested in family-centered care, travel assignments at pediatric hospitals or maternal health units offer experience in areas like neonatal care, labor and delivery, and pediatric intensive care. Facilities such as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital or Texas Children’s Hospital are ideal for nurses looking to specialize in these fields!

Travel assignments at magnet-designated hospitals

Working at Magnet-designated hospitals can also be a game-changer for travel nurses, as these facilities prioritize excellence and evidence-based practices. Magnet hospitals not only foster professional growth but also provide leadership opportunities. Nurses working at institutions like Cleveland Clinic or New York Presbyterian gain exposure to innovative practices and benefit from a collaborative environment that emphasizes professional development.

At Titan Medical, we understand that every travel assignment is more than just a paycheck—it’s an opportunity to grow and learn. That’s why we guide our travelers toward travel assignments that align with their goals, whether they want to develop neuro expertise, build cardiac skills, or gain trauma experience. With our knowledge of the industry and strong relationships with top facilities, we help nurses find the right travel assignments to match their ambitions. No matter where you want your career to go, there’s a travel assignment that can help you get there. At Titan Medical, we’re here to help you strategically build your skillset, one travel assignment at a time.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Favorite Healthcare Staffing

October 16, 2024

875 Views

9 Simple Budgeting Tips for Travel Nurses

Posted on October 16, 2024October 9, 2024 by Favorite Healthcare Staffing

Favorite Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

When you travel to exciting places so frequently for your job, it can start to feel like a vacation. This can often lead to overspending, as many people become more willing to spend their money when on vacations or just when traveling in general. Because of this, we have some useful budgeting tips to help you budget appropriately while on your travel nurse assignments.

9 Simple Budgeting Tips for Travel Nurses:

1. Set goals for how much you want to save and spend

By setting attainable goals, this can help you stay more in control of your finances. After earning each paycheck, it’s wise to have a set percentage that you consistently put in a savings account. It also wouldn’t hurt to keep track of what you’re spending your money on. Once you figure out what you spend most of your money on, you can decide how much you want to spend each month. For instance, you might dedicate $250 to food, $150 to entertainment, and so on. By doing this, you’ll be able to stay on top of your budget in a much simpler way.

2. Utilize coupons

Next time you get coupons in the mail, don’t toss them. Use them! You can save a decent bit of money each month by taking advantage of the many coupons you can find. The Groupon app is also great for people who love to save coupons. With Groupon, you can find hundreds of coupons for restaurants, events, classes, and so much more! While you’re in the app store, take a look at other helpful budgeting apps, such as PocketGuard or Monarch.

3. Search for travel destinations that are within your budget

Don’t travel somewhere overly expensive, like Naples, Florida, or the Hamptons, if you know it probably won’t work with your budget. This isn’t to say that you can’t still go to scenic locations with many things to do. Just try to stay within your price range by looking up locations and the average cost of traveling there beforehand.

4. Meal prep to save money

We know – eating out when traveling is a must. However, if you simply limit going out to eat to about two meals a week, you’ll still be able to try the local cuisine while staying on budget. Meal prepping is a great way to save money. Choose a meal that you enjoy, make prep day enjoyable with your favorite album or podcast, and voila! You’re easily saving money! Another way to minimize unnecessary spending is by making your own coffee. Your favorite Starbucks order may be calling your name, but try not to answer it.

5. Take advantage of the benefits offered by your agency

Depending on the staffing agency you work with, you probably have benefits that you should be utilizing. For instance, if your company offers a stipend, take advantage of it! At Favorite Healthcare Staffing, we offer a variety of benefits, such as continuing education programs, 401k plans, health insurance plans, and much more!

6. Find affordable housing

Since you’ll probably be working a lot and sightseeing, try not to spend a crazy amount of money on where you stay. There are actually many affordable options in safe areas that you can find on apps and websites like Vrbo or Airbnb. Depending on how long you plan to stay, you could also stay in a hotel if that’s more your speed. Either way, there are a lot of options to consider when looking at housing for your next travel nurse destination.

7. Try to use as many travel nurse discounts as possible.

One of the perks of being a travel nurse is that you get discounts! Do your research and ask around to find them so you can save money wherever possible. Nurses, in general, get a few discounts here and there, too, so be sure to use them as frequently as you can.

8. Find more affordable modes of transportation.

If you didn’t bring your car with you on your travel nurse assignment, then consider biking, walking, or taking the bus to your shift. Granted, this all depends on how far the healthcare facility is from where you’re staying and how safe the area is. If it’s close and safe enough, then why not use a cheaper alternative to driving or having to rent a car?

9. Pick one thing to splurge on.

As previously mentioned, it can be easy to spend your money when you travel. Choosing only one thing to splurge on for your travel nurse assignment will help you stay in control of your spending. Whether that be on a few nice meals, a well-deserved shopping trip, or a concert, you’ll be able to partake in a fun activity while also staying within your budget.

We know it can be easy to get carried away when spending your money on your travels. You can still have the adventure of a lifetime without making it too costly. We hope these budgeting tips help all travel nurses who are headed off to their next assignment soon. Do you have any budgeting tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below. If you want to book your next travel nurse assignment, search our open jobs today!

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Amber Pickler

October 10, 2024

15155 Views

“Patient Gossip” When Do Social Media Posts Violate HIPAA

Posted on October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 by Amber Pickler

Adhering to HIPAA guidelines and rules is of the utmost importance to a healthcare professional. However, with technology and social media, this isn’t always easy. Social media platforms are great ways to interact with other travel nurses and make friends with nurses on the other side of the world. They’re also a great tool for keeping in touch with family and friends while away on an assignment.

Social media continues to grow. The number of social media users in 2018 was 3.196 billion, up 13 percent from the previous year. For many travel nurses, social media has become a place to “vent” or share experiences. But at what point does “venting” or sharing become HIPAA violations?

The HIPAA Privacy Rule prohibits the use of PHI on social media networks. That includes; any text about specific patients and images or videos that could result in a patient being identified. It is easy to think you aren’t doing any harm because you aren’t mentioning names; however, certain details could give away who is being discussed. There have been instances where only slight details were given in the post, but that was enough for others and even the media to pick up on who was being discussed.

Some of the things you witness are hard to keep to yourself.

Wanting to share these experiences is understandable. With social media at our fingertips, it is typically the place we turn to first, thanks to our phones. Even if it is a “private” post, it isn’t always private. People often screenshot posts and share them on their own.

While you may not mention where the experience happened, if you have your place of employment listed on your profile or shared your most recent assignment, it won’t be hard to figure out where it happened. All it takes is one person to tip that hospital or facility off that you posted something. That could put your assignment and license in jeopardy, but you could also face fines.

Know the difference between personal and professional use.

Personal use of social media is often referred to as social media use on an account that is registered to an individual that is not used for business purposes.

Professional use is generally using social media for approved business purposes on behalf of an account registered to an organization, practice, or provider. You may have language in place in a social medial policy that states if personal use of social media is or is not permitted during business hours. Your policy may also explain the professional use of social media on behalf of the organization, practice, or provider; in other words, who should post, who should update, what should be posted, etc.

Understand if there are any risks involved with what you are about to post.

Whether posting on your personal account or a professional account, it is important to understand any risks. For example, if you post something, there may be a risk of receiving negative feedback from the public. There may be a risk of sharing proprietary information or content that could get into the hands of someone with malicious intent. Some tips to mitigate risk include posting accurate information, respectfully disagreeing with negative comments, etc.

Just recently, the power of social media has been on full display. Social media allows information to be communicated almost instantly to a broad audience and may be communicated worldwide. Understand when you work for a professional organization, what you post on your personal social media sites may potentially have an impact on your professional reputation. Before you post, consider if anything you are sharing could impact you, your patient’s privacy, or your organization in any way.

Social media can be a great way to improve patient care and coordination. However, if it isn’t used with caution, HIPAA violations can happen. As a federal mandate, all healthcare facilities have HIPAA Privacy and security policies in place. Familiarize yourself with these. They will tell you what you should or should not be posting about on social media.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers some advice on posting on social media as well.

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

START HERE

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

By Annie Rueb

October 3, 2024

11092 Views

Travel Nursing as a Family: All About Consistency, Homeschooling, and Exploring

Posted on October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 by Annie Rueb

Travel Nursing as a Family: How do we make it work?

This is one of the most frequent questions that we get. The thing is, we didn’t know the answer to this question until we started doing it. And honestly, we’re still figuring it out. We knew what we wanted to do, but it was hard to imagine that it would actually happen. Literally picturing it in our heads seemed to be nearly impossible. It was hard to believe that we would actually pick up our lives and go. Leaving behind a great home, great neighbors, a great school with wonderful teachers, and amazing family and friends.

But we did it, and it is going better than we could have ever imagined. There are certainly hard days. There are certain adjustments to make and things that constantly need to be figured out. But for us, it’s all about the bigger picture. And making travel nursing as a family work is half the fun.

But really, how do we make travel nursing as a family work?

We feel like it is all about consistency, homeschooling, and exploring.

Consistency is key for making travel nursing as a family work:

We are both nurses. We’ve tossed around the idea of both of us taking an assignment, working opposites, and making the big bucks. But that isn’t the point, at least not for us. We decided a long time ago that consistency would be key for the kids. We decided it would be best for Sam to take the travel nurse contracts and for me to stay at home, homeschool the kids, and do my work virtually. We wanted consistency so the kids would know who would be working and who would be at home. We also wanted a consistent teacher for them.

Going back and forth would be difficult for all of us. Having a consistent home is another decision that we are so glad to have made. As a travel nurse, you can choose for your agency to provide housing for you or choose to accept a housing stipend and provide your own housing. We chose to buy an RV so that our home would be consistent too.

Our entire family, including the dogs, has a consistent place to call home. We also wanted to have consistent days off together every week. It is a great feeling to tell the kids that we will have time to explore something new every week and do things together as a family. So overall, being consistent has become a very important part of our ever-changing lives.

Homeschooling:

In regards to making decisions about how to educate your kids is not easy. We understood there to be several different options for us as we left the traditional public school that we were in. Looking at our options (online public school, online private school, online homeschool, or traditional homeschool), we quickly decided that a more traditional approach to homeschool would be best for us. We wanted the freedom of being able to be on our own schedule. We take a week off now and then when we are traveling, exploring something new, having visitors, or just needing a break.

One year into this, we feel like we are finally in a good rhythm. We are accustomed to a more “year-round school” approach and are thoroughly enjoying the freedom. They have school approximately 4 days a week, and it mostly entails language arts, reading, and math. We incorporate a lot of science, history, art, STEM, music, PE, etc.… into our daily lives. Everywhere we go, we are naturally talking about the terrain, the native lands, historical landmarks, all while we are hiking and climbing and walking around the very places we are discussing.

Don’t get me wrong; I do not magically create incredible lesson plans with the perfect field trip in mind to a nearby location. We honestly just go with it, and it’s incredible how much we are all figuring out together.

Exploring:

This is it, our bread and butter, our number one reason for doing this. We take advantage of our days off. We feel the finite amount of time we have in each location, so no destination can be put on hold or held off to a more convenient time. As soon as we get somewhere new, we start asking the people around us for tips and advice on their favorite spots to hang out, hike, camp, go for walks, or play with their kids. It is amazing what doors this simple, friendly conversation can open.

We also love to open up a map and find something green or blue on it and find the road or trail that takes us there. It is such an incredible feeling watching our kids turn into true adventurers, and we are so lucky to be able to explore alongside them.

In a lot of ways, we live a crazy lifestyle. There are so many unknowns, a lot of pros and cons, and a ton of change. We left for this adventure over a year ago when our kids were 6 and 8. We love the ages that they are right now…old enough to explore and exercise their independence, but young enough to still think their parents are cool. I wonder how much time we have left for the latter?

We hope you found this information from Annie and her family on Travel Nursing as a family helpful. Consistency seems to be key. Do you travel with your family? How do you make it work? Comment below any tips or advice you have to share.

By CareerStaff Unlimited

October 2, 2024

887 Views

5 Benefits of the Travel Nurse Lifestyle

Posted on October 2, 2024September 17, 2024 by CareerStaff Unlimited

CareerStaff Unlimited provided this article.

Travel nursing is no longer just a way for healthcare facilities to fill urgent positions. These days, it’s an opportunity for nurses to get paid to travel, work hard, play hard, and rest hard! It’s a unique career where you can pick your schedule, fight burnout, and explore new places. The travel nurse lifestyle has evolved a lot in the past few years, and the benefits are better than ever.

Day in the Life of a Travel Nurse

During Your Shifts

During your shifts, you’ll adapt to your new facility, gaining fresh skills, experiences, and connections. Depending on your role, you might float between departments to support staff needs.

While the dynamics may vary, you’ll quickly settle into a routine after orientation and training. Your main focus remains caring for your patients, just as you always have, with the added excitement of learning in a new environment.

Before & After Your Shifts

Before or after your shift, the day is yours to plan. Some days, you might prefer to rest and recharge in your new surroundings. On others, you could explore the area, sample local cuisine, visit museums, or relax at a nearby park or lake.

On Your Days Off

On your days off, the possibilities expand even further. Turn your days off into a staycation or a quick getaway.

Unplug with a day trip to the beach, mountains, or a national park.
Catch a ballgame, go to a concert, or visit an amusement park.
Take a road trip to a nearby city or destination.

The travel nurse lifestyle is the perfect balance of work and play, and you have the freedom to choose what that looks like. Your days off can feel like mini-vacations if you want them to be!

5 Benefits of Today’s Travel Nurse Lifestyle

1. More Flexibility

Sometimes, you just need a break. As a travel nurse, that’s entirely possible. You can take a few weeks or even months off between assignments — whatever you need.

Whether you want to jump right back into work or take your time, the travel nurse lifestyle helps combat the burnout that affects 2 in 3 nurses today. You can work with your travel nurse recruiter to try and align your breaks with holidays or vacations if you want.

During this time off, you might travel and explore your new area without the demands of work, focus on self-care, or spend quality time with family and friends. The best part? The choice is entirely yours.

2. Travel & Explore New Areas

As a staff nurse, finding time to travel can be a big challenge. But with the travel nurse lifestyle, it’s built into the job.

You can play tourist in your new city between assignments and on your days off. Explore local favorites, visit landmarks, and unwind in nature.

Picture this: A few months surrounded by the gorgeous fall colors on the East Coast, then heading off for snowy mountain adventures — or maybe escaping to a warm beach to avoid the cold. You get to choose assignments that fit your travel dreams.

3. Build Your Nursing Resume

One of the fastest ways to gain experience is through new experiences. As a travel nurse, you’ll quickly learn new skills, expand your network, and build confidence by working in different medical settings. You’ll get exposure to various specialties, settings, and methods, broadening your perspective and abilities.

The more you open your mind to new ways of thinking and practicing, the more career opportunities you’ll discover.

4. Earn More

The numbers are clear: Travel nurses usually earn more than staff nurses. The exact pay depends on the job and location. However, because travel nurses fill urgent needs, they tend to make higher wages. On top of that, they often get extra perks like travel and housing stipends, which add to their overall income.

5. You Aren’t Stuck

Assignments typically last about 13 weeks, so you’re never “stuck” with a particular schedule, role, or setting. If you don’t enjoy an assignment, you know it’s temporary. Unlike the significant commitment of quitting a permanent position, the travel nurse lifestyle allows you to explore different work environments and see what you like or dislike. It can help you decide where you want to be long-term in your career.

Choose Your Lifestyle as a Travel Nurse

We hope you found this article on the 5 benefits of the travel nurse lifestyle helpful. Are there any other benefits we missed? Comment below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Do you need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By Furnished Finder

September 29, 2024

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Pros & Cons of Renting a Room vs. a Whole Place on Your Next Assignment

Posted on September 29, 2024September 26, 2024 by Furnished Finder

When you first start your travel nurse adventure, a good thing to focus on is your why. Why are you traveling? Do you want to save money? Pay off debt? See and experience new places? Your why will be the guide for how you make decisions, especially when it comes to location and housing, especially renting a room vs. a whole house.

Travel nurse housing is super flexible these days, and you can usually find many options to fit your budget and preferences. Thanks to tools like Furnished Finder, you can find the perfect private home or rent a room from someone if you are trying to be more budget-friendly. There are, of course, pros and cons to renting a room or a whole place.

Pros of Renting a Room vs. a Whole Place

Saving Money
- This is the most obvious reason, but still important. If your goal while travel nursing is to maximize profit, sharing a room is a great way to do that.
Making Friends
- Hopefully, you will hit it off with your roommate and can either meet people through them or at least have someone to chat with when you are at home. This can make a big difference when you know absolutely no one in a new place.
The Space May Be Nicer
- If the house is the landlord’s personal home, they will usually furnish and decorate a place they live in in a way that is nicer than a separate rental. Often, rental spaces can feel a little generic or have less homey touches, but if you are living with your roommate, the space might be a little more spruced up.
You Might Score a Semi-Private Space
- If you take the time to look, you can find places that still have things like a private bath or small kitchenettes listed as a “room for rent.” These are often cheaper than an entire space but may be perfect if you don’t cook a lot or don’t mind going to the main part of the house on occasion.

Cons of Renting a Room vs. a Whole Place

Pets are Trickier
- Again, if the housing is the landlord’s personal home, they might be more hesitant to host a pet if they are living with said pet every day. Or, other pets in the household may not be friendly to your furry friend tagging along.
Less Privacy
- If you want to come home and lounge on the couch in your underwear after a day at work, renting a room may not be the best option for you.
Visitor Restrictions
- If you are staying in a room in the landlord’s personal home, they may not allow guests. Just because a landlord is willing to host travelers in their home does not mean they are willing to host friends or relatives who come to visit. If your family, boyfriend, or kids like to come visit regularly, it might get trickier if you have to coordinate visits with your landlord’s comfort.
Night Shift Might Be Harder
- If you are a light sleeper and work nights, you may want to check if potential roommates will be home a lot during the day. Sleep is so important–so make sure you won’t be suffering on empty for 13 weeks.

Thankfully, Furnished Finder’s search option makes it easy to find the space that has the right amenities and living situation for you. For example, if you have a very strict budget, you can do a general search and see what is available in terms of Entire Units and Rooms.

Or, if you prioritize privacy over everything else, you can choose to only look at Entire Units when you are searching for housing for your next assignment.

Better yet–if you are looking to find someplace that might feel impossible, you can use the various filters to narrow down your search even more. For example, you might be moving somewhere typically more expensive, like the Bay Area, and want to bring your pet. You can go in and specifically look for Rooms for Rent that are also pet-friendly. The beauty of Furnished Finder is there are a lot of ways to narrow down your search to find the perfect midterm rental for your next travel assignment.

Every traveler will have different housing needs–and these might even change from assignment to assignment. Some travelers might meet their best friend via a roommate situation, while others would never in a million years share a home with a stranger. The important thing is to choose the housing that is the best for you and your situation!

We hope you found this article on renting a room vs. a whole place helpful. Do you prefer renting a room or a whole house? Do you have any other pros or cons of renting a room or a whole place? Comment below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

Leverage Social Media and Professional Platforms

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Effective Networking

Engage with Keynote Speakers and Workshop Leaders

Follow Up to Nurture New Connections

Join Professional Nursing Associations and Groups

Associations for Travel Nurses

Participating in Local and National Events

Networking Through Association Involvement

Build Connections with Each Travel Nursing Job

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You’re Tired

You Found Your Person or People

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1. Set goals for how much you want to save and spend

2. Utilize coupons

3. Search for travel destinations that are within your budget

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7. Try to use as many travel nurse discounts as possible.

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