There are many factors that go into the decision to accept a travel nurse job, but one of the first questions most nurses ask is: How much will I get paid? However, the answer to that question isn’t always as clear and simple as it should be.
When you receive an offer from a travel nursing agency, it’s important to ask clarifying questions and dig deeper to make sure you understand what you’re getting. Not all offers are created equal, and you may end up disappointed if you don’t know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Here are three common travel nurse pay pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. An offer that isn’t really an offer
Once you’ve shown interest or have spoken to a recruiter, some agencies will send you a letter that looks like an offer — look closely because it may not be. Instead, it may just be a generic pay package that doesn’t take your personal preferences or situation into consideration.
“Sometimes nurses think an email they received is an offer, but it’s generic to everyone,” says Michele Kluger, a senior recruiter with RNnetwork. “I hear this a lot, and I recommend they send me the letter. I can help them clarify what it means, and then we can calculate what they’d actually earn with RNnetwork.”
RNnetwork works diligently to come up with a compensation package that’s customized to each nurse’s situation. Senior recruiter Chris Georgiou says it may take a few extra minutes on the phone with your recruiter, but by the end of the conversation, you’ll know exactly what you’re going to get paid.
“It’s best to be as specific as possible,” he says. “That way, you know exactly what you’re going to earn for that specific assignment.”
2. More hours than you signed up for
It goes without saying that before you accept an assignment, you should read the offer thoroughly. One issue that comes up again and again, Kluger says, is you were quoted a weekly pay that looked attractive but was higher only because you ended up working more hours than you anticipated.
Some agencies may not be as transparent as they should be in this regard, and you’ll only discover this after you begin your assignment. Kluger gives an example of someone who began working for another agency: “The nurse didn’t notice, and it wasn’t clearly communicated, that the wages being quoted were for a 48-hour work week rather than a 36-hour work week.”
You may be making the promised weekly pay, but you’ll be working more hours than you planned to earn it.
3. Overdoing the non-taxable reimbursements
Travel nurses’ paychecks, at their most elemental level, are comprised of three buckets: hourly, taxable wages; per diem; and housing (or housing reimbursement). Per diem and housing are non-taxable reimbursements but are still part of the total compensation package. RNnetwork offers a custom compensation package whereby nurses can work with their recruiter to determine how they’d like to split up their compensation into these buckets.
For example, some nurses choose to take a higher hourly taxable wage, then a lower stipend and/or per diem. Another nurse may choose a lower hourly taxable wage but a higher housing and per diem. In either scenario, the gross compensation is the same. The only difference is how much of your compensation is taxable vs. non-taxable reimbursement.
Some agencies may try to entice you with offers of lower taxable wages and really high non-taxed compensation to inflate your take-home pay. Be wary of this: Accepting an excessively low taxable hourly wage — what Kluger refers to as a “babysitter’s” wage — could set you up for tax penalties later on. RNnetwork is committed to never going below a reasonable hourly wage because we don’t want to expose you to higher risk down the road if you were audited by the IRS.
Open and honest is best
There are a lot of factors that come into play when considering travel nurse pay and how it works. It may initially seem confusing, but when you connect with an experienced recruiter, they should work diligently to be transparent, open, and honest — and help you to secure the perfect job with the best compensation package possible.
With a looming staffing shortage on the horizon and a high demand for temporary placement, it is no mystery that more healthcare professionals are flocking to travel nursing. After all, in recent years, the job has provided professionals the opportunity to gain wide and varied experience quickly, offered them a chance to see different cities and towns, and helped organizations quickly cover gaps in their roster.
Moreover, travel nursing has become an effective solution to healthcare provider burnout. A source of recurring work and a gold mine of experience, it can be one of the most rewarding choices a healthcare provider can make. If you’re an HP who has recently chosen travel nursing as your career, it is normal to feel nervous about your first day. Here are some ways to help manage that stress as a rookie travel nurse.
Study Up
In the weeks or months leading to your first assignment, it’s a good idea to research the cities and facilities where you will be working. A staffing agency can help you filter out facilities that don’t meet your criteria and ensure you end up with the team that suits your skills. You can also do this yourself, using online ratings and speaking with other providers who have worked there. There is an urban myth that accruing true, consistent experience as a travel nurse is hard, but with a little research, you can get positions at the right facilities and compile a list of references from the best organizations all over the country.
Preparation is Key
The day before you begin working at your new facility, make sure to lay out all your necessities, including your equipment bag, your uniform, ID badges, and any documentation you might require. Being in a rush on your first day is the last thing you want, so make it as easy as possible for yourself. If you’re big on breakfast, make something that is easy to reheat, so you don’t have to spend a ton of time frantically putting together a meal. If you’re not a big fan of the first meal of the day, don’t skip it. You’re going to need the energy! Instead, opt for a nutritional shake or a cereal bar with plenty of protein. Remember to take a water bottle. Staying hydrated can help with energy levels and general wellness.
It Pays to Be Kind
One of the biggest sources of anxiety for first-time travel nurses is the potential demeanor of the facility’s on-site team toward traveling providers. While there is no surefire way to tell if the atmosphere at your new workplace will be friendly, it pays to lead with kindness. In most situations, other providers will base their reactions on your skills, not your role in the healthcare industry. If you are still nervous, there are staffing concierge solutions available that can help you vet a facility or hospital. However, every service has its limits. In the end, the best way to test out whether a position is right for you is to jump in, feet first. If the experience doesn’t live up to your expectations, remember that you’re a travel nurse. None of this needs to amount to a long-term commitment to a team or facility. The fact that you can give a test run to organizations – and even entire specialties – is a strength, not a weakness!
Exercise Your Curiosity
When you arrive at your new workplace, don’t be scared to ask questions. It’s better to confirm verbally and publicly something that seems obvious than find out later that you’re not equipped to perform a task because you assumed incorrect information. Travel nursing is about providing consistency to organizations that need coverage, so do your best to remain informed of their procedures and workflow so that you can best help the existing team.
Focus on the Fun
Don’t forget that half of your title is nursing, but the other is traveling. Don’t be afraid to explore the new city or town you work in – it’s one of the reasons many travel nurses seek out the role in the first place! Meet new people, explore parks, and visit museums. Fully immerse yourself in new cultures and experiences during your time off, and your shift won’t feel so overwhelming when it does come back around.
Final Note: Confidence is Everything
Remember that being a travel nurse is no less important than being a local nurse. Your role might be slightly different, but you are just as necessary for the proper functioning of an organization. So, tackle your first day with confidence! Use your strengths, be honest about your weaknesses, and collaborate with your team to compensate for them.
As we mentioned previously, travel nursing provides a balanced opportunity. On the one hand, you have access to relatively consistent work. On the other, you can see new places. You’ve made the right choice, so remind yourself of all the personal reasons why this works for you. Then, go out and do what you do best! We’re rooting for you!
We hope you found these tips for rookie travel nurses helpful. Do you have any tips to share with rookie travel nurses? Comment them below.
Lots of times, nurses think they can only be travel nurses if they’re travel nursing on their own. Either they’re single or leave their families and spouses at home while they go off on an adventure alone. If you’re interested in travel nursing with a family, see how these travelers make it work.
Travel Nursing with Your Family: How Others Make it Work:
Travel Nursing With a Partner Who’s a Remote Worker
If your partner is a remote worker, they may be able to join you on the road. One of the positive things that came out of the pandemic was how common remote work became for office workers. Before 2020, a lot of companies were against remote working, thinking that employees needed to be in the office to work effectively, but many have loosened that requirement. If your partner can easily work from anywhere, you’ve got a built-in travel buddy.
If your partner is traveling with you, check to make sure your housing is work-from-home friendly. This might be a corporate housing apartment or private Airbnb, so your partner can easily work during the day. Before you book your housing arrangements, make sure that there’s strong WIFI that’s included so you don’t end up spending money each day upgrading your WIFI.
Travel Nursing with a Partner Who’s a Travel Healthcare Pro
If you and your partner are both healthcare professionals, it will take a little extra work to make sure you’re both in the same city and even more if you want to be at the same facility with the same shifts. One way to do this is to use the same recruiter as a resource. If you’re a travel nurse and your partner is a lab tech, make sure you’re working with an agency that has both types of contracts.
Traveling PTs Kari and Tyler love traveling together because they always have a buddy to explore a new area.
“Having each other never makes you feel too far from home because you always have your person ‘home’ with you. However, it can be difficult to find two assignments at the same time. What makes it more difficult for us is that we are a little pickier about setting and location. We see pair jobs pop up often, but not always in settings we are willing to work. Having a recruiter who knows your interests and has your best interests in mind is key to being successful as a travel duo,” said Kari.
Travel Nursing With Kids
If you’re travel nursing with a partner and kids, you’ll want to look for housing near some kid-friendly activities, especially if you’re only taking one car while on assignment. You’ll definitely want to look for an apartment or at least a hotel suite with a separate sleeping area for your kiddo, so you have a place to relax if you’re working long hours or nights. Traveler Cindy travels with her husband and small daughter and suggests Furnished Finder after finding scams on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
One of Cindy’s favorite things about traveling with her family is the ability to explore new places as well as looking for a permanent place to call home.
“We love to explore the new city, museums, aquariums, zoos, parks, and the best restaurants and ice cream parlors. We are looking for our next place to live permanently and want to experience as many parts of the country that we have interest in as we can,” said Cindy.
Traveling gives Cindy’s husband, James, the freedom to attend online school while staying home to care for their little girl. She sometimes attends preschool, which gives her some interaction with other kids while allowing James time to focus on his studies while Cindy’s working. It’s an arrangement that takes a little effort but is well worth it, according to Cindy.
Travel Nursing With a Pet
Your four-legged buddies can be just as much of your family, but it can make finding housing more difficult, especially if your pet is bigger. Traveling PT Kari says their dog Spencer also has a vet in almost every state. He’s been rushed to the emergency vet after a snake attack in Louisiana, sprayed by a skunk, and even taken into work.
“The best part about traveling with a pet is having someone who is always so happy to see you! It is also great to see how much he loves to explore new places—he loves to adventure as much as we do. He is our little piece of home that is always with us,” said Kari.
Are you interested in travel nursing with your family? Triage staffs the best and brightest travel nursing, laboratory, radiology, cardiopulmonary, and rehab therapy professionals in facilities across the country. Visit our job board of travel nurse jobs, many with pay listed.
Travel nursing has taken off in a big way recently, offering more opportunities than ever before. But as more nurses pursue the traveler lifestyle, employers have sometimes become a little more selective. For new or experienced nurses new to traveling, just how hard is it to get your first travel nursing job in 2023?
What to Know About Travel Nursing in 2023
Always a favorite career for adventure seekers and those looking for new experiences, travel nursing is now appealing to many other types of people, too. From nurses who want the flexibility of working as contractors to those driven to help communities in need, travel nursing offers some pretty rewarding outcomes. Alongside visiting exciting destinations across the country, there are multiple reasons why nurses are going mobile!
If those benefits sound good to you, you’re not alone. More nurses are pursuing travel nursing jobs than ever. But the good news is that there are also more opportunities than ever. After the Covid-19 pandemic, many employers started using more travel nurses as contingency staff — a trend that will likely continue into the foreseeable future.
The not-so-good news is that travel nursing jobs aren’t always so easy to land, especially in great facilities or popular locations. As more and more nurses choose to travel, the average experience goes up. As a result, new nurses may find themselves competing with many other, more qualified applicants.
Checklist: How to Get Your First Travel Nursing Job
With that in mind, what should people new to travel nursing understand about working as a traveler? What steps do you need to take to get your first travel nursing job?
✓ Earn your degree. Any type of nursing job begins with getting the right education. For RNs, that means an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited university. For LPNs, LVNs, and CNAs, it means graduating from a college nursing program or similar training — check out the technical schools or community colleges in your area to see what’s available.
Pro tip: Getting licensed in a Nurse Licensing Compact state lets you work in dozens of states with a single license!
✓ Get certified. If you’re pursuing a specific specialty, you’ll need to get certified before working in that field. For instance, nurses who want to work in the ICU will need a Critical Care Nurse Certification (CCRN®). If a job requires additional certification, your recruiter should be able to help you get it.
Pro tip: Always ask questions, and discuss the specific path you should take to land your dream job!
✓ Develop skills. Some of the skills that can help you stand out from applicants don’t always require certification. If you really want to make sure you land the job you want, demonstrating skills in communication, organization, and leadership are always valued by employers. Once you gain those skills, remember to spruce up your nursing resume!
✓ Get experience. A look at current job listings for nurses and nurse support professionals shows that some jobs still make a point of accepting new grads. However, many hospitals and skilled nursing facilities prefer RNs with one to two years of experience and LPNs/LVNs and CNAs with at least six months of experience.
✓ Develop relationships. At a time when jobs are competitive, professional references are more important than ever. Cultivating strong relationships in school, during conferences or events, or at other times could be the difference in making your travel nurse application stand out among the rest.
✓ Find a recruiter. As your greatest resource in landing that first travel nursing job, a good recruiter will be dedicated to making sure you find the job that’s the best fit for you. They’ll also help walk you through any additional licensing or certification you may need and be on call to help you through any issues.
So, just how hard is it to get your first travel nursing job in 2023? It’s a little more competitive than it was a few years ago. However, aspiring travel nurses who have honed their skills or built strong connections are more likely to have their choice of great travel assignments than ever before!
Good luck with your next travel adventure! If you’re looking to land your first travel nursing job, CareerStaff Unlimited has opportunities across the United States and great recruiters to help you find the one that’s right for you. Visit CareerStaff.com for all the details.
Written by: Alisha Layne, Recruitment Consultant at Medical Edge Recruitment
The history of nursing goes back over 170 years when Florence Nightingale and 34 female volunteer nurses traveled from the United Kingdom to provide much-needed medical attention to war victims. At that time, The Ottoman Empire, with support from France and England, were bitterly embattled with the Russian Empire over a border dispute. Though they were not paid or contracted, and the journey was much longer than it is today, these brave nurses who set out to save lives ended up making history.
Their journey to the middle of the war zone took a whopping 13 days with the use of various modes of transportation, including steamboats, fishing boats, and on foot. The journey was long and hard, but the worst was yet to come. Nothing could have prepared them for the horrors they would be greeted with upon arrival at Constantinople, Turkey. The sick and dying were enduring the most deplorable conditions. Infections were rampant, access to basic hygiene items was limited or nonexistent, and people were dying more of diseases than because of the war.
The conditions were too much to bear, but the eager nurses were ready to jump into action immediately. Imagine their shock and horror when they were told that their help was not needed. At that time, there were no female nurses in the war zone. The poor reputation of past female nurses had led the war office to avoid hiring more. However, the war went on longer than anticipated, and soon the doctors on the ground realized that they needed volunteer nurses.
During their tenure in Turkey, these brave women were instrumental in changing the face of the medical practice during the war. Nightingale and her team instituted mandatory sanitary practices such as basic hand washing before and after tending to patients. They saved thousands of lives and will forever be remembered in history for their contributions to the healthcare sector.
Florence Nightingale and her team of 34 volunteer nurses became the first travel nurses in history, paving the way for a massive $27.6 billion industry that is still growing in 2023. While Nightingale and her band of traveling angels were volunteers in a war-torn region and worked through deplorable conditions, travel nurses today enjoy great pay with endless adventures and opportunities.
Here’s why you should consider packing your stethoscope and scrubs and hitting the road to do what you love most:
MONEY. MONEY. MONEY. –
Travel nurses make generous hourly pay and enjoy sizable shift differentials. Many companies offer sign-on bonuses, completion bonuses, housing and meal stipends, and referral bonuses. These referral bonuses can be capitalized on and easily bring in extra earnings anywhere from $100 – $1500 or more per month.
REDUCED COST OF LIVING –
How would you like to enjoy free water, electricity, Wi-Fi, and parking? Well, that’s exactly what being a travel nurse offers. The cost of basic living expenses is either drastically reduced or eliminated altogether. It is not uncommon for many travel nurses to take assignments in cities or states where the cost of living is known to be low. They get to keep more of the money they make to either take care of their family or do more of the things they love.
JET SETTING –
Who doesn’t want to travel to a new city of their choice every three months? This is a dream come through for many travel nurses, and choosing travel nursing as a career offers the freedom and flexibility to do so. Travel nurses can discover new places and cultures, enjoy different foods, and experience a new way of life. If you are from the city, then travel nursing can offer the freedom to enjoy the countryside and vice versa. Because your schedule is entirely up to you, it is easy to plan a much-needed vacation or just take time to reset before deciding on your next assignment.
CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT –
One of the best ways for nurses to broaden their resumes and develop themselves professionally is by practicing their craft in different environments and under different circumstances. It shows resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to accept life’s challenges while still being able to do the job at hand. Working at different facilities teaches nurses the necessary skills to do just this.
Whatever path you choose in nursing, thank you for serving others and for your commitment to improving healthcare across the nation. Medical Edge Recruitment recognizes the unlimited compassion, dedication, and kindness that goes into caring for each one of your patients. What you do requires a special heart, and we thank you for constantly going above and beyond!
Need Help Finding Your Path?
Medical Edge Recruitment is a premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making a personalized provider experience a priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits. Let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!
Nursing is the nation’s largest healthcare profession, with more than four million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide and a projected increase of 200,000 per year through 2031. Thousands of RNs enjoy the freedom and flexibility as a travel nurse, a more recent phenomenon of the industry. Nursing Pools, or professional staffing agencies, place nurses in temporary healthcare assignments where permanent staff cannot adequately serve patient admissions. This more contemporary just-in-time, on-demand approach to staffing has allowed hospitals to minimize labor gaps and improve the quality of care. The nursing profession has evolved over centuries to include formal training, regulations, certifications, and licensing. Nurses have also contributed groundbreaking inventions alongside new technology, both of which have played a pivotal role in advancing treatments, outcomes, and the caliber of care. This week we celebrate nurses across the country and appreciate the remarkable history instrumental in developing these healthcare heroes.
nursing
The first National Nurses Week
The first National Nurses Week was observed in 1954, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea. During the war, many lives were lost due to infections, and these intimate encounters with injured soldiers spurred her views about cleanliness and patient care. She went on to author Notes on Nursing (published 1859), which provides a practical guide for hygiene, sanitation, fresh air, proper lighting, a good diet, warmth, and quietness in a hospital environment to promote patient recovery. In 1860, Nightingale leveraged her knowledge and opened the very first nursing school in London, paving the way for formal training and education in the field.
Nightingale is recognized as the founder of modern nursing because her tireless efforts to reform healthcare greatly influenced the quality of care throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The “Nightingale Principles” she promoted more than a century ago are still widely respected as a viable introduction to the field. In 1982, the United States Congress passed a joint resolution designating May 6 as National Recognition Day for Nurses, and President Regan went on to sign the proclamation. Today, National Nurses Day launches National Nurses Week, which concludes on May 12, honoring the birthdate of Florence Nightingale.
Clarissa Harlow Barton provided medical care to Civil War Soldiers in the 1800s
Also during the 1800s, nurse Clarissa Harlowe Barton provided medical care and supplies to Civil War soldiers serving on battlefields outside her home in Washington, DC. Her unwavering dedication earned her the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield.” Post-war, Barton continued her humanitarian service by opening the Office of Missing Soldiers and reconnected more than 22,000 soldiers with their families. Later during her 1869 trip to Switzerland, Barton learned about the European Red Cross movement. This humanitarian effort provided neutral aid to those injured in combat. And in 1881, perhaps her most famous accolade, Barton founded the American Red Cross and then served as president for 23 years. Barton died in 1912, but her legacy lives on through a massive network of volunteers and staff at the Red Cross who respond every eight minutes to support those in crisis.
Linda Richards is recognized as the first professionally trained nurse in the United States.
In 1872, Richards was the first to enroll in the inaugural class of five students for a one-year program at the first United States nurse training school established by the New England Hospital for Women and Children. Her celebrated diploma is in the archives of the Smithsonian Institution. After graduation, Richards worked as a night superintendent at the Bellevue Hospital Training School in New York, where she created the first system for charting and maintaining medical records for each patient. This system was adopted extensively throughout the United States and England. In 1976, Richards was inducted into the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame and the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1994.
Virginia Henderson was a major force throughout the 1900s.
She is credited for shaping nursing education through the application of her “Need Theory,” which stated the goal and focus of nursing is to enable the patient to achieve independence as quickly as possible. Henderson emphasizes basic human needs and, more specifically, how nurses can meet those needs. Noting that the nurse’s foremost duty was to the patient, not the doctor. As a nurse, theorist, and acclaimed author, Henderson transformed the field of nursing. She received more than a dozen honorary doctorate degrees from respected institutions, led an extensive teaching and practice career, and is recognized as one of the 51 Pioneer Nurses in Virginia as well as a member of the American Nurses Association Hall of Fame.
Mary Ezra Mahoney was the first African American woman to become a registered nurse.
Mary Ezra Mahoney was the first African American woman to become a registered nurse and work as a professionally trained nurse in the United States. She was one of only four graduates (out of 42 candidates) from her class at the New England Hospital for Women and Children in 1879. Faced with relentless discrimination, Mahoney co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses in 1908, pioneering the way for future African American nurses. At the age of 74, Mahoney was one of the first women to register to vote in Boston, propelling her nursing legacy to national fame.
Adda May Allen worked as a nurse at Columbia Hospital in Washington, D.C., in the 1940s. She noticed that babies tired easily when nursing from a bottle. She created a one-time-use disposable liner that helped reduce the effort needed by babies to drink. Whereas a traditional bottle created a partial vacuum and inverted the nipple, the plastic liner allowed the sides to close in as a baby drinks the milk. This invention helped ensure babies were not at risk of malnutrition due to exhaustion while feeding.
In 1968, registered nurse Anita Dorr invented the “crisis cart,” known famously today as the “crash cart.”
Determined to resolve the dire situation she had witnessed far too many times, Dorr set out to reduce the time it took doctors and nurses to respond to cardiac arrest. She created a prototype cart in her basement that was stocked with the necessary equipment and provided easy access by medical staff. Today, the modern crash cart delivers the lifesaving defibrillator and resuscitation equipment quickly and conveniently to the patient’s bedside.
Luther Christman was the first male dean of a nursing school.
Luther Christman, a nurse, and educator, was a champion of racial and gender diversity in nursing. He was the first male dean of a nursing school and eventually founded the American Association for Men in Nursing (1974) to help men enter a field largely associated with women.
Christman helped create and implement the Rush Model of Nursing, which emphasizes the commingling of education and practice for nursing schools and transforms the way nurses navigate their future from coursework to career.
Throughout her career, nurse Rebecca Koszalinski has been particularly focused on improving outcomes for patients with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses who are speech vulnerable. Leveraging new technologies, she set out to transform treatment for those who do not have a voice. Koszalinski developed Speak for Myself®, an award-winning mobile app designed to help patients who are unable to communicate express their needs quickly and precisely. Feelings such as pain, fear, anxiety, the need for a restroom, and even loneliness are easily formulated using the app. Rebecca S. Koszalinski, Ph.D., BSN, MS, RN, CRRN, is an Associate Professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, FAU, Florida, where she continues her crusade to empower those with social challenges.
The industry has come so far since the first mentions of nursing during the Roman Empire around 300 AD. The practice evolved through the years as it aligned with church hospitals, battlefield injuries in times of war, and answered the call for midwives to help with childbirth. We see how the profession has progressed over centuries, with numerous individuals shaping modern nursing and reinforcing the sheer resiliency of practitioners. The twenty-first century has been especially important to the field of nursing as we come out of the coronavirus pandemic. During the height of its impact, travel nurses were essential to helping hospitals meet the unprecedented needs of infected patients. Travelers are accustomed to quickly filling staffing gaps and performing on day one in a new assignment. Together with the permanent staff, travelers provided the medical care and compassion needed during this incredibly difficult time.
The future outlook for nursing suggests a burgeoning need as our elder population continues to grow.
Ironically, nurses are also part of this aging segment, with a significant number expected to retire by 2030. The country needs a pipeline of students to fuel the expected 9% job growth for registered nurses (RNs) and 45% job growth for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists between 2020 and 2030. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) A nursing career promises that medical innovation, government-mandated regulations, and technological advancements will combine to continuously change the look and feel of patient care. There is no doubt nurses have demonstrated over time their ability to adapt to change and crisis while keeping patient needs top priority.
Nurses and the nursing field will certainly endure and withstand the unpredictability of evolving healthcare needs. A new focus on mental health needs and resources for nurses, particularly those facing burnout, depression, and anxiety, is a welcomed addition to how the industry cares for its nurses. With this heightened awareness and investment in their well-being, we can hope that the longevity of careers will increase and patients will only see even better care and treatment.
“Heroism” is practically synonymous with nursing.
Centuries have shown where nurses sacrifice, conquer adversity, and fight for saving patients despite the risk to their own lives. There is no truer definition of a hero. As the country celebrates Nurses Week, we recognize the profound dedication and contribution nurses provide to our communities, hospitals, schools, and education systems. We salute the historical journey to modern nursing and pay tribute to the bright future ahead for these champions of healthcare.
It’s National Nurses Month, and it’s a time to honor and appreciate the work of nurses across the country!
Nurses play an essential role in healthcare, providing care and support to patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. This month, we celebrate their dedication, compassion, and commitment to the health and well-being of others.
They are often the first point of contact for patients and their families, providing emotional support and information about treatment options. Through tough times, they have been on the front lines, putting their own health at risk to care for their patients. They have worked long hours, and despite the challenges they face on the job, nurses consistently put their patients first.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
During National Nurses Month, we wanted to celebrate our Gifted Nurses and every element of their journey as a nurse. We asked them, “What inspired you to become a nurse?” and the answers, well, they were inspiring!
Read about some of our Gifted Nurses’ inspiration below.
“I became a nurse at the age of 54 after raising my family. The desire to become a nurse began in 1996 when my daughter was diagnosed with a rare heart disease and had a heart transplant. Throughout our journey, my daughter and I felt the calling to become nurses. We both achieved our goal and love caring for others.” – Janet G., RN.
“I was always interested in Healthcare, and I knew I wanted to help people. After seeing family members in the hospital at a young age, I saw how it works and decided it was for me.” – Kyle S., RN.
“At a young age, I knew I wanted to become a nurse. I chose nursing because it is rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life. We all go through our struggles, and to be able to be there and provide care, give comfort, and increase healing means all of the world to me.” – Kendra M., RN.
“I became a nurse because it is my passion to help others. I was born sick, and I saw what they did to help me. I either was going to love or hate the medical field, and I loved it. I am grateful to be in such a rewarding profession.” – Derek B., RN.
“I chose to become a nurse because of the joy it truly brings me to help others. The positive impact I have on my patients and their families, and the impact they have on me is very meaningful!” – Edith W., RN.
Celebrate with Gifted Healthcare
Gifted is so excited to highlight and celebrate nurses on our social channels all month long! Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for inspiring stories from nurses who are making a difference in their communities, as well as resources and tips to help you on the job. We will also be giving away four Nurse Bundles worth $500! These bundles are filled with products nurses love, like a Stanley Cup, Beis Backpack, Amazon Gift Card, and more!
At one point, everyone has had their lives touched by a nurse. Whether it’s the school nurse that let you lay down in her office when you had a headache, the nurse that was with you through the delivery of your first baby, or the nurse that held your hand when a parent or grandparent was in the hospital. Nurses are tireless, compassionate, and passionate workers that are there when it’s time to take care of ourselves and our loved ones, and they are a group with a unique set of skills. So, it’s time to celebrate the qualities that make a great nurse, and there’s no better time to do that than during Nurses’ Week.
Here are the 6 top qualities of nurses who are working every day to provide the best possible care for their patients:
Empathy.
First and foremost, nurses care. Their empathy and compassion are unmatched, and these are crucial skills nurses need to be the best in their field. Patients often come to nurses when they’re in pain, anxious, or scared, and nurses offer comfort and support in addition to medical help. Caring about their patients on a deeper level and trying to understand both their physical and emotional needs establishes a foundation of trust. This nurse-patient trust helps them build a rapport and a plan for treatment catered specifically for each patient.
Ability to Communicate.
Nurses are able to effectively communicate with doctors, medical teams, patients, and their families in order to provide the best possible care. This starts with active listening from the very first patient interaction, communicating those needs to doctors and other medical professionals in the patients’ care team, and conveying complicated medical information in everyday language back to patients and families. They are the essential conduit that patients trust, and doctors rely on to make sure everyone has all of the essential information to give the patient the care that they need.
Passion for helping others.
If you ask a nursing professional why they decided to become a nurse, they will often say it’s because they wanted to help others, care for patients, and be there for people when they’re most vulnerable. They are motivated by creating intimate connections with patients and having a meaningful impact on their lives – helping them navigate illness, end-of-life care, or caring for family members – all while treating them with respect and kindness. They help those in need for a living and take a lot of satisfaction and pride, knowing that they can be advocates for their patients and be the ones that help alleviate their suffering and get them on the road to recovery.
Equanimity.
Nurses are cool under pressure and have quick decision-making and sound judgment skills. They are smart and steadfast. In order to be able to make decisions in complicated and urgent situations when it comes to patient care, nurses have to be able to think critically and solve problems fast, which often involves weighing potential complications, analyzing data, and leaning on precedent and their own knowledge and experience to implement safe and effective care. It’s not easy, but nurses make these tough decisions every day.
Resilience.
Nursing also requires resilience. Many nursing professionals are still reeling from the effects and burnout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which added challenging and distressing elements to work that was already physically and mentally demanding, even in the best of times. Plus, many nurses work in fast-paced and high-stress environments, facing challenging situations like emergencies, critically ill patients, hard decisions, and difficult conversations with patients and families. But, they are a strong workforce that can handle the stress and pressure while staying professional and putting patients first. And the nursing field is growing and expected to see continued growth as more and more brave nurses join the force in order to help people for a living.
Adaptability.
With the ever-changing field of medicine, especially post-pandemic, nurses have to be adaptable, especially when it comes to changing policies, tech, care plans, procedures, and schedules. And, as healthcare has evolved, so too has the nursing profession. Some nurses have found their niche by specializing in cardiac care and family care, or become nurse anesthetists or educators, while some have looked outside of hospitals and delved into home health care or hospice care. Some have turned to travel nursing, local assignments, and other ways to expand their skills and find new experiences, while still, others have found permanent staff positions to be a part of a local community of patients. There are always evolving ways for nurses to use their skills to help those in need, and they continue to step up to be our best care advocates in every stage of life.
Nurses are an integral part of the delivery of care across the United States. This National Nurses Week, take time to acknowledge, celebrate, and recognize the nurses that have changed your work and personal lives. These skills are also something to keep in mind if you are considering a professional career in nursing.
If you’re interested in learning about how you can use your skills to lead a more flexible and balanced work life, visit medely.com to find per diem, local assignments, and travel assignments that are right for you.
Traveling healthcare professionals, whether nurses or other medical professionals, play a critical role in providing medical services to patients and filling staffing gaps around the country. To succeed in this field, healthcare travelers should possess unique skills and qualities that allow them to adapt quickly to new environments, work independently, and provide high-quality patient care. Here are the critical skills that every traveling healthcare professional should have to excel in their roles.
Adaptability
Traveling healthcare professionals often work in new and unfamiliar environments, adapting to new cities, facilities, staff, policies, and contracts. Having the ability to adjust to new situations is essential to success. In addition to adapting to new environments, several aspects of adaptability are necessary for traveling medical professionals:
Flexibility: Quickly adjusting to schedule changes, patient needs, and healthcare protocols is crucial.
Open-mindedness: Being open to new ideas and approaches can lead to better patient care and more effective teamwork with colleagues.
Resilience: Medical professionals often face difficult situations and high-stress environments. Having the ability to bounce back from setbacks is an integral part of adaptability.
Of course, having strong communication skills is essential for any medical professional. As a healthcare traveler, you should be confident in providing quality care in various clinical settings.
As a healthcare traveler, you’ll encounter diverse patients, each with a unique medical history, cultural background, and language barrier. Improving your clinical expertise can provide better care and build stronger patient relationships.
Taking continuing education courses, attending medical conferences, and learning about the latest medical advancements can improve your clinical expertise. Moreover, you can also seek mentorship from experienced healthcare professionals to improve your skills and knowledge. You can build stronger relationships with your patients and provide the best care possible by constantly improving your clinical expertise.
Communication
Effective communication is crucial in any healthcare setting. As a traveling medical professional, you must communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals. Strong communication skills are fundamental in the healthcare industry, where clear and concise communication can be a matter of life and death. As a traveling medical professional, you’ll encounter a diverse range of patients and healthcare providers, each with their own unique communication styles and needs.
Here are some tips for effective communication in a healthcare setting:
Listen Actively: Take the time to truly listen to patients and colleagues and ask clarifying questions when needed.
Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid complicated medical terminology when speaking with patients. In addition, be precise and use appropriate terminology when talking with other medical professionals.
Use nonverbal cues: Body language and tone of voice can convey just as much information as words. Make eye contact, use appropriate facial expressions, and pay attention to your tone and pitch.
Be respectful: Treat everyone with respect and empathy, regardless of their background or circumstances. This includes patients, their families, and your colleagues.
Use technology wisely: With the rise of telemedicine and remote work, it’s important to be comfortable using technology to communicate. Ensure you understand how to use any communication tools you’ll be using and be mindful of privacy and security concerns.
By practicing these communication skills, you’ll be better equipped to provide quality patient care and collaborate effectively with your colleagues, no matter where your travels take you.
Time Management
Being a traveling healthcare professional means working in different locations with varying schedules. Effective time management skills are crucial in keeping you organized and meeting deadlines. Here are some tips to help you manage your time more efficiently:
Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your schedule and deadlines, including travel time.
Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency to avoid procrastination and stay focused on the essential tasks.
Minimize distractions while working by turning off your phone or finding a quiet workspace.
Take short breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout and increase productivity. Use this time to stretch or take a walk.
Stay flexible and adaptable because unexpected changes may occur that require you to adjust your schedule or priorities.
By implementing these time management strategies, you can stay organized, efficient, and productive while working as a traveling medical professional.
As a traveler, you may face additional challenges, such as jet lag or adjusting to different time zones. To help combat these challenges, consider the following tips:
Get a good night’s sleep before traveling to your next location
Try to adjust your sleep schedule gradually before arriving at your destination
Stay hydrated and eat healthy meals to keep your energy levels up
Take advantage of any downtime during travel, such as waiting at the airport, to catch up on work or rest
If possible, schedule your work tasks around your natural energy patterns. For example, if you are more alert in the morning, schedule your most important tasks for that time.
By incorporating these additional tips into your time management strategies, you can ensure that you are organized and productive and care for your physical and mental well-being while working in different locations.
Emotional Intelligence
As a traveling nurse, it’s essential to recognize that patient care extends beyond medical interventions. Cultural differences can significantly impact patient care, making it crucial to take the time to learn about a patient’s cultural background and beliefs. This helps to provide respectful and culturally appropriate care, which can make all the difference in a patient’s recovery.
Patients may experience feelings of vulnerability or anxiety, particularly if they are in an unfamiliar setting. Explaining procedures and treatments clearly and compassionately can help alleviate these feelings and put patients at ease.
Sometimes, you may encounter patients with complex medical histories or conditions requiring specialized care. Working closely with the patient’s healthcare team is essential to ensure the patient receives the best possible care.
Overall, empathy and openness to understanding each patient’s unique needs and circumstances are crucial for providing high-quality care. As a traveling nurse, approaching each patient with these qualities will improve their physical and emotional health.
To succeed as a healthcare traveler, one must possess various skills, including adaptability, clinical expertise, communication, time management, and emotional intelligence. Adaptability is crucial when working in new and unfamiliar environments, and clinical expertise can enhance patient care. Effective communication can convey information with clarity and empathy; time management skills can help you stay organized and efficient. Emotional intelligence is essential in recognizing cultural differences and providing respectful, culturally appropriate care. By mastering these skills, healthcare travelers can provide high-quality patient care and make the most out of each assignment.
