February 13, 2023

1818 Views

The Importance of Emotional Support in Travel Nursing

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Emotional Support For Patients

As a nurse, taking care of patients in the hospital tends to emphasize physical care. Twelve-hour shifts are spent administering medication, monitoring vital signs, conducting physical assessments, administering IVs, and so much more. What is behind all of the physical care nurses provide their patients is the emotional care and support that never falters.

Emotional support can come in many forms, from simply listening to a patient’s concerns to providing reassurance and encouragement. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, this is a time of year that could be more difficult on your patients, especially for patients who are dealing with illness or the loss of a loved one. Here are a few ideas for how you can support your patients this Valentine’s Day.

Organize a card-making activity.

Encourage patients to make handmade Valentine’s Day cards for their loved ones. You can bring construction paper, stickers, markers, and other craft materials to help patients get creative!

Bake something yummy

Sweet treats such as chocolates or cookies are always enjoyed. Bring in extra for the break room to celebrate your fellow nurses too.

Decorate the hospital for a photo op.

Easy décor such as balloons, streamers, and signs make for an easy background, and you can take turn snapping pictures of patients in front of the décor to send to loved ones as e-cards!

Bring in some games

Organizing a game day for patients can bring energy to the floor, whether it’s board games, a round of bingo, or even charades!

As nurses, you can play a vital role in providing emotional support to your patients during this time. The simple gestures of card-making or game-playing go a long way regarding emotional well-being.

Emotional Support for You

In order to give support, we often need to recharge from our own support systems. As a travel nurse, you might be a plane ride away from your support system back home, so this Valentine’s Day, find other ways to connect with a support system. Here are some ways to find support while on a travel assignment this Valentine’s Day.

Connect with Home

Set aside time to connect with friends and family back home. Whether it is through regular phone calls, FaceTime, or staying connected through social media, dedicated time to each other will help you feel connected to home.

Lean on your peers

One of the best places to find emotional support is with other travel nurses. Joining a travel nurse association, participating in online forums, or attending travel nurse events can provide a supportive network of peers who understand the unique challenges of this career. These connections can provide a sense of community and a safe place to discuss the ups and downs of travel nursing.

In that light, it is also beneficial to support your own peers in return. Encouraging your colleagues to take breaks when they need them and to talk openly about any stress they may be experiencing can really help both of you.

Find Support in Yourself

In addition to providing emotional support to patients and colleagues, it is crucial that you engage in self-care practices to maintain your own emotional well-being. This can include activities such as meditation, exercise, journaling, or spending time with loved ones. Trust yourself and find balance in your day-to-day, and you will feel a sense of peace with yourself.

Visit a Professional

Lastly, know that you can always seek support in the form of therapy. Talking to a mental health professional can provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss any emotional struggles and will help you develop coping strategies for when the balance in your life feels off.

Show Up For You, Show Up For Patients

This Valentine’s Day, showing up for yourself as well as your patients will go a long way in maintaining emotional support. It is as essential to the healing process just as the physical support you provide is to the process. By providing emotional support to your patients, colleagues, and yourself, you can help create a healing environment that promotes well-being and recovery. So, take the time to make this Valentine’s Day special for everyone in your life, including yourself.

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

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

START HERE

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

By ONESTAFF MEDICAL

February 10, 2023

20286 Views

Seize Global Opportunities: International Travel Nursing Await You

Posted on February 10, 2023December 18, 2023 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

Onestaff Medical provided this article.

Have you been dreaming of traveling the world as a nurse? You’ve probably heard of Doctors Without Borders, but did you know that being an international nurse is also an option? International travel nursing gives nurses the opportunity to travel the globe while working and providing care to patients in need.

If you have ever considered traveling internationally as a nurse, keep reading to learn how to get started.

Keep in mind that OneStaff Medical does not offer international travel nursing contracts. We do, however, believe that our nurses should be informed of all of their options.

Can Travel Nurses Work Internationally?

Travel nurses can, in fact, work internationally. While some nurses elect to travel within the United States, others may want to see more of the world. There are numerous opportunities for nurses to travel internationally, but they aren’t always easy to find.

Just like the U.S., other countries also face widespread nursing shortages. In countries that have recently experienced a natural disaster or disease outbreak, nursing shortages are common. When nurses travel to these locations, they can learn valuable new skills, medical techniques, and even other languages.

International travel nursing might be the perfect next step in your career, but how do you get started in this unique profession?

How To Become an International Travel Nurse

Becoming an international travel nurse is very similar to doing so in the United States. You will need to have a valid license in the U.S., and you are likely going to need additional certifications or licenses to work in other countries. Since each country has different requirements, it is important to do your research to see what you will need to acquire prior to accepting an international travel nursing position.

Most countries will require visiting nurses to have the following:

A bachelor’s degree in nursing or a diploma from an LNP training program
Completion of clinical hours
A current nursing license with proof of licensing
Documentation of a passed National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) or equivalent LPN exam
Specific vaccinations prior to traveling

Working with a travel nursing agency that deals with international placements will be a major advantage for you. Your recruiter should be able to help you determine the qualifications you need for international travel nursing based on the locations you are considering. They can also help you find the placements that you are looking for.

Nurses that have certain specialties may be in higher demand overseas for many reasons. Specific diseases or illnesses are best cared for by nurses with particular specialties, making these nurses incredibly valuable. Before taking on international nursing jobs, you may want to consider certification or an advanced degree in one of the following:

Cardiology
Pediatrics
Anesthesia for ICU
Neonatal
Labor and Delivery
ER

If you have experience in one of these specialties, including it on your resume can help you land international nursing jobs in the countries of your choice. Gaining experience in one of these specialties prior to applying for international travel nursing contracts can help you land the gig you really want over other candidates.

If you have never traveled as a nurse before, we would recommend doing so domestically before you branch out to overseas assignments. Travel nursing isn’t for everyone, so it is best to test the waters before making a big commitment to a foreign assignment. International travel nursing can also come with a unique set of stressors, including:

New techniques
Foreign languages
Different culture
Different climate
Unfamiliar facilities

It is best to see how you handle the weight of a travel nursing assignment in the U.S. prior to adding these additional stressors with an international position.

What Places in the World Are Travel Nurses Most Needed?

International travel nurse jobs can be found all over the world, but there are certain parts of the world that have a higher need than others. Some of the countries with the most need include:

Australia
China
New Zealand
Middle Eastern countries

Although these countries have the most need, it is vital that nurses can communicate with other healthcare facility staff and their patients, so you will probably need to know the language well enough to communicate. For this reason, many nurses choose to travel to English-speaking countries. Those nurses who are fluent in another language are more valuable because they can be sent to non-English-speaking countries.

If you have dreams of working in a certain area of the world, it might be a good idea to start taking classes in the language(s) they speak in those areas. You might even need medicine-specific language training to effectively work in hospitals in these countries.

6 Tips for Being Successful as an International Travel Nurse

Now that you know how to become an international travel nurse, here are a few tips to help you find success on this new, exciting journey.

1. Make Sure Your Nursing License Can Transfer

Licensure is critical in the nursing field, and that doesn’t change in other countries. Before you decide to accept a travel nursing position abroad, make sure that you have the required licensure. If not, do the work to get the license you need in place prior to accepting a position.

2. Know What’s Required for Getting Hired Abroad

In addition to getting your licensing in order, make sure that you meet the other requirements for any position abroad that you are interested in. For example, a specialty may be required for some international travel nursing jobs. Understanding these requirements prior to searching for a position allows you time to learn and gain certifications in these areas.

To work legally in another country, you will also need a passport, a visa, a work permit, and potentially a sponsorship. Some countries will also require a birth certificate.

Professional references and college transcripts may also be requested. In some countries, facilities will want to verify your education and diploma against their own country’s standards.

Some countries also require certain vaccines before you are permitted to work there. If this is the case in the country you are pursuing work in, you will need to provide immunization records. You should look into all the requirements a country has before agreeing to a nursing position to ensure that you can meet its conditions.

All in all, it could take a year and a lot of money to be ready to leave for an international travel nursing job.

3. Understand the Logistics of Each Assignment

In the U.S., most assignments are 13 weeks. There is a bit more variety in contract lengths abroad, but many last between one and two years. Shorter volunteer assignments are also common, although some shorter assignments will be paid, as well. Since these contracts look different than domestic ones, you need to make sure that your assignments aren’t overlapping or longer or shorter than you’re expecting.

During your stay, you will also need housing and food. You should determine what, if anything, is covered in your contract. These extra benefits could allow you to bring home more money at your assignment, but they aren’t going to be offered by every facility in every country.

Finally, salary expectations may also be different depending on the country, and you might have to research exchange rates and taxes to truly understand what your take-home pay will be. Your agency should be able to help you understand the pay and any additional benefits offered to you.

4. Plan Out Necessary Expenses

Traveling abroad can be quite expensive, and you aren’t going to want to bring nearly as much as you would for a normal travel nursing assignment. Most travel nurses are accustomed to bringing only the essentials, but you will want to narrow down your packing list even more when you are flying across the world.

Depending on your destination, housing, utilities, food, and other basics may also be more costly. For example, American staples tend to be much more expensive when imported, especially on islands.

Once you understand what your take-home pay will be based on the local currency and its exchange rate with the U.S. dollar, you can start to create a budget based on average prices in the area you will be living in.

Since these assignments are often much longer than domestic stints, it is essential that you know what costs you are responsible for covering and what your compensation will allow you to afford in that country during your assignment.

5. Weigh Benefits vs. Risks

There are always risks associated with taking a position in a foreign country. For most of us, leaving the United States means leaving our comfort zone where friends and family are nearby to help should times get rough. Other risks may include missing out on great jobs closer to home or being exposed to illnesses that you won’t find in the United States.

However, there are many benefits to leaving your comfort zone and gaining new experiences. In fact, many nurses talk extensively about all the benefits they have experienced, such as the joys of experiencing new cultures, foods, and places that they may otherwise have difficulty visiting. Much like domestic travel nursing, there is downtime for nurses to explore the region and immerse themselves in the local culture.

Since family may be far away, scheduling visits can be fun for both parties. Find a time when your family or friends can come visit and experience everything you enjoy in your temporary new home. You can also find time to visit home for a few days, as well.

6. Understand What Opportunities Are Out There

Every country offers unique travel nursing experiences. It is important that any nurse interested in international traveling is aware of the numerous opportunities available to them. With so many different countries to choose from and multiple regions and types of facilities in each, there is so much to consider when looking into international travel nursing.

Before hopping on the first opportunity that arises, work with your agent to find the best assignment in a location that you can’t wait to visit.

How Much Do International Travel Nurses Get Paid?

Much like domestic travelers, international travel nurses are typically paid an hourly wage. For international travelers, there are several factors that determine pay, including:

Type of assignment
Location of assignment
Traveler’s qualifications and certifications

It is important to note that some overseas wages may be lower than what nurses are used to in the United States. Keep in mind that this could be due to a lower cost of living in that country or additional benefits that travelers will receive, such as:

Paid time off
Insurance
Tax breaks
Housing stipends
Food stipends

Some countries also have tax-free assignments, where the travel nurses in that country aren’t expected to pay income tax on their wages, which can leave a lot more money in those nurses’ pockets.

If you are looking for an international assignment that pays well, here are the locations of the highest-paying international jobs:

Denmark
Luxembourg
Ireland
Norway
The Netherlands
Canada
The Middle East
The Virgin Islands

If you are interested in domestic travel as a nurse, contact OneStaff Medical today to start your journey with one of our knowledgeable recruiters. View our current job openings and talk to a recruiter about your next assignment.

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

By Triage Healthcare Staffing

February 8, 2023

3834 Views

Decoding Scrub Style: What Nurses and CNAs Wear, Scrub Colors Explained

Posted on February 8, 2023December 19, 2023 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

Triage Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

As travelers, it’s not uncommon to have a selection of scrubs, all in a rainbow of colors. And while it’s easy to ask your recruiter what color is required, sometimes they have old or outdated information. For instance, some hospitals or units will tell recruiters that nurses need to wear a specific color, only to find out that the rules don’t apply to travelers.

That’s why we asked travelers to share their experiences. And boy, did they. Nearly 2000 healthcare travelers—most of them nurses—gave us valuable feedback on what color they wore during their assignments.

What We Asked In the Survey

To get the most out of the survey, we asked the following questions:

What kind of traveler are you?
Hospital/facility name?
City, state
Department
Scrub color
Was the department strict on color?
What year was this valid?

What Are Safe Scrub Colors to Buy?

Based on the responses, most travelers would do well to have a pair or two of navy blue scrubs—nearly a third of all nurses reported that they wore navy scrubs. Royal blue was the shade for 13% of nurses. Having a set or two of blue scrubs seems like a decent bet when you’re a traveler.

Other well-represented colors were light blue, Caribbean blue, black, gray, and galaxy blue. A few unlucky folks had to wear all-white scrubs—yikes. We’re glad we’re not doing that laundry.

How Strict Are the Units?

Sometimes your recruiter will get information from the facility that a certain color is required, only for the traveler to arrive and see that travelers are exempt. Recruiters can only go off the info they receive, which is why we asked how strict the unit was when it came down to scrub color. About 60% said their units were strict, but that means the other 40% were able to wear any color they already owned.

Let’s Get to the Good Stuff—How to Access the Scrub Color Survey?

What good is this info if you can’t access it? That’s why we’ve taken all the information and put it into an easily accessible database. Check out the what color scrubs nurses wear database and the search by the facility. The information is sorted by alphabetical order by the facility. And because some facilities might even vary scrub color by department or have more than one location, we’ve asked that too.

Using a Scrub Allowance—Yay or Nay?

Some travel companies will write a scrub allowance into your contract if you need a specific color. While there’s nothing wrong with that, here’s the real deal. Scrub and other allowances (and even lavish gifts) seem like a great perk, but the funds are actually taken out of your contract’s bill rate—and you never even realize it’s happening. In most cases, it’s better to forgo these allowances and let your recruiter know that you want that money added to your hourly rate throughout your contract.

Want to Submit Your Facility?

Have a facility or unit that’s not on our list? Fill out our short survey, and we’ll get your facility added.

Are you looking for a travel nurse agency that’s committed to treating you with respect and integrity? Check out our list of travel nurse jobs, and we’ll connect you with a Triage recruiter.

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

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

START HERE

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

By Medical Solutions

February 6, 2023

3924 Views

Avoiding Loneliness as a Travel Nurse

Posted on February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 by Medical Solutions

Medical Solutions provided this article.

Many travel nurses and allied health professionals choose their careers because they enjoy the independence of the travel nursing lifestyle. If you’re a solo traveler, your road is wide open, and you’re fully empowered to choose your own adventure. If you’re traveling with a partner, family, or your pet, you’ve got someone else to share the journey with, but you’re still free from a permanent home, hospital politics, and other such limiting factors of a perm staff role.

Traveling is a fantastically freeing opportunity, but balance is crucial, just like everything in life. Some travelers report the downside of that freedom can be occasional loneliness on assignment. In light of that, we’d like to share some tips to help you avoid loneliness as a travel nurse!

Embrace Flying Solo

Oftentimes, feeling lonely can be linked to feelings of boredom. Don’t be shy about taking yourself on a solo date. Enjoy the benefit of seeing interesting things, people, and places nationwide as part of your travel career. Hit up a movie, linger at a café, explore a museum, or stroll through a local park. Many of our travel nursing jobs are located near incredible natural or human-made attractions. Sign up for an art class or cooking class. Strike up a conversation and remember the power of positive interactions, be they small or large. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that a lot of people were missing those minor, daily interactions with baristas, co-workers, and acquaintances just as much as they missed their close friends and family, whom they were still able to connect with online or via phone. Be open-minded about making new friends or at least sharing some quality time with new acquaintances. If nothing else, you’re a great date, so take yourself out!

Reach Out to Your People

Connecting with others — especially those who know and love you — is a great way to feel less alone. Make time to reach out to your friends and family back home or even new friends you’ve made on assignments throughout the country. Just because you’re not physically in the same place shouldn’t keep you from togetherness. Reach out often to friends and family via phone, Facetime, Zoom, or other similar avenues. We know you’re busy, but being intentional about making the time to reach out will improve your mood and keep you connected in an important way. Remember, even a quick text or IM session can help you feel less alone and allow you to chime in quickly whenever you do have the time. Maybe start a text or IM thread with some fellow travelers who understand where you’re coming from. Being seen and understood always helps us humans feel less alone.

Even your recruiter is a helpful person to connect with if you’re feeling lonely! A good travel nurse recruiter cares about you and is always there to support you personally as well as professionally, so never hesitate to reach out via phone, email, or text if you need someone to connect with.

Tell Someone How You Feel

A lot of life’s problems can be helped by sharing your feelings with another human. They may not be able to solve your predicament, but sometimes it just feels good to get it out. Be thoughtful about who you choose to confide in — you’ll want to share your thoughts and feelings with a good listener and confidant rather than someone who may be reckless with your trust or minimize you.

If you truly don’t have anyone to talk to, try journaling. Sometimes just getting your thoughts and feelings out on paper can help you figure out solutions or provide that important release that allows you to move forward with hope.

Make New Friends

A really positive feature of travel nursing is being able to make new friends and acquaintances. Some of the tips above are actually wonderful avenues to meeting people, but if that didn’t work and you’d like to meet new friends to help you feel less lonely and enjoy life with, you should focus on that specifically. We’ve outlined some great tips for making new friends in this previous article.

Be Mindful of Mental Health

If none of the above eases your loneliness or you’re otherwise struggling, please make sure to reach out to a professional. It’s completely normal to struggle with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. So, first, remember that while you may be lonely, you’re far from alone in this regard! Consider the factors that may be contributing to your mental state. Some travelers feel alone when they first arrive on assignment but end up getting into a great rhythm. It’s a fairly common pattern for travelers who trend toward loneliness. If you know this about yourself, it’s a lot easier to hang on during that early part of current and future assignments. Some travelers get a little homesick around certain holidays or times of the year. For example, seasonal affective disorder hits many of us hard in the colder, darker months of the year. Once again, knowing your patterns can help you make it through with less distress.

To help you persevere through tough times, Medical Solutions supports all current travelers with a 100% free employee assistance program (EAP) that includes up to eight free, confidential sessions per issue per year with licensed therapists. Sessions are available 24/7 via phone or online. Again, these sessions are completely free and available for all our current travelers — you don’t even need to be on our insurance. The EAP also includes many other helpful resources to assist you with a host of concerns, issues, and obstacles.

We’re Always Here for You

Medical Solutions takes a human-first approach to everything we do, so we mean it when we say we’re always here for you, both professionally and personally. Of course, we provide our 24-hour customer care line, but even beyond that, we want to support you in any way possible. Some assignments can have lonely spells, but we’ll always get through them together!

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

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

START HERE

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

By Frank Hamilton

February 5, 2023

3424 Views

Educational Requirements for Travel Nurse

Posted on February 5, 2023February 5, 2023 by Frank Hamilton

Traveling can easily become a greater part of your life, especially if it is related to your career. In this post, we would like to look closer at the professions of travel nurses and what to expect by choosing this sphere of activity. Let’s outline who travel nurses are, what they do, and what education requirements are mandatory for them.

Who is a travel nurse?

A travel nurse is an exciting employment variation in the healthcare industry. These are nurses whom independent staffing agencies hire to work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. They are usually under contract for short periods, visiting different locations.

Educational requirements for a travel nurse

Let’s explore what you need to know and what skills you should have to work as a travel nurse and be included in the top list at Yahoo one day.

Nursing Degree Requirements

The basic condition for employment as a traveling nurse is a registered nurse (RN) license, which requires at least an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). But the majority of staffing agencies and clients choose nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).

ADN takes two years, not four years, like the BSN. Admission to ADN programs requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, and many healthcare institutions require passing grades in the country’s native language so the nurse can work at the best online translation service. Also, travel nurses should be great at math and science, especially biology and chemistry.

ADN training consists of nursing practice, evidence-based practice fundamentals, screening and testing of patients, patient education, and communication. The program also includes clinical hours that advance nursing skills.

The majority of BSN courses take four years to complete. Part-time students may take longer, usually up to six years. Students with an ADN degree, college transfer credits, or AP passing grades can finish BSN in two to three years.

The BSN curriculum consists of preventive and health promotion, evidentiary nursing practice, statistics/research methods, healthcare systems and management, population health, patient communication, and education. The program also involves clinical experiences in healthcare facilities.

Many employers require a BSN, particularly in specialized areas such as trauma departments.

License and certification for travel nurses

Next, after you get your ASN and BSN, you have to pass the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) to be eligible to get your license in your area.

Students should answer a shortlist of questions, depending on how well they answer the NCLEX questions. Licensing requirements for travel nurses may vary depending on where you live or where you intend to work.

Once you are licensed as an RN, you will need two years of clinical experience to become qualified for most travel nurse positions.

There is no specialized travel nursing certification, but you can get certified in a different specialty area based on what specialty you want as a travel nurse.

Certification varies by unit and specific job requirements. All nurses are required to be certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), and the majority of them are required to be certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

Certainly, obtaining extra certifications will improve your employment opportunities and salary. For example, the most popular certifications for traveling nurses are:

CPN (certified pediatric nurse practitioner).
CCRN (certified critical care nurse).
CEN (certified emergency room nurse).

Years of Experience

It is worth saying that working as a traveling nurse requires at least one year of experience as a registered nurse in a hospital, but often even two years of healthcare practice. Obviously, with a short-term contract, travel nurses have very few orientation shifts. Accordingly, they must have the skills and knowledge to get immediately involved in any assignment or situation. For instance, specialists from writing services GrabMyEssay can adjust their skills to any customer requirement.

Nurses who will be taking care of patients in a specialty department must have experience relevant to that specialty. Keep in mind if you are not qualified for the experience level, do not apply. Your application will not be considered. The more experience you have, the more desirable a worker you are.

Advantages of a traveling nurse

Working as a travel nurse has many advantages for the medical career overall. We can identify the following:

High income from the first working days.
Compensatory benefits: for housing, food, incidental expenses, and travel reimbursement.
Traveling the country.
Creating your skill set.
Flexibility.
Job security.
Individual growth.
Possibility to make new friends and experience new places.
Connecting with healthcare professionals around the country.

To sum up

Traveling nursing jobs can be an excellent career choice for nurses who have some experience in the field but want to explore new cities, meet new people, and constantly discover new horizons while still growing professionally.

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 Geraldine Mills

February 3, 2023

4484 Views

7 Simple Steps to Start Your Travel Nursing Journey

Posted on February 3, 2023December 27, 2023 by Geraldine Mills

Becoming a travel nurse is an exciting and rewarding career path for registered nurses. As a travel nurse, you’ll be able to experience new places and cultures while providing medical care to those in need.

Travel nursing also offers excellent financial benefits and the opportunity to gain valuable experience in different medical settings.

They have the opportunity to work in diverse settings, gain valuable experience, and make an impact on the lives of those they serve. Additionally, they can enjoy the benefits of flexible scheduling, higher pay rates, and more opportunities for career advancement.

If you are interested in taking on this travel nursing journey for yourself, here are a few simple steps that can lead you to that path.

Clarify your needs and wants

To become a travel nurse, you need to connect with a recruiter or an agency. With your chosen recruiter or agency, you should clarify with them what you’re looking to get out of this travel nursing journey.

By clearly defining what you need, you will be able to ensure that the recruiter or agency has the resources and capabilities to meet your requirements. You should also make sure that they understand your expectations so that they can provide you with the best possible service.

Clarifying your needs and wants will help ensure you have a successful experience as a travel nurse. This step will help the recruiter or agency match you with a job that meets your criteria, from the desired location to salary.

Understand how travel nursing will affect your life

Travel nursing is an increasingly popular career choice for nurses, offering the opportunity to travel and gain experience in various healthcare settings. However, it is crucial to understand the implications of this lifestyle on your life before you decide to become a travel nurse.

As a travel nurse, you must make sacrifices and compromises to pursue a career that offers great rewards and opportunities.

One of the most significant changes would be the amount of traveling you’re doing since you’re going to at least travel from place to place four times a year. By mentally preparing for that, you will have a much better experience regarding your travel nursing journey.

Connect with a recruiter

Finding the right recruiter for your travel nursing journey can be daunting. It is essential to take the time to research and compare different recruiters to find the one that best suits your needs.

When selecting a recruiter, it would be best to consider factors such as experience, reputation, and customer service. Additionally, it is beneficial to read reviews from other travel nurses who have worked with the recruiter to understand their service quality.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that you are working with a reliable and experienced recruiter who will help make your travel nursing journey successful.

Figuring out where to go

If you are considering becoming a travel nurse, planning your journey before starting is crucial. Knowing where to go and what to expect will make your travel nursing journey much easier and more enjoyable.

It can also help you save money by getting the best deals on accommodations, transportation, and other essentials.

Planning will also ensure you have a safe and successful experience as a travel nurse. Taking the time to figure out where to go before starting your journey will give you the best chance of having an enjoyable experience as a travel nurse.

Submit an application

Once you’re sure you’re going to pursue this travel nursing gig, don’t hesitate to apply. Many online applications are available, so you can start using them today. There might be times when you’ll have to hop on a call with a recruiter.

If you fit the specialization and have the years of experience they need, then submitting that application shouldn’t be an issue.

Finding a place to live on assignment

Are you a travel nurse looking for the best place to live on assignment? With so many places to choose from, it can take time to figure out where to start. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make sure you find the perfect place for your travel nursing journey.

By researching the area’s housing market and amenities, talking with other travel nurses who have been there before, and utilizing online resources like reviews and ratings, you can make sure that you find the best place to live while on assignment. With a little bit of effort and research, you’ll be able to enjoy your travel nursing journey in a comfortable and safe environment.

Get packing!

Since you’re always going to be on the go, it’s a good idea to know how to reduce overpacking when you’re getting ready. It might take some time to get used to not having a lot of items whenever you can travel, but it will be helpful for you as a travel nurse to know how to survive with as minimal baggage as possible.

Conclusion

These steps can help you start your travel nursing journey sooner than later with the help of this article. Thus, if you’re interested in creating it more quickly, consider following the steps in this article to enjoy a new chapter in your career that you will remember for a long time.

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

By MAS Medical Staffing

January 31, 2023

4063 Views

The Most Sought-After Nursing Specialties for 2023

Posted on January 31, 2023January 31, 2023 by MAS Medical Staffing

MAS Medical Medical Staffing provided this article.

Caregivers such as yourself are seeking change in the most expansive field known as nursing. With an abundance of nursing specialties to choose from, narrowing your list can be tough. Let us help guide your journey while sharing the most sought-after nursing specialties for 2023 and each job outlook.

Top Nursing Specialties for 2023

Long Term Care (LTC)
Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Medical-Surgical (Med/Surg) & Medical-Surgical Telemetry (Med/Surg Tele)
Neonatal Intensive Care
Occupational Health in SNF (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
Rehab
Home Care
Hospice

Long Term Care (LTC)

A long-term care nurse is a skilled nursing professional dedicated to caring for patients who require prolonged nursing and personal care. This includes patients with chronic illnesses or injuries who do not have the resources or support to be cared for at home and need to be in a long-term care facility. In an LTC setting, you care for patients admitted anywhere from a couple of weeks to months or even years. Several patients live in these long-term care facilities permanently or indefinitely. Because of that, LTC nurses can form and build long-term relationships and bonds while caring for their residents at the same time.

LTC Job Outlook: 9% predicted growth (2020-2030)

Duties for a Long-Term Care nurse include:

Implementing comprehensive patient care plans with medical and clinical staff
Providing specialized treatments for progressive and chronic conditions
Recording vital signs and administering medications
Operating medical equipment, monitoring and assessing patient status, and recording patient information in medical records
Assisting patients with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing
Offering education, emotional support, and guidance to patients, families, and caregivers

Is LTC right for me?

If you’re a healthcare professional who feels the pace of your job and workplace doesn’t give you enough time to grow the relationships you’d like with patients, long-term care nursing might be the career for you.

Character traits of an LTC nurse:

Patient
Compassionate
Attentive
Dependable
Trustworthy

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

ICU nurses care for patients with illnesses or life-threatening conditions/injuries in a hospital or facility’s intensive care unit. They monitor conditions, check for vitals, and administer medication.

ICU Job Outlook: Expected annual increase of 1.24 percent over the next few years

Is the ICU meant for you?

Character traits of an ICU nurse:

A great planner
Communicative
A critical thinker
Great at problem-solving
Organized

Medical-Surgical (Med/Surg)

This type of nurse provides direct care to a wide range of patients. They typically treat those suffering from several illnesses and complications, including post-surgical patients. This position is great for nurses looking to gain exposure and new experience.

Med/Surg Job Outlook: Projected to grow 12% from 2018 to 2028

Duties for a Med/Surge nurse include:

Admitting, transmitting, and discharging patients
Monitoring vital signs
Administering medications and helping with pain control
Operating and maintaining medical equipment – IV lines, feeding tubes, catheters, oxygen tubing, etc.

Is Med/Surg your match?

Character traits of a Med/Surg nurse:

Quick thinker
Thrive in high-pressure situations
Organized
Calm demeanor

Neonatal Intensive Care

Neonatal Intensive Care nurses provide care for infants needing intensive care for health complications such as cardiac disabilities, genetic conditions, or drug dependency. NICU nurses will provide this assistance throughout infancy up until the newborn stage.

Neonatal Intensive Care Job Outlook: 9% predicted growth (2020-2030)

Are you a nice match for the NICU?

Those well suited for the role will have the following character traits:

Caring and compassionate
A natural interest in caring for newborn babies
Kind heart
Have focus and decision-making skills

Occupational Health

Occupational Therapists primarily work in hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities. They treat injured, ill or disabled patients using therapeutic methods in everyday activities. The key responsibilities of an OT may include planning individual treatment programs and goals, administering therapy approaches while instructing patients how to perform them, and organizing and maintaining equipment such as walkers, lifts, mechanical chairs, etc.

Occupational Health Job Outlook: Projected to grow 5% (2021-2031)

Is OT the right path for me?

If you have great interpersonal and communication skills, emotional intelligence (empathy and compassion), are well organized and obtain analytical and problem-solving skills, then you are more than likely a great fit for this type of position. Explore MAS Medical’s OT jobs today!

Rehab Nurse

Rehab nurses work with patients of all ages, their families, or caregivers soon after the onset of a disabling injury or chronic illness. They rebuild patients’ lives so they have freedom and independence again. They even work alongside other healthcare team members, including speech therapists, physical therapists, physiatrists, and more.

Rehab Nurse Job Outlook: 7% predicted growth (2019-2029)

Character traits for someone in this field:

Excellent teaching skills
Strong planning skills
Empathetic
A team player
Physically strong and able to lift and move patients

Home Care Nurse

As a Home Care nurse, your job will be to connect with your patients in a one-on-one environment that requires compassion and kindness. You will also be an educational resource—there to answer all questions that your patient or their family may have. This will require you to be knowledgeable about a vast number of topics and comfortable sharing your expertise with others. Home Care nurses are typically responsible for managing a patient’s healthcare plan, helping the patient keep healthy hygiene, and administering and maintaining records of all prescribed medications.

Home Care Nurse Job Outlook: Projected to grow 25 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations

Qualities of a Home Care nurse include:

Compassionate
Empathetic
A problem solver
Patient
Has stamina
Pays great attention to detail

Hospice Nurse

Hospice nurses care for patients with terminal conditions, focusing on keeping the patient as comfortable as possible and minimizing pain. They work under the supervision of physicians or advanced practice nurses and may supervise nursing assistants. The key responsibilities of a hospice nurse include treating and dressing wound sites, monitoring vital signs, and administering medications – particularly for pain management.

Hospice Nurse Job Outlook: Projected growth of 7% (2019-2029)

Hospice nurse character traits:

Communicative
Empathetic
Patient

Plenty of Opportunity for 2023

You tell us where you want to go and what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you get there. Your next adventure is right around the corner with MAS Medical Staffing. Our team of recruiters is ready to help you find the perfect nursing specialty to help you advance your career.

We hope you found this article on the most sought-after nursing specialties for 2023 helpful. If you have any insight or comments, please leave them below.

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

By Uniti Med

January 30, 2023

1520 Views

Taking Time Off Between Travel Assignments

Posted on January 30, 2023January 30, 2023 by Uniti Med

Uniti Med provided this article.

One of the main reasons healthcare professionals decide to start a travel career is just that – to travel. A travel career gives you the opportunity to work anywhere, including some of those bucket-list locations you’ve always wanted to visit. For 13 weeks, you can immerse yourself in the culture of any area of the country and make more money while doing it! But what about in-between those assignments? What are some things you can do while you wait to start your next contract?

Maybe you’ve worked 10 assignments in a row and want to take some time off. One of the incredible aspects of travel healthcare is that once your contract ends, you’re free to take off as much time as you’d like. With the extra compensation that comes with these positions, there’s so much you can do with your extra time (and money!). Here are a few suggestions:

1. Travel Abroad

You’ve already got the travel bug, and everyone has an international destination they’ve always wanted to go to. Take some time off in-between assignments to go there! Do you have a dream of backpacking through Europe? Take a month or so off before your next job starts, and check that off your list. For Uniti Med travel nurse, Avi went to not just one but several countries in her month-long hiatus. She flew to Dubai, Thailand, Singapore, and India before taking a new travel contract back in the states. Whether you want to take a few weeks or a few months off in-between assignments, you can use that time to get out of the country and experience new cultures and customs to make yourself even more well-traveled and well-rounded.

2. Visit Family and Friends

If you want to stay within the country, you might take some time off to go back home and spend time with friends and family. As a healthcare traveler, many of your assignments are likely not close to home. This is your chance to go back and spend some quality time with your loved ones. Skip those midwestern winter visits and schedule some time off during the warmer months. Plan extra time off for a family wedding, or give that new mom in your life a visit. Some travelers work locally and can visit their loved ones as much as they’d like, but for those who are on the opposite side of the country and haven’t been able to make the time to go back home, this is the perfect opportunity to do it.

3. Stay and plan for your next adventure

While with this option, you’re not exactly taking time “off” from work, you are taking some time to relax and regroup before jumping into a new assignment.

There are plenty of reasons to stay at your current assignment for a little longer. Let’s say you’ve just finished an assignment and fell in love with it. You love your job, the place you’re staying, the people you’ve met, and all the unique spots in the town you’ve been staying in. You’re not ready to leave yet. You can always extend at your current facility until you figure out what you want to do next. 13 weeks can pass faster than you think, and there’s a chance you haven’t gotten to do or see everything you wanted. Maybe there’s a day trip you’ve been wanting to make or a brewery you’ve always wanted to try. Extending gives you time to do those things before you pack up and head on to the next place.

Extending can also give you the time to get the licenses needed for that dream location you’ve been working towards. Maybe you’re planning an assignment with your travel bestie. Extending can buy you time while you wait until you’re both ready to take the plunge.

No matter the reason you’re extending, it can give you a little “break” from the hustle of travel healthcare.

A travel career offers many benefits, but one of the best is flexibility. A staff job only gives you so many vacation days; a travel career can give you as much time off as you want to do whatever you please. When your next assignment ends, consider treating yourself to some personal time before you make your next move. And when you do, make sure to document the whole thing so you can look back on your adventures.

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

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

START HERE

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

By AB Staffing Solutions

January 23, 2023

1530 Views

What Does a Corrections Nurse Do and How Do You Become One?

Posted on January 23, 2023January 23, 2023 by AB Staffing Solutions

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

As a corrections nurse, you provide healthcare to a portion of the 2.1 million inmates in correctional institutions. Often there are only a handful of medical professionals and limited supplies. As a nurse, you will need to be able to assess patients and handle their needs with whatever you have on hand. In some cases, they will need to be stabilized for transport for care at a hospital.

As a corrections nurse, be prepared for anything from communicable diseases and traumatic injuries to mental health management and basic healthcare. You may also be providing care to staff, though that is not always the case, and may be supervising nursing assistants in the treatment of inmate ailments and injuries.

You may think that this environment isn’t safe, but that’s not what nurses say. Security measures are taken from when you enter the parking area to when you enter the facility and when you’re working with patients. When working with the most dangerous prisoners, they will have security assigned to them. This personnel stays with the prisoner throughout the medical process, so you’re safe with whomever you work with.

The patients are appreciative of the time and care you take with them. Some haven’t had medical attention in a long time, if ever, and may have come from living on the streets or in deplorable conditions. You will be treating any number of conditions, including tuberculosis and other respiratory issues and infections from lack of dental care. It’s challenging but rewarding work.

What traits does a corrections nurse have?

In this position, you will need to be able to work collaboratively with others using limited supplies, making the most of what you have on hand. Other traits include communication skills, patience, empathy, and interpersonal skills. Communication with inmates can be challenging depending on the circumstance and type of prison in which you work.

When you are interviewed for this position, you may be asked questions like:

How does your experience pertain to this contract?
What characteristics do you have that will make this a successful contract?
Why do you want to work on this particular contract?
What do you like/ dislike about corrections?
How do you handle pressure and stress as an RN/LPN in a locked facility?

Prepare your answers and update your resume well ahead of the interview. It will go a long way in making you stand out as a great candidate for the job.

What types of nurses work in corrections?

Experienced nurses are needed to manage the work of a nurse in a prison. That is for the protection and safety of other nurses, inmates, and staff at the facility. As a corrections nurse, you will be required to have completed RN or LPN, have a few years of experience, and complete a Basic Life Support (BLS) exam to be considered.

If you have forensic psychology experience, that is a plus for this job. If you think you’d like to enter this specialty, we suggest trying a corrections contract by connecting with a local prison or county jail in your area. Ask if they are accepting PRN or short-term contracts.

As an RN or LPN, we know you have a lot of choices of where to work, and serving this unique population may not have been on your list, but you are needed as much here as anywhere else there are nursing opportunities.

What kind of work will you do?

The type of work will vary depending on the facility. You will likely be the first point of contact to perform intake exams, administer medication, and determine whether further care is needed from a specialist. You may also assess the patient’s mental health and chronic conditions to determine if they need additional care.

You may be working with a population of 100 inmates or as many as 1,000 inmates, maximum- or minimum-security prisons, or even juvenile detention centers.

Can you be a corrections travel nurse?

YES! There are corrections RN and LPN positions in states all across the country. Check our Job Board for the complete current list of opportunities.

While working in this specialty can be challenging, it can, as with any nursing specialty, also be rewarding. We look forward to exploring this option with you. Contact us today to learn more.

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

Emotional Support For Patients

Organize a card-making activity.

Bake something yummy

Decorate the hospital for a photo op.

Bring in some games

Emotional Support for You

Connect with Home

Lean on your peers

Find Support in Yourself

Visit a Professional

Show Up For You, Show Up For Patients

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

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

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