August 12, 2022

1936 Views

Work-life Balance: Balancing Work and Fun as a Traveling Nurse

Posted on August 12, 2022March 3, 2023 by Lirika Hart

Nurses are known as life-savers and are more than three times the number of doctors in the healthcare industry. The difference between doctors and nurses is that while doctors usually specialize in one area, nurses can coordinate the care for all aspects of a patient’s overall health. This makes nurses always busy because they experience more workloads than ever. A traveling nurse even gets more stress. In recent years, there has been a higher demand for travel nurses worldwide as a result of population aging. A traveling nurse needs to learn to balance work and fun so that there is no overworking as well as negligence of nursing duties. Let us see how well to achieve this work-life balance.

Make good use of your free time.

Nurses are always very busy, so you tend to forget that you are supposed to be free of work during your free time. Most nurses keep working all through, especially for healthcare centers that do not respect free time. They could also use this time to do some quick chores or run errands. It is important to know that free time is for you to take part in your hobbies else it would feel like you are working all the time when you are supposed to be free of work. As a travel nurse, there are great opportunities to tour new places. You could even shop and get some footwear and clothes like a cute dress and practical boots. You could also increase your handbag collection by getting new ones. Using your free time to relax your body and ease yourself of all the stress you endured during your working hours is also a good way to utilize your free time.

Make bucket lists for every assignment.

Like I said earlier, traveling nurses have the opportunity to visit new places for every assignment they are to carry out. The journey doesn’t just happen without any planning. There is always some time to organize yourself and plan before moving out. As a traveling nurse, you can inquire about major tourist attractions in the new city before you set off. All the famous landmarks and local restaurants shouldn’t just be for your viewing pleasure. You should make up your mind to explore them. So, it is good to prepare a bucket list for each assignment so that you don’t miss out on any excitement. It will help you stay positive even during tough days simply because you know you have some fun to look forward to.

Choose assignments based on your needs.

Understanding your needs and choosing your assignments based on them can help you balance your work with fun as a traveling nurse. Everyone has their own idea and understanding of a work-life balance, and sometimes you will have to understand how that will work for you to live it. For example, it is possible that you work better at night or you do not mind it as well as working during the day. So, why not work with travel nurse agencies then to find night-shift assignments, thereby allowing you to make use of your day to have as much fun as you would want.

Create a schedule that you plan to stick to

As a traveling nurse, it is very possible to forget to have fun if you do not create a schedule that will guide you. A schedule is always very useful for organizing one’s time if you are willing to follow it anyways. Creating a schedule doesn’t take time. All you need is to find out when you will be at work and your free time. You can then decide how you will adjust your activities to help you enjoy your leisure time. With a schedule, you can set aside time for necessary errands and also for the fun activities from your bucket list. There could also be time set aside for exercises to ease out the stress that comes with a day packed full of activities. A schedule helps you to think about your time differently, using it to optimize balance in your daily activities.

Final word

Just like every other traveling employee wanting to balance work and fun, traveling nurses are not an exception. It is difficult to see how a nurse can find time to have fun while working, but it is achievable. The key to a nurse having a great time when traveling and working is planning. All the tips here are tuned in that direction; of course, we know that there are different stages to it. From creating a bucket list to preparing a schedule to utilize your time well, you can create the perfect work-life balance as a traveling nurse.

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

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

START HERE

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

By Kevin Devoto

August 11, 2022

2592 Views

Specialties To Consider as a Travel Nurse

Posted on August 11, 2022August 2, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

If you’re a nurse looking to change it up, you may consider becoming a traveling nurse. Travel nurses are always in demand, and there are many benefits to going this route on your career path. Travel nurses have job security, make more money than traditional nurses, and are able to visit a wide range of places all over the country, which makes it easier to avoid burnout. The key is determining which type of travel nurse you want to become. There are a wide variety of specialties.

NICU Travel Nurse

Sometimes, new families experience birth trauma that sends them to the neonatal intensive care unit. NICU travel nurses are responsible for providing care to babies who were born prematurely or who are otherwise too sick to go home right away. The parents of these babies are often distraught, which means it’s important for nurses in this field to be compassionate, kind, and willing to communicate with parents often. NICU nurses must have a wide variety of certifications, including the BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certifications. NICU travel nurses can make an average of just under $80,000 per year.

Operating Room Nurses

Nurses who can work in operating rooms are highly sought after. Typically, operating rooms are the biggest source of income for a hospital, which means traveling OR nurses are usually very highly paid. There are three types of OR nurses. Circulating nurses take care of post-op patients and document their progress. Scrub nurses are responsible for assisting surgeons during operations. Finally, RN first assistants help with surgeries under the supervision of a surgeon. They can make incisions, suture wounds, and more. Operating room nurses must be calm in high-stress situations and have strong attention to detail.

Oncology Travel Nurse

Oncology nurses are in high demand all over the country. Oncology travel nurses are responsible for traveling to different areas of the country and providing care for cancer patients who are either in remission or terminal. These types of nurses must be highly educated about cancer treatment procedures and the side effects that can occur due to chemotherapy, radiation, or other types of cancer treatments. You must be highly compassionate and great at communication if you wish to do well in this role. You will need to be licensed and have at least one year of experience as well. The typical traveling oncology nurse will make nearly $101,000 annually.

Pediatric Travel Nurses

If you love to work with children, becoming a pediatric travel nurse may be for you. Pediatric nurses are responsible for caring for children, pre-teens, and teens. They may monitor vitals and administer medications, but they also perform developmental screenings. Because many children are afraid of going to the doctor, it is important that a pediatric nurse understands children and is compassionate. Pediatric nurses are also responsible for educating parents and children after a diagnosis. The job, which covers a wide range of skills and abilities, earns you about $98,000 annually.

ER Travel Nurse

Emergency rooms are always overcrowded and understaffed, so if you like a job that is fast-paced and always has something new to offer, becoming an ER travel nurse may be just right for you. ER nurses must be quick on their feet, well-organized, able to communicate well, and compassionate. You often need t make quick decisions and are what most people consider the front lines of a hospital. Many ERs require you to have PALS, BLS, and ACLS certifications in addition to your license and experience. ER nurses typically make nearly $107,000 per year.

Whether you want to work with children or are interested in the compassionate task of working in oncology, there is a travel nurse job for you. The key is to find the specialty that speaks to you. These are just a few of the specialties you can choose from. There are hundreds of specialties for travel nurses to choose from.

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 Mynoucka

August 10, 2022

4496 Views

Transitioning to Travel Nursing: My Takeaways

Posted on August 10, 2022July 20, 2022 by Mynoucka

First, deciding to use a staffing agency or book through a hospital directly.

The first thing to do when deciding whether transitioning to travel nursing is for you is to determine whether you want to use a staffing agency versus booking your assignment through a hospital directly. Both options are great, depending on what you’re looking for. When you book through a hospital, you’re cutting out the middleman, and when you cut out the middleman, sometimes it can work to your advantage because you get to pocket more of that money. But in cutting out that middleman, sometimes it may cause you to have to do a little bit more legwork. You will be communicating directly with the hospital; you are getting all your paperwork together and communicating with them regarding your benefits and insurance.

Benefits and Insurance

With a staffing agency, they can coordinate those things with you. And although it does not take the responsibility off you completely, they at least have a process; typically, they’ve been doing it for a while. They’re able to ensure that you are getting everything that you need. Regardless of whether you’re booking directly through the hospital or you are booking through a nursing agency or staffing agency, you want to make sure that you’re discussing things like benefits, insurance, life insurance, retirement, and all the different benefits that people working as a contracted nurse or as a travel nurse think they don’t have access to, but that’s not true. You still have access to these benefits.

The idea that you must work as a staff nurse because you won’t have benefits is not necessarily accurate. Many of these hospitals and staffing agencies still have access to benefits to offer them to you as a travel nurse.

Picking a staffing agency

So, first, decide whether you want to book through the hospital directly or the staffing agency. From there, if you are going to book through a staffing agency, talk to other travel nurses you know, look through different Facebook pages and groups, look through Instagram, and as many different online resources to determine which staffing agency you want to work with. Make a list of what you’re looking for and see if that staffing agency meets your needs. There are so many different staffing agencies, and it can be overwhelming. Talking to someone and getting a direct referral can sometimes be less overwhelming. A lot of times, you can get a referral bonus. The staffing agency may give you a bonus for booking through a referral, and the person who referred you also gets a referral bonus. It is a win-win situation. There is no right or wrong way to do it. It is based on what you decide would be best for you.

Second, verbalize what you are looking for in your travel nursing assignment.

It does you absolutely no good and no justice to take a travel nursing assignment that you’re not qualified for or to work with patients you’re unfamiliar with. It puts you in danger of losing your license; it puts that patient in danger because you might not possess the skills to take care of them, not because you’re not smart or you’re not able to figure it out, but because you need more training.

When booking your travel nursing assignments, talk to the staffing agency and let them know what you’re competent in. What you’re not comfortable with. As I said, it does no good to take a travel nursing assignment where you will be overwhelmed with anxiety every time you go to work because you’re taking care of patients that you’re not familiar with. There are opportunities where you could be trained where you take an assignment, but most of the time, when you take a travel nurse assignment, they are not looking to train you or teach you how to perform the skill they’re hiring for. They expect you to hit the ground running because you’re likely fulfilling a need that they have. They’re expecting you to be competent in the skills that you’re telling them that you’re competent in.

I remember, as a new nurse, the anxiety that I used to have. Feeling like I wasn’t confident enough to do my job. It’s a natural feeling when you start something new. Especially when you are going to a new city, a new hospital with unfamiliar staff, the last thing you want to do is work with patients you’re unfamiliar with. So bottom line, make sure you verbalize what you can do and what you are comfortable with. If you take a travel nurse assignment entirely different than what you expected, verbalize it to the agency or the facility. It is better for you to step up and say, “you know what, this is not for me,” and cut that contract short. You deal with those consequences versus staying, sticking it out, and possibly losing your license because you’re working with patients you’re not trained to care for.

Third, make sure you have a plan.

Visualize where you want to go and ensure that everything you’re doing gets you closer to your final destination or the next season in your career. Though travel nursing can be a lifestyle, and some people choose to work as a travel nurse long-term, it is also a fantastic way to set yourself up for the next season of your career. However, simply making more money isn’t the end all be all. We know that if money were the end all be all, then people who are billionaires wouldn’t be unhappy. Just jumping at any contract because of the money is not a good idea, and you’ll find that just because they’re throwing five to ten thousand dollars $10,000 at you does not mean that it’s going to be what you want it to be.

If your goal of transitioning to travel nursing is to make more money, pay off your debt, build up your savings, or do different financial things, then you want to look for assignments with a higher pay package. Because your goal is to pay off debt and build up savings, you also want to couple that with what kind of work environment you will be going to? What kind of city are you going to? Are you comfortable working in that city? Do you feel safe? Do you have a support system?

You want to make sure that you’re writing down these different things to ensure that when you get to your assignment, you’re comfortable. You can last eight to thirteen weeks, or however long your contract is. A mistake that we make is we operate from a scarcity mindset. We will accept anything that somebody throws at us. If you need money, you will likely accept something that maybe is not the best for you because, at the time, you’re just looking at the contract, In that case, you’re looking at the amount of money that they’re paying, but you want to also make sure that you’re taking into consideration how many hours a week are they expecting you to work, are you able to work for five days a week, and some people can’t. If they’re offering you $10,000 weekly and you want to build your savings and pay off debt, can you work five days a week? If the answer is no and the contract comes with working five days a week, that contract is not for you.

When I was looking for my assignments, I wrote down states that I was okay with going to, cities that I was okay with going to, and cities that I was open to going to, and took it from there. I thought about if I felt safe? Did I have people there that I knew? Was there a church I could go to since that’s something I prioritize? Was it more of a city? Is it more rural? All these things matter, so definitely write down what you’re looking for. If you’re doing this temporarily, look to see if the assignments you’re being offered meet your needs because it is a two-way street; remember, do not operate from a scarcity mindset. There are so many contracts out there, and just because one contract does not work out for you does not mean you’re not going to find another opportunity.

Those are the three takeaways from transitioning to travel nursing that I’m leaving you. Remember number one: determine if you’re going to go through a staffing agency or a hospital directly. Two: verbalize what you’re looking for in your travel nursing assignment. And three: make sure you have a plan, write it down, and visualize what you want to accomplish by transitioning from staff nurse to travel nurse.

Are you currently transitioning to travel nursing, or have you decided that transitioning to travel nursing is for you? Comment your story below.

Follow my journey at The Vintage Traveling Nurse.

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 TheraEx

August 9, 2022

5510 Views

6 Ways to Spot Fake Travel Nurse Job Postings

Posted on August 9, 2022August 1, 2022 by TheraEx

TheraEx Staffing Solutions provided this article.

The rise of fake job postings for healthcare professionals has reached an all-time high. As a travel nurse in one of the most sought-after fields, you must be vigilant when it comes to being able to identify when someone is trying to scam you. Fake postings can fall through the cracks even on the most reputable job boards. Below are a few notable red flags to be on the lookout for:

1. All Emails and Job Postings Are Riddled with Spelling Errors and Poor Grammar

Consider it a major red flag if the job posting contains spelling and grammatical errors or has incorrect punctuation. A legitimate job posting will be professional and polished. Emails from scammers may also be overly formal or look like it was copied and pasted from somewhere else.

2. Is The Company or Recruiter Legitimate?

If you’ve never heard of the individual or company that is advertising the job opening, try performing a quick Google search. By viewing their website, recent news articles about the company, and their social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, you’ll be able to have a better understanding of their online presence and if they have actual real employees working for them. Another way to decipher if a company is legitimate is by googling the term “company name scam” to see if there are any previous reports or complaints associated with the company in question.

If they’re a recruitment professional, use LinkedIn to research the person you’re communicating with to make sure they’re legitimate and have other connections from within the company they’re representing. Most scam artists have large amounts of information missing on their profiles and tend to spell “jobs” as “j0bs,” so they’re able to bypass LinkedIn filters.

If you are still uncertain, ask around. Thanks to the availability of social networks and online forums, you can ask for information about the company from your friends, colleagues, and other members in your network.

3. The Recruiter Has a Generic Email Address

Whether your correspondence is with a recruiter from a staffing agency or the head of HR, you should expect that they’ll have a company email address. If the recruiter is using a generic email service such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail, they’re possibly not legitimate. Another warning sign to be aware of is if the email that you receive doesn’t contain any contact information such as a physical mailing address, office, cell, and/or fax number.

4. You’re Asked to Do an Interview Via Chat or Text

If your first interview is scheduled through some type of text messaging services like Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp, it is a huge red flag. Interviews are typically conducted by phone or through video conferencing software like Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Webex. Any hiring manager worth their salt will not conduct a job interview via instant message.

5. You’re Offered the Job Without an Interview

Some scam artists will try to offer you a job without even doing an interview. A major part of a genuine recruiter’s job is to spend time ensuring that you’re the right fit for the company and position you’re applying for and that you have all the required training and licenses.

6. They Ask You for Money

Genuine recruiters will ask you for your contact details, an updated copy of your CV, and for references. At no point in the process should they ask you to provide any form of payment.

Steps to Take if You Fall Victim to an Online Job Scam:

If you believe you have fallen victim to a job scam, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage:

File a complaint with the FTC online at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling (877) 382-4357.
Report the scam to your state’s Attorney General at usa.gov/state-attorney-general.
Close any bank account(s) affected by the scam and open new accounts at a new bank.
If you provided your social security number at any point, order credit reports from all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and monitor them for unusual activity. To be safe, you can also create an E-Verify account with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and freeze your social security number at e-verify.gov/mye-verify/self-lock.
Report the company name, contact email, and job posting to the site where the fraudulent job was posted so they can remove it and investigate further.
Contact your local police department and file a report.

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 AB Staffing Solutions

August 8, 2022

1260 Views

How to Thrive in a New City

Posted on August 8, 2022August 1, 2022 by AB Staffing Solutions

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

Moving to a new city can be exciting as much as it can be intimidating. When you arrive, get settled into housing. Get your bed ready. Unpack your favorite items. Take a shower. Grab basic groceries. Find your way to your new assignment, so you know where to go on your first day. That will get you started traveling and thriving in your new city. Once you have done the basics, start exploring to find your favorite places.

Step outside. Explore the parks. Find local coffee shops, walking or hiking trails, restaurants, music, and more. Ask local folks what they like to spend their time doing. Servers and bartenders make valuable resources for recommendations, especially if you’re looking for a specific type of event or venue. Check social media, including Facebook groups for travel nurses, to see what’s popular in your new city.

Always be careful and mindful of your surroundings. Going out late at night in any city is risky, especially if you’re alone. Please be careful as you get to know the people and places. If you have a bad encounter, please let your recruiter know. They also love to know when and where you’re adventuring and welcome lots of pictures!

Tips to Thrive in a New City

This is an opportunity to embrace what you love and explore new interests. One person told us she bought a camera and started a hobby taking photographs of her new city. Another decided to try a new fitness class. And others have found a love for the outdoors in hiking and camping.

Ask your recruiter if they have information about the area and if there are other travelers from their agency in your city. They may have recommendations of places to visit, or to avoid, both of which are important.
Walk around at various times of the day to get a feel for where people gather. On the weekends, there may be activity in the arts district, but the music scene is hopping during the week. Who knows, you may meet new people along the way!
Do something different. If you’ve always wanted to garden, take a class or visit the botanical garden. If you’ve always wanted to climb the steps of a famous building, go for it! Explore your interests as much as you’re exploring your city.
Visit the local farmers’ market. Meet the people who grow your food. Taste the local fruits and vegetables. Grab a bouquet of locally grown flowers to spruce up your new home.
Volunteer at a local soup kitchen, school, or nonprofit. It’s a wonderful way to meet people and learn about the city’s needs.
Search social media groups and hashtags like #yourcityevents or #yourcityart to find events of interest.
Grab a cup of coffee and read a book at a local coffee shop. They may also have live music to enjoy, or groups that meet that are of interest to you.
Eat local fare. Ask what the city is known for. If you’re in Philadelphia, grab a cheesesteak. If you’re in New York, try the pizza. If you’re on an Indian reservation in Arizona, try their local cuisine. Ask neighbors and coworkers where they like to eat and what they like to order and try something new.
Search for tours of your city. Often there are self-guided and guided bus and walking tours available. In Charlotte, NC, there are ghost tours offered at night. In New York City, you can join a Big Apple Tour to get a feel for the city. It’s a fun way to get to know your new city.
Local publications are a terrific way to learn what’s happening. Neighborhoods may offer special events like music and other entertainment as well as larger venues. Sporting events or environmental walks may also be available.
Pet-friendly events are another way to meet people. Dog parks and pet-specific celebrations are popular. It will get you and your pup out of the house for exercise and to socialize.

It might seem strange, but we recommend settling. Truly get to know the people and culture wherever you are, for however long you’re there. Lean into the unknown and do things you don’t normally do. Expand your interests and meet new people. Think of thriving in a new city as an adventure!

Yes, it will be a bit overwhelming at first, but you will find your way. Take it at a pace that suits you and your lifestyle. Whether walking the parks of a city or hiking, we encourage you to embrace your home and take advantage of all it offers.

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 The Gypsy Nurse

August 6, 2022

3959 Views

Exhausted to Extraordinary in 90 Days: The Breakthrough Burnout Event

Posted on August 6, 2022August 11, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Are you beyond resentful at everyone and everything, feeling stuck and unsure about what to do to get back to yourself? Are you living in dread and fear and want to feel calm, confident, and in control? Don’t know how to reframe negative thoughts or turn your mind off to be present with your family and friends?

Join burnout expert Dr. Sharon Grossman in a FREE live workshop to learn the three simple steps you need to go from being enslaved to your job to designing your life on purpose so you can feel lighter, more in control, and more confident in a matter of weeks. And, get your nights and weekends back!

Specifically, you’ll learn:

How to control your mind instead of it controlling you, How to be more in control and less reactive under stress. Three strategies to getting your work done without killing yourself, even if you’re a perfectionist The three secrets to breaking out of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The #1 skill to feeling extraordinary (anyone can learn this).

About the Presenter:

Dr. Sharon Grossman is a success coach, speaker, and author of the Amazon bestseller, The 7E Solution to Burnout, who helps high achievers crack the code of their burnout to find tailored recovery solutions. If you’ve tried workshops and therapy and feel like nothing sticks, working with Dr. Sharon will show you how you can transform your relationship with your work by working on yourself instead of changing your job or career. She’s shared her grounded yet practical approach with numerous organizations, nonprofits, and universities. You can find her on her weekly podcast, Decode Your Burnout and reach her on her website drsharongrossman.com for speaking, coaching, and consulting inquiries. Contact Dr. Grossman: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongrossman/ Website: http://drsharongrossman.com/ Book a call with Dr. Grossman: http://www.bookachatwithsharon.com/

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 Kaylee Osuna

August 5, 2022

3033 Views

Travel Nurse Careers: Should You be a Travel Nurse?

Posted on August 5, 2022August 8, 2022 by Kaylee Osuna

Travel nurses are nurses who work on short-term assignments and travel from location to location for a designated time, as needed by the medical facility employing them.

Hospitals and physician offices may utilize travel nurses to fill temporary shortages due to busy seasons, peak times, or absences due to maternity leave or illness in the permanent full-time nursing staff.

Assignments can vary in length from a few days (“per diem”) to several months, depending on the nurse’s availability and the facility’s needs. The typical assignment in the travel nurse industry is 13 weeks.

Why Work as a Travel Nurse?

Many nurses get into travel nursing because they want to experience a variety of work settings and locations before settling down full-time. Travel nursing is ideal for nurses who are not bound by family obligations at home. Travel nursing also allows you to work as much or as little as you want by controlling the number of assignments you book. Travel nursing can be a great way for new graduates to decide where they want to work long-term.

Education of a Travel Nurse

Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Many community and junior colleges offer nursing programs that lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Students in these programs typically take two to two and a half years to complete. Students complete coursework, clinical internships, and preparation for completing the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Some community colleges offer accelerated nursing programs for those who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in about three years.

Completion time for both of these degrees is based on full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment will take a longer period; however, this is a viable option for those who can not attend school full-time.

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Programs in Colleges and Universities

Colleges and universities offering nursing degrees typically provide two options for earning bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The first option is for those with no prior nursing education, and it takes three and a half to four years of full-time enrollment to complete.

The second option is for RNs who want to earn a bachelor’s degree. These students can typically complete the bachelor’s degree program in one to two years of full-time enrollment. The length of time is based on prior education, continuing education courses completed, and experience.

The advantage of earning a bachelor’s degree is the different doors that are now open for an RN. Bachelor’s degrees are necessary for RNs who want to become travel nurses, military nurses (officers), nursing teachers, or work in nursing schools.

Just like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs can be completed through part-time enrollment.

What’s Not to Like about Travel Nursing

Travel nursing is not as recession-resistant as permanent nursing positions. When hospitals are looking for ways to cut back, it is easier for a hospital to end or cut back on travel nurse assignments rather than to terminate full-time, permanently employed nurses at the hospital.

Therefore, when staff cuts become a necessity, contract and temporary employees are the first to go. Clinical staff, such as nurses, are usually more secure than the administrative staff and support staff, but as a temporary or contract employee, you are more easily expandable than permanent employees.

Also, as mentioned above, travel nursing is not good for people who have significant family obligations at home. If you cannot be flexible and travel frequently on a national basis, travel nursing may not be a good option for you.

Compensation for Travel Nurses

Compensation will depend on the type of nursing degree and experience you hold. Travel nursing pay is usually comparable to permanent nurse positions. However, it may be structured differently. For example, a permanent nurse is often paid a salary with benefits. A travel nurse, depending on the agency and employer, may be paid daily or hourly, at a higher hourly rate, but may have to cover some benefits out of that higher amount.

Finding Jobs for Travel Nurses

There are hundreds of agencies that specialize in placing travel nurses. Usually, it is a good idea to register with a few agencies to increase your options for assignments. Each agency represents different assignments, locations, and employers.

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.

Kaylee Osuna is an essay writer at EssayWriterCheap.org. She uses the job to hone her critical and creative thinking skills, as well as keep up with modern trends in employee engagement, motivation, and management.

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

START HERE

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

By Gifted Healthcare

August 4, 2022

1716 Views

National Wellness Month: Wellness Tips for Every Travel Nurse

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

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

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

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

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

Environmental Wellness

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

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

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

Create Space for You

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

Explore Your New Neighborhood

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

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

Mental Wellness

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

Practice Mindfulness

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

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

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

Self-Care Days

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

Talk It Out

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

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

Physical Wellness

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

Find Your Workout Spot

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

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

Eat Local, Cook at Home

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

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

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

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

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

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

Connect With Friends from Home

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

Connect With Patients

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

Take Yourself Out

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

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

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

START HERE

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

By Frank Hamilton

August 3, 2022

3223 Views

Continuing Education Benefits For Travel Nurses

Posted on August 3, 2022August 2, 2022 by Frank Hamilton

The healthcare industry constantly evolves and shifts to new technological trends and tools. And it relates to all medical specializations and travel nurses as well. Continuing education is necessary for all medical staff to keep their skills and knowledge sharp and learn the latest healthcare trends and treatment methods.

However, the medical niche is a bit different for others, as continuing education does not depend on your personal initiative and willingness.

For instance, each US state sets official continuing education requirements for nurses who practice within their territories. It provides a kind of educational plan for nurses so they can know how and what skills they have to upgrade to keep working.

As for travel nurses, the education becomes a bit more complicated. It basically entails education on the go—the educational course and facilities will change frequently depending on where the nurse is.

Continuing education for travel nurses can be held online or offline in local establishments. For example, found on the writing service Writing Judge, Nurse CEU is a great online platform where travel nurses can find diverse learning courses to upskill according to the continuing education requirements of a certain state.

Further, we would like to depict what benefits continuing education provides for travel nurses, their professional development as well as their patients.

Continuing education requirements keep knowledge up to date.

As we mentioned above, healthcare trends are rapidly changing, introducing new treatment approaches, medications, technologies, and tools. Travel nurses need to handle different types of illnesses, so they need to be aware of wide expertise. So it is important to learn the continuing education requirements of the state or country you currently are to know what diagnoses and treatments will come in handy in those areas.

To take a close look at the continuing education requirements and travel nurses license, we would like to highlight the following from the custom writing service Best Writers Online:

Board of Nursing—public authority that is tasked with specifying rules and regulations of travel nurse practicing and licensing and is responsible for their renewal according to the completed nursing courses;
Continuing Education or Continuing Competency —owes to the Board of Nursing and is tasked with allowing practice for nurses;
Continuing Education Unit (CEU)—defines which nursing course can be approved and certified as professional and entailing counting education for travel nurses.

Travel nurses track their upskilling process.

Each CEU course provides travel nurses with a tracking checklist with professional writing assistance. It commonly includes the list of lessons and training, their status, results, and so on. As a travel nurse, you cannot select any course and suppose it to be needed for your continuing education. Foremost, it needs to be a CEU-approved learning course. Secondly, the results must be managed and approved by the Board of Nursing to renew or update your nursing license and include your new knowledge and skills in it.

Knowledge gives travel nurses opportunities to grow careers.

It is not necessary for travel nurses to be nurses all their lives. The more knowledge, certifications, and licenses nurses get, the more opportunities they get to become a doctor in the sphere they are the best. Continuing education helps travel nurses reveal their strong sides and shows the medicine from different sides and situations so that they can decide what direction suits them best. Of course, the process of qualification from travel nurse to doctor is long-term, challenging, and requires lots of courses and certificates, but when you actually study all the time, it shouldn’t seem to be very complicated.

To sum up

Being a travel nurse is a very challenging job as it requires frequent changes of places and adjusting your skills to new continuing education requirements and medical institutions. Thanks to advanced online education, it has become available even to healthcare workers, who can select various learning courses and receive official certificates and licenses. In the healthcare niche, continuing education has specific knowledge and license. However, overall continuing education is good practice for different industries. To be professional in your sphere, it is essential to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date, learning the current trends and new directions.

We hope you found this article on continuing education benefits for travel nurses helpful. Do you have any tips for continuing education for travel nurses? Comment below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

Make good use of your free time.

Make bucket lists for every assignment.

Choose assignments based on your needs.

Create a schedule that you plan to stick to

Final word

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

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

Related Posts

Travel Nurse Interviews: Tips to Ace it & Book Your Next Assignment

Advice for the New Nurse from an Experienced Travel Nurse

A Flexible Perspective

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

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

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

Related Posts

4 Signs Geriatric Nursing is Right for You

How to Launch Your Career as a Travel Imaging Technician

Top 5 Travel Nurse Specialties

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

First, deciding to use a staffing agency or book through a hospital directly.

Benefits and Insurance

Picking a staffing agency

Second, verbalize what you are looking for in your travel nursing assignment.

Third, make sure you have a plan.

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

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

Related Posts

Tips to Get the Best Travel Nurse Assignments

4 Surprising Ways to Travel Nurse Abroad

Tips for Travel Nurses: 10 Ways to Succeed on the Night Shift

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

1. All Emails and Job Postings Are Riddled with Spelling Errors and Poor Grammar

2. Is The Company or Recruiter Legitimate?

3. The Recruiter Has a Generic Email Address

4. You’re Asked to Do an Interview Via Chat or Text

5. You’re Offered the Job Without an Interview

6. They Ask You for Money

Steps to Take if You Fall Victim to an Online Job Scam:

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

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

Related Posts

The Benefits Of Travel Nursing

Destination Spotlight: Tennessee

“Pearls of Wisdom” For Your First Travel Assignment

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Tips to Thrive in a New City

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

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

Related Posts

Balancing the Wheels of Motherhood as a Travel Nurse

The Most Sought-After Nursing Specialties for 2023

Charting Your Journey: Experience Required for Travel Nursing – Years and Criteria

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Specifically, you’ll learn:

About the Presenter:

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

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

Related Posts

What to Do When all the Traveling Catches Up to You

How to Combat Feelings of Loneliness on your Travel Nursing Assignment

Why Travel Nurses Must Take Time for Themselves (And How You Can!)

Categories

Hot Jobs

Recent Articles

Why Work as a Travel Nurse?

Education of a Travel Nurse

Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Programs in Colleges and Universities

What’s Not to Like about Travel Nursing

Compensation for Travel Nurses