June 7, 2022

3029 Views

10 Unusual Places to Visit In Eastern America While Travel Nursing

Posted on June 7, 2022May 16, 2022 by Susan Keller

If you’re a travel nurse, you visit lots of different places. Hopefully, you have time for some sightseeing once in a while. Here are some unusual places that you can visit when working in Eastern America. To save your time we made this list of unusual places that you need to see.

Cincinnati’s Abandoned Subway, Ohio

The largest abandoned subway tunnel in the US is something that you shouldn’t miss. This will be an amazing experience that will leave you breathless. This is a tunnel without any tracks since construction was never finished. It stopped in the 1920s, but the tunnel is still standing. The upper part of the construction is taken down so highways can be made, but they didn’t remove a tunnel.

Museum of Bad Art, Boston, Massachusetts

Somerville Theater in Davis Square hides the Museum of Bad Art in its basement. This amazing place with unique energy is a must to visit when in Boston. This museum keeps all forms of bad art, making it the only museum in a world that does that.

The collection includes the works of talented artists that have gone wrong, as well as the art of talentless authors. This museum will make you question the verification of art and who decides what is good and what is bad art.

Mermaids of Weeki Wachee, Weeki Wachee, Florida

Mermaids aren’t reserved just for grownups. Everyone likes these amazing creatures, so visiting Weeki Wachee is a perfect chance to see beautiful mermaids. Every day, you can see a live show of mermaids with glass displays for an underwater experience. The auditorium can take 400 visitors at once. You can also try boat rides and swimming in the springs in this park.

Mapparium, Boston, Massachusetts

If you choose to visit Mapparium, you won’t regret it. This library was founded in 1935. and it has lots of rare books. Most famous is, of course, the big glass globe, appointed in the library. You can step in this 30 feet wide globe made of glass that depicts the world. It contains over 600 color-stained panels that provide amazing acoustics.

World’s Largest Chest of Drawers, High Point, North Carolina

When visiting High Point, North Carolina, you definitely need to see the World’s largest chest of drawers. It has two socks hanging from the drawer, which gives it a realistic look that you won’t forget. Make sure that you don’t just look at it from your card, since it’s on a roadside, but get out and stand in front of it. It’s 36 feet tall, and the socks are 6 feet tall. Amazing right? It’s unusual and very interesting, but why drawer with socks in a giant size?

Well, this attraction is placed near furniture stores area, so it definitely carries a message. Don’t miss out on this great experience!

World’s Largest Toilet, Columbus, Indiana

It may be in the kids’ museum, but this is something you need to see. Presented in the Explora House in Kids Commons world’s largest toilet, will have you shocked. This museum has many interactive exhibitions that you can visit. Kids can even climb through pipes and walls. Actually, this big toilet is a slide that goes through all house pipes.

Even adults can sit inside comfortably, so you need to visit this attraction. And don’t forget to take pictures!

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Pennsylvania

This magical place is designed and made by Isaiah Zagar. It is 3,000 square feet of mosaics made of different objects and trash. You can also enjoy educational tours, performances, and mosaic workshops if you want to try and learn something new.

Savannah Historic District, Georgia

If you need a combination of art, theater, concerts, culture, good food, coffee, and festivals, you need to visit Savannah Historic District. You will see beautiful streets, manicured gardens, and parks with silvery Spanish Moss. It has entertainment programs for all ages so you can’t make a mistake with this one.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

When you find yourself in the south of Massachusetts, this is a great place to visit and enjoy the colonial style.

Watkins Glen State Park, New York

Adventure awaits in this wonderful waterfalls and gorges place. Its natural beauty will leave you completely inspired and relaxed.

If you’re up for some fishing as a way to relax, check out these solid fishing kayaks.

We hope you found this article on 10 unusual places to visit in Eastern America while travel nursing enjoyable and helpful. Are there any unusual places to visit in Eastern America that you think should have made this list? Comment them below.

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

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 Titan Medical

June 6, 2022

1782 Views

Healthy Tips for Summer!

Posted on June 6, 2022June 3, 2022 by Titan Medical

Titan Healthcare provided this article.

Whether you’re at the lake, by the pool, on a boat, or hiking the mountains this summer while having fun in the sun, keep yourself protected from both the heat and the heat. Here are some tips and tricks to avoiding heat exhaustion and sunburns.

Water:

Be sure to keep extra bottles of water in your vehicle. Seventy percent of your body is water. You should drink 8-10 glasses of water daily to replenish your body, especially in the hot summer months when you’re sweating and doing more outdoor activities to prevent dehydration. Keeping water in your vehicle is a good idea for emergencies in which water might be needed.

Sunscreen:

Using sunscreen on your face is crucial, even on those overcast days when you think you might not need it. Daily use of a moisturizer with SPF is nourishing, protective, and healthy for your skin. You’ll also want to get a pair of sunglasses labeled as blocking UV rays at 100% to protect your vision. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours with an SPF of 30 or more. Reapplying will also be necessary after swimming or sweating. A suggested tip would be to keep extra sunscreen in your car. That way, you always have some on hand.

Attire:

Planning to spend long periods in the outdoors? You’ll want to wear a shirt that comfortably covers your shoulders and neck. Dark-colored clothing can provide more protection than loose fabric and lighter colors. You also can’t forget the pesky bugs that buzz around during those warm and humid summer nights. Like sunscreen, use insect repellant to avoid irritating bug bites and potential viruses. You can also light citronella candles and torches to keep mosquitoes away in your backyard or campsites.

We hope you found these healthy tips for summer helpful. Do you have any other healthy tips for summer to share? Comment them below.

By Mynoucka

June 5, 2022

3606 Views

Reflecting on My First Year as a Travel Nurse: Tips for New Travel Nurses

Posted on June 5, 2022May 24, 2022 by Mynoucka

I want to share with all of you a review of my first year as a travel nurse and offer some tips; This is my first full year as a travel nurse because I began traveling back in October of 2018. After several months of consideration and deliberation, I just felt like a change in my environment would be the move for me at the time. It has been a tremendous experience, but it’s come with its healthy load of challenges.

Reflecting on My First Year as a Travel Nurse:

Remain flexible

So, whether you’re thinking about shifting your career from working as a staff nurse and transitioning to a travel nurse or you’re thinking about making a move to a different job or maybe a different location, you want to keep these things in mind. One of the biggest things I had to do was remain flexible; there have been many times I’ve gone to work and was asked to work on a different floor. Or I got into work thinking that I would have orientation on a certain day and found out that it’s getting changed around, but I didn’t allow those things to shake my life up or mess up my day. Because I understand and realize that our ability to be able to adapt can either make or break us, learning how to go with the flow and be open to change can relieve the amount of stress related to your job. Being flexible makes life a lot easier. Don’t be stuck to one plan and just realize that things are going to change, and that’s okay.

Remember your why

Another key point to keep in mind is to know your why. Why are you making the changes that you want to make? It doesn’t have to be some deep, profound reason, but you want to keep your why at the center because knowing your why will keep you grounded. And help you stay grounded when things just aren’t going the way you want. One of the biggest reasons I got into traveling was that I wanted more ownership of my time. I felt like I wasn’t getting that opportunity before.

Like everybody else, I had a choice and the choice to do something that would allow me to take more ownership of my time. When I first got into the nursing field as a brand new nurse, I remember being told that I didn’t deserve a vacation after working so hard and graduating and feeling like I had completed a huge accomplishment. Those exact words were used. I remember feeling like after working so hard, not having full control of my time, and for me, it wasn’t whether or not the vacation was approved because I understand that as an employee, you’re not going to get every vacation approved. It wasn’t about that for me, but it was about someone else telling me what I didn’t deserve, and to me, it just didn’t sit well. From that point forward, it made me feel like I needed to view my job, and you work in a very different light.

Although the situation bothered me, I’m somewhat appreciative that it happened because it pushed me to think differently and feel like I had absolutely no control over my life. Even though, looking back, I still had control over my life at the time; I feel like I was losing control over my life. It made me think about wealth-building, it made me think about entrepreneurship, and just making sure that I’m being intentional with my choices. And the type of work that I choose to do. So, when I got into travel nursing, a part of the reason was knowing that I had the flexibility with my schedule, and that was very important to me. In a lot of ways, my time is more important than money because I can always work and make more money. I’m not some huge baller or anything like that, but as long as I have breath in my lungs and have strengthened my body, I can go to work and earn more money. But I can’t ever go back and reclaim the time that I’ve lost, so I really value my time with God’s people in my life. So, I wanted to do something that would, you know, that would offer me or afford me that opportunity to be flexible and to take time off when I needed to—just knowing your why can really really help.

Negotiating Skills

I didn’t expect to get better at that. I surprisingly improved on my ability to negotiate. Again, being so far away from home, a dollar earned is worth a lot more than just a dollar because the longer I’m away from home, the more important it is to me to get compensated what I feel is a fair amount. With that being said, I can remember being offered an assignment and just feeling like I wasn’t being offered the proper amount, so I negotiated and I went back and forth. I wasn’t shy, and I didn’t shy away from stating what I felt was a fair amount. And walking away from that opportunity and what that negotiating experience taught me was that you can accomplish so much more when you’re not operating from a position of desperation. Because I knew that I had the experience to back me up, I knew what value I had, and I knew that my experience was working to my advantage. I knew that I can walk away from that opportunity and get something else. Just not feeling the pressure to choose just any old thing that was offered to me. I’ve been able to refine my negotiating skills and understand my value since I’ve been on the road, and that wasn’t something I expected. Because honestly, when I have been offered job positions before, whatever they’ve offered me has been the rate that I’ve accepted. I’ve never understood the art of negotiating, and the art of saying this amount does not work for me. But that has been something that I’ve been able to really hone in on, and I’m really appreciative of that.

Traveling Solo

I can remember when that was a huge issue for me and embarking on this adventure solo has just given me some time to think and assess my past relationships and childhood traumas and just really understand the difference between being alone and loneliness. I really didn’t have to embark on this journey for me to understand all of these things, but I think just having that extra time in the extra space gave me the opportunity to sit back and really just dig deep and see what it is about being single that was bothering me. I realized it was expectations and timelines that I had placed on myself. Thinking things should happen at a certain time, and it didn’t happen at my time, and it was just very disappointing for me. Just taking this time to realize that if your timeline doesn’t work out the way that you wanted to, that is perfectly okay has really really helped me to say I want to stay sane and to just remain calm. Understanding that all things don’t happen the way that you want them to happen it’s okay. That means that something better is in store. That means maybe more things need to happen, but either way, just not taking for granted the time that I do have and just having this time to really think about that has really helped in the way I see things just moving forward.

It’s really important to just take a good assessment of what’s going on in your life, what’s going on in your mind, what’s affecting you, what’s not affecting you, and just put things into perspective. So you can be a better version of yourself. That’s my first year as a travel nurse in review!

We hope you enjoyed this article on the first year of travel nursing and tips for new travel nurses. How did your first year as a travel nurse go? Do you have any advice for those just starting out? 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 assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Cedric

June 4, 2022

2942 Views

What to Look for in an Auto Shipping Company

Posted on June 4, 2022May 27, 2022 by Cedric

Did you recently take a travel nurse assignment in New England but currently live cross-country in a place like Florida or California? If that’s the case, driving from here to there could be a bit much to handle.

For instance, the ride might be rough on your joints and muscles, leaving your body sore and knotted. But, of course, there is also the factor of putting so many miles on your car when traveling across a country. Once the mileage begins to rack up on a vehicle, it isn’t uncommon for part or system failures to occur. It would certainly be a shame for you to get your car to New England only to have it break down a short while later.

However, by having your car shipped professionally, you could avoid these and other problems. So, put a top-notch shipper in your corner and get your vehicle transported to your new New England home with ease. Below are some qualities you should look for in an auto shipping company.

Credible and Trustworthy

One of the first things you’ll want to do when researching shipping companies is determine if these businesses are credible and trustworthy. You want to work with a reliable auto shipping company so you can focus on moving into your New England home and not on whether your car is going to get there.

Finding the best car transport company is easier said than done, though. Hence, you’ll have to put forth the effort to find out if anything is hidden between the lines. First, visit the websites of the car shipping companies you’re interested in and look for misspellings or grammatical errors. In some cases, such errors aren’t a big deal, but having too many of these errors on a webpage can spell untrustworthiness.

It’s also a good idea to look for reviews of the shipping companies you’re considering. Montway auto transport reviews, for instance, can reveal how the company’s claims process and customer service work. You can also do some reading on review websites to gather information from real customers of these companies.

Additionally, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to skip over to the Better Business Bureau website while you’re researching online. There, you’ll be able to learn about customer complaints, business accreditation, and more. You might even want to bring family and friends into the mix. Ask them about their opinions if they’ve worked with car shippers before. They’re the people you can trust, and they’ll be more than happy to share their stories.

Up-to-Date Registration

According to research, vehicle transport companies must be registered with the United States Department of Transportation. As such, legit shippers will have US-DOT and MC numbers. There are various ways to find these items. For example, a person could visit the FMCSA website to search for a business by its name, MC number, or DOT number. There is also the option of performing Google searches to locate the digits. However, if a company isn’t listed highly on the search engine, it may take you quite some time to uncover the data you seek.

Or, you could visit the websites of shippers for registration information too. That’s because many companies list such info right on their website’s homepage or on the About Us and Contact Us pages. Be vigilant in this quest to ensure the corporation you pick is rightfully supposed to be transporting vehicles in the United States.

The Services You Need

You should also look for a shipping company that can meet your specific needs. Not every business within the industry offers the same services. Hence, you’ll have to do your homework to find one that does what you require. Services commonly provided by shippers include:

Open auto transport
Terminal-to-terminal service
Enclosed auto transport
Door-to-door service

If your car needs to travel a considerable distance to New England, you might want to consider getting enclosed auto transport. In this way, you don’t have to add cleaning your car to your to-do list of getting settled into your New England home.

Affordable Rates That Don’t Break the Bank

You probably spent a pretty penny on acquiring real estate in New England, where some of the country’s highest housing prices can be found. As such, it’s a good idea to find a car shipping company that won’t stretch your finances any further.

Don’t be afraid to shop around, as that can help you find a budget-friendly company that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re spending an arm and a leg. Reasonable year-round prices will make it possible for you to save some cash on the auto transport.

But there might be other ways to save as well. For example, can you wait to ship your car until the off-season? Vehicle shippers are typically busy during the summer and spring, but the same can’t be said for when winter and fall roll around. Those seasons are typically considered the car shipping off-season, and consumers often get great deals during this period.

Don’t forget about coupons. It may be possible to find digital or print vouchers for a percentage off the moving rates. Check your local newspaper or search online for these items and keep some cash in your pocket.

Stellar Cogs Behind the Machine

Most people say that a business is only as good as its workers. That is because they are the cogs in the background that keep the place running like a well-oiled machine. Therefore, do some digging to uncover information on individual performances.

If you know the names of employees who go above and beyond, you could ask for them to handle your delivery. That can help your cross-country auto transport go off without a hitch, and getting your car moved will be one less thing to worry about when you move to New England.

Some Final Thoughts

You should now know what to look for in an auto shipping company. So, if you’re getting ready to ship your car cross-country to New England, don’t entrust your vehicle to just any car shipping company. Instead, look for qualities that give a shipper the edge over its competitors. Then, you’ll be able to put a top-notch company in your corner.

We hope you found this article on what to look for in an auto shipping company helpful. Have you used auto shipping in the past? Let us know your experience in the comment below.

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

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 Lina Belegu

June 3, 2022

2925 Views

Reduce Stress with a Healthy Eating Plan

Posted on June 3, 2022May 27, 2022 by Lina Belegu

One reason busy, stressed people gain weight is that they eat fast food or go out to eat more frequently. This is reasonable; you may not have time to come home and make something from scratch after a long day of running about. When you’re stressed, though, healthy eating at home might help you lose weight since the meals you prepare are generally healthier. (They’re healthier than fast food, and the quantities are typically smaller and lower in fat than restaurant fare.)

Cooking at home can also save you money, which may reduce your stress levels indirectly by relieving the financial burden. Coming home and cooking something healthy or fresh after a long day may seem overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think. Here are some fast and easy tips to help you prepare healthier meals at home.

Ways to Reduce Stress with a Healthy Eating Plan:

Plan Ahead:

Going grocery shopping once a week and planning the week’s meals is a vital first step in a healthy eating plan. That way, you’ll have all of the ingredients you’ll need and won’t have to worry about picking what to eat each night; it’ll be pre-planned!

Silly, keep it simple:

You are not required to prepare a four-course dinner. What is often beneficial is also simple. (Think about it: a salad is easier to make than fried chicken, and grilled chicken is easier to prepare than lasagna.) Simply aim for a healthy balance of protein, fruits, and veggies, with minimal fats and carbohydrates. Also, if you have a sugar craving and want to eat something sweet, you can try Vegan Nutella. It’s so incredibly rich and delicious that you won’t believe it’s vegan.

Cook in advance:

You may save time by making more food than you’ll need and reheating it later in the week or month. Some individuals devote one day a month to preparing entire meals and storing their freezers, ensuring that they have nutritious, handmade food to eat throughout the month with no work. Others prepare a pot of soup or chili once a week and eat it for lunches with salad or as part of supper on a couple of nights. It’s a terrific way to eat less and incorporate more vegetables into your diet! Here’s an easy method to prepare supper for a week.

Use a Crockpot:

They’ve made a resurgence and are an excellent addition to any balanced diet. Crockpots, also known as slow cookers, are popular these days since they allow you to add a few ingredients in the morning and return home to the delectable scent of dinner ready to serve.

Try an Instant Pot:

Crockpots are fantastic for individuals who just have a few minutes in the morning and want to return home to a ready-to-eat supper, but they are limited in what you can create with them. (They’re best used in soups and stews, but they may also be used to cook chicken.) The Instant Pot, which is a cross between a crockpot and a pressure cooker and can be used to produce a variety of recipes, is becoming increasingly popular.

Additional Suggestions

Once you get into the practice of eating more nutritious meals at home, you may find that you can prepare something in fifteen minutes or less—roughly the same amount of time as a drive-through and less time than a sit-down restaurant. If it still feels too stressful, here are some extra suggestions to help:

Prepare ahead of time:

Before going to bed, set the table for the next day. It will only take a few minutes this way, and those minutes will be spent while you aren’t hungry and attempting to prepare dinner.

Enlist Help:

If you have a family, assign certain tasks to them. When you know you’ll have help, cleaning up after dinner won’t seem so daunting. Put some music on and see how much you can do as a group before the conclusion of a song or two.

Use paper:

For those who truly want to cut down on cleanup, throwaway plates and flatware are always an option. While not as ecologically friendly, if the convenience of just throwing the trash once you’ve finished dining makes the difference between eating out and eating at home, go for it. You’ll save more than the cost of the plates in terms of money spent elsewhere. Hopefully, these suggestions will assist you in breaking free from your eating-out routine and establishing a new healthy eating regimen. Your stress levels will not raise, and both your health and your bank account will reward you.

We hope you found this article on ways to reduce stress with a healthy eating plan helpful. Have you found ways to reduce stress with a healthy eating plan? Comment any tips you would like to share with your fellow travel nurses below.

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

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

June 2, 2022

3085 Views

How to Land a Travel Nursing Supervisor Position

Posted on June 2, 2022June 2, 2022 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

Onestaff Medical provided this article.

While there are many different types of travel nursing specialties to choose from, some travel nurses may choose to take on supervisor positions at a hospital or other healthcare facility. Between providing compassionate care and supporting other nursing staff, travel nurse supervisor jobs are important positions that need to be covered in order for a hospital to run smoothly.

There are a number of responsibilities and duties that travel nurse supervisors take on that can be challenging, which is why it’s important that nurses in this position exhibit excellent communication, organization, and adaptability skills.

If you’re looking to work in a higher-level nursing position and travel at the same time, a travel nursing supervisor position may just be perfect for you.

What Are Nursing Supervisors?

Nursing supervisors play a large role in coordinating and managing nurses and other hospital support staff. Having a supervisor in each care unit of a hospital or clinic ensures that all patients are adequately treated and that the right care coverage is being provided.

Nurses may take on many responsibilities in their day-to-day role as a supervisor. They must be extremely organized in order to juggle multiple tasks, people, and patients, as well as ensure all hospital protocols are both efficient and up to standard.

The responsibilities of a nursing supervisor may include:

Coordinating and communicating with physicians, as well as patients and their families
Managing patient medical records and data
Maintaining smooth operations at the healthcare facility by monitoring patient flow
Handling various administrative responsibilities and clerical work, as well as managing budget
Creating schedules for nursing and support staff, and resolving staffing issues
Educating nursing staff on proper care protocols
Providing clinical support and care for patients, including in emergencies
Responding to patient complaints or concerns from senior administrators
Evaluating staff performance

Among other things, nursing supervisors should exhibit both leadership and conflict-resolution skills. While some nurses may already have these skills in the bag, others might not; fortunately, these skills can be learned over time through training and experience.

Can You Get These Jobs as a Travel Nurse?

If you are a traveling nurse and you’re wanting to become a supervisor, you’re in luck! It’s definitely possible for a travel nurse to move into this type of position, as long as they have the experience and education to be successful. Additionally, all kinds of medical facilities need nursing supervisor roles, including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions. This means that if you are a traveling nurse, there are still a range of different locations for you to choose from to work in this type of managerial role.

Supervisor travel nurse jobs require both managerial and patient care skills. Besides skills we’ve already discussed, travel nurse supervisors should also be:

Proficient at using patient management and recordkeeping systems
Knowledgeable of healthcare best practices to perform a variety of clinical work
Adaptable and flexible in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
Interpersonal with exceptional written and oral communication skills
Skilled in listening to others and promoting a collaborative environment
Able to teach, delegate, make decisions, solve problems, and resolve conflicts

If you’re ready to become a travel nursing supervisor, let’s found out what steps you need to take to get there.

5 Tips for Landing a Nursing Supervisor Role as a Travel Nurse

Just like any other managerial position, nursing supervisor roles require a certain level of education, licensing, healthcare knowledge, and other important skills. Individual healthcare facilities like hospitals may also have their own qualifications and requirements for nursing supervisors, so it’s important to consider this as you choose locations to travel to.

Fortunately, if you’ve been working in the healthcare field, you may already have some of this covered. If not, here are some tips we recommend for landing a nursing supervisor position as a travel nurse.

1. Get a Master’s Degree

Some travel nurses working in supervisor positions have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is a great program to learn patient care protocols as well as critical thinking, leadership training, and communication skills. Many healthcare facilities require nursing supervisors to have an MSN because the degree program can effectively prepare you for the demands of executive leadership and the administrative side of the position.

Although a master’s degree isn’t required for becoming a travel nurse supervisor, having a higher level of education can help you to stand out from a large group of qualified candidates. A higher degree shows that you’ve achieved a certain level of knowledge and experience to be successful in the nursing field. It also demonstrates that you are passionate and proactive about taking a step forward in your career and creating new opportunities for yourself.

2. Focus on Your Experience

Before stepping into a travel nurse supervisor position, you will likely need a certain level of experience. As a supervisor, you’re expected to have a certain skill level, which includes problem-solving, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills. Having clinical experience that’s both proven and mature is essential for being successful in a managerial role.

Many healthcare facilities ask that nurses have at least three to five years of experience before pursuing a leadership position. This is because having multiple years of clinical experience allows you to have a larger perspective of the responsibilities of a nursing team.

As you focus on gaining experience, think about what in-depth medical knowledge you can glean from performing day-to-day tasks, dealing with patient concerns, and solving problems that arise. You can also work with a mentor who can guide you as you transition to a higher-level nursing role.

3. Obtain the Proper License

As a traveling nurse, you may already have some licensing to work in certain units or specialties. When looking to become a travel nurse supervisor, there may be extra licensing to consider to give you the deep knowledge you need to provide patient care.

Besides a degree, travel nurses must also have a nursing license for the state in which they are employed. Keep in mind that your travel nursing agency can also help you obtain certain licenses—and may even pay the fees for you—if you wish to travel and work in other states. In addition, you may also consider acquiring the following licensing:

Basic Life Support
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Neonatal Resuscitation Training
Trauma education
Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) and Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC), both through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader, as well as Certified in Executive Nursing Practice, through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

4. Showcase Your Leadership Abilities

One of the most important skills that a travel nursing supervisor must exhibit is leadership. Travel nursing leaders play a huge role in influencing the work environment, whether through safety measures, quality of care, or patient outcomes. This is a large responsibility, which is why it’s so important for nurses in this role to have stellar leadership skills.

Being able to effectively lead other nurses and support staff means mentoring them and giving them a space to comfortably express their opinions and ideas, especially regarding improvement or protocol modifications. If an environment can be created where ideas thrive, your nursing staff will see that you empathize with them, meaning you understand the personal and professional stress that accompanies the long hours of being on the job.

Travel nurses wishing to become supervisors shouldn’t be afraid to express their ideas or visions for change in the workplace. In fact, their ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses of others and how they can be improved is crucial for being a successful visionary in the healthcare world.

Travel nursing supervisors who can challenge the status quo, engage in change, and listen and encourage other nurses will be more successful in their position than those who aren’t. That’s why it’s important for them to share their ideas with others.

While travel nurse supervisors do have more responsibilities and duties they must take on, it can be a really rewarding position that offers new challenges and can help to improve patient care.

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 assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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!)

Sources:

By Fastaff Travel Nursing

June 1, 2022

1887 Views

The Journey from Grad to Traveler – and How to Make the Most of That Two Years’ Experience Requirement

Posted on June 1, 2022May 27, 2022 by Fastaff Travel Nursing

Fastaff provided this article.

Every journey starts somewhere, and for future travel nurses, the path can be less linear to rewarding, high-paying travel assignments than to many staff jobs. The minute you walk off that graduation stage with your BSN or ADN in nursing is the moment your career really starts. With travel nursing in your sights, it’s bound to take off running at a quick pace, just like you will when you hit the ground running for patients in need as a travel nurse.

Many new grads are anxious to leave their home base to start traveling

Travel nursing has become a highly sought-after career thanks in large part to social media, the pandemic, and the national nursing shortage – the promise of new experiences, challenging assignments, airline miles, and paid travels around the U.S. draw in many new RNs to this lucrative, high-paying career. Although the drive and motivation is strong to hit the road, many travel hopefuls encounter their first big roadblock right off the bat: the two-year requirement.

Most agencies like Fastaff require two years of experience before you can start traveling, which is a necessary step to ensure your career readiness. Why does this requirement exist in the first place? The two-year requirement is there to help you, as tedious as it may seem. During these two years, you’ll gain something that cannot be adequately taught in nursing school. You’ll learn your nursing style, how to work with a variety of real people with real, complex problems. You’ll learn to soothe and sympathize with grieving families and assert your knowledge and confidence as you learn skills to be a better nurse. With experience comes knowledge, and this is the time to soak up new experiences closer to home that’ll shape you into a well-rounded, experienced, and confident RN who can handle the rigors of facility demands to travelers.

Insight into the 2-year requirement

We asked our VP of Clinical Services, Michelle B., on her insight into the two-year requirement. Depending on specialty, nurses typically have three months of orientation with a ‘preceptor.’ This could be up to six months if in a specialty like critical care, L&D, ER, etc. Since this time will pass rather quickly, Michelle encourages future travelers to enjoy the time in their first hospital setting. “You’ll want to stay in a job long enough so you can be mentored and free to ask all the questions you need to in a more comfortable setting without pressure about what you ‘should know.’ When you start traveling, you’re expected to know!”

Michelle also stresses the importance of getting to know yourself as a nurse during these two years. “It takes time to get enough experience with a variety of patients, especially the tough ones. In your home hospital, your patient assignments are going to be determined by what you’re capable of handling alone vs. still needing precepting/mentoring on. When traveling, you have you be able to take whatever comes at you.”

Your journey as a nurse will be an adventurous long trip, and whether you end up traveling or stick to something more permanent, ultimately, the only thing permanent is change – and the nursing field has quite a bit of change every day. Fastaff travelers are known for their ability to hit the ground running, for their experience and knowledge are unmatched. The best part of traveling with Fastaff is that with every new assignment you take, you become a better nurse with a vast repertoire of knowledge that you can use to go after those assignments with really large paychecks. We can’t wait to have you join the ranks of the elite Fastaff travelers once you are ready. Apply online, and we’ll send you a reminder message in 730 days to take an assignment.

By Kevin Devoto

May 31, 2022

2626 Views

Travel Nursing While Pregnant: Ways To Protect Your Baby

Posted on May 31, 2022January 16, 2023 by Kevin Devoto

Being a travel nurse is a demanding job, but adding in pregnancy makes it even more complex. While you should exercise caution when you are a pregnant travel nurse, your pregnancy should not prevent you from having a fantastic experience. There are various ways to protect your growing baby bump from harm in a medical setting. Look at these tips to keep you safe while you and your baby travel for work.

Travel Nursing While Pregnant: Ways To Protect Your Baby

Take Time To Care for Yourself

It is common for nurses to skip the restroom during their 12-hour shifts, but this is not advised during pregnancy. Instead, make sure you regularly go to the bathroom six to eight times a day.

Keep an insulated cup of water at your nurse station so you can take a few sips as you pass by to stay hydrated. Besides staying hydrated, drinking enough healthy fluids is how your body makes amniotic fluid. This is the fluid surrounding your baby to keep them safe.

Prepare healthy snacks, such as protein bars or fruit, to snack on during your shift. Getting enough proper nutrition is essential for helping your baby grow and develop. Doctors recommend that pregnant women maintain a healthy diet and get an additional 300 calories a day. Do not forget your prenatal vitamins since they have all the necessities required for pregnancy.

Make sure you get adequate rest when you are off and relax on the job whenever possible. When you do not get the required amount of sleep during pregnancy, you heighten your risk of complications. Look into these helpful pregnancy sleep tips when you are unsure where to start.

Maintain Your Regular Checkups

Working as a travel nurse takes away from your regular prenatal checkups. Talk to your new facility before starting any assignment to see if they recommend someone for you in the case of an emergency or if you have general questions regarding your pregnancy. Even though communicating with your doctor or midwife back home is an option, you must have someone physically present to monitor your and your baby’s health.

Avoid Hazardous Situations

Staying away from potential hazards nursing brings is a step in the right direction. Do not handle, clean, or expose yourself to any harsh medications such as those used during chemotherapy. Also, use caution when administering medicines through an IV or when giving a shot, avoiding any unintentional needle pricks.

Being a nurse means risking getting illnesses from patients. You already know the golden rule of washing your hands, but pay extra potential to this step. However, washing your hands will not protect you from airborne sickness. So, if it is necessary for you to treat patients with, for example, the Flu, add an extra layer of protection by wearing a mask.

Tell the Facility You Are Pregnant

Once the recruiter knows you are pregnant, it is necessary they inform those they plan to send your applications. It is a little more complicated getting hired when you are expecting, but as long as you can perform the job’s demands, most hospitals will employ you for short-term assignments.

Plan for Your Maternity Leave

Your recruiter and the facility should know your assignment’s end date. This way, you can arrange for your maternity leave, ensuring you get home in time for your child’s birth. But, if you still feel well enough to work, you can prolong your assignment.

Pay attention to your body and what it tells you during your pregnancy. If you feel like something is off, or you need to be back sooner than expected, talk with your facility so you can get back home in time to deal with all things, baby.

Being a travel nurse comes with a unique set of circumstances. When you start a new assignment, do the job to the best of your abilities, but keep your baby’s health as the top priority. Therefore, informing your facility of your pregnancy ensures you can do both.

We hope you found these tips for travel nursing while pregnant helpful. Have you ever taken a travel nurse assignment while pregnant? Do you have any tips for travel nursing while pregnant to share with your fellow travel nurses? Comment them 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 assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Medely

May 30, 2022

1990 Views

16 Smart Apps to Help Travel Nurses Be More Organized and Connected This Year

Posted on May 30, 2022November 10, 2023 by Medely

Being a travel nurse or allied professional who’s on the move can be exciting and adventurous. It can also be intimidating, hectic, and even a little lonely. Whether you’ve picked up a short travel nursing assignment or a long-term contract, moving to a new community means a lot of change.
We’ve pulled together a list of our favorite travel apps—for Apple and Android smartphones—to help your next transition go more smoothly.

These smart apps can help you:
● Get to know your new community
● Make new connections and stay in touch
● Stay organized
● Take care of yourself
Have a look!

Smart Apps to help you stay connected and organized this year

Get to know your new community.

Nextdoor

Download for Apple / Android
Whether you want the latest neighborhood news, a coffee shop recommendation, or a new walking buddy, Nextdoor is the app for hyperlocal information. Nearly one in three U.S. households is part of this online community, limiting your network to users within a specific geographic area defined by your home address.

Why we like it: You can’t use Nextdoor to scope out neighborhoods ahead of time, but it’s a great way to
quickly get up to speed once you’ve landed in a new location.

Citymapper

Download for Apple / Android
While other apps, like Google Maps, may include transit information, Citymapper is a navigation app that’s dedicated to making your trips as simple as possible. It doesn’t just list all your route options; it also tells you which entrance/exit to use and where you may want to sit on the train. Citymapper also incorporates alternative options like scooters, bikes, and car shares.

Why we like it: Map apps don’t always give quite enough detail for public transit, particularly for complicated transit systems. We gave Citymapper a try after one adventure when the recommended route kept changing while we tried to find a particular metro station. Now we’re hooked!

AllTrails

Download for Apple / Android
When you’re in a new area, trying to enjoy the outdoors can become a source of stress. Where are the trails? Which ones are a good match for you? And how do you even find the trailhead? AllTrails provides
recommendations based on your location, and the trails are easy to filter by activity, fitness level, and other preferences.

Why we like it: Who wants to be anxious about spending time in nature? AllTrails shows you where to go and how to get there—and you can check out photos from other travelers to see exactly what to expect.

OpenTable

Download for Apple / Android
There are lots of websites with reviews and ratings to help simplify your search for a fave new brunch place but OpenTable pairs that with a reservation system so you can book plans quickly. The app includes a filter to help you find delivery options if you just don’t want to cook tonight.

Why we like it: Finding new restaurants is fun—and time-consuming, particularly if you’re trying to find a place with the space for you to meet up with a new group of friends. You’ll still have to decide where you want to go, but you can avoid the frustration of finding out the place you want is closed or booked up.

Make new connections and stay in touch

Meetup

Download for Apple / Android
Finding a group of friends can be a big step toward feeling settled in a new community but making
friends—particularly as an adult—can be a challenge. Enter Meetup: An online community that enables people to come together in person around shared hobbies and interests.

Note: There’s a fee for organizers to create a group, so you may find that some groups are connected to a
business or organization, while others may request a donation to help cover expenses.

Why we like it: Launched in 2002, Meetup is one of the original social apps. That means it has a broad reach, even outside of urban centers, that newer apps don’t always have. It can take time to find someone you click with, but it only takes one other person to start your new social network!

Bumble BFF

Download for Apple / Android
Bumble—commonly known as a dating app—actually has three modes: Date, BFF, and Bizz. With Bumble
BFF, you swipe through potential matches to find people who share your interests and sound fun. Then you can send a message and see whether you hit it off!

Why we like it: As a way to make friends, Bumble gets mixed reviews. But it’s good to have options—and, as we said above; one great connection can make a big difference.

Strava

Download for Apple / Android
While Strava is a fitness-centric app, it’s also a social network that can be a great starting point for finding
sports clubs in a new community: you can search by sport,, including cycling, running, surfing, and yoga.
Why we like it: Joining any kind of club can be a fun way to meet new people, and Strava is a great way to find nearby groups. While groups aren’t always actively social on the app itself, you can often find public clubs on other networks with a quick search (i.e., Facebook).

TouchNote

Download for Apple / Android

TouchNote uses snail mail to help you connect with friends and family who don’t live nearby. Using templates or your own photos, you can create postcards and customized gifts to send to people across the country or even around the world: TouchNote prints and sends postcards from the UK, U.S., Netherlands, and Australia—whichever is closest to the recipient.

Why we like it: Particularly when we haven’t been able to visit others in person as much as we’d like, making custom cards to send to the people we care about has been a little something that’s guaranteed to put a smile on their faces.

Stay organized

Encircled

Download for Apple / Android
Whether for insurance purposes or just to keep track of your stuff, Encircled makes it easy to create an
inventory of your belongings.
Why we like it: Maybe you’ve mastered a minimalist and nomadic lifestyle—but if not, having an up-to-date inventory can be incredibly helpful if anything goes missing from your place or during your next move.

MileIQ for pros that need to track mileage

Download for Apple / Android
If you’re in a position where you need to track mileage, MileIQ has got your back: It automatically tracks your miles, then you can sort each trip as Business or Personal and get an accurate mileage report when you need it.

Why we like it: We know how frustrating it is to calculate miles after-the-fact with a calendar and mapping app—and then it’s the best guess with the hope that you haven’t forgotten anything. MileIQ means one less thing to think about.

Mint

Download for Apple / Android
It isn’t always easy to find the time, or the motivation, to manage your money—even when you know, it’s
important. Mint connects all your bank accounts in one place so you can track cash flow, manage your budget, and stay on top of your financial goals without a lot of extra effort on your end.

Why we like it: Simplified finances. What’s not to like?

Todoist

Download for Apple / Android
Todoist is a task management app that helps you capture and organize everything you need to do at work or at home. With mobile and desktop apps—including apps for smartwatches—you can carry your to-do list almost anywhere.

Why we like it: Todoist is focused on tasks, which keeps the app relatively simple, but it provides features and flexibility to organize those tasks in any way you like. And its portability makes it difficult to lose track of your to-do list. Another bonus: By learning how to use Todoist templates, you can create your moving checklist once and reuse it as needed.

Take care of yourself

Libby

Download for Apple / Android
If you love to read, but it’s been a while since your last trip to the local library, let Libby be your motivation: A (free!) library card can unlock Libby’s extensive (free!) library of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines.
Note: If a library isn’t affiliated with Libby, ask what your options are for borrowing items electronically.
Why we like it: Frequent moves and extensive personal libraries don’t mix! While we love a good book shop, Libby has an extensive range of titles available, and it’s also a great way to discover interesting new reads. And did we mention it’s free?

ClassPass

Download for Apple / Android
A ClassPass membership gives you credits that can be used to access thousand U.S. of facilities across the U.S. (and in a number of other countries, too). While the main focus is gyms and fitness-related activities, you can also book spa and salon appointments with participating businesses.
Why we like it: Signing a contract with a gym often isn’t an option. We appreciate the flexibility of accessing classes wherever we happen to be—and it’s a great way to check out different gyms after a move.

Medely

Sorry, we couldn’t resist! We don’t have an app, but the Medley platform is the easiest way for nurses and allied professionals to find and book your next opportunity, whether you’re looking for a local or travel nursing assignment. If you haven’t used Medely yet, sign up today to see what per diem jobs or assignments you can add to your schedule.

We hope you found this article on smart apps help travel nurses be more organized and connected this year helpful. Are there any smart apps you use as a travel nurse that you think others would find helpful? Or any smart apps we didn’t include on the list that you think should make the list? Comment the smart apps below.

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

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!)

smart apps

Cincinnati’s Abandoned Subway, Ohio

Museum of Bad Art, Boston, Massachusetts

Mermaids of Weeki Wachee, Weeki Wachee, Florida

Mapparium, Boston, Massachusetts

World’s Largest Chest of Drawers, High Point, North Carolina

World’s Largest Toilet, Columbus, Indiana

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Pennsylvania

Savannah Historic District, Georgia

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Watkins Glen State Park, New York

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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Ways to Reduce Stress with a Healthy Eating Plan:

Plan Ahead:

Silly, keep it simple:

Cook in advance:

Use a Crockpot:

Try an Instant Pot:

Additional Suggestions

Prepare ahead of time:

Enlist Help:

Use paper:

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