January 21, 2022

1236 Views

Want To Know What Your Landlord Says About You?

Posted on January 21, 2022January 21, 2022 by Furnished Finder

Oh, if we could only be a fly on the wall when it comes to what landlords say about travel nurses… That’s exactly what we’re going to do! A recent survey from Furnished Finder, the leading travel nurse housing platform, asked landlords what they like about renting to traveling healthcare professionals like travel nurses. Here’s what they had to say.

What a delight

Nurse to Nurse…What a delight to receive a Housing Request from Furnished Finder. A first responder looking for a house to stay for a few months. She is a travel nurse needing a better space than a hotel room with a limited space. I was grateful to host her. As a nurse myself, I was able to anticipate her housing needs responded to her questions and concerns quickly as possible. Above all, this was a great opportunity to host and support our first responder. Times like this, all we need is someone to listen to our concerns and fears as we face this terrible time of the pandemic. Not only did I provide her a place she called a temporary home, but I also gained a friend! – Jane Scritchfield

Teacher turned landlord

As a teacher, the greatest way to make a positive impact in my community was to host travel nurses via Furnished Finder. My current travel nurse has grown to be like a sister to me. It’s not just about the money, but the relationship that grows when another professional who is dedicated to helping others is living with you. It has changed my life!! – Kathryn Moore

I get to meet interesting people

I have been renting rooms in my house through Furnished Finder since 2018. I have had about 12 travel nurses, lab techs, and other professionals from many different parts of the country. I get to meet interesting people (and cats, dogs, and ferrets) and make money from my house at the same time. – Nancy Fiske

The best top-notch guests

What I love most about renting on Furnished Finder is being able to meet different people from all over our country. I also love how my guests are travel nurses. In my opinion, they are the best top-notch guests you can have as a landlord. During this pandemic, it has been a pleasure to make them feel at home, a home away from home. I will continue to host on Furnished Finder and tell other landlords about it all the time. – Jennifer Golden

I fell in love with a travel nurse

I started renting my house on Furnished Finder when I fell in love with a travel nurse. Because my job allows me to work remotely, I am able to take my work on the road and travel with her. Therefore, my home is available to rent to other travelers in search of short-term furnished rentals. I’m new to the scene, but I’ve only had positive experiences so far. It also helps that my home is only a mile away from a hospital…which is how I met my partner. She was looking for a place to live near the hospital, and a mutual friend knew I was looking for a roommate. And the rest is her-story. – Trina B.

I too am a travel nurse

I’m a travel nurse and have listed my property, and my Condo stays rented out while I am on the road. I love the platform. So easy to screen potential renters. – Judith Lycan

I get to meet dedicated nurses

I enjoy being a landlord through Furnished Finder due to the ability to meet interesting and dedicated nurses that are doing their part to give back to others. I am amazed at the professionalism and dedication of those that have stayed with me. I have had three travel nurses stay in my home over the last year or so, and each one of them have their own unique qualities that give me faith in our healthcare system. They are not only dedicated to their profession, but they are making sacrifices for their family by being away and serving others. It has been refreshing to meet the individuals that have stayed with me, and I will always provide a home to those nurses that need a place to stay while working here in Nashville, TN, and the surrounding areas. – Steve Heim

My best friend is a travel nurse

I got involved with Furnished Finder because one of my best friends is a travel nurse. My husband and I have a 4-bedroom home with the bedrooms being used only occasionally when family visits. So we started the adventure this year with a tenant, and it is working out very well for us. We get to supplement our retirement income with very little effort. Our current tenant has been with us for almost 6 months on an extended contract, and we love her. We enjoy the interaction but respect the privacy of our tenant and believe we provide a safe and clean respite for the hero in our midst! – Helen Sayes

Very little housing in my area

I have THREE travel nurses staying with me in the Augusta, Maine, area. They say there is very little housing in this area…I am so thankful for Furnished Finders and for the fact that I can help these three lovely ladies!!! – Judith Nuber

Absolutely fantastic tenants

Finding out about Furnished Finders has been one of the best things to happen to me in a good long while! I own 3 furnished condos and have been renting them to tenants I’ve found on Furnished Finders for the last 6 months or so. All of my tenants- so far- have been travel nurses, and most all of them have been absolutely fantastic tenants- professional, responsible, conscientious, caring, and great communicators. I so very much appreciate what nurses and medical staff are doing- these days more than ever; it’s wonderful to be contributing in a small way- by providing a beautiful place they can call home away from home for the few months they are on their traveling assignments. The Furnished Finders website and the smartphone app make communication easy and convenient. The amount of inquiries I receive along with tenant leads is phenomenal. Furnished Finders, thank you SO much for providing a great service and terrific tenants! – Paul Torok

Amazing travel nurses at my home!

I have had 100% occupancy with amazing travel nurses at my home! Everyone has been a great tenant, and they’ve all left the house in perfect condition! I live furnished finder!! – Maureen Fitzpatrick

Heaven sent

Travel nurses have been Heaven-sent. Nurses need a quiet, close, secure, CLEAN place to stay, so fur us, it’s a win-win! We are getting a QUALITY renter, and they love our beach location. – Nicole Trotter Henry

I was a Travel Nurse.

I know the struggles of finding a place to rest in a new location every 3 months so when I finally settled down and bought my house, I decided to rent a room to fellow Travel Nurses and make them feel as comfortable in my home as if they were my own family and it worked! I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I’m happy, they’re happy, and it’s all good! – Angie Mahan

All have been awesome

I have rented to several travel nurses and medical techs. All have been AWESOME. The fact that they are background checked, drug tested, and make above-average salaries gives me a sense of security and confidence. They have all come from Furnished Finder!! Thanks. – Sandra Sorrells

I decided I needed a roomate

Renting through Furnished has been a great experience for me. I bought a home in a very expensive market (Austin, TX), and the mortgage is a huge burden on a nurse’s salary. I decided I needed a roommate in my three-bedroom/two-bathroom house, but I love having my own space. I also have my house decorated the way I like it and don’t want to accommodate someone else’s furniture, art, etc.; a few friends of mine who are travel nurses suggested Furnished Finder. I love the flexibility of sharing my home for several months and then taking a break between tenants if I choose to. I live very close to several hospitals, so it’s convenient for those staying with me. I have actually had fun setting up the room and bathroom to be cute and cozy—I try to have everything set up so that my tenants only have to bring their clothes & toiletries. By providing laundry detergent, cleaning products, TP & paper towels, and putting flowers, candles, or other welcoming touches in the guest rooms, it is such a small expense to me that goes a long way to make things easier and nicer for my guests. Sharing my home has also given me a push to continue my efforts of home improvement—fixing up my patio & backyard, hanging outdoor lights, repainting the shed, getting a new TV and dining table, among other things. The extra income has allowed me to hire housecleaners which makes my life easier AND is a great bonus for my guests. Now that I am sharing my home with renters, I feel like I always need to keep my home “company ready.” One unexpected bonus is that I have made a few great new friends who I never would have met otherwise! – Elizabeth Stephens

The smartest thing I can do

Renting to travel nurses and medical people is the smartest thing I can do with my completely furnished rental apartment. Furnished Finder makes it easy and more affordable than other agencies I have used. The medical people are immaculate and appreciate the quiet and convenience of my location….near 3 hospitals and in a quiet and safe neighborhood on Lake Michigan – Sunny Boehme.

Great place to find potential renters

Furnished Finder has been a great place for us to find potential renters. My wife has been a travel nurse for many years and has used Furnished Finder to find housing. We live in the panhandle of Florida, and when hurricane Michael came through, we had to have a big restoration done to our home. We decided to take that opportunity to update the 2 rooms upstairs and use them specifically for renting. Now we receive inquiries almost weekly about our rooms whether they are occupied or not. Now we are looking at building tiny homes and renting those out using Furnished Finder. We feel very secure using this site because we know upfront that the people requesting housing have a job, that the job is for at least 13 weeks (most of the time), and even if they are not nurses, they are working professionals. We will never not use Furnished Finder if you rent your property and want to do it safely. Furnished Finder should be your go-to. – Michael Covington

It is a win-win

I have been using Furnished Finder for 6 months and have helped travel nurses have safe and affordable housing while also being able to help me pay down on my mortgage! It’s been a win-win! I’ve met some very cool nurses and have had a blast exchanging stories and getting to see more about the nursing industry. – Junior Fifer

I felt compelled

I have been a super host with AirBNB until the pandemic hit. It was then that I started to look elsewhere and ‘discovered’ Furnished Finder. I felt compelled to do this as a service to healthcare workers in my small way. Since then, I have had a good experience with travel nurses and will continue to do so. They are superstars to me. – Rosemary Rausch

We hope you enjoyed reading what landlords had to say about hosting travel nurses and working with Furnished Finder. Are you a landlord? Do you use Furnished Finder? Tell us about your experience in the comments below. If you are interested in being a landlord and listing with Furnish Finder, click the link in the next paragraph.

About Furnished Finder 

Furnished Finder is the leading housing platform for traveling professionals and remote workers looking for monthly furnished housing in the US. With more than 75,000 properties and representing a potential of 20M bookable nights per month, Furnished Finder is the source of direct bookings for landlords, property managers, and hoteliers. Fueled by their strategic industry partnerships and high search ranking, traveling nurses, remote workers, and other traveling professionals depend on Furnished Finder for monthly furnished rentals. Furnished Finder also provides travelers with steep negotiated discounts on Hotel Stays of any length. Furnished Finder also owns KeyCheck, a site that provides tools for landlords, including online rent payment, free tenant screening, and custom residential leases. For more information, visit www.furnishedfinder.com.   

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 TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

January 20, 2022

2472 Views

A New Traveler’s Guide to Understanding Travel Nurse Pay

Posted on January 20, 2022January 17, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

Lots of RNs use the fresh start of the new year as motivation to jump into a travel nurse career. Life as a travel nurse is exciting, but it also requires a lot of research to make sure you understand everything that goes with the profession. How do you move from place to place every three months? What is a tax home? What factors go into travel nurse pay? Whether you’ve already done your research or you’re just beginning, here’s some information about travel nurse pay that you might not have already known.

Who Sets Travel Nurse Bill Rates?

Travel nurse bill rates are set by healthcare facilities based on market demand, and that is constantly fluctuating. You’ll see fluctuations in travel nurse pay based on which areas of the country are being hardest hit with illness or nurse shortages, which specialties are in highest demand at a particular time, and so much more. Right now, pay rates for several specialties are up, but at some point, they’ll level off. For instance, once elective surgeries were back on hospital agendas, more OR nurses were needed. As COVID-19 cases ramp up again, ICU and ER nurses top the list of facility needs.

What Factors Go Into a Travel Nurse’s Pay Rate?

We’ve already talked about how market demand affects travel nurse bill rates. Market demand also impacts travel nurse pay rates. You might also see some pay differences for the same assignment from agency to agency based on other factors. Your pay rate depends on the benefits your agency offers and that you use (like housing per diems, paid sick leave, health insurance, etc.), the support your agency gives (like guaranteeing your pay if a hospital calls off your shift or help finding housing), and much more. The important thing to do is to identify what your needs are and find the contracts that fit your lifestyle the best. To understand the full compensation package and the help available for each assignment, your best bet is to talk with an experienced recruiter who can explain the details.

Where Do I Go For Issues With My Pay?

If you have any issues with your travel nurse pay, you’ll want to go straight to your agency. Your nurse manager likely doesn’t know or have a say in your compensation package. However, as your advocate, your travel nurse agency can review your timecard, discuss discrepancies with the hospital, and work out any issues.

When it comes to travel nurse pay, there are many factors to consider beyond the number listed with an assignment. There are benefits, taxes, and the list keeps going. Take the time to do your homework to understand what is going into your full compensation package and what you are actually bringing home.

We hope you found this article on understanding travel nurse pay helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to comment below.

Are you considering travel nursing and need to find a 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 Sancket Kamdar

January 19, 2022

4514 Views

11 Versatile CrossFit Dumbbell Workouts to Look Snatched

Posted on January 19, 2022December 29, 2021 by Sancket Kamdar

Fan of CrossFit training but got only dumbbells to work out? Don’t worry; it’s all good because you are about to acquire powerful knowledge about the most versatile and effective CrossFit equipment – dumbbells.

CrossFit workout regimes are often associated with barbells, kettlebells, and medicine balls, but if you thought that dumbbells were only for bicep curls, think again. The 2017 CrossFit Games made it clear that dumbbells are great CrossFit training equipment, and much can be achieved if you know the best CrossFit dumbbell movements. Moreover, dumbbells take up less space, are easily available, and can be used for doing many other exercises.

Benefits of CrossFit Dumbbell Workouts

Get a pair of dumbbells with a weight that challenges you enough, and you can perform an array of CrossFit exercises that will help you burn fat as well as build muscles effectively. Dumbbells are also easier on your joints than barbells due to the increased range of unilateral motion. Here’s the kicker: They are also great at diagnosing and treating body imbalances, that is, making your left arm equally stronger as your right arm through repeated training.

If you are looking to get a pair for your home gym, you can go for hex dumbbells which are popular for their ergonomic design, durability, and budget-friendliness.

CrossFit Dumbbell Workouts:

From working your shoulders to toning your thighs, you will love programming these dumbbell CrossFit WODs at home or the gym.

Note: While the recommended weight for most dumbbell movements is given below, consider scaling up to something heavier to challenge yourself further.

1. Dumbbell Run

Dumbbell weight: 2×50/35 lbs

The drill: For time
Run 400 meters
20 Dumbbell Clean-and-Presses
Run 400 meters
20 Dumbbell Thrusters
Run 400 meters
20 Dumbbell Burpees and Presses
Run 400 meters

2. Dumbbell Downfall

Dumbbell weight: 2×45/25 lbs

The drill: 5 rounds for time
5 Man Makers (1 dumbbell push-up, two renegade rows (one per arm), and a squat clean thruster)
10 Dumbbell Lunges
15 Toes-to-Bars
20 Burpees

3. Freight Train

Dumbbell weight: 2×50 lbs

The drill: 3 rounds for time
10 Dumbbell Thrusters
15 Burpees
30 Air Squats

4. Tomilson (To honor: Jon Thomas TuMileson)

Dumbbell weight: 2×60/40 lbs

The drill: 8 rounds for time
200-meter Run
11 Dumbbell Burpee Deadlifts

5. Nick (To honor: Nicholas P. Steinbacher)

Dumbbell weight: 2×45/35 lbs

The drill: 12 rounds for time
10 Dumbbell Hang Squat Cleans
6 Handstand Push-Ups on Dumbbells (Do normal push-ups if you can’t do the handstand ones)

6. Helton (To honor: Lt. Joseph D. Helton)

Dumbbell weight: 2×50/35 lbs

The drill: 3 rounds for time
800-meter Run
30 Dumbbell Squat Cleans (2×50/35 lb)
30 Burpees

7. Hotel Hell (Popularized by: Chris Spealler)

Dumbbell weight: 2×35/25 lbs

The drill: For time
100 Dumbbell Hang Clean Thrusters
5 Burpees to start, and at the top of each minute

8. Painstrom XV (Popularized by: CrossFit Central Scotland)

Pick your own dumbbell weight

The drill: 7 rounds for time

10 Man Makers (1 dumbbell push-up, two renegade rows (one per arm), and a squat clean thruster)
20 Dumbbell Deadlifts
30 Single-Arm Dumbbell Snatches (15 per side)
40 Single-Arm Overhead Lunges (20 per side)
50 Dumbbell Swings

9. Joseph Marchbanks Jr. (To honor: Joseph Marchbanks Jr.)

Dumbbell weight: 2×75/45 lbs
The drill: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 reps for time
Alternating Dumbbell Snatches (75/45 lb)
Handstand Push-Ups (Do normal push-ups if you can’t do the handstand ones)

10. Makimba (To honor: Makimba Mimms)

Dumbbell weight: 2×10 lbs (This is for kids. You can scale up as per your strength)

The drill: 15-10-5 reps for time
Dumbbell Thrusters
Air Squats
Burpees

11. Home Core (Popularized by: Margaux Alverez)

Dumbbell weight: 2×50/35 lbs

The drill: 3 rounds for time
15 Dumbbell Sit-Ups
20 Dumbbell Russian Twists
10 Right Side Plank with Hip Raises
10 Left Side Plank with Hip Raises
10 V-Ups

You may not have the exact dumbbell weight mentioned for every workout above; in that case, try to do the best with what you have – add more reps if you have lesser weight or do fewer reps if you have heavier weights. These CrossFit exercises will fire up those muscles and give you a good sweat session for sure. Don’t forget to start with a good warm-up routine and end with a cooldown. Lastly, listen to your body and go at your own pace to scale it up gradually.

We hope that we have given you enough dumbbell-only CrossFit workouts that you can perform anywhere, anytime, to get moving. Challenge yourself to get that snatched body ASAP with only a pair of dumbbells (and your body strength).

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 Vera Wilhelm

January 18, 2022

4486 Views

Managing Triggers: Do You React or Respond?

Posted on January 18, 2022December 22, 2021 by Vera Wilhelm

A client recently told me that she was standing at an intersection waiting for a car to stop. When the approaching car showed no intention of slowing down, she stepped into the street, barely avoiding a collision. ‘I have no idea what happened, that I would do something like that just to make a point, she told me. ‘I felt so provoked.’

Whether at home or work, most of us have been there. Someone who talks in a certain tone of voice acts aggressively or defiant, and we have a much stronger reaction than expected or justified. We feel triggered.

What’s a trigger?

Triggers come in the form of events or experiences that cause an excessive emotional reaction. They can be compared to a barely healed wound that gets irritated and causes a sudden, painful reaction. Triggers are often rooted in fears we hold based on previous experiences and activate our limbic or emotional center of the brain into a fight, flight, or freeze mode. So reasoning with them is usually not an option, as we are often unaware of what triggers us, and our reactions can happen so fast that they erase the distance between stimulus and reaction.

A number of emotions can cause a trigger reaction, including feeling:

discounted or ignored, excluded, controlled or told what to do or feel, taken advantage of, and/or be concerned that someone is crossing our boundaries or poses an imminent threat.

However, not each time we are told what to do, for instance, causes a trigger reaction. Only when those reactions seem excessive and disproportionate may we suspect that we got triggered by an emotional pain that may have its roots in the past more than in the present moment. Like the barely healed wound, these pains are concealed but flare up easily. The intensity of our reactions can negatively affect social and professional relationships and get in the way of connecting with others.

What to do about being triggered?

There are several ways we can resource ourselves to break the circuit of stimulus and reaction in favor of a more reflective response.

Taking a mental note of those moments and creating awareness of what sets off reactivity is the first step. Once we better understand what or who triggers us and when we can start to change the way we relate to the trigger and eventually reduce its influence. The ability to observe ourselves as we are being triggered and focus on thoughts and feelings at the moment makes us less activated in the amygdala. This immediately changes our reactivity as we don’t feel as compelled emotionally as when we are oblivious to what is happening.

Calming yourself by taking deep breaths, taking a short walk, or doing mental fitness exercises (paying attention to sensations such as touch, sound, or vision) helps the body to self-regulate from a rush of adrenalin and cortisol. It brings us back to the present moment.

Being curious by exploring what could be the root cause underlying the trigger shifts our mind from reacting to seeking knowledge. When we are curious, we strengthen the functional connectivity between our brain’s reward system that is anticipating receiving something desirable and the memory and learning systems that help us retain the memory more deeply and learning systems that help us retain the knowledge more deeply. Even if we discover that we don’t really know, we still get out of the reactive mode and take a wider, more panoramic perspective of the issue, shifting the response.

Meeting a trigger with self-compassion rather than engaging in an inner argument that puts us down.

If the trigger is an inner critique (I’m not smart enough, etc.), it’s useful to acknowledge the voice as a reminder to step back and take a break rather than run with the emotion. Reaffirming that you are doing your best and feeling compassion for the underlying wound that may cause the trigger gives a sense of agency with more options to respond.

Creating healthy boundaries can be especially helpful if we find we get triggered by people who are closest to us or with whom we share a lot of common history. Being as present as possible in such moments and expressing the emotions that you feel (faster heartbeat, feeling anxious, etc.) and your need to take a break as things heat up can be helpful to delay reactivity. Also, reminding ourselves that it’s normal to get annoyed with certain people or attitudes and that we just need to accept what we cannot change can reduce our need to react strongly and provide more perspective and agency. Again, practicing some mental fitness exercises is extremely helpful to access this perspective at the moment.

Once we develop tools to handle triggers, we break the immediacy of stimulus and reaction by resourcing ourselves. That step gives us more confidence that we can handle the situation and more options to respond rather than react. A powerful way to resource ourselves are mental fitness techniques. To find out more about my offer for mental fitness coaching, please click here.

We hope you found this article on managing triggers and if you should react or respond helpful. Are there any topics you would like to see The Gypsy Nurse cover in an article? Comment them below.

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

Triggers: How We Can Stop Reacting and Start Healing by David Richo ©2019. (book)
How to let go of anger through mindfulness by Tata Brach (article)
How to Work with a Client’s Emotional Triggers – NICABM (course)

By Kevin Devoto

January 17, 2022

4127 Views

5 Ways to Beat the Travel Nursing Blues

Posted on January 17, 2022November 10, 2023 by Kevin Devoto

Nursing is a very well-respected profession, but it comes with some long hours and hard work. There are a variety of specialties that a nurse can choose from. Some may work in doctor’s offices, others in hospitals, and still others may move from place to place as a travel nurse. This specialty comes with some added challenges, however. Travel nurses often have to deal with more feelings of loneliness and isolation in their careers, as they don’t spend long periods of time in any one facility. If you or someone you love is a travel nurse, here are five ways that you can help combat travel nursing blues.

1. Practice Self-Care

The most important thing you can do is to recognize your feelings and emotions and process them properly. It’s normal to feel alone and lonely when traveling for work, especially if you are in a new area of the country. Bottling up your emotions will only make them worse and could even begin to affect your work performance. Instead, let yourself feel what you feel and work through those feelings. This level of caring for yourself goes beyond self-care- it’s ultra care.

2. Video Chat With Loved Ones

Modern technology lets you see those that you care about even when far away. Video chatting through apps such as Facetime, Zoom, or Skype can help you catch up or connect with your friends and family members. You could even attend special events virtually this way if your work doesn’t let you travel home for special occasions. This can help you feel more connected to home, and less like you are missing out on important things. That stronger connection helps stave off travel nursing blues.

3. Connect With Locals

Nurses very rarely work alone. Chances are, you will be part of a team with other nurses and medical professionals. Even though you may only be working at the job site for a short period of time, it’s still worth getting to know your teammates. Building connections with them will not only boost team morale and performance but can also give you a stronger connection to your current location. Ask your teammates where they like to go to eat or what they like to do for fun. Accept any invitations they offer to get together after work or invite them out yourself. Spending time with others in person can help prevent travel nursing blues.

4. Explore the Local Area

There’s something unique to see or do in nearly every city. Take the time to learn about where you are assigned. Is it well-known for a specific type of food? Does it have beautiful scenery? Is there a local historical site worth exploring? Visit the local tourism office for information, or ask your teammates or other locals for recommendations. Spending time exploring your new city can help you feel more connected to it and build positive memories. As you get more comfortable with your surroundings, you may find that your feelings of travel nursing blues disappear.

5. Practice a Favorite Hobby

Another way to help keep yourself from feeling lonely is to keep yourself busy. You could take up a new hobby, or you could bring supplies for a current hobby with you in your luggage. Keep your hands busy with knitting or crocheting, keep your mind busy with a stack of good books, or keep your body busy with exercise routines. No matter what you choose to do, keeping yourself going and occupied will leave less time for sadness to set in.

Conclusion

Travel nursing comes with a higher risk of loneliness and feelings of isolation, as you spend so much time on the road and away from loved ones. You can help prevent these by connecting with loved ones back home or by finding ways to connect with people and places in your new city. Doing so will keep you feeling more connected and surrounded by people who care. That can translate into far less loneliness, no matter where your work takes you.

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 Krishma Patel

January 14, 2022

4523 Views

10 Things to Do Before Leaving for a Vacation

Posted on January 14, 2022December 30, 2021 by Krishma Patel

Familiar with the feeling of ‘Am I forgetting something?’ before you pick up your bags and leave your home for a vacation? Luckily, you are not alone. Even as a seasoned travel nurse, you may feel like you are forgetting something while packing. While taking time off is a great way to relax, leaving your home, pets, and routine uncared for is not easy.

Fret not. We have got the ultimate checklist up our sleeve which consists of 10 things you need to take care of before leaving home to make sure you can rest easy while you are away.

1. Contact House and Pet Sitters

You don’t want to come back to a messy house or, even worse – a catastrophe! So, contact a trustworthy house watcher, whether it’s a professional house sitter, a neighbor, or a friend. Also, look for a caretaker for your furry pooch if you have one.

Make sure you give them a list of instructions like water the plants, feed the dog, stay alert for any suspicious activity, and a little bit of general maintenance.

2. Manage Your Period

It is not the most comfortable feeling for women to travel during their period. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage your periods for vacation.

For instance, if you want to delay your period for vacation, consider medication like norethisterone. It is usually prescribed to be taken thrice a day, starting 3 or 4 days before you expect your period to begin. Your period should arrive 2-3 days after you stop taking the medication.

For any concerns or queries, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

3. Place ‘Stop’ Orders

Place ‘stop’ orders on regular deliveries or services, for example, milk, newspaper, postal mail, housecleaning, etc. And make alternate arrangements for things you want to continue, like landscaping.

4. Manage Your Cash Flow and Bill Payments

Hit the local ATM to withdraw sufficient cash if traveling within the country. Contact a foreign exchange company to obtain the country’s currency you are traveling to for international travel. Also, check how you can use cash or a card once you land overseas.

5. Plan The First and Last Day Logistics

Usually, the first and the last day involves a lot of travel, documentation, and checking in, so prepare well in advance for a seamless transition.

On the last day of your trip, ensure that you have packed everything back. Keep your travel tickets handy. Book a taxi in advance and make sure you have arrangements for house keys, car keys, cash, and food on arriving back home

6. Pack All Electronics Carefully

A mobile phone has become the most essential item to pack while traveling as everything can be stored on your smartphone.

You may need to consider other electronic items: your earphones, charger, smartwatch, and camera.

7. Take Your Medicines and Essential Cosmetics Along

Pack all your routine medication and a first aid box. For example, the medicine norethisterone tablet for delaying your period for vacation, painkiller, antacid, antiallergic, etc.

Carry all your essential cosmetics like sunscreen, face cleanser, lip balm, treatment creams prescribed by your dermatologist, etc.

8. Check The Weather Forecast

Weather changes may affect your travel plans greatly. So, keep a tab on the weather forecast through news or the internet and carry weather-proof items accordingly. For example, an umbrella if it’s going to be raining, wool clothes if you are going somewhere cold, and so on.

9. Amp Up Your Home Security System

Activate your security system to keep burglars away. Today, security systems are advanced enough to keep a tab on your house through your smartphone device even when you are traveling.

Lock up all the windows and doors to prevent your house from peepers.

10. Gather Important Travel Documents

While most things have gone digital today, some physical documents are always required. Keep an original as well as photocopy of your passport, visa, ID proof, permits, licenses, travel insurance, etc., safe and handy.

We hope you found these 10 things to do before leaving for vacation helpful. Is there anything you do before leaving for vacation that we didn’t 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 your next 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 AB Staffing Solutions

January 13, 2022

1958 Views

New Year, New Travel Nurse Agency: When is it Time to Change Travel Nursing Agencies?

Posted on January 13, 2022January 3, 2022 by AB Staffing Solutions

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

New Year, new travel nurse agency?

It’s a new year—time to keep what is working in your life and an opportunity to change what isn’t working. If your travel nursing agency isn’t working the way you had hoped, it’s a great time to consider other options. Talking to your recruiter, exploring other agencies, and thinking about what is good or bad about your current agency will help you make the best decision.

When is it time to change travel nursing agencies?

Before jumping agencies, make a list of what you like and dislike about your current agency.

What was the onboarding process like?
What type of assistance do they offer for housing?
What do you need for yourself and your family and/or pets?
Is the agency meeting your needs in terms of career goals?
Are there options for different placements?

As you answer these questions, it will become clear whether it is time to change travel nursing agencies. Here are some ideas to help you decide when it’s time to change or even just add a new travel nurse agency to your mix of options.

Problems with your recruiter.

How responsive is your recruiter? Are you being ghosted, or are they available to help you? If they’re stringing you along or, worse, not responding to you, it is time to ask for another recruiter. Most recruiters pride themselves on not only attracting new travelers but on retaining their existing travelers too. This means being available whenever you need them. Whether it’s a question about housing, a new contract, or listening to your concerns, our recruiters find answers and solutions for you.

Communication issues.

Is the agency disorganized or unclear when they communicate with you? This could be a sign of a larger organizational problem. You deserve a certain level of service, and if you’re not getting it, it might be time to look elsewhere. Some agencies have all departments under one roof, so you can easily work with your recruiter, credentialer, and even the payroll department to get questions answered quickly. Agencies that offer this tend to have an advantage when it comes to communication with their travelers.

Job Opportunities.

Many travelers have specific career goals in mind. Some want to expand their area of expertise, while others want to gain experience in a new area. Still, there are others who want to work in different geographic locations as they slow their career. If the agency doesn’t have the job opportunities that align with your goals, talk to them. If you’re still not satisfied, it might be time to explore other options.

Referral or Recommendation.

Changing travel nursing agencies may be as simple as being referred to another agency, like AB Staffing, by a relative or colleague. Make sure to do research to ensure that the recommended agency has what you desire, including job opportunities. There might not be anything particularly negative about your current agency. However, you might have a friend or family member who works for another agency that they highly recommend.

It’s okay to work with more than one agency.

Many of our travelers are in communication with two or three agencies at a time. This gives them, and you, more options in location, positions, and even pay. Recruiters are aware of this and don’t ever take it personally. They understand that if you can find your desired location, shift, or pay elsewhere, then you should take the contract that’s best for you.

General unhappiness with your current agency.

As when you work at a medical facility, working with an agency requires you to be professional and levelheaded, even when frustrated. Express your concerns, and let them try to change, but if that doesn’t happen, it’s time to find a new travel nurse agency.

Changing travel nursing agencies shouldn’t be a decision to make likely. Take time to communicate with your current agency. Think about your career goals and family needs. Talk to other travelers and see what their experiences have been with different agencies to make the decision that is best for you.

We hope you found this article helpful. Are you a travel nurse who has changed travel nursing agencies? Do you have any advice for your fellow travel nurses for changing travel nurse agencies? Comment any advice below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. 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 Victoria Casto

January 12, 2022

6825 Views

How to Begin Travel Nursing

Posted on January 12, 2022May 31, 2022 by Victoria Casto

Step One: Get Ready!

Taking the leap and beginning travel nursing can be very intimidating at first and even seem overwhelming.

It definitely takes some time to figure out the logistics of how it works, but getting prepared is key. There are ample resources out there, so utilize them to avoid surprises!

My first recommendation before you even think about talking to travel agencies or recruiters is to get a thorough understanding of what the travel life entails and when the timing is best for you to start the journey.

Consider any big trips or celebrations you have ahead that you may want to plan around.

Travel nursing leads to amazing opportunities, and it can sound like a super glamorous way to live, but there are definitely compromises. It most importantly means leaving behind the comforts of home and getting to see your friends and family regularly.

Just make sure you’re mentally prepared and fully understand what it means to live like a nomad.

Step Two: Where to?

Figure out where you want to go. Are you going for the experience or chasing the money? I personally try to get the best of both worlds and go places where I’d actually want to live.

I’d recommend being flexible with a few top choices of where you want to work because while yes, almost anywhere is possible, timing is key. Rather than limiting your options to one single city, have a top three list or open your search up to the surrounding area if living right in the city isn’t as important to you.

Travel nursing is a hot field right now, but I’d never advise anyone to take the crisis contracts that are paying you $10,000 a week in random places like Bakersfield, CA, or probably anywhere in Kentucky, for example.

There’s a reason they are paying that well, and you will likely regret it. On top of a potentially dangerous situation at the hospital with unsafe ratios and very limited resources, your days off won’t compensate for it because there’s nothing to do in the area. Plus, those contracts are notorious for being canceled at the last minute.

Step Three: How’s the Pay?

Make sure that your dream locations are going to be financially beneficial. After all, that’s one of the biggest appeals of travel nursing!

Something I was very surprised to find out when I first started travel nursing is despite the most desirable locations having higher costs of living; the pay doesn’t always reflect that. Because hospitals know travel nurses want to go to the fun cities, they pay less than they should and know that they’ll still fill the jobs because of their high demand.

Fortunately, it’s easier to find very well-paying jobs in those locations right now due to COVID.

The main factor I look at is how much rent will cost. A good rule of thumb is to make at least the price of rent in one week’s pay. For example, if your rent is $2,000, you’d want to be taking home at least $2000 per week. But of course, most crisis contracts are paying well above that right now.

And you’ll absolutely want to look at housing before accepting a contract because sometimes it’s either super expensive or it can be extremely limited, and you can’t move if there’s nowhere to stay!

With pay being so variable right now, it’s beneficial to compare rates on job boards like Vivian Health or ask on travel nurse sites like the Gypsy Nurse to see what’s comparable. Nobody wants to find out another nurse is making $500 more a week to do the same job, and sadly, it happens a lot. Sometimes you can negotiate your rate, so knowing what similar jobs offer is useful.

Step Four: The Job Search

Find agencies and recruiters and start the job hunt!

There are hundreds of travel agencies to choose from, and each of those has just as many recruiters. Choosing which agency you want to use will depend on your personal style and what your goals are.

Smaller companies will have a more intimate experience and tend to have less fine print. However, larger companies will have access to more jobs and usually have more push when there are a dozen applications on the employer’s desk. And agencies that staff solely crisis contracts usually expect extreme flexibility with asap start dates and open availability on scheduling and shift.

I’ve found that while agencies do have different reputations on trustworthiness and fair pay, the most important factor is the right recruiter. Recruiters are the ones sorting through job listings for you and making sure you are the first to apply to fresh postings.

They can fight for higher pay and manipulate numbers in the contract breakdown to make sure you’re getting the best rate. And of course, they’re the ones you’re talking to when making huge decisions so liking them is important too!

I’d definitely recommend asking for referrals from travel nurses you trust for their recruiter’s info rather than getting assigned one randomly when you apply.

And it’s always a good idea to have a few agencies looking for you when you’re on the hunt because they don’t all get the same pool of jobs. That’s why I’ve used five different agencies over the last three years.

I’ve spoken to a variety of recruiters over my time as a travel nurse, and I’ve learned to appreciate the good ones. It’s possible to change recruiters within the same company later on, but it’s best to get a keeper from the beginning! I now have three amazing and trustworthy recruiters that I’d be happy to refer. 🙂

Step Five: Onboarding

Get yourself organized and get ready for the onboarding process.

Prior to leaving your home, get all of your files organized into handy folders for easy access while on the road.

For every new contract you take (especially if you switch companies), you will need access to all of your immunizations, licenses, certifications, etc. Having them ready to go in a PDF version to be sent over will be a huge lifesaver!

That way, you’re not constantly digging through old emails or folders in your computer trying to find your flu shot or ACLS card.

The onboarding process can seem super overwhelming when you get the long list of everything that needs to be done for compliance. But anything you can do to make your life easier is worth it!

However, if you stick with the same agency for every contract, you won’t have to resend everything, so that’s an incentive to stay loyal to your company.

Step Six: Moving Time!

Congratulations, you’ve landed your first travel nursing job! If you haven’t already, it’s time to cut down your belongings and get ready for the minimalist lifestyle.

Pack only the essentials and what you can’t live without or think you’d use regularly. This is easier said than done, but just because you can shove it into a corner of your trunk doesn’t mean you should bring it!

Trust me; you’ll want to leave extra space in your car because you’ll accumulate belongings every contract, and before you know it, you’ll be like me and buy a larger SUV after three years.

However, you get there, enjoy the ride, and welcome to the wonderful world of travel nursing 🙂 I wish you the best of luck and as always, message me with any questions!

We hope you found these tips on how to begin travel nursing helpful. Do you have any tips for anyone planning to begin travel nursing? Comment your tips on how to begin travel nursing below.

Are you looking for your first or next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your 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 Lirika Hart

January 11, 2022

3921 Views

Banish a Bad Day: Fun and Lively Activities to Do When Feeling Down

Posted on January 11, 2022February 7, 2022 by Lirika Hart

If you feel upset or down or are just plain annoyed with life in general, you will need a pick-me-up to make your day. There are plenty of fun activities you can indulge in so as to enjoy your mood and banish your bad day. We will check out a few of them right here:

Banish a bad day:

Read a good book

When it’s cold and the days are short and depressing, few things can beat the blues, as well as reading a good book. You can always settle down in your most comfortable armchair and nourish your mind with the latest potboiler or a great action-packed western adventure. You can also spend your hours reading timeless classics with a cup of coffee close by. Before you know it, you would have gotten rid of the weekend blues.

Go to the movies

You don’t have to be a diehard movie buff to go to the movies every once in a while. Check the local listings, grab plenty of popcorn, and enter the movie world, where you will be able to forget all your worries for the next few hours at least. You can also go for a movie marathon. If you don’t want to leave your house, just get a streaming service subscription. Disney +, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. There are so many of those available. You can always select your favorite shows and enjoy yourself till you beat your mood.

Hang out with friends

If you have a hobby such as collecting stamps or even combat weapons, reach out to those who share a similar hobby. In time, you will grow to love what you do, and hours of discussing your favorite topics will snap you out of your downtime easily enough. You can go to stamp collection shows, or if you enjoy combat shooting, you can hang out with your friends at the range. It doesn’t matter what your hobby is, as long as you have friends who enjoy the same, you won’t feel down. This is why if you don’t have a hobby, just make sure you get one.

Go Camping.

This is an ideal way of being at one with mother nature. With the passage of time, you will love the moments when you caught your first fish or pitched your very first tent. Besides that, communing with nature has a unique and rustic charm of its very own. You won’t feel bad at all. Just calm and relaxed.

Get into sports

Nothing gets the blood and adrenaline flowing as much as competitive sports. You can join a track team or a swimming camp or even run a marathon. All that extra exercise will release certain hormones that will boost your mood and make sure that you are too busy to mope.

Martial arts

If you are the thrill-seeking type, go for contact sports. Boxing, Karate, MMA, and other martial arts. They will eliminate your depression easily enough because of the sheer exertion required to win a tournament.

Ride a Bike

A bike ride might just be the panacea to all your problems if you are feeling down. There are few activities as much fun as a bike ride when you are down in the dumps. You can have a race with your friends, or just paddle all over the place, taking in the sun and the fresh air, or you can even go for a high cardio exercise ride at full speed. You’ll be able to tone your body and your muscles and look better and smarter.

You can get your friends to join you as well. If you are not sure, you can also start riding an electric bike instead of a normal one. Electric bikes are far more enjoyable and make for an easier biking experience. Now you can also turn your normal bike into an electric one with the help of a bicycle motor kit for a great biking experience

Conclusion

If you are feeling down and out, just read a good book, watch movies, hang out with friends, or go for a very comfortable bike ride courtesy of your electric bike.

We hope you enjoyed this article on ways to banish a bad day helpful. Have you found ways as a travel nurse to banish your bad days? Comment them below if you would like to share.

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

What a delight

Teacher turned landlord

I get to meet interesting people

The best top-notch guests

I fell in love with a travel nurse

I too am a travel nurse

I get to meet dedicated nurses

My best friend is a travel nurse

Very little housing in my area

Absolutely fantastic tenants

Amazing travel nurses at my home!

Heaven sent

I was a Travel Nurse.

All have been awesome

I decided I needed a roomate

The smartest thing I can do

Great place to find potential renters

It is a win-win

I felt compelled

About Furnished Finder

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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4. Tomilson (To honor: Jon Thomas TuMileson)

5. Nick (To honor: Nicholas P. Steinbacher)

6. Helton (To honor: Lt. Joseph D. Helton)

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8. Painstrom XV (Popularized by: CrossFit Central Scotland)

9. Joseph Marchbanks Jr. (To honor: Joseph Marchbanks Jr.)

10. Makimba (To honor: Makimba Mimms)

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A number of emotions can cause a trigger reaction, including feeling:

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