August 6, 2021

5465 Views

5 Essential Oils for Home and Travel Nursing Use

Posted on August 6, 2021July 19, 2021 by Kevin Devoto

These days, essential oils are all the rage, and for a good reason! Many have a long history of stress relief, anxiety, depression, sleep, and memory enhancement. They also have a pleasant odor.

More and more research studies are emerging to back up their efficacy in treating specific illnesses and improving overall wellness.

Here are come low-cost essential oils that have been scientifically proven to help with stress, anxiety, memory, and focus. Even if you’ve never used essential oils before, you’ll find some quick and simple ideas that can make a big difference in your travel nursing or home life.

1. Lavender

If you only have room in your kit for one essential oil, make it this one. For thousands of years, lavender has been utilized for medicinal and home care purposes, and it is one of the most versatile essential oils available. The likes of D. Gary Young have also studied it. Lavender can be used topically for various therapeutic purposes, including rashes, insect bites, acne, minor burns, and cuts and scrapes.

A drop or two of lavender oil in a bath will help calm frayed nerves and aid sleep, and pressing the oil into your temples and forehead helps reduce headaches. Use a few drops in steam inhale to help relieve sinus and respiratory infections.

2. Peppermint

To ease stomach cramps and queasiness, massage your belly with a carrier oil containing a few drops of peppermint essential oil.

Peppermint is fantastic for applying to the chest and throat to stop coughing fits and helps relieve congestion. A couple of drops combined with cool water can create a great foot soak to relax tired, overheated feet.

To eradicate odors in your home, spray diluted peppermint oil onto filthy shoes and boots. Add a teaspoon of the EO to a floor-washing solution to offer a fresh scent and antibacterial characteristics. Rodents and spiders will be deterred by placing a few drops of peppermint oil around cracks in walls since they can’t handle the smell.

3. Tea Tree Oil

This is one of the most helpful and useful essential oils to keep on hand, and for a good reason: it’s been dubbed “a medicine cabinet in a bottle” because it can treat nearly any common condition. Tea tree oil can be used topically to treat the following conditions, while it should never be consumed.

Applications include athlete’s foot, dermatitis, acne, nail fungus, warts, cold sores, and insect bites.

You may make a disinfecting spray for countertops, door handles, and other surfaces around the house by mixing a teaspoon of tea tree oil with water in a misting bottle.

4. Eucalyptus

This essential oil, which comes from Australia, is easily recognized by its aroma.

Eucalyptus EO is excellent for relieving chest congestion (either alone or in combination with other oils). A salve created with it can also help relieve asthma attacks when applied to the neck and chest. If rubbed into the problematic area a few times a day, that same salve may help relieve fibromyalgia’s discomfort. Adding a few drops to a compress and applying it to shingles-affected skin can help to relieve pain and speed up the healing process.

The antibacterial characteristics of eucalyptus make it perfect for use in a kitchen and bathroom spray or to diffuse the oil in your bathroom to eradicate germs and odors.

5. Clove

Clove oil has been used for toothaches, gum disease, cold sores, and canker sores for ages and is one of the most effective therapies. It should always be diluted (because of its potency), and people with extremely sensitive skin should avoid using it.

Keep in mind that its quality will determine the efficacy of the oil. It’s worth spending a few more dollars on high-quality, organic essential oils if you want to use them primarily for health care, first aid, and other similar purposes.

Please do your study before using any essential oils to become fully informed about their applications and potential toxicity (e.g., lemon essential oil should be kept away from cats), and use common sense when using them.

We hope you found this article on the 5 essential oils for home and nursing use helpful.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you have your next assignment lined up but still need housing? Click here to view 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 Next Travel Nursing

August 5, 2021

8433 Views

The Benefits Of Travel Nursing

Posted on August 5, 2021July 29, 2021 by Next Travel Nursing

This article was provided by Next Travel Nursing.

If you’re a nurse looking for a profession that’s in demand, look no further than travel nursing. It’s expected to grow by over 15% through 2026. The increase in demand is more than any healthcare location can handle. Travel nurses travel to different locations and accept assignments where the need is greatest.

Traveling nurses experience a variety of benefits and experience an in-demand career that provides security. Here are some of the benefits you’ll experience as a travel nurse.

Discover New Places

Of course, one of the main benefits is travel. You may end up in parts of the country you never thought possible – or were even on your bucket list. Travel nurse assignments span the entire country, and you’ll be able to see how nursing is different across the nation.

You can take in the beautiful sights of Montana’s Big Sky or get wrapped up in the lights and sights of Las Vegas. Take advantage of what each location has to offer. Some areas are known for their restaurants or their cultural offerings. Take in what you’re able to when you’re on assignment.

As a travel nurse, you’re able to experience the country in ways others aren’t, thanks to the profession.

Flexibility (Personal and Professional)

Travel nursing allows you to do many things from a professional and personal standpoint. You have the opportunity to travel to different hospitals; many include research and learning opportunities – especially at teaching hospitals. At those locations, you’ll be able to learn new techniques and pick the brains of veteran staff.

Working at these locations can also be a great resume builder, making you more valuable and in demand. The fact you’re willing to work at these locations shows you love to be pushed and up for any type of challenge.

Personally, you’re able to coordinate your assignments so that you’re able to take personal time after assignments to focus on things that are important to you – whether it’s spending time with family and friends or doing volunteer work. Your world is your oyster.

Explore Nursing In New Areas

Travel nursing allows you to explore many areas of nursing. Whether it’s exploring different specialties or types of hospitals, you may find you really like the non-profit since that allows you to focus on patient care. You may find you’re a natural teacher and enjoy working at teaching hospitals.

You can also float to different areas of the hospital. Spend some time in the ICU, ER, or the NICU. You can make an impact in several areas. Plus, you’re able to find out if travel nursing is for you and make the decision to continue or settle on a permanent location – assignments are a great length to determine what you want to do.

Develop Skills Beyond Nursing

Travel nursing allows you to craft your nursing skills, but you’re able to develop skills beyond nursing.

By working in different hospitals, you’ll develop patient skills from new experiences you may not be privy to as a staff nurse. It also forces you to make decisions and think critically as you encounter different situations with patients of all types.

You’ll be helping your career over the long term. You’ll see many sides of nursing so you can develop a clear idea of where you’d like to focus on.

In addition to nursing skills, you’ll develop your soft skills. You need to adapt to many different situations and communicate effectively – not only to patients but hospital leadership, as well.

Not only are you crafting your nursing skills, but life skills as well. You’re adapting to different locations, situations. As a travel nurse, you’re picking up and going from location to location and getting familiar with new surroundings.

Nurses In Demand

RNs are in demand right now as there is a nurse shortage spanning the country. The need for nurses is growing at an exponential rate, and their skills are highly sought after.

Healthcare locations are having trouble meeting seasonal needs, and with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the need for nurses is quickly increasing.

ICU and ER nurses appear to be the most sought after, but really, these shortages span all specialties.

As a travel nurse, you’ll rest comfortably knowing you’ll be in demand as there will always be another assignment waiting for you once your current assignment ends.

Higher Pay

Travel nurses work hard and are well compensated with generous hourly rates and benefits. In some cases, they see higher pay and packages than permanent staff. If you have a specialty or skill set that no one has, that increases your wage.

Some locations will offer a referral bonus to RNs who refer other travel nurses or completion bonuses.

On The Front Lines

If you really want to help and are focused on patient care, travel nursing is where to be. You’re on the front lines helping patients who are in need of care.

You’ll see your impact on people’s lives on a daily basis and see the fruits of your care. You’re not stocking equipment and supply rooms. You will be working in areas and with people who need help in your specialty – so it’s focused care. Looking to start your travel nurse career today? Try Next Travel Nursing, an agency that knows strong nurse-recruiter relationships aren’t easy to come by but believes they’re totally essential. Let NEXThelp you find your perfect assignment today.

We hope you found this list of benefits of travel nursing helpful. Are there any other benefits that we missed? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have your next assignment secured but need housing? Click here to view 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 The Gypsy Nurse

August 4, 2021

6094 Views

Tips for Small Space Living

Posted on August 4, 2021July 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

So, you’ve decided you want to take the plunge and decrease the square footage of your home; that’s what we did anyway. We renovated a 1971 Airstream trailer to our liking, got rid of a LARGE amount of our items, made space for the dog and the cat, and hit the road. It has been a life-changing, eye-opening event in our lives. For the most part, it has been extremely rewarding, but there were a lot of sacrifices that this lifestyle requires too. Here are our tips on how to make the most of tiny space living, especially with your furry friends in tow.

Plan Ahead-

This one is BIG. This started as soon as we decided we were going to renovate the Airstream. Our layout was meticulously thought out to maximize space and storage. Our bed flips up so that much of our larger items can be stowed underneath. For you pet owners, especially cat owners, you’ll want to think of where their things will go (i.e., the litter box). In anticipation of living in a tiny space, we actually decided to toilet train our cat. Lucky for us, she loves a good food-driven bribe and was willing to do anything for some tuna. If that’s not your cat’s style, you’ll want to find a good storage area for the litter box to slip into and help keep the smell to a minimum.

We had some friends that kept it behind its own cute curtain, which was genius for keeping it out of sight and the smell contained! We also recommend trying to plan your meals ahead of time. If you go with a trailer, the fridges tend to be tiny. We have found that we can cut down on wasted space and food by planning out our meals a couple of days in advance so that we only have what we really need.

Purging-

If you’ve decided you want to take the leap into the world of small homes, this is another big one. It’s also hard! We had to take a good look at all of our items, Marie Condo style. We went with the system of “If it hasn’t been used or worn in over a year, then it’s out.” I’m a total sucker for “it’ll be back in style eventually” and therefore always love to hold on to clothes longer than necessary. However, for the sake of our tiny space, I got rid of soooooo many garbage bags full of clothing. It was heartbreaking but totally worth it when I saw just how neatly all of my clothing now fits into place.

We also did this for kitchen items too, we were very guilty of having far too many drinking glasses and coffee mugs. We had to be realistic and realize we weren’t going to have 10 people over for breakfast in a tiny space, therefore limiting ourselves to our 4 favorite mugs on the road. To this day, two years in, we’ve only ever needed 4 at a time. So go make some money on eBay, and sell that stuff, baby!

Small Space with Pets-

If you’re like me, your pets are your children. Therefore, the tiny space must incorporate them as well. How much space can a cat actually take up? Your dog doesn’t need too much, right? These were both things I had thought prior to making the move, but boy, was I surprised. For one, now that we are in a smaller space, our cat likes to make her presence known. She’s everywhere I want to sit. In my bed, on the toilet (remember that toilet training thing?), yelling at me to feed her.

I adore her, but it can be a lot. It definitely helped when we gave her a designated space. We made space by the window, put her food nearby and one of her toys, and now she gravitates toward that area. I still find her everywhere I need to be because, ya know, cats… but she mostly hangs out in “her” space now. Combined, our cat and dog have their own cabinet in the trailer of just items for pet use. Food, brushes, shampoo, flea and tick treatments, a colorful collection of bandanas. It definitely helps to have all of their items in their own location so that they aren’t mixed in with ours.

We also keep their vet records on hand in their own files. If you’re planning on traveling in your tiny space, this will be especially important as many parks require this information to be readily available. If you are like me and have an allurement toward fluffy pets, you’ll want to keep a lint roller on hand. I can never seem to walk out of the house without a fresh layer of fur on my own clothing, no matter how many times a day we brush them. Keeping a lint roller handy has been truly lifesaving.

Go With the Flow-

I know this may seem contradictory to my first tip of “planning ahead,” but what this life has taught me is you truly cannot plan for everything. There are going to be wrenches thrown into your days. The best thing you can do is, take a deep breath, smile, and try something new. We’ve had countless times where things have gone wrong. Most recently, our two-year-old water heater abruptly stopped working. As frustrating as that was, we ended up getting a gym membership so that we could shower and now find ourselves working out at the gym on a daily basis. That was never the intention, but it was a welcomed change in our life. We’ve become true believers that everything happens for a reason. If you’re finding yourself craving living in a tiny space, well, there’s probably a reason for that too, so I say go for it!

We hope you found these tips for small space living helpful. Are you currently living in a small space or RV? Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

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

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 Jackson Nurse Professionals

August 2, 2021

4611 Views

3 Quick Strategies for Making Your Rental Your Home

Posted on August 2, 2021July 29, 2021 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article was provided by Jackson Nurse Professionals.

As you move from assignment to assignment, not having your things around you can increase occasional feelings of loneliness and even mental fatigue. Adding your own personalized touches to your temporary housing can make you feel more comfortable, and most importantly, at home.
Whether you’re in an Airbnb, renting a room, or renting an entire pad, these are quick, cheap, and easy ways to bring home to wherever you are.

Try removable wall decals!

When it comes to decorating your rental, the idea of doing an accent wall with removable wallpaper sounds great… until you realize how long it takes to do. Instead, use removable wall decals as a quick and easy fix so that you’re not surrounded by plain, gloomy, off-white walls. There are so many options out there now for sticky wall decals; you’re bound to find one that fits your personal style perfectly! Adding a fun accent wall is an excellent way to brighten up your space, add some color, and make it feel more like your space. Not only does it install and remove easily without damaging the walls or leaving them sticky, but you can also reuse the decals in your next rental. Carefully peel the decal from the top corner and pull downwards towards the floor to prevent stretching and misshaping. You can either keep the original paper backing or use wax paper to keep it fresh for your next home!

Add Light Acrylic Frames & a Wall Mosaic to your suitcase

Staying in a rental or an Airbnb, it’s not the best idea to cover the walls in thumbtack or nail holes from hanging up all your favorite photos. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring your family photos with you! Utilizing light, portable, floating acrylic frames allows you to display as many photos as you want while not destroying the walls, weighing down your moving boxes, or needing to worry about breaking glass when it’s time to pack up. You can even purchase prints or print larger photos to split between multiple frames, making a creative and edgy large piece of art. Add more color or personal touches to the house using burlap, patterned cardstock, or Con-Tact paper as a background for a smaller photo! You can also use a portable wall mosaic, so you can display 50 photos without needing to put 50 holes in the wall. Keeping photos of your loved ones around will help you feel more relaxed and at home.

Invest in compression storage bags to bring blankets & pillows

We know that you need to pack lightly so you can easily pack up and move to your next assignment location. But, using a vacuum compression storage bag can allow you to bring some of your favorite home comfort items with you. You don’t’ even need a vacuum; many now come with a handheld vacuum sealing pump, perfect for travelers. Utilize these bags to bring your own decorative pillows or some throw blankets for your rental! These small touches will help your space feel more comfortable and homier during your short stay. You can also pack a duvet cover that can easily be slipped over a comforter to add a personal touch to your bedroom without having to sacrifice the space for a huge blanket in your suitcase.

Don’t just store your things, display them!

It’s the little details in your space that make it feel like a home! Utilize the space that you have to display some of your personal items rather than store them away. Command hooks are a cheap and easy way to hang necklaces and bracelets without destroying the walls. Get creative with your jewelry displays by using simple mesh bookends to easily organize your earrings and add some color and personal touches to the room! You can also use a modern but easy to breakdown and transport clothing rack to display some of your favorite clothing items while also freeing up space in the closet.

When you’re not at work or exploring your new city, these decorative touches will help you feel comfortable in your temporary home. Create your own sanctuary that feels like home to you, leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed after a long day at work.

By Medely

July 30, 2021

8493 Views

How to Maximize Your Housing Stipend as a Travel Nurse

Posted on July 30, 2021July 20, 2021 by Medely

This article was provided by Medely.

Travel Nursing requires a hands-on and versatile approach to your nursing practice, but even more so, your entire life. To maximize earning potential, you can use your non-taxable stipends to help you make more take-home cash. Chief among these is the housing stipend, meant to help find lodging when traveling and working at a facility away from home.

And, there are several ways to save cash and maximize your housing stipend as a Travel Nurse or Allied Healthcare Professional.

What is a housing stipend?

So what is a housing stipend, and how does it work? Travel Nurses typically have two options when it comes to housing. They can either accept agency-provided housing, if available or a housing stipend and find accommodation independently.

When looking at the housing stipend, there are a few different ways to get paid.

Monthly rate
- If you’re offered a monthly rate, your housing stipend is allotted each week based on the length of your assignment. The only concern with monthly rates is when you’re paying rent for longer than an assignment lasts. For example, if you have a two-week job, you will only be paid for those two weeks, which may not cover the entire month’s worth of rent.
Stipends paid out in bi-weekly paychecks
- It’s essential to have enough money out of pocket to start living through a stipend. Because your stipend is typically paid out bi-weekly, you may be expected to cover the initial deposit and first month of rent before receiving your first paycheck.
Tax-free housing allocation
- One of the most significant ways you can save big on your housing stipend is that it will be entirely tax-free if you have a valid tax home and are far away enough from that tax home when traveling.
Amounts vary
- Stipend amounts vary, and it’s essential to look at the fine print on many of these contracts. Some agencies will pay very high stipends but offer lower hourly rates for your work, and prices will vary, of course, depending on where you’re living and the local housing markets in those regions.

On top of these crucial points, you should look out for perks like included utilities or fully furnished accommodations when assessing a contract.

Tips to maximize your Travel Nursing stipend

There are many different ways to maximize your Travel Nursing housing stipend. Below are several tips to help bolster your earnings and make your nursing housing stipend go the distance.

Short-term housing, utilities included and furnished
- It’s important to remember that some assignments may be as short as a few weeks and as long as three months or more. With this in mind, life will be that much easier if you find fully furnished housing that includes utilities in the rent and doesn’t have exorbitant premiums on short-term leasing.
Rentals/sublets
- If your nursing assignment is for more than six months, you will likely find traditional rentals through apartments, condos, townhomes, and so on. If you have a shorter contract, however, things like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO, among others, have made it easier to find short-term housing.
Extended hotel stays
- Extended hotel stays can be a good option if space isn’t a priority for you. Depending on the area you’re in, finding fully-furnished housing that includes utilities might be challenging. An extended hotel stay could make things a lot easier. Be sure to keep an eye out for hotels that offer special deals for extended stays.
RVs
- While these might not be for everyone, RVs are a very convenient and cheap solution that can be a lot of fun! RV parks and campsites are a lot cheaper than monthly rent, and the convenience of being able to pack and move on at a moment’s notice is a massive appeal to the RV route.
Roommates
- Finding a roommate as you go from place to place is a great way to mitigate many of the challenges that come with travel nursing. Aside from your bedroom, the apartment will already be fully furnished, and utilities will be included in your rent. Living with a roommate is also typically much cheaper than living alone, so you will save costs on that end as well.
Friends/family
- Reach out to your friends and family members across the country. Living with a friend or family member for a short period is a great way to reunite with loved ones and save costs at the same time.
House sitting
- House sitting almost sounds too good to be true. To live and watch over someone’s house and possibly their pets and plants, you may not have to pay a single dime and may even earn a little cash for your efforts. TrustedHousesitters, HouseSittersAmerica, MindMyHouse are just a few options for house sitting apps you could utilize.

Whichever option you choose, know that there are a plethora of ways to maximize your stipend and save on housing costs. While it might require a little bit of research and effort, you could make significant earnings on your housing stipend over time and create your travel nursing experiences as cost-effective as they are liberating.

Medely

With Medely, your next nursing job is only a tap away. Travel nursing opportunities are brought directly to your phone, so you have the control to create your schedule based on your travel needs.

Medley delivers premium pay, maxed out travel stipends, and the ability to book per diem shifts while on an assignment so you can maximize your earnings.

Freedom, flexibility, and support come standard. Be where you want to be when you want to be there with Medely today.

Are you a travel nurse looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you have your next assignment secured but need housing? Click here to view 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 Lauren Festa

July 29, 2021

5695 Views

5 Things to do While on Assignment in Nashville, Tennessee

Posted on July 29, 2021July 19, 2021 by Lauren Festa

Nashville is Tennessee’s capital and home to some of the most incredible music and landmarks that the state holds. The opportunities and activities to do within Nashville are endless, ranging from beautiful venues to museums that just about anybody could enjoy.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

While in Nashville, one of the most visited and well-known locations in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. As Nashville and Tennessee as a whole are known for their popping scene in the country genre, this museum is a must-visit. Within the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, there are tons of exciting exhibits that capture the role country music has interpreted. This music hall also has tours that the highly well-informed workers guide at this location.

Grand Ole Opry

Another must-visit while in Nashville is the Grand Ole Opry, which is located in the Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman Auditorium seats well over two thousand people, perfect for the famous Grand Ole Opry tradition. The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly concert held in Nashville that displays not only country music but also dabbles in folk, gospel music, and comedy performances. This tradition started back in the 20s where they would host fantastic concerts for their audience to enjoy. And if you weren’t personally at each show, the performances were broadcasted weekly, and WSM solidified the tradition countrywide, with it being streamed every Saturday. The Grand Ole Opry had such an impact on the Ryman Auditorium that the auditorium was announced a national historic landmark because of its effect on popularizing country music.

Gaylord Opryland Resort

The Gaylord Opryland resort and convention center is a stunning hotel within Nashville. This hotel was previously known as the Opryland hotel. This resort is beautifully designed with dazzling lights and a central garden. During the holidays, the location offers lights and decorations that are put on display each year. The hotel is also ideally located with lots of shopping and restaurant opportunities surrounding the area. Not only is this hotel a beautiful location to visit, but it is also one of the 30 largest hotels in the world, with 2888 rooms for guests to stay in.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

If you enjoy American history, there is a perfect landmark located within Nashville, Tennessee, for you to visit. This landmark is Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. A Hermitage is an estate, and in this case, it is transformed into a museum honoring the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson. There are self-guided tours of the grounds along with a tour of the mansion. This historical site is exceptionally well preserved and has tons of outbuildings to visit. The estate is a must-see for those who enjoy learning about parts of American History.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon is a stunning landmark in Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The landmark is a replica of the original Parthenon located in Athens, Greece. The centerpiece in Centennial Park was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee centennial exposition. Although, these days, it operates as an art museum. On the first floor, it is a half art museum and half history exhibit. The location holds the History of the ancient Greek temple, although it lies in Nashville. The art displayed in the museum is spectacular, ranging from artists local to art from the 1800s. This landmark is crucial while exploring the different sights Nashville has to offer.

Nashville, Tennessee, is home to some of the most beautiful landmarks and activities that the state encompasses. Ranging from American History to Greek History to the uprising of country music, Nashville is filled with tons of places that you can not only learn from but enjoy while soaking in all of this information. Nashville should be considered a landmark within itself with all of the fantastic opportunities it has to offer.

By Triage Healthcare Staffing

July 28, 2021

10056 Views

10 Questions to Answer Before Taking an Assignment

Posted on July 28, 2021July 16, 2021 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Triage Staffing.

Are you thinking about packing your suitcase and taking your skills on the road to pursue this adventure-filled career of travel nursing? You absolutely should.

Being able to see the country while collecting a paycheck sounds like a sweet gig, and it is! But not every day is a day at the beach, and a good recruiter would never lead you to believe it’s “a paid vacation.” Unless your idea of a vacation includes working, in which case, we have tons of “vacations” available.

We’re not trying to burst any wanderlust bubbles—we like to be real with you so you can be ready. Ready to make informed decisions on what type of travel nurse assignment suits you best so you can make the most out of your career.

That said, you need to be real with yourself, too. This means asking yourself some questions to find out what’s most important to you. What do you really want to get out of your career as a travel nurse or allied health professional? Having an idea of your priorities and communicating them with your recruiter will serve you both well. This is your life. Plan accordingly.

Here are 10 questions we think are important to consider before taking an assignment:

1) What’s your biggest motivator?

Are you itching to stand on top of that mountain? Want to put a specific hospital on your resume? Going for the highest possible number on your paycheck? Think about those things and be honest with yourself about your answers. Know that your motivator might change in the future, which is totally cool. You’re allowed to evolve as a human.

2) Are you okay with floating?

And we’re not talking about the trendy new spas around town. Are you willing to work on other units if you’re needed elsewhere? We recommend it.

As a traveler, you’re there because the facility is short-staffed. If you can work where you’re needed most, not only are you seen as a team player (maybe even MVP), but you could see that turn into monetary value as well. Float nurses often get a bump in their pay and generally don’t have to worry about an assignment being canceled.

The same goes for our allied travelers—if you’re flexible with shifts, you’ll have more assignments to choose from, which sounds like a plus to us.

This is definitely something to consider before taking an assignment.

3) What are the top three cities or states?

Have a general idea of some states you’d like to see so your recruiter isn’t throwing darts blindfolded—even if that’s what they do in their free time. Having an answer to question number one will help you out with question two.

Why have a why? Because you’re only there for 13 weeks, which may sound like a while, but it goes by fast. Especially if you’re having fun, know why you went there, so there are no regrets.

4) What type of facility would you consider to be ideal?

Do you want to gain experience in a large hospital? How about a teaching hospital where you could work with students? Maybe that’s what you’re trying to avoid—teaching students. Hey, no judgment; It’s just something you should think about ahead of time, so you get exactly (or close to) what you want out of the assignment.

5) What are your two most-desired shifts (in order of preference)?

Pretty self-explanatory.

6) Are there any clinical issues that may influence your decision on a specific facility?

Do you have a facility bed size range or patient ratios that you’re comfortable with? Are there software systems or approaches to care that you are uncomfortable with? These are questions to ask yourself, so you’re ready to discuss them with the hiring manager in an interview to ensure it’s a right fit.

7) What is your ideal weekly take-home pay after taxes?

Considering that pay rates vary throughout the US vary due to cost of living and other factors, what would you want to see on your weekly paycheck? Remember, many travelers also receive stipends for certain allowances to help with the doubled expenses you could incur traveling for work. You’ll want to factor that into your calculations of what seems like a reasonable amount to take home, based on your overall goals.

8) Housing Options

In a scenario where adequate housing is within a five-minute drive to the facility, but that cute rental near the lake is a 25-minute commute, which would you choose? Think about how important your temporary home’s location and aesthetics are. Will you be home on your days off relaxing? Maybe you want the upgrade. If you plan on only being there to sleep, finding a single room to rent might work just fine.

9) How important to you is the option of overtime or guaranteed hours?

If you’re here to get the money (dollar-dollar bills, y’all), it’ll probably be essential. If you’re in it for the day-off adventures…meh!

10) Do you like job hunting?

And interviewing and packing and all the things that go along with a new assignment? If not, you should ask your recruiter about possible extensions at the facility before you head out. Or, if you end up really liking a facility, why not see if you can take off your shoes and stay awhile? The sooner you ask your recruiter about an extension, the better. They’ll let you know how to handle it from there.

Whatever the answer, you can eliminate the multiple profile upkeep with multiple agencies (including Triage) using Kamana, an online universal profile that holds all the important info your recruiter needs to submit you to a job. With a tap of a finger, you can send several recruiters your profile and know that it’s up to date.

Setting goals and expectations from the get-go will help your recruiter work for you. Having these questions answered before taking an assignment will make it easier to get you to where you want to be now and in five years. Start thinking about your answers, and then contact a Triage recruiter today to get started.

Are you a travel nurse looking for your next or first assignment? Click here to view our job board. Already have an assignment but need housing? Click here to view our housing page.

We hope you found these tips to think about before taking an assignment helpful. Did we miss any? Comment them below.

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 Lianna Arakelyan

July 27, 2021

5718 Views

What Are the Best Health Care Tips a Travel Nurse Can Follow?

Posted on July 27, 2021March 22, 2022 by Lianna Arakelyan

As you may already know or have heard, travel nursing is one of the most exciting nursing career options you can choose. This nursing career path offers great benefits to the nurse, including the chance to grow a nursing career.

Whether you are planning your first nursing trip or are a seasoned traveling nurse, it becomes tempting to blow off some basic personal health activities while on the road. This can be due to a busy schedule and not being around a familiar environment over a prolonged period. However, your health should be a priority, especially when you are a travel nurse. You need to be in your best health to be of service to people in need.

Here are the best health care tips you can follow as a travel nurse.

Health Care Tips Every Travel Nurse Should Follow

Eating Healthy

Taking time to ensure you eat healthily is an easy tip to live by as a travel nurse. If your schedule does not leave you with enough time to prepare healthy meals every day, you should consider meal prepping on your day off. This will ensure you avoid the fast-food joint on the corner as often as possible. Once you get to your assignment location, learn where the markets are to ensure you have what you need to make healthy meals at home.

There are numerous healthy food apps and recipes online that can make your healthy feeding journey easier to manage. Having a healthy meal will ensure you give your body what it needs to withstand the long shift hours without the possibility of underfeeding or getting malnourished.

Exercising Is One of the Most Important Aspects

Taking up exercise should be an important part of your nursing schedule. Apart from helping you to remain physically healthy, it also gives you an outlet to let off steam and stress, ensuring your mental health remains in check too.

Once you get to your new assignment, you need to check out available gyms in your locality and sign up. If this is not something you are up to, consider investing in portable gym equipment and recreate a small gym in your accommodation space. This way, you can ensure you get some exercise in your free time.

Depending on where you are posted, you can consider outdoor exercise activities like running, jogging, swimming, or even hiking. The idea is to ensure you have physical activity outside your work to promote fitness and health.

Sleep Well

Holding long shifts is normal for nurses, which can make it difficult to get enough sleep. As an adult, you rewire 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night for your body to recharge and recover. Whenever possible, try to keep a consistent sleep schedule to keep your body clock balanced. : The quality of sleep is an extremely important factor in our day-to-day lives. We spend about one-third of our lives asleep so it’s vital that we take care of this time by improving the quality of sleep.

One way to ensure you get enough sleep is to create a bedtime routine for your body. This helps your body and mind to wind down, which facilitates better sleep. This can include avoiding the use of electronics an hour before bed and reading a book instead. You can also use white noise to help with falling asleep, especially if you find it hard to sleep in new places.

Don’t Use Too Much Caffeine on the Road

As a travel nurse, you are constantly on the road moving from one assignment to the next. Taking coffee sometimes seems like the best way to remain alert while on the road. However, too much caffeine can affect your ability to sleep and rest once you get to your new location, which ultimately affects your performance. Therefore, ensure you moderate your coffee intake to ensure it does not tamper with your downtime and work performance. Too much caffeine intake will also affect teeth health, causing dry mouth or stress-related dental disorders, which cannot be treated as quickly as it takes while being on the road.

Remember to Have Fun

An easy way to ease work-related stress as a travel nurse is taking time to have fun and explore your new environment. The best way to make the most of your time there is to make new friends and explore as much of the town or city as possible. You can sample the nightlife, dine at different restaurants and visit some of the attractions to make memories of the place.

How Can Travel Nurses Sustain a Good Work-Life Balance

As a nurse, you deal with serious work-related emergencies and long working hours, which can place a lot of strain on your life. Having a work-life balance makes it easier for you to integrate your personal and professional life in a healthy way.

You can attain work-life balance by:

Investing in self-care, e.g., getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well.
Setting priorities, e.g., making time for your family and friends, to study or travel.
Asking for help when you find your responsibilities overwhelming.
Developing healthy relationships in and out of your workplace.
Having a manageable schedule

How to Get Fitter at a Workplace

Staying fit while on assignment can sometimes seem impossible for travel nurses. To ensure you do not fall off the health and fitness wagon, you should consider:

Limiting take out and instead cook at home
Limit your use of alcohol to avoid piling up on the calories.
Getting enough sleep whenever you are off work to allow your body to recover.
Creating a workout schedule that favors your working schedule to ensure you have time to exercise.

Tips to Reduce Stress Level

Stress is a natural occurrence in the nursing career. However, it is important to ensure you keep it in check to avoid falling into depression or chronic stress patterns. Some ideal ways to handle stress as a travel nurse include:

Disconnecting from your electronics to enjoy uninterrupted downtime.
Listening to music
Meditation and breathing exercises can help to reduce tension and relieve stress.
Boost your potassium intake to regulate blood pressure and improve your energy levels

Following the health care tips highlighted in this article can help you feel your best and perform at your best in every travel nurse assignment. Taking time to take care of yourself will ensure you are always at your best to take care of your patients.

We hope you found these health care tips for travel nurses helpful. Are you a travel nurse with tips for your fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

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

July 26, 2021

7944 Views

What You Need to Consider Before Choosing a Nursing Specialty

Posted on July 26, 2021July 12, 2021 by Dan Matthews

There are more than 100 nursing specialties to choose from, whether you’re still a nursing student or years into your travel nursing career. If you’re passionate about a certain area, it’s never too late to make a change.

But, the overwhelming nature of choosing a specialty might be holding you back.

Some specialties focus directly on dealing with patients. Others are more “behind the scenes” or managerial. Which one is right for you? How can you be sure you’re going down the right path? What if you want to travel and use your skills and knowledge to help others across the world?

Let’s dive into a few things you should consider before choosing a travel nursing specialty and how your choice will impact your travel nurse career.

What is Your Passion?

Before you factor in anything else, consider what you’re most passionate about when it comes to travel nursing. Where do you find the most joy in helping others? If you love helping people but consider yourself somewhat of an introvert, you might want to think about the following specialties:

Nurse educator
Private duty nursing
Forensic nursing
Informatics
Legal nurse consultant

You don’t need to see patients face-to-face to help them and be an outstanding travel nurse. Technology has made it possible to do a lot of behind-the-scenes work that is just as crucial for patient care.

On the other hand, if you love being amid real patient interaction each day, your specialty should involve something more hands-on. You might even feel most passionate about a certain area of the body, like the heart, or gastrointestinal system. Honing your skills and learning about specific conditions like Transposition of the Great Arteries or reflux and GERD will allow you to help patients experiencing specific types of pain and discomfort.

Ask yourself what aspects of your job you like the best, and what makes you feel most fulfilled. No matter what you choose, you should feel content and happy at the end of each shift.

How Do You Want to Work?

Doing something you love isn’t always enough to be fully satisfied with a specialty. You also have to consider how you want to work (and where). Do you feel more comfortable in a fast-paced hospital setting, or would you prefer working from home? If you want t o work remotely, you could become a:

Clinical appeals nurse
Health informatics specialist
Nurse abstractor
Nurse auditor
Nursing instructor

Working remotely as a nurse will also allow you to travel. But, doing so can require licensing agreements to work in multiple states or even countries. So, consider the time and effort you want to put into traveling the world and helping others. It can take 2-4 years to officially become a travel nurse, but working from home throughout that time can help you to get your feet wet.

Alternatively, you could jump on the telehealth train. It has become increasingly popular thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, telehealth is very clearly here to stay, making healthcare more accessible for almost everyone.

The future of telehealth is mobile, which can allow you to check up on patients right from your phone with nothing more than a strong Internet connection. You can work with patients hundreds of miles away and provide them with the care and attention they need.

When you combine the aspects of travel nursing that you love, the type of environment you’re interested in, and consider the time and effort it can take for various certifications, you can narrow down your nursing specialty relatively quickly. Keep these considerations in mind if you’re thinking about a specialty, and know that no matter what you do, you’ll be making a difference.

1. Lavender

2. Peppermint

3. Tea Tree Oil

4. Eucalyptus

5. Clove

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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