Are you currently a healthcare traveler or considering traveling this year? Now is the time to jump aboard! With a high demand for travel healthcare professionals across the nation, you will be sure to find a contract that is the perfect fit for you.
Why you will love travel nursing
1. Flexible Schedule
As a traveler, you can likely find a contract that fits the schedule you are looking for. Whether you prefer working night shifts or working days, you can discuss with your recruiter and account manager what you are looking for this way; they can pair you with a contract that fits your desired schedule. You will also find that the length of the contract will allow you the perfect amount of time to get a feel of what you are looking for in future assignments. Traveling provides an excellent opportunity to find an assignment that works around your timeline and needs.
2. Change of Scenery and Locations
One of the exciting factors of healthcare traveling is you get the opportunity to change up your scenery and determine where you will go with each new assignment. Working at new facilities expands your network reach allows you to make new friends and grow professionally. On your days off, you can check out new local attractions, try new restaurants, and explore surrounding areas. It provides a sense of freedom that can make you feel refreshed and always looking forward to your next adventure.
3. Nursing Career Growth
As a traveling healthcare professional, you will get firsthand experience of what it is like to work at various facilities across the United States. This might include some of the nation’s most prestigious and well-known hospitals, or it might include more dire facilities in need in rural areas. Working with each facility type expands your knowledge and allows you to grow in various settings.
4. Financial Freedom
It’s no secret that working as a healthcare traveler may see slightly higher rates of travel nursing than you would be working as a full-time employee at a hospital or facility. This is because of hospital and facility demand and being that person to step in and fill the gaps where there is a need for healthcare workers. If you’re looking to make extra cash combined with a schedule that fits your needs, travel healthcare might be in your future if it isn’t already!
We hope you found this article on reasons you will love travel nursing helpful and informative. What reasons do you love travel nursing? Comment the reasons below.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Why did I decide to become a travel nurse? Well, I was burned out in my staff job and needed to renew my passion for nursing. I felt “stuck” and couldn’t help but have feelings of doubt and apprehension about my long-term career as a nurse. After a lot of research, finding a great company, and a trustworthy recruiter, I embarked on my first assignment solo with my two doggies in tow and never looked back! Becoming a travel nurse was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself, and my only regret is not starting sooner!
What exactly is Travel Nurse 101, you may ask?
While I’m grateful I made the decision to become a travel nurse, I also know that it can be very overwhelming getting started, and there are some things I would have done differently. I am all about working smarter, not harder. Over my career, I have been a leader, teacher, and resource to many other nurses. I genuinely love helping others and want them to be successful. This is where the thought of being a nurse mentor came to life! I have a very outgoing, positive outlook on life and try to carry a very approachable attitude. Naturally, people confide and seek advice from me; it is a trait that I am forever thankful for. Travel Nurse 101 is more than a brand or business. Travel Nurse 101 is education, tips, and mentorship for new travel nurses that I hope is perceived as very genuine and heartfelt, not just your normal Q&A. It has a “personable” feel and is something I want to always try to maintain, so nurses feel like they have a safe place to get help and ask for advice from a real nurse who’s been where they have and personally knows what it feels like to go through these experiences. My goal with this mentorship program is to give you the tools you need to be successful and let you know that you are not alone in your pursuits. Instead of letting you learn the hard way, I’ll tell you all there is to know about travel nursing so that you can feel prepared to take the leap into this exciting, rewarding profession with full confidence! I am here to cheer you on; let’s do this!!
About Brandy
I’m Brandy, your fellow travel nurse friend, leader, and mentor. My goal is to inspire and advocate for nurses, to help you succeed and thrive in your career. I have over 18 years of varied nursing experience, including neonatal and pediatric ICU, critical care float pool, flight nursing, and travel nursing. Since pursuing a career as a travel nurse, I’ve had adventures in Florida, Colorado, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Montana. I’m an avid traveler, hiker, and outdoor enthusiast.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment click here to view our job board? Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Nursing today is different than it has probably ever been. Today, professionals are being called to respond to a pandemic that has ravaged our everyday lives. For many, this has led to burnout and a desire to jump into a new career path altogether. For some, it has created opportunities they hadn’t previously considered.
Travel nurses, in particular, are some of the most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Demand for nurses to fill in is at an all-time high, which has allowed many to travel wherever they want at a much higher price than previously expected. The demand has actually encouraged more and more nurses to leave their steady day job and opt for traveling.
Nurses that have been in the business of traveling for some time now have long struggled with some of the challenges faced by a nurse that is “new.” Many feel as though there is never a great opportunity to provide leadership even though they may have decades of experience under their belt. Fortunately, there are ways to help travel nurses step into a greater leadership role no matter their current position.
Putting Knowledge to Practice
As many travel nurses know, the experience of working in a variety of different hospitals across the nation provides a lot of insight. Chances are they’ve seen floors that are run efficiently and effectively while providing some of the highest quality and most attentive care to patients. Likewise, they have probably also seen some real disasters where one nurse or leader is effectively dragging down the whole team leader to all sorts of problems.
This experience puts travel nurses in a unique position to learn what works and what doesn’t. Furthermore, it gives them a powerful opportunity to see what great leadership looks like and build a network of mentors that can provide advice on becoming a nursing leader. It can also give you a chance to adapt your nursing style to be more like those that you’ve seen become highly successful.
As the experience adds up over time, travel nurses suddenly find themselves in the position to offer advice on where positive changes can be made in any given nursing unit. They can become problem solvers who lead from whatever position they are in. Great leaders aren’t necessarily those who strive to be in the spotlight. Rather, some of the most inspirational leaders many of us know are those who work quietly in the background to bring about positive change without drawing attention to themselves.
Moving to Make Change
For some travel nurses, stepping into a greater leadership role will ultimately mean making a move into a more permanent position. Hanging up the travel bag and settling down onto a regular unit may be quite a bit of an adjustment, but it can provide the opportunity to put in for leadership roles that will give a more active role in the day-to-day management of other nurses. It could be the perfect opportunity to put all of the leadership skills learned over the years into action.
Other travel nurses may find that their role in making an impact can be bigger if they leave nursing for a different hospital role altogether. For instance, some may choose to go into medical administration. This is a realm that many travel nurses likely know a bit about and could offer positive solutions to — after all, many must deal with new hospital administration staff every time they move to a new location.
Still, other travel nurses may find that they have more of a business background they could put to use. Surprisingly, many hospitals need people with some experience in business management. Hospitals are large businesses, after all. The experience of working as a contract employee over the years could benefit travel nurses as they step into a greater leadership role within the hospital system.
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Travel nurses have some of the greatest leadership potential. Many have experience in a variety of hospitals and have had a chance to see the good and the bad as well as learn from some of the very best leaders they’ve come across. Even if they don’t choose to stay in nursing, many travel nurses have the ability and experience to lead in other hospital roles that could make a significant difference in the quality of care and overall workplace happiness of the local hospital.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have your assignment but still need housing? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
So, you took an assignment in Columbia, South Carolina. While the city is large, it may be difficult to find things to do on your day off. We have put together a few great places to visit while you are on your assignment in Columbia. We have also included a couple of restaurants. Below you will find just a few places to visit and things to do.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has something for everyone. If you enjoy seeing animals, the Zoo is an excellent place for you. According to their website, they are home to more than 2,000 animals that represent more than 350 species from around the world. If the Zoo isn’t your thing, you may enjoy the Garden. According to their website, the Garden blooms year-round, and more than 4,300 species of exotic and native plants bloom. This makes for a perfect living classroom for all visitors. The Garden also offers a 3-acre interactive children’s Garden if you have children traveling with you.
Cayce Riverwalk
If you are an outdoorsy person or like to be outdoors on your day off, the Cayce Riverwalk is a great option. Their website states that the Riverwalk is the ultimate “daycation” spot. It is “easily accessible from anywhere in the Midlands of South Carolina. Spanning 12 miles, it overlooks the beautiful Congaree River, right across from the capital city of Columbia, S.C., and it is a popular destination for walking, jogging, bicycling, birdwatching, picnicking, and taking in the natural beauty of the riverfront.”
The Riverwalk’s bridges, boardwalks, overlooks, and lighted, central path accommodate all levels of physical abilities. Parking is free. The paved paths are lighted and run through the shaded riverine forest. There are benches and picnic tables as well. You can also enjoy wooden boardwalks with great water views.
Folly Beach
While Folly Beach is a city that is about a 2-hour trip but is a highly recommended place to visit when you take an assignment in Columbia, Folly Beach is located between the Folly River and the Atlantic Ocean. It is just 15 minutes from Charleston, so you won’t have to go far if you want to visit a big city while you visit Folly Beach. There are many things to do in Folly Beach.
The Fishing Pier extends more than 1045 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. If you are interested in fishing, you can rent all the equipment you need from the shop on the pier. If you’re a wildlife lover, you will see loggerhead turtles nesting, dolphins playing in the water and even bald eagles soaring in the sky.
Folly Beach has many options when it comes to dining. From gourmet meals and seafood feasts to a quick sandwich, the restaurants in Folly Beach have you covered.
Folly Beach also has many local shops that offer bathing suits, souvenirs, surfboards, and gear.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park contains over 20,000 acres of federally designated wilderness that visitors can explore by foot, kayak, or canoe. So, if you enjoy the outdoors, the Congaree National Park is a great place to visit. There are many things to do, including hiking, camping, canoeing & kayaking, fishing, and walking. Please note that you need to bring your canoe or kayak. These can be rented in shops in Columbia. If you enjoy hiking, Congaree National Park offers many trails that vary in level of difficulty from easy to difficult. If you are looking to spend the night camping at the park, make sure to make your reservations ahead of time. Reservations for the frontcountry campgrounds must be made through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Alodia’s Cucina Italiana
Alodia’s Cucina Italiana is rated very high on Yelp. According to their website, “Alodia’s Cucina Italiana is a restaurant born from the love of an Italian family. Proprietor Adam Huneau’s first restaurant has been wowing taste buds in Irmo with his authentic Italian Cuisine comprised of recipes that have been pulled from the pages of his family’s cookbook.
Named after his Great-Grandmother, Alodia’s fare and ambiance resound with the smells and tastes of Old Italy. Fresh sauces and homemade pastas are the foundation of the menu that brought generations together. Adam is devoted to making his restaurants as inviting and warm as his own family’s kitchen.”
Their menu offers many traditional Italian dishes, from Baked Ziti to Eggplant Parmesan. They offer soups and salads as well as chicken and seafood entrees.
Cola’s Restaurant
According to Cola’s website, the restaurant is “Located in a lovingly restored 1930’s RC Cola bottling plant, Cola’s is a “casual” fine dining bar/restaurant specializing in seafood, steaks and other culinary creations influenced by a broad range of ethnic cooking. There is an emphasis on fresh ingredients and locally grown food where possible. Weather permitting, two garage doors open up the restaurant to views of the Statehouse and allow our guests to enjoy the bustle of downtown Columbia. Cola’s boasts a 40-foot long bar that houses our extensive wine selection. If preferred, try one of our house cocktails or choose a brew from our large selection of bottled beers. Cola’s has ample room to host your private functions in either of the two private dining rooms, seating up to as many as 50. Large booths adorn the main dining room, and table seating for small and large parties.”
Cola offers four different menus: dinner, dessert, and a wine list and bar menu. The dinner menu offers appetizers including oysters Rockefeller, shrimp options, and even a fondue option. The dinner menu also includes salad options, poultry, seafood, and beef options as well. Their dessert menu has quite a few different options, including cakes, brownies, cheesecake, and tortes, to name a few.
About Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in South Carolina, with a population of 132,000. Columbia is the primary city of the Midlands region of South Carolina. It lies at the confluence of the Saluda River and the Broad River, which merge at Columbia to form the Congaree River, which is a popular destination for paddlers and kayakers. Columbia is home to the state’s largest university, the University of South Carolina. Columbia features a revitalized downtown area, which contains many art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Rich in cultural and literary arts, Columbia offers theatre, museums, ballet, a philharmonic orchestra, jazz, opera, choral, and a circus. The city sponsors numerous festivals and events throughout the year. Lovers of the outdoors truly appreciate the many scenic parks, lakes, rivers, and creeks in this region. Golf enthusiasts welcome the warm climate, which gives them the opportunity for a year-round play on the excellent local courses!
We hope you found this list of 6 things to do in Columbia, South Carolina, helpful. We will continue to bring you articles with things to do in different cities. Is there a city you would like to see an article on things to do? Comment the city below. If you would like to contribute an article about things to do in a city, please click here to email our Content Strategist.
Are you looking for an assignment in Columbia, South Carolina? Click here to view the assignments on our job board. If you need to housing click here to search our housing page.
Haunted Hospitals? Stories of hospitals being haunted or having strange things happen in them have been around for years. As travel nurses, you have more opportunities to experience these. Our Gypsy Nurse Facebook group frequently has posts from people that experience these things. We have put together some of our favorites scary travel nurse stories!
Scary Travel Nurse Stories:
An old TB Hospital.. the perfect source for scary stories
Stories of old TB Hospitals (also known as sanatorias) being haunted have been around for years. TB Hospitals became common in the United States in the early 20th century. It is really no wonder that these hospitals have become known for having strange things happening in them. This is most likely because of the number of deaths from the disease.
The disappearing surgeon
Surgeons spend many hours a day in operating rooms, so it is no wonder the surgeon stays where he is familiar. Many areas of hospitals tend to be creepy during the night. The OR, which is typically not open in the middle of the night, is one of those places.. add to seeing this, now it is probably the creepiest part of this hospital.
Hospice floor turned loft..
While not all patients who stay in inpatient hospice facilities pass away while there, hospice facilities experience many deaths. So, it is no wonder people may experience some strange things in these facilities after re-purposing for other uses.
The little girl in a red dress..
Little kids are often seen playing or entering rooms in pediatric hospitals or on pediatric floors. Perhaps they aren’t done playing yet.
Flying surgical instruments..and whispering names
Because of their age, older hospitals are most often the source of these stories. More people died of communicable diseases and infections in the past due to the lack of medicine that we have today. This may be a cause of these strange things happening.
90 year old’s mother..
Older patients and patients who are dying often see loved ones that have passed.. this may or may not be the cause here. Either way.. super spooky!
Random call lights
Random call lights going off with no patients in the room are popular among stories of haunted hospitals or hospitals having strange things happening in them.
The little boy that runs the halls
Another child running and playing. What sticks out is that some of the staff actually has seen this. Most stories you hear only involve other patients seeing the child or children.
Do you have a scary story from your time as a travel nurse? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
An injury to the brain can alter the way an individual experiences physical stimuli and emotions. They could suffer mild or significant changes in how they experience emotions and how they behave. This can be extremely difficult for family and friends to cope with, and a highly skilled nurse can do a lot to support them in learning how best to support their loved ones.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can cause a previously gentle and composed person to lose self-control. It is important to help their family and friends understand that they may witness out-of-character outbursts of anger or aggression or be the subject of insensitive comments that could feel hurtful and confusing.
Equally, the opposite could be the case. A previously vivacious person may become apathetic in what is also known as the flat effect. This can also be deeply concerning and confusing to the victim’s loved ones.
Nurses understand that it is of utmost importance to treat a TBI victim with care and sensitivity. However, since the injury is not physically visible, loved ones can often become frustrated and struggle to cope and may judge them unfairly or treat them inappropriately.
Here are some of the mistakes that family and friends can make and what you can do to help.
Inappropriately expressing frustration over their inability to recall
Most people who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury also experience challenges in remembering.
Having to repeat oneself several times can be frustrating. Ordinarily, we would ask, “how many times do I have to tell you?”
Such a sarcastic comment may seem suitable to a support person who, in their frustration, secretly hopes that a push in that direction will spur the patient on to remember. However, in the case of a person with TBI, it will only make things worse.
A compassionate nurse can encourage a patient’s loved ones to deepen their understanding and find gentler ways of supporting progress. Suggest the use of a memo board and focus on improving sensitive communication skills. Demonstrate that using kind gestures can help them remember. You could also introduce them to studies showing that Brain Training and Cognitive Therapy techniques can help reverse the situation.
Blunt remarks about their change in behavior
A brain injury could also cause changes in personality or behavior, one of the most common signs being irritability. It could be a direct result of brain injury or an indirect outcome of psychological effects like anxiety, chronic headaches, insomnia, or depression.
While dealing with their own traumatic array of emotions, the patient’s loved ones can struggle to manage their reactions.
It can be hard for them to keep their cool, and it is common to react negatively and critically, which only makes the situation worse.
Give these support people whatever time you can manage to have them feel heard and understood with compassion. Encourage them to seek some support of their own through a counseling service – an online counselor could be more affordable and easier to access. Other simple recommendations for positive change could help exponentially, too. For instance, changing the diet, supplements, or medication can help them cope. Other changes could require more effort, like changes in routines. But ask the questions to help ensure that they are taking care of their own wellbeing and making healthy choices to help them to cope.
Denial about the signs of Traumatic Brain Injury
Although brain injury may be invisible to the eye, the signs are not. It’s hard to turn a blind eye to the behavior changes, challenges in remembering, inability to focus, and other psychological effects.
It is common for some loved ones to make it worse by either being genuinely oblivious to these changes or subconsciously opting for denial as a coping strategy. When they make comments like “you seem fine to me,” it could worsen the situation.
Sometimes, they may not recognize issues like apathy or depression for what they are, and instead, take them to be a form of laziness, and become critical towards the victim.
Help them avoid this downward spiral by gently encouraging them to accept the situation’s reality and seek help from a counseling professional.
As every nurse knows, every person’s experience with TBI is as unique as their fingerprint. But, inexperienced and traumatized loved ones can struggle to comprehend the changes. Symptoms like difficulties with memory, recurrent chronic headaches, and behavior issues like irritability, depression, and anxiety can prove overwhelming on top of recovering from the initial shock and trauma of the injury itself.
Remind them that they are not helpless. Aside from reaching out to a counselor, you can suggest these adjustments:
Encourage them to breathe deeply and keep calm, especially when the individual has an emotional outburst.
Acknowledge their feelings compassionately and give them a chance to let them out.
Support them in learning how to respond positively and gently provide feedback when the individual regains control.
Introduce the strategy of redirecting the focus to a different topic or activity.
Set up an easily accessible memo board to help with the patient’s recall.
It is also prudent and may help to support the family further to ensure that they have consulted with a lawyer if appropriate. The brain injury could be due to another party’s fault. Perhaps the individual was involved in an automobile accident, operated faulty equipment, fell in a public place, or something went wrong during a medical procedure. In such cases, legal help is crucial. A TBI lawyer can inform patients and family members regarding their rights and guide them in claiming compensation. This can take a huge burden off their shoulders, allowing them more mental energy to cope with the changes.
Final thoughts
As a traveling nurse, your role in a patient’s traumatic brain injury recovery may be fleeting. However, you can still do so much to positively impact their road to recovery and provide them with invaluable support and information that can significantly improve their journey forwards and that of the patients.
Are you a travel nurse looking for your next assignment? Click here to visit our job board. Do you have your next assignment secured 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:
(Including a list of the best housing resources for travel nurses)
Working as a travel nurse can be a rewarding and enriching experience, but it does come with a certain amount of stress. Moving to a new city and starting a new position can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. One of the best ways to reduce stress and set yourself up for success is by finding the right housing that fits all your needs and supports your lifestyle.
Follow these tips to find the best housing options for your next travel nurse assignment.
Make a List of Your Priorities
The first step is making sure that you get everything you want in a housing situation is to make a list of your priorities. What factors do you need to take into consideration when choosing? While you will need to consider practical factors like cost, location, transportation, don’t forget about the things that are currently a part of your daily routine as well. Here are some things to think about if you’re a stipend travel nurse looking for housing:
Do you need a private unit, or are you willing to save money by renting a shared space?
Will you be bringing a pet, or can you travel without your furry friend?
Do you have to be in the city, or are you ok with commuting in?
Are you taking a car? If so, what is the parking situation like?
Do you need to be near a gym so that you can continue your workouts?
Are you a day or night-sleeper?
What are your regular hobbies and what do you need to continue to enjoy these?
Do you cook most of your meals after you get home or do weekly food prep?
How often can you afford to eat out?
Also, take a moment to reflect on what you are most looking forward to when it comes to your next travel experience. Foodies use the opportunity to try new cuisine and visit local restaurants. Others are planning on doing some sightseeing or meeting new people. These goals can be taken into account when considering different housing locations.
Once you create a list, go back and decide which of these factors are essential and which you are willing to make adjustments for. It is important to establish your ”must-haves” so that you are setting yourself up for a happy living situation. Creating a list will help you identify and articulate your needs so that you can begin narrowing down your choices and eliminating any properties that won’t support your lifestyle and your travel goals.
Consider Practical Factors
Once you have figured out what you want from your housing, you can begin to make a list of practical considerations that will also factor into your decision.
Will my stipend cover the cost of rent? In some cases, you may actually be able to make money by choosing a more affordable housing option. That money can go towards enjoying restaurants and activities in your new city, or it can go toward your mortgage back home.
What is the cancellation policy? Hospitals can certainly cancel a contract mid-term which can be problematic if you have already put down a deposit on housing. That is why it is always a good idea to partner with landlords who are used to renting to travel nurses. Typically, they offer more attractive terms that limit your exposure should your assignment get canceled early such as lower deposits and monthly leases.
How far are you willing to commute to your assignment? How close do you need to be to the grocery store and other essential destinations? Of course, travelers want to be close to their assignment, especially those that are on-call, but it’s important to find a location that gives you rent that you can afford, that is also within an acceptable radius of the places you’ll be going.
Are utilities, cable and internet included in the rental amount? Before you sign any agreements, make sure that you are clear about any additional costs.
Where Most Travelers Start
Whether you’re comparing jobs side by side and need to know which assignment has more affordable housing options, or you’ve already signed your contract and know where you’re going, Furnished Finder is where most travelers and staffing companies seem to start. They have over 30,000 listings from hosts all over the nation who are looking for travel nurse tenants. It’s actually pretty unique to find a housing platform without the booking fees like vacation rental sites and mark-ups like corporate housing. You can view all of the Furnished Finder properties on their site, or right on The Gypsy Nurse housing resource page.
Stipend Calculator
If you’re researching jobs in different cities and looking to see where your stipend will stretch the furthest, you can use the new Travel Nurse Stipend Calculator tool. There you’ll be able to get average housing costs, find out the top nursing specialties and staffing agencies, and compare key metrics to see which area may be the best for you.
Contribute
One of the best things about being part of a community is that you can receive and share helpful information with one another. Chances are that you’ve already worked in a city or assignment where another traveler is currently considering, so why not help out the next nurse and share your experience? Here, you can rate your previous facility, and give your fellow travelers tips about the best neighborhoods, areas to avoid, favorite restaurants, traffic patterns, and other best practices that you’ve learned while on assignment in a city. To become a contributor and help a fellow traveler, you can do that here.
More Resources
Both Furnished Finder and The Gypsy Nurse have Facebook groups dedicated to housing as well. There you can connect with your peers, ask questions, and learn about their experiences. Don’t underestimate groups like these as they can be excellent resources…just realize that with over 120,000 members combined, you may have to sift through a few rants to get to the content that you’re interested in. You can also use the search filter to search by topics, hospitals, staffing companies and cities that interest you.
Housing plays an important role in your travel nurse housing experience where the right living situation will allow you to maintain a work/life balance that helps you thrive. Hopefully, these tips and tools will help to ensure your housing supports your lifestyle wherever you go.
Furnished Finderis the largest online housing marketplace for travel nurses who take temporary positions across the US. With over 30,000 monthly furnished rental properties to choose from, they continue to expand their inventory and make housing easier and more affordable for traveling healthcare professionals nationwide.
*If you’re a landlord looking to offer housing on Furnished Finder and The Gypsy Nurse, go here.
With staying healthy at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days, the idea of getting back to normal is equally omnipresent. While this simply can’t happen just yet, staying safe isn’t an all or nothing kind of affair, and you can resume much of your normal life and career as a traveling nurse even under the current circumstances. The caveat to this is that safety precautions need to be a major priority. Here’s what you need to know to minimize health risks as a traveling nurse.
Take Care of Your Body
In all matters of health, your body is a complex machine made of many moving parts. This means that staying healthy is a holistic endeavor, and there are many factors that come into play regarding the strength of your immune system. For example, your diet needs to be a comprehensive one that gives you all of the essential vitamins and nutrients you need. Vitamin C, vitamin D, and even protein are essential for maintaining your immune system. You can use supplements like greens powder to manage your diet more thoroughly, but it’s still important to eat the right foods and get plenty of water. Exercise is also important, as staying in shape is integral for maintaining not only your fitness but also your mental health. Mental health problems can actually have a pretty dramatic effect on your physical health.
Most notably, mental illness can actually weaken your immune system, making physical illness more likely. Getting plenty of sleep is also essential for keeping your body in tip-top shape because sleep is an integral part of maintaining the body. Sleep deprivation can also create mood problems. The takeaway of all of this is that your body, and your mind, need to be taken care of in many ways, and each of these individual factors has a ripple effect that can impact other aspects of your well-being.
Listen to Experts
Social distancing, quarantine, and medical face masks are a point of contention for some, but the simple fact of the matter is that these practices are shown to be the best tools the average person has in the face of potential infection. This means that like it or not, maintaining these practices when and where it’s advised is the right call. Meeting with friends is no excuse to drop your guard, so be sure to keep your hands clean and wear your mask every time you leave the house. In the safety of your home or the home of someone you know has also been safe, you can take it easy to some extent, but that’s only when everyone involved has the health and safety of themselves and those around them in mind.
Keep Up With Current Events
Knowing the current state of things is a crucial means of playing it safe, so be sure to keep an eye on the news as the situation develops. For example, traveling to another area or even another country or continent necessitates having an understanding of the situation in your destination. If things are just as bad or worse there, then you need to increase your attention to detail regarding safety precautions or simply forego the trip entirely if possible.
Even within your own town, the situation can and will change over time, and policies regarding potential safety measures will change with it. If your area has experienced a substantial uptick in cases of infection, you may undergo quarantine in which you can’t afford to take the risk of interacting with others. However, as long as more people are embracing the safety measures in place, the situation can stabilize and even improve, allowing you to return to your normal life to an extent.
Life in the midst of a pandemic is less than ideal, but learning from the tragedies of the past can help to minimize the risks associated with this moment in history. While it can be devastating to self-isolate, leaving the house is inherently risky. These tips will help you remain safe while allowing you to start living your life again.
We hope you found these tips on minimizing health risks as a traveling nurse helpful. Have you found any ways to minimize health risks while travel nursing? Comment them below.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is why you can’t start a career without having a plan, including being a travel nurse. To ensure you don’t find yourself wanting to quit less than halfway through your first travel nurse job, here are some things to consider before starting.
Staffing Agency
If you’ve ever tried online dating, you know that it is vital to make a decisive choice amongst various options. When starting as a travel nurse, you will have several staffing agencies to choose from, making it a tough choice. But you have to choose a staffing company, and it has to be one that can help you succeed in your career.
This is why picking a staffing agency is the foremost thing to do before starting as a travel nurse. When selecting a staffing company, assess it in terms of:
Experience in the travel staffing industry
Whether they are Joint Commission-certified
Rooster of available assignments
Exclusive agreements with facilities
Pay rates and benefits
As a travel nurse, you have to identify what matters to you and what you want to get out of traveling. Next, use whatever answer you get to pick an agency that meets your needs. Don’t be in a hurry to choose a staffing company; ensure their value matches with yours, and they tick off most things on your priority list.
Recruiter
According to Melissa Hagstrom, a Travel Nursing contributor, seasoned travel nurse vets advise starters to work with a recruiter. The recruiter would serve as a guardian angel, watching your back and rendering advice when needed. The person would also understand your needs and find you placements that meet them.
Having someone who understands you makes life easier as a travel nurse. However, with so many recruiters, you have to sift through to find someone you can work with. If you and a recruiter are never on the same page, it would adversely affect your career. Once you find a match, it is crucial to keep communication lines open and resolve conflicts amicably.
Experience and Readiness
It might sound like a cliche, but “Experience” is sometimes and indeed the best teacher. Before you begin a travel nurse career, ask yourself if you have the required experience and readiness level. Although it varies, most facilities require a travel nurse to have at least 18-months of experience in their specialty.
Know that specialties like intensive care or emergency departments are quite competitive. Thus, to stand a chance, you have to have the needed experience and be ready for the challenges that come with the role. Nurse Journal advises that you obtain a specialty nurse certificate if you lack one. It would set you apart when applying to famous centers.
Contractual Terms
Most travel nurses start a job and realize they don’t like their contract terms. But, it’s too late to change it unless they want to face a lawsuit. This is avoidable if you carefully go through the conditions before signing. If you can work for only 16 hours, ensure you don’t agree for 18.
Ask questions as many times as needed, and ensure you’re clear on everything. Note that travel nurse contracts are different from that of a regular staff member. It offers tax-free benefits that a permanent staff is not entitled to. Show it to your recruiter before singing, and have them explain any part you don’t understand.
Licensing and Paperwork
If you’re planning to work outside the state you reside, you need to get licensed to work in the new state. Find out about the requirements and learn all you can about them ahead of time. If the state you reside in is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), it will make the licensing process much easier.
Housing
You don’t want to start a job as a travel nurse without securing a place to stay. Thus, once you’ve landed a job, look into the available housing options. Some travel nurse companies offer free and private housing, but you can make personal arrangements if you desire.
Packing
The key is to travel smart and only take the things you need. Depending on how long you’re staying away, you should take only the necessaries. Also, have someone check your home periodically. Pay bills electronically, and inform the post office on how long you’ll be away.
The Takeaway
Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, so you need to dot every “I” and cross all “Ts” before starting a travel nurse career. Create a checklist and carefully tick off everything before starting. The more prepared you are, the fewer chances you have of making mistakes. So, carefully go through this list, and use it as a guide.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
