By Nadine Westwood

August 6, 2023

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Building and Maintaining Relationships as a Traveling Nurse

As a traveling nurse, building and maintaining relationships can often be a challenge due to the constant change in work environments and patient demographics. But forming strong bonds with patients, their families, and your fellow team members is crucial in promoting effective communication and efficient teamwork within the healthcare setting, no matter where you are. 

In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies that could help you build connections with others more seamlessly while enhancing your nursing experience throughout your evolving journey.

Relationships as a Traveling Nurse

12 Effective Ways for Traveling Nurses to Stay Connected

Becoming a traveling nurse is exciting, but you may need some help building relationships. Let’s dive into these essential tips for establishing lasting rapport as a thriving traveling nurse!

1. Communicate Effectively

Clear and open communication is crucial in any relationship. Make it a habit to express your thoughts and concerns openly with your patients, their family members, and your colleagues. For example, forging bonds with patients requires asking questions about their needs. 

2. Be Approachable

As a healthcare professional, maintaining a friendly demeanor is essential in building relationships with others. Always demonstrate a warm smile when meeting someone new at work, greet everyone respectfully, and make sure to listen attentively when they are speaking.

3. Offer Support

Be compassionate and empathetic towards patients and their families during challenging times by offering comfort or moral support when needed. This can also help nurture strong relationships among the staff as you extend your support to fellow friends and team members.

Relationships as a Traveling Nurse

4. Take the Initiative

Don’t simply wait for friendships or bonds to happen—actively engage with colleagues on lunch breaks or at social events after work hours. When you make an effort to initiate conversation or ask for opinions and advice from others, you’ll show that you truly value their company.

5. Embrace Flexibility

Traveling nurses encounter different environments frequently, and adapting to them quickly can contribute significantly to building good working relationships. Remain open-minded and willing to learn new ways of handling situations from others around you to build honest connections.

6. Share Your Knowledge

By sharing valuable information or tips that could benefit other people at work, like efficient techniques for specific hospital procedures, you will establish yourself as an invaluable team player. You can also build plenty of relationships outside of work through similar methods. 

7. Network Professionally

Attend conferences related to nursing professions whenever possible. This allows you to meet professionals in similar roles who can share insights into their experiences from various locations around the country. They can also help you find friends with something in common. 

8. Show Appreciation

Don’t forget to express gratitude towards your colleagues, friends, patients, and their families. Take the time to say thank you or congratulate someone on achieving a personal milestone. Small gestures like these can go a long way in building and maintaining relationships.

Relationships as a Traveling Nurse

9. Seek Feedback

Assess your performance by asking for constructive feedback from patients, coworkers, or even your friends if they’re with you. This helps you improve professionally, and fosters trust, demonstrating your commitment to providing quality patient care.

10. Engage in Team-Building Activities

Participate in any organized team-building events or outings with your fellow nurses when possible. Engaging in fun activities together can build camaraderie and bring people closer together outside the work environment.

11. Stay Connected

Even after moving on to another assignment, make an effort to stay in touch with former patients and colleagues by exchanging contact information before you leave. You can exchange phone numbers, emails, or social media platforms. Use a contact method that works best for you.

12. Cultivate Your Personal Brand

As you interact with others and develop relationships along the way, always be mindful of how you present yourself professionally. By having a strong personal brand that is centered around positivity and compassion, building relationships becomes an easier task for any nurse.

In Conclusion… 

Building and maintaining relationships as a traveling nurse is integral to your professional success and overall well-being. By embracing the 12 tips shared in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating strong connections with patients, families, and colleagues alike.

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

By NuWest

August 5, 2023

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Top 5 AI Tools & Lifehack Apps for Travel Nurses

NuWest provided this article.

“Work Smarter, Not Harder.” We’ve all heard this common advice, and some of us are better at putting it into practice than others. With a demanding profession such as nursing, the need to steal back time each day becomes even more important. Less time wasted on mundane tasks means more time focused on the well-being of ourselves and our patients.

The challenges and responsibilities of travel nursing often spill over into our personal lives, leaving too little time for self-care and relaxation, and left unchecked, can contribute to burnout. Luckily for us, we are living in an unprecedented digital age. As scary as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) might sound, these technologies can help us win back our work-life balance, allowing us to spend more time on what matters most.

ai

We don’t know what the future holds, so let’s set aside the talk of a machine takeover for the moment. Instead, this article will focus on how modern tech can help travel nurses save time and energy, or as we call it, the Top 5 AI Tools & Lifehack Apps for Travel Nurses

#5 – Plan To-Dos on Your Next Travel Assignment

Resource: ChapGPT

Travel assignments offer flexibility, freedom, and fun. But with that comes added challenges that can take up your free time. The sheer amount of planning and coordination it takes to get through the hiring process, compliance requirements, and onboarding at your next travel nurse job is hard enough. But when you add to that the need to find accommodation, plan your travel, and fill your free time with local activities — it can all become overwhelming.

The newest AI tools like ChatGPT can help you save time when researching your new city to discover the best things to do, must-try restaurants, and other local experiences. You can ask ChatGPT to create a three-month itinerary for you based on any interests and preferences you set. For example:

Acting as a [role], perform research for [audience] to [action verb(s)] things like [essential info] that are [descriptive adjectives] for my 3-month travel assignment in [location].

Check out this example prompt we put through ChatGPT to get recommendations for a 13-week travel nurse assignment in Denver, Colorado. Use the template above for any city, and use the time you saved exploring more fun activities!

ai

#4 – Create the Perfect Playlist in Seconds

Resource: Spotify

Music is an essential tool for most travel nurses. For starters, music has long been the ultimate companion for long road trips. Even better, music is scientifically proven to help reduce anxiety, manage pain, lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, and positively impact overall well-being.

So whether you need a playlist for your next 17-hour cross-country trek or you’re just trying to find the perfect song to get you home from work, AI can help. Earlier this year, Spotify introduced AI DJ to offer customers an easy-to-use machine learning tool to customize their listening experience.

Introducing DJ | Spotify

Need Spotify’s AI DJ to curate the perfect song for the moment based on your own likes? Check out what it is all about, or try it on your own Spotify today. Just search DJ on Spotify, play the top “DJ” link, and then sit back and relax.

#3 – Sleep Better to Improve Wellness

Resource: Aura, Calm, Headspace

Doctors, athletes, and the world’s most successful people generally agree on one thing: Good sleep is the most important thing we can do to improve health, performance, and wellness. Quality sleep and stress management are essential for nurses to maintain physical and mental health.

While digital screen fatigue and social media anxiety are real issues today’s tech has created, when used properly, these same tech advancements can improve our relaxation, meditation, and sleep. In general, to sleep better, start with these basics:

  • Create a quiet, dark bedroom with a comfortable temperature.
  • Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime
  • Exercise each day, but not within 3 hours of bedtime
  • Limit daytime naps to 30-45 mins and none after 3 p.m.
  • Commit to a scheduled time and bedtime routine.

Then, add a few of these tools and apps to your routine until you find the one that’s right for you. Here are a few of our favorite options:

Aura is a mobile app that provides users with guided meditations, stories, and other tools to help them improve their mental health and well-being. The app is designed to be personalized to each user’s individual needs and goals, and it offers a variety of content to choose from, including personalized AI-powered recommendations and a huge library of various sleep-enabled programs.

ai

We love that the Calm app is easy to use for beginners of all types, and its Sleep Stories section has tons of bedtime programs to fit individual needs. Bonus! Many of these programs are read aloud by celebrities with soothing voices, like Matthew McConaughey. Try Calm Premium to unlock more Sleep Stories, guided meditations, music for focus and sleep, and more. Compared to Headspace, the Calm app is more oriented toward relaxation and sleep.

Headspace is one of the most popular guided meditation apps and is also great for sleep. Compared to Calm, this app is a better choice for people who want to learn how to meditate and manage mindfulness throughout their day. The Headspace Sleepcasts are long-form audio experiences (think adult bedtime stories) that help create calming experiences. And with new stories every night, you’ll never get bored. Headspace also has a wide variety of guided meditations, music, and short video options to help you feel more relaxed while making it easy to fit into your day.

#2 – Control Your Finances Like a Pro

Resource: Monarch Money and Mint

Modern apps and AI tools can empower nurses to take charge of their financial well-being and achieve their long-term investment goals. Intelligent financial management tools use machine learning algorithms to analyze spending patterns, set budgets, and offer personalized financial advice. Nurses can track their expenses, identify saving opportunities, and plan more effectively. These tools can alleviate financial stress and provide a sense of security quickly and easily, giving you time back in your day to what more of what you love.

Monarch Money uses artificial intelligence to help people save money. The company’s platform also allows users to track their spending, set financial goals, and find those pesky recurring subscriptions you forgot to cancel.

Mint brings together spending, balances, budgets, credit scores, and more into one powerful app for managing your financial life. Plus, the Mintsights™ are designed to provide personalized insights to spend smarter, save more, and pay down debt.

#1 – Safety first!

Resource: Noonlight, bSafe, and FirstNet powered by AT&T

Nurses often have to walk to and from their cars in the dark hours of the morning and night. And worse, travel nurses end up taking these short but sometimes dangerous walks in unfamiliar areas. Thankfully, some modern apps and AI-driven tech are focusing on personal safety.

Noonlight can help offer an added layer of security outside of the workplace. It’s a safety app that allows users to connect with emergency services with just the press of a button, track the user’s location, and send an alert to emergency services in emergency cases. It can even be connected with Uber, Lyft, Tinder, and other tools so users can share important calendar and location details with friends, family, and local first responders. Connected to Smart Home devices, Noonlight can even offer certificates that help with discounts on homeowner and rental insurance rates.

bSafe was created by a father whose daughter was raped in response to the need for more personal safety and to help fight violence against women. Globally, 1 in 3 women experiences violence or sexual assault. With bSafe features such as SOS Alarm, Live Streaming, Voice Activation, Follow Me, and more, users can leverage the app to increase personal safety in all situations.

Finally, when talking safety, we can’t end this article without talking about your mobile cellular service itself. Did you know that as a nurse, you can join the emergency services network, First Net, powered by AT&T? This amazing program acts as a normal cell phone service in your everyday life, but for any public safety crisis or emergency response needs, your phone is part of dedicated network band open only to first responders.

Always-on priority of FirstNet ensures that when emergencies happen, first responders can reliably communicate without public demand jam their Band 14 Federally-protected spectrum. FirstNet is the first-ever nationwide network with comprehensive tower-to-core network encryption based on open industry standards. This public safety need is why NuWest Group offers FirstNet to its nurse employees as a regular part of our perks and benefits. What you do as a travel nurse is more than just a job. It’s a mission and a calling. Reliable communication is vital to both your and the public’s safety.

Do More of What You Love

Machine learning and digital transformation are changing our world faster than ever. As a healthcare professional with a lot of demands on your time, it’s important to prioritize well-being and find ways to simplify your life. These AI tools and Lifehack apps are designed to do just that: to help you achieve a better work-life balance, reduce stress, and optimize your personal time. Leverage this technology to save time, pursue your passions, and do more of what you love.

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

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

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

By RTG Medical

August 4, 2023

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What are Guaranteed Hours?

RTG Medical provided this article.

The “guaranteed hours” clause is common in healthcare traveler contracts, but it’s often misunderstood. So, what exactly does it mean?

Some travelers believe they’ll be paid for the hours outlined in their contract regardless of whether they work them. Others assume it’s a form of financial support from the agency while they’re away from home base. Additionally, some view it as insurance to protect their salary if the census drops or they’re not scheduled as frequently as promised. However, the meaning of “guaranteed hours” can differ depending on how it’s covered in the contract, causing uncertainty for many.

guaranteed hours

Protects the Traveler and the Agency

Healthcare staffing agencies use contracts that include guaranteed hours to protect both the agency and the medical facility. This agreement ensures that revenue is generated by both parties to cover costs. The agency’s ability to cover expenses is directly impacted by the hours the traveler works at the medical facility. This policy benefits both the traveler and the agency by ensuring payment, even if a facility becomes overstaffed. Maintaining a proper patient-to-staff ratio in hospitals is a constant challenge due to fluctuating census, sick employee calls, vacations, and other variables.

So Who Guarantees Your Hours?

When a traveler signs a contract, the contracted agency is obligated to guarantee and pay for their hours. Nevertheless, the facility to which the traveler is assigned often commits to a minimum number of hours as well. This guarantee from the facility to the agency guarantees that the facility can meet its financial obligations while also fulfilling its agreement with the traveler. It’s important to note that the contracted agency bears the responsibility of fulfilling its obligations to the traveler.

Read and Understand Your Contract

The guaranteed hours policy can vary between hospitals and regions and sometimes even within different facilities. It’s crucial to thoroughly review the contract, including the fine print, to avoid any surprises during your assignment. While some hospitals may guarantee all promised hours, others may allow up to three shifts to be canceled within a 13-week period without compensation. Some contracts offer more flexibility, allowing one shift cancellation per week while still meeting guaranteed hours obligations.

It’s essential to keep in mind that contracts can change at different times of the year, and floating to other units within your scope of practice may be necessary to fulfill the guarantee. In a major metropolitan area, you may need to float between multiple hospitals to fulfill your guaranteed hours. Please note that asking for specific days off may result in not receiving guaranteed hours if it doesn’t fit within the hospital’s schedule.

While guaranteed hours may seem straightforward, the execution can sometimes be more complex. To avoid any misunderstandings, thoroughly read and understand your contract.

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

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

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

By Go Healthcare Staffing

August 3, 2023

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Bridging the Gap: Cultivating Lasting Connections with Patients on Short Assignments

Go Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

As a travel nurse, you are no stranger to the art of adaptation. With each new assignment, you find yourself in unfamiliar territory, tasked with providing compassionate care to patients you’ve just met. Working on short assignments can present a unique challenge in forming meaningful connections with your patients. However, by employing effective communication, empathy, and a patient-centered approach, you can bridge the gap and cultivate lasting connections, leaving a positive impact on those you care for.

Connections with Patients

Embrace Empathy and Active Listening:

Empathy lies at the heart of patient-centered care. While time may be limited during short assignments, it’s essential to actively listen to your patients and be empathetic toward their concerns. Make an effort to understand their emotions, fears, and anxieties. Demonstrating genuine care and compassion can go a long way in building trust and rapport with patients, even within a short timeframe.

Introduce Yourself and Share Your Journey:

The beginning of a patient-nurse relationship can set the tone for the entire interaction. When you first meet your patients, take a moment to introduce yourself, explain your role as a travel nurse, and share a bit about your background. By sharing your journey, patients may feel more comfortable and connect with you on a personal level.

Ask About Their Story:

Asking open-ended questions about your patients’ lives and experiences can create a deeper connection. Inquire about their interests, hobbies, or even their favorite memories. Taking a genuine interest in their lives can help you understand their needs better and tailor your care accordingly.

Be Present and Engaged:

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of your duties. However, being present and engaged during patient interactions is essential. Avoid distractions and focus on your patients during the time you have with them. Patients are more likely to connect with nurses who show genuine interest in their well-being.

Use Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication:

Communication extends beyond words. Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. A warm smile or a gentle touch can convey comfort and reassurance to patients, fostering a positive connection. Additionally, ensure your verbal communication is clear, concise, and easy for patients to understand.

Connections with Patients

Remember Details:

Taking note of small details about your patients can make a significant impact. Remembering a patient’s favorite hobby, their pet’s name or an upcoming special event shows that you care about them as individuals and not just as medical cases. Such attention to detail creates a more personal and lasting connection.

Involve Them in Their Care:

Empower your patients by involving them in their care decisions. Explain treatment options, provide education, and encourage them to ask questions. By giving patients a sense of control over their health, you foster a partnership in their care journey.

Go the Extra Mile:

Even on short assignments, going the extra mile can leave a lasting impression on patients. Whether it’s bringing a favorite snack or lending an empathetic ear, small gestures can make a significant difference in their experience.

Follow Up:

While short assignments may limit the amount of time you spend with patients, following up after their discharge shows you genuinely care about their well-being. A phone call or an email to check on their progress can leave a lasting positive impact.

Involve Family and Caregivers:

Patient care doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it often involves family members and caregivers. Engage with them, listen to their concerns, and keep them informed about their loved one’s condition. By involving them in the care process, you build a network of support that contributes to the patient’s overall well-being.

Cultivating lasting connections with patients on short assignments as a travel nurse is both an art and a science. Embracing empathy, active listening, and patient-centered care can create meaningful relationships with patients, even within a limited timeframe. Remembering details, involving patients in their care decisions, and going the extra mile can leave a positive and lasting impression. As you bridge the gap between your assignments, your approach to patient care will not only enrich your patients’ lives but also elevate your own experience as a dedicated and compassionate travel nurse.

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

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

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

By Uniti Med

August 2, 2023

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Tips for Capturing Stunning Travel Photos

Uniti Med provided this article.

As a travel healthcare professional, you have the unique opportunity to explore various regions of the country and document your adventures through photography. While you may not be a professional photographer, there are simple techniques to ensure your travel photos are breathtaking and cherished keepsakes. Here are some tips for capturing the best travel photos during your assignments.

travel photos

Choose the Right Camera for Your Budget:

You don’t need an expensive camera to take captivating photos. Modern cell phones come equipped with impressive lenses that rival professional cameras. If you’re due for a new phone, research models with excellent camera capabilities. However, if you’re keen on improving your photography skills, consider investing in a dedicated camera from reputable brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, or Fuji. There are pros and cons to each, but the important thing is to learn how to use them. Do some research on different lenses, shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and white balance. Don’t shoot in auto mode forever!

Focus on Exposure and Sharpness:

Exposure is the overall brightness or darkness of a photo. An overexposed photo will lose all the details of the shot, while an underexposed one will appear grainy and flat when brightened. An out-of-focus photo can ruin an otherwise beautiful shot. Take a moment to set the exposure and focus before capturing your subject.

Frame Your Subject Wisely:

Framing is a fundamental aspect of photography that directs the viewer’s attention to the subject. Whether it’s people, landscapes, or wildlife, frame your subject thoughtfully, ensuring they are the focal point of the image. Avoid cropping out important elements, such as hands and feet, when photographing people. Framing a photo is half of the job, so take your time framing your subject to get that perfect shot.

Lighting Is Your Friend:

travel photos

You may think that a photographer’s tool is their camera, but this isn’t entirely true. A photographer’s best tool is light. Bad or harsh lighting can ruin an otherwise beautiful photo. To capture stunning outdoor images, consider shooting during the “blue hour” (the hour after sunrise) or the “golden hour” (the hour before sunset). These times provide soft, warm lighting that enhances the beauty of your subjects. Although not always feasible, planning your shoots around these hours can yield some truly stunning photos.

Get Creative, Have Fun, and Keep Taking Pictures:

While there are some universal “rules” to good photography, art is subjective. If your photo is in focus and the lighting is right, then you can take a great photo! Have fun with it, and get creative. Try different angles to get a truly unique shot. Play around with your camera settings and try new techniques. Practice, practice, practice! The more you shoot, the better you’ll get.

Safeguard Your Photos with Backups:

Once you’ve taken your photos, you’ll want to make sure they are safely stored for the long term. For digital photos, you can invest in an external hard drive, or you can purchase digital storage. If you choose to print your photos, buy high-quality photo albums for storage and keep them in a cool, dry area so they don’t fade over time. Whatever you do, regularly back up your photos to avoid losing precious memories.

Conclusion:

By following these tips, your pictures will not only look better, but you’ll have beautiful keepsakes of your adventures forever. Remember, it’s not about having the most expensive gear but knowing how to make the most of the equipment you have. Frame your subjects carefully, pay attention to lighting, and never stop exploring your creativity through photography. Happy travels!

We hope you found these tips for capturing stunning travel photos helpful. Do you have any tips for fellow travel nurses who want to capture their travel adventures? Comment them below.

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

As a travel nurse, you go on many adventures and capturing stunning travel photos can be important. Here are tips to help you get those shots!

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!)

By Titan Medical

August 1, 2023

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Hidden Gems in the United States That You May Want to Consider For Your Next Travel Assignment

Titan Medical Group provided this article.

Moab, Utah 

jobs

If you are looking for a desert adventure, Moab, Utah, is the perfect place to take your next travel assignment. Moab is home to numerous natural wonders, including the red rock arches at Arches National Park. Moab is also known for its amazing stargazing tours and water activities. Find jobs in Moab and other cities throughout Utah here


 Fredericksburg, Texas 

Hidden Gems in the United States That You May Want to Consider For Your Next Travel Assignment

Fredericksburg, Texas, is a hidden gem in Texas that provides amazing views. Fredericksburg is a German-rooted city near Austin and San Antonio. This city was built by German immigrants who settled here around the early 1800s. The German culture remains in Fredericksburg today with authentic food, beer, and fine wines. Find jobs in Fredericksburg and other cities throughout Texas here


Arcata, California  

jobs

California is the perfect state to take an assignment if you are looking for warm weather and beaches. However, California is also home to amazing scenery beyond the sandy beaches and cityscapes. Arcata, California, is home to beautiful redwoods that line the trails all the way to the Pacific Bay. Find jobs in Arcata and other cities throughout California here


Hidden Gems in the United States That You May Want to Consider For Your Next Travel Assignment

Traverse City, Michigan  

Traverse City, Michigan, is another beautiful place to take your next assignment if you have an appreciation for nature. Traverse City is a bayside micropolitan area and the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States. Traverse City also holds a weeklong Chery Festival at the start of July each year. Find jobs in Traverse City and other cities throughout Michigan here


Chattanooga, Tennessee 

jobs

Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a great place to take your next assignment if you love history. Lookout Mountain Battlefield and the Chattanooga National Military Park are two historic Civil War locations in Chattanooga. This city also has numerous breweries and places to eat throughout the city. Find jobs in Chattanooga and other cities throughout Tennessee here

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

By Covelo Group

July 31, 2023

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Job Outlook: Why Do Hospitals Hire Travel Nurses?

Covelo Group provided this article.

Despite the U.S. healthcare industry making enormous strides since the pandemic, hospitals still struggle to stay fully staffed with nursing professionals. This problem isn’t new. The U.S. has had a persistent lack of healthcare workers for decades, and the shortage[i] of RNs is projected to continue to spread across the country through the year 2030.

As a result, healthcare systems still rely consistently on the travel nursing industry to fill both short-term and long-term staffing gaps. While root causes depend on the unique set of circumstances and challenges facing each medical center, here are some common reasons why hospitals hire travel nurses:

hire travel nurses

Nursing educator shortage

The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing career fields in the U.S. and has been for years. Data tells us that the demand for nurses in the U.S. continues to grow faster than the supply of qualified nursing candidates. Check here[ii] to see the nurse-to-population numbers in your home state.

As the Baby Boomer population experiences greater longevity, the demand for healthcare professionals is increasing. Unfortunately, not enough nursing school graduates are entering the workforce to meet those growing needs, creating a nursing deficit.

A major contributing factor to this deficit is the need that nursing programs have for nursing educators. A lack of qualified educators means that nursing schools remain extremely competitive and can admit only a fraction of their applicants. Ultimately, fewer nursing students lead to fewer nursing professionals.

Seasonal hires

Flu season typically starts in October, with flu activity sometimes stretching into May. Although the peak of flu season[iii] varies from year to year, it frequently happens in or around February. Not only do hospitals experience an influx of patients during flu season, but their full-time staff may also need to take more sick days due to increased exposure to infection. Hospitals also see a higher volume of requests for personal time off during the holidays.

Hiring travel nurses for seasonal spikes in patient load allows hospitals to keep operations running smoothly without increasing their full-time staffing volume.

Underserved communities

Remote hospitals in rural communities face a chronic struggle to keep enough doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals employed on a full-time basis. Given the challenge of attracting permanent clinical staff from bigger cities, these small-town clinics rely on a constant rotation of travel nurses to care for their patients. The travel nursing industry will always be essential to the health and well-being of patients in these isolated communities.

Absences and retirement

Every hospital has to manage covering shifts for their full-time nursing staff during the occasional extended leave of absence, consistent with the Family Medical Leave Act[iv]. Travel nursing is a convenient way for hospitals to cover an employee’s temporary leave of absence, which can last up to 12 weeks.

It’s also true that thousands of American nurses are approaching retirement age. In fact, according to the 2023 National Nursing Workforce Survey,[v] 19 percent of the current RN workforce is 65 years of age or older. This is no small challenge for the hospitals charged with replacing these seasoned nursing professionals within a few short years.

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


[i] https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage

[ii] https://nursejournal.org/articles/the-us-nursing-shortage-state-by-state-breakdown/

[iii] https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season.htm

[iv] https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla

[v] https://www.ncsbn.org/research/recent-research/workforce.page

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!)

By trustaff

July 28, 2023

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TravCon 2023: Tips For Making The Most Of It

Trustaff provided this article.

Are you planning to attend TravCon 2023? Taking place each September in the booming city of Las Vegas, this event is the largest traveling healthcare conference in the country. It offers attendees a fun atmosphere with networking opportunities, engaging speakers, exciting freebies, and more.

Below is a list of suggestions to make sure you get the most out of your trip to TravCon this year.

travcon 2023

Make a list.

In preparation for TravCon, many companies will publish their booth numbers well in advance. Creating a list of exhibitors you want to visit, as well as their booth numbers, will be helpful, especially if you’re eager to collect all the freebies and giveaways – a fan favorite for attendees.

Leave room in your luggage or pack an extra bag.

How do you plan to handle all the freebies you’ll bring home from TravCon? Make sure you leave some luggage space or bring an extra duffle bag or backpack with you so you can transport all of your new gifts home. Some companies may even give you a new backpack or bag.

Listen and learn.

TravCon has a long list of industry professionals who will be speaking at the conference. Check out the list of speakers online and again – make a list! Mark off who you’d like to hear speak at the conference, and plan to spend your week getting tons of new knowledge, insight, inspiration, and more from these wonderful people sharing their stories and expertise.

The parties!

What’s a trip to TravCon without all the after-parties? Most companies will advertise free events (many with free food and drinks) to anyone who attends the conference. Some of these are open to all travelers regardless of which company you are currently working for, but chances are, your company is also hosting an extra party specifically for their current travelers (Trustaff is!) These after-parties are always the highlight of the trip, as you will meet many new faces while having fun and connecting with other travelers and healthcare professionals. Be sure to join any Facebook groups so you can know when these parties are happening – as many require an RSVP.

Make sure to purchase a ticket.

Tickets to the event are available now and often sell out each year – so don’t wait! You can also add on things to your ticket, such as hikes, golf outings, and more, to get extra time to connect with the TravCon crew and other healthcare travelers and professionals. In addition, the conference also hosts certification courses. Being a traveler, finding the time or place to do these mandatory certifications can be challenging, but TravCon makes it easy, and you can tackle those while you’re there. They’ve truly thought of it all!

TravCon 2023 will be the place to be September 17th-20th. We hope this list helps you get the most out of your experience in Vegas.  Will you be there? We can’t wait!

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

By Amare Medical Network

July 27, 2023

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The Ultimate Summer Playlist for Travel Nurses

Amare Medical Network provided this article.

Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones. But for nurses, it can also be a time of high stress. Long hours, short staffing, and the constant demands of the job can take a toll on your mental and emotional health.

That’s why finding ways to de-stress and relax during the summer is so important. And what better way to do that than with music?

A well-chosen playlist can help you unwind, relieve stress, and boost your mood. And with so many different genres of music to choose from, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

summer playlist

Here are a few ideas for creating the ultimate summer playlist for nurses:

  • Pop music: With its upbeat and catchy beats, pop is great music to listen to while working out, running errands, or even relaxing on the beach.
  • Country music: Relax and de-stress with country that is often about simple pleasures, like spending time outdoors, enjoying nature, and being with loved ones.
  • Rock music: Rock can get you pumped up for working out, driving, or just getting ready for a night out.
  • R&B music: Relax and groove to the perfect music to listen to while you’re taking a bath, reading a book, or just spending time with friends.

In addition to choosing the right genre of music, it’s also important to consider the lyrics of the songs on your playlist. Songs with positive lyrics can help boost your mood, while songs with negative lyrics can have the opposite effect.

Be sure to take some time to create a summer playlist that’s perfect for you. Choose songs that you love and that make you feel good. And when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, put on your playlist and let the music work its magic.

Besides making you feel good, music can also have a positive effect on your well-being. Research has shown that listening to music can:

  • Boost immunity by helping produce antibodies and cells that fight against bacteria.
  • Stimulate the release of endorphins, which encourage the production of oxytocin, which helps boost your mood.
  • Assist with treatments for conditions ranging from depression to premature birth.

With a little planning, you can create a playlist that will help you to relax, de-stress, and boost your mood and well-being all summer long. Don’t have time to create your own playlist or don’t know where to start? No problem! Check out this Spotify playlist to get you started.

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