June 28, 2023

2398 Views

Nursing Shortage Woes: How Will Current Staffing Trends Affect You as a Travel Nurse?

Posted on June 28, 2023June 28, 2023 by Jogan Health

Jogan Health provided this article.

2023 has been a year full of twists and turns for the healthcare industry. One of the most pressing issues – as evidenced by the massive amount of media coverage – is the current nursing shortage. As a travel nurse, you might be wondering how this is going to affect your career. To assuage any anxiety you might be feeling, we want to remind our readers at TGN of the opportunities this provides.

That’s right; we said opportunities! Because even though this trend represents an obstacle for many sections of our industry, if you are a healthcare provider looking for short-term contracts and temporary placement, the staffing shortage can be a boon to your career. How is this possible? Read on to find out.

Staffing Shortage Balanced Out by New Nursing Programs

First, a bit of good news. Though the staffing shortage is critical and pressing for medical organizations, it is being actively curtailed by a series of new nursing programs and an influx of nursing students. It seems that despite the shortage – or perhaps because of it – demand for nurses has risen considerably in 2023. This year alone, schools in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, and California have opened up new programs, expanded nursing opportunities, and even witnessed growth in their number of applications. In the next few years, the industry should see an uptick in nurses and an improvement in care stemming from a more comprehensive pool of nursing participants.

One HP’s Obstacle is Another HP’s Opportunity

Though the staffing shortage is causing major gaps in the rosters of medical organizations, hospitals, and other facilities, it can create a perfect slot for your skills and talents. After all, hospitals and organizations are finding more and more holes, and demand is higher than ever!

However, this opportunity won’t last forever. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, The RN workforce is expected to grow from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031, for an increase of 195,400 nurses. It seems the programs we mentioned are working, but this could also mean that now is the best time to press the advantage.

Travel nurses are the perfect stopgap measure for many of these facilities, who are waiting in the wings for crucial roles to be filled. Below, you can find four tips to stake your claim before the market floods again.

4 Tips to Benefit from the Current Healthcare Shortage

Get in Touch with Staffing and Recruiting Services: Contact one of the many staffing companies out there to ensure you have a direct line to the organizations that most need your help!
Update Your Resume to Show Off Adaptability: The myth that accruing experience as a travel nurse is difficult is just that – a myth. In fact, as a travel nurse, you can accumulate a host of different roles and responsibilities due to the variety of environments you have worked in. Keep your resume updated at all times and ensure that it reflects your flexibility and adaptability.
Remain Close with New Teams Through Social Media: One of the greatest advantages of being a travel nurse is the nationwide web of acquaintances, references, and teams you encounter. The best way to make this feature work for you is to keep fostering these connections, even when you have moved to your next assignment. Social platforms like LinkedIn are the perfect way to ensure continual support from these new co-workers.
Make Your Name Known: Networking is key to ensuring you become a mainstay in your industry. Make sure to expand your skill set. Write an article for a nursing platform! Attend conventions to bolster your nursing toolbox! If these ideas sound too overwhelming, something as simple as reading and sharing nursing-adjacent articles with your connections can help increase your authority and thought leadership.

The Bottom Line: Nursing Isn’t Going Away. It’s Just Changing

The first known documents that mention nursing as a profession were written in 300 AD, during the rise of the Roman Empire. You can draw a line from these ancient times straight to the mother of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, and out the other end, to the advent of travel nursing.

Our point is: nursing isn’t going away. It’s just changing! The best way to ensure you are prepared as a travel nurse is to evolve with it. We hope these tips helped! For more information on the trends explained in this article, or if you need help with placement as a travel nurse, visit Jogan Health’s website today.

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:

START HERE

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

By Advantage Medical Professionals

June 27, 2023

1506 Views

Travel Nursing: A Family Affair

Posted on June 27, 2023June 27, 2023 by Advantage Medical Professionals

Advantage Medical Professionals provided this article.

The unprecedented uptick in remote work policies and online education programs have arguably made the world feel a little bit smaller and more accessible for more of us than ever before. Of course, as a healthcare professional, it probably seems that not much has changed for us on that front. After all, our “office” is always wherever our patients are, and wearing your scrubs is probably the closest you’ll ever get to working in your pajamas. However, you can still reap some of the benefits this brave new world provides – the ever-growing remote work and education opportunities available to students and working adults have made it more feasible than ever for immediate family members, roommates, or friends to join nurses and healthcare professionals in their travel journey as a travel nursing family.

Of course, there are still some important factors to consider when deciding whether bringing family or friends along for the adventure is ideal for everyone involved:

The Kids Will Be All Right….Right?

As any parent or guardian would attest, kids naturally have a way of both enriching and complicating their life and career plans. This universal truth also resonates with healthcare professionals who have kids but also want to start or continue taking travel assignments. Unfortunately, there is no universal “correct” answer to whether you should bring your tyke(s) along, arrange for them to stay behind with their other parent, or consider taking only local contracts so neither you nor your children would have to relocate. The age of your child or children may be one factor in your decision – for instance, toddler-age kids aren’t in grade school yet, so that makes some things less complicated if you’re leaning toward taking them along.

However, you would need to make sure you have solid childcare arrangements in place. If you have kids in junior high or high school, childcare is less of an issue, but pulling them away from their hometown, school, and friends will likely be a larger concern. You can always do a ”trial run” by taking a short-term travel assignment (some can be as short as four to eight weeks versus the typical thirteen-week assignment) to feel things out before making any long-term or permanent changes to your (or your child’s) living arrangements. No matter what your decision is, family should always come first.

Shifts in the Night

Regardless of whether you’re traveling with kids, your spouse, a colleague, or a roommate outside of the bedside healthcare field, it is important to take an honest, realistic look at both everyone’s work schedules, habits, and sleeping patterns who will be living under the same roof together to ensure they won’t clash. This doesn’t necessarily mean you and your roomies’ schedules need to be identical, but living with someone who enjoys opening all the blinds and doing an intense workout at 9 AM every morning while you’re struggling to fall asleep because you’re working nights might lead to some recurring trouble in paradise (even if that person happens to be your spouse).

If you and the other members of your family/household decide to travel together, here are just some of the advantages of doing so:

Emotional Support

There is nothing quite like being greeted at the door with your little one’s arms around your waist or a peck on the cheek from your significant other after an exhausting shift. Having someone you care about around for emotional support can be especially comforting when you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained. Conversely, it’s nice to know that you’re in close enough proximity to your loved ones to offer them your support when they need it, too.

Shared Expenses

Let’s start with the most obvious perk – if you’re traveling with at least one other working adult (e.g., a spouse, friend, or roommate), you won’t be left to shoulder all the temporary housing expenses on your own. This can be a huge load off your mind AND your bank account.

Please note: If you’re rooming with at least one other adult that is sharing housing costs with you (especially if they are also a travel nurse), you should consult a tax professional about how this can affect one or both of your untaxed stipends since both of you clearly won’t be duplicating 100% of all your expenses. They can advise you about the best (and legal) way to manage your finances accordingly.

Bonding Experiences

Embarking on an adventure has a unique way of bringing people closer together, and the adventure that is travel nursing is no exception. From the road trip toward your new/temporary home to navigating a new city together, there is nothing quite like the experience of discovering new places and meeting new people with some of YOUR favorite people. In some cases, you may get the opportunity to take a travel contract in a place that one of you is familiar with. If that’s the case, it helps to have someone you trust to show you the ropes. If you are the one who happens to have connections in your new/temporary town, don’t forget to take a moment to fully appreciate and experience some of your familiar haunts through the new, fresh eyes of your companion who is seeing them for the very first time.

Safety in Numbers

As nurses and healthcare professionals, we know all too well that the world can be a scary place. Living and working in a new place can further compound the anxiety many of us feel when we are already outside of our literal (and metaphorical) comfort zone. However, knowing you aren’t coming home to an empty apartment or hotel room every night can help alleviate some of the uneasiness we may feel if we were traveling/living completely solo. It may not cross your mind too often, but the opposite is also true – living under the same roof as you (and in the same zip code, no less) will probably help your loved ones sleep easier, too.

Of course, there is no magical one-size-fits-all solution that would work for every family or household. However, advances in telecommunication coupled with the growing awareness of how important it is to prioritize family and our mental health have made it easier for us and our loved ones to stick together, no matter where our travel nursing journey takes us.

Are you a travel nursing family? How do you make it work while on assignments? If you would like to share any travel nursing family tips or advice, comment them below.

>> Treat yourself to a change of pace (and PLACE) by exploring all the travel nursing assignments we have available nationwide.

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:

START HERE

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

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

June 26, 2023

1947 Views

From Conflict to Collaboration: Resolving Issues with Your Travel Nurse Recruiter

Posted on June 26, 2023June 26, 2023 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA-Travel Nurse Across America provided this article.

As a travel nurse, building a strong and positive relationship with your recruiter is crucial. Your recruiter plays a vital role in connecting you with travel assignments that align with your skills, preferences, and schedule. But what happens when you have a problem with your travel nurse recruiter? Whether it’s a lack of responsiveness or not getting the assignments you desire, it’s important to address these issues proactively so you both can succeed.

Know What the Problem Is

Have you ever found yourself in a disagreement and, halfway through the conversation, forgotten the main issue that upset you? To avoid this, jot down the key points you want to discuss with your recruiter. Having them written in front of you during the conversation will ensure that every concern is properly addressed.

While you’re writing these down, be sure to also have your assignment contract handy. Read through it to make sure none of the issues have already been addressed in the contract and to know if you need to bring up any contract details in your conversation.

Schedule a Time to Talk

While it’s important to address your concerns, remember that your recruiter is also assisting other travelers and managing their workload. Likewise, you might have odd working hours and don’t want to take a call when you’re on the job. Find a mutually convenient time when both of you can dedicate your undivided attention to the discussion. A good recruiter should be willing to resolve the issue promptly and respond within 24 hours. If the recruiter avoids engaging in conversation or fails to respond promptly, it’s a red flag.

Opt for Phone Calls

Although it may be tempting to rely on text messages or emails, resolving important issues over the phone is usually more effective. Verbal communication allows for tone and inflection, reducing the chances of misinterpretation. While phone conversations may feel uncomfortable, they often lead to faster resolutions compared to lengthy text exchanges. Strive to have live conversations with your recruiter instead of relying solely on text.

Seek Collaborative Solutions

The key to resolving any issue with your travel nurse recruiter is to remain calm, professional and focused on finding a solution. Clearly communicate your concerns and expectations to your recruiter. Open and honest communication is vital in fostering a healthy working relationship. Don’t hesitate to follow up with an email to ensure that the discussion points are documented and understood.

Consider Escalation as a Last Resort

If all else fails, you should be empowered to contact the agency and escalate the situation. It’s important both for your career and for the agency to be able to take feedback and find a solution. If you feel like your recruiter hasn’t lived up to their expectations, let the agency know and see how they can resolve the situation.

If you have an issue with your recruiter, don’t let it fester or hinder your success. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential for a thriving career for you, and your agency will want to do what is possible to provide a positive experience for its travelers.

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:

START HERE

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

By Amare Medical Network

June 24, 2023

1779 Views

6 Staycation Ideas for Travel Nurses

Posted on June 24, 2023June 28, 2023 by Amare Medical Network

Amare Medical Network provided this article.

As a travel nurse, your job is very demanding. You’re constantly on the go, meeting new people and learning new things. Finding time to relax and recharge can be tough, especially when it involves extra planning or travel. That’s why a staycation is the perfect option for taking a break with little spending, planning, and traveling.

Here are a few ideas to help you start planning your next staycation:

Play tourist for the day.

No matter where you’re on assignment, there are bound to be local attractions, museums, historic districts, and experiences you haven’t tried. Many of these usually offer free or discounted admission for healthcare workers! If you’re in a major city, consider checking out CityPass or Go City for a pass that bundles several attractions to save even more on admission.

Book a spa day.

After a long day (or week) at work, there’s no better way to unwind and relieve stress than with a massage or spa treatment. Try dedicating a full day to self-care by booking a pampering service at a local spa or resort. Pro tip: bring something to read so that you can unplug and relax your mind too.

Spend a day at the beach or pool.

Make time to relax and soak up the sun if you’re lucky enough to live near a beach. You can also get the same combination of sunshine and water at your local pool or water park.

Visit a national, state, or local park.

Take advantage of outdoor activities offered at national and state parks, from hiking and biking to kayaking and white water rafting. These activities help boost your endorphins through exercise while enjoying the fresh air. Don’t have a national or state park close by? Try a local park where you can walk or pack a picnic lunch to enjoy.

Go to a concert or sporting event.

Looking for a fun and exciting way to experience your city? You’re sure to find something you like among the various summer concerts and sporting events. Use apps like Eventbrite or All Events in City to check out what’s scheduled near you.

Take a cooking or art class.

Learn something new and stretch your creative muscles by taking a class. Checking out cooking or art classes in your area can help you learn a new hobby, meet people, and enjoy a delicious meal that you can cook again and again.

With a little research into what’s available in your area, you can create a relaxing and fun staycation using these ideas. Start your next adventure and travel around the US, providing top-quality healthcare by joining us at: https://amaremedicalnetwork.com.

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:

START HERE

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

By Furnished Finder

June 23, 2023

1262 Views

What to Consider for Your Travel Nurse Destination

Posted on June 23, 2023June 28, 2023 by Furnished Finder

Being a travel nurse offers a lot of opportunities and challenges. It allows nurses to explore different locations, meet new people, and enhance their skills. As a travel nurse, choosing your destination plays a crucial role in your work experience, success, and overall happiness. In this blog post, we will discuss what factors to consider when choosing your travel nurse destination.

1. Job Opportunities:

Nurses have different specialties, and destinations have different staffing needs. It’s important to consider the job opportunities available in your chosen destination. Research the different healthcare facilities and the types of jobs available. Consider the demand for your specialty and the competitiveness of the market. If you have a chance, speak with other travel nurses who have worked in the selected location to get insights about their experiences.

2. Cost of Living:

Another factor to think about is the cost of living in your destination. Research the average rental rates, transportation, food, and other essentials in the area. Consider how much your salary would cover these expenses. It’s essential to budget your finances to ensure that you’ll be able to meet your expenses for the duration of your contract. If the cost of living is high in your chosen destination, you might need to negotiate a better compensation package or look for other alternatives.

3. Distance from Home and Loved Ones:

Being a travel nurse involves a lot of time away from home and loved ones. Consider the distance from your family, friends, and support network. It’s essential to have a support system while working as a travel nurse. Think about how far the destination is from your home and the travel expenses involved. It’s also important to check if the healthcare facility offers housing assistance or if you need to secure your own accommodation.

4. Amenities and Entertainment:

One of the perks of being a travel nurse is exploring new destinations and trying new experiences. Consider the amenities and entertainment available in your chosen location. Are there local attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, or recreational activities to try? Research the local culture, traditions, and tourist spots to get an idea of what to expect. Remember, exploring a new place is not just about your work. It’s also about living your life to the fullest.

5. Traffic and Commutes:

Finally, consider the traffic and commute in the area. Do your research on the transportation options in your chosen destination. Check the traffic conditions during rush hour or peak season. Consider the distance between your accommodation and the healthcare facility. Planning your commutes ahead of time can save you from stress and anxiety during your work schedule.

Choosing your travel nurse destination is an exciting and important decision. Consider the job opportunities, cost of living, distance from home and loved ones, traffic, and commutes when choosing your destination. Research the different factors carefully and thoroughly, and don’t hesitate to ask for input from other travel nurses or professionals in the field. With the right preparation and planning, you can ensure that your travel nurse journey is a memorable and rewarding experience.

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:

START HERE

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

By Host Healthcare

June 22, 2023

3750 Views

How To Furnish Your Temporary Home While Travel Nursing

Posted on June 22, 2023June 22, 2023 by Host Healthcare

Host Healthcare provided this article.

Figuring out how to furnish a temporary apartment without emptying your pockets can be challenging. How do you come up with the furniture and decor you need to be comfortable and feel at home without wasting the average housing stipend for travel nurses you receive on things you’ll inevitably leave behind?

If you’re planning to take a temporary position in a new city, you’re not alone. More than 25,000 nurses in the US work as travel nurses, taking assignments that generally last from 8 to 26 weeks unless you’ve availed of travel nursing extensions.

When there’s a market need, there’s bound to be someone to fill it, and furnishing temporary housing has an established business model through furniture leasing. But you can also look at a limited-time home as an opportunity to be playful, try out minimalism, or hone your bargain-shopping skills.

Let’s dive into all things apartment furnishing.

How Do You Furnish a Temporary Apartment?

The short answer, hopefully, is cheaply.

The truth is apartment furnishing can be incredibly expensive—especially if you’re trying to buy everything new. By considering used items, you can quickly furnish a temporary apartment and never even have to check the bank account.

To help you find tried-and-true bargain sources, consider:

Garage sales – Garage and yard sales are a great way to find deals and uncover new interior design choices you’d never imagined. Plus, while you’re there, you can get to know the neighborhoods around you.
Free furniture (if you can pick it up) – One step beyond the garage sale are the items that people will happily give away in return for you carting them off their property. Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle, OfferUp, and the Barter and Recycle sections of Reddit.²

How Do You Furnish an Apartment Long Distance?

Furniture leasing is a great model for either covering your furniture needs in an unfurnished apartment or starting out with critical pieces. At the same time, you fill the temporary space with bargains as you settle in. You can have furniture with a short-term lease of at least one month or indefinitely.

A great feature of this model is being able to shop online and have your items selected and your delivery day scheduled before you cross the country.

CORT furniture rental has been around for decades, but there are more options to choose from depending on where you’re headed, such as Feather, Brook Furniture Rental, Oliver Space, and Aaron’s.

Search for furniture rental by zip code or city to see which providers service the area, and choose one that suits your style the best.

Turning a New Apartment Into a Home

Creating a home is more than just unpacking your boxes and finding the perfect loveseat for Sunday evenings in front of the TV. You need room to give you that cozy, sigh-at-the-end-of-a-long-day feeling where you can fully relax and have a sense of space.

So, what makes it feel like home? Think about:

Scent – Every realtor knows the trick of baking chocolate cookies before an open house to trigger a happy home feeling. What scents evoke feelings of safety and care for you? A high-quality vanilla candle might be something to add to your just-landed shopping list.
Color and pattern – You may have some flexibility in furniture lease selections, but you’re likely not going to be adding temporary wallpaper to this apartment or installing custom drapery. Consider a large, lightweight throw that you can drape over a couch to provide a punch of red-orange, paisley, or whatever your favorite color or pattern is.
Texture – If you’re in a semi-furnished apartment or unfurnished apartment with painted white walls and neutral flooring, you can introduce welcoming textures that feel velvety, soft, plush, or furry to generate warmth. Particularly if you’re in a new place on your own, you want your home to feel like a warm hug. This can be done through texture.

What Do I Bring With Me to a Temporary Apartment?

Of course, your new apartment will feel like a home if you transport every framed photo and decorative item in your possession. But aside from the hassle and cost, you’d be missing out on the opportunity to move lightly, start fresh, and try out new environments.

Essential items that you can fit in a suitcase to help decorate the new digs may include:

Custom-printed textiles – Order a throw with a funny family photo or occasional pillow covers with your favorite vacation snapshots from a vendor like Shutterfly or Canvas Champ.
Photos – Grab some copies of friends and family photos printed on full-size pages and some removable poster putty to hang them. They’ll cover more wall space and cause no worries if they’re damaged or lost.
Practical items with sentimental value – If you’re headed to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, you’ll be bringing winter duds anyway, so why not pack the scarf your cousin knit for you inside a tote bag from your favorite hometown market? When you only have enough room for the necessities, look for the items that remind you of the people and places you love.

Ready to Plan Your Move?

If you are going to live in temporary quarters and change travel nursing jobs every few months, it helps to have a dedicated resource by your side every step of the way. At Host Healthcare, we partner with travelers to ensure their travel nursing experience is flawless.

We’ll work with you to find opportunities that will delight you professionally and support you in the process of becoming an active traveler.

Reach out today to talk to one of our friendly recruiters.

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.

Sources:

Beaker, Full. “Travel Nursing Jobs for Registered Nurses.” Travel Nursing, 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.travelnursing.org/nursing-jobs/.
Smith, Jen. “The Best Places to Find Free Furniture.” Modern Frugality, 3 Feb. 2021, https://www.modernfrugality.com/find-free-furniture/.

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 Miles Oliver

June 20, 2023

2260 Views

What Travel Healthcare Workers Should Know About Their First Job in a Rural Area

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by Miles Oliver

Many travel healthcare workers are familiar with a steady workflow in bigger cities. But, if you’re interested in something different, you might be considering making the switch to a rural area. Maybe you’re already on your way to your first rural position.

Either way, it’s important to know what to expect. There are major differences between rural and urban healthcare needs. Beyond that, if you choose to relocate to a rural part of the country, the changes you experience can impact your lifestyle and work experience. Even if you’re just traveling for a specific assignment, there are unique rural health challenges and benefits that you might not experience with typical urban needs.

Let’s cover a few things you should know about your first job in a rural area. Your expertise and experience will carry you through, but being prepared for what’s ahead and having a better idea of what to expect will allow you to care for your patients more thoroughly without feeling bogged down by new challenges and obstacles.

The Shortage Solution

One of the first things you’re likely to realize in a rural area is that there’s a severe shortage of healthcare providers. Even though rural areas make up only fourteen percent of the population in the U.S., they contain two-thirds of designated healthcare provider shortage areas. Because of this, your first job will likely turn into caring for multiple patients very quickly. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Your role as a travel healthcare provider can be vital for many individuals who work in trades that are common in these areas, including farming and ranching.

While that might seem overwhelming at first, it’s actually one of the benefits of doing this type of work in a rural setting. There’s less competition for assignments, for one. Whether you’re trying to gain experience or you’re ready to start your own practice, these areas of the country are great for establishing yourself and picking up a long list of patients very quickly.

Perhaps most importantly, you can take pride in the fact that people really need you. In urban areas, healthcare providers are everywhere. People may be more likely to choose one based on who shows up first in a Google search, but that’s not usually the case in rural settings. Your patients will rely on your expertise and personal care, and that can go a long way in helping you realize your work makes a difference.

Getting Used to Long Distance

Even though you might have an influx of patients, it’s important to understand what they might have to go through to get to you. Many rural communities don’t have “centralized” locations; rather, people are spread out. They tend to own more land and live away from town.

You might even end up buying or renting a place to stay that’s miles away from where you’ll actually be working. You’ll need to keep that commute in mind when it comes to giving yourself enough travel time each day and knowing how you can save on gas. Some of the best ways to beat high gas prices include:

Checking your tire pressure;
Slowing down your speed;
Getting rid of extra weight on your vehicle.

When it comes to accommodating your patients, consider offering telehealth services. For people who live even further away from your office or might not have the means to drive into town, telehealth is a fantastic way to make your services accessible to them. The healthcare industry’s digitization has created a more inclusive sector that allows people from all walks of life and backgrounds to get the care they deserve. So many rural patients don’t get that care because thanks to fewer providers in these areas. Your patients can talk to you from the comfort of their own homes, and if that’s what allows them to get the help they need, you’re going above and beyond your call of duty.

Creating a Community

Because people tend to live further apart in rural areas, fostering a sense of community will be different than what you’re used to in an urban setting. That has both pros and cons. Some of the best parts about building a patient base in a small town include the following:

Getting to know your patients;
Providing personalized care;
Developing closer relationships outside of work;
Devoting more time to learning your patients’ history.

But, because there are fewer residents and socializing options, it’s essential to take care of yourself and make sure you’re getting the social interaction you need outside of the workplace. Technology can help. Calling friends and family on the phone, hopping on video conferencing calls, and FaceTiming are all great ways to stay connected with familiar faces.

If you plan on staying in the community for a while, however, it’s also a good idea to meet as many locals as possible. The way you meet people might be different. There aren’t as many “gathering places” in rural communities as in urban areas. Open yourself up to more authentic experiences, like talking to someone in the grocery store or while you’re walking in the park.

There will be some eye-opening challenges you’ll have to face as you take on your first job in a rural area. People’s needs are different, and your lifestyle will undoubtedly change as long as you’re there. But you might find the change of pace refreshing, and knowing you’re able to provide personal care for so many people in need will remind you exactly why you started this career in the first place.

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:

START HERE

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

By Medical Solutions

June 18, 2023

3487 Views

How Travel Nursing Benefits Your Mental Health

Posted on June 18, 2023June 18, 2023 by Medical Solutions

Medical Solutions provided this article.

As a nurse, you feel it in your mind, body, and soul — and you see it in your colleagues’ weary eyes. Between an ever-growing nurse staffing shortage, an increased need for patient care, and a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, nurse burnout is at an all-time high, and nurse mental health is suffering.

“I’ve been a nurse since 2014, and I love people, but I could not find my niche in nursing,” Alyssa Gainer, RN, said. “I switched jobs every one to two years, and after COVID started, I was ready for a new profession.”

Gainer, a Medical Solutions traveler, could’ve packed it in then, leaving an already struggling healthcare industry with one less nurse during a pandemic. But traveling gave her a path to keep going in nursing.

“I had friends that were traveling, and I love to travel, so I thought, ‘Let’s do it!’” Gainer said. “My husband and pets travel with me, and it has been such a blessing to go to hospitals that sincerely appreciate you being there.”

While she’s enjoying the journey — 7,000 miles so far, filled with “breathtaking views” — it’s also helped improve her mental health and recenter her focus on patient care.

“Travel nursing changed my outlook on being a nurse,” Gainer said. “I feel like I’m actually making a difference, and I’m no longer burnt out! I get to take breaks in between assignments, and I cannot express the joy of being a traveler.”

Luckily for Gainer, becoming a travel nurse gave her a new career outlook, and she addressed her own mental health while she continued to care for her patients. Unfortunately, Gainer isn’t alone; many nurses face burnout and mental health concerns.

Are the Nurses Alright?

Nurses tend to be strong, stoic in many situations, and so used to caring for others that they sometimes forget to care for themselves. While many Americans suffer from mental health issues, nurses have faced heavy personal and professional mental health burdens during the continuing nursing shortage, increased need for patient care, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February 2023, Medical Solutions conducted a survey on mental health benefits — answered by 260 Medical Solutions travelers. The survey revealed a lot about nurse mental health and how travel nursing can improve it! We started by asking people to rate their overall mental health, and 55% said it was “good” or “excellent,” 28% “neutral,” 15% “somewhat poor,” and 2% “poor.”

In a series of questions, 56% of clinician respondents affirmed they have difficulty sleeping, 56% often worry about things that are out of their control, and 35% are often fatigued to the point that it impacts their ability to function. Another 16% reported they have difficulty seeing the positive in things.

But it’s not all bad news! We were happy to see 65% of respondents say their mental health was better since becoming a travel nurse than it was when they were on permanent staff. They said they felt the following aspects of travel nursing help improve their mental health: 90% said less involvement in workplace politics, 83% said the flexibility to choose jobs/locations, 71% said better work/life balance and change in environments, 32% attributed the improvement to better support as a travel nurse, and 11% said agency-provided mental health support.

In the same Medical Solutions survey, 61% of travelers responded that becoming a travel nurse actually improved their willingness to continue working as a nurse! This is very significant because it shows that travel nursing is actually keeping nurses working in the healthcare industry — which has great benefits for nurses, patient care, and facilities during the ongoing nurse shortage.

As many nurses know, taking care of your mental health is also important to your physical health. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), people with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases than the general population, and those with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely to develop these conditions. Data from NAMI also shows mental health issues can lead to substance abuse and an increased risk for unemployment.

Mental Health Care Solutions

The Medical Solutions team works really hard to put our travel clinicians first and consider them as whole people — body, mind, and spirit. While we know your recruiter is incredible — a rock, a sounding board, and an overall accomplice in the great world of travel nursing — sometimes you have a concern you need to discuss with an objective person. For those times, we offer an amazing Employee Assistance Program (EAP), free to all our current travelers. It provides access to various mental health resources and tools, including 24/7 virtual and in-person counseling sessions with licensed providers (up to five free sessions per issue per calendar year!), crisis lines, on-demand videos, webinars, forums, advocacy contacts, and other similarly helpful resources. Your EAP also extends to your immediate family members and can offer help with relationship and parenting issues, depression, anxiety, stress management, substance abuse, grief, work conflicts, child and eldercare concerns, financial issues, and more.

Code Lavender is also a great program for clinicians and staff facing a serious, in-hospital trauma. A Code Lavender team usually includes hospital chaplains, social workers, holistic certified nurses, trained volunteers, and others who quickly deploy (ideally within 30 minutes) to support a member of the facility’s team with a variety of helpful interventions meant to stabilize them mentally and emotionally.

Another Nurse Helped by Travel

Jennifer Randolph is a Medical Solutions ER RN who’s been in nursing for nearly 20 years.

“I’ve held many titles and roles, but my most proud is being an emergency room travel nurse,” Randolph said.

When the healthcare world changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and nurses faced an unprecedented level of mental and emotional strain, she decided to jump out of her comfort zone and try travel nursing.

“Travel nursing has come with an enormous amount of personal and professional growth,” Randolph said. “I’ve met so many amazing people along the way, and it’s renewed my spirit and desire to be the best nurse I can possibly be.”

Take that nurse burnout! Randolph said the best part for her is she knows this is only the beginning of her career renaissance — a journey that so far proved inspiring and reignited her passion for nursing.

“I never thought that at this point in my career, I’d be traveling the United States and enjoying life so much,” Randolph said. “I’ve found a company that supports its nurses and a recruiter who truly has my best interest at heart… it’s brought new life and opportunities to this grateful nurse — and definitely proven it’s never too late to try something new.”

Happier Trails

Currently, on assignment in Prescott, Arizona, she said her career in travel healthcare is the “best decision I’ve ever made,” and it’s increased her overall happiness both personally and professionally. Randolph’s travel “resume” now reads like that of a great adventurer.

“Travel nursing has been the opportunity of a lifetime for this Midwestern girl,” she said. “I’ve not only flown high in a hot air balloon in Scottsdale, then conquered Thumb Butte Mountain, but I’ve also gone off-road in a Jeep, taking in all the beauty of the Red Rocks in Sedona, and I’ve toured Jerome, Cottonwood, and Clarksdale where we took a passenger train ride in Verde Valley Canyon. There have been so many sunrises and sunsets that I would’ve never had the opportunity to see otherwise.”

For Gainer, adapting her career to travel nursing was a major help in addressing her nurse burnout. But she says it’s also just been a very good time!

“God opened a new path for me, and I am grateful for Medical Solutions for making the journey very fun,” she said. “We’ve traveled over 7,000 miles since starting and have seen the most breathtaking views. If you’re considering traveling, I say do it! It truly has changed my life.”

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:

START HERE

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

By AMN Healthcare

June 15, 2023

1464 Views

8 Ways For Travel Nurses to Find Work-Life Balance

Posted on June 15, 2023June 15, 2023 by AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare provided this article.

Admittedly, it’s hard to achieve the perfect work-life balance as a nurse.

The hours are long, and nursing is an inherently stressful profession, one that already carries a risk of burnout. On top of that, there is the challenge of the ongoing nursing workforce shortage, further exacerbating the problem. Plus, if you’re a travel nurse, you may be living a long way from home and your usual support system.

It’s all too easy to let work take over your whole life. But you can achieve a better work-life balance, feel better and keep your career on track by being deliberate about it, said Travis T., senior recruitment manager for American Mobile, the nation’s leading travel nurse agency.

Defining work-life balance for Nurses

You may ask yourself, what exactly does “work-life balance” look like? In a 2012 paper entitled “Striving for Work-life Balance” that was published in the American Journal of Nursing, Susan Simmons, Ph.D., ARNP-BC, defined it this way:

“Work-life balance means bringing work, whether done on the job or at home, and leisure time into balance to live life to its fullest. It doesn’t mean you spend half of your life working and half of it playing; instead, it means balancing the two to achieve harmony in physical, emotional, and spiritual health.”

8 tips to help travel nurses find work-life balance

Here are some key steps to help you achieve the optimal work-life balance as a travel nurse:

Prioritize self-care.

You can’t achieve a healthy balance between work and the rest of your life if you don’t prioritize yourself (and your well-being). “I always remind travelers, ‘Take care of yourself,’” said Travis. “No one else can do it for you.” If you have to schedule self-care activities in advance and put them on your calendar to follow through, do it! Set reminders on your phone so you don’t forget.

Take time off

One of the best perks of travel nursing is the flexibility to set your own work schedule. You can schedule your travel nursing assignments back to back to back…but whether you should do that is another question. It might be better for you to take some time off between assignments and decompress. “I celebrate it when a nurse tells me they need to take a few weeks or even a month off,” says Travis.

Seek mental health care.

“Your mental health really does need to come first,” said Travis. Talking to a mental healthcare professional can help you learn to balance all the stressors in your life. You can call AMN Healthcare’s employee assistance program (EAP) to receive free confidential counseling sessions or access other resources that might help you. Or you can go through your medical insurance company to seek out a provider for mental healthcare services.

Experts have long recommended journaling to help people gain better self-awareness. If you take the time to write out your thoughts and examine your feelings, you may stumble upon some areas to work on. In the AJN article, Simmons noted that it may be easier to achieve balance when you know yourself better.

Exercise

If you need an excuse to carve out time for a workout, here it is: exercise can actually help you achieve a better work-life balance, according to research. Exercise has also been shown to reduce stress and improve your mood. Plus, as you probably tell your patients, exercise is good for your physical health and can help you keep your weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels in check. If your travel nurse assignment is near a state park or national park, check out the hiking, skiing, or kayaking opportunities. You can also try out the gym in your housing complex, ask someone to join you on the local running trails, or even pull up a YouTube video and exercise in your living room.

Enjoy a hobby.

Do you ever feel like all you do is work, sleep, and then work some more? Time to break it up with a fun diversion. Pull out those knitting needles or paintbrushes, learn a new language online, or do whatever else makes you happy. Meetup groups are a great way to find other people in your community with similar interests. Another option: check out community colleges and recreation centers in your area to find a class that you can take. You might even discover a new hobby that you can take along on your next assignment.

Talk to your recruiter.

Your recruiter really does have your best interests in mind. If you feel like you need a break between assignments, or you want to switch gears and take a different kind of assignment in the future, let your recruiter know, said Travis.

Take your pet or family member with you.

There’s no one like your loved ones for companionship and support, so why not take them along on your travel nurse assignments? Together, you can conquer anything and have a fun time exploring new areas together. Whether you choose to bring your significant other, your kids, and/or your beloved pet, you can find a number of housing options to make it possible. Just talk to your recruiter or your agency’s housing specialist to coordinate the details.

Achieving work-life balance as a travel nurse is a big goal! It might take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you. Start by picking one area where you can make some small, positive changes. Give it a try, see how it goes, and then assess your situation before deciding on your next steps.

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

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

START HERE

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Here are a few ideas to help you start planning your next staycation:

Play tourist for the day.

Book a spa day.

Spend a day at the beach or pool.

Visit a national, state, or local park.

Go to a concert or sporting event.

Take a cooking or art class.

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1. Job Opportunities:

2. Cost of Living:

3. Distance from Home and Loved Ones:

4. Amenities and Entertainment:

5. Traffic and Commutes:

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