August 5, 2022

2871 Views

Travel Nurse Careers: Should You be a Travel Nurse?

Posted on August 5, 2022August 8, 2022 by Kaylee Osuna

Travel nurses are nurses who work on short-term assignments and travel from location to location for a designated time, as needed by the medical facility employing them.

Hospitals and physician offices may utilize travel nurses to fill temporary shortages due to busy seasons, peak times, or absences due to maternity leave or illness in the permanent full-time nursing staff.

Assignments can vary in length from a few days (“per diem”) to several months, depending on the nurse’s availability and the facility’s needs. The typical assignment in the travel nurse industry is 13 weeks.

Why Work as a Travel Nurse?

Many nurses get into travel nursing because they want to experience a variety of work settings and locations before settling down full-time. Travel nursing is ideal for nurses who are not bound by family obligations at home. Travel nursing also allows you to work as much or as little as you want by controlling the number of assignments you book. Travel nursing can be a great way for new graduates to decide where they want to work long-term.

Education of a Travel Nurse

Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Many community and junior colleges offer nursing programs that lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Students in these programs typically take two to two and a half years to complete. Students complete coursework, clinical internships, and preparation for completing the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. Some community colleges offer accelerated nursing programs for those who want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in about three years.

Completion time for both of these degrees is based on full-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment will take a longer period; however, this is a viable option for those who can not attend school full-time.

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Programs in Colleges and Universities

Colleges and universities offering nursing degrees typically provide two options for earning bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The first option is for those with no prior nursing education, and it takes three and a half to four years of full-time enrollment to complete.

The second option is for RNs who want to earn a bachelor’s degree. These students can typically complete the bachelor’s degree program in one to two years of full-time enrollment. The length of time is based on prior education, continuing education courses completed, and experience.

The advantage of earning a bachelor’s degree is the different doors that are now open for an RN. Bachelor’s degrees are necessary for RNs who want to become travel nurses, military nurses (officers), nursing teachers, or work in nursing schools.

Just like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs can be completed through part-time enrollment.

What’s Not to Like about Travel Nursing

Travel nursing is not as recession-resistant as permanent nursing positions. When hospitals are looking for ways to cut back, it is easier for a hospital to end or cut back on travel nurse assignments rather than to terminate full-time, permanently employed nurses at the hospital.

Therefore, when staff cuts become a necessity, contract and temporary employees are the first to go. Clinical staff, such as nurses, are usually more secure than the administrative staff and support staff, but as a temporary or contract employee, you are more easily expandable than permanent employees.

Also, as mentioned above, travel nursing is not good for people who have significant family obligations at home. If you cannot be flexible and travel frequently on a national basis, travel nursing may not be a good option for you.

Compensation for Travel Nurses

Compensation will depend on the type of nursing degree and experience you hold. Travel nursing pay is usually comparable to permanent nurse positions. However, it may be structured differently. For example, a permanent nurse is often paid a salary with benefits. A travel nurse, depending on the agency and employer, may be paid daily or hourly, at a higher hourly rate, but may have to cover some benefits out of that higher amount.

Finding Jobs for Travel Nurses

There are hundreds of agencies that specialize in placing travel nurses. Usually, it is a good idea to register with a few agencies to increase your options for assignments. Each agency represents different assignments, locations, and employers.

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.

Kaylee Osuna is an essay writer at EssayWriterCheap.org. She uses the job to hone her critical and creative thinking skills, as well as keep up with modern trends in employee engagement, motivation, and management.

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 Gifted Healthcare

August 4, 2022

1582 Views

National Wellness Month: Wellness Tips for Every Travel Nurse

Posted on August 4, 2022August 3, 2022 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Your overall wellness is important to help you live a higher quality of life, and as a travel nurse, this becomes even more of a priority while on assignment.

Everything we do, from work to bedtime routines, and every emotion we feel throughout the days contribute to our overall well-being. It is this same well-being that directly affects human actions and emotions, so the cycle all ties into one another. Prioritizing your overall wellness will help manage stress, reduce the risk of illness and aid positive interactions and feelings throughout your life.

Wellness is determined by a variety of categories, including environmental, mental, physical, social, spiritual, financial, intellectual, and occupational. We are diving into some of these categories and focusing on how you can enhance your wellness as a travel nurse.

Environmental Wellness

As a travel nurse, your environment is changing regularly, and as exciting as a new environment is, it is also a shift in your routines and alters your atmosphere. As you prepare for a new travel contract, you can prioritize your wellness in prep for the transition.

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Include extra days in your moving timeline leading up to your first shift, so you have plenty of time to make your new place feel like home. An unpacked and organized environment benefits your environmental wellness and will help you feel prepared for your new assignment.

Create Space for You

While unpacking, try to set up a spot in your home where you can retreat after work. Maybe it’s an outdoor oasis with twinkle lights or a comfy chair and blanket set up by a window for a reading nook. Whatever helps you decompress, prioritize that area of your space because a pleasant and stimulating environment supports your well-being.

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Extra time will also give you a chance to adjust to your new community. Explore your coffee shop options, find a local park, or map out your commute to get a feel for your surroundings. Having these little familiarities will make a huge difference as you transition to a new assignment.

Another big environment that is changing is your work environment. Give yourself a little grace as you adjust to navigating the floor, locating the nurses’ station, or getting lost looking for the bathroom. These are all things that come with time.

Mental Wellness

Your mental and emotional wellness has a large impact on your overall attitude and outlook toward life. This is a huge factor in your overall wellness and can ebb and flow over time. Your mental wellness will help you cope effectively, establish a positive self-regard, and create satisfying relationships in your day-to-day. Here are some tips to help your mental wellness while traveling.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. There are a variety of ways to practice it, so start with some trial and error to see what works best for your body and mind.

If your brain is busy planning, problem-solving, daydreaming, or thinking negative thoughts, you can feel drained. It also adds levels of stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression to your day. Take time each day to practice mindfulness exercises such as meditation, breathing, guided imagery, and more to relax your mind and body.

Check out these five simple practices for daily life to get started.

Self-Care Days

Along the lines of mindfulness, a self-care day can go a long way in easing your chaotic thoughts. Set aside time on a day off to go on a long walk, listen to a relaxing podcast, pamper yourself, or anything else that helps ease your mind and allow you to recover. Even if it is just 30 minutes you set aside, this will help chip away at the stress our bodies build up over time.

Talk It Out

In a world where virtual therapy is more commonly accessible, take advantage of it. Through the ups and downs of your personal life, shift experiences, and travel schedule, a therapist, is a great outlet to put yourself first and prioritize your needs. Don’t let your mental wellness get lost in the shuffle of your other priorities.

If a therapist is not available, rely on your loved ones for a little bit of time here and there to let your feelings out.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is not just about working out; it is about your body’s need for physical activity, healthy nutrition, and sleep. While adjusting to your new travel assignment, start to navigate your workout, eating, and sleep routines so you can feel balanced during the transition.

Find Your Workout Spot

Research local gyms and fitness studios near your house or hospital, depending on what time of day you prefer to move. Many studios offer a first-class free or some type of trial period membership, so don’t limit yourself to places you recognize from other cities. There might be a workout that is brand new to you and ends up being your favorite way to work out!

You also shouldn’t limit yourself just to the gym. Venture around the area and look for local trails to hike, parks for running and walking, or outdoor excursions to try for a change of scenery.

Eat Local, Cook at Home

A huge perk of travel nursing is exploring parts of the country you might have never been to before, and with that comes local produce and food. Hit up farmer’s markets to experience local vendors and culinary items that the town or state is known for.

Pack a cookbook with you and use your new favorite farmer’s market items to make some home-cooked meals. Cooking not only soothes your mind, but it’s a way to nourish your body and promote physical wellness. The best part is packing the leftovers for your next shift!

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Whether you are working day shift, night shift, or a combo of both, your sleep as a nurse has to be a priority. Sleep improves your mood, regulates your blood sugar, improves your mental function, relieves stress, enhances athletic performance, and so many other bodily functions. You can help yourself in this area by setting up a successful sleep environment.

Depending on how you prefer to sleep, there are a variety of ways to control your sleep environment like the temperature, lighting, noise level, etc. If it helps you, pack an eye mask, turn on white noise, blast the ac, or read a book before bed. All of these options will help soothe your mind and body for a restful night’s sleep.

Having a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system goes a long way with your social wellness. While traveling, you might feel a void where those connections used to be, so you will need to actively seek social interactions to enhance your social wellness while living in a new city.

Connect With Friends from Home

If you are traveling alone, connecting with your friends and loved ones while on your assignment will make you feel more at home. Share the exciting experiences of your new town with friends over a FaceTime catch-up, or send pictures to your parents so they can live vicariously through your adventures. These little moments will enhance your social wellness.

Connect With Patients

One of the coolest things about nursing in general, but specifically travel nursing, is that you are helping people that you would have most likely never even met outside of the hospital. Every patient at your bedside has a story, a life they have lived, the advice they would give, etc. Embrace the moments you have with patients to connect with strangers and feel the impact that one conversation can have on both you and your patient.

Take Yourself Out

Time with yourself can be social too. It doesn’t always have to be a home-cooked meal. Research the local hot spot restaurants and create a bucket list of menus you want to try. Check out upcoming concerts, free events, and more to connect socially with your assignment city. Being around the social atmosphere and taking it all in can improve your social wellness as well.

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 Frank Hamilton

August 3, 2022

3121 Views

Continuing Education Benefits For Travel Nurses

Posted on August 3, 2022August 2, 2022 by Frank Hamilton

The healthcare industry constantly evolves and shifts to new technological trends and tools. And it relates to all medical specializations and travel nurses as well. Continuing education is necessary for all medical staff to keep their skills and knowledge sharp and learn the latest healthcare trends and treatment methods.

However, the medical niche is a bit different for others, as continuing education does not depend on your personal initiative and willingness.

For instance, each US state sets official continuing education requirements for nurses who practice within their territories. It provides a kind of educational plan for nurses so they can know how and what skills they have to upgrade to keep working.

As for travel nurses, the education becomes a bit more complicated. It basically entails education on the go—the educational course and facilities will change frequently depending on where the nurse is.

Continuing education for travel nurses can be held online or offline in local establishments. For example, found on the writing service Writing Judge, Nurse CEU is a great online platform where travel nurses can find diverse learning courses to upskill according to the continuing education requirements of a certain state.

Further, we would like to depict what benefits continuing education provides for travel nurses, their professional development as well as their patients.

Continuing education requirements keep knowledge up to date.

As we mentioned above, healthcare trends are rapidly changing, introducing new treatment approaches, medications, technologies, and tools. Travel nurses need to handle different types of illnesses, so they need to be aware of wide expertise. So it is important to learn the continuing education requirements of the state or country you currently are to know what diagnoses and treatments will come in handy in those areas.

To take a close look at the continuing education requirements and travel nurses license, we would like to highlight the following from the custom writing service Best Writers Online:

Board of Nursing—public authority that is tasked with specifying rules and regulations of travel nurse practicing and licensing and is responsible for their renewal according to the completed nursing courses;
Continuing Education or Continuing Competency —owes to the Board of Nursing and is tasked with allowing practice for nurses;
Continuing Education Unit (CEU)—defines which nursing course can be approved and certified as professional and entailing counting education for travel nurses.

Travel nurses track their upskilling process.

Each CEU course provides travel nurses with a tracking checklist with professional writing assistance. It commonly includes the list of lessons and training, their status, results, and so on. As a travel nurse, you cannot select any course and suppose it to be needed for your continuing education. Foremost, it needs to be a CEU-approved learning course. Secondly, the results must be managed and approved by the Board of Nursing to renew or update your nursing license and include your new knowledge and skills in it.

Knowledge gives travel nurses opportunities to grow careers.

It is not necessary for travel nurses to be nurses all their lives. The more knowledge, certifications, and licenses nurses get, the more opportunities they get to become a doctor in the sphere they are the best. Continuing education helps travel nurses reveal their strong sides and shows the medicine from different sides and situations so that they can decide what direction suits them best. Of course, the process of qualification from travel nurse to doctor is long-term, challenging, and requires lots of courses and certificates, but when you actually study all the time, it shouldn’t seem to be very complicated.

To sum up

Being a travel nurse is a very challenging job as it requires frequent changes of places and adjusting your skills to new continuing education requirements and medical institutions. Thanks to advanced online education, it has become available even to healthcare workers, who can select various learning courses and receive official certificates and licenses. In the healthcare niche, continuing education has specific knowledge and license. However, overall continuing education is good practice for different industries. To be professional in your sphere, it is essential to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date, learning the current trends and new directions.

We hope you found this article on continuing education benefits for travel nurses helpful. Do you have any tips for continuing education for travel nurses? Comment below.

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? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

By Lina Belegu

August 2, 2022

2997 Views

Strong Advice for Keeping up a Healthy Lifestyle

Posted on August 2, 2022August 2, 2022 by Lina Belegu

Simply said, when we are healthy, we perform at our best. But is keeping up a great state of health really so easy? There are many temptations that we must resist, including those to watch TV, eat junk food, and check social media while lounging on the sofa.
You must alter your lifestyle if you want to keep it healthy. You could first find it challenging to adjust, but as you see the difference, you’ll be persuaded that it was worthwhile. Together, let’s learn how to have a healthy lifestyle by adopting a few clever changes.

Choose a healthy diet.

Even if choosing a healthy diet may be challenging for you, you can do it with some effort. Increase your diet of fresh fruits and vegetables by visiting your neighborhood farmer’s market and purchasing seasonal produce. Lean meat, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains should all be included in your diet since they help the digestive system work properly.

Try to cook at home, and while dining out, pick meals made with fresh ingredients. Without looking at your phone or the TV, eat your food and enjoy it. Also, keep in mind that we are what we consume. We need to eat healthily if we want to stay healthy.

Get moving

We spend a lot of time indoors in our contemporary lives, frequently working long hours at a computer. You need to get up and start moving as one of the first stages to becoming healthy. Whichever exercise you choose, as long as you are moving your body, strengthening your muscles, and lubricating your joints, it doesn’t matter.

Getting moving can help with a number of ailments to improve their symptoms. When modified, it can lessen the symptoms of illnesses like plantar fasciitis and assist with poor muscle tone.

If you experience such issues, you may always think about further therapeutic options. You might select a foot massage, foot spa, or foot roller, for instance. All of these items are designed to relieve the area’s strained muscles and provide much-needed pain relief.

Take in a lot of water.

One of the primary elements that might harm overall health is dehydration. We are really stopping our organs and systems from working properly when we don’t drink enough water.

Eight glasses of water each day is the bare minimum advised. The most important thing is to drink water and limit our intake of tea, coffee, and sodas. Some of these drinks have diuretic qualities, which exacerbate dehydration. Others are high in sugar and provide empty calories, which raises the risk of diabetes and hyperglycemia. Regular water hydrates us and soothes our thirst. That is all there is to it. And we perform as we should when we are well hydrated.

Sleep for 7-8 hours every night.

There is a circadian rhythm that governs how our bodies work. We were created to sleep at night and be active throughout the day. In the present day, we often work long hours and forgo sleep. We also spend more time staring at bright displays and complain of sleeplessness. Lack of sleep can make it difficult for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle, raising the possibility of developing chronic health issues and impairing our productivity.

The simple fix is to get the recommended seven to eight hours of shut-eye each night. Paying attention to sleep hygiene is also crucial. For instance, you shouldn’t have a substantial meal just before night. You won’t be able to sleep since your body will be too busy digesting all that food. Spending excessive amounts of time on your phone or watching TV might stimulate your brain cells and keep you from falling asleep. Last but not least, check to see whether the air is too dry or the place is too hot.

Every day, floss your teeth.

In order to maintain proper dental hygiene, how frequently should you floss your teeth? It’s not always obvious how frequently we should floss our teeth for the best results, but doing so removes plaque and food particles from difficult-to-reach areas between your teeth and around the gum line, says a dentist in Carefree.

Plaque is made up of bacteria that like feeding on the sugar and leftover food that has been left on your teeth. This bacterium then releases an acid that damages the enamel, the tooth’s outermost layer. The toughest material in the human body is enamel, but if it is damaged, you might get cavities, gum disease, or even toothaches.

Put an end to being busy.

This is possibly one of the most significant causes of chronic health issues. No of the repercussions, working nonstop has become the norm for us. We spend less time outside and are always plugged into some form of gadget. While it is important to recognize the advantages of technology, moderation is the key to leading a healthy lifestyle.

When you go home, do something instead of browsing social media and worrying that you missed anything. Visit the gym, play tennis, or go for a swim. A great method to maintain your health and feel fantastic mentally is to engage in active fun. Being busy will make you feel anything but healthy and is not as glamorous as it might appear.

Finally, make an effort to maintain a healthy weight, drink lots of water, get adequate sleep, work effectively and moderately, and keep active. Also, keep in mind that having fun is a great method to relax and unwind.

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 Sadie Brooks

August 1, 2022

866 Views

Why Family Vacation Is a Must in a Travel Nurse’s Life

Posted on August 1, 2022August 1, 2022 by Sadie Brooks

Being a travel nurse is an amazing career. It offers many perks like competitive pay, the ability to travel and explore new places, help people all around the world, etc. You might be on the road a lot of the time. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t travel with your family. Going on a special vacation with your spouse and kids is a special adventure that allows you true travel enjoyment without having to think about your work. It’s crucial to take short breaks throughout the year and use at least some of them for a family vacation with your family.

Here’s exactly why family vacations are a must for a travel nurse:

Battling stress

It’s not hard to see why traveling as a nurse is stressful. It includes moving every few months, getting used to new apartments, new environments, and new colleagues with new job duties. Even the most extroverted of people can feel a bit overwhelmed with all the new stimuli and people surrounding them. Plus, a nurse’s career is stressful in itself because it involves dealing with people, their health, and even death. But, a family vacation is a great way to battle all that stress. It’s great to meet with your family, get plenty of love from them and relax without having to think about your work.

Why Family Vacation Is a Must in a Travel Nurse's Life — Photo by Leah Kelley

It fuels your body and mind.

Every nurse knows the importance of keeping your body and mind healthy and strong. Self-care is the key to being a good parent, a good spouse, and a good nurse. Why? Well, as a travel nurse on an assignment, you’re on your feet most of the day, helping your patients and taking care of other people. Being under stress and physically exhausted can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other health conditions, so taking a vacation is necessary. When vacationing with your family, you can have a lot of fun, learn and teach new things, and occupy your mind with other things besides your work. It’s a great way to prevent burnout and stay not only a great nurse but also a great spouse and parent.

It can improve your bond with family.

As a travel nurse, you don’t get a lot of opportunities to spend time with your family. While no distance can sever the bond with your loved ones, it can certainly feel much better to spend time with them and reconnect. Kids love to spend quality time with their parents, and what better way to spend time than to travel. Provide your family with a great adventure that helps them have fun, learn new things and get some closeness with your loved ones.

And don’t think you have to spend every second with your kids on vacation. If you’re traveling with in-laws to Miami, you can leave the kids with them (or hire a babysitter) and have a romantic evening with your spouse. Organize a great evening in a seafood restaurant in Miami for your spouse and enjoy tasty food in a beautiful setting. A day outing for a sea-front lunch with kids can also be a fun way to catch some sun, recharge, and have plenty of laughs.

Family Vacation — Photo by August de Richelieu

It will make you a better nurse.

Vacations are 100% necessary for good performance, both at work and at home as a family person. Nurses that are happy and rested are better at their job. They can offer better support to their patients, be there to fulfill their needs, and stay sharp to make the right decision at the right time. Chronic stress won’t help your career—it causes depression and anxiety, which stops you from performing at a level you desire. A vacation with your family will reduce your stress, improve your mental health and ensure you’re fresh and sharp when you come back home.

It creates memories for life.

Your kids won’t stay kids for a long time, so make sure to spend their youth together. Every chance you get should be aimed at your family, with a side of self-care. Traveling with your loved ones will give you plenty of chances to watch your kids grow, develop and laugh. You’ll get to teach them many new things, experience various situations together, and share some tasty meals. And don’t forget to take plenty of photos together on your vacation. These are memories that you’ll cherish forever, and you won’t feel guilty that you’re traveling and spending time apart from your family.

Every travel nurse should vacation with their family every chance possible. It’s great for your physical and mental health, your family life, your romantic relationship, and your career—do it whenever you can!

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 The Gypsy Nurse

July 30, 2022

1108 Views

TravCon: Why YOU Need To Be There!

Posted on July 30, 2022November 10, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

TravCon is September 18-21, 2022

TravCon is an event with over 1500 traveling healthcare professionals. It is full of networking, education, and fun! We recently had TravCon experts Julia Kuhn (Travcon Hub/Social Media Guru), Phil Light (Director of Education), and Michelle Freitag (Director of Operations go live, and they discussed everything you need to know about the conference and what you should expect when you attend.

Your mom, daughter, or best friend may have no clue why you travel this country from assignment to assignment, but we do! Your people are at TravCon, and we guarantee that we can help you become a more competent, better-paid, and more savvy healthcare traveler.

About The Presenters:

Julia Kuhn (TravCon Hub/Social Media Guru): Julia is a Speech-Language Pathologist in adult neurogenic rehab. She is the founder of The Traveling Traveler Blog.

Phil Light, RN (Director of Education): Phil is an ER Nurse Traveler of 15 years, a co-founder of TravCon, & a co-founder of the Professional Association of Travelers (PanTravelers).

Michelle Freitag, BSN (Director of Operations): Michelle traveled full-time in an RV as an ICU & ER traveler for seven years. She’s a co-founder of TravCon & travels whenever the opportunity arises.

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 Brandy Pinkerton

July 29, 2022

3254 Views

I Hate My Assignment, Now What?

Posted on July 29, 2022July 19, 2022 by Brandy Pinkerton

If you have been a travel nurse for a while, you have undoubtedly experienced an assignment you didn’t love. Hate is a strong word, but if I’m being 100% honest, I have had an assignment along the way that, in my mind, I hated. There is nothing worse than getting your hopes up about a new travel assignment than getting the “rug pulled out from you” when it doesn’t quite meet your expectations. If you have read any of my blogs or listened to any of my live events, then you know I am one of those people who speak from the heart. So, I’m going to help you get to the root of the problem, and unfortunately, it may require you to ask yourself some tough questions. If this is your first assignment, I encourage you to give yourself some grace and not give up because not all assignments will be this way, trust me!!

Why do you not like it?

#1 Is it Unsafe?

Know the difference between unsafe practices and simply not agreeing with how something is done or not liking how something is done. I have been a nurse for nearly 20 years and have learned there is more than one “right” way to do things. As long as you are providing safe patient care and achieving the same goal, do things how that facility wants you to do it. They, unfortunately, don’t want to hear how you did it at your last job! Every facility likely does things just a little differently than you are used to. Know how to use your resources and how to access their policy and procedures on day 1 of orientation. Now, if patient safety or safe staffing ratios is a concern, that is a whole other issue that I could write an entire blog post about, so for time purposes will briefly go over what to do if you are put into an undesirable situation. What exactly is making you feel unsafe? Do you have poor patient ratios? Do you feel like you’re not well prepared to handle your assignment? If it’s something small, I encourage you to go to the charge nurse or management and discuss it with them. Talking with management may not change anything, but if you approach the subject positively, then maybe you’ll get some great feedback out of it and have an immediate plan of action. If not, know your chain of command and how to use it. Call and speak to your recruiter and a member of your company clinical team asap for guidance.

Mentor PRO Tip: Choosing a company that offers 24/7 Clinical coverage is important in the early stages of preparing to become a travel nurse. You never know when you will need them, and although I highly encourage you to keep your recruiter in the loop at all times, at the end of the day, they are not usually a clinician, so you want to have as many resources to help you if the need arises. Travel Nurse Company: Basics to Choosing the Right One (thegypsynurse.com)

#2 Is the Staff Unwelcoming?

I’ve had my fair share of catty and click-ish nurses over the years, and unfortunately, I wish I had a magic answer for this. Poor leadership can also fall into this category. Understand, their behavior is a reflection of themselves, and their unhappiness really likely has nothing to do with you. Misery loves company, so just let them be. My philosophy is just to kill them with kindness and take the higher road. Easier said than done, I know!! I try to just find common ground with them and be my happy, helpful self and usually win them over!!

#3 Is it just not What you Expected?

The expectation is the root of all heartache when it comes to life lessons, and this also applies to travel nursing. I don’t know about you, but this has been something I have struggled with personally and professionally. The Children’s Hospital that grew me as a nurse really set the bar high when it comes to being a stellar facility. So much so that I spent 15 years there before traveling. It was just a great place to work, and I will always be partial to them. Other facilities I have traveled to came with their own uniqueness and helped me grow in my career. The great thing about traveling is you get to “try on” other facilities, so to speak, to see if they are a good fit for you; if they aren’t, then you are only committed to 13 weeks. If so, maybe you will consider extending or coming back one day! It’s all about your perspective, so I encourage you to stay optimistic; there will be good takeaways no matter what!!

#4 Is it you? (Don’t hate me here)

Have you had this issue more than one time? Did you leave your home hospital because you weren’t getting along with anyone and needed to start over? This is a tough one to consider-gulp! But sometimes, as I have gotten older and wiser (LOL) and able to self-reflect more, I will admit that sometimes the problem has been me. For example, I struggled with an assignment right after I left flight nursing. As a flight nurse, you have A LOT of autonomy, and I earned respect and trust at the hospital I worked out with the staff and especially the physicians from the type of relationship I had with them. Then, when I went back to a bedside travel job at a brand new facility, they gave me an ego check very quickly. It was a hard transition back to being a bedside nurse; I am not going to lie. It was a facility where the physicians did not, unfortunately, seem to trust their core staff nor gave them much autonomy.

Several physicians were known to “talk down” to staff, and later the nurses told me that it was a losing battle, that managers knew, and unfortunately, they just learned to keep their mouth quiet and take the disrespect, which makes me so sad! So, it took a couple of shifts of me being on my own to run into the experience where the physician treated me like, well, quite frankly, I was stupid. I really enjoyed my co-workers and the facility, so I had to learn to just bite my tongue to make it through the assignment. Unless patient safety was a concern, then, of course, I would speak up. Plus, I really only ran into that doctor every couple of weeks. Despite all of that, if asked, I would go back to the facility in a heartbeat. So, is it you?? Take time to reflect on yourself and ask yourself the hard questions. If it is you, I’d recommend sticking it out, making the most of it, and then doing some work on yourself so that you don’t have these same issues in the future. Please know that I say this all with love and your best interest at heart.

What to do about it:

– Keep the line of communication open with your recruiter at all times so they can intervene early if necessary.

-Seek advice from a clinical team member with your agency

-Speak with the charge nurse and unit manager. Try to follow the proper chain of command (make sure you ask what that is during your first week of orientation)

-Always CYA!! Keep a paper/email trail of all conversations. Make sure to save emails and texts and also take a pic with your phone. To avoid forgetting details, physically write down specific events, convos, names, dates, and times to have so you remember exactly what happened.

***At the end of the day, I will ALWAYS tell you that your mental health comes first!!

Unless it is unsafe, I encourage you to Stick it Out.

You can do anything for 13 weeks. Remember your goals and your “why” (Preparing for a Career as a Travel Nurse – TRAVEL NURSE 101) and that you’re there for a reason. Your patients count on you to show up, be present, and do your best. I don’t encourage you to be taken advantage of, so know your boundaries but also take responsibility for your commitments. You will grow both professionally and personally, too!

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 Titan Medical

July 28, 2022

1394 Views

Pack Your Bags!

Posted on July 28, 2022July 27, 2022 by Titan Medical

Titan Medical Group provided this article.

Getting ready for a 13-week travel assignment can be both exciting and hectic! You’ve got so much to do– from squaring things away at home to ensuring you’re getting all your paperwork done for your assignment.

Packing your bags may be one of the last things on your to-do list, but it’s one of the most important things to get right!

Of course, you don’t want to show up with bags upon bags of clothing, toiletries, and other odds and ends from home; so, what’s the most efficient way to get everything done? We’ve come up with a few helpful hints to make your packing (and the rest of your adventure) a breeze!

1. Make a packing list.

Begin to think of things you use every day and things you can’t live without a few weeks before you begin packing for your assignment. Adding to this list over time can help ensure that you won’t forget anything the day of.

Go over your packing list the day of and ensure everything is packed and ready to go.

2. For shampoo, conditioner, and other bottled liquids, place a square of plastic wrap under the cap.

The plastic wrap will keep the fluids from getting into the cap and spilling out if the lid isn’t shut. Place the piece of plastic wrap on top of the bottle and screw the cap back on. Safe and secure!

3. Roll your t-shirts, pants, and other garments to save space.

Rolling your garments to form a cylinder shape will save more space than folded clothes. You can pack more into your suitcase without worrying about wrinkles.

4. Cover your razor heads with a binder clip.

Razor heads are sharp and can be dangerous. Not only can they scrape your hand when reaching in your bag to find something, but they can also tear up the inside of your luggage. Placing an appropriately sized binder clip over the razor head will keep everything safe & clean.

5. Separate your shoes from your clothes with a shower cap.

To prevent dirt, dust, and other stuff from getting onto your clothes in your luggage, wrap a pair of shoes in a shower cap. Covering the soles of your shoes will keep your bag and clothes neat!

6. Hide valuables in an empty lotion container.

You can never be sure of your new surroundings or the people you’ll encounter. To ensure that your money and valuables stay safe, especially in your hotel room or on a plane, keep your valuables in something discrete—like an empty suntan lotion container or an old shampoo bottle.

Try out these hacks, and stress less about your new assignment! Everything will go smoothly, and the next 13 weeks will be a breeze! So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags!

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’re ready for your next travel assignment, give Titan Medical a call today at 866.332.9600, and we’d love to assist in finding your next adventure!

By Karen Koblan

July 26, 2022

4883 Views

Efficacy of an Ultrasound Training Program for Nurses

Posted on July 26, 2022July 20, 2022 by Karen Koblan

Equipping a hospital or clinic with some high-tech imaging machines and systems goes a long way in producing accurate diagnosis and correct treatment. There is quite a variety of imaging machines. Some ultrasound machines do examine specific organs. The imaging machines include Computed Tomography (CT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI Scan), Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan), and ultrasound machine. All imaging machines require intensive training to facilitate accuracy in their operation. They are also delicate and require careful handling, observing all the laid precaution advice.

The use of radiation-emitting imaging machines to examine organs has adverse health-related complications. Ultrasound machines that use sound waves to create an image on a display screen have become the most preferred and recommended type of imaging since they don’t emit any ration that can cause harm to the patient. The same reason has led to using of ultrasound machines to examine delicate and sensitive organs.

Expectant mothers undergo ultrasound scans to keep the mother and the unborn baby safe. Undergoing training concerning usage, interpretation, and maintenance increases the nurse’s efficacy while operating an ultrasound machine. The following article outlines some key results of efficient ultrasound training for nurses.

In-depth Understanding Of Ultrasound Machine

Ultrasound machines use sound waves to create images. The functionality of the ultrasound machine is dependent on more than one part. The primary parts of an ultrasound machine include; the transducer that collects the sound waves from the body surface as it slides on greased skin. It then transports the collected sound waves to the central processing unit (CPU) that converts the sound waves into images. The images move to the display for a simplified viewing experience. A transducer pulse control helps the technician controls the frequency, amplitude, and duration of the pulse collected by the transducer. The technician inputs data and collects measurements at the display using the keyboard. The printer helps the ultrasound machine print out the information displayed on the display screen.

A nurse who has undergone the ultrasound training program can step in when the doctor is preoccupied and prepare the ultrasound machine to ensure it is functioning. It saves time and eliminates delays during the procedure.

Enhances Patient Preparation Skills

One of the primary roles of nurses is to prepare the patient emotionally and physiologically before, during, and after a medical procedure. Having undergone the ultrasound training program helps the nurse comfortably explain to the patients what to expect during the ultrasound procedure.

The nurse advises the patient on the requirements for the ultrasound. The preparation differs depending on the type of procedure. Generally, an ultrasound procedure requires the patient to be loosely dressed, without jewelry near the area underdiagnosis. The patient may need to change into a hospital gown to ease access to the part under examination. It also depends on the type of ultrasound to be conducted. The patient may be advised not to take water or any liquid within a given period, and others may require one to consume more water within a given period.

Gains Skills To Perform an Ultrasound

Ultrasound procedures get performed by a sonographer. Some simple ultrasound procedures get delegated to nurses who have undergone an ultrasound training program to conduct them. The basic ultrasound procedure sees the patient change into a hospital gown and lying on an examination table with the area expected to undergo the ultrasound procedure exposed. The technicians then apply a clear or blue jelly-like substance to the exposed area. The ultrasound technician slides a transducer over the lubricated area to collect the sound wave that creates images.

The jelly-like substance helps the transducer, which works like a microphone, to tap the high-frequency sound waves that echo upon hitting organs and bones. The nurse can advise or help the patient keep a convenient position for a successful ultrasound.

Exposure To Different Types Of Ultrasound

There are three main categories of ultrasound exams, namely, External ultrasound, the transducer moves over the skin like one performed on expectant mothers to monitor the unborn baby. An internal ultrasound is where the transducer gets inserted into the body, e.g., one inserted in the vagina to examine the uterus or the ovaries. The endoscopic ultrasound is where the transducer has an endoscope attached to it. It goes deep into the body like one used to examine the stomach via the esophagus.

The patient preparation for ultrasound differs per category and in after procedure effect. Through ultrasound training, nurses become conversant with the wide variety of ultrasounds. They also learn how to conduct an ultrasound and how to prepare a patient to have ultrasounds.

In Conclusion

Nurses play an essential role in the medical field, patient handling, and care. It’s the nurses’ responsibility to manage the patients’ overall well-being and guarantee comfort during treatment. Nurses also are educators and counselors to patients before, during, and after a delicate procedure. Ultrasound gets used for diagnosis and monitoring and, the nurse’s counsel, encouragement and, education can help the patient ease during the ultrasound procedure.

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.

Why Work as a Travel Nurse?

Education of a Travel Nurse

Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Programs in Colleges and Universities

What’s Not to Like about Travel Nursing

Compensation for Travel Nurses

Finding Jobs for Travel Nurses

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

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

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5 Travel Nurse Benefits Over Full-Time Perm Nurse

The 6 Things You AND Your Recruiter Should Do to Get You Placed and Back Out on the Road in a Recovery Market

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Environmental Wellness

Pack Extra Days for Your Move

Create Space for You

Explore Your New Neighborhood

Mental Wellness

Practice Mindfulness

Self-Care Days

Talk It Out

Physical Wellness

Find Your Workout Spot

Eat Local, Cook at Home

Stick to a Sleep Schedule

Social Wellness

Connect With Friends from Home

Connect With Patients

Take Yourself Out

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

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

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Continuing education requirements keep knowledge up to date.

Travel nurses track their upskilling process.

Knowledge gives travel nurses opportunities to grow careers.

To sum up

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

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

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Enrolling in an RN to BSN Program as a Travel Nurse

Back To School

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Choose a healthy diet.

Get moving

Take in a lot of water.

Sleep for 7-8 hours every night.

Every day, floss your teeth.

Put an end to being busy.

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

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

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Here’s exactly why family vacations are a must for a travel nurse:

Battling stress

It fuels your body and mind.

It can improve your bond with family.

It will make you a better nurse.

It creates memories for life.

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