June 28, 2022

3048 Views

Basics to Choosing the Right Travel Nurse Company

Posted on June 28, 2022June 28, 2022 by Brandy Pinkerton

Your travel nurse company and recruiter can make or break your experience, so this question should not be taken lightly. When you’re starting your travel nurse journey, one of the first steps you need to take is finding a travel nurse company and recruiter. This process might feel overwhelming because there are so many options out there. How do you know if you’ve found a good travel nurse company and a recruiter who has your best interests at heart? I’ve learned there are several qualities that set good companies apart from the others. Keep reading for the non-negotiable attributes you want in your travel nurse company.

Mentor Pro Tip:

When looking for the best travel nursing company to suit your needs, you first have to know what your needs are, so make sure to have a clear understanding of what you need from a company too. Ask yourself what benefits you need.

Basics

When looking into travel nurse agencies, you should first make sure that they provide the basics. The short answer to this is you need to pick a travel nurse company that is knowledgeable, transparent, trustworthy, and personable. This company needs to pay you fairly and have good resources and benefits for you.

When looking into travel nurse agencies, you should first make sure that they have these non-negotiables:

A dedicated housing department of experts to help you find housing or do they give you a stipend to find your own housing
Day 1 health, dental and vision insurance, and premium cost
401K that you can start contributing to immediately,
Travel reimbursement
24-hour customer support
Have a variety and abundance of travel nursing jobs all over the country for your specialty.
Make sure to ask if they are Joint Commission credentialed. Agencies that obtain this certification must complete a strict qualification process, and it helps ensure that the company is upheld to the highest standards in the industry.

Mentor Pro Tip:

There are a few elite companies that even stand out more than others because they offer low census protection, weekly pay, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. The “diamond in the roughs” will also have mental health resources for you as well as a strong clinical team of nurses or can give you advice and help. Trust me on this one: Your recruiter is not usually a nurse, and a great one will be able to refer you to a team of clinicians available to you for career counseling and guidance in times of crisis. This individual needs to be someone with a diverse and authoritative background so that you can trust their advice. So make sure to ask!

From there, the absolute best way is to get referrals from other travel nurses (you can even do this in social media groups) and search for travel nurse agency reviews. When researching travel nurse companies, it is imperative to use a longstanding and reputable site for reviews. One of my personal favorites is right here on The Gypsy Nurse, which lists the Top Agencies based on their national ranking, user reviews, and features. Do your due diligence and research, research, research. Knowledge is power!

Mentor Pro Tip: Make sure to check out my other recent blog post about Top Qualities To Look For in a Travel Nurse Recruiter – TRAVEL NURSE 101

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. 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 trustaff

June 27, 2022

2154 Views

Top Must Packs For Your Travel Nurse Assignment

Posted on June 27, 2022August 11, 2022 by trustaff

trustaff provided this article.

Packing for your assignments can be a stressful time. Making sure you have everything you may need for a 13-week stay in a new area while also trying to fit everything in your suitcase or trunk can be a real task. Whether you’re a light packer or over pack just in case, we came up with this list of 5 must-have things to make sure you have room for in your suitcase to bring on every assignment.

A camera.

You’ll be out adventuring new places, and what better way to create memories than to take lots of photos to share with friends and family or for yourself as keepsakes. While it’s just as important to take a mental image and take in all the experiences, sometimes having a photo to look back on helps you reminisce about your unique experience. Packing a good camera is a must for travelers of all kinds. Evolving technology makes this even easier now, as many high-quality cameras are compact and packable in a purse or backpack.

Top Must Packs For Your Travel Nurse Assignment

A few good books.

Taking some time away from screens can really refresh your mental state. Having a few good books on hand can make your time between shifts enjoyable and a breath of fresh air. We highly suggest checking out Book-Tok (on TikTok!) for some amazing suggestions for your next read. Whether you’re into history, fiction, or biographies – enjoying a good read can be very important for your mental health and overall downtime.

An air fryer, Instapot, crockpot, etc.

Meals are important, and having time between long shifts to prepare them is sometimes a hassle. Bringing your favorite kitchen appliance can do wonders for time-saving on your meal preps while on assignment. And to be fair – what CAN’T you cook in an air fryer or Instapot?! The options are endless! These are taking over kitchens and are easy to use in any housing situation. Thinking ahead and bringing one of these can make for a life-saving item when you’re hungry.

A yoga mat or at-home fitness gear.

Finding somewhere to work out or clear your mind with yoga in an unfamiliar location could be challenging. Having a few staples ready in your hotel, apartment, or house while on assignment can make a difference! And making sure you’re moving your body and clearing your mental state is SO important as a healthcare professional.

Your pillow.

Sleeping on a new pillow you’re not used to can jam your beauty sleep – and we know how important your sleep is after a long shift! Making sure you have your comfy pillow wherever you sleep is a game-changer. Never leave home without it – especially for 8-12 weeks of sleep.

We hope you found this list of top must packs for your travel nurse assignment helpful. Are there any other items you think should make the list of must packs? Comment below.

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. There you can search for what you are looking for in housing.

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 Kevin Devoto

June 26, 2022

1948 Views

3 Reasons You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse in 2022

Posted on June 26, 2022June 27, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

The need for healthcare continues worldwide, making this a worrisome trend since there is a nurse shortage. Hospitals and medical facilities are having a difficult time retaining their staff. Many people who have had nursing careers decided to retire early due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and young people aren’t as interested in obtaining student loans for nursing degrees. Earning a nursing degree requires a lot of work, and not all universities offer this degree. Once in the workforce, a nursing career is incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally. For this reason, travel nursing positions are in high demand, as medical facilities may temporarily need a nurse to fill in while they are short-staffed or have a surge in patients. If you’ve been considering becoming a travel nurse, read on for a few reasons that will give you the inspiration to finally make the jump.

Travel Nurses Make A Difference

In many career fields, you can sometimes feel like what you’re doing is meaningless. You may feel like you’re replaceable in your company and that anyone else could do exactly what you’re doing. As a travel nurse, however, you can truly know that you’re making an impact every single day. There are less and less people choosing nursing for a career, but there is an increase in the need for medical care.

It will be rewarding for you knowing that what you do can’t be done by anyone and that you’re helping people receive the care they need. Your job means something to those people who are sick and suffering. They are grateful to have a caregiver who cares about their well-being and chooses to invest their time in helping them get the care they need for recovery.

Travel Nurses Have Freedom

Now more than ever, younger generations value their freedom more than anything. They want to travel and have flexibility in their careers, so they don’t experience burnout. One of the drawbacks of nursing careers is they have rigorous and tight schedules. If you work in a hospital, you may have to work night shifts along with long 12-hour shifts. If you work in a clinic, there are specific hours they are open, which means there are specific hours you have to be there.

The difference with travel nursing is that you can accept an assignment and then take a couple weeks off or longer after you complete it before you accept another. This makes it less likely to avoid burnout. You don’t have to request time off from your boss if you need a break; you simply don’t accept any assignments until you’re ready to.

Travel Nurses Have Job Security

As a travel nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a variety of specialties. This will benefit you when looking for new assignments or if you’re ever interested in settling down and becoming part of the permanent staff. Your opportunities for employment will open up when employers see that you have experience in many different areas. While you’re travel nursing, you don’t have to worry about not finding work because you can move to whichever location is in need of nurses. Additionally, instead of hoping for a certain position to open up like most nurses have to do who are permanently employed by a hospital, you can search for different growth opportunities, such as functional medicine in Denver. All these things can be added to your resume and increase your chances of getting hired for future jobs.

Final Thoughts

A travel nursing career can have benefits like job security and flexibility, but there are many more. However, the greatest reward you can have as a travel nurse is knowing that you are truly making a positive impact in the world and in the lives of others.

We hope you found this article on 3 reasons you should consider becoming a travel nurse in 2022, are you a travel nurse and have advice for those considering becoming a travel nurse? 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 assignment? 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 Annie Rueb

June 25, 2022

4462 Views

How to Prepare for a Travel Assignment in Alaska

Posted on June 25, 2022June 25, 2022 by Annie Rueb

Alaska…The Last Frontier, Land of the Midnight Sun, The Great Land, Where Wild Meets Wild… Whatever you call it, it is undeniably a bucket list destination.

We have always wanted to explore Alaska. One of the reasons we started travel nursing in the first place was in hopes of having an opportunity to live and work in Alaska. With our dream in mind, we quickly learned that it was possible but not simple. There is a lot of planning involved in coming to Alaska (especially as a family with kids and dogs), and you need to save up your money for it too!

How to Prepare for a Travel Assignment in Alaska

First, you need an Alaska nursing license.

We have all worked with different state nursing departments to get a nursing license. Sometimes it is simple and smooth. Sometimes it takes some time, follow-up, more time, and more phone calls. Alaska is the latter. So prepare in advance, start the process, and practice your patience. It may just be the season of the world, but they were quick to say that they are overwhelmed with an abundance of requests, so everything takes more time.

Second, you need to get a job.

Job listings in Alaska seem to be relatively frequent. Depending on your specialty and agency, a variety of jobs are posted in the major cities around Alaska year-round. Rates seem to vary greatly, and some are very dependent on location. For example, if you get a job in Nome because it is not accessible by car, the contract is likely to include housing and other accommodations. Most of the island contracts will not allow kids or dogs, so keep that in mind as well. Alaska seems to post its contracts farther in advance than other states. So keep an eye out early before they get snagged up!

Third, you need to figure out how you are going to get there.

Flying:

This is a great, quick option. However, if you fly to Alaska, you have to rent a car when you are there. The land is so vast that you will want to drive to explore all the beautiful sites. Some housing accommodations include car rentals, so keep an eye out for those.

Driving:

This is a beautiful but very long option. We drove from Arizona, which happens to be almost 4,000 miles. Driving the Alaska-Canada highway is such a memorable experience. If this is a doable journey for you, and you have the time, I couldn’t recommend it more. We allowed ourselves two weeks for the journey, and it worked, but the more time you have, the better. Grab The Milepost book and go. See the sights, and enjoy! However, what time of year are you coming to Alaska? We drove to Alaska in April, and even in April, we drove through one of the scariest snow storms we have ever been in. So plan accordingly and check the weather along your route.

Ferry:

This is an expensive but beautiful and laid-back travel option. There are ferries from Washington to Alaska, and they can take a few days to about a week to get to your destination, depending on where you are going. The challenge here is the schedule. Ferries do not travel between ports daily, so this would take advanced planning.

Fourth, you need to find a place to live.

Alaska is expensive, especially in the summer. Housing prices blew our minds. We travel as a family with dogs, so our options were more limited, but most furnished, 2-bedroom apartments or homes ranged anywhere from $4,000-$7,000 per month. The options in the $2500-$4,000 range were few and far between and not available, even though we were looking several months in advance. The summer fills up fast here, and the market is hot. Maybe you can travel with a buddy and share expenses? Maybe you are traveling alone and can find a bedroom option or a smaller, more affordable apartment? Maybe you can travel here via RV? RV travel would, of course, be very weather dependent, and planning ahead would be crucial as the RV parks fill up here months in advance. For us, our options were so expensive and so limited that we decided to rent an unfurnished apartment and rent furniture. Although this wasn’t the simplest, most ideal plan, it saved us thousands of dollars a month which was well worth it.

Fifth, you need to plan as many adventures as you possibly can, and have fun!!

Alaska is incredible. There is so much to do and see. From the moment we got here, we hit the ground running, knowing we will barely scratch the surface in the four months we are here. If you are coming in the summer, plan some of your big excursions ahead of time because, yes, you guessed it, things book up fast! So far, we have seen an abundance of wildlife, hiked a glacier, cruised the Kenai fjords, and gazed on some of the most beautiful lands we have ever seen. We have float plane excursions planned to go salmon fishing and view grizzly bears feeding on salmon jumping through a waterfall. We are planning campouts and a trip to Denali National Park. All of this requires appropriate gear and planning, a sense of adventure, and a decent travel fund. So gather your hiking gear, your clothing layers, your bug repellent, and your bear spray, and get out and start enjoying Alaska! All of the planning and preparation are beyond worth it. You can do it, and you’ll never regret making it happen!

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

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

START HERE

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

By Misty Lack

June 24, 2022

2926 Views

Drug Abuse & Mental Health Within Travel Nursing

Posted on June 24, 2022December 12, 2022 by Misty Lack

Travel nurse veteran Misty Lack was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Opioid Dependence. She was her own drug dealer during the two years she abused drugs. Misty lived out loud & wanted to share her story with nurses who may be spiraling out of control & don’t think there is a way out. You do not want to miss this inspiring live session.

If you or some you know are struggling with substance abuse get help here.

My substance abuse story:

Hi! My name is Misty, and I am a recovering drug addict.

My clean date is February 29, 2016, and I am truly grateful for that. A couple of months ago, I reached out to The Gypsy Nurse with the topic idea of nurses struggling with addiction and mental health.

I was duel diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Opioid Dependence.

On February 8, 2016, I was escorted to Human Resources and questioned about “tampered vials” of Morphine. I lied, of course, and apologized for the inconvenience. I was escorted out of the hospital via security.

To read more, click here.

About Misty Lack (recovering.nurse.misty@gmail.com):

I Love Jesus! I am an Amazing Aunt, Devoted Nurse & Grateful Recovering IV Drug Addict!! I’ve been a nurse for 22yrs and drug-free since 2/29/16.

We hope you found this discussion on drug abuse & mental health within travel nursing helpful and insightful. Are there any topics you would like to see covered during a live discussion or in article form? 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 assignment? 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 Furnished Finder

June 23, 2022

5777 Views

50 Best Places to Travel Nurse

Posted on June 23, 2022April 29, 2024 by Furnished Finder

According to Furnished Finder, here are the top 50 cities where travel nurses work.

First, we’ll start with the top 10 cities where travel nurses need housing:

San Diego
Seattle
Denver
Phoenix
Boston
Los Angeles
Nashville
Atlanta
San Francisco
Portland

Here are the other most popular travel nurse cities to round out the top 50.

Albuquerque
Austin
Las Vegas
Saint Louis
New Orleans
Tucson
Tacoma
San Jose
Reno
Portland
San Antonio
Miami
Charleston
Houston
Washington
Sacramento
Orlando
Honolulu
Tampa
Baltimore
Charlotte
Asheville
Chicago
Burlington
Dallas
Oakland
Palo Alto
Saint Petersburg
Colorado Springs
Anchorage
Fort Myers
Santa Rosa
Charlottesville
New York, NY
Scottsdale
Fresno
Savannah
Boise
New Haven
Jacksonville

There are so many great cities that travel nurses can visit, and just because a city isn’t on this list doesn’t mean that travelers don’t go there. One of the things you’ll notice is that Furnished Finder doesn’t just have listings in the big cities, as about 50% of the cities in the top 200 have populations of less than 100,000 people.

Whether you’re going to the big city or a quaint rural town, chances are that Furnished Finder will have a monthly furnished rental to choose from. Start your travel nurse housing search today by filling out a Housing Request or Search the Map.

The way it works is that you can search and contact landlords directly or through the App. Every landlord on Furnished Finder is verified so you can book housing in confidence, knowing that the person you’re speaking to really is who they say they are.

Next, there are no booking fees on Furnished Finder. This can literally save travelers hundreds every month! Plus, you can now book hotels on Furnished Finder and save up to 25% off.

Want to learn more about a city before you go there? Check out the free travel nurse housing Stipend Calculator.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. 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 22, 2022

2062 Views

Agency Support During Mid-Contract Pay Changes

Posted on June 22, 2022June 21, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

Your recruiter calls to inform you about a mid-contract pay change. Last year, these were exciting calls to get because it likely meant your pay rate was about to rise. In the current market, it’s not a call you look forward to receiving.

Every agency has to deal with mid-contract pay changes, but how they handle them can be a game-changer for a travel nurse. Before diving into the specifics, let’s talk about bill rates, who sets them, and why changes might occur mid-contract.

Who Sets the Bill Rate?

Who sets the bill rate, and what factors go into a travel nurse’s pay? The bill rate is not set by travel nurse agencies or recruiters. Instead, healthcare facilities set travel nurse bill rates based on market demand and budgets. A healthcare facility works with its managed service provider (MSP) and/or vendor management system (VMS), which help track the facility’s workforce spending. Consulting with the MSP or VMS, the healthcare facility determines the bill rate it wants to set for a particular position. Once that is set, the bill rate for that position goes to hundreds of agencies.

Each agency has different ways it splits that bill rate. The bill rate will include the traveler’s pay, per diems, benefits coverage, agency support and expenses, and more. The agency determines what will be paid hourly and uses the U.S. General Services Administration’s guidelines to establish what will be paid through per diems if the traveler qualifies for them. Your agency and recruiter should help you understand your complete compensation package.

Who Makes Mid-Contract Changes?

Changes start with the healthcare facility’s bill rate and trickle down. The bill rate drop affects all sections of the traveler’s package, from hourly pay to per diems. These have to be adjusted to work with the new bill rate and follow IRS rules.

An important thing to note is the nurse manager on the unit isn’t involved in determining the bill rate, and likely doesn’t know when changes occur.

How Your Agency Should Support You

When a facility drops rates and notifies agencies, your recruiter should contact you promptly to let you know. An action-oriented recruiter will specifically explain what has happened, provide details of the new package, educate you on the market, tell you about other opportunities in the area, and let you make the best choice for yourself.

You can either accept the new rate or decide to end the contract (after hopefully giving a professional notice). Unfortunately, this decision must occur as soon as possible so the agency can redo the contract with the correct rates and avoid any pay or tax discrepancies.

If you opt to end the contract, each agency is different in how it responds. Ideally, you’ll want an agency that doesn’t penalize travelers for leaving due to a mid-contract bill rate decrease. However, some agencies may charge the nurse for terminating the contract or blacklist them. To understand your agency’s response in these situations, read your contract and contact your recruiter for any questions. It’s your career and your right to know!

Decisions, Decisions

There are several decisions to make when becoming a travel nurse. They likely start with putting your trust in an agency and a recruiter to guide your career.

You’re a healthcare traveler who has uprooted life to help patients in areas where your expertise and care are most needed. When life presents you with a difficult situation, is your agency there to support you and navigate you through it? Hopefully, your answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

We hope you found this article on agency support during mid-contract pay changes helpful. Have you had any pay changes mid-contract? If you would like to share your experience please comment below.

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

By Mynoucka

June 21, 2022

2892 Views

Travel Nursing to Entrepreneur – My Journey and Advice

Posted on June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 by Mynoucka

I started traveling in October 2018; I began my blog and website in April 2019. I started my podcast on a solo trip to Hawaii, running my first marathon in December 2019.

The cool part about documenting your journey is looking back and seeing how far you have come. I started my podcast to share different things I’ve learned as I continue to travel in general but primarily while working as a travel nurse. It was an incredible experience, and I learned so much about the nursing profession and myself.

I did some soul-searching.

I didn’t have anyone with me, so this time alone was much-needed. It allowed me to do some soul-searching and figure life out. I was at a point in my life where I just needed a change. I talked about this often, and the reason why I talked about health care in mental health so often is that before I started traveling, I was at a very low point and didn’t know what to do. So, first, I left the bedside temporarily, not because I hated it, but because I knew I just needed some time away from it. What I felt was not entirely related to work, but I knew I had reached a level of burnout. I wanted some time, so I took some time away. I am very grateful and blessed to have taken that time away. Once I did, it showed me that I wasn’t ready to quit the bedside; I just needed a different environment.

I started travel nursing in October of 2018, and that is when the podcast came to be. All I was doing allowed me to dig deep and do some soul-searching; it got me at least out of the little rut I was in. I am incredibly thankful for that season, I have no regrets, and I don’t know where I would be had I not decided to at least take that time away from the bedside. In addition to all the good stuff, I began confronting the debt I had created and broke down some of my spending habits. I slowly began learning to leverage my income as a travel nurse, which could help me eliminate some of that debt and save.

Life as an entrepreneur

I also began to consider what life as an entrepreneur would look like. As a travel nurse, there are a lot of aspects to work that you handle independently. What do I mean by that? I am talking about the steps you go through to become a contracted employee through an agency and reviewing the agency’s contracts. Looking over the contract and understanding that you signed is a contract between yourself and the facility. Also, negotiating your rate while beginning to see yourself and understanding how much you’re worth and bringing to the table. When I started as a nurse and got my first nursing job, I didn’t think about what I was worth; I was just happy that I got a job.

The skill of negotiating

I was able to get into the field right away. As I progressed in my career and had the opportunity to negotiate my rates, I began to see what it was like to ask for more. I knew I was bringing more experience to the table and travel nursing gave me that opportunity. I wasn’t just given my two, three, or four percent raise. Or potentially no raise, depending on the economy. The conversation was more like, “okay, this is what we can give you,” and then being able to come back and say, “no, I want more,” and then going back and forth. And going through that process, you’re negotiating, and travel nursing allowed me to do that. It also allowed me to negotiate scheduling time off before signing the contract to ensure that I could still be involved in activities outside of work. Planning to take extended time off or take breaks when you need to while also thinking about how you will be able to sustain yourself still and pay your bills while taking that time off.

Learning entrepreneurship skills while travel nursing

These are things that I thought about on the travel nurse administrator side of things. Making sure you submit your time card to payroll, so you get paid on time. I was not paid for one week because I forgot to submit my time card. Submitting reimbursements, negotiating additional stipends, and so many things that I didn’t have to think about. It opened me up to the idea of pursuing entrepreneurship. I watched Monette of the traveling child and communicated with her on my podcast. I saw how a blog could be used as an outlet and turned into a profitable business. Some people blog for a living. Like many other things in this life, many things can seem abstract; Google can only take you so far. It’s helpful when you have someone willing to discuss how entrepreneurship works.

I was doing my blog, and then a few months after that, I launched the podcast. Now, even with podcasting, people are making a living. Honestly, I am learning that there are a lot of ways we may think that are unorthodox but can be used as ways that people can make a living. Whether through blogging, podcasting, consulting, writing a book, or the influencer world of social media and YouTube. I mean, you name it, and potential business opportunities are awaiting you. I believe creating different ways to bring an income has always been important.

What I am saying here isn’t necessarily revelatory. As nurses, many of us have the unique opportunity to dive into entrepreneurship because of our unit’s schedule, working three twelve-hour shifts each week or other flexible jobs, such as a telehealth position, where you can work remotely.

I think watching how our world is changing every day and our new normal is being established; if you weren’t experimenting with entrepreneurship or a home-based business, it’s a thought now.

The whys

All of us have different whys that push us in this direction. For some, it’s becoming a parent and wanting to spend more time at home with the children. For others, it’s wanting to pay down debt and save. And for others, it could be the freedom that creating your own business can allow you to have, so you can do more of what you love.

Remain Flexible

If you speak to many entrepreneurs, they will tell you to keep your job and allow your main hustle to fuel your side hustle until it can become your main hustle. I’m sure you can agree that life is about growth, and what traveling has taught me professionally and personally is always to remain flexible and pivot when life calls you to.

We hope you found this article on travel nursing to entrepreneur helpful. Have you taken a role as an entrepreneur with or after a career as a travel nurse? Comment your entrepreneurial experience or advice for fellow entrepreneurs below.

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

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

START HERE

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

By Lina Belegu

June 20, 2022

1416 Views

Natural Energy Boosting Tips

Posted on June 20, 2022June 21, 2022 by Lina Belegu

Is your day dragging you down? It’s okay if you’re feeling a bit more tired than usual because life is so chaotic, demanding, and all-consuming these days.

While you may believe that going for a Starbucks or a can of Red Bull is the answer, there are some more natural ways to boost your energy levels. Here are six natural strategies to overcome weariness and increase energy levels so you can go about your day with more vigor.

Natural Energy Boosting Tips:

Get some sleep

This may sound obvious, but getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to alleviate weariness. According to the CDC, 35 percent of American adults do not obtain the necessary 7 hours of sleep each night. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleeping for 7 hours can help prevent diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and poor performance.

Here are some sleep-related health tips to help you get some rest:

· Go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning.

· Create a cool and dark sleeping environment.

· Diminish the amount of stimulus in your space by turning off electronics.

· Avoid coffee and alcohol before going to bed.

· Take a bath or read a book

Exercise

While getting off the sofa may be the last thing on your mind, exercise—even a simple walk—can help you feel more energized.

It is not totally obvious from a physiological standpoint, but there is a link between physical exercise and a reduction in low energy and exhaustion. Some of this might be due to the release of endorphins induced by exercise or the improvement in sleep resulting from regular activity.

The CDC advises 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and at least two days of exercise to build muscles.

Limit your alcohol intake.

There’s a reason why wine has been labeled “sleepy juice” by some. However, a single glass of wine at lunch may add to your afternoon slump. Also, that drink before bedtime may lead you to toss and turn and wake up feeling groggy.

While alcohol reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and appears to improve sleep quality in the first half of the night, it severely interrupts sleep in the second half of the night and impacts overall REM sleep for the night.

If you must drink, do it in moderation and at a time when you are not concerned about your energy levels waning.

Stay Hydrated

Feeling fatigued is one of the earliest signs of dehydration. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid feeling tired. For women, that’s 9 glasses, while for males, it’s 13.

Keep an eye on your diet.

Food is one of our primary sources of energy. The key is to stay away from processed meals, which can cause your energy levels to jump and then swiftly decrease, leaving you feeling sluggish. Choose meals with a low glycemic index, which means the sugars are absorbed slowly. Whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils are examples of foods having a low glycemic index.

To help, you might want to explore taking vitamins, herbs, or other supplements, but see your doctor first. Some dietary supplements might make your prescription work better or worse.

Discover Inner Peace

While you may not be able to entirely eliminate stress from your life at this time, it may be contributing to your weariness. Allow yourself some time during the day to help you clear your thoughts.

Meditation, yoga, and tai chi are among natural energy enhancers that help you focus on attentive breathing. If yoga isn’t for you, chat with a friend, keep a diary, or consult a professional behavioral health specialist. Some of these activities might help you sleep better and enhance your mental health.

Are you still tired?

If you’re still tired all of the time, the Restore 3 Program, a supplement that helps people enhance their gut health and immune system, is a good option.

But, low energy levels could be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. While these natural energy boosters are great pick-me-ups, they could also be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, a sleep disorder, or a mental health condition. If your exhaustion goes beyond what’s normal for your lifestyle, if it’s becoming worse, or if you’re not sure, talk to your doctor.

We hope you found this article on natural energy boosting tips helpful. Do you have any other natural energy boosting tips that you would like to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment below.

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A camera.

A few good books.

An air fryer, Instapot, crockpot, etc.

A yoga mat or at-home fitness gear.

Your pillow.

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First, you need an Alaska nursing license.

Second, you need to get a job.

Third, you need to figure out how you are going to get there.

Flying:

Driving:

Ferry:

Fourth, you need to find a place to live.

Fifth, you need to plan as many adventures as you possibly can, and have fun!!

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My substance abuse story:

I was duel diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Opioid Dependence.

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