September 2, 2020

17004 Views

8 Things to Consider Before You Quit Your Permanent Job

Posted on September 2, 2020October 11, 2023 by Heather Craig

Throughout my 8 years of travel nursing, I have had many people ask questions and show interest in the travel nurse life. Of course, like most travel nurses’ media pages, our life looks like one big vacation! And don’t forget the big money! $$$

But hear me out for a long-winded moment…

After being on the road for these 8 years, I have a few things to discuss before you quit your permanent job and take the challenging leap to start the travel nurse life!

8 Things to Consider Before You Quit Your Permanent Job

1. Loneliness is inevitable!

You have to be very comfortable with being alone A LOT! Being away from family and friends for extended periods can take a toll on your mental health. A 3-hour time change and 6-hour plane travel doesn’t make it easy for quick trips home. I remember my first contract when I ate alone at a sit-down restaurant and went to the movie theater solo for the first time in my life.

2. New EVERYTHING!

Living arrangements, bed, grocery store, roads, gas station, church, doctors, dentist, hairstylist, weather, time change, etc. Nothing is familiar except the few things you brought along with you on your journey. I’ve lived years without Blue Plate mayonnaise, I’ve had to have bad dental work fixed by my home dentist, and I’ve even sported a mullet after a bad haircut!

3. You have to hit the floor running after only 1-3 shifts of orientation.

This includes learning new computer systems, remembering new log-ins, door codes, doctors’ preferences and personalities, different order sets, policies and procedures, and co-workers’ names and their position on the floor. You realize just how lost you are when you can’t find the simple but important things like an emesis bag quick enough for your patient.

4. Your permanent job hospital’s way is not the only CORRECT way.

Realizing the way your home hospital does things is not the ONLY correct way to do it. I don’t care if you have been a nurse for 20 years! When in Rome, you do as the Romans and move along after 13 weeks. After a few weeks of being on the floor and familiar with the staff, you can make suggestions for changes. But they do not want a stranger coming into their home trying to change things up if it’s working for them and the patients are safe.

5. Keeping up with licenses and certifications are your responsibility.

It’s difficult to keep certifications up to date when a lot of hospitals won’t allow you to take their classes that are offered to their permanent staff. I’ve driven 3 hours one way to take a course that was needed to be able to complete my file for my next contract. Also, not all companies offer reimbursements for the new state nursing license you need or the recertification that’s required to keep you compliant while on contract.

6. Nightmare Patients

More than likely, you will get the nightmare of a patient the permanent staff doesn’t want to take care of. And you will also be the first to float to a different unit before staff.

7. Scheduling

You will get minimal to zero schedule requests for specific days off or block scheduling. The purpose of your contract is to help staff and fill in their short shifts.

8. Emergency fund money

Emergency fund money is a must! Your contract could get canceled. Travel companies provide minimal to no sick time or PTO. Moving across the country costs a lot when you’re driving 2,500 miles, hotels, shipping a car, flying, and paying rent deposits. While on assignment, you also duplicate expenses at your permanent home to qualify for tax-free stipends. And who knew, but even buying a new set or condiments each time you move to a new place can get expensive!

The perks of leaving your permanent job

But as I write this, I am currently recovering from a long day sunbathing at the beach in gorgeous San Diego! (One of those cities that some people only dream of visiting). And I wouldn’t trade this life I’ve had the last 8 years for anything!

I have met some of my best friends in life. I have worked with some of the most amazing nurses in top-rated hospitals who have helped me grow my skills and knowledge. I’ve lived in cities and places only others get to vacation or dream of living. And I’ve been able to take 1-2 month long vacations between contracts to check off those bucket list countries and experiences that I would have never had the opportunity with a permanent job!

Is it perfect for every nurse?

Definitely not! You have to be realistic with your expectations, set goals, be flexible, be prepared, and focus on things you do have control over. You will learn so much about yourself as an individual, and your personal growth can be limitless. Travel nursing is not a bad life, so get out there and take the chance on what could be the start of the best adventures of your life!

We hope you found these 8 tips to consider before quitting your permanent job helpful. Do you have any tips for our readers before they quit their permanent jobs? Comment them below!

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

August 26, 2020

7509 Views

How to Stay Safe When Shopping for Short Term Rentals

Posted on August 26, 2020May 19, 2021 by Furnished Finder

When it comes to planning your next travel nursing assignment, most of the work usually has to happen from a distance. Unless you are moving to a new job in the same city, travel nurses don’t have the advantage of actually laying eyes on a short term housing unit prior to actually moving in. As a result, it is imperative to know how to keep yourself safe when you are booking a short term rental, and when you arrive at your new home as well.

Legitimate and Safe

First, make sure to verify the place you are renting is legitimate and safe. Furnished Finder actually has a great list of tips on how to do this. If you are feeling uneasy about doing this yourself, we will also verify the property for you, even if you are not booking through one of our platforms. We do this by checking the property address to verify ownership, and we also look into any foreclosures in the owner’s name. Do not be alarmed immediately if the records don’t match–sometimes a landlord is using an LLC or parent company to manage their rentals. Make sure and ask the person directly if there is a discrepancy in public records and what you are being told.

You can also do a quick Google maps search of the address to get a visual of the property. I also like to do this because you can sort of “explore” the neighborhood with the street view and get an idea of how well kept or safe it looks.

Housing scams red flags

Also, make sure to know the basic red flags of housing scams. This topic could be a whole article in and of itself, but it was also a topic covered in the recent Gypsy Nurse Virtual Conference. The basics are that if you notice that a landlord is using bad grammar, pushing for a transfer of money ahead of time, or if the unit is priced below market value there is a good chance it is not a legitimate space and you may want to reconsider your housing options.

Arrive a little early

Another option to make you feel more secure in your housing choice is to arrive at your assignment a few days early and stay in a hotel. This allows you to drive around your new location and shop for a short term rental in person. You may even be able to negotiate better if you can talk to a leasing manager face to face. At the very least, you have the ability to drive around different neighborhoods and get a feel for your comfort level in each area. The downside is that you may not have luck right away, so be prepared to pay the extra cost of staying in a hotel while you look around.

Let others know you are meeting someone.

Be mindful of the fact that when you are moving in or viewing potential rentals that you should take precautions when renting from an unverified landlord. Always, always let a friend or relative back home know if you are going to meet someone by yourself. If you are feeling uncomfortable about any part of the meetup, do not be afraid to cancel. Unfortunately, there are people who know travel nurses don’t usually have friends or family around and may try to take advantage of someone traveling alone.

Take time to research

And the number one thing to remember when you are looking for housing in a new location is that no amount of money saved is worth your safety or comfort. Be sure to take the time to do your research and double-check anything that raises questions before ending up in an unsafe or undesirable housing situation.

We hope you found these tips for staying safe while shopping for a short term rental helpful. Do you have any other tips to share? Comment them below.

If you are a travel nurse looking for housing for your next assignment, check out our Housing Page!

By Registered Nursing.org

August 18, 2020

30148 Views

Decoding Psychiatric Roles: Nurse vs. Practitioner – A Comparative Analysis

Posted on August 18, 2020December 18, 2023 by Registered Nursing.org

Are you interested in the psychiatric-mental health population, thinking of specializing within your nursing practice, or considering furthering your education to become a nurse practitioner? The psychiatric-mental health field is currently booming and can be a highly rewarding and varied avenue of nursing. We’ll cover the differences and a few similarities between the care provided by a psychiatric-mental health nurse (PMHN) and a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Considering the need for mental health awareness, these vital roles are at the forefront of the opportunity for travel nurses.

Responsibilities of a Psych RN

“Psychiatric nurses are experts at evaluating complex psychiatric, substance abuse, and physical health needs and problems of patients over the life span” (apna.org, 1998). The PMHN provides an important service to people with mental illnesses or behavioral disorders. RNs in this specialty are multi-faceted and have a variety of duties.

According to Dr. Veronica Doran, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the Malek School of Health Professions, Marymount University, “the psychiatric nurse will operate under medical orders from an advanced practice specialist, mostly an MD or an NP, in terms of medication administration, treatments, or general safety orders.”

Some responsibilities of the psychiatric-mental health RN include the following:

Provide emotional support
Administer medications and assess responses
Maintain communication with doctors and other members of the healthcare team
Follow treatment plans
Educate patients and families
Provide physical and mental assessments

The PMHN utilizes the nursing process on a daily basis. These nurses may specialize in various age groups or populations, such as addiction treatment, adolescent care, or forensics.

Like other nursing specialties, a psychiatric-mental health RN can become certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Do you want to find out more about this specialty of nursing? Check out resources from American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Their link includes downloadable brochures for those interested in the RN or NP specialty so you can make an informed choice – or just broaden your knowledge base.

Responsibilities of a Psych NP

Psych NPs are certified advanced practice professionals with at least a Master’s degree (and sometimes a Doctorate) who are experts in determining diagnoses and ordering treatments accordingly. Dr. Veronica Doran emphasizes an important difference between NPs and RNs: “Psych NPs need a broader range of knowledge. While I teach my BSN students about the disease characteristics, my NP students need to understand the pathophysiology of the disorders at a cellular level.”

Like other NPs, PMHNPs have autonomy. They may work completely independently from a doctor or with minimal supervision, depending on the state. Some NPs have their own practices for providing psychotherapy or treatments. PMHNPs are in the position to become policymakers or board members and drive changes across the mental health landscape.

As Dr. Doran notes, “One of the biggest assets to an NP, and this is abundantly true for psych, is that we approach our specialty from a holistic perspective. I would love to see more psych NPs working in collaboration with primary care offices, nutritionists/dieticians, and other medical specialties because we can look at the whole patient and provide care that extends beyond medication management.”

This type of care differs from that of psych RNs in that the PMHNP can:

Maintain prescriptive authority
Have advanced assessment skills
Create and order treatment plans
Diagnose conditions or diseases
May serve as a counselor or provide psychotherapy to individuals or groups
Educate patients, families, or communities on diagnoses, medications, etc.

Some Similarities

Both RNs and NPs can specialize in varied patient populations and have started their careers as RNs. RNs and NPs can also both serve as educators, participate in committees, and assume leadership or management roles. Whether it’s an RN or NP providing care, both individuals are skilled at communicating and understanding the non-verbal cues that a patient exhibits. For both roles, providing care involves offering emotional support through the use of therapeutic communication. The care provided by either the RN or NP addresses the entire person and the needs and treatment of that individual. These healthcare heroes also excel in addressing crises and remaining calm in emergencies.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are an RN or NP, your primary goal is to provide excellent care to patients within the scope of your professional practice. As discussed, there are several differences between the care provided by an RN and an NP. Nurse practitioner care focuses on advanced assessment skills, pharmacologic and their effects, diagnoses, and prescribing therapies to treat symptoms or diseases. It also involves treating the patient holistically. RN care is driven by the nursing process and assessments, therapeutic communication, administering medications, and monitoring for effectiveness. Both RNs and NPs can work in a variety of settings. While there are a number of differences between the two roles and the care they provide, both are extremely important in ensuring that this population is heard and helped.

About the writer: Susan Sinclair is a nurse who currently works in home health. She has nursing experience in med-surg, telemetry, research, and education. She is also a writer and enjoys writing about current nursing topics and elevating the nursing profession.

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 Luke Smith

August 10, 2020

4969 Views

Caring for Seniors During COVID-19

Posted on August 10, 2020March 24, 2023 by Luke Smith

Currently, the healthcare workers are battling on the front lines of the pandemic, helping to care for and treat patients with COVID-19 as best as they can. Seniors and the aging population, with their increased susceptibility to the Coronavirus’s severe effects, are especially challenging to care for during this outbreak. With so many individuals part of this at-risk group, finding alternative options to better care for our elderly population is essential.

In an attempt to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus, many states have mandated a shelter in place order. Many have also been advised to self-isolate if they are part of the at-risk group, which includes folks over the age of 65.

While staying home and away from other contaminated persons is the best advice for seniors to follow right now, healthcare workers need to be on the lookout for other concerns that may result from weeks of self-isolation. Some conditions seniors may face that contribute to social isolation during this time include the following:

Losing touch with close family and friends: With the Coronavirus putting a lot of stress on households and forcing many to limit contact with others outside of their own homes, seniors are left by themselves with little to no social interactions. This can lead to intense feelings of loneliness and unwantedness.
Fear of falling: Aging folks can develop fears around their safety while outside, which can decrease the want to leave their homes, even if it’s a venture into their own backyards.
No form of transportation: Many seniors don’t currently have a driver’s license or even a vehicle, which makes getting important necessities like groceries and vital medications more difficult and can also lead to long stretches stuck inside.

The health risks that come from prolonged isolation can be very dangerous for seniors, and it’s important that healthcare workers find ways to keep seniors connected to the outside world. Loneliness in seniors has been shown to lead to depression, poor hygiene, and even poor nutrition, all of which can lead to even more serious complications. It’s imperative, perhaps now more than ever, to be aware of the effects isolation is having on aging folks. If necessary, talk to the seniors in your life about mental healthcare. Medicare covers counseling and psychiatry appointments, and talking to a mental health professional can go a long way in counteracting the effects of isolation.

Stop and Smell the Roses

In a post-COVID-19 world, helping our senior population can be anything from setting up a virtual meeting with their family members or friends to asking neighbors to create a grocery store rotation list for seniors in the neighborhood so they can get much-needed supplies. It’s also important that seniors maintain some sort of exercise routine while in quarantine.

Avoiding long periods of inactivity, when possible, is not only beneficial to seniors’ mental health but may be important to combat any current conditions they had pre-pandemic. Simple walks around their neighborhood (with proper protective equipment, of course) can give seniors the chance to get outside, chat with neighbors, and keep their bodies healthy.

The Added Risk of Pre-Existing Conditions

As much as Coronavirus has changed our everyday lives, for seniors with underlying health issues, life has become an even more dangerous battlefield to navigate. It’s become even more stressful for the healthcare field to manage both the pandemic and patients’ existing conditions.

For example, before the Coronavirus swept across the globe, asthma was a fairly simple condition to control with medicated inhalers. In the past, asthma wasn’t always so easy to treat, but it was a hurdle the healthcare industry worked hard to overcome.

However, now as we slowly begin to understand what happens inside the body when infected with COVID-19, those with asthma should be particularly monitored as the virus has been shown to have active viral replication in the upper respiratory tract and cause nearly all patients to develop a cough and experience a shortness of breath. Moreover, COVID-19, in later stages, can lead to bilateral pneumonia. This is extremely dangerous for seniors with asthma or other respiratory issues, so reducing their chance of exposure is imperative.

As healthcare workers, the Coronavirus has presented an entirely new set of unknowns, and admittedly, scary concerns for the aging population. As the world navigates this new challenge, taking extra precautions while seniors self-isolate throughout the coming future will help keep this at-risk group as safe as possible.

By Luke Smith

July 10, 2020

6273 Views

The Dichotomy of Understaffed and Furloughed Nurses During Coronavirus

Posted on July 10, 2020May 19, 2021 by Luke Smith

As the Coronavirus continues to sweep across the world, vital healthcare workers are receiving the short end of the stick. Many are currently overworked and risking their lives as COVID-19 patients continue to overwhelm hospitals. But, unfortunately, despite the high number of patients needing treatment and care, more and more hospitals are furloughing nurses due to the economic crisis at hand, putting further strain on essential healthcare workers.

Today, as the healthcare industry desperately battles against the Coronavirus, it also finds itself in a rather stressful dichotomy that has completely changed the way of life as most healthcare workers know it. Many are left asking, “Why is this happening?”

Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

As nations across the globe desperately try to flatten the curve and prevent as many deaths as possible, it appears that even the healthcare industry is not exempt from being financially affected by the Coronavirus. For most hospitals, the Coronavirus has led to non-urgent patients being turned away to prioritize those in need of essential services. This gate-keeping has, in turn, caused a loss of profit leading to pay cuts.

Of course, like many parts of the internet during waves of online visitors, the healthcare industry may be able to rely on the help of digital services by gating users online. Gating sets up landing pages where people can sign up and be informed when they’ll have access to a product or a service, or sites may use a live ticker on their page to keep users in line and aware of which position they are in. By using online gating, hospitals can reduce the number of patients completely flooding hospitals by offering insight online into waiting times, availability, and so on. However, because of this new policy to turn away patients who have manageable symptoms in addition to the reduced numbers of elective surgeries, many hospitals have still furloughed healthcare workers who are considered “non-essential” at this time.

How Do We Move Forward?

The Coronavirus has hit the world in a way that exposed just how unprepared many facets of our society are in the face of a pandemic. Despite the need for healthcare workers across the board, some feel the system has turned their backs on them.

The future of not only society but the healthcare industry as a whole is still so uncertain — and some are left wondering how it will ever recover. There is one thing that can’t be forgotten, though, and that is, that nurses and healthcare workers will always be essential and necessary to the well-being of the people and society. It will always be worth making them a priority. It’s time to figure out how to protect the livelihoods of the heroes who take care of the world.

Understaffed?

We hope during these times you are not finding yourself in the midst of having fellow nurses furloughed while you are still working understaffed. If you are in a situation where your hospital is understaffed while furloughing others please comment with recommendations or tips for others in the same situation.

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 ReyAnn Moya

June 23, 2020

4085 Views

What’s Next?

Posted on June 23, 2020May 19, 2021 by ReyAnn Moya

It seems as though this is the most commonly asked phrase of 2020, and we’re only 5 months in. It’s absolutely wild how we’ve woken up to pure chaos the last couple months, and it hasn’t seemed to stop. From the pandemic to the fear-inducing media, to election season, and now the protests, rioting, and civil rights movement. No, this isn’t a dream, this is our new reality. So depending on who you ask “What’s next,” the answer may vary.

I can vividly remember when COVID first hit.

The anxiety, uncertainty, the fear, and restlessness were dense. Fast-forward to now, from nurses to stay at home parents, we’ve all found a new groove that has us feeling a bit more at ease in the uncertainty. Or maybe that’s just how I feel. I’m not nearly as nervous or fearful walking into my shift. However new questions now pop into my head. When’s the next spike? Are we prepared now more than before? Did anyone actually fix the PPE problem? And it goes. New studies are being published and more research is being done. In fact, I’m taking part in one.

I have progressively seen change in my Emergency Department, and I’m always curious about how other hospitals are doing. We now test every person who comes into my ED, with rapid tests for specific criteria. The number of staff in the room during a trauma or code has been tailored to minimize exposure. We are enforced to wear a surgical mask (at minimum) for our 12 hr shift. Overall, the change has been progressive. However, it’s hard to say what is next.

The Uncertainty

Are the numbers of COVID decreasing, or do the tests remain semi- unreliable?
Are the numbers of COVID increasing, or are we just testing more people?
Will nurses begin to leave the profession due to stress and health concerns? There are so many factors to take into play.

What are nursing and healthcare going to look like?

I can’t help but wonder what nursing and healthcare are going to look like after this. The already overwhelmed and understaffed system. The stress, PTSD, and mental health of healthcare workers have already been at stake for years. What about our new grads? The job market was already hard enough; how are they finding work? When I think about it too much, it’s overwhelming. But when I reframe my mindset, I have hope! I have hope that we will continue to save lives, and I pray for the ones that have been lost. I have hope in the mental resilience of my fellow healthcare workers, that we will continue to care for the ones who need us most. I have hope that we will shine through the darkness because there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. However, we’ve still got a long way to go. It’s been eyeopening and humbling to see everything unfold.

Huge hats off to the pure resilience and hard work of all the frontline workers. It hasn’t gone unnoticed! Every day we continue to put on our scrubs, show up, and do what we do best; take care of the ones who need us most. So what is next? Well, I’m not really sure. For now, we will continue to fight the good fight, in the hopes that we will persevere and come out on top.

To that, I say “Bring It!”

By ReyAnn Moya

May 18, 2020

13166 Views

Travel Nursing: TEN STEPS To Get You Started

Posted on May 18, 2020May 19, 2021 by ReyAnn Moya

10 steps to get started travel nursing

ReyAnn shares the TEN STEP process that helped her land her first travel nurse job here in California. Travel nursing is a very unique and amazing opportunity that she thinks all nurses should try at least once in their

career. ReyAnn feels truly blessed to be apart of this community as it has opened so many doors for her and for the future. We hope this video inspires some of you to step into this crazy awesome lifestyle.

Below you will find the 10 steps ReyAnn talks about in the video.

1. Get your license

ReyAnn states that she highly suggests getting a compact license. She says it just makes the process so much easier, especially with those states that use compact licenses.

2. Get Experience

Most hospitals want 2 years of experience, however, it is not impossible to get a job as a travel nurse with less than 2 years. ReyAnn said that if your specialty is any of the following that 2 years of experience is probably best; ER, ICU, PACU, OR, or Cath Lab. She says that with travel nursing you hit the ground running and have a lot less orientation so you have to be ready for that.

3. Update your certifications

ReyAnn suggests taking advantage of any and all facility paid/offered certifications/renewals while you are still working at your permanent/staff hospital/facility. As these can tend to get pricey.

4. Find the perfect recruiter

ReyAnn says that you almost want a recruiter that feels like a friend, someone who has your back. Someone you feel really comfortable with. A recruiter who won’t lowball you, that fights for you and one that offers you things that other companies won’t.

She suggests have 3-4 recruiters/agencies under your belt. Agencies of different sizes. She says this is to help you compare their pay packages.

5. Preparing profile/ paperwork

ReyAnn says to keep all your paperwork together, in one area so you can build your profile easier. This paperwork includes, but isn’t limited to the application, resume, nursing license(s), certifications, references and your skills checklist

6. Submitting your contract

You may find that you have a hard time getting the first contract, ReyAnn says to look at these three things if you aren’t getting a contract. 1. How picky are you being? 2. How much money are you asking for? 3. How much experience do you have. She says to make sure you discuss your non-negotiables with your recruiter prior.

Also, remember don’t take it personal if you don’t get the job. Just keep applying and trying.

7. Do your research

One one of the biggest pieces of advice ReyAnn offers is to do your research. She says to reach out on Travel Nurse Facebook groups like The Gypsy Nurse. ReyAnn said to do your research on the hospitals themselves, ask fellow nurses, and even the person interviewing you. She also highly suggesting researching the location of the hospital. But all around do your research!

8. Signing the contract

Make sure you understand everything in the contract and that you read it thoroughly as it is a legally binding contract between you, the hospital/facility, and the agency. Be sure you understand the pay break down, the bill rate, and the contract in general. If you don’t understand it be sure to ask your recruiter for clarification.

9. On-boarding paperwork/exams

This is the time to get all the necessary paperwork and exams you may need to start the contract.

10. Starting your assignment

At this point, your recruiter should be checking in with you frequently to make sure everything is going well.

ReyAnn discusses these steps in more detail. This is just a brief overview of the video. We hope these ten steps to help get started travel nursing have helped you. Do you have any tips for starting out travel nurses? Comment them below.

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 Brittany Greaves

May 15, 2020

4592 Views

#StayHome: Self-Care Tips

Posted on May 15, 2020May 19, 2021 by Brittany Greaves

Self-care in a pandemic has me thinking about the saying ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’. Regardless if the hair salons or massage business is closed, we have to make ourselves a priority and find the time for our revamped self-care routines. Here are some ways I’ve been staying sane while ‘staying home.’

Self Care Starts with Self Love <3

To love means to learn the art of nourishing our happiness. If we think of things as loving ourselves and pouring into our own cups no matter how small, it changes the thought process behind it to “I love myself so I _____” Knowing your deserving of self-love; self-care becomes a tool to replenish said love. Do some internal work: journal, meditate, read a new book, devotionals/prayer, or take a social media break. Your mental health is key in staying strong during a fearful time, another helpful resource for me, has been therapy. It’s a listening, judgment-free, let it all out the type of environment – why wouldn’t you sign up?

Healthy Eating/Exercise/Sleep

Don’t burn the candle at both ends! All of us are working tirelessly and our minds, bodies, and souls are exhausted. The quickest way for us to leave ourselves even more vulnerable is to live unhealthily. Recharging your battery with the right stuff gives you the energy, push, and stamina to outlast these times. We’re all nurses so we know what endorphins do for our brain. So go get some, they’re free! Put more color in your diet. Get those 8 hours. Whatever you do, take care of yourself before you take care of others.

Put On Real Clothes!

“If you look good, you feel good” I know those sweats are comfy, but when was the last time you got dressed? I don’t mean roll out of bed my delivery guy is here dressed. I mean top and pants with no elastic waistband—Well its time to take yourself on a take-out date, meet your friends for a virtual happy hour, or try out a Tik Tok. You’ll feel more alive and like yourself, don’t you miss you?

Show Gratitude

I saw an affirmation that blew my mind: ‘the most powerful weapon against your daily battle is finding the courage to be grateful anyway’. We all are going through a lot right now but we are all also, very blessed. So remember that, put it out in the air, and breathe it in. The best advice I could give in this time is to be thankful for the laughs, the tears, and the life.

Sending You All Light & Love -Britt

Do you have any tips for staying sane during this time or some self-care tips for travel nurses? If you would like to share them please comment them below.

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

April 24, 2020

5084 Views

Proactive Tips for Travel Nursing Crisis Assignments & 5 Questions to Ask Your Agency

Posted on April 24, 2020May 19, 2021 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article provided by Travel Nurse Across America.

As the country struggles to find some reprieve from this pandemic, travel nurses everywhere are trekking to hot spots to help. Like most aspects of coronavirus life, there’s an air of uncertainty around getting to your new assignment. Will hotels be open? How are property owners preparing for exposed residents? There’s a lot of uncertainty and with crisis assignments starting — and sometimes ending — abruptly, being prepared can make navigating this confusing time a lot easier.

Housing Tips & What to Expect

Before COVID-19 (remember those times?), there was a subtle art to finding travel nurse housing. Whether you used Furnished Finders, Airbnb, or Facebook groups, it was all about staying under your subsidy. Things are a little different these days. Most agencies are continually reassessing how to help their nurses find safe lodging. We’ve seen hotels refuse to house nurses. We’ve also seen hotels step up to ensure our front-line heroes have the best accommodations. From property managers to nurses’ first-hand experience, we’ve compiled some tips for nurses hitting the road.

● Consider minimizing your travel restrictions: We’re talking about pets and people here. When it comes to large or unusual pets, it may be more challenging to find housing. With limited options available, you may find property managers are more lenient, or extremely strict. As for traveling with family, there is some amount of risk for exposure that travelers should think about.

● Prepare for unexpected accommodations: Most properties are limiting maintenance, physical access to staff, and new cleaning procedures. If it’s not a leak or potentially property damaging, plan for it to move to the back burner. Consider preparing for minimal furnishings or longer wait times with your sheets, basic cleaning supplies, and paper products.

● Utilize your resources: With everything you need to accomplish to start your assignment, navigating temporary housing is an additional hassle. Utilizing your agency’s housing specialists doesn’t necessarily mean using agency-housing. Given the short nature of crisis assignments, think short term and don’t be afraid to ask your recruiter to connect you with housing resources.

Road Trips During a Time of COVID-19

There is no savvier group of road warriors than travel nurses. Crossing state lines during this pandemic is a little tricky, and of course, with shelter-in-place orders and curfews, there can be some confusion. Here’s how to protect yourself so you can start your assignment safely.

● Carry digital and print copies of essential documents: Even though restrictions seem to be lifting in some states, it’s still a good idea to carry crucial documents. Think about keeping a copy of your contract, nursing license, and a hospital ID badge on-hand to prove you should be traveling.

● Map and confirm your stops: If you’re an Enneagram 6, ICU nurse, or highly detailed planner, you likely look up your route ahead of time. If not, download the GasBuddy app and confirm any of your stops are open. We’ve seen gas stations, grocery stores, and hotels close temporarily. Don’t put yourself in a bind, before you go, download a few apps or Google search.

● Prepare to be self-sufficient: Grab a cooler and pack your drinks and snacks. Preventing unnecessary stops is a top priority to keep you safe from exposure. Another good tip? Grab any extra plastic bags (you know the stash tucked in your kitchen) to use as you grab the gas handle.

Navigating Mandatory Quarantines

Some states have issued mandates that persons traveling into their state complete a mandatory quarantine, specifically if they’ve been in a hot spot. It’s essential to consider this in your personal, professional, and financial plans before you accept an assignment. Can you be in lock-down for 14 days when you return? Will that impact childcare, work, or any other obligations?

Check: Look up restrictions with your destination’s local and state health departments.
Confirm: We know things can change, but during your interview (or before returning to a perm or PRN job), confirm any waiting period with your charge nurse or HR contact.
Communicate: Keep lines of communication open with your agency, stay connected with online nursing communities for updates, and ensure people in your life (friends, family, and partners) understand your circumstances.

5 Questions Every Travel Nurse Should Ask Their Agency

More than every communication and support are paramount. An agency’s top priority is keeping their nurses safe. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or you’re a veteran gypsy nurse, it’s vital to ask your agency how they’re supporting their nurses. From recruiters to payroll, here are our top 5 questions you should ask:

What resources do you have to support me clinically? Your agency should have real RNs on staff whose focus is on protecting your license, advocating on your behalf with your facility, and providing a listening ear should you need to talk, nurse-to-nurse.
How are you protecting my health? Keeping you safe should be the top priority. Look for an agency that walks the walk. Do they offer day-one insurance coverage to protect you the moment you step foot on the unit, or will there be a waiting period? Ask about mental and emotional health benefits like an Employee Assistance Program or Chaplain.
How are you protecting my pay? With many traveler nurses reporting call-offs due to a drop in hospital census, it’s crucial to consider your paycheck. Ask about weekly pay, low-census protection programs, and the accessibility of payroll teams.
How will you help me get to my assignment? Most crisis assignments have ASAP start dates. Ask if your agency will cover costs for any onboarding requirements and travel requirements. Travel reimbursement is a must-have during these uncertain times. Also, inquire about any housing support. Your agency should have a robust team prepared to help you navigate short-team lease options, vetted options, and after-hours help if needed.
How can my recruiter help me if my contract is canceled? You need to work; there’s no getting around that. Your recruiter is your best asset in getting you on the floor working as soon as possible. A good agency should have the tools, technology, and industry-connections to provide insight for you. Ask how they’ve supported their nurses during cancelations to see just how much they care (and how hard they work) for their nurses.

More than ever, nurses should keep clear and open communication with their agency, recruiter, and network to protect themselves. Nurses are superheroes, but they’re not invincible and need to take the necessary time to assemble the very best team to keep them safe. The best way for agencies to thank the nurses stepping forward to care for our family members, friends, and coworkers, is to ensure they have standout benefits, support, and protections.

We hope you found this article proactive tips for travel nursing crisis assignments helpful. Do you have any tips for travel nursing crisis assignments that we didn’t mention? Please feel free to share your travel nursing crisis assignments tips in the comments below.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

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