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By Jackson Nurse Professionals

April 26, 2021

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Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Your Stress as a Travel Nurse?

This article was provided by Jackson Nurse Professionals.

While you might love travel nursing and exploring new destinations, sometimes the stress and anxiety you experience on a day-to-day basis can make any assignment miserable. In fact, beyond your career as a nurse, travel anxiety is common; The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders reported that it’s not only brought on by commuting a long distance but also by meeting new people, putting yourself out there, and generally stepping outside of your comfort zone.

While relaxation techniques like meditation and taking long, slow breaths may help you cope with some anxiousness, acupuncture may be an alternative method to consider for longer-lasting results.

What is acupuncture?

According to the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture is a method of traditional Chinese medicine that is defined as the insertion of thin needles into the skin in specifically targeted points on the body. The idea behind acupuncture is that it has the ability to rebalance energy flow by stimulating nerves, muscles, and connective tissues within the body. It’s used to realign the body’s natural ability to heal.

Acupuncture is most commonly used to reduce symptoms of common conditions, such as tension migraines, lower back pain, neck pain, and menstrual cramps. More recently, acupuncture has been used to improve overall wellness, specifically in line with reducing stress levels and better managing anxiety. In fact, in a study released in 2021 by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, they found that “..two types of acupuncture significantly reduced survivors’ chronic pain.”

Can it help you?

Opinions vary, but Rosa N. Schnyer reports that 9 out of 10 of her clients respond positively to acupuncture. A clinical assistant professor of nursing at The University of Texas at Austin reports that her patients frequently respond with “wow!” after acupuncture treatment.  

Ladan Eshkevari, Ph.D., CRNA, LAc, associate professor in the department of nursing and the department of pharmacology and physiology at GUMC, shared the potential benefits acupuncture can have on those dealing with stress and anxiety.

“The benefits of acupuncture are well known by those who use it, but such proof is anecdotal,” Eshkevari said in a press release. “This research, the culmination of several studies, demonstrates how acupuncture might work in the human body to reduce stress and pain, and, potentially, depression.”

What now?

Because results can vary from person to person, it’s better to meet with an acupuncturist and decide from there. They’ll ask about your medical history, health concerns, and symptoms you want to treat. Then, you can decide.

Travel nursing is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone. Maybe this is your chance to reduce your stress and anxiety while trying something new. If you do, let us know how it went!

We hope you found this information on acupuncture helpful. For more articles on wellness for travel nurses click here.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Furnished Finder

April 25, 2021

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Travel Nurse Housing: What Happens if My Rental Doesn’t Work Out?

There are a ton of how-to guides on travel nurse housing. This travel nurse housing guide is one example of how you can find a place to live for your thirteen-week assignment that is affordable and safe.

rental

However, even the best-laid plans can end up not working out. While your main concern may be that your travel contract itself gets canceled, there is always a chance that something may fall through with your rental. 

This could result from a multitude of things. Perhaps a family emergency arises, and the property owner decides to sell their rental. Or, something important breaks within the home, and repairs push back a move-in date. Regardless, most of the time, these sorts of situations will be well outside your control, so there is not much you can do but take a deep breath and reassess your options.

Start back at square one.

If you hear your current housing plan is not going to work out, perhaps the platform where you found your rental originally will have more options. Rentals that were previously unavailable may have had a tenant cancel, or new landlords may have listed properties. 

Post a housing request.

The Furnished Finder Travel Nurse Housing group is a great place to post a specific request for housing on short notice. This group has tens of thousands of travelers and landlords, so putting yourself out there gets you seen by tons of people who may have leads for wherever you are going. 

Reach out to your rental manager.

On occasion, nurse managers may have some leads on staff nurses who rent to travel nurses in the area. Many staff nurses have realized that renting to travelers on their unit can be a lucrative side hustle, so it’s worth asking your manager if they have any ideas of places to live. 

Consider adjusting your expectations.

If you aren’t having luck finding the private, furnished space you were dreaming of. You might consider branching out to other housing options. Many travel nurses have a great experience renting furnished rooms or renting an unfurnished space and leasing furniture separately. When housing falls through at the last minute, sometimes you have to get a little creative. 

Look for a short(er) term option.

Sometimes you will have much more success house hunting in person. If you are super short on time when it comes to finding new housing, it might be worth it to book a hotel for the first couple of weeks of your assignment and then take some time to look around the area for something more permanent. Or, you can find a property that is available a few weeks into your contract and make plans to stay in a hotel temporarily. Regardless, the Hotel Search Page on Furnished Finder’s website is a great place to look for reasonably priced hotels and score exclusive discounts offered only to Furnished Finder customers. 

Bottom Line: Don’t panic.

If I can promise you one thing, it is this: hundreds of travelers have gone through last-minute housing hiccups, and it always, always works out. Sometimes better than you planned in the beginning. No matter how small or how big the town you are traveling to may be, there will be something available that fits your needs!

We hope you found this article what to do if your rental doesn’t work out. If you would like to read more articles on housing click here.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Amber Kendra

April 23, 2021

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5 Tips When Searching for Housing with a Dog

Travel nursing is an extraordinary experience. Traveling with a dog (or three) can make the experience infinitely better! I’m Amber from @shesoutwandering, and I have been traveling for over three years with my three Bernese Mountain Dogs @Lovedogs_Traveloften. We have lived in 9 different states while on assignment, and I cannot imagine this journey without them. They have brought me peace, comfort, and laughter after long shifts. They are my best friends,, and without them, I believe that life would be a lot less exciting.

We are currently living during a pandemic, and options will be limited due to extenuating circumstances. Before accepting a travel assignment with a pet, some things to consider include safety of the area; housing availability; accessible veterinary care; options for daycare, walkers or daily exercise; and your work schedule.

I am going to share five tips that will hopefully make your housing search a little less stressful.

Tips for Traveling with a Dog

Traveling with a dog

Train Your Dog

Train Your Dog! I can not stress this enough. Training in basic manners is an excellent start (to a level of canine good citizen is an excellent goal). I am a strong advocate for professional obedience training using positive reinforcement. Studies show that owners with behaviourally sound pets get more satisfaction and have a stronger bond with their pets. Having a dog that is well-trained, obedient, happy, relaxed, responsive, and easy for you to manage means, you will get more pleasure from dog ownership as a result. Dedicating time to obedience training also shows potential landlords that you are a responsible pet owner that cares for the socialization and safety of your dog. Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong. You’ll simply have better results if you can prove it.

Traveling with a dog

Search Pet Friendly Cities.

Did you know that some areas are far more pet friendly than others? This inevitably makes finding housing easier. Consider basing your search for an assignment in an area that will welcome you and your pup as well as offer new experiences. City suggestions are Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Asheville, NC; and Colorado Springs, CO to name a few. You’ll find delicious restaurants with unique menus for your dog, exceptional outdoor activities, and play areas etched into beautiful landscapes.

5 Tips When Searching for Housing with a Dog

Develop a Pet Resume.

Yep, you read that right. Compile training awards and certificates into a document with a photo of your pet. Include information on how often you groom your dog, vaccine records, what exercise plan you follow, and anything that would allow you to stand out as an exceptional pet owner. Ask previous landlords for written references. Contact your vet and groomer to request a recommendation regarding the care you provide for your dog.

Traveling with a dog

Have a Pet Savings Account.

Pets are family members, and many landlords are treating them as such. A rental with more than one human will likely result in additional cost and the same goes for pets. Expect to pay a refundable deposit or pet rent. These prices can vary from city to city and having a financial plan can be incredibly helpful during the search.

5 Tips When Searching for Housing with a Dog

Utilize All Resources.

Finally, use all available resources to search for housing. AirBNB, VRBO, Furnished Finder, Facebook Marketplace, hotels, and even local real estate agents can help expand the search allowing for more options.   

If you’re reading this then we can probably all agree that enjoying the views while hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, beach days at Cannon Beach outside of Portland and city adventures at Pike Place Market in Seattle are more enjoyable with a dog. Really anything is better with a dog so keep these tips in mind during your next housing search while traveling with a dog. Feel free to follow our adventures on @Lovedogs_Traveloften and share your adventures with us. We love to hear success stories from our pet loving friends! 

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!)

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Sandra Manson

April 23, 2021

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5 Examples Of Nursing Career Goals That Are Achievable

Travel nurses in the modern world have to be competitive and go on one step with the newest technologies. Apart from traditional skills, travel nurses have to know one more issue. How to become competitive in the labor market when there are thousands of travel nurses like you? There are several effective recommendations.

The Main Achievable Goals For Travel Nurses

The profession of travel nurses is based on great skills and knowledge. It is worth mentioning; the travel nurses teach them how to bring pills, inject her, give the first aid for several years. Still, like in different professions, it is not enough to complete the work duties during the whole life. The travel nurses ought to learn something new all the time. 

On one side, it is easy to say but hard to complete. On the other side, when you know which steps are better to take, all will be easy. There are a lot of goals to achieve. However, start from the basic goals, which will lead you to a successful nursing career. These five attributes to remember in completing the goals. They will manage the performance of basic goals. 

  • Specific. Choose one clear area and work on it. There is no matter to choose altogether and do not succeed in anyone.
  • Measurable. Your goal has to be real with a certain result.
  • Achievable. The number of resources and capabilities is enough to reach the goal. In each case, it depends on the person.
  • Relevant. For instance, the travel nurse in the local city hospital cannot put the goal to learn Chinese. The goal should be attached to the organization and sphere of work.
  • Timely. Put the deadline for yourself to reach the goal in a certain period. Do not make illusions and spread them for the whole life. 

Together those goals are called SMART. Use the recommendations above to reach the achievable goals below. 

5 Achievable Examples Of Goals In Nursing Career

Continuing Education

Some travel nurses find this point very boring, while others are fond of it. Still, education includes several issues.

  • Learning medical techniques in general
  • Unit-specific certificates

These two points are similar but diverse simultaneously—the evolution of medical techniques and pedagogy demands from travel nurses the continuing learning and acquisition with new challenges. Keep your hand on the pulse and learn something new every week. Read the useful updates for the travel nurses. Life-learners have more positive feedback than those who work with the old techniques.

Talking about the unit-specific certificates, consider where you work or will be in the future. There are a lot of different certificates for travel nurses. Of course, specialists who work in the intensive care units and cosmetology have different knowledge. Apart from the general techniques, adapt new helpful skills from the certificates.

Nowadays, it is easy to achieve success in learning. Subscribe to different online Telegram channels, Facebook accounts, and other blogs to see what is going on in the medical world. Nowadays there are great online sources and platforms for everything, from online dating to getting nursing knowledge. Even 15-20 minutes on the regarded platforms every day will make your perspectives better.

Ask yourself all the time: “What should I learn today?”

Effective Patient-Centered Care

Excellent care for patients is task number one for medical workers. Travel nurses are the authority in communication with the patient. They complete all the decisions of the doctors and cure the patients. Apart from the technical part of work, travel nurses face moral tasks as well. 

Needless to say, the moral part is the most difficult and worried at the same time. The travel nurses face the patients at the first turn. They try to keep ill people in good conditions and balance their moral state. The key and achievable goal are to learn fast methods to help patients and make their position better.

The nursing career of a travel nurse has a great impact. The satisfaction of patients in different spheres of medicine can lead you to a higher position. Humanity can make you more brightful and put you in the shadow of your colleagues.

Ask yourself all the time: “Who are my patients?”

Sustain Modern Technology Skills

For sure, there is a noticeable development of technology skills every day. The new updates help travel nurses to update their skills and improve the patient’s states. Whom does the medical sphere demand? Of course, the workers, who go together with the technology changes and implement them in the daily work duties.

Saying in touch with new technologies travel nurses have to learn how to troubleshoot the potential problems with patients. All the notions should be learned in detail. Spend time on it to overcome all the difficulties and get into the online world of medicine. Use the same blogs and useful resources to get more information. Show your interests and perceive new updates quickly to stay beyond the competition.

Ask yourself all the time: “How can I optimize the work?”

Hone Interpersonal Skills

The profession of the travel nurse is social first of all. To reinforce the nursing career flow, build your reputation. The average patient faces a large number of professionals in the hospital. Collaboration and highly effective communication among workers is key to getting over the illnesses and providing excellent care. 

The cooperation between travel nurses, lab workers, technicians, pharmacy professionals, and doctors depends on the patients’ satisfaction. As no one from the list above, the travel nurse should develop interpersonal connections on the professional level. 

Actually, it is essential to maintain a healthy distance among colleagues and personal life. Private life is better to keep apart from work relationships. Remember this rule and set it like a goal. As soon as you complete it, your outstanding among colleagues will raise a lot. 

Ask yourself all the time: “How can I help my colleague?”

Stay Opened To New Challenges

Sometimes people believe the work of travel nurses includes only taking care of the patients. Besides, it is not so at all. Travel nurses have to complete the patients’ data, distribute medicine, control the level of pain of the patients and others. 

The list of duties is huge. The key point is to feel free about the new tasks and challenges. Sometimes they can be difficult. By the way, when you perceive them, your skills are getting better—the focus on becoming an expert of your work setting you on the best scenario in the specialty. 

Ask yourself all the time: “When would  I face a new challenge?”

The Bottom Line

Now you have the list of the best 5 examples of travel nursing career goals, which will help you get into a higher position on the career ladder. The question of time is still open. It depends on your life values and effort towards the goals. 

The regarded nursing career goals will keep you inspired and motivated even on the busiest days at work. The nursing career’s goals can be unlimited with space. Make your best to achieve positive results in the career of nursing. 

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Soliant Health

April 22, 2021

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Transplant Nursing and Travel Opportunities

This article was provided by Soliant Health.

Working as a nurse in any capacity or specialty allows you to make an impact on someone’s life. Transplant nursing is one of those areas where you know you are making a difference and helping a patient get a second chance at life.

What Do Transplant Nurses Do?

The responsibilities of transplant nurses may vary depending on where they work. In some situations, nurses may work with the donor, the recipient, or both. Transplant nurses play a vital role in preparing the patient and possibly the donor for the transplant process. This may involve taking medical histories and educating patients on the recovery process. Transplant nurses also take care of patients and donors after a transplant. This may include taking vital signs, administering medication, and monitoring patients for signs of complications after a transplant.

Requirements

After graduating from an accredited registered nursing program and passing the licensing exam, you can start your nursing career. Since transplant nursing is a specialty area, most hospitals require nurses have at least a few years of general nursing experience.

One of the best areas of nursing to gain experience in is medical, surgical nursing. Medical, surgical nurses have the opportunity to treat a wide variety of patients, including those recovering after various surgical procedures. They also often treat patients who have an illness that may eventually require an organ transplant, such as patients with liver, kidney, and heart disease.

After getting at least a year or two of general nursing experience, consider taking the transplant nurse certification exam, which is offered through the American Board of Transplant Certification.

Travel Nursing Opportunities

Advances in medicine have allowed new types of organ transplants. Also, some types of transplants are now able to be performed using a living donor. This also creates an increase in the number of transplants being done. With an increase in transplants being performed, the need for qualified transplant nurses increases.

Traditionally, transplant nursing is not one of the areas a large number of nurses go into. During nursing school, nurses are exposed to areas of nursing, such as pediatrics, labor and delivery, oncology, and emergency room nursing. Many nurses may not consider transplant nursing initially if they don’t have much experience with it.

The combination of increased transplants and lack of qualified transplant nurses creates a demand for transplant traveler nurses. Opportunities for transplant nurse travelers may be anywhere in the United States. Often transplant programs are in large medical centers located near major US cities.

Pros and Cons

There are many positive aspects related to transplant nursing. One of the biggest pros is seeing a patient get a second chance at life. Also, transplants often improve a patient’s quality of life greatly. Playing a role in this transformation can be very rewarding. Transplant nurses are also often on the cutting edge of new technology and procedures, which can be exciting.

All nurses who work in a clinical setting, such as hospitals, will have to deal with stressful situations. As a nurse, you understand it comes with the territory of the job.

If you are a travel nurse looking for your next assignment, make sure to visit Soliant’s Travel Nursing Job page to find your next opportunity!

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Grace Hawkins

April 21, 2021

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5 Major Components for a Healthy Lifestyle for Travel Nurses

Most people aim at being healthy and productive all their lives. Unfortunately, the creation of humans is such that we become less energetic as we age. However, one can improve agility, overall health, and wellness by only focusing on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This is easily achievable in several ways that do not necessarily have to be complicated or taxing. Understanding the different aspects of a healthy lifestyle is all you need to master. The outline below covers these details extensively. Check them out to know what you can apply in your life.

Eat Right

Food plays a significant role in people’s health. It is the building block of the body. Your body needs fuel to run, and this fuel is obtained from the food one consumes. Taking the right types of food is key to ensuring that you are energetic and strong.  However, when choosing food, make sure it is a balanced diet. This means that your meals should consist of all essential nutrients.

In some cases, you may want to supplement vitamins and minerals, especially if you cannot get them directly from your food. Fortunately, there are numerous options on the supplements one can choose. You can always find great vitamins and mineral supplements at local pharmacies. Besides this, you may want to include herbal products just to help you manage conditions you may be suffering from.

Avoid Stress

Most people do not realize how bad stress is to their physical, mental, and general well-being.  Stress levels worsen most complications. It is best to avoid stressing yourself as this could trigger anxious feelings, not to mention that it could also lead to serious health complications. If you intend to prevent lifestyle diseases, consider getting into a stress-free lifestyle. 

This may mean taking breaks as much as you need to and investing in self-care activities. Do not allow any issues that are likely to put you under any form of stress.  This way, it is possible to avoid depression and chronic diseases triggered or made worse by stress. Various herbal remedies like CBD oil from https://cbdfx.com/10-facts-you-need-to-know-about-disposable-cbd-vape-pens/ can help alleviate stress when taken under an expert’s guidance.

Keep Moving

Exercise is essential for a healthy lifestyle. While you do not necessarily have to enroll in a gym to get the maximum benefits of regular exercise, make sure you move. Walk your dogs daily, play with your kids for at least thirty minutes, or even invest in-home workout programs on TV or online to keep yourself active and to move. 

It is the little changes that you make in your life to get you moving that make a real difference. No matter how busy you are, make sure to include an activity that will force you to move. This means that you should focus on workouts that keep different parts of your body active.

Sleep and Rest

One of the most crucial components of good health is getting enough sleep and rest. When people fail to rest well, they tend to have poor health. Hence, it’s essential to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily. Avoid overworking your body and instead take breaks every few hours, mostly if you work in busy environments. One of the ways of ensuring you enjoy better sleep is to have a conducive bedroom. Your bed must be comfortable enough to support your sleeping needs. Paint the bedroom in calming colors and consider having a smart speaker that can play soothing music as you sleep. 

Besides sleeping well, prioritize resting. Go on vacations, and get away from life’s busy schedules once in a while. Note that sleep and rest are crucial to a healthy lifestyle since they play a role in mood and brain functioning. It may also affect one’s ability to fight stress and weight gain/obesity. Making rest important will undoubtedly improve your general health.

Build Your Social Relationships

People with a close friend circle tend to be healthier and happier. In the same way, families that bond and maintain a close relationship also seem to have generally healthier and happier people. The knowledge that you have people to support you is crucial for mental health. Besides that, social gatherings tend to boost people’s moods since it’s the time when you interact with various people.  

Social well-being fills you with a sense of belonging and love. Even the strongest people in the world need love and care. Sometimes we all get vulnerable and break down. It is at such times the assurance that you have a close circle helps a lot. Invest in having the right relationships for overall wellness.

Final Thoughts

Whatever you have to do to get yourself healthy is a priority. Make sure to invest in the right routines and products. Eat healthy, workout, enjoy good company, and above all, rest and relax. Doing these simple things is one of the easiest ways to have a great healthy life free of guilt.

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!)

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By AB Staffing Solutions

April 20, 2021

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Travel Nurse Crisis Contracts Have Ended – What’s Next?

This article was provided by: AB Staffing Solutions.

Were you working crisis contracts during 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19? You may have noticed recently that these contracts have ended, but there will continue to be endless opportunities for travel nurses this year.  It’s an interesting time to be in the healthcare industry as we experience shifts from traditional nursing roles to other opportunities, like administering vaccines. While there is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, there is also a high demand for nurses.

As travel nurse crisis contracts have declined, what’s next?

While some nurses are opting to retire, others are coming out of retirement to fulfill what they feel is their duty to the community, while still others are accepting less stressful positions. Wherever you land next, we encourage you to leverage your license to work in other environments and continue to serve in communities across the country.

Demand is High 

The demand for travel nurses remains high due to high stress, low retention, retiring nurses, and a pre-pandemic shortage. That means hospitals still need travelers to cover shifts, and fill gaps in areas where they simply don’t have the skills, experience, or people to cover patient care. What does this mean for travel nurses? It means continued opportunities to grow your experience and see parts of the country that you’ve always wanted to experience or serve in communities of need. Expand existing skills, learn new skills, and live the lifestyle you’ve wanted as you explore.

Pay Rates

While pay rates are no longer what they were at the height of the pandemic, we do not anticipate them to be lower than pre-pandemic. During the last year, the industry saw critical care crisis travel nurses earning as much as $8-10,000 per week; those rates have gone back down and are now closer to $2000-2500 per week. The Top Travel Nursing Specialties include critical care and emergency room, as even without a pandemic people are sick and accident-prone, among other reasons, and need hospital care. Travelers tend to earn more than staff nurses so while the crisis rates are no longer, you will likely continue to earn more than your staff counterparts, as you did before the pandemic.

Increased Opportunities

One of the new areas where we see a need is in Screening and Vaccination positions. There are parts of the country that need medical professionals to administer the vaccine; they don’t have enough clinicians to provide this much-needed service. You can help be part of the nationwide effort to immunize Americans when you work on one of these contracts. If you’re considering coming out of retirement, this is also a great way to travel and use your nursing expertise.

Travel Assignments

The AB Staffing travel nurse assignments are returning to 13+ weeks and are more stable than crisis contracts. Shorter assignments and abrupt cancellations due to low need are not anticipated to be as prominent in the coming months and years. Because of this and higher demand, your contract may be extended past the 13-week mark. That means more opportunities to learn and connect with your team and community.

New Areas to Explore

In addition to more traditional hospital and clinic settings, we are seeing a greater demand for nurses in more unconventional positions. TV and movie productions need nurses and healthcare staff for COVID screenings, school nurses are needed for medically fragile children, and Correctional facilities are in need of nurses to help care for inmates. Some of these are longer term contracts to consider and a great way to leverage your nursing license to work in other environments.

As you’re coming out of a crisis contract, we encourage you to Give Yourself a Break and take time to rest. The patients will be here when you’re ready. Don’t burn yourself out so that you’re unable to return or don’t want to come back.

If you’ve considered becoming a travel nurse, we encourage you to explore the opportunity with AB Staffing. Our team is here to answer your questions, learn more about you, and match you to a contract that makes sense for your experience and lifestyle.

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!)

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Fastaff Travel Nursing

April 17, 2021

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Live to Inspire: Travel Nurses on the Front Lines

This article was provided by Fastaff.

Healthcare professional’s reaction to the COVID pandemic is remarkable. They are undeniably heroes from immediately jumping to the frontlines, providing care during unimaginable experiences, and sustaining through different waves of the virus.

Throughout 2020 and into 2021, we’ve been fortunate to have Fastaff travel nurses share their experiences with us and in the news. We are proud to share the stories of a few of our fearless Fastaff nurses who have braved the front lines for their patients. These interviews capture how these individuals demonstrated extreme adaptability in times of heightened stress and the true essence of what it means to be passionate about nursing. And always, thank you to our nurses and all healthcare professionals for your courage and resilience during the COVID pandemic. 

Are you a travel nurse who has worked the frontlines during the COVID pandemic? Would you like to share your story? Comment them below. For more information, stories and advice on the COVID pandemic click here.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

More about Fastaff: First To Serve, First In Pay Fastaff Travel Nursing has built a solid reputation with the country’s top facilities, which allows us to offer premier — and often exclusive — assignments and premium pay: up to $3,528/week.

Fastaff is completely committed to providing our travel nurses with opportunities to achieve financial freedom. Our unique and flexible model offers shorter assignments (anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks) with guaranteed hours — another way we care for our team. This flexibility allows our travel nurses to choose how long they want to work without sacrificing their financial security. Our team of dedicated professionals works with our nurses every step of the way.

From finding the perfect assignment match to arranging travel and housing, troubleshooting, and responding to individual requests and needs, our team is dedicated to ensuring our travel nurses are satisfied with every Fastaff experience. Fastaff offers our travel nurses a highly competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) options, free educational opportunities, license reimbursement, paid travel and housing, and a nurse perks program.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Medical Staffing Options

April 16, 2021

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Travel Nurses Traveling with Family

This article was provided by Medical Staffing Options.

A travel nurse can travel all over the country, taking RN travel jobs wherever they go. They might travel to a sunny destination like California, Arizona, or Florida to escape winter’s cold. In the summer, maybe they’ll advantage of the season to enjoy outdoor adventures in the wilds of Alaska. The sky’s the limit, making this career an especially exciting one, but is it only for those who are single or have a travel nursing partner?

Many nurses automatically assume that travel nursing jobs are only for those who can easily pick up and go at any time without a family to worry about. But the reality is, this is a flexible career that allows a registered nurse to travel with their family if they choose to. While it may take some planning ahead, it’s an incredible opportunity to explore new places, create shared memories, and spend more quality time with the ones you love in between shifts.

Agencies That Allow Travel Nurses to Travel with Their Family

family

Nearly all agencies allow travel nurses to travel with their families, but as with anything, some are better at handling the challenges that can come with it. After checking out Medical Staffing Options RN jobs, for example, you’ll want to speak to a recruiter to find out their level of experience in working with a registered nurse who travels with family. Even if they have limited or no experience, as long as they’re willing to put in the extra effort, that can go a long way in ensuring a positive outcome.  A good recruiter will take care of all the details, ensuring that a travel nurse and their family have all the resources needed for a successful assignment.

Housing Considerations

Of course, when traveling with family, there are other things to thinking about, like housing. Typically, a travel nurse is provided with a furnished one-bedroom apartment or another type of similar accommodation at no cost. Some agencies like Medical Staffing Options even have a dedicated travel and housing department that can help you find the job and accommodations that best fit your life.  For those who need more space to bring a spouse and the kids, it’s usually possible to pay the additional cost for more bedrooms. Or you might choose to take the housing stipend and secure your own space.

Some nurses travel with their families in RVs, which allows them to take home even more money. Usually, the housing stipend is quite a bit more than the cost of parking the RV and paying for utilities, which means there’s quite a bit left over to save, use for enjoying the attractions and activities in the area, or something else. When the assignment is over, it’s easy to go to the next one as there’s no packing and unpacking. All you have to do is drive.

What About School?

If you have school-aged kids, you can still travel as many travel nurses do. In fact, the opportunity to visit multiple destinations, learn more about them and take part in experiences they wouldn’t necessarily get back home is an education in itself. There’s no one right way to do it – some travel nurses choose to home school their kids, while others take only summer travel assignments while school is out.

Childcare Considerations

There are other considerations for those with young children. Travel nurses who travel with a non-working spouse usually don’t have to worry about it but traveling on your own or with a partner who will be working means making the necessary childcare arrangements. While that may sound difficult, by getting in touch with nurses already working in the area, there’s a good possibility that you’ll get recommendations. Your recruiter might know someone you can talk to or at least lead you in the right direction. Another option is to search travel nursing forums to see if you can connect with someone working at the facility or in the destination. Either way, getting it set up before you arrive is essential to ensure you’re ready for your first day on the job.

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