NursesEverywhere is a voluntary non-partisan coalition based in New Orleans comprised of nationally and internationally recognized health care leaders and innovators committed to improving health outcomes. The organization is dedicated to educating the public about their rights to access nursing care.
You Didn’t Have To- Brown & Grey
During the 2020 holidays, NursesEverywhere shared an incredible song by Brown & Grey, “You Didn’t Have Too,” for everyone to acknowledge their beyond-expectation efforts throughout the Covid pandemic.
Now, utilizing this song and its message of gratitude to nurses, we are looking for celebratory video montages with the song as background.
Competition Outline
Click, and you will see a sample of the Contest – NursesEverywhere and read the competition outline. I know about all those talented and spirited nurses all over. We are hoping that several units/services might want to participate and compete among themselves and nationally.
The competition is April 1- May 15, and the winners of the #ThankANurseContest will be announced the last week of May – just in time to close out the 2021 celebration of Nurses Month!
Good luck with this contest! If you have any questions about this contest please refer them to NursesEverywhere.
If you love contests, check out our Gypsy Nurse Contest Page. We frequently run fun contests for amazing prizes. Be sure to check back often as we change them out as often as possible.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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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!”
Spring is finally here, and that means assignments are in full force. If you haven’t decided where to head next, we’ve created a list of highly suggested areas that could help make up your mind. Whether you like hiking, national parks, hot attractions, the beach, or secluded wooded cabins, the perfect spring assignment is waiting.
Check out these hot spots that should be topping your spring locations to consider this year:
Like they always say, everything’s bigger in Texas! Including your options on where to travel. Texas has 80 state parks across the entire state, which means lots of options for camping, hiking, fishing, or whatever your outdoor heart desires.
Texas has it all! Want to go to a beach? Got it! A buzzing city? They have MANY! Maybe you’re more of a country and relaxed pace of living person–there’s a small charming Lone Star town with your name on it. Texas is a HOT area for all travelers year-round, but spring in Texas sounds pretty nice to us, and the job options are plentiful.
Maine is definitely a must-stop for all travelers! The scenery throughout the entire state is stunning. Many travelers suggest making a full road trip just to see its beautiful scenery. It’s highly suggested to get out of the buzzing city life and experience the small towns in Maine, especially along the coast.
Obviously, Maine is known for its dining – and specifically for lobster! What better chance to find the best seafood stop or find a great small local business to support. April and May are peak whale-watching months, and we hear Maine’s coast has prime viewing to see these amazing creatures come to the surface. Truly a must-see adventure!
Arizona is known for its deserts and hiking but also its sweltering weather. So why not avoid the mid-summer 100+ temps and adventure on in before the heat waves come through?
The state has many breath-taking views through many parks and hiking trails, and this alone makes the trip worth it. The Grand Canyon National Park is a MUST for any traveler! And for any baseball fans – you already know Arizona is the place to be for Spring Training.
North Carolina is a highly requested location for almost every traveler. It really has it all! The southern warmth, beaches, greenery, and much more. They have many beaches along the coast where you can hang out in the sand, surf, paddleboard, or even boat!
Maybe you’re more into the greener side of NC, with beautiful mountain views and hiking trails, including the Pisgah National Forest, which has over 250 waterfalls! We also hear the brewery and winery scene in NC is top-tier if that’s what floats your boat!
All four of these states have so much to see and do and a ton of available jobs for you to choose from. No matter your area of specialty, you’ll be able to start planning your next few months of work and play.
Wherever you end up this spring, make sure you enjoy some amazing adventures!
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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!”
Although most agencies can arrange housing for travel nurses on assignment, some RNs prefer to accept a stipend and find their own places to stay. If you’re searching for short-term travel nurse housing, here are five things to keep in mind.
1. How your stipend works and what that means for acquiring housing
Chances are, rental costs will be a primary consideration when it comes to housing, so before you begin your search, find out how much your stipend will be and when you’ll receive it. Most agencies add a percentage of the stipend to your weekly paycheck rather than paying it upfront, and amounts can vary substantially by location, so what you received on your last assignment may be different than what you’ll receive on your next assignment.
How your stipend is disbursed can impact your ability to pay for housing. Talk with your recruiter about any financial deposits needed before you secure your place. Other initial expenses include fees or deposits for utility hookups, such as electricity, water, and the internet. Your recruiter will be able to assist you with all of this, so don’t be hesitant to ask.
2. The availability of short-term housing
Many nurses who opt for a stipend are shocked to learn how scarce short-term housing is in some regions. Travel nurse assignments average only 13 weeks, but rentals may require tenants to sign leases for longer than that. If there are short-term housing options in the area, travel nurses may find themselves on long waiting lists.
Realtors who specialize in rental units can be great resources for travel nurses, particularly in urban areas where businesses regularly host temporary staff, contractors, and visiting employees. Websites such as Furnished Finder can also help you find furnished, short-term housing.
3. The importance of location
If you’re traveling to an unfamiliar town or city, location should be a major consideration in your housing search, and you should never commit to a rental without knowing exactly where it’s located. Most importantly, make sure your temporary home is situated in a safe neighborhood and has convenient routes to work.
Websites such as AreaVibes let you see neighborhood crime statistics so you can choose your housing wisely, and a mapping app can show you all the available routes to your workplace. Many apps do account for traffic, so plot your route at the times of day you’ll likely be commuting for an accurate idea of commute times.
Because most travel nurses secure their housing before arrival, make sure you see current pictures of any property you’re considering. Reading reviews from current and former tenants before signing a lease is another great way to discover any housing complex highlights and lowlights.
4. Your personal housing needs
Consider your personal housing needs when searching for a place to stay. Most travel nurses require furnished housing, but you may have other needs that are unique to your situation. If you’re traveling with pets, for example, you’ll need a pet-friendly rental. If you’re traveling with school-aged children, the local school district can be a big consideration.
Personal preferences may also factor into your decision. Some RNs want a ground-floor unit for convenience, and others prefer the security and privacy of an upper-level apartment, especially if they’ll be living alone.
5. Alternatives to apartment rentals
When searching for housing, remember that there are alternatives to apartments. Some great prospects for temporary housing include:
Friends and relatives. By rooming with loved ones, you can enjoy an extended visit while saving money.
Extended-stay hotels. Some hotels offer extended stays for reasonable prices, and you can benefit from housekeeping services.
Vacation rentals. If your assignment takes you to a prime vacation destination such as the seashore, take advantage of vacation rentals, especially in the off-season when prices drop. You may find inexpensive housing with a relaxing vacation vibe.
Airbnb. Airbnb lets you find short-term housing that offers local flavor and hospitality.
RVs. In regions that have camping facilities, renting an RV can be a unique approach to short-term housing.
Talk to your recruiter.
If you’re feeling unsure about travel nurse housing, don’t hesitate to reach out to your agency. Staffing specialists often have experience with and knowledge about short-term housing options available near your assignment. They can also talk to you about the benefits and convenience of opting for company-arranged housing.
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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!”
If you’re thinking about becoming a travel nurse, it is important to consider the good and the bad. You will have many perks, including higher pay, great experience, and traveling to new areas, but you may also be asked to float during your assignment. This is especially true in areas impacted by winter weather and the pandemic.
When you float, you’re asked to move from one department to another for coverage. A common one is from ICU to a stepdown unit, but it’s not always like that. You may be working in other areas of the hospital, making it important to stay in touch with your on-site manager and your AB Staffing recruiter. You will need to keep them in the loop so they understand what is happening and can address any concerns.
As a floater during a travel assignment, you may be sent to another unit to cover shifts, breaks, and shortages in other areas of the facility. The reason is that hospitals are required by federal and state requirements to have a certain number of nurses per patient. While it can be challenging, the work can also be rewarding, especially if you like a new experience regularly. For others, it can be a struggle. In this article, we offer tips for success when you have to float.
Floating During a Travel Assignment
As a travel nurse, it is common to be asked to be a floater. This will likely happen more if you are in a private or commercial hospital compared to a federal facility. Every hospital has a different policy, so make sure to ask your recruiter before taking the contract. They should be able to give you an idea of how often it will happen at that specific facility. If you accept a contract and are asked to float and don’t want to, there may be little we can do except move you to another facility at the end of your contract.
Will there be an orientation for your new unit?
Likely, there will not be an orientation, and you will be learning on the job. While some travel nurses love the challenge, others may find it frustrating. Either way, it will be important to ask questions, pay attention, and stay calm. Follow the lead of the other nurses and take advantage of the learning experience.
When will you be asked to float?
It’s likely you will be asked to float at the beginning of your shift to cover an area in need of help, whether due to a patient-to-nurse ratio or a nurse shortage. It is probable you will stay in that unit for your entire shift.
How does a hospital choose where to send a floater?
They will, or should, send you to a unit that is similar to your skills and experience. They are unlikely to send a labor and delivery nurse to ICU as those are opposite ends of the spectrum, but if you’re an ICU nurse, you may be sent to Med Surg or similar.
You should never be asked to work on a unit where you do not understand the basics. Once you arrive, observe all that you can. Our nurses tell us they often learn something they can bring to their unit or improve a process as they observe others. If you’re not comfortable where you are moved, speak to your supervisor and recruiter. Your patients and your license should never be at risk.
Is the pay different when you float?
In general, travel nurse pay is higher than staff nurses. When you are asked to float during your shift, your payment will be the same as your department. There are separate opportunities to be a float pool nurse, and they generally are paid higher rates receive an average of 15% more than their permanent counterparts. Work with your recruiter to negotiate a contract that makes sense for you, your family, and your skills and experience.
What to do if you feel floating is getting excessive?
Your recruiter is your advocate, so we always encourage you to speak to them. If something seems unfair about what you are doing on any travel assignment, communicate it so that we can offer guidance to resolve the issue. We never want you or your license to be at risk.
When you’re floating during a travel assignment, communication with your on-site team and AB Staffing recruiter is key to your success. The experience of floating can prove to be educational, expanding your skills and experience.
If you’re ready for your next travel assignment, contact AB Staffing today at 888.515.3900.
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!”
Starting a new job is nerve-wracking. Starting a new job every 13 weeks as a travel nurse is even more so. Finding ways to calm your nerves will help make the process so much easier. Fellow travel nurses on our Facebook group offered advice and tips to handle the nerves that come with starting your first travel nurse assignment or any new travel nurse assignment you are starting.
Tips to calm your nerves before your assignment
1. Explore your new area
Get out and explore your new area. This will help keep your mind off your new travel nurse assignment. It will also help you become familiar with where you will be living for the next 13 weeks. While out exploring, you can find restaurants, stores, and places to hang out. Changing jobs and locations every 13 weeks can make you feel lonely. By exploring your new area, you may find new friends and/or things to do to find new friends.
2. Arrive Early
This will allow time to get to know the area and do exploring without worrying about jumping right into your new travel nurse assignment. Planning to arrive early will also ensure that even with delays along the way, you will arrive at your new hospital/ nursing facility on time or even early. Arriving early will also allow you time to set up your new living space/apartment; setting up and making the living space more your own will also help your nerves.
3. Go to the hospital/ nursing facility in advance
Knowing the amount of time it takes to get to your new hospital/ nursing facility before your first day helps ease your nerves a bit the first day. Also, knowing where the staff parking is, the entrance you will be using, etc., will make your first day go more smoothly as well. A fellow nurse even suggested going into the hospital/nursing facility and exploring where you will be working and knowing the inside and the outside. Getting to know the floor you will be working on before your first shift will ease some nerves. You will know where you are going and have an advantage.
4. Stay Busy
You will have plenty to do when you first arrive; unpacking, setting up your living space, and getting familiar with your area. You may find that your new place needs some cleaning as well as being set up. Hobbies are also a great way to keep yourself busy before you start your travel nurse assignment. Just keeping yourself busy will also keep your mind busy and keep your mind off your first or newest travel nurse assignment.
5. Have a drink
When all else fails, have a drink. Many travel nurses suggest having a drink to calm your nerves. Just a simple drink to help calm you down. You don’t have to go out to have a drink you can enjoy one in your new home. However, if you feel like going out and exploring, this would be a great way. The drink will help calm your nerves, and you will find a possible place to unwind in the future.
These are just a few tips to help you calm your nerves before your travel nurse assignment. We hope this list will help make your next travel assignment a little easier and help calm your nerves about starting a new travel nurse assignment.
If you are looking for a means to relax and calm your nerves read Gypsy Yoga for First Day Nerves, it offers great information on how Yoga can help you calm your nerves
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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!”
With warmer weather, sunshine, blooming flowers, and fresh-cut grass just around the corner, it’s time to start searching for that ideal spring Medical Staffing Options assignment. A favorite season for many, it’s all about renewal, and these top destinations are sure to fit the bill if you’re looking to get re-energized in an exciting new setting.
5 top destinations for travel nurses during spring
Washington State
Springtime in Washington State is ideal for enjoying everything from outdoor adventures to cultural attractions. Discover unparalleled natural beauty in Olympic National Park, spectacular hikes in the Cascade Mountains, opportunities to paddle countless glistening waterways, and famous spots like Seattle’s Pike Place Market. The season also hosts some great events like the month-long Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and Ale Fest in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth and kicking off whale watching excursions. All that, and Washington is known for offering some of the higher salaries along with high levels of satisfaction on the job. Medical Staffing Option’s Job Search can help you find that next perfect step in your career.
Texas
Spring in Texas sees some of the most pleasant weather of the year, along with colorful wildflowers, scenic trails, and tranquil pools for swimming in Hill Country. It’s also a season that attracts music lovers from across the nation and beyond with a wealth of events like Hot Luck in Austin, a combination culinary/music feast over Memorial Day weekend, El Paso’s Neon Desert Music Festival, and the Texas Crawfish & Music Festival in Houston. Search #GowithMSO to find an assignment among the state’s renowned healthcare institutions, taking advantage of the opportunity for professional and personal growth.
Wisconsin
Jobs for travel nurses in Wisconsin tend to boast some of the highest pay rates versus the cost of living while bringing outdoor enthusiasts many opportunities to bike, hike, kayak, and more. The capital city of Madison often lands on lists as one of the best places to live in the country, with a reputation for fantastic food and a thriving music/arts scene. Door County, the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” is home to charming towns along Lake Michigan, over 300 miles of shoreline, beaches, and lighthouses. With so many things to do in the spring, it is a great assignment destination.
Virginia
Virginia offers something for everyone, from a growing wine scene and beautiful beaches to rich history with sites like Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Mount Vernon to explore. Making it the perfect spring assignment destination. Of course, it’s next door to Washington, D.C., renowned for its spectacular cherry blossoms in the spring, with a festival to celebrate the blooms. The Old Dominion State is also home to many outstanding hospitals – a Medical Staffing Options search is likely to turn up plenty of higher-paying assignments with perks like bonuses often included too.
Colorado
Spring in Colorado typically brings a mix of sunshine and occasional days with snow, which melts quickly but still provides opportunities for late-season skiing in the state’s renowned resorts. No matter what the weather, by searching #GowithMSO for assignments in the Denver metro area, you’ll typically find the pay higher while being just a short drive from the Rocky Mountains. Enjoy everything from whizzing down the slopes to waterfall hikes and abundant wildlife watching, including moose, elk, and bighorn sheep. Plus, there are endless opportunities for world-class dining and shopping along with a wealth of attractions in the city, from the Denver Aquarium to Colorado Rockies’ games, with the season kicking off in April.
We hope you found this list of top destinations for travel nurses this spring. Have you found a great spring destination you would like to share? Comment them below.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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!”
Spring is a time of change and renewal. In any year, the warmer weather is a welcome change from the dark winter months that came before. And this year, spring is especially anticipated as we emerge from a tough winter.
Like many other nurses, you may wish to embrace this spirit of change by shifting your career to a new specialty or setting. After all, what better way to renew your love of nursing than by taking on a new challenge — one that’s better suited to your skills and preferences?
The fact is, nurses, make career adjustments all the time as they pursue new and better opportunities and attempt to improve their prospects. It could be a matter of moving from the intensity of a hospital ICU to delivering general patient care in a skilled nursing facility. Or, it could involve shifting to a different facility type — like from a clinic to an LTAC facility.
For travel nurses, there’s even more value in working in new settings. The pandemic has caused a huge rise in the use and recognition of full-time travel nurses. On the other hand, this higher profile is likely to inspire many new nurses to start traveling. As the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) continues to expand, the number of nurses traveling to other states for assignments will only continue to grow.
While that’s mostly good news, it could also mean more competition for existing travel nurses. And that’s all the more reason to consider expanding your specialty or facility experience. Before you consider making that kind of change, below are a few questions you should ask yourself.
4 questions to ask yourself before changing your nursing specialty
1. What’s your motivation?
First, it’s important to nail down what you’re looking for in a career change. Are you seeking a new experience or a chance to work with patients at different stages of the care continuum? Are you feeling burned out in your current role, dissatisfied with your environment, or have you reached a level you can’t advance beyond? Maybe you want to move from a big city to a small town?
There are a number of possibilities here. But if you feel like what you’re really looking for is an escape from your existing situation, then you may want to consider a short-term travel assignment (most are about 13 weeks). That way, you’ll have a chance to sample a new career path before committing to a huge life change that you may not necessarily be ready for.
2. How does the change line up with your personal situation?
If you do have your heart set on an entirely new type of specialty, there are some serious personal factors to consider. For example, how will the salary of the new specialty affect your personal finances — both today and in terms of future goals like retirement or homeownership?
Will you need new certifications for your new job? Will you need to go back to school? In most instances, this probably won’t be necessary. However, if you’re looking to shift to an advanced practice position like a nurse practitioner or certified nurse anesthetist, then you’ll want to factor in the time and cost of heading back to school.
3. Are you up for the challenge?
Some of the nursing specialties that have become in demand due to the pandemic (especially post-acute care) are, by their very nature, intense and stressful. In addition to the physical endurance required, do you have the personality type to manage that type of lifestyle? Will you need to take a step backward in your career path to get the basic entry-level experience you need to land a job — and if so, are you prepared to do that?
Do your research — ask other nurses you work with, or do some networking on social media. (Or browse the huge, highly informative archive at the Gypsy Nurse Blog.) Other nurses will be happy to tell you what it takes to succeed in a given specialty. At that point, it’s up to you to be honest with yourself as to whether you’re really ready for that kind of change.
4. Do you know how to find a job in your new specialty?
The chances are that if you have your sights set on a new specialty, you have a pretty good idea of where you’d like that job to be. If not, it’s easy to check — nursing job companies offer regularly updated job listings that can show you what’s available at any given time and in any given location.
If you’re seeking to refresh your nursing career, CareerStaff Unlimited has various opportunities across the United States. Visit CareerStaff.com to learn more or to see what nursing jobs we have available right now.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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!”
As if traveling as a medical professional for the first time isn’t a whirlwind in itself, let’s throw in a pandemic, and hey, why not top it off with a wildfire? That’s what 26-year-old Med Surg RN Stan John faced during his inaugural assignment as a travel nurse.
Getting His Start as a Travel Nurse:
First, let us give you some of Stan’s background. As the middle child of three boys, Stan grew up in Mumbai, India. He was 19 and in his first year of college when his family’s visa papers were processed, and they moved to the US, settling in Chicago almost seven years ago.
“We came to the US, and I had to start over from scratch,” he said, referring not only to rebuilding their lives here in the states but also to his progress in college. So, he enrolled in nursing classes at a local college.
Graduating in the spring of 2019 with a degree in his back pocket, Stan began working as a Med Surg RN at a Level 1 trauma and teaching facility in Park Ridge, Illinois. He met his then-girlfriend, Lynn, who was a CNA. And as they say, the rest is history. Stan and Lynn were hitched in March of 2020 in an online ceremony. You know, “COVID-style.”
Shortly after, he started the search for a travel assignment. Now, a year of experience is not much in the world of nursing. But Stan had charge nurse experience, and COVID-19 opened some doors for newer nurses who were desperately needed in hotspot cities all over the country. Plus, he was confidently up for the challenge of travel nursing in the middle of a pandemic. This is good because little did he know Stan would test his confidence.
Soon, Stan found himself chatting with more than 20 recruiters, creating profiles with dozens of different agencies, which, unfortunately, left him feeling like ‘just another number.’
“Most of the recruiters were just so proud, and they were like, ‘well, you don’t have experience,’” he said. “They were seeing me as a burden saying, ‘Oh, we can’t do anything for you.’”
Enter Mr. Coby Wallingford, Stan’s recruiter at Triage. Coby told Stan he would try his best, making him feel like an actual priority—a welcomed change of pace.
“Coby, his attitude was so humble; he focused on me and, you know, he saw me as a priority,” Stan said. “I was like, ‘man, this guy’s good,’ and that’s how I knew Triage was for me.” Coby helped him find an assignment in Oregon starting in August 2020.
This is Where it Gets Crazy:
As a US resident of only six years at the time, Stan wasn’t quite sure where Oregon was but heard it was beautiful. Once he found it on the map (wink), he and his wife, Lynn, headed West and began their travel nurse adventure together.
Fast forward a few weeks into his first assignment as a travel nurse. Lynn wakes him up—it’s 2:30 in the afternoon. The firefighters were knocking on their door, telling them they had to evacuate immediately because of wildfires ravaging the surrounding land and inching closer.
Throwing everything they owned in their car, they headed toward the hospital in Medford, where Stan worked. Generally, this is a call-out-of-work kind of event, but not in the life of a nurse. This is their “Clark Kent enters a telephone booth and emerges Superman” moment. Whenever disaster strikes, medical professionals are on the frontline—always.
“I called the hospital and said, ‘hey, I’m coming into work, but my wife is with me, and I need a place for her,’” he explained. They told him, no problem, get to the hospital safely.
Upon arrival, Stan was told to stay on standby because he was needed at a community hospital in Ashland, where the wildfires were known to have started. They were waiting for a police escort to open barricades and somewhere for Stan’s wife, Lynn, to go.
As luck would have it, Lynn’s former middle school teacher had moved to Southern Oregon from Chicago a few years prior. The teacher, now an angel in disguise, offered them a place to stay.
Knowing his wife was safe, Stan and another Triage travel nurse, Kathy, made the unforgettable trip to lend a hand to the small town victims. As police escorts were racing ahead of them to open barricades, Stan looked around at the highway ablaze. It was like a scene from a movie.
At that point, shh…. stuff got real, REAL quick.
Disclaimer: this is not a typical situation, obviously. It’s one we’re in awe of, which is why we took the time to talk with Stan about his and Kathy’s wild, crazy ride through the Oregon wildfires of 2020.
Stan describes what he saw:
Literally, there was a fire on both sides of the road we were driving through. I thought, ‘I can’t believe it; this is serious.’ All I can see is smoke and red blazing everywhere. Signs on the highways were burning; trees were burning, cars are exploding on the sides of the road—a bunch of cars. We were driving through it, and we were really close…I was scared.
Stan also knew that Ashland, being such a rural town, didn’t have multiple fire departments like where he lived in Chicago. It also had a heck of a lot more trees than Chicago.
“Everything was blazing in front of my eyes, the trees are burning, and I’m thinking, ‘I don’t even know where we could run to, the fire was too far,” he said.
Walking into the hospital, shoving aside his fear, Stan went into nurse-mode—consoling his patients who were terrified and distraught after losing everything they had.
With cell towers on fire, internet was spotty at best. Phones were down; people couldn’t communicate to their family they were safe (including Lynn, trying to reach Stan without luck). The hospital’s Epic system was down, so they had to chart the old-school way—paper and pen. When you’re dealing with heavy medication and a highly stressful situation where the possibility for mistakes is already greater…that’s an issue. But he and the staff kept their cool, knowing they had to be there for their patients to deliver the best care possible.
“You know, like 90% of the city of Ashland was destroyed,” he said. “So, I told them, ‘hey, you’re not alone over here. Other employees’ houses and businesses have burned down from the wildfire, so you are not alone. There will be a solution once everything finishes.”
Even though a literal dark cloud of the wildfire hung over them, every person there rallied around each other as members of the same community, facing the same horrific event.
“We all worked together in that hospital,” Stan said. And that’s exactly how they all made it to the other side of this ordeal safe.
No Regrets, Only Gratitude:
When asked if he wishes he had a crystal ball and could see a glimpse into the future before taking this assignment, he answered:
No, I’m glad I experienced this. It was scary, but I’m glad I went through this because I know how to react in these situations now. If a patient is hysterical, I know how to react and stay calm and get them to focus on the bigger picture of life. I can keep others calm, so I need to use the resources I have to help others during the situation.
Stan felt he was up to the challenge of his first travel nurse assignment being in the middle of a pandemic, and boy, did he deliver. The recruiters who told him he couldn’t hang—well, how do you like him now?
To say we’re thankful that both Stan and Kathy were safe throughout the wildfire is an understatement, and we’re beyond grateful to them for taking on this unexpected literal firestorm of an assignment. Situations like this wildfire are exactly why travel nurses and medical pros are needed, though. Smaller, rural communities across the US need help from professionals like these two. It’s why we do what we do.
What did he learn from the entire experience other than he’s pretty much a badass, and his superpower keeps people calm in insanely intense situations?
“I learned that America is a great country and we have a lot of resources here,” he said. “The government did stand up and make sure their people are safe and I knew the hospital would be the safest space to be. I’m very thankful for life and glad to be alive.”
The major takeaway from Stan’s travel nurse story?
“Be grateful for every day. I tell my patients that now, too,” he said. You heard him—nurse’s orders.
And this is why we refer to our medical professionals as heroes—because they are.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
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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!”
When you are looking for housing as a travel nurse, a lot of the time, your search for places that are fully furnished will overlap with vacationers looking for a furnished place to rent during their time away. With the number of people being vaccinated for Covid 19 is on the rise, there is a good chance people will be spending even more time this summer traveling to touristy areas.
Luckily, if you use a site like Furnished Finder, you can hopefully avoid some of this overlap. However, some landlords will still rent across more than one platform, meaning the cost of living could still go up during a busy season in certain areas. Here are a few ways to plan ahead for this scenario and still be able to find affordable travel nurse housing.
Tips for finding affordable travel nurse housing:
Do Your Research
The worst thing you can do is sign a contract with what you believe is a decent rate and then get blindsided by “high season” rental rates. In the winter, northern states or areas with lots of skiing availability may see a spike in rental prices. During the summer or around Spring Break, warmer areas will see a rise in the cost of living. If you aren’t sure if there is a seasonal swing in the area where you will be living, reach out on a housing Facebook group.
Contact Landlords Directly
Another huge advantage to renting from a site like Furnished Finder is you can make direct contact with landlords. Rather than just having to take rental prices at face value, you may be able to find better rates if you can explain that you will be renting for longer than someone on vacation. Guaranteed income can sometimes win out over higher rates from tourists in a landlord’s mind.
Some hospitals might be aware that during a busy tourist season, their normal rates will not suffice for short-term housing. If you really want to get to a certain location but are afraid you won’t be able to afford travel nurse housing, try to wait it out until you see a really great rate for that area. You never know what might pop up, so just be ready to jump on the contract if it is in an area you really want to get to.
Consider a Roommate
If you are single and travel solo, this is usually a fairly easy way to save some money on travel nurse housing. You can look for travel nurse roommates on any of the big travel nurse Facebook groups or even reach out to your recruiter to see if they have anyone else living in the area. Chances are, other travel nurses also want to avoid paying vacation prices for their short-term rental, so they may be eager to split rent with another traveler.
If you’ve done your research, watched contract prices for a while, and still cannot find what you would define as acceptable prices for housing, you may have to realize that this particular location won’t have the whole package available–ever. Some locations are notorious for being low-paying with a higher cost of living. Hawaii is a good example of this. Most veteran travelers will tell you that if you really want to experience these particular locations, your best bet is to go in expecting to pocket very little extra money and perhaps have money set aside for all of the fun expenses that come along with these more expensive spots.
The biggest thing you need to take away is that prices for short-term housing will naturally fluctuate in areas where there are seasonal activities or desirable seasonal weather. There are still travel nurses who take assignments in these areas year-round, so obviously, it is doable! You just have to decide what the best choice is for you and your financial situation and make the best housing choices you can.
We hope you found these tips for finding affordable travel nurse housing helpful. Have you found any other ways to find affordable travel nurse housing? Comment them below if you would like to share your tips for finding affordable travel nurse housing.
If you are a travel nurse looking for housing for your next assignment, check out our Housing Page!
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