March 12, 2021

5649 Views

Can Your Relationship Survive Long-Distance? 3 Ways to Know…

Posted on March 12, 2021November 28, 2023 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article was provided by Jackson Nursing Professionals.

While travel nursing comes with many ups, long-distance romances can be a downfall if you or your partner aren’t equipped for it. Many travel nurses involved in romantic relationships find themselves maintaining their partnerships from afar. Still, it takes a lot of drive, dedication, and effort from both ends to make it last.

If you’re ready to take your nursing career on the road, but you’re not sure about leaving your significant other behind, here’s how to know if the time is right:

Are you willing to put in the extra communication effort?

Long-distance relationships can work – but it’s work. Surprisingly, research conducted a few years ago shows that long-distance couples can be more satisfied with their communication than couples who live near each other. Wow, right? With that in mind, long-distance requires that you either “over-communicate” or set aside time in a way that works for both of you. For instance, you may need to schedule a video chat every night, make a rule on discussing serious matters through text, or set a time to talk every day. If one end of the relationship starts to drop the conversation, it just can’t work long-term.

Does your partner support your travel nursing career?

One of the many benefits of a relationship is having that steady support system. But, if your partner doesn’t believe in your career as a traveling nurse, you may begin to doubt your decision to travel or even find it difficult to share your experiences. An interesting study conducted by Washington University in St. Louis found that your partner’s personality can play a direct role in whether or not you succeed in your career. According to the study, “workers who scored highest on measures of occupational success tended to have a spouse with a personality that scored high for conscientiousness.” So, a key question to ask yourself might be, “is my partner careful, attentive, hard-working, or ambitious?” If the answer is no, long-distance may not be the best choice for the two of you.

Are you willing to compromise?

According to Dr. Gabrielle Morrisey, before you ask your partner to “give up” something (like your nearness to them), you have to be willing to give up something yourself. It’s only fair. So, if your partner is willing to continue a relationship with you while you work as a traveling nurse, your compromise may be in the number of contracts you do back-to-back, or maybe it’s by traveling together – in between contracts – to areas you’re both interested in. Or, maybe you compromise by communicating more frequently than you might normally, especially if your partner is a better communicator than you. Most relationships require some kind of compromise; long-distance relationships just might (occasionally) require more.

Regardless of the distance between you, relationships are work. So, consider your answer to the above 3 questions before approaching your partner about pursuing a long-distance relationship. It might just save you (or them) a lot of heartache.

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By Mira Adora

March 10, 2021

5173 Views

4 Effective Tips for Travel Nurses to Stay Fit While on Assignment

Posted on March 10, 2021January 16, 2023 by Mira Adora

It’s challenging to stay fit when you’re traveling around all the time. You can never fully know where you’re going to end up or if you’ll be able to properly exercise in your apartment.

1. Limit eating out

Sometimes, it’s hard to stay fit and healthy because preparing personal meals just takes too much time. However, if you plan and prepare in advance, you can get your healthy eating back on track.

Plan ahead. Once you have your schedule, it’s time to sit down with your meal plan. Figure out what you probably want to eat day by day. Think of simpler meals for shorter breaks, but pre-plan a treat on heavier days so you won’t be tempted to break your diet.

Shop only for what you need. Don’t go to the grocery without an exact list of what you want to buy. If you go ready to “wing it,” you will probably grab whatever you feel like eating at the moment and what you need to be eating throughout the week. A good technique is to treat yourself to a good meal before going to the grocery. Cravings satisfied, you’ll be less likely to buy what you see.

Pack meals and snacks. Make your food into easy-to-heat and easy-to-carry packages that are stacked in your fridge. Add healthy snacks to the mix. That way, every day, you can just grab your meals and head for work without breaking the streak.

2. Watch the alcohol intake

Alcohol, as you probably know, is just a whole lot of calories but no or very little nutrition. As a result, they add to your body mass with a vengeance. However, there are ways to manage both your fitness and alcohol intake.

Plan your drinking sessions. Since you are already planning your meals, take the drinking sessions into account. If you know you’re going out after work or on the weekend, manage your calories during the day. Stick with healthy meals, light, healthy snacks, and just water. If you’re having a quick midday drink, make your lunch fibrous and low-fat.

Early morning workouts. A great way to manage your calories is to burn them in anticipation. Waking up early for a quick workout will set the mood, wake up your metabolism and endorphins, and prepare you for a long day. It also helps you manage your mood, so you won’t try to drink more than you’ve planned to.

3. Get your sleep

Being on the job all day is indeed tiring, and your mind might seek “mindless” activities such as social media or watching a movie at the end of the day. While that does help get your mind off work and your day, it certainly cuts into your sleeping time.

Sleep speeds up the metabolism. As you know, our bodies convert carbohydrates to fat when our metabolism isn’t running well. When we don’t sleep well, our metabolism slows down painfully. Even if our eating habits are healthy, we still retain more of the food in the form of fat.

Sleep makes working out safer. If we want to continuously work out, we need enough sleep. Otherwise, we run the risk of pulling muscles and straining joints. Any injury would affect our work and limit our workouts. Without sleep, working out is more of a risk than an investment.

Sleep keeps your reactions normal. As a nurse, there are many delicate operations you need to do. While they might be as easy to do, like breathing, you would probably rather not risk letting anything go wrong with your patient. Enough sleep helps your work, your workouts, and your fitness schedule all at once.

4. Join a local gym as soon as you arrive at your assignment

Why a local gym and not a national gym chain? The main reason is that some assignments won’t be near enough to a gym chain franchise to be of any use to you. Local gyms usually have dependable equipment and are less rigid in their rules and policies, which large gym chains tend to be. What should you remember?

Bring your own gear. While local gyms are usually well-equipped, they will probably have less rental equipment. They are also likely to be rather far from basic stores that help you choose the right kind of sports bra, for example. So make sure even your athletic wear is already with you.

Research ahead. You will be exhausted and getting into your new job rhythm when you arrive. If you research beforehand, you can call the local gyms and check how far they are from your home and workplace, so you know where to sign up when you arrive. You also want to know if they will give you a limited membership that accommodates the length of time you are at that assignment.

We hope you found these tips to help you stay fit helpful. As a travel nurse you are always changing locations, jobs and sometimes lifestyles. Staying fit can be difficult. Have you found ways to stay fit while travel nursing that we didn’t list here? Comment them below.

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By Egbert Feron

March 9, 2021

5249 Views

How to Continue Acquiring New Nursing Skills While Working

Posted on March 9, 2021January 16, 2023 by Egbert Feron

Being a nurse is such a joy; there is so much fulfillment you get when you are helping people who really need it. When you are a nurse, there are always new nursing skills that you must add to your toolbox; it is a job that requires evolution and frequently. Through this article, you will discover the skills that all nurses need to be reliable and successful nurses anywhere in the world.

What Skills Are Needed?

One of the most important nursing skills one must acquire is to be able to think on the spot, critical thinking. When you are able to think under pressure and think quickly, this is a great advantage. As a nurse, you may be required to work with a new team at a new location, so being flexible with your ideas is a great asset. As a nurse, all the patients you will be serving are different. They all require different needs. So it is vital to have a fast mind that can deal with different scenarios that may be presented to them.

Another huge part of being a nurse is the amount of technology required to do the job. So it is very important to keep up to date with the various technologies that come onto the market. There are now apps that nurses can use which will tell them how much of a dose is needed for each patient. Nowadays, you need to understand websites to collect patient data and health records. So to keep reviewing technology as a nurse will certainly keep you up to date with everything you may face when you work on the job.

Communication is another skill that is super important as a nurse. To be able to communicate well with your patients and also your work colleagues. As a nurse, you are working on getting a certain outcome with your patients. So this requires lots of communication with each patient plus explaining to your fellow nurse when you hand over after your shift. This part of nursing is crucial and determines a good outcome or a negative outcome.

How to Keep Learning While on The Job?

This is always the challenge that every nurse faces. To learn new nursing skills is a difficult task on its own, but while you are working dealing with patients, it can really be a challenge. The best way to approach learning on the job is to incorporate it with what you are doing from day to day. So, in fact learning new nursing skills can work out better while you are doing your everyday shifts. The thing to remember is that we are always learning whatever we are doing in life, so it is important to keep an open mind while working and pick up new nursing skills as you go.

As long as you are someone that asks questions and is not afraid of getting something wrong, learning on the job will be no problem for you. It is a good idea to make sure you are looking at new technology in the hospital. It is always a good thing to practice your communication skills with other colleagues and patients whenever you can. The best nurses work with a notebook and are always taking notes as they work. You will also find that the best nurses when they are on their lunch breaks, are looking through books and notes to learn more.

Make the best of your time

The most important part of learning while you are on the job is to make the best out of your time. You must be organized. This is the number one thing to remember. As long as you can organize your time, you will be able to learn new nursing skills on the job. So a tip that is good to use is to stay a little later after your shift to see how other nurses start off their shift. This will help you see how other nurses deal with things. The more ways you see something done, the more methods you will have to solve problems in the future.

Best Skills to Learn on The Job

Effective communication
Organization skills
Keep up to date with all technology.
Critical thinking skills
Meet a mentor and watch them work
Always ask questions

These are effective tools that will help you become better at doing your job as a nurse.

Summary

With your new nursing skills, you will be able to deal with patients better, and it will also help you deal with fellow colleagues in a better way. You never stop learning when you are a nurse, so keep an open mind and be like a sponge, absorb all you can.

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

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

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By HCI College

March 8, 2021

7029 Views

Top Nursing Trends That Will Transform the Industry in 2021 and Beyond

Posted on March 8, 2021January 16, 2023 by HCI College

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 3 million registered nurses in 2019, with employment expected to continue growing faster than other professions through 2029. As demand for nurses continues to rise, familiarizing ourselves with the trends that are poised to transform the industry can help provide valuable insight into the growth and potential of the US’s largest healthcare profession.

1. Demand for Nursing Specializations Will Rise

Focused expertise on specific areas of medicine for nurses is on the rise. Nursing specializations allow the nurse to deliver skilled and expert care in a specific niche. This allows them to demonstrate their skill and deliver better patient care that in turn fosters patient trust. Additionally, it also helps open more doors for career growth and advancement as nurses seek to pursue additional education and certification in their preferred fields.

2. Increasing Adoption of Telehealth Prompting More Focus on Patient Privacy

A dramatic increase in telehealth services was seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This prompted not just a strong focus on the efficiency of telehealth services but on the security and privacy concerns of patients and healthcare professionals as well.

Because of this, nurses should be more stringent about obtaining patient consent before engaging in telehealth services. Strict compliance with HIPAA guidelines will also guarantee secure communication between both parties and secure transfer of sensitive data as a stronger need for privacy and security comes into focus for 2021.

3. Rise of the Nurse Navigator

Nurse navigators are nurses whose medical knowledge, management expertise, and people skills are used to guide patients through their healthcare journey. Their primary role is to help patients learn more and understand their current condition and guide them through the testing process, diagnosis, and medication they need to take.

With an aging population requiring more focused care due to chronic health conditions that need to be managed, the role is steadily gaining more importance.

4. Expanding Opportunities for Entrepreneurship

The opportunities for growth among nurses are no longer just limited to hospitals and medical settings where they are tasked to deliver direct patient care. As nurses’ roles expand and evolve, opportunities for entrepreneurship are also opening up. For instance, nurse consultants can work independently to assist doctor’s offices and clinics in managing electronic health records (EHRs) or manage scheduling and documentation. Others can work as management experts for assisted and long-term care facilities.

5. Supporting Continued Nursing Education Online

Additional training and certification for nurses will always be an advantage. However, with online programs becoming more accessible and gaining more prominence due to the pandemic, many nurses saw this as an opportunity to further their education and training.

6. Stronger Focus on Self-Care for Nurses

As rewarding as nursing is as a profession, it also is one of the most challenging careers to enter. It’s physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing. While nurses are primarily tasked to deliver top-notch care to patients, the recent demand for nurses, especially given the pandemic, is putting the spotlight on the need for nurses to take better care of themselves.

Numerous studies highlight that employers who encourage and promote self-care for their nurses manage burnout and compassion fatigue better. There is a direct correlation between the quality of healthcare a nurse can deliver and their wellness, which is driving more employers to focus on their nurses’ wellness.

These top trends are set to influence how the field grows and evolves through 2021 and the coming years. It also illustrates how a career in nursing could be one of the most promising professions you could pursue, given its growth.

We hope you found this article on the top nursing trends that will transform the industry in 2021 and beyond helpful. Have you noticed any trends you feel will change or transform the industry? Comment them below.

Author Bio

Jessica Williams is a marketing professional for HCI College, a school dedicated to preparing students for a career in the medical field by offering programs such as Nursing, EMT, and Paramedical services. The institution is best known for its practical approach to learning that propels students from theoretical classroom instruction and forwards them into the workforce.

We regularly share news, trends, and insights about the industry on the official HCI blog. Do connect with us on Twitter @hcicollege.

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By Geraldine Mills

March 7, 2021

8030 Views

Hiking Nurse: 9 Handy Hiking Tips for Adventurous Travel Nurses

Posted on March 7, 2021January 16, 2023 by Geraldine Mills

Are you an adventurous nurse? A hiking nurse? In this modern age, there are ways to work without having to be confined inside an office. In fact, even medical professionals such as nurses can travel as part of their job. For many people who don’t want to be confined in a particular place, they’re working remotely because they want to travel more. These people are usually adventurous.

So if you’re a travel nurse looking for an adventure, you’re likely a fan of physical activities such as hiking. And if you’re one of the adventurous travel nurses looking to start hiking, provided there is an opportunity, then here are some tips you need to keep in mind.

Hiking Nurse Tips:

Inform others about your plans

It’s fine that you’re adventurous. However, it doesn’t mean you should be taking risks that would put yourself in danger.

In 2013, Aron Ralston, a mechanical engineer, and outdoorsman met a canyoneering accident during a solo descent at the Bluejohn Canyon in Utah. This led him to amputate his arm with a dull pocketknife after five days. Although it didn’t deter his love for adventure, his ordeal taught him to tell people where he’s going.

You should do the same whenever you’re hiking. That way, in case you get yourself into any danger or emergency, some people can identify where to look for you.

Familiarize yourself with your chosen trail

Since you’re a travel nurse, you’re not going to be staying in a particular place often. This also means that your hiking trails are going to be different every time. One hiking trail does not mean it reflects the hiking trails in the rest of the country, so you should make sure that you familiarize yourself with the trail you choose to go to.

For example, you should check out information about the local flora and fauna just to be aware of what you might be dealing with.

Train for your hike

If you’re not actually a physically active person but are interested in getting into hiking, make sure that you train before you do any long hikes. You don’t have to commit to any day-long hikes that require you to travel miles upon miles. Instead, you should train yourself to day trips and hike during these times until your body gets used to it.

Don’t forget to stretch before you go hiking so that you don’t end up pulling a muscle.

Bring the necessary hiking gear and equipment

You might think that the only equipment you need to go hiking is your legs, but that is wrong. The right hiking gear and equipment are essential if it’s something that you want to commit to for a while.

What you would need are hiking poles, a good pair of hiking boots or shoes, a whistle for emergency purposes, and something to protect you against the rain. Of course, you shouldn’t forget your backpack filled with other essentials like extra clothes and food.

Hike during daylight

As much as possible, make sure that you hike when the sun is up to see your path. That way, you won’t get lost and stray away from the track.

Aside from that, it will be safer for you to hike during the daylight because wild animals might be roaming during the dark. To make sure that you don’t end up having to hike during the evening, you should set a particular time when you set up camp no matter what.

Check the weather forecast before you go.

Although the weather is subject to change, it is still a good idea to check the weather forecast before you go hiking anywhere. If a storm is approaching, you should know not to schedule a camping or hiking session until you’re sure that it will not be on the horizon. Again, remember that the weather changes anytime, so you should carry extra clothes that will protect you from the rain or the sun during your hike.

Pack light

Since you’re going to be hiking, and it can take you miles and miles to reach your destination, you should pack light.

If you pack a lot of things with you for your hike, then it’s going to kill your knees and your legs, and it will tire you out more than it should. Only pack the true essentials so that you don’t burden yourself with a load of things you might not even use.

Wear hiking-appropriate clothes

If you plan on going hiking, you should make sure that your clothes are not made of cotton. That’s because it can absorb sweat, and it’s going to stay wet for a while.

Instead, you should invest in hiking clothes made of synthetic fabric. These are the types of clothes that will be most comfortable for you while you’re hiking.

Remember always to leave no trace

When you are hiking, you should make sure that you treat your environment with the respect it deserves.

At most, you should “leave nothing but footprints,” as the old saying goes. Don’t throw away anything on the ground and keep your garbage with you until you return home.

Wrap Up

Travel nurses can go to a lot of places so that they can help fulfill the medical needs of various hospitals. Since you get to see many places and walk on various hiking trails, having a hobby as a hiker (while working as a nurse) is a great physical activity to get into. The tips listed above are great for adventurous travel nurses, and they will teach the basics of hiking to those who are only starting.

We hope that these hiking nurse tips help travel nurses consider hiking or even reiterating what seasoned hiking travel nurses already knew.

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By Gifted Healthcare

March 5, 2021

7065 Views

Tips for Travel Nurses: 10 Ways to Succeed on the Night Shift

Posted on March 5, 2021May 19, 2021 by Gifted Healthcare

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

Are you a travel nurse that’s about to begin working the night shift? If so, it’s important to develop a strategy to stay on top of your game while the rest of the world is asleep.

We’ve created a list of tips to help you stay healthy and focused on the night shift. By using these tips, you’ll be focused, driven, and excelling on the night shift in no time!

Tips for working the night shift

Develop a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Being well-rested is the most important part of staying healthy and on your game on the night shift.

While it can be difficult for shift workers to maintain a stable sleeping schedule, try to be as consistent as possible. This will make falling asleep and waking up much easier, and reduce your chance of crashing while you’re awake.

Limit your use of electronics before bed and invest in blackout curtains to darken your room during the daytime.

Remaining open-minded about your new schedule will help you develop a routine that works. Once you’ve figured out which sleeping schedule works best for you, stick to it. Sleeping at irregular intervals will lead you to poor health, stress, and on-the-job-mistakes.

Only Use Your Bedroom for Sleeping

Do you use your bedroom for activities other than sleeping? If you’re someone that has trouble falling or staying asleep, you might need to find a new room for working, watching television, or using your laptop.

By using your bedroom exclusively for sleeping, you strengthen your brain’s association between “bedroom” and “sleep.” If you find yourself lying awake and struggling to fall asleep, try moving to another room and doing something else until you feel tired enough to try again.

Work Your Night Shifts Consecutively

If you can, try to schedule your night shifts consecutively. This will help you maintain a stable eating and sleeping routine, which will keep your energy levels high.

Working consecutive night shifts will also allow you to enjoy your days off, rather than spend them catching up on sleep.

Stay Hydrated

Due to the nature of the job, it can be difficult for healthcare professionals to stay hydrated. But drinking water is essential for maintaining your physical and mental health.

Bring a refillable water bottle with you and drink steadily throughout your shift — once you’re thirsty, a headache may be on the way.

Focus On Your Patients

While nighttime might be a quieter time in many hospital units, some patients require more care or assistance at night. With fewer visitors and distractions, take advantage of the quiet time to focus on your patients.

Paying more attention to detail and providing an extra level of care for your patients overnight is a great way to stay focused and show initiative on your team.

Exercise

Physical exertion causes the body to release endorphins, which acts as a natural energy boost. Staying fit and active will give you the energy you need to thrive on the night shift.

Studies show that just 10 minutes of light exercise will significantly increase your alertness. If you don’t have time to work out before your shift, there are ways to fit exercise into your work schedule. Lunges, wall-sits, and jogging up and down the stairs are great ways to stay active while you’re on the job.

Be Careful on Your Days Off

Although it may be tempting to change your schedule to suit your days off, be careful about disrupting your regular sleeping and meal schedules.

Staying awake for too long before starting your first night shift of the week will disrupt your internal clock, negatively affecting your energy levels. Eating at irregular intervals prevents your metabolism from functioning efficiently and optimally.

Do your best to maintain your routine. Your body will thank you later.

Eat Healthy Snacks During Your Shift

Snacking is a great way to stay energized over the course of a long night. However, it’s important to eat the right snacks.

Almonds and cashews are high in healthy fats and protein. Avocados are superfoods, which means they’re nutrient-dense and contain relatively few calories. Fruits and vegetables are low-calorie options with natural sugars and fiber.

Try to avoid snacks high in sodium and added sugar — they may give you a quick boost, but you’ll end up crashing hard.

Training and Education

There are lots of resources to help night-shift workers thrive. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer online classes created by experts for professionals like you.

Night shift training offers in-depth strategies for your professional and personal life intended to maximize your performance and minimize your stress levels.

Make Time for Friends & Family

Most of the world works during the daytime, which makes socializing difficult for healthcare professionals who work nights. However, it’s important to spend time with friends and family.

Your social life greatly impacts your emotional well-being, which is closely tied to your physical and mental health. Avoid feeling isolated or lonely by making time for social interaction.

Maintaining your emotional well-being will help you provide better care for your patients and help you have a longer, happier career.

We hope you found these tips for succeeding working the night shift helpful. Are you a travel nurse that works the night shift? Do you have any tips for fellow travel nurses working the night shift to help them succeed? Comment them below.

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By Theresa Cofield

March 4, 2021

13813 Views

5 Unusual Mistakes Travel Nurses Make On Their First Contract

Posted on March 4, 2021May 19, 2021 by Theresa Cofield

As a travel nurse, there are many benefits, such as you get to travel to various locations and learn from differently trained professionals. It is a job that can give you so much, especially in terms of achievement. A travel nurse is always on the move and stays in various housing, which is paid for by the company. Because of this, there is a sense of freedom and aliveness with every contract you get.

There is a lot to remember when you get assigned to your first location on your very first contract. It is important to always keep notes, so a diary is a good idea. This will allow you to revert to your notes when you are not sure of your daily tasks. There are more tips that you will read through here to help you succeed.

5 Mistakes To Avoid as a Nurse on Your Contract

There are some mistakes that can be made when nurses work on their first contract. This article will help those thinking of becoming a travel nurse to not make these mistakes.

The Contract

It is vital that you read through the nurse contract and understand your duties. This may seem a simple thing, but you will be surprised at how many nurses do not understand their contract and what is expected of them. By reading the contract, you will understand the hours you must work, any bonuses you are entitled to, and the important one, pay grade. By doing your homework on your contract, you will know what to do and how you are expected to work. If there are any issues in your contract, you can bring them up with your company before starting the job.

Errors in Your Records

This is something that can be difficult because, as a travel nurse, you are working in different locations from month to month. So it can be tricky to learn how certain hospitals keep their records. Each hospital does things differently, so it is important to make sure you understand how each location wants you to charter the records. This is a common mistake and is something that can be solved very simply by writing notes and asking your supervisor questions.

Do Not Take Your Work Home With You

When you are a travel nurse, you can be in stressful situations; this is all part of the job that you signed up for. Many travel nurses do not know when to turn their work off. After your 10-12 hour shift, make a point of turning your work brain off. As soon as you leave the hospital, you are free of work and can start living your normal life once again. This means you can do the things you enjoy, like meeting singles at http://datingjet.com/, doing yoga, or watching stuff on Netflix. If you keep taking your work home with you, you will find that your social and private life will be affected. This will then also have an effect on your work life.

Do Not Overpack

This is something that is easily done. Lots of travel nurses tend to pack too many items of clothes. This will only cause problems when you need to pack and move onto another location. It is a good idea to think about exactly what you will need to wear when you are working and what type of climate you will be in. Once you have done the relevant research on your location, you will have a good idea of what you will need to pack. A minimalist approach to packing will certainly help you in the long run, as you will not be weighed down with a heavy bag every time you are on the move.

Curiosity

This is something that is always very important, and many travel nurses are afraid of it. Never be afraid of asking questions and being curious about your work. There is a saying, and it goes, “there is no such thing as a stupid question.” How true those words are. Always be willing to ask questions to your supervisor and work colleagues. By holding your tongue and not asking questions because you fear you will look stupid, you may not complete your work in the correct way. Something as simple as a question about lunch breaks will not only educate you but it will show your supervisor that you want to learn.

Conclusion

So as you can see, there are several things to remember when it comes to working as a travel nurse. By following these steps and being open to learning, you can avoid making these mistakes. A travel nurse is a sought-after job with high responsibilities and great rewards. The perks of the job, which is travel and being able to work at various locations and even countries, is amazing. The amount of new people you meet and can learn from. As a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to help so many people, but it is important to help yourself first.

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By Katie Fitts

March 3, 2021

5112 Views

Northeast Georgia Why You Should Add it to Your Travel List

Posted on March 3, 2021January 16, 2023 by Katie Fitts

I am currently on assignment in a town called Gainesville, Georgia. No, no, not Gainesville, Florida, Gainesville, GEORGIA! Most people assume I am working in Florida when I tell them about Gainesville. No gators here in this Gainesville! I have to be honest; I had never heard of this town before this assignment. It turns out it’s a wonderful place for an assignment! Situated in an area deemed Northeast Georgia, adjacent to the Appalachian Mountains (the most beautiful mountains in the U.S. in my opinion) and right next to beautiful Lake Lanier, it’s a nature lover’s paradise and a relatively short drive to the city life of Atlanta and other lovely towns.

The Hospital

Northeast Georgia Hospital is based in Gainesville but has a few different smaller locations, including Braselton and Barrow, and plans for a Dahlonega facility. At 557 beds in Gainesville, it is quite large and is a level II trauma center, has labor and delivery services, cardiovascular services, and dialysis capabilities, as well as 23 operating rooms. Outside of Atlanta, it offers some of the most comprehensive services and state-of-the-art technology.

I have been quite impressed with NGHS. I would recommend this hospital based on my experience in the peri-operative area. They use EPIC for their EMR (electronic medical records), which is the best charting system I have seen.

What to See and Do in Northeast Georgia

Hiking

If you are anything like me and love nature and WINE, 🍷 you are in for a treat!

Hiking abounds! The Appalachian Mountains provide an incredible backdrop for all kinds of amazing hikes dotted with incredible scenic mountain views, waterfalls, and lush forests. I found a super great site that lays out all the hikes around the Atlanta and Northeast Georgia area, atlantatrails.com. It is very detailed in the trail terrain, distance, difficulty to be expected, and directions.

The infamous Appalachian Trail (AT) starts in Northeast Georgia at Springer Mountain and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine. I have now inadvertently been to the beginning and the end of the Appalachian Trail! Maybe a sign I need to do this hike one day?! In the summer of 2019, I had the good fortune to spend my time in beautiful Maine as a camp nurse, and that is another wonderful area to visit.

Whether it is the AT or other trails, Northeast Georgia provides for some spectacular hiking! Some of the trails I was able to explore and enjoyed included Amicalola Falls, Raven Cliffs Falls, Blood Mountain, and Preacher’s Rock. It would take months of consistent hiking, though, to really see all Northeast Georgia has to offer. Happy hiking!

Northeast Georgia Wine Country 🍷

Now to my close second favorite part (ok, probably my top favorite) about Northeast Georgia…. the wine! Did you know there were wineries in Northeast Georgia? Me neither! I was pleasantly surprised!

Despite being in the well-known hot and humid south of the U.S., the Georgia foothills provide moderately cooler temperatures and rich soil for grape growing and winemaking. From muscadine to sweet wines to more heavy-bodied wines, Northeast Georgia has it all!

Some of the wineries also have full-sized restaurants and also do superbly done brunch. Who doesn’t love brunch? There are also tasting rooms in the quaint little town of Dahlonega, GA, which is just 30 minutes outside of Gainesville and where I happen to reside for this assignment.

Some of the wineries near Dahlonega include Wolf Mountain, Montaluce, Three Sisters, Kaya, Cavender Creek, and Frogtown Cellars. A little further out near Helen and Cleveland, Georgia, you can find one of Georgia’s oldest wineries Habersham Winery, Yonah Mountain, The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, and CeNita, to name a few.

Charming Towns in Northeast Georgia

Dahlonega

I live in Dahlonega, Georgia; pronounced Duh-lawn-egah for my non-Georgia resident friends. It took weeks of purposeful practiced pronunciation as I read it as dall-o-nega (akin to Talladega) as any typical part unabashed southern redneck may do. 😂 It is derived from a Cherokee Native American word meaning yellow, as it was found as a gold mining hub in the 1800s.

At any rate, Dahlonega is about 35 minutes outside of Gainesville and is a quaint town locally revered as a Hallmark movie inspiration with its picturesque small town square surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, particularly during Christmas. A local Dahlonega bar also debuted in a country music song by Ashley McBryde, A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega. Who knew?! The square has many cute little restaurants and shops, and wine tasting rooms. If you like Greek food, you MUST visit Capers on the Square. I probably ate there 5 to 6 times during my stay, don’t miss the goat cheese and fig flatbread… to die for. They also have delicious baba ganouj, gyros, and moussaka.

Charming Dahlonega at Christmastime

Helen

A Bavarian-inspired town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Helen is full of charm. You will think you have just teleported to the Bavarian region of Germany! The architecture is stunning, and downtown has plenty of shops and German-inspired restaurants. It was revamped in the 1960s and modeled after Germany’s Bavarian region to increase tourism and bring life back to the town after an economic downturn.

Other Charming Towns

More towns to see within a relatively short distance include Clayton, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Cave Spring, to name a few.

Additional Things To Do in Northeast Georgia

Gainesville is pretty neat in itself! It has a quaint square downtown area with shops and restaurants. Gainesville boasts lakeside views of Lake Lenier, popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating. A special little treat for my garden lover friends, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens has a branch in Gainesville and is a lovely respite area! Moreover, they have special events like “Wine in the Woodlands” nights with food trucks and wine, so be sure to check their events page.

In the mood for big city life? Atlanta and the metro area are only about 70 miles outside of Gainesville. Plenty to see and do there as well!

Pro Tips for Northeast Georgia

Ideal times to visit and or do an assignment – Spring to Fall (Winters are dreary and cold and gray and not a whole lot of snow to make it a great winter destination)
Travel Nurse Housing is surprisingly expensive in Gainesville! This is likely because it is a lakeside community as caters to people making mountain/lake getaways. I opted to live in Dahlonega for much more reasonable pricing, although a hike from the hospital.

I hope you enjoy Northeast Georgia as much as I did and put it on your list to visit! With wineries and nature, you can’t go wrong. Happy travels!

Gypsy love,

Katie

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By Laura Greco

March 2, 2021

5227 Views

Why Do We Provide Better Preventative Maintenance for our Cars Than We do For Ourselves?

Posted on March 2, 2021May 19, 2021 by Laura Greco

Self-care or preventative maintenance has a long list of benefits: optimizing your immune system, relieving stress, improving resilience, having a more positive mindset, greater well-being, improved sleep, better able to manage chronic pain, reducing your risk of heart disease, and enjoying a better quality of life. It is enjoyable, makes us feel better, and is easy to access.

So why don’t we do more of it?

People have misconceptions about self-care, thinking it takes too much time, is costly, or is selfish. People often question where the line falls between self-care and self-indulgence. Why do we provide better preventative maintenance for our cars or homes than for ourselves? Do we consider that preventative maintenance an indulgence?

Self-care is not an indulgence.

It is preventative maintenance for YOU, the whole you: body, mind, and spirit. It takes many forms but is basically any action that replenishes you and enhances your well-being. If it causes you to slow down, be present in the moment, contributes to better self-awareness, and leaves you feeling good about yourself, it is probably self-care.

If you are a car, you aren’t particularly useful with no oil, no gas, and deflated tires. To be of service, you need to have reserves, be tuned up, and ready to go.

When you are depleted you are no longer as effective or resilient. It is hard to give when you don’t have anything to give. The negative effects of stress, physical, mental, and emotional illness run higher in those who neglect their own care.

Methods of replenishment

Because self-care nourishes us physically, emotionally, mentally, intellectually, spiritually, it will be different for each of us. While some aspects of self-care are universal (caring for our bodies with sleep, nutrition, hygiene, and exercise), others are unique. We each need our own methods of replenishment. What restores your soul and lights you up?

Some behaviors have immediate benefits, and others are cumulative. Notice there are tiers of self-care: some things you do monthly, weekly, and others daily. Some of the suggestions below won’t appeal, and that is OK. But before you write off an idea as “I can’t do THAT!” pause and determine what you are reacting to, what it represents to you, and whether your reaction is how you really choose to respond.

Ideas for self-care (preventative maintenance):

getting a massage or facial
meditating
cooking from scratch
starting each day with an intention to find beauty in the world
getting sauna treatments
setting a bedtime and creating a bedtime ritual
practicing mindfulness several times a day (when you wash your hair, sip coffee/tea, brush your teeth)
practicing gratitude daily
devoting a weekend to reading a book
journaling
creating art
trying photography
having time with friends or family
enjoying your pet
having time to daydream
having time alone
spending time in nature
learning
getting enough non-work mental stimulation
exploring a city
practicing self-compassion
traveling
enjoying hobbies
soaking in a tub with Epsom salts
volunteering
taking stock of all, you have accomplished
watching a sunset
performing random acts of kindness
floating in a pool or ocean
maintaining work-life balance
creating healthy boundaries
dancing
having a source of meaning outside of work
playing sports on a team
taking breaks and vacations
breaking up work with play
making regular time for decompression and reflection
streamlining/simplifying life
shopping for something that isn’t a necessity
making a bucket list and tentative plans to accomplish it

What brings you joy or connects you to your purpose?

Self-care (preventative maintenance) is not about getting more done. Culturally we are encouraged to push through, do more, be more…do it all. After a while, this approach backfires, and we are less productive, less efficient, and less happy. Therefore, practicing self-care is an ongoing lifestyle, not occasional spurts of doing something nice for yourself. Like gas for your car, it is best to keep some fuel in your tank and not run down to empty.

As nurses, we excel at caring for others, and we must also care for ourselves…proactively and regularly.

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1. Limit eating out

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

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Hiking Nurse Tips:

Inform others about your plans

Familiarize yourself with your chosen trail

Train for your hike

Bring the necessary hiking gear and equipment

Hike during daylight

Check the weather forecast before you go.

Pack light

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Remember always to leave no trace

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Tips for working the night shift

Develop a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Only Use Your Bedroom for Sleeping

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Focus On Your Patients