December 9, 2020

4730 Views

5 Tips for Nurses Working Through the Holidays

Posted on December 9, 2020May 19, 2021 by Favorite Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Favorite Staffing.

Are you scheduled to work this holiday season and feel a little down about missing out on holiday traditions with family and friends? It may not be exactly how you pictured spending this time of year, but there are still ways to make it positive and festive! Here a few tips for nurses to brighten their days while working through the holiday season.

Use technology to stay connected to your loved ones

We are currently in an era of virtual social gatherings and video chats, so put those tools to good use! Hop on a Zoom call to check in with friends, or FaceTime, your family so you can participate in holiday traditions virtually. Either way, technology is the easiest way to stay connected with your loved ones. Be sure to take advantage of it during breaks when you need that extra pick-me-up.

Organize holiday festivities at work

Get in the holiday spirit by organizing fun holiday festivities with your co-workers. Start a Secret Santa gift exchange, decorate your unit, or organize a cookie swap. You can also brighten up a patient’s day by celebrating with them because chances are, they are disappointed about being in the hospital this time of year too. Think of ways to safely have fun – like decorating their room, playing holiday music, or creating a fun and simple game to play. There is no reason you can’t spread some holiday cheer at work!

Take extra time off later

Try to plan some time off after you get through the busy holiday season. Schedule some “me-time” to catch up on much-needed sleep or watch that new show on Netflix you have been meaning to binge. Take a moment to rest and recover after a hectic season because you deserve it!

Enjoy that holiday pay

If it helps you feel better about missing time spent with family and friends, why not remind yourself that making extra cash over the holiday season is not a bad thing! Make your holiday pay even more meaningful by putting it toward gifts for others or donating part of it to your favorite charity. You can even use it to pamper yourself when you have time off – either with a nice meal from your favorite restaurant or by doing some online shopping.

Remember that you make a difference

Whether you have a few patients to take care of or find yourself swamped in the ER, try to focus on how many lives you are touching. You are providing lifesaving work and truly make a difference in your patients’ lives! Go back to why you became a nurse in the first place and try to stay focused on the positive. Remember that you ultimately provide care for those who really need your help, and you make an impact that lasts a lifetime!

Wherever you end up this holiday season, we hope you are able to rest, enjoy time off with family and friends, and shake off the stress from this past year. We hope you found these tips for working through the holidays helpful. Share your tips for working through the holidays with us!

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By Katie Bugbee

December 8, 2020

6087 Views

How to Handle a Hard Day Without Telling Facebook

Posted on December 8, 2020May 19, 2021 by Katie Bugbee

You argued with a patient’s family. Another patient passed away. Your team isn’t in sync. As a travel nurse on the unit, you are looked down on or mistreated. Paperwork is piling up. Work feels insane right now. Where can you vent?

Well, not on social media.

Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok seem like natural places to voice some frustration. You can easily imagine the urge to post an Instagram photo of your chart pile with a funny (yet frustrated) facial expression and get a ton of empathy. But giving in to that urge could put you at serious risk of violating your patients’ privacy and, in turn, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). (Just imagine someone zooming into your photo and being able to make out a patient’s name!)

Don’t get us wrong: we know that social media plays a big role in our lives nowadays. We all have at least one social media channel that we use regularly, and we have a right to share photos of our last vacation or our cute new puppy on those personal accounts. That’s fine! However, as a healthcare professional, it goes without saying that you have to be particularly careful about what you post when the content veers into your work life. The minute you start using social media as a forum to discuss anything regarding your patients or their care (including venting about said patients) or as a way to interact with them for non-work-related reasons, you’re flinging yourself into dangerous HIPAA-violation territory.

You’re probably already well-versed on HIPAA but given how important this topic is (and how relevant it is to your career), it’s worth going through a little high-level refresher.

HIPAA Violations & Social Media

We’ll start with the basics: what is a HIPAA violation? Typically, a HIPAA violation involves the use or disclosure of an individual’s protected health information without their permission. So, what does this look like in the context of social media? We asked Diane Evans, publisher of MyHIPAAGuide.com, to share the most common types of HIPAA violations healthcare professionals commit on social media. They usually involve:

Sharing photos of patients with friends: Sharing patient information of any kind with unauthorized individuals is a direct violation of HIPAA. You just can’t do it. Period. End of story.
Adding patients as friends or liking their posts on social media: By interacting with your patients outside of work, you run the risk of someone drawing a connection between you two and making a guess that that individual sees a particular doctor or goes to a specific healthcare organization. You didn’t mean to, but you could have revealed the patient’s private information to unauthorized people.
Posting images, text, and videos of patients without their consent: Think: testimonials you may get from your patients. Unless they give you their (written) permission to use their likeness or quotes, you absolutely cannot make them public or distribute them in any way.

These types of HIPAA violations can lead to fines, sanctions, and potentially even the revocation of your license to practice. If the breaches are severe enough, you could even face jail time.

4 Stress-Relieving Tips for Nurses That Don’t Involve Social Media

Your job — and the stress it creates — are no laughing matter. You’re an essential worker, and the constant pressure you’re working under can be extreme. But while social media can help you get through a day, the real underlying causes of your stress need to be tackled ASAP. If not, you run the risk of suffering severe consequences, not the least of which are serious health issues, burnout, and potentially putting yourself in a situation that could threaten your career. Here are four stress-management strategies to start implementing today that will help keep you far away from that “Publish” button the next time you feel like venting.

Identify what’s triggering your anxiety.

You’ve been trained to push through stressful situations, but sometimes they can get the best of you. Make note of your feelings when you get anxious or upset and try to name them as they appear: you can say something like, “This friend always makes me feel really anxious” or “Reading the news doesn’t make me feel relaxed at all.” Sometimes, you’ll be able to limit your exposure to these stressors (e.g., a toxic friend, stressful news); other times, you might not be able to do that – particularly if they happen at work. In those instances, you’ll want to develop coping strategies that you can use in the moment to lessen their effect on you (more on this in a bit).

Also, beware of compassion fatigue. If your empathy for those around you is getting to a breaking point, remember that you can always say something like, “I’m sorry, but I can’t hear this right now. I need to focus on my patients without getting too overwhelmed.”

Strengthen your resiliency.

As a nurse, you’re nothing if not resilient. That said, you’ll be better able to handle stressful situations if your physical and emotional health are in good shape. You can do this by:

Making sure you’re getting enough quality sleep.
Maintaining a healthy diet
Hydrating
Exercising regularly
Staying connected with your support systems

Develop coping strategies you can use in the moment.

Here are some simple strategies you can try whenever you start to feel your stress levels rise (or, even better: try coming up with some of your own that you know work for you!):

Try doing some deep-breathing exercises.

These don’t need to be long or involved – play around with the length of your inhales and exhales until you find a cadence that helps slow you down.

Talk to a colleague.

Don’t be afraid to lean on your colleagues for support – you’re all going through similar things so you’re in the best position to help each other through it.

Focus on something positive.

It doesn’t have to be big – it could be as simple as remembering when a coworker thanked you for helping them or knowing that there’s a new episode of your favorite TV show waiting for you when you get home.

Treat yourself with kindness.

Watch out for negative self-talk; when you hear yourself going that route, think: “Would I talk to my best friend this way?” You could also try repeating a comforting or reassuring statement, such as, “I’m doing the best that I can right now.”

Take breaks.

This can be tough, especially if your team’s short-handed or you’re overwhelmed with things to do, but it’s absolutely crucial for your own mental health that you take breaks when and where you can. If you feel like it’s too hard to do, talk to your manager and see if they can help you find a way to build breaks into your schedule.

Talk to your manager(s) or Recruiter

Working toward change is always a great way to tackle the ongoing administrative issues that irritate you. When you do, make sure to communicate your suggestions in a positive and constructive way. Encourage your leadership to be proactive about protecting the staff from issues that might affect their mental health.

We hope you found this article and the information on HIPAA violations and how to avoid them online. As travel nurses, it can be difficult to find a means to vent about bad days. It can also be hard to know where to turn when you are constantly changing hospitals, assignments, or facilities. Do you have any advice for fellow gypsy travel nurses on ways to vent while avoiding HIPAA violations? Comment any tips on avoiding HIPAA violations below.

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 Go Healthcare Staffing

December 7, 2020

5409 Views

Best Advice for Nurses Working Crisis Contracts – Save Money

Posted on December 7, 2020January 16, 2023 by Go Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by GO Healthcare.

SAVE MONEY!!!! That’s my advice for right now.

Let me first say, your sacrifice by working in the front lines of this pandemic is priceless.

You deserve the crisis pay rates for working the grueling long hours, for the emotional, physical, and mental drain, for the constant movement of traveling from city to city and working in chaotic, often understaffed COVID units.

Crisis Contracts: Pay Packages Increases

The COVID pandemic has continued to cause healthcare provider shortages in almost every state of our country. Because of this, normal travel nursing pay packages are seen to increase to unprecedented heights. With that said, in my role as a Staffing Executive running staffing divisions and companies through difficult times in the past, one thing is always certain: there will be an end.

COVID Vaccine

The most recent news of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine is showing tremendous promise. Even with the glimmer of good news about the vaccine, my prediction is that our travel nurse industry will continue answering the call for more crisis and rapid response job orders – at least until Spring 2021.

The best advice I can give is to save for the future as these current pay packages will eventually go back down to traditional travel pay. Save some of the well-earned money for a rainy day. In the meantime, thank you for all that you give every single shift, not just now, but always

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By The Gypsy Nurse

December 6, 2020

39139 Views

Elite Healthcare Partners with The Gypsy Nurse to Offer Convenient Learning Solutions For Traveling Nurses

Posted on December 6, 2020May 19, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

November 18, 2020 – ST. LOUIS and BOCA RATON – Elite Healthcare, a leading continuing education provider for healthcare professionals, today announced a partnership with The Gypsy Nurse, the largest online community dedicated to supporting travel nurses, to offer convenient learning solutions for traveling nurses.

“There is a need for nurses to travel to fill critical positions more than ever. We’re very excited to work with Elite Healthcare to make it easier for our travel nurse community to fulfill continuing education needs as well as access additional learning courses and resources that may help them on-the-job in their next assignment,” said Steve Curtin, CEO of The Gypsy Nurse. “The Gypsy Nurse has always been about supporting travel nurses at every stage of their journey, and Elite Healthcare is a welcome addition to our powerful job search tools, information, and social connectivity.”

With COVID-19 straining healthcare systems across the country, nurses are faced with increased demands to work in new environments with both broader and more precise skill sets.

Elite Healthcare’s Passport Membership provides access to mandatory and professional development education as nurses move from state to state for their job assignments. Passport Membership enables nurses to select any courses from its robust continuing education (CE) library for one or two years, with hundreds of courses to choose from, along with exclusive live and on-demand webinars led by industry experts and members-only career and specialty content.

“We want to do everything we can to help nurses in the field right now, and the best way we can do that is to help take care of their learning so they can take care of their patients,” said Michelle Franchi, President of Healthcare at Colibri Group, the parent company of Elite Healthcare. “An always-on learning library for nursing staff is a significant asset to any nurse, as well as to the hospital or other healthcare organization where they work, and that’s what we have built at Elite Healthcare with our Passport Membership. We hope our partnership with The Gypsy Nurse will help more traveling nurses to quickly fulfill any necessary education requirements in any state with cost-effective membership-based learning options that make it easier to learn any topic on-the-go.”

Passport Membership is available at a discounted price for members of TheGypsyNurse.com. Nurses who are members of The Gypsy Nurse community can join Elite Healthcare’s Passport Membership at https://www.thegypsynurse.com/login/.

About The Gypsy Nurse

The Gypsy Nurse is dedicated to providing powerful tools, information, and social connectivity to our community of travel nurses. The Gypsy Nurse is the #1 travel nursing community in the industry, serving thousands of travel nurses daily. The Gypsy Nurse helps nurses find travel nurse jobs, evaluate agencies, locate housing, access online career resources, and connect with travel nursing friends and colleagues across multiple digital platforms.

About Elite Healthcare

Elite Healthcare is a leading continuing education provider for healthcare professionals. With expert instructors, a robust learning platform, and comprehensive library of courses, Elite Healthcare offers convenient learning solutions to licensed professionals, including nurses, social workers, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and massage therapists. Elite Healthcare takes continuing education for working professionals to a higher level by ensuring the perfect blend of practical knowledge, in-depth content, and first-class support, all in a flexible online format that makes it easier to learn. For more information, visit elitecme.com.

Contacts

Kim Wells
Colibri Group
media@colibrigroup.com

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By Laura Greco

December 5, 2020

4140 Views

Managing Stress – Fast and Slow

Posted on December 5, 2020May 19, 2021 by Laura Greco

There is no single right way for managing stress. In fact, having multiple techniques at our disposal is advantageous. Some techniques are portable, and some aren’t. Some require props; some don’t. Some work well in the moment (fast), and some work best by building a reserve of calm and resilience over time (slow).

Chronic stress is everywhere, all day, every day.

It is so prevalent we call it “daily life” and consider it normal. It is cumulative and chips away at our mood, health, productivity, and energy.

Chronic stress can include fatigue, traffic, being overweight, bills, endless automated phone trees, comically long to-do lists, overwhelming amounts of news and information coming at us, the broken zipper on a jacket, holding grudges and resentment, negative coworkers, toxic relationships, loneliness, a poor diet, boredom, and time scarcity to name a few.

Stress responds well to a 2-pronged approach. The “slow” techniques are things you can do over time that buffer you, and the “fast” are techniques you can do in the moment of stress. Both have their place in your stress management toolbox.

Fast

In the moment of stress, you can do things to calm your nervous system, shift your perspective, and clarify your thinking. Some will change your physiology, some bring your attention to the present (where it is difficult to stay anxious or fearful), and others give you the space to consider your response before reacting.

Try:

Breathing:

Take five slow, full, belly breaths, gently breathing through your nose and allowing your exhale to be longer than your inhale. An alternate is four rounds of 4×4 breathing: inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for four and hold again for 4.

Refocus:

Refocus on the underlying purpose- is it for the good of the patient, to create the best outcome, or are you using the situation to prove someone wrong?

Visualizing:

Imagine in detail, using as many senses as possible, your happy place, being with a pet or loved one, or doing something you enjoy.

Hugging:

Get a hug from someone you love.

Aromatherapy:

Inhale a favorite scent that calms you or reminds you to pause and reconnect with your purpose.

Shifting:

See the situation from their perspective. Or see the situation as a problem to be solved instead of as a threat.

Accepting:

Sometimes stressful things happen. Accept the things you can’t change.

Gratitude:

Focus on something you are grateful for.

Exercise:

Can you run a flight of stairs or do ten pushups?

Mindfulness:

Be present, pause, and deeply engage a sense. Notice what you can feel (a breeze, the floor beneath your feet, your heartbeat), hear (the hum of monitors or air vents), smell, see.

Repeating personal phrase:

What phrase can you adopt that reminds you to create a bit of space between your trigger and your response (this too shall pass, take the high road, rise above).

Create the space to let yourself respond to the situation and not react.

Slow

The slower, long term practices that help you handle stress include self-care, meditation, compassion, mindset, and changing the way you think about stress.

Self-care includes caring for your body, mind, and spirit.

Your body needs nutritious food, a healthy weight, adequate sleep, regular and varied exercise. Your mind needs time with friends, laughter, both mental relaxation, and stimulation. Having compassion (for yourself and others), hobbies, a tribe or community, and a sense of purpose and fulfillment nourish your spirit.

Meditation:

Meditation is restorative.

Mindset:

Do you predominately see the world as full of beauty and possibility or with threats to avoid? Do you put your effort into moving toward the good or evading the negative?

Change your environment:

Our internal and external environments affect our stress. Things that might need to be cleaned up include the people you spend time with, clutter, negative self-talk, time management, and perfectionism. Avoid the triggers you can avoid.

Change or accept:

Change the things you can and accept those you can’t.

Kindness:

Random acts of kindness help both the giver and receiver.

Yoga:

Yoga can provide you with a community, movement, mindfulness, and a stronger mind-body connection.

Eliminate:

Try eliminating the things that feel helpful but aren’t: yelling, hitting, complaining, being mean, ruminating, and numbing behaviors (bingeing on food, alcohol, shopping, TV, social media, sleeping). These might make you feel better in the moment, but they avoid the real problem.

Creating a self-care lifestyle supports your well-being, which boosts your resilience to stress.

There is not a universal solution to managing stress. What works for you might not be a good solution for everyone else. And what works for you at home might not be practical at work. What worked well last year might not be as helpful now. Stress changes, you change your skills at managing stress change, and your perception of stressful changes.

Having several skills in your stress management toolbox and taking a fast and slow approach to managing stress can help you succeed.

We hope you found these tips on managing stress helpful. Do you have any tips for fellow travel nurses on managing stress? Comment them below

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

START HERE

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

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By AB Staffing Solutions

December 4, 2020

12120 Views

Travel Nurse Gift Ideas

Posted on December 4, 2020May 19, 2021 by AB Staffing Solutions

This article was provided by AB Staffing Solutions.

Travel nurses always put their hearts into their work this year, especially. It’s time to thank them with gifts they can use while on the road, whether they’re in a house, apartment, or tiny home. Many travelers love exploring the outdoors when they’re not working, so we’ve got outdoorsy gifts as well as travel nurse gift ideas for home to keep them cozy through the holiday season.

Adventure Awaits!

No, really, the Adventure Awaits artwork from artisans on Etsy includes a map where your traveler can mark all the places they’ve visited and worked. If they’re near national parks, and there’s a good chance they are, you can also purchase National Parks books and journals available from Amazon.

Other book ideas include 50 States or other state-specific books for where your traveler is spending their Winter Travel Assignment like the Arizona Bucket List Adventure.

If your traveler also loves journaling their adventures, we suggest the Scratch Travel Journal from Uncommon Goods or the Travel junkie journal. Even if they’re more of a homebody, they can write about their experience while on the road. The beauty of taking a journal is that it doesn’t take up too much space, and it can go anywhere.

For the seasoned traveler who may need a luggage upgrade or replacement, we recommend hard case suitcases from Away Travel. High quality, versatility, and a variety of styles and colors make this a perfect gift that won’t be lost at the airport in a sea of black rolling bags! Another option is the eBags laptop bags and backpacks, which are small enough to be a carry-on for flights. Extra pockets make it easy to organize travel essentials and use them when they arrive at their destination.

Let’s not forget the four-in-One adapter pack from Amazon, which includes four plugs in one adapter! You can never have too many charging stations whether your traveler is living alone or with roommates.

Another recommendation, especially for your adventurer is Kauai Waterproof bags which can be used for hiking, camping, boating, and RV-ing.

And finally, so your traveler doesn’t get lost even when out of a service area, we recommend the Gaia app. This app will not only provide GPS and maps while online but also while offline! Download hiking, backpacking, or camping maps, so they know where they’re going, even when the internet and cell service are not available.

Travel Nurse Gift Ideas for Home

Many travelers will find themselves away from home for the holidays. These ideas bring home to them including:

Wayfair’s weighted blankets that help relieve stress and anxiety to ensure healthy rest.
Personalized photo blanket with pictures of family and friends.
And of course, wool socks or fuzzy bathrobe for cold winter nights

Ask your travel nurse what they miss most about home. Maybe they’d like photos of their nieces and nephews or a video chat with friends.

Our travel nurses are busy so when they come home, they like to rest and relax, whatever the size of the space they call home.

Tiny house living – RVs, shared housing, studio apartments

We know there are lots of travelers in RVs, shared housing, and studio apartments. Why not make the best of the small space with these gifts:

Personal home theatre smartphone projector. Leave the television at home and give your traveler this mini projector so they can download and watch movies from anywhere.
Limited space? No problem! This toiletry bag uses minimal space, whether you’re on the road to your destination and/or have limited space at home.
This travel Coffee Maker and a YETI tumbler can be used for hot or cold drinks at home or work.
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t have your favorite meals. Experience easier meal prep with an Instapot and cookbook for it.
Essential oil-infused natural wipes from Enfresh to relax you after a long shift or revive you before a long one!

No matter what size space you traveler is living in, they can always use a portable phone charger! Choose from a variety of options from Amazon and other retailers.

We hope we’ve inspired you with our travel nurse gift ideas! Cheers and happy holidays!

For all the travel nurses and medical professionals, we want to THANK YOU for going above and beyond this year. You’ve taken COVID-19 contracts in red zones, work harder than you ever have before, and have handled yourselves with grace. We appreciate you! Treat yourself to an item or experience that has been on your wish list for a long time. You deserve it!

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

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By Theresa Cofield

December 2, 2020

4348 Views

5 Steps to Creating a Healthy Healing Environment at Home

Posted on December 2, 2020January 16, 2023 by Theresa Cofield

Important Advices to Create a Perfect Environment at Home

The modern world lives very fast, and often we forget about many important things. You run to and from work, increasing stress and forgetting about relaxation and tranquility. But it is easy to cope with this if your home is comfortable and relaxing.

However, this “coin” has another side. For example, the premises we have been in for a long time can be “infected” with various elements that put our physical and emotional well-being at risk. The healthy atmosphere in the room is very important for this factor and for each of us.

For this reason, it is worth understanding this problem, especially when it comes to a berth and quality of rest. It’s important for us to renew energy and start our day with enough energy and motivation that does not leave us.

If you want a calm atmosphere in your room so that your home becomes a place of “good vibrations” where you feel as comfortable as possible, you need to change the atmosphere here a little. Our article will provide some important tips on how to achieve the perfect atmosphere.

Keep Electronic Devices Away If You Want to Relax

First of all, it is very useful for a quality vacation. Sleep disturbances are often associated with so-called electromagnetic pollution in a room. Televisions, tablets, computers, mobile phones and entertainments as csgo betting websites degrade sleep quality, weakening the body’s natural defenses. Therefore, try to avoid electromagnetic overload in the bedroom. You can transfer them to your office or hallway, and make the bedroom a place of rest and sleep. Moreover, this will help to “train” the body to fall asleep faster, as well as defeat sleep problems. High-quality rest is the key to a pleasant home atmosphere and atmosphere.

Fresh Air and Ventilation

The air you breathe in the room must be clean and fresh. So you must open the windows every day and remove pollution from the environment naturally.

Try to develop the habit of opening windows in your home for at least 10 minutes a day. It is advisable to do this immediately after waking up and one hour before bedtime.
Fresh air will not only have a refreshing effect but also help prevent the formation of mold and prevent the spread of bacterial microorganisms.

Change Bed Linen at least Once a Week

It is known that most harmful microorganisms live in bedspreads, tablecloths, and bedding. We recommend changing kits at least once a week. This will prevent the accumulation of bacteria, dust mites, and other microbes that threaten health. Moreover, a change of scenery and visual perception will be useful for your mood and inner well-being. Of course, the main thing is that you like this bedding in design.

Besides, wash bedding (blankets, duvet covers, pillowcases, and dirt) in hot water using an antibacterial soap (washing powder) so that there is no trace of bacteria.

Cleanliness – The Key to Health

This is obvious but true. The garbage in the room and house negatively affects our well-being and increases the risk of learning in practice what harmful microorganisms are and what harm they can do to you. If you are one of those who have breakfast, lunch, or dinner right in bed while watching TV, then immediately try to take dirty dishes, napkins, etc. to the kitchen.

Otherwise, your room will be filled with an unpleasant odor; it will look messy and may attract unwanted insects. Moreover, there is the so-called “broken window effect.” It is proved that a person in an unfavorable environment becomes more lazy and disorganized. So let the environment around you contribute to a working mood.

The Right Things at the Right Places

There are many ways to create and maintain a healthy atmosphere in your home. And one of them is the perfect order. Try to keep all things in place. Do not forget to make the bed, do not scatter shoes. Store dirty laundry in a basket specially designed for it (if there is none, it is better to purchase it).

Make sure that all the elements in the room fulfill the function of “broadcasting” calm and joy. You can arrange (hang) paintings and photographs. The way they remind you of happy moments, important people, or beautiful places you have visited.

Bonus: Our Green Friends

Plants are what makes our life on the planet possible. We exist thanks to the oxygen that they produce. Besides, scientists have proven that indoor plants can help our physical and mental health. There are several types of plants that not only decorate the room but also create a harmonious atmosphere in it, giving a feeling of complete relaxation.

Although plants are used in principle to purify the air (and to saturate it with oxygen), not all of them are suitable for enclosed spaces. Therefore, we recommend that you choose from the following:

Lavender: in addition to the exquisite aroma, this plant provides a full sleep and reduces stress.
Jasmine: This exotic plant also has a calming effect, helping to control anxiety and anxiety.
Hamedorea, or bamboo palm: another type of plant that is perfect not only for decorating the room and purifying the air, but also to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Sansevieria (pike tail): ideal for interior decoration, unpretentious, able to survive dramatic climate changes. It does not suffer from a lack of light and does not require frequent watering. This plant purifies the air, turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. And if you believe the philosophy of Feng Shui, it also attracts luck.
Chrysanthemum: it is also used indoors for air purification. And thanks to the wonderful gamut of colors, it brings a sense of harmony and happiness to the house.
Orchid: it is also called the “plant of youth.” Orchids can remove xylenes from the atmosphere, as well as other harmful substances that are found in small electrical appliances.
Aloe vera: another suitable home plant. It provides good oxygen production and provides a deep, restoring sleep. This is an ideal plant, if you are often not at home, it normally tolerates a lack of light and water. Of course, he needs care, but it is much less whimsical in comparison with other plants.

Conclusion

Of course, these are not all the tips that will help make your home environment more comfortable and enjoyable for mental and physical health. Much depends on pleasant design and planning. But each person has an individual sense of style, so this issue is decided personally and with the help of professional designers. But in any environment, the tips listed in the article will be useful for your well-being and inner comfort.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

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By Gifted Healthcare

December 1, 2020

8114 Views

5 Holiday Gifts Travel Nurses Will Love in 2020

Posted on December 1, 2020November 10, 2023 by Gifted Healthcare

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

The holiday season is almost here, and it’s fair to say that 2020 was a year that travel nurses, the healthcare community, and the world will never forget. The healthcare industry has also changed quite a bit since January.

As we all prepare to gift shop for the RNs in our lives, some of this year’s top gifts for travel nurses will reflect the unprecedented changes that occurred during the Year of the Nurse. But there are also a number of items for nurses that will always be helpful, no matter what.

We’ve created a list of holiday gifts that travel nurses will love this year to help you choose the perfect gift for your RN friend or family member. Read on to learn how to make a healthcare hero smile this holiday season!

Personal N95 Respirator Mask

COVID-19 has changed the travel nursing landscape, making personal protective equipment (PPE) a must. The CDC recommends that nurses wear N95 respirators, and disposable N95 masks are available at hospitals across the country. However, disposable N95 masks can be uncomfortable, causing bruising, irritation, and foggy glasses.

Make sure the RN in your life is safe and comfortable while they’re doing their heroic work!

Underscrubs

Most travel nurses wear scrubs, a sanitary outfit worn by healthcare professionals involved in patient care. Underscrubs are the items of clothing RNs wear underneath, providing them with extra comfort and relief from excessive perspiration or cold weather.

Many companies are now creating lines of underscrubs made of high-performance fabrics, meant to provide male and female nurses with supreme comfort and an extra element of fashion while still maintaining their full range of motion and physicality.

For premium underscrubs, check out FIGS, Jaanuu, MEDICLO, or Amazon.

Insulated Tumbler

Whether they drink coffee, tea, juice, or water, travel RNs need a simple way to bring their drinks with them.

The YETI Rambler is a top choice for an insulated tumbler, but Amazon offers a large variety of great options. Hot or cold, caffeinated or decaf — no matter what your favorite travel RN likes to drink, an insulated tumbler will preserve it and let them take it anywhere.

PhoneSoap Phone Sanitizer

It’s easy to forget that most of our mobile phones are crawling with bacteria. We may wash our hands many times a day, but most people rarely wash their phones.

With new sanitation guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, make sure the travel nurse in your life covering all their bases with PhoneSoap, a phone-sanitizing device that uses UV light to kill bacteria while keeping electronic components unharmed.

According to PhoneSoap, its device can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria in 10 minutes! Not to mention it features a simple design that can function like a sleek, understated accessory.

Luxury Backpack

By definition, travel nurses are on the go. Why not get them a gift that will let them travel in style?

Backpacks are extremely versatile pieces of luggage. They’re perfect for daily trips to and from work, with enough space to pack scrubs, lunch, a laptop, and more.

Companies like Dagne Dover, Vessel, Everlane, Bellroy, and many others offer luxury backpacks that are modern, functional and luxurious but not flashy, making them perfect for everyday use.

We hope this list of gifts for travel nurses help you shop for the heroic RN in your life this holiday season!

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

START HERE

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

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By Medely

November 30, 2020

12919 Views

Five Reasons to Pick Up Per Diem Shifts as a Travel Nurse

Posted on November 30, 2020January 16, 2023 by Medely

This article was provided by Medely.

As a travel nurse, you’re well aware of the advantages of travel assignments – as well as the downsides. But travel assignment woes are just one reason you should keep picking up per diem shifts in your back pocket.

Getting setup to book per diem shifts will vary depending on several factors. The facility you’re working at, and your travel agency is at the top of that list. You’ll want to check with both to see if there’s anything you need to know before booking per diem. If your travel agency doesn’t support per diem while on assignment, you may want to consider an agency that does. If your facility doesn’t have extra shifts for you, that’s actually for the best. As you’ll see below, there are good reasons to work extra shifts at a different location.

With that said, let’s jump into our five reasons to pick up per diem shifts as a travel nurse.

Earn extra cash when you need it
Enjoy complete control of your schedule
Expand your knowledge and experience
Evaluate new facilities
Exercise your past skills to keep them sharp

1. Earn extra cash, when you need it

A travel assignment that was canceled mid-flight. A seemingly endless Christmas gift list. Life’s unpredictable, and we all have times we could use a financial infusion. Per diem, nursing is a perfect solution as it typically pays well. Plus, when you’ve made enough to finish that gift list, you can step away for a while.

2. Enjoy complete control of your schedule

There’s a lot of freedom involved in travel nursing, but nothing beats per diem for flexibility. Per diem shifts are the epitome of “Work when you want.” Before you accept a shift, there’s zero commitment on your part. Book shifts when you need them and kick up your feet and relax when you don’t.

3. Expand your knowledge and experience

As a travel professional, you’ve seen how different a job can be at a new facility. Per diem shifts, let you work with different facilities and professionals every shift. This can give you both a broader perspective and knowledge base, as well as grow your network.

4. Evaluate new facilities

Working per diem shifts lets you test drive a new facility before committing to an assignment. Check out the company culture. Sample their caseload and pro-to-patient ratio. See if employees are a good fit for your personality—all without committing to a long-term assignment.

5. Exercise your past skills to keep them sharp

Haven’t worked a specific role in a while and need a refresher? Yup, per diem can help with that too. Developing and honing your skills will always be a benefit. Working per diem shifts enables you to do that in a way that fits your lifestyle and career plans.

Is working per diem shifts as a travel nurse right for you?

These are just a few of the reasons why working per diem shifts makes sense for travel professionals. In fact, every nurse or allied pro likely has a reason or two to work per diem shifts. Again, If you need an agency that supports both, consider checking out Medely. They offer per diem, local assignments, and travel assignments with thousands of facilities from coast-to-coast.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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Use technology to stay connected to your loved ones

Organize holiday festivities at work

Take extra time off later

Enjoy that holiday pay

Remember that you make a difference

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Well, not on social media.

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Identify what’s triggering your anxiety.

Strengthen your resiliency.

Develop coping strategies you can use in the moment.

Try doing some deep-breathing exercises.

Talk to a colleague.

Focus on something positive.

Treat yourself with kindness.

Take breaks.

Talk to your manager(s) or Recruiter

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!)

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Chronic stress is everywhere, all day, every day.

Fast

Try:

Breathing:

Refocus:

Visualizing:

Hugging:

Aromatherapy:

Shifting:

Accepting:

Gratitude:

Exercise:

Mindfulness:

Repeating personal phrase:

Slow

Self-care includes caring for your body, mind, and spirit.

Meditation:

Mindset:

Change your environment:

Change or accept:

Kindness:

Yoga:

Eliminate:

Creating a self-care lifestyle supports your well-being, which boosts your resilience to stress.