July 9, 2020

6376 Views

7 Steps to Stay Safe While Adventuring

Posted on July 9, 2020May 19, 2021 by Jessica Smith

Adventures are a breath of fresh air you crave to rejuvenate your soul from the mundane routines of everyday life. You get the opportunity to clear your mind from stresses and worries and feel the thrill of the moment by engrossing in an adventure. The great outdoors provides plenty of opportunities for an adventure, and you will learn to love the uncertainties surrounding every decision

There are many adventures to choose from, such as mountain climbing, kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, etc. You will notice that you feel lighter in spirit and get inspiration to make positive changes in your everyday life when you come back from a satisfying adventure.

Being mentally positive and facing any situation with optimism and courage is crucial to get through every situation successfully. You must be able to think on your feet and make quick decisions as you will not have access to help from the outside world most of the time. Staying safe should always be the priority while on an adventure, and you must ensure to take every safety precaution possible.

1. Plan And Prepare For Your Adventure

Planning is the best strategy that you must adopt to avoid disaster while on an adventure. Make an effort to plan thoroughly on the activities you are going to take part in and the accessories and equipment you will need on your adventure. If you are traveling as a group, you will need to keep in mind the weakest link in your group while planning the difficulty of activities in your adventure.

Ask for advice from people who have been to the location before and gather as much information as possible about the location. Ensure that you have the necessary equipment and clothing according to the location and the terrain. Make a note of the natural wildlife in the area and a plan to avoid encounters by staying clear of their habitat.

2. Check The Weather Forecast

Check the weather forecast to get an idea about the weather in the upcoming days. The time of the year is also a significant factor to consider as the terrain can change entirely with changes to season. Due to the longer daylight duration and the absence of debilitating conditions such as snow and rain, it is easier to survive outdoors in the summer months. You may also want to plan for the places where you want to camp at night and ensure you reach these locations before the sunsets.

3. Let Someone Know About Your Plans

You will probably not have connectivity on your mobile phones in remote areas without any habitation. It will be a hindrance in reaching out for help in the likelihood that you get lost or experience an injury. Letting someone on the outside know about your whereabouts and your plans will allow them to arrange for a rescue if you go missing.

Ensure that you do not change your plan midway through your adventure and do something you did not prepare for before setting out. When you do not return at the time you plan at first, your family member or friends who are aware of your plans can contact the authorities to arrange for a rescue mission.

4. Pack For Your Adventure

Bringing along all the essential equipment is essential to any successful adventure. If you are traveling to the location by car, you can use a car roof rack to safely transport your adventure gear such as a tent, kayak, bicycle, and more. Avoid bringing more items than you require as this may detract you from moving fast from one location to another and the burden can tire you quickly.

Do your research or consult with an expert on what equipment you will need to bring along for every adventure. Bring along a first aid kit to treat any injuries you may procure during the adventure. Timely treatment can prevent a minor injury from aggravating into something more serious.

5. Understand Your Limits

Pick the challenges you face according to your capabilities and limits to avoid injury and getting stuck at dangerous locations. Avoid pushing your endurance to the limit as the weather and surroundings can change rapidly leaving you in a difficult situation. Do not try to pursue your plans if the weather deteriorates rapidly. Flash floods can strike without notice in a short spell of heavy rainfall and can be fatal if you are in its path. You must be open to the option of turning back if the situation is not encouraging to continue with the adventure.

6. Enhance Your Route Finding Skills

Finding your way in the outdoor environment can be challenging for someone new to outdoor adventures. Although you can use technology such as GPS, they may not always be reliable due to lack of network coverage and the need to recharge the batteries. The ability to read a paper map and a compass can be extremely useful to find your way and avoid getting lost. You may also consider hiring a guide who is familiar with the location and also on the safe paths to take.

7. Drink Plenty Of Water

You can only survive for a maximum duration of three days without access to water. Insufficient water consumption can also lead to dehydration and other life-threatening issues that severely compromise your ability to finish your adventure. Ensure that you bring plenty of water and a portable purification system to make any water source safe for drinking. Drinking unsafe water can lead to a host of diseases which can be fatal.

Conclusion

Everyone loves to go on an exciting adventure, and with the right precautions and preparations, you can make your adventure enjoyable. Adventures come with their fair share of risks, and these often give rise to enlightening experiences and a treasure of memories. You can never eliminate the risks in an adventure, and the risks and the unpredictability are what make your adventure full of thrills. Through this article, let us go through the 7 steps to stay safe while adventuring.

Following some basic tips and equipment will allow you to successfully face the issues that arise while on an adventure and come out successful. You will need to plan on your adventure well beforehand and anticipate the weather and situations you may face in the outdoors. You need to pack the items and clothes you will require according to the duration of your adventure and the activities you will take part in.

We hope this article with tips to help you stay safe during adventures was helpful. If you have any more tips to help stay safe during adventures comment them below.

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By ONESTAFF MEDICAL

July 8, 2020

8208 Views

Adopting a Minimalist-ish Lifestyle

Posted on July 8, 2020May 19, 2021 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

This article was provided by Onestaff Medical.

Minimalist Lifestyle

If any lifestyle is a good fit for someone that travels months at a time for work, it’s a minimalist lifestyle. Not only for the obvious reason (being able just to grab the bare necessities and hit the road for your next hot new assignment) but because when you’re traveling as much as we do, you don’t settle in and make habits to collect too often. Well, living a minimalist-ish lifestyle can help us emotionally/ mentally also. It keeps our lives less free of clutter, which results in positive effects on our moods and well-being.

Let’s be frank; moving can be THE WORST, especially if you have too many belongings to lug around. Minimalism has been gaining traction through Netflix (Marie Kondo), Podcasts (Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus), and any and all home improvement magazines, websites and tv shows. We can learn about all of the tips and tricks of adopting a minimalist lifestyle, but when it comes down to it, getting rid of that old vase, you kept from flowers you received six years ago or the pile of books you read once and haven’t thought about since is hard.

Why should you at least think of adopting a minimalist-ish lifestyle?

Financial Freedom and saving that dough
Selling unused items
Lessening your impulse buys
Using the money, you would use for things on experiences
Less clutter = Less Stress
Develop better relationships by filling your time with loved ones rather than things
Easier to move city to city
Less stuff= effortless packing

Have I used it in the last 90 days?

Thinking about getting rid of belongings can stir up a bunch of stress and anxiety. To make it simpler, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus came up with the “90/90 Rule.” It’s very straightforward and a great eye-opener. When deciding to keep an item or not, ask yourself, have I used (said item) in the last 90 days? If the answer is no, ask yourself if you will use (said item) in the next 90 days. If the answer is still no, hopefully, this will help make the decision for you. Now, this does not pertain to family heirlooms or very personal items.

(Probably) the most important aspect of Minimalism is saving that moolah. Besides selling unused items and lessening your impulse buys, adopting some minimalist choices in regards to your finances can make a HUGE difference.

Less stuff = smaller place = lower rent/utilities
Fewer credit cards = easier budgeting
Try to pair down your cards and stick to one card with great benefits like cash back or 0 to low-interest rates.

Go at your own pace

If you aren’t used to keeping things minimal, it’s definitely a change, so don’t fret. Focus on small changes. Take it slow and work at your own pace. Adopting a minimalist-ish lifestyle isn’t an overnight switch and will require some hard decisions. But knowing that those decisions lie in YOUR hands and your hands alone is comforting because only YOU get to choose what stays and what goes. Think of your future, future moves, future cross-country assignments, future experiences, and ultimately do what is best for you! End of the day, your focus should be on finding ways to create your own little sanctuary while decompressing between shifts if you can find peace with a bit of clutter, to each his own.

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By Paul Priceman

July 5, 2020

12915 Views

Healthy Breakfasts for Travel Nurses In 5 Minutes or Less

Posted on July 5, 2020December 20, 2023 by Paul Priceman

Mornings as a travel nurse are often hectic, here are some quick and healthy options.

Breakfast is known to be the most important meal of the day;

healthy breakfasts for travel nurses — Photo by Rachel Park on Unsplash

Breakfast provides us with that necessary boost of energy to accomplish and treat patients with patience and care. But life as a travel nurse is busy, and mornings can be hectic. Who has the time to spend even 15 minutes in the morning eating breakfast? Well, I definitely don’t.

But that’s not to say I don’t eat breakfast! I do, just only ones that take under five minutes of preparation. This way, I get that boost of energy, yet I haven’t wasted too much precious time.

Over the years, I’ve put together a collection of fast and easy recipes for travel nurses, some of which can even be made in advance and then put in the freezer overnight. Additionally, the ingredients are basic and easy to find no matter where you live.

Here are some of my favorite ideas!

5 Minute Breakfast

High Protein Shake

There are lots of delicious protein shakes available today that are chock full of vitamins and minerals. My favorite is Nestle’s Chocolate Flavored Boost Original Shake; it’s flavorful, and takes no preparation whatsoever.

Morning Prep Time: -1 min.

Instant Oatmeal

Quaker Oatmeal packets are a busy person’s dream. All you need to do is pour the contents of the packets into a bowl, add hot water and some milk, and stir. That’s all it takes to make a nutritious, healthy breakfast!

Morning Prep Time: -1 min.

Automatic Eggs

This one is so easy, it’s awesome. And it tastes great, and it’s nutritious, besides! It’s so easy, there’s no need for a full recipe. Here’s how to make these automatic eggs.

Total Time: 3 minutes

Turn on your sandwich maker (the type with 4 triangles)

Spray with Pam

Mix 2 eggs in a bowl

You can add in spices such as black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to taste.

Pour the mixture carefully into the sandwich maker

wait for the light on top of the sandwich maker to turn green.

It’ll take a minute or two, so you can quickly pack a snack or find something else to take care of while it cooks.

Once it’s green, you can take it out with a fork, eat it, and enjoy!

Breakfast bars

Buy them or make them, depending on where you’re living and what you’d prefer. There are many delicious breakfast bars to be found in stores; Kind breakfast bars and those from Balance Bare are known to be great options.

Morning Prep Time: -1 min.

Granola Muffins

This is definitely my favorite: It tastes great, is healthy, and is relatively easy to make. I make a batch of them every few weeks (not in the morning; I do it every couple of weeks, usually in the evening. They take 10 minutes to make, and an additional 20 minutes to bake, and yield about 15 muffins.), and then just grab a muffin on my way out and eat it in the car. It’s so nutritious, yet simultaneously delicious!

Morning Prep Time: 2 min. to defrost

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. white whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. plain non-fat yogurt
1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. honey
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c. granola

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400. Line a muffin tin with muffin liners, & spray the liners with Pam.
Mix flour, baking soda & salt in large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: yogurt, applesauce, honey, egg & vanilla. Stir well to combine.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix.
Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full.
Sprinkle granola on top of each unbaked muffin.
Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes, until done. Let cool then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Freeze up to 6 months.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Low-fat Greek yogurt is a healthy and dietetic breakfast option that comes in so many flavors! Choose from Honey Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana Cream, Blended Apple Pie, and nearly any other flavor you can imagine. Just open the yogurt, mix it, and eat. It’s that easy! But if you have five minutes to create your own flavor, here’s a great recipe to try:

Morning Prep Time: 4 min.

1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt (I use 2%)
2 tablespoons honey.
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 medium crisp apple (I like honeycrisp, gala, or pink lady for these), cored and diced
1/4 cup applesauce.
Additional honey and cinnamon for topping, if desired.

Oat Smoothie

This smoothie recipe from Well Plated is delicious, and will fill you with fiber, protein and healthy fats. I don’t make it that often, since it takes a full 5 minutes to prepare, but if you’ve got the time, go for it! It’s so good, I just had to include it.

Morning Prep Time: 5 min.

Ingredients:

¼ c. quick oats
1 frozen banana chopped into chunks
½ unsweetened almond milk
1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
½ Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Ice

Instructions:

Blend oats in the blender. Once finely ground, add all the other ingredients.
Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the blender as needed.
You can add additional sweetener if you like a sweeter smoothie.

These recipes and ideas are great for traveling nurses; they’ll power you up for the long day ahead. And now, there’s no reason to ever skip breakfast, because there are such easy options for you to choose from! Enjoy!

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By Honza Hroch – CreativeNurse

July 4, 2020

20695 Views

3 Travel Nurse Financial Management Tips

Posted on July 4, 2020May 19, 2021 by Honza Hroch – CreativeNurse

Travel nursing is a very demanding profession that can leave little time for anything outside of work and family responsibilities (let alone sleep!). As a result, travel RNs often find themselves scrambling when it comes to personal finances or long-term financial stability.

As precious as free time is, it’s important for travel nurses to take time out to focus on the financial component of their lives regularly, or we suffer the consequences later! To help, we’ve compiled these 3 tips for travel nurses to help manage personal finances more effectively.

Travel Nurse Personal Finances Tips

1.) Don’t do it on your own:

Use a combination of technology and a financial advisor to help get financially organized. Utilize technology to get organized and utilize the help of a financial advisor. There are numerous financial, organizational software programs available on the market. Most of these do a good job helping you to stay organized. At a minimum, you need a program where you can input all of your data and accounts. Additionally, you should have a program where you can link your accounts so that values get updated daily. This will help you see where you are in regards to having enough short-term liquidity, building adequate long-term investments, and all areas in between.

Becoming and staying financially organized will help you transition between jobs and help you stay on track to becoming financially independent.

Now, technology is great, but you will also need some human interaction to help you make the right financial decisions. So be sure to team up with an advisor where technology and human touch go hand in hand. This gives you have someone to call when questions arise and someone who can coach and guide you during both good and bad economic times.

2.) Set up automatic savings plans as a financial platform

It is tough to save money consistently if there is no automatic system in place. Relying solely on having the discipline to not spend all of the money in your checking or savings account can be a difficult and stressful task. On the other hand, it’s easier to have savings automatically allocated towards different accounts every month and have the money taken straight out of your paycheck or out of your savings/checking account. By having automatic deductions in place, two things occur that will ease your mind.

First, new savings and wealth are being built. Second, it gives you the freedom to spend everything left in your checking/savings account. By doing it this way, you will have less stress around what you can afford and what you cannot spend money on, and you know that you are saving for the future.

3.) Don’t stick your head in the sand – be engaged when it comes to your money!

You shouldn’t have to meet with your advisor and talk to your advisor all the time. However, you must be aware of how, where, and why your money is invested the way it is. You must have an investment policy statement and a profile set up that fits with your investment allocations. It’s also important that it fits with your overall financial plan and risk comfort level.

Make sure you talk or meet with your advisor at least two times a year. Make sure that the advisor is aware of job & family changes in addition to any other events that might affect your overall plan.

As a general rule, you should be fully aware of why the plan is set up the way it is. Consider understanding allocations, industries, geographies, etc. This is not only true when it comes to your investments but also holds in regards to:

your insurance portfolio
your debt reduction plan
savings rate (more on this in a future article)
overall financial plan.

2016-25878 Exp. 7/18

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By AB Staffing Solutions

July 2, 2020

5199 Views

What to Look for in a Travel Nurse or Allied Health Recruiter

Posted on July 2, 2020February 3, 2023 by AB Staffing Solutions

For many travel nurses or allied health professionals, you may have had different experiences with recruiters. As you are researching travel options, consider these for your next recruiter and placement agency.

Not all recruiters and agencies are the same

This might seem obvious, but we think it is worth exploring. Just like every facility has its own culture, so do agencies. Ask questions before signing on to a specific agency. Do not be afraid to be specific asking questions like,

How long has the agency been placing travel nurses or allied health professionals?
What type of facilities or areas are available? They may have rural options and you desire urban, for example.
What hours will my recruiter be available?

When you speak to a potential recruiter, have a list of questions planned out to ask. After you speak to them, ask for references from other providers with whom they have worked. They should be able to give you a few of their current healthcare providers to talk to before you decide to work them.

Look for a travel nurse or allied health recruiter who has these qualities:

Honesty is the best policy.

Select a travel nurse recruiter that will not string you along. It is important for them to be as honest about the jobs, benefits, and housing available as you are about where you want to work.

Available when you need them.

Is the agency responding in a timely manner? Are they responding in a professional manner? Did they ask how to best reach you (email, phone, text)? They should be willing to work with you and be available when you need them.

Patience is a top quality.

You are hiring them to do the legwork of finding you a good match. They need to be willing to answer all your questions. If you are new to travel or the agency, you will likely have many questions, especially if your last experience was not as good as you hoped. It takes a patient recruiter to guide you through the process to the best match.

Be a good listener.

Just as patients want medical professionals who listen to them, you want a recruiter who listens to you. What type of facility do you want? Which areas are your top choices? If you love a position, would you be willing to stay longer than a 13-week contract if asked? Are you willing to take a crisis contract? Your recruiter will ask many questions and the best will listen to your answers and concerns.

Expert in healthcare placement.

Your recruiter should have a keen understanding of the travel nursing industry. Nursing and Allied Health jobs, especially during a pandemic, are filled fast. You want a caring recruiter who can match you with the desired position as efficiently as possible. That takes time to learn the industry and makes your initial questions of the health recruiter important.

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

START HERE

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By Triage Healthcare Staffing

June 30, 2020

4941 Views

The 6 Things You AND Your Recruiter Should Do to Get You Placed and Back Out on the Road in a Recovery Market

Posted on June 30, 2020May 19, 2021 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

This article provided by Triage.

There’s no denying it, times are tough. As the COVID-19 outbreak spread across the country, hospitals and clinics were forced to forgo elective procedures and focus their efforts on combatting the virus. While there was high demand in a few key specialties, many travel, and even permanent medical professionals, were left on the sidelines.

As we see COVID case volume begin to stabilize, there is a push to re-open the country, including a return to operating rooms and elective procedures. Inevitably the need for travelers will begin to ramp, but all signs point to a slow, measured climb to pre-COVID activity levels. That means there are many more candidates than jobs available. In fact, here is what recruiters are seeing:

Between 1-5 minutes to get candidates submitted out for a chance to interview
For every job that opens, 15-30 profiles submitted within minutes

Return to normal will be competitive

So yes, the return to normal will be competitive and positions are limited. The events of 2020 have left many feeling out of control. But, some good news: you (and your recruiter) are in control of how you respond to the opportunities opening around the country.

In this market, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Prepare now and your chances of starting an assignment are real. Sit back and wait for the return? You will likely continue sitting . . . on the bench.

We have compiled a list of the 6 things you and your recruiter should be doing right now to ensure you are ready. If your recruiter isn’t reaching out now, maybe it’s time to look for another recruiter. And we’ve got just the folks for that.

6 things you and your recruiter should be doing:

Take action now. Don’t wait.

1. Update Skills Checklist:

Don’t wait until a job becomes available, make sure your skills checklists on file with your agency today is the most up to date.

2. Verified References on File:

It’s not just enough to provide references, be sure your recruiter has followed up and verified. Don’t miss out on a job because Sally Manager at your last facility hasn’t returned your recruiter’s phone call.

3. Ensure you have a Branded Resume:

You may not know it, but your agency often reformats your resume before they can submit you for a job. Again, make sure it is up to date with your latest work history and your recruiter has formatted it properly for submissions. Waiting to complete this step can mean you miss out on the next urgent opening.

4. Answer your Phone:

It might be your recruiter calling with a job or facility calling to interview you. Miss the call and be ready to ride the pine…: It is crucial to stay in touch with your recruiter either by text, phone, or email weekly. Once a job is posted with staffing agencies, the volume goes through the roof. It is essential to be in the first round of submissions. Again, if they aren’t staying in touch with you, now’s the time to go looking for someone who will.

5. Give Permission to Submit:

Consider giving your recruiter permission to submit you to a job if they are confident it meets your needs. You do not want to miss an opportunity because you missed a text message or phone call about an opening.

6. Readjust Expectations:

We get it. This one is tough. We saved it for last. You may not want to hear it but the medical pros that are the most flexible are the ones landing their next gig.

Timing: Clients will want the soonest start date possible. Have your bags packed and be ready to go. You may also have to be open to shorter contract options during the recovery.
Flexibility: No sugar coating this one. The more open you are, to settings, to locations and to pay, the more opportunities are available.
Pay: Let’s get more specific. You will likely not see the same pay as your last assignment for the next several months. It’s not what you want to hear, but we want you to be prepared for the current market.
Vacation: We recommend limiting your PTO requests during the next 3-6 months if possible, especially during the upcoming holidays. Not ideal but may be worth it if for your career in the long run.

For more information or to reach out to a recruiter with Triage click here!

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

June 29, 2020

7452 Views

10 Mental Health Tips For Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on June 29, 2020November 10, 2023 by Medely

This article provided by Medely.

During a time that may feel out-of-control for many nurses, it’s important to take control of our mental health and try our best to focus on self-care when away from work. You owe it to yourself to intentionally control how you spend time away from work and where you place your thoughts in-between shifts.

After returning home from work, most nurses must quarantine themselves, giving them few outlets to deal with the heavy mental load required of them in the workplace.

“I’m scared. For myself, husband, family, my coworkers. I just take it day by day. I can’t do anything else but that. My husband is great, he’s funny, makes me laugh. But I know in the coming weeks it will be crazier and I’m scared,” said Lein, a registered nurse in Los Angeles.

It is definitely not a reassuring time for nurses. And, many of us might feel as if a tsunami of COVID-19 patients could overwhelm us at any moment. Here are eight ways to manage feelings of anxiety and overwhelm as we tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consider taking a mental break from the COVID-19 pandemic information overload. Even during non-pandemic times, evidence shows the news and social media outlets can make people sadder and more anxious, than if they didn’t watch it at all. Consider finding one or two expert sources for your medical news, instead of mass consuming from several sources, which may or may not be accurate.

2. Video chat with friends and family

While much of the world is hunkering down at home, many nurses are forced to deal with fear and anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic alone. This leaves our frontline workers vulnerable to depression and anxiety with few outlets for social communication.

“I feel very isolated and alone being a travel nurse hundreds of miles away from family and friends.” – Brittney, RN, Chicago, Il.

Here are some way to video chat,

Zoom can help with that. Try setting up a lunch or dinner date with friends a few times a week to stay socially connected with the outside world.
Facebook messenger has video chatting capabilities.
Facetime on the iPhone is also a great way to video chat.

Studies show that face-to-face contact is more effective at preventing depression and anxiety than using email or even talking on the phone. As many nurses are unable to meet others in person, connecting through Zoom is another option.

3. Get outdoors

While many public areas are temporarily closed to the public, most hiking areas are not. It is possible to hike while keeping within the CDC guidelines of keeping at least 6 feet between yourself and others. If you can, bring someone you already live with along.

A recent study analyzed the impact of a physical activity program on anxiety, depression, occupational stress and burnout syndrome of nursing professions. It found that after the intervention, participants reported improved perceptions of bodily pain and feeling of fatigue at work.

Even though it might feel more natural to want to hide out at home and hibernate, getting entirely out of your element and being in nature may help nurses shake off some work pressure.

4. Watch funny movies

Laughing is no joke when it comes to relieving anxiety and stress. In fact, laughing has many therapeutic benefits for those under extreme duress, including reducing depression, calming the nervous system, and producing oxytocin (aka the feel-good hormone).

If you feel anxiety creeping up, stop it in its tracks by watching something so funny that you can’t help but laugh.

5. Try free online yoga & meditation

One study on yoga’s effect among intensive care unit nurses analyzed the impact of yoga on ICU coping strategies over an 8-week period. The results showed that the nurses who participated in the yoga study had a major reduction in their perceived mental pressure, as well as improved mental focus.

Since we can’t physically go to a class, try these ideas from home:

YouTube – there are lots of free YouTube videos with Yoga classes and guided meditation.
Calm – is a great, free meditation app with sessions lasting 3-5 minutes. It is available on the App Store or Google Play.
Insight Timer – the awesome thing about this app is that it offers customization based on the type of meditation you need – love/kindness, stress or mindfulness, for example. It is available on the App Storeor Google Play.
Online Therapy – several online resources are offering free therapy via phone, text, and video. Check those out here.

6. Eat nutritious, immune-boosting foods

Nurses are great instructors on how to eat a healthy diet, but sometimes taking our own advice during times of extreme stress can be challenging. But what is right for patient-care, also goes for hard-working nurses, many of which are already suffering from severe burnout and exhaustion.

Stress and immune function are interrelated. Eating the right foods can help boost immunity, especially for nurses nerve-wracked about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the best immune-boosting foods include,

Citrus fruits like, oranges, grapefruit, and lemons.
Leafy green vegetables like, broccoli, spinach, and kale.
Garlic
Ginger
Tumeric
Yogurt
Zinc

7. Talk to a therapist or other healthcare staff who can understand you struggle

Often family and friends who do not work on the frontlines of healthcare, though they mean well, have a hard time empathizing with a nurse’s experience in the workplace. Talk with someone who understands the stresses that come with being a nurse. It can help you put a voice to your fear and may help you be more open to exploring helpful ways to manage it.

Can’t make it to a therapist’s office? That’s OK, many therapists offer video and phone sessions. There are also many mobile apps available that focus on therapy and mental health to work with your schedule.

Here are a few online therapy apps that have great reviews,

8. Practice gratitude

A little gratitude can go a long way for our mental health. Try starting every day simply saying 3 things that you are grateful for. It can be as simple as feeling grateful for your warm bed, food in the pantry and a roof over your head. The more you practice gratitude, the more you’ll find things to be grateful for, even in challenging times.

Here’s an exercise you can do right now,

Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Ask yourself, “what am I grateful for today?”
Say 3 things that you’re grateful for – say it out loud.
Smile

9. Ask for what you need

As nurses, we often try to be the superheroes – packing on the weight of the world. Yes, we are nurses but, we are also spouses, parents, bread-winners, and we play so many other roles in society. Here’s a warm reminder that it’s OK to ask for help. Our friends and family certainly mean well when they say, “let me know if you need anything.” Which, of course, we don’t.

Here’s a tip, make a list of things that your loved one can help you with – and, ask for help. Here’s a list of things your friends and family can help with,

Drop off pre-packaged meals
Donate masks and PPE
Stop by the store while you’re at work to pick up things you need
Babysit your children
Send words of encouragement and support

10. Remind yourself, and others, that we will get through this

“I’ve seen so much negativity. Even from myself,” says Marcus Figueroa, RN from San Diego. “I want to think about the positives. I want to have a beer at the beach this summer, hopefully, without fear of getting close to people. In the meantime, have dance parties in the front room, drink that wine, paint, and play. And let’s hope the experts get this under control soon.”

Self-care for nurses is more important than ever. Especially for nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic who have no choice but to focus on what is happening today, at this moment.

If you would like more information on the COVID-19 pandemic click here. If you are looking for a COVID-19 job click here.

Original post located here: Nurse.org

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By The Gypsy Nurse

June 28, 2020

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Unveiling Tradition: Exploring Nursing Superstitions and Hospital Rituals

Posted on June 28, 2020December 18, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Superstition

is a belief in supernatural causality: that one event leads to the cause of another without any physical process linking the two events, a false conception of causality, such as astrology, omens, witchcraft, etc., that contradicts natural science. Wikipedia

If I ever get sick and must be admitted to the CCU, do not put me in room 4!

This Friday, the 13th, let’s look at the top 13 Nursing Superstitions:

1. Full Moon

A full moon always brings out all the crazies.

2. The Rule of Three.

This especially pertains to death and really busy nights. Three nights in a row of high census usually give us a little reprieve–or leads us to three more nights of a high census.

4. The “Q” word

Never say how well a shift/day has been before you clock out…or it won’t be good anymore.

5. Open a window

Open a window when a patient dies so the soul can escape.

6. Tie a knot in the bed sheet

Tying a knot in the bottom right sheet for a dying patient to last through the night.

7. A fly

A fly in the hospital means someone will die.

8. Good-luck Charms.

I know a nurse who always wears the same earrings as a talisman against a bad night.

9. L/D Instrumentation

Some L/D nurses won’t open instrumentation until the last minute before a delivery because they are afraid they will end up with a c-section.

10. Frequent Flyers

Never Discuss a frequent flyer who hasn’t been in lately. He/she will show up.

11. Never turn the lights out

When there is a code in the hospital, we open a room (turn the lights on, balance our bed scale, turn the monitor to standby), and if the patient doesn’t make it into our ICU, we NEVER turn the lights out.

12. Atropine in Cardiac ICU

In the cardiac ICU, I surreptitiously waved Atropine around the room before pulling femoral lines. If I had a patient in third-degree block or something similar, I carried a cartridge in my pocket. (It wards off evil spirits, obviously.)

13. “Certain Rooms are Unlucky.”

I used to tell my colleagues, “If I ever get sick and have to be admitted to the CCU, do not put me in room 4.” Room 4 was very unlucky. It seemed as though most patients in room 4 were very ill and didn’t survive. Why is that? Room placement is random on any given day; nurse assignment is random. It only seems logical to think it’s a “cursed” room.

Do you have others? Share them in the comments!

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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—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

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By The Gypsy Nurse

June 27, 2020

27294 Views

First Time Experiences as a New Travel Nurse

Posted on June 27, 2020April 29, 2024 by The Gypsy Nurse

Guest Post By: Kaci Baltazar, RN, BSN

I’m a small-town TX girl. I lived at home while going to college and had never lived on my own. I got engaged to my high school sweetheart when I was 20 years old. My parents were working-class people, raising three kids, so vacations to exotic places weren’t really on our radar growing up. I love my parents to the moon and back, but I knew there had to be more to the world than my small town. I had an undying desire to see the world, and then I heard about travel nursing; I was mesmerized. I knew it was something I had to do in July 2015; I set out on my first assignment.

My now-husband (then fiancé) was originally from California, so that’s where we chose to go. After dealing with the California BON for 7 months, I finally had a license and got my first travel assignment. I felt like I was on top of the world! At the age of 25, I was finally leaving home and setting my eyes on new land.

And then I got there….

The first week was fabulous. My fiancée traveled with me, and we set out going to the beach, trying new restaurants and new beer! I was in love with the mountains I had never seen and the beautiful beaches. I wasn’t sure I’d ever want to come home.

The next week I started working and reality set in. The hospital wasn’t bad, but it was a culture shock, to say the least. Even though I’m from a small town outside of the city, at home, I drove into the large level I trauma center that had every resource you could think of within its walls. This place was a tiny 2-floor hospital. Wound vac changes? You do them. Consults to specialists? You call them. Rapid response teams? You and your charge nurses. Physicians? You get out of your seat if they want it. It was just so different. I remember that week getting on the treadmill and just busting into tears. I missed my mom; we had never lived apart. I missed the work-family that knew and loved me since I was a CNA. I thought to myself, what in the hell was I thinking moving across the country. Even though my fiancée was with me, I think we both felt so alone.

But then it got better. We started taking trips to San Diego and staying in downtown L.A. on my weekends off with his cousin. The loneliness dissipated, and I found a new, better version of myself. Every day off was a new adventure.

Looking back, I’m so glad I took the chance with my first assignment. I left a perm position that I loved to face the unknown, and it wasn’t easy at first but amazing in the end. I grew up. My fiancée and I grew closer than ever. Both of us were really close to our families, so it was new and invigorating to have only each other to depend on. I grew as an RN. I learned new skills working in a small hospital where there was no wound care team, rapid response team and where physicians were a force to be reckoned with. I learned to make new friends. I became more outgoing. I saw more and lived more in those 5 months than I had in my entire lifetime.

Then it was time to come home. Our families missed us, we were getting married in the spring, and my home hospital offered a crazy good-paying seasonal job. I took it, and I came back. It wasn’t until then I realized I had changed. I was happy to be home with all the comforts, but parts of me weren’t content. The travel bug bit, and I couldn’t wait to be on the road again. That’s the problem with traveling, it wraps around your soul, and while there is no place like home, there is also no place like being on the road with the world in front of you. You begin to crave the unknown that comes with hopping in the car and moving to a city you’ve never been to. I’m not sure how I will ever settle. Maybe we just haven’t been everywhere we need to go, and one day I’ll wake up content at home but knowing the world a little better.

We hope you enjoyed reading one travel nurse’s story and experiences from her first assignment.

About Kaci: I’ve been a tele nurse for 4 years (2018), traveling on and off for the past two. I travel with my husband, who works from home as a recruiter. When we are on assignment, we enjoy trying new restaurants, making new friends, and the outdoors.

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1. Plan And Prepare For Your Adventure

2. Check The Weather Forecast

3. Let Someone Know About Your Plans

4. Pack For Your Adventure

5. Understand Your Limits

6. Enhance Your Route Finding Skills

7. Drink Plenty Of Water

Conclusion

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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Minimalist Lifestyle

Why should you at least think of adopting a minimalist-ish lifestyle?

Have I used it in the last 90 days?

Go at your own pace

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Breakfast is known to be the most important meal of the day;

5 Minute Breakfast

High Protein Shake

Instant Oatmeal

Automatic Eggs

Turn on your sandwich maker (the type with 4 triangles)

Mix 2 eggs in a bowl

Pour the mixture carefully into the sandwich maker

It’ll take a minute or two, so you can quickly pack a snack or find something else to take care of while it cooks.

Breakfast bars

Granola Muffins

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Oat Smoothie

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Travel Nurse Personal Finances Tips

1.) Don’t do it on your own:

2.) Set up automatic savings plans as a financial platform

3.) Don’t stick your head in the sand – be engaged when it comes to your money!

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Not all recruiters and agencies are the same

Look for a travel nurse or allied health recruiter who has these qualities:

Honesty is the best policy.

Available when you need them.

Patience is a top quality.

Be a good listener.

Expert in healthcare placement.

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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