February 24, 2022

2172 Views

Scared to Take the Leap into Travel Nursing? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Be!

Posted on February 24, 2022February 20, 2022 by Brandy Pinkerton

There is no doubt that travel nursing has been a trendy topic and more popular than ever due to the pandemic and nursing shortages. You may have met some travel nurses in your unit or have seen their adventures on social media. However, travel nursing may have been a goal and dream of yours for quite some time. For me, travel nursing had been my intention long before it gained such popularity, so you can imagine how scary the unknown was for me personally. Unfortunately, I had to learn some things the hard way and wish I had someone to guide me to the process. There are also a lot of misconceptions out there, so I wouldn’t want those to keep you from travel nursing. If you are scared to take the leap into travel nursing, I am here to help you through this transition and help set you up for success. Trust me when I tell you, the rewards will be worth it!

Debunking a Few Common Myths

If you are one of the many nurses considering a career in travel nursing, you’ve probably heard some horror stories or, at the minimum, some misconceptions. From being “too old” to start travel nursing, being assigned to the worst patients on the unit, floating, having no control over your schedule, being bullied by co-workers, or feeling like you don’t fit in. I’d like to share my perspective, both as a travel nurse and as a charge nurse.

You’re Too old to Try Travel Nursing:

My friend, you are never too old to set a new goal or have a new adventure. There is no set way you have to live your life; travel nursing isn’t just for young nurses. I will tell you one thing, you do not want to have regrets, and as I’ve gotten older, thinking about that has helped give me a new perspective on every decision in my life!

Travel Nurses always get the worst assignments and patients:

First of all, the charge nurse isn’t familiar with your skill level, and core staff often need the experience with higher acuity pts. No matter how many years of experience you have as a nurse, there’s always a chance to grow and learn while traveling. Being in a new environment requires you to adapt and be flexible. You’ll need to know your resources because with each new contract; there are new policies, new people, and new technology.

Travel Nurses are first to float:

While in many facilities, this may be true, you should not be asked to float to a unit that you are not comfortable with unless being asked to be “helping hands” to take vital signs and help answer call lights and phones, etc. Learning to float and be flexible is a skill; a skill that is only mastered by a few. During your interview, make sure to discuss floating with the unit manager. Make sure to get the units you are required to float to in your contract. It is very likely that after a few assignments, you likely won’t care as much because you have learned to be flexible and adaptable. Step out of your comfort zone and remember your purpose as a travel nurse is to fill a hospital’s needs.

Travel Nurses get the worst schedule:

The units I chose to work on have had self-scheduling with a weekend and holiday requirement, which was the same for staff nurses. Your schedule may not be exactly as you asked, but it’s usually close. If you know you need some time off during your assignment, it’s important to have those dates ready when you interview and make sure they are written in your contract.

Travel Nurses are bullied:

Unfortunately, this is a very real thing both as a staff nurse and traveler. Here are my “two cents.” If you go into your new unit with a positive, helpful attitude, you are much more likely to be well received by staff. Choosing a unit that already has a few travel nurses always seemed to be better for me. The nurses are less stressed, the on-boarding process is more thorough, and the management is generally more supportive.

Don’t let these common myths prevent you a travel nursing career— and enjoying the many perks that come with it: a great compensation package, professional development, and adventure! My Call to Action to you is to try it at least once!!!

Take the leap!

Check out TravelNurse101.com for more tips and education about Travel Nursing. Schedule your complimentary 1:1 mentoring session with Brandy today!

We hope you found this article on debunking myths and why you should take the leap into travel nursing helpful. Did you take the leap into travel nursing? Please share your story below.

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By Fusion Marketplace

February 23, 2022

1776 Views

Healthcare Travel Pay Trends by State

Posted on February 23, 2022November 28, 2023 by Fusion Marketplace

Fusion Marketplace provided this article.

Written by: Megan Bebout

The past few years have brought major changes in the world of healthcare travel. It seems like the notorious coronavirus, and its variants have virtually taken over the entire healthcare field, causing an influx in travel healthcare professionals like yourself. The dramatic increase in demand has also come with wage increases for healthcare professionals across the board. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of healthcare wage trends by state to gain a better idea of what to expect for the rest of 2022.

Recent changes in healthcare pay

Within a year, every state in the U.S. experienced changes in healthcare wages and, out of the 50 states, 44 of them saw at least a 10 percent growth in wage. With a 51.6 percent pay increase, Alaska tops the U.S. state as no. 1 for the highest healthcare pay growth, with Georgia followed behind at 47.7 percent and New Mexico at 40 percent.

Since winter enhances the spread of most viruses, the industry has seen a recent trend where wage increases mirror virus outbreaks within a particular state. In other words, the more infectious patients there are to treat, the more money you can make as a healthcare traveler.

Of course, what comes up must come down, and Wyoming healthcare workers felt firsthand the decrease in pay. For example, at the beginning of August 2021, healthcare professionals could expect a weekly salary of $2,538. But by the end of the month, that wage had decreased to $2,417, which is a decrease of 4.8 percent within the month.

There are several ways to compare your next travel assignment’s pay, including Fusion Marketplace. And regardless of where you live or where you travel to, you’re bound to feel the changes of healthcare pay eventually. When it happens, you can be as prepared as possible with Fusion Marketplace’s comprehensive job search platform and these recent trends broken out by state.

Healthcare travel wage trends by state

State	Weekly salary at the beginning of 2021	Weekly salary at the end of 2021	Percentage difference
Alabama	$2,074	$2,821	36%
Alaska	$2,154	$3,265	51.6%
Arizona	$2,375	$3,069	29.2%
Arkansas	$2,455	$2,911	18.6%
California	$2,587	$3,313	28.1%
Colorado	$2,157	$2,652	23%
Connecticut	$2,472	$2,542	2.8%
Delaware	$1,716	$2,810	38.9%
Florida	$2,402	$3,173	32.1%
Georgia	$2,456	$3,627	47.7%
Hawaii	$2,327	$2,367	1.7%
Idaho	$2,474	$3,173	28.3%
Illinois	$2,461	$2,879	17%
Indiana	$2,241	$2,908	20.1%
Iowa	$2,422	$2,677	10.5%
Kansas	$2,453	$2,756	12.4%
Kentucky	$2,325	$2,843	22.3%
Louisiana	$2,331	$2,925	25.5%
Maine	$2,311	$2,355	1.9%
Maryland	$2,284	$2,574	12.7%
Massachusetts	$2,419	$2,492	3%
Michigan	$2,296	$2,701	17.6%
Minnesota	$2,584	$2,970	14.9%
Mississippi	$2,348	2,814	19.9%
Missouri	$2,600	$3,022	16.2%
Montana	$2,091	$2,665	27.5%
Nebraska	$2,448	$2,680	9.5%
Nevada	$2,326	$2,863	23.1%
New Hampshire	$2,333	$2,600	11.4%
New Jersey	$2,309	$2,726	18.1%
New Mexico	$2,430	$3,401	40%
New York	$2,417	$2,788	15.4%
North Carolina	$2,289	$2,773	21.1%
North Dakota	$2,680	$3,396	26.7%
Ohio	$2,180	$2,581	18.4%
Oklahoma	$2,559	$3,025	18.2%
Oregon	$2,456	$3,211	30.7%
Pennsylvania	$2,441	$2,996	22.7%
Rhode Island	$2,259	$2,772	18.5%
South Carolina	$2,377	$2,749	15.7%
South Dakota	$2,392	$2,817	17.8%
Tennessee	$2,172	$2,588	19.2%
Texas	$2,270	$2,558	12.7%
Utah	$2,175	$2,727	25.4%
Vermont	$2,363	$2,457	4%
Virginia	$2,246	$2,546	13.4%
Washington	$2,307	$2,957	28.2%
West Virginia	$2,195	$2,569	17%
Wisconsin	$2,440	$3,159	29.5%
Wyoming	$2,538	$2,417	-4.8%

The healthcare industry goes through constant change, especially as the nation experiences infectious waves from illnesses like the coronavirus and influenza. As healthcare travelers become more and more in demand throughout the year, we can expect to see fluctuations in pay that mirror the demand. For you as a professional healthcare traveler, it’s important to keep up with current wage trends so you’re able to negotiate your pay with each assignment and ensure you’re making the most you can.

We hope you found this article on healthcare travel pay trends by state informational and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please comment below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

Author Bio

Megan Bebout

Megan is a professional writer and marketer, producing high-quality content to make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. She has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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By Morgan Elliott

February 21, 2022

1744 Views

Stress Relief: How Travel Nurses Can Use Their Time to Recharge

Posted on February 21, 2022January 16, 2023 by Morgan Elliott

Being a travel nurse is an exciting and fulfilling role. However, due to the responsibilities this job bears, many nurses tend to get overwhelmed and stressed. Even though most jobs nowadays are stressful now and then, prolonged stress can have extreme consequences on your health. This leads to burnouts and even mental illnesses like anxiety and depression!

Due to that, taking care of your mental health and taking time to get relieved from stress is crucial for this type of job. Since, as a travel nurse, you spend most of your time helping patients, it’s time to help yourself minimize stress! It’s a challenge that is not easy to overcome, but how can you succeed?

1. Stay organized

Even though staying organized is essential for any type of work, being a travel nurse requires top-notch organizational skills. As you frequently move from one place to another, keeping a schedule can help you stay organized and know your next move. But how can you do so if your every day is different?

The truth is that organization itself can cause stress if it’s not done correctly. Create schedules, to-do and checklists to stay on top of your game. They can be applied to various different situations and places. Also, keeping a bag with all work necessities can be a true lifesaver. Such organizational methods reduce anxiety as you know you already have everything you need.

stress relief — Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels

2. Get enough sleep

Naturally, getting enough sleep is vital for work. As it’s one of the main methods people use to cope with stress, sleep is an amazing remedy that relaxes your entire body. Due to stress, many travel nurses have trouble falling asleep. Is there anything you can do to make yourself fall asleep faster?

Practicing good sleep hygiene is essential for every profession. However, if you work as a nurse, you’re not only responsible for your own health and life but also for your patients’. So, to fall asleep faster and have a better quality rest, try to always go to bed around the same time, if possible. If you’re frequently working night shifts, practice sleeping during the day. Also, leave your phone before bed. That can help you relax and fall asleep faster.

3. Set a self-care routine

One of the best ways to minimize the effects of stress and take care of your well-being is having a self-care routine. Caring about your physical and mental health can have a meditative effect on your brain, which causes you to relax and enjoy your day. How can you set a self-care routine?

The self-care routine doesn’t have to be anything complicated. For instance, to establish a proper self-care routine while working as a travel nurse, drink a cup of tea or black coffee in the morning to start off your day right. Additionally, taking care of your hair, nails and skin also have a soothing effect on your mental health. Practice things that are beneficial for you.

4. Have a “me day”

Besides daily self-care activities, having a day just for yourself is a fantastic way of relieving stress as well as handling burnout. In case you didn’t know, “me days” are periods dedicated only and solely to you. You can do activities you enjoy the most during these times, such as reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or hiking!

Travel nurses don’t get many chances to enjoy a day by themselves. However, “me days” are ideal stress reliefs. Keep in mind that different people recharge in different ways. Therefore, what might work for one, it’s not a good option for the other!

5. Create a quality support system

Did you know that most people tend to talk to the closest ones when they are stressed? Since you’re far away from home, having a way to reach out to people is crucial. Sadly, your friends and family members may not always understand what you’re going through as a travel nurse. Therefore, try to build a quality support system with your colleagues.

When colleagues are mentioned, many people may think about boring emails and calls. However, you can create internal communication using informal chats and shorter content. Such internal communication examples can help you stay in touch with colleagues as well as set healthy boundaries between work and private life.

6. Try yoga and meditation

Yoga is an ideal balance between resting your mind and keeping your brain active. One of the best ways to remove tension and stress from your body is by daily practicing yoga and meditation. Even though you might have a packed schedule, you can always do these light exercises for 15 minutes.

Pranayamas and asanas are fantastic ways of letting go of all the negativity gathered during the day and enjoying unbothered rest of your time. Yoga and meditation keep you physically active without getting tired. Quite the contrary, they fill you up with energy and positivity for your day.

Final thoughts

Working as a travel nurse can be extremely stressful. You have to deal with patients daily without having much time to dedicate to yourself. However, with these stress relief tips, you can recharge your batteries to improve the quality of your personal life and work productivity!

We hope you found these tips for stress relief for travel nurses helpful. Do you have any tips for stress relief for travel nurses? Comment what has helped you below.

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By Daniel Wanderson

February 20, 2022

5547 Views

Brighten Your Day: Ways to Feel Better and Improve Your Mood

Posted on February 20, 2022December 19, 2023 by Daniel Wanderson

We might not understand it yet, but we live during times when people’s happiness is a priority. We have all the tools and tricks to make us feel better each day, even though life might be stressful at times. Moreover, we have access to science-based information to see the proof that these methods work.

This means that you can use scientifically based ways to make you feel happier, and they will work. The ways described below are focused on boosting hormones responsible for people’s happiness, satisfaction, and overall good mood. These hormones are endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Let’s check out some ways you may use to feel better.

Endorphin Boosters

Everyone knows that endorphins trigger pleasant feelings and reduce the feelings of pain. So here are some ways to boost your endorphins and become happier.

Exercise

Sport and physical activity shape your body, and you become healthier. After several weeks of exercising, you will notice that you look a lot better (in case you haven’t been exercising at all before). This alone will make you feel happier, but that’s not the point. Exercising boosts endorphins.

The hormone reduces your perception of pain and triggers the positive feeling in your body, almost like dulling the pain with morphine but in a pleasant way. If you exercise correctly, you get a beautifully shaped body; you will become overall healthier, boosting endorphins. To exercise correctly, you have to combine various exercises. Training only one type of muscle is counterproductive. Try to vary your exercises, so all muscles work.

Laughter

Not just randomly producing the “haha” sound, you have to enjoy something. It’s quite a pleasant way to become happier, but you need to find ways that make you laugh. Laughter stimulates endorphins since it convulses your innards. It’s believed that laughter helps release fear. Instead of fearing something, you may find something amusing and start laughing. You can watch your favorite episodes of TV-series, videos on YouTube, read funny stories, etc.

Stretching

First of all, it feels so good that it makes you instantly happier. Second, it’s easy to stretch so it won’t disrupt your everyday routine. You may stretch your back, arms, and legs while working or watching your favorite TV-series, you can stretch while waiting for someone, talking to someone over the phone, etc.

It’s not at all necessary to push yourself harder to feel the pain. The point is to stretch those muscles you have neglected before. That’s how you get your endorphins boosted. You can start by performing simple stretching exercises and then proceed with more advanced things.

Oxytocin Boosters

Oxytocin is a hormone that is often related to love, friendship, and social bonding. Boosting oxytocin will make you feel better, so here are some ways to improve your mood.

Massage

Getting a massage is a surprisingly effective way to trigger the production of oxytocin in your body. If you think it might become an expensive habit, you are not quite right. There are at least 2 ways to save your money and still get the best massage:

Find a massage buddy.
Watch videos to learn how to perform self-massage (very effective).

It’s good at triggering oxytocin production, and what is even better, it’s a pleasant habit, and you will fall for it after the first try.

Trust

Oxytocin is responsible not just for the feeling of love (including maternal love), friendship, but for social bonding as well. Being able to trust someone triggers oxytocin in your body. If you have several individuals you can completely trust, doesn’t that make you happy? Exactly, it does, that’s the point!

If you have someone you want to trust, but you can’t, this person should be your target. It doesn’t mean you have to trust this person for the sake of trusting. Try building trust by starting conversations. If all goes well, proceed with turning this person into someone you trust, maybe, even a friend. That will help you get rid of negative emotions and will trigger the production of oxytocin.

Be Trustworthy

In a similar vein, when you trust someone, the feeling that someone trusts you also triggers oxytocin production. It’s an amazing feeling when people trust you, even if those people are not your friends or family members.

To boost the production of oxytocin, you may think of situations when people trust you. One of the best ways to do so is to honor your commitments. If you have some tasks to do, and people rely on you, a job well done would be a great oxytocin booster. You don’t have to accomplish great deeds, just small things that help you build trust every day.

Dopamine Boosters

Here are some ways to boost the level of dopamine.

Cope With Unpleasant Tasks

Everyone has it, everyone dreads even to start dealing with such a task, but you will eventually have to deal with it. The best way to make you happier is to dedicate several minutes a day to deal with it. You won’t even notice it when it’s over, and you will become happier.

Reach a Goal

In a similar vein, you may reach success by dedicating several minutes a day to complete a task. It may be learning a new language, reading a book, getting into better physical shape, working with websites like dota2-bets, etc.”. It takes less time, but the results will be amazing and satisfying.

Celebrate Every Victory

We don’t get a Ph.D. every day, but we have to be happy when gaining smaller victories. We all tend to concentrate even on small losses; why not celebrate small victories instead? Just think of one small accomplishment you have reached today, and celebrate it!

Serotonin Boosters

This hormone is responsible for such feelings as happiness, the feeling of well-being, and even boosts your confidence. Below you may find some pleasant ways to trigger the production of serotonin.

Make Peace with Lack of Control

If everything is under control, we feel happy. Even if you are the least control-seeking person, you will still be happy that your everyday routine is not disrupted. Lack of control over something confuses us; we have no idea what to do, which makes us feel worse. But it’s important to understand that we can’t control everything. Instead of feeling confused or scared when something is out of your control, it’s best to cope with the fact that you can’t control everything.

That way, you feel happier since whenever something extraordinary happens, you won’t feel like it’s the end of the world. You will feel safe, not scared. The best way to train your brain to be ready is to do things you are not used to. For example, if you love when everything is neat and in order, create chaos around you. Or, if you love baking your cookies due to the recipe, throw out the recipe and bake cookies without it.

Always Enjoy Your Social Role

Your social position may keep changing over time, so get used to this thought and enjoy every moment. You may think that being a subordinate is a bad thing, but dominant positions also may be confusing. As a result, you are not satisfied in both situations. Whether you are in a subordinate or a dominant position, think about the advantages of your current position. It will help you be happy and satisfied that you have advantages while being in a current position. Just enjoy every day!

Enjoy Being Proud of Something

Being acknowledged is a good feeling, but it’s a bit tricky. Everyone loves getting praised for doing something, but if not, no disappointments. It’s a tricky way to boost your serotonin level, but you can try it anyway. If it works – good, if not – it doesn’t kill you, don’t get disappointed.

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 Ian Lewis

February 19, 2022

10262 Views

6 Simple Travel Nurse Workout’s While on Assignment

Posted on February 19, 2022November 10, 2023 by Ian Lewis

If you work as a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to see new places, meet new people and experience plenty of new things.

However, the fact that you’re always on the road makes sticking to a workout schedule as a travel nurse almost impossible. But, if you want to be a good nurse, you must pay attention to your health first and keep your body in top shape, even when traveling. Luckily, even though a bit hard, here are 6 simple travel nurse workouts that you might not have thought of.

Simple Travel Nurse Workouts

Rent a bike

Renting a bicycle is a great way to stay in shape and save some time. Bicycling is a simple solution to adding to your travel nurse workout. You can always catch a bus or subway to work, but you can also hop on a bike and do your workout while commuting! Today, most cities are super bike-friendly, which makes riding safe, simple, and pleasant to get in a workout. And, before you know it, your blood will be pumping, and you’re going to feel your activity in your leg muscles as well as your core and arms. Plus, opting for a bike is eco-friendly, so you’ll also be doing something great for the environment.

Join a local gym

If you’re staying at the same spot for more than a few weeks, why not use that downtime to join a gym? Even though sticking to a gym schedule with a nurse job can be tricky (many medical workers have a membership that never gets used), the benefits are great. You’ll have dozens of machines at your disposal and even private trainers to guide your progress. There are also weekly spin classes and other programs you can try out.

Explore your destination on foot

There’s no better way to explore all those great new destinations than on your own two feet. You can not only check out famous tourist sites but also find useful locations. Supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other stores and facilities in the neighborhood are useful for travel nurses. Getting in a simple travel nurse workout in the process is a bonus. Grabbing groceries on foot will add some extra weight to your back and give you a better workout. If you often suffer from pain in the feet stopping you from taking long walks, make sure to get a diagnosis and grab some comfy shoes and socks. Once your condition is out of your way, you can rely on your feet to stay in top shape!

Meet new people at a sports club

It’s quite easy to meet people for various sports activities no matter where you are. If you love to hike, you can join a hiking group for weekend adventures, or if you enjoy a dynamic game of soccer, there’s probably an amateur club you can join. If you hit the park, you can often find outdoor yoga sessions that will make you break a sweat. All in all, there are plenty of activities out there that can help you keep up with your fitness routine and meet new like-minded people.

Spy on the locals

Every region has its signature sport or hobby activity. For instance, Australians love surfing, Americans are into mountain biking, and Canadians love to hit the mountains for a hike. See what locals love to do on weekends and pick up their hobbies. Who knows, they might become your fave new travel nurse workout routine!

Exercise in the comfort of your accommodation

If you’re super tired of people when you get home from work, you don’t even have to go out to get good exercise. Try climbing the stairs in your hotel for a quick killer cardio, or set aside a few minutes to do planks or wall sits. You can even pack some light travel workout equipment like a jumping rope, travel weights (that you fill with water), or resistance bands. These will provide you with good cardio and strength training straight from your room. Additionally, if you have a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet, you can find hundreds of great exercise tutorials on YouTube you can do in 20 minutes or less. From stress-relief yoga to core workouts and flexibility exercises, you can find practically any type of workout!

No Excuses

Now that you know how simple it is to find time and place for your travel nurse workouts, there are no excuses.

However, staying truly healthy also includes eating clean. Ordering a takeout after a hard shift or checking out that new bakery might be tempting, but cooking for yourself might be the best way to stay fit. Additionally, no matter how busy you are, try to sleep regularly since sleep deprivation can contribute to weight gain and can ruin your hard work at the gym. You can also limit the intake of sugary drinks, alcohol, and junk food. Constant travel can take a toll on your healthy lifestyle habits, but once you get the hang of the job, you’ll be able to stay healthy and fit no matter where your work takes you.

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By Jenny Hart

February 18, 2022

2922 Views

What Specialties of Nursing are in Highest Demand?

Posted on February 18, 2022February 1, 2022 by Jenny Hart

Are you looking into becoming a nurse? The nursing field is currently bursting with opportunity.

In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates nursing demand will increase by almost 10 percent between 2020 and 2030. That number is even higher for specialties of nursing, like nurse practitioners (45 percent).

If health and wellness are important to you, now is an excellent time to pursue a nursing career. Some of the most in-demand specialties include neonatal nursing and renal nursing.

Specialties of Nursing in High Demand:

Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal nurses take care of babies who are born prematurely or who have a variety of medical ailments, such as congenital disabilities, cardiac malformations, infections, and other functional problems. The first month of life is considered the neonatal period. Babies born too early are predisposed to health issues. When the babies are healthy enough, they are able to go home with their parents.

These nurses often work in the NICU (newborn intensive care unit). Jobs require a bachelor’s degree in nursing and sometimes a master’s degree.

Renal Nurse

A dialysis nurse, or renal nurse, works with people who have chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal failure. Dialysis patients require care because their kidneys no longer function. When loss of kidney function occurs, a dialysis machine is used to filter waste from the blood.

Dialysis nurses treat patients receiving hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. These positions require a bachelor’s degree, and nursing students pursuing this field should look for courses focusing specifically on dialysis.

Nephrology nurses, who specialize in kidney care, look after patients who have kidney-related health issues stemming from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse, or other causes.

Clinical Nurse

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) work in a wide variety of health care settings. For example, a CNS may have specialties in:

Type of care, such as psychiatric or rehabilitation
Type of problem, such as pain, wounds, or stress
Population, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health
Setting, such as critical care or emergency room
Disease or medical subspecialty, such as diabetes or oncology

The four primary roles for a CNS are expert clinician, educator, researcher, and consultant. A CNS has advanced degrees and training. A master’s degree is required.

Nurse Practitioner

As a result of a shortage of doctors in the U.S., nurse practitioners are among the most in-demand jobs in healthcare. In fact, according to the BLS, employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all other occupations.

Nurse practitioners typically work under the supervision of a doctor, and administer tests, prescribe medications, and diagnose certain ailments. Depending on the state, nurse practitioners can have their own standalone practices.

Nurse practitioners are required to hold bachelor’s and master’s level degrees in nursing and pass a licensing examination.

They may also be referred to as ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) or APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse).

Nurse Advocate

Instead of providing care, a nurse advocate represents the interests of a patient’s family in a care setting. These nurses work to maintain quality care and protect the patient’s rights. They also intervene should concerns arise and resolve issues. Nurse advocates also help clarify questions about care, billing, or treatments.

A bachelor’s degree in nursing, a few years experience, and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam are required for licensure to become a nurse advocate.

Eldercare Nurse

A geriatric or eldercare nurse specializes in the care of older adults. They typically care for frail or elderly patients with long-term, chronic medical conditions that are not related to an acute illness or injury. Eldercare nurses work to maximize patient comfort, ensure safety, prevent deterioration and maintain function.

This role is common for entry-level nurses.

The most common career paths for eldercare nurses include:

Geriatric Nursing Assistant
Geriatric Staff Nurse
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Home Health Nurse
Hospice Nurse

A certification in gerontology is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is awarded to registered nurses who meet specific requirements, including having at least three years of experience working with aging patients.

The need for this role is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years as the population of older adults grows. For instance, in 2019, the U.S. population of people age 65 and older numbered 54.1 million – a 36 percent increase from the 39.6 million counted in 2009.

Mental Health Nurse

Nursing students who wish to work in mental health can become Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMH) registered nurses (RN) or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). People in this role enjoy career flexibility and strong compensation as a result of the high demand for their services. Mental health nurses represent the second largest group of behavioral health professionals in the U.S.

Mental health nurses employ a range of expertise within their role, including nursing, psychosocial, and neurobiological.

Mental health nurses have the following roles:

Conduct intake screening, evaluation, and triage
Provide case management
Coordinate care
Partner with individuals to achieve their recovery goals
Provide health promotion and maintenance
Teach self-care activities
Administer and monitor psychobiological treatment regimens
Practice crisis intervention and stabilization
Engage in psychiatric rehabilitation and intervention
Educate patients, families, and communities
Work within interdisciplinary teams

Each of these specialties of nursing is in high demand. Those looking to explore travel nursing can find increased job security by pursuing one of these specialties.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need to find housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Krucial Staffing

February 17, 2022

3726 Views

Breaking Stereotypes: Nursing Portrayals in Today’s Media and Their Impact

Posted on February 17, 2022December 19, 2023 by Krucial Staffing

Krucial Staffing provided this article.

Written by: Maureen Borberg

A common trope found in modern media is the popularity of medical television shows and movies. The inner workings of the hospital, the lives of doctors and nurses, and the plethora of diseases and injuries provide a constant stream of content for networks. Medical shows pique our interest. While many of the patients are familiar with the hospital and its procedures, we are unaware of how our care is administered. As a society, we trust the trained medical professionals tasked with caring for us when we cannot care for ourselves. It is important to note that most medical shows are not claiming to be accurate in the actual administration of patient care. They serve more of a reality TV purpose, created for pure entertainment. However, when we dig a little deeper, there are underlying biases and stereotypes influencing the tone of most shows. These tropes can be detrimental to the way we are influenced to treat medical professionals of certain specialties. We asked our nurses and other clinical staff how they felt their professions are represented in the realm of medical entertainment. The overwhelming response was simple: their representation is inadequate.

Full scope of duties, never fully pictured

The most popular grievance among our nurses is that the full scope of their duties in the hospital is never fully pictured. They are generally characterized as supporting personnel and secondary caregivers. Nurses on television shows tend to be pushed around by both patients and doctors alike. They are forced to grapple with demeaning attitudes and words of contempt due to their “lowly station” in the hospital hierarchy. The Hollywood representation of their specialties is not only inaccurate but degrading. The duties which occupy nurses in the hospital are vital to the successful treatment of patients, and yet, these tasks are often overlooked. It is essential to recognize that our nurses provide the lifeline between patients and doctors, but this is not their only purpose.

Not merely the “doctor’s helpers

Nurses are responsible for the lion’s share of patient care in the hospital. They should not be portrayed as lower-class medical professionals with no influence over treatment. Our nurses shared a common sentiment; they are not merely the “doctor’s helpers” but are the backbone of every healthcare system and should be recognized as such. Standard medical shows display a relationship between doctor and nurse, which discredits the nurse’s position in the hospital and misrepresents their actual job description. In an authentic and ideal hospital setting, nurses work with doctors to provide efficient assistance. There is a degree of respect between the medical professions that ensures successful care.

Other specialties failed to be recognized

The final misrepresentation brought to our attention was how other specialties in the hospital failed to be recognized. While nurses play a vital role and should be credited, Respiratory Therapists, Certified Nurses Assistants, Emergency Medical Technicians, and so many other specialties receive even less visibility in medical dramas and comedies. Their contributions are scarcely recognized. Our staff made it clear that these professions provided irreplaceable assistance and worked hard to keep the hospital operating smoothly. They are trained in their specialty just like their fellow medical professionals and should be identified as valuable team members.

If you are looking for the most accurate and enjoyable show as recognized by our pool of nurses, turn your head to NBC’s critically acclaimed show, ER. This television series was renewed for fifteen seasons after its premiere in 1994 and became a staple in the world of medical dramas. Another long-running television show, Grey’s Anatomy, failed to elicit the same amount of excitement from our nurses. They deemed it the most inaccurate Hollywood portrayal of hospital life, with inattentive and dull nurses.

The misrepresentation of nurses in modern television is a common occurrence that can influence our medical professionals’ treatment based on nothing more than stereotypes. Nurses are commonly identified in this form of entertainment as supporting personnel, with their duties seldom acknowledged. They are occasionally characterized as muted or foolish, with little to no influence over patient care. Their vital, everyday tasks in real life are excluded, their roles simplified and portrayed as merely “doctor’s helpers.” However, this is not the case nor how they should be represented. Nurses are pivotal in communicating needs to all other members of the healthcare system and advocating for their patients.

Coworkers are hardly recognized

Their coworkers who take on the title of RRT, CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), and EMT are hardly recognized for their contributions. This lack of representation of other clinical professionals continues to undermine their work and importance to the healthcare system. These stereotypes perpetuated by the Hollywood medical scene can be detrimental to our caregivers in real life. Once we can identify these biases and propagandist portrayals of medical professionals, we can treat our nurses with the respect and admiration they deserve.

Interested in looking more about emergency response and/or contract travel options? Check out emergency response and healthcare staffing company, Krucial Staffing. Krucial Staffing specializes in high volume, rapid response staffing, driven by a mission to serve others at their greatest time of need. To learn more about what positions they currently have open, then check out their Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter page for more information.

We hope you found this article on the misconception of nursing on television shows enjoyable. Are there any other misconceptions you have found? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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 Medical Edge Recruitment

February 16, 2022

3113 Views

What To Expect When Landing the Perfect Recruiter

Posted on February 16, 2022February 9, 2022 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Melissa Reeves, Recruitment Consultant, Medical Edge Recruitment

There seems to be an abundance of medical staffing agencies across the country; how do you know which company is right for you? How do you know which recruiter you should work with? The choices can sometimes make it overwhelming. The relationship you have with your recruiter is a symbiotic one, and both recruiter and nurse will benefit from a healthy and transparent relationship. A good recruiter will have access to a multitude of contracts all over the country and have connections with facilities that can help get you in the door. More importantly, your recruiter should be your advocate.

Update your resume

Before you begin your search, be sure your resume is up to date. Your resume should give a recruiter a good summary of your qualifications and skills. It is important to mention a fancy format is not necessary; the punctuation and information you supply is what really matters. Be sure when building your resume, you use your legal name and make sure you have up-to-date contact information. Add any relevant licenses or certifications you have with their numbers and expiration dates. When listing past employment, it is best to go back ten years with no gaps. If you have a gap in your resume, be sure to explain why you weren’t working. List the company you worked for along with the position, city, and state along with the month and year of the start and end dates. If an agency is listed, be sure to include a list of the facilities you worked in a while working for that agency.

Find the perfect recruiter

After you have updated your resume, it’s time to find the perfect recruiter. There are two ways to find a company to work with:

A recruiter may reach out directly to you after you show interest in a specific job, usually through a job board or social media channel, like Indeed, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
You contact a recruiter, either through a referral or because you saw something that drew your interest to their company.

Before you choose a recruiter, it is best to research the agency they work with to make sure the company is real, a precaution to protect yourself from being the victim of a scam. The right recruiter will be responsive, knowledgeable, and transparent.

Interview process

The interview process is not only a good time for the recruiter to find out if you are a good candidate, but you will have the opportunity to interview the recruiter. During the interview, the recruiter is getting to know you and your goals. Do you want to live close to a beach or do you like snow? Are you planning on starting a family, or do you have a vacation planned? Are you planning on going back to school to advance your nursing degree? All these factors could help the recruiter when finding the perfect contract for you. Be upfront and honest about what you are looking for; a great recruiter will look for contracts that align with your goals.

As a candidate, you should never be afraid to ask questions. Be sure to ask about benefits the agency offers as well as stipends and bonuses. Don’t be afraid to ask tougher questions, like if there’s a penalty for backing out of a contract. The more questions you ask, the better prepared you are to accept the contract. You will also get to know your recruiter by asking more questions and help you understand if they are well informed about the agency they represent.

Communication is key in every great relationship.

Lines of communication should always be open and transparent. Some people respond quicker to text, while some like email, figure out what works best for both of you. As a great candidate, you should return phone calls and texts as quickly as possible and expect the same from your recruiter.

Expectations and requirements should all be discussed during the interview phase; this will ensure that the process moves as smoothly and quickly as possible. If at any time you change your mind and decide to not move forward, please let the recruiter know. It will not hurt the recruiter’s feelings if you decide to go in a different direction, and it will give the recruiter an opportunity to evaluate their own processes. Mutual respect is also important when building a relationship.

Finding contracts that best fit your needs

Your recruiter will then look for contracts that best fit your needs based on the information you provided during the interview. A good recruiter won’t bring you contracts that do not align with your goals, and they will not pressure you to take a contract that you do not feel comfortable with. Expect the recruiter to give you as much info as they have for the contract, which should include the facility and location as well as shift, pay, and length of the contract.

Once you have found the perfect recruiter, this process should feel comfortable and seamless. It is important to be flexible and proactive. If you have chosen a recruiter that is honest, knowledgeable, and reliable, you can trust that they have your best interest at heart. A great recruiter is also with you throughout your contract. Make sure you make them aware of any issues you face; it is their job to make sure the contract meets your expectations. But remember, we are all human, and mistakes can happen; it is how those mistakes are handled that makes all the difference. With the right recruiter, the two of you should have a mutually beneficial and successful relationship, one where you are proud to also call each other friends.

Need a referral for a great recruiter?

Medical Edge Recruitment is the premier travel nursing recruitment agency specializing in providing top talent to clients in the healthcare industry. We connect clinical and allied providers to their ideal opportunities, focusing on building long-lasting relationships through honesty and transparency. In travel nursing, bigger does not always mean better. While we have an extensive network of job opportunities, our experienced team is dedicated to making a personalized provider experience a priority. There are a lot of moving parts in getting set up for a new assignment, but we take care of all the details along the way. Adventure awaits; let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

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By Annie Rueb

February 15, 2022

5081 Views

How Do You Get Healthcare on the Road?

Posted on February 15, 2022February 11, 2022 by Annie Rueb

As we all know, health insurance is a blast. Thinking about things like insurance premiums, co-pays, deductibles, out-of-pocket max, and GAP exceptions just warm the heart. It’s a trigger word for many of us and something that often feels expensive, non-inclusive, not worth it even… but it’s necessary, right?

We are a travel nurse family with two children; one of them has a preexisting condition. So health benefits matter to us. As much as I like to complain about health insurance, it is really important. Before we decided to travel as a nurse, we had to find out more about how it all would work. Or would it work? So, we are not surprised that we often get questions about health insurance on the road.

So how does it work?

As a travel nurse, you can either look into private health insurance or take the insurance benefits your agency has to offer.

Pros and cons of private health insurance:

The pros of private health insurance are that it doesn’t lapse if you take time off between contracts, and it doesn’t change if you switch agencies. The cost will vary, but there are often affordable options. However, the biggest con of this is whether or not you qualify for it. Because of the preexisting condition in our family, we do not qualify for private health insurance.

This leads me to option two: take the health insurance your agency has to offer.

As you choose an agency you want to work with, these are important questions to ask:

What are their health benefits like?
How long do I have to wait before my benefits start? (Some start on day 1, others after a certain number of days, or on the 1st of the next month)
How much do the benefits cost?

We carefully selected travel agencies to ensure we found one that would meet our health insurance needs.

Pros of taking health insurance from your agency:

You can have preexisting conditions, and chances are, the coverage is pretty good. Most companies can keep your benefits between contracts if you sign a contract with the same agency prior to the current contract end date.

Cons of taking health insurance from your agency:

Cons are that it is likely to be pretty expensive. We are currently spending $250+ per week.

Even though it is expensive, we have been very pleased with our coverage, especially with our current agency. We have stayed with one agency for a year now, and the health benefits are a big reason why. In fact, we feel like our current benefits cover prescriptions, specialist visits, testing, etc., far better than when we had full-time hospital benefits. For example, we often pay a $20 co-pay and never see another bill. Or medications that used to cost $150+ per month now cost $14. We also find that we can see doctors and specialists all over the country that are fully covered by our insurance.

Don’t get me wrong; we are envious of the single nurses out there that can get private insurance or spend a fraction of what we do for agency benefits. But as a traveling family that needs to make sure our kids have the healthcare they need, we have been very satisfied.

After we sign a contract, we start to ask ourselves what appointments we may need in the next few months. That way, if there is a 2-3 month delay for an appointment, we can still make it happen before we leave town. We take our expensive health insurance, and we use it! We see the specialists we need to see, go to preventive health and wellness appointments, get the medications we need, go to the dentists, get eye exams…anything.

The big takeaway here is that it works! Even as a family of four. Even with preexisting conditions. Even as we embark on one crazy adventure after another, we have insurance that covers our entire family, even between contracts, and we are grateful for that!

We hope you found this article helpful. Have you chosen a different method for health insurance as a travel nurse? Comment any tips or ideas you may have for fellow travel nurses.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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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“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

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Debunking a Few Common Myths

You’re Too old to Try Travel Nursing:

Travel Nurses always get the worst assignments and patients:

Travel Nurses are first to float:

Travel Nurses get the worst schedule:

Travel Nurses are bullied:

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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Author Bio

Megan Bebout

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1. Stay organized

2. Get enough sleep

3. Set a self-care routine

4. Have a “me day”

5. Create a quality support system

6. Try yoga and meditation

Final thoughts

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Endorphin Boosters

Exercise

Laughter

Stretching

Oxytocin Boosters

Massage

Trust

Be Trustworthy

Dopamine Boosters

Cope With Unpleasant Tasks

Reach a Goal

Celebrate Every Victory

Serotonin Boosters

Make Peace with Lack of Control

Always Enjoy Your Social Role

Enjoy Being Proud of Something

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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Simple Travel Nurse Workouts

Rent a bike

Join a local gym

Explore your destination on foot

Meet new people at a sports club

Spy on the locals

Exercise in the comfort of your accommodation

No Excuses

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