Hurricane Harvey Resources
Hurricane Harvey has pulled on the heart strings of our Gypsy Nurse community. An outpouring of posts offering nursing assistance has literally flooded our group feed. We here at The Gypsy Nurse have been working to find and provide all of our community a place to find any/all pertinent information. *This post will be updated as new information is received. Most recent additions, 9/06/2017 Crisis Intervention of Houston 713-HOT-LINE 24/7 phone lines answered for people who need to talk to someone when in distress. Nurse Relief (and Volunteer) Resources It’s important to note that relief staffing can take some time…
EMR Conversion – Not a Bad Gig if You Can Get It!
This article is sponsored by Travel Nurse Across America® Questions come up frequently about working in facilities undergoing EMR conversions. The usual, “What’s it like? Is it hard? What do they want you to do? I’ve work two EPIC conversions so far and am willing to do it again. EMR Conversions Both have been great experiences. I have also been involved in EMR conversions as a staff person several times too. My experience has been that the facility is bringing in traveling nurses to allow staff off the unit to do the intensive classroom training. I have been included in…
Making New Friends in a New Town
Travel Nurse Across America® provided this article Tips to social success as a travel nurse So you are on your latest adventure as a travel nurse…you landed the ideal job in your dream city, packed up, and settled in. Now what? Suddenly, you have some time on your hands and no one to share it with, nowhere to go, and you’re feeling a little lonely. It’s perfectly normal to go through this type of adjustment stage as a travel nurse. And, with the stressful demands of your job, sometimes it’s better to keep a more moderate schedule. However, that doesn’t…
Diagnosis: Burnout
Burnout: burn·out/ˈbərnˌout/ The reduction of a fuel or substance to nothing through use or combustion. Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. Causes, incidence, and risk factors of burnout There have been no studies on the rate of incidence of burnout, however, it is observed quite frequently among long-term staff nurses. Risk Factors for burnout may include: Working in the nursing field longer than 2 years. Frequent Mandatory Overtime. Conflicts with co-workers or Managers. Job Dissatisfaction. Limited time off work. Working in a high-stress environment (Nursing) Symptoms Slacking off. If you’re coming in late, leaving early, taking long lunch…
Yeah, This is why I’m in nursing school – So I can pass trays
Yesterday I overheard a nursing student snark, “Yeah, this is why I’m in nursing school – so I can pass trays.” The following was posted by an Anonymous Facebook User… Her words resonated with me intensely. Her thoughts echoed the same words that I’ve whispered in my thoughts many times, and not simply in response to the Nursing Student but also to the many CNA’s, RN’s, LPN’s and other Healthcare professionals who have forgotten what it means to be a caretaker. ….and if I hadn’t been up to my eyeballs in other things to do for my patients, I would…
Traveling with Your Cat or Dog
This article is provided by Premier Medical Staffing Services, LLC ® Tips to stay safe on the road Travel nurses are often drawn to their careers because of the excitement and adventure of living in different places. This also means that they leave their friends and family behind for a while. Pets often help fill that gap and provide companionship to ease the transition. As a result, many travel nurses embark on their assignments with their faithful friend at their side. Traveling with your Cat or Dog While people are quite accustomed to long car rides and travel, it can…
3 Fast Remedies for Travel Nurses On the Road
By Annette Tersigni RN, The Yoga Nurse™ Travel nursing is a glamorous, exciting adventure. You are a nursing rock star on the road. And yes, at times, you’ll feel stress and anxiety related to all the busyness of settling into your new gig. And you want to feel calm, confident, and competent when it’s show time. Here are three quick, easy and proven remedies that any nurse can do. Treat yourself on the road, on the job and in your daily life. Airway open? Take a deep cleaning breathing break. Circulation? Try this quick stretch when the job is a…
What to Expect on Your First Day in a Travel Nurse Assignment
1.) Do a Test Run before you start your first day -Always try to familiarize yourself with the route to the hospital, the hospital campus, and even the parking lot.-Time yourself and figure the best route to get to work, figure out where you’re going to park. Leave at the time your shift would be starting and account for traffic.-Tour the hospital and bring goodies (goodwill gestures) for the nurses. Be friendly but not intrusive, and if nurses aren’t busy, ask questions about traffic and anything you’d like to know before your first day.-Stop by HR. Even if it’s closed,…
The Nursing Workforce: Is There Still a Nursing Shortage?
It’s glaringly apparent that there is still an on-going nursing shortage in select areas in the US. Every two years the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) works with The National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers to perform a study on the nursing workforce. It’s interesting to note that over 50% of the participants in this study are over the age of 50. This would indicate that a large amount of our nursing workforce is approaching or at retirement. Source: NCSBN What’s Being Done to Alleviate the Nursing Shortage? Interestingly, it was actually quite difficult to determine what…
A Travel Nurse Volunteer in Liberia: The Acclimation
The Gypsy Nurse Volunteering in Liberia. A travel nurse volunteer with Cross Cultural Care As you probably already read, The Gypsy Nurse is volunteering in Liberia. I plan to bring you along with me; virtually and give you a ‘feet on the ground’ accounting of the entire process. Acclimation Phase: The Language The first week here in Liberia has reminded me of the first week of a new hospital contract. Getting to know the staff at work and remembering names is always a challenge for me. Simply figuring out the general processes and workflow at any hospital is always a challenge. Here,…