September 5, 2018

7138 Views

Best Road Trip Stops from LA to Seattle

Posted on September 5, 2018May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

So it’s that time again; your next adventure awaits! We saw some of you lovely people reaching out for the best road trip stops from LA to Seattle and based on your responses we made you a quick little cheat sheet! Here’s a list of the best attractions, nature and grub for your next 13 week adventure on the West Coast.

Redwood National Park-

There’s just not many things that can make you feel as small on this big planet then standing next to a mammoth tree in California’s Redwood forests. This park for instance is home to tallest of all the redwood trees. For the Instagram savvy, you may want to stop at the Drive-Thru Park and pay $5 to drive through one and get to snap a quick picture to prove it!

Cannon Beach –

Cannon Beach is truly like a dream come true. Celebrated as one of America’s 10 most beautiful towns on the West Coast, there’s a little something to captivate everyone. Personally, I like exploring and taking in the sights, so Haystack Rock would be a must for me to enjoy the landscape, the areas Tufted Puffins and the beautiful marine life in the tide pools. For those more adventurous, you should check out the zip-line tours, surf classes or even a helicopter ride!

Yosemite –

Found in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite and it’s indescribable beauty is on most adventurers bucket list. It’s best known for it’s breathtaking waterfalls, but has nearly 1,200 square feet of landscape to roam and explore. Camping sites are available for tents, as well as RV’s, if have a few days to unwind and enjoy in the great outdoors.

Crater lake-

With it’s crystal clear and nearly pristine fresh water, Crater Lake is a must-see for those traveling through Oregon’s,Cascade Mountain Range. This beauty was created nearly 7,700 thousand years ago from volcanic eruption that caused a mountain peak to collapse. The water gets it fascinating beauty from rain and snow, and is the deepest lake in the United States!

Monterey –

Roll down Highway 1 and take in all that Monterey has to offer. Like the rest of these sites, there is so much beauty in nature that it’s hard to make a short list! Some of the top attractions are famous Bixby Bridge on the way to Big Sur, hang-gliding above Marina State Beach and diving deep with the scuba team at Seven Seas Scuba. If you’re lucky enough to travel with your significant other, you have to check out Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove.

Do you have any other suggestions? Places I’m crazy to have not mentioned? Drop a comment below and let us know! We love hearing about your experiences so we can share them with our growing gypsy community!

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 28, 2018

24461 Views

Why do I need 2 years Experience?

Posted on August 28, 2018November 2, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

5 Reasons that you should get 2 years experience BEFORE Traveling as a healthcare professional

Certifications are important!

Give yourself the time you need to get all of the certs you can before traveling. Many hospitals will not let staff sign up for certifications until they have worked a year.

Maximize your organizational skills.

Ensure that you are comfortable managing a full (and sometimes heavy load) with little to no orientation. It’s not uncommon for the traveler to get the most difficult to manage patients. Organizational skills will be key to keeping your head above water.

Take time to build your confidence.

How confident are you to be able to jump in and do what needs to be done? Can you stand up to a physician to advocate for the patient? These skills sometimes take time to develop. As a new RN, there was no way that I could have stood up to a physician to advocate for my patient. After years of experience, I now feel no fear in doing this. Experience is the ONLY way to be confident that you can stand behind your decisions when advocating for your patients.

Maximize your experience.

Nursing school teaches you the ‘books,’ and your first two years working will teach you 10 times what’s in the books. Working in a small hospital vs. a teaching facility can be a huge difference in how you provide care. Make sure that you are experienced enough to provide safe patient care in any setting. Orientation may be minimal, and there isn’t a guarantee that the staff will have your back if you have a patient crashing.

Find Your Comfort Zone.

Two years gives you time to find your ‘comfort zone. The traveler needs to walk in with an air of confidence. You don’t want to give false confidence…give yourself time to have confidence in your skills genuinely.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 17, 2018

18870 Views

Beat the Boredom: Travel Nursing Activities and Ideas

Posted on August 17, 2018January 16, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

“What activities did you do on your travel nursing assignment in ___________?”

You are going to have a really hard time answering that if you don’t get out and explore and see what is out there!

Most recruiters will tell you that their travelers are most happy on assignment when they are out and about and enjoying their temporary home and exploring their community, outside of work. Getting our and about is a great way to fend off homesickness, even for the most experienced #GypsyNurse. Even if you do not know what to do, no worries! We have collected some great ideas from fellow travelers, just like you. Even if you do not have hobbies, or you might be kind of shy- there are still ways for you to get out and enjoy your surroundings. The key is to get out and take that first step.

Beat Travel Nurse Boredom

Here is list of a few ideas that were submitted by fellow travelers. There is sure to be something that will appeal to you.

Meetup.com – a website dedicated to helping people in a specific geographic area meet up, get together, and plan outings or get togethers.
Local parks- these are great places to sit, relax, get some fresh air, maybe read a book. Maybe hike the trails and enjoy nature (pick up a book at the library on local birds or wildlife)
Bike rentals- great exercise alone or with a group
Ask the locals- a great conversation opener with coworkers. Ask them what they like to do for fun, and then invite them along!
Geocache- fantastic way to get out and adventure, locating little hidden caches that are placed in specific areas. Geocaching.com has a great explanation, and list of caches by city.
Google the ‘Top 10’ things to do in the area- great way to get local recommendations on restaurants, festivals, historic locations, etc.
A lot of people like antiques, or second hand stores, etc. Spend a day off exploring the shops and you might find something unique to remind you of your assignment to take home.
Chamber of Commerce- this is a great resource for local activities. For Example: strawberry picking, peanut festival (Virginia)

Are you stuck in your comfort zone?
Gypsy Nurse Ambassador, Patricia Carter said, “Some people are simply afraid to get out of their comfort zone. The activities, events & festivals are there, you just have to want to get out & explore. What I do varies with location. I am on the East Coast. I am a Ballroom Dancer, I don’t leave home without my dance shoes ! I ask the Nurses I work with that live in the area…. best recommendation! They can tell you where not to go! There are day City Tours , Hiking , Dance Studios, Restaurants. I find out if there are other Travelers in the hospital & organize a Meet & Greet.”

Check the Network group on Facebook for local Meet & Greets! If you do not see one posted, create one! Baseball games, football games, museum tours, etc. There are so many things to go and see and do! The key is getting out and doing them! Make memories on your assignments. If you like taking pictures then go explore your surroundings, and take your camera with you. You never know what you may find.

Suggestions, Suggestions

TripAdvisor.com has a list of free things to do in just about any area.
Check out the state/city website. Most have a website with a list of local free or “Under $25” activities.
Ask your waitress, or bartender what they recommend. They can be a wealth of information on fun, interesting things to do in the local area, or within a short drive.

Apps, Apps, Apps- one overwhelming response from fellow travelers was see what apps are available for a specific area. They are usually loaded with great ideas on what is going on around you.

As active as our jobs are you would think that we get enough exercise, not necessarily, and the more active you are, the healthier you are. Look up local running or walking clubs. You would be surprised how many people get together and just walk, or even go running together. Check out the local YMCA for Zumba classes, yoga, swimming, or dance classes.

If you are fortunate enough to be in a coastal area, why not try snorkeling, scuba diving, or even surfing. Community centers are a great place to learn arts and crafts, painting, pottery, even take a photography class.

Another great suggestion is check out Groupon or Living Social for local activities that are going on or coming up in the area, or within a short drive. Better yet, get a group of other travelers together and make a day of it.

In the winter months you might be a little more limited, but you can still get out and enjoy yourself. What a perfect time to take a beginner skiing class, or even snowboarding! Check with the locals! They can tell you the best non-touristy things to see and do. Ask around at work- several of the travel nurses on the Network ice skate and the first thing they do is search out the local rink.

Regardless of what you choose to do for fun while you are on assignment, make sure you get out and explore your surroundings. You never know what is out there if you do not get out and go!

Don’t forget to post your adventures on the Travel Nurse Network and submit your photos here

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 9, 2018

19876 Views

Maximize Your Travel Nurse Housing Per Diem

Posted on August 9, 2018March 2, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

What do you do when the rental housing market is very tough, expensive, or limited availability? How do you find something affordable so that you can maximize your travel nurse Housing Per Diem?

One of our Network Group members Amy Sherman RN, recently shared her experience and gave The Gypsy Nurse permission to re-print and share with you here on TheGypsyNurse.com

My $236 Bedroom

Amy attests that “Every single thing in the photo was purchased from Craigslist or thrift stores (including a foam mattress in pristine condition!) This is what you can do when you take an unfurnished apartment and the stipend.”

$164 Living Room

Amy says that it took about two weeks to fully furnish her unfurnished apartment. “I was on a mission.” She also convinced her landlord to rent the apartment short term by agreeing to leave the furniture at the end of the lease. It’s a win-win for both the renter and the Landlord.

“I love hunting down bargains, it’s like a scavenger hunt to me. Plus, I get to see a lot of the city. – Amy”

What a great way to explore!

Another member travels with an air bed. She uses her totes as nightstands, TV Stand and end tables. Yet another member states that she spent about $80 on furniture and then negotiated with the landlord to pay utilities in exchange for the furniture.

Finding affordable temporary housing can be a very stressful part of this job. To be successful at it you have to have a lot of tricks up your sleeve and know what resources are available. These are just a few examples of some of the resourceful things you can do to make the most of your housing per diem.

Check out these great resources to maximize your stipend:

Furnished Finder – furnishedfinder.com

Airbnb – airbnb.com

Do you have other tips? Please share them in the comments.

We are excited to share and learn all the tips we can to save a little money and enjoy the adventure.

By Focus Staff

August 8, 2018

7403 Views

3 Ways to Save Money on Housing

Posted on August 8, 2018October 16, 2023 by Focus Staff

This is a sponsored post by: Focus Staff

Working as a travel healthcare professional allows you to make plenty of money. Of course, as a wise man once said, “mo’ money, mo’ problems.” If you aren’t careful with your finances, you also run the risk of spending lots of money. Housing is sure to be one of your biggest expenses. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on your housing costs. Interested? Here are three ways to save money on housing as a travel healthcare professional.

The “shared economy” is the newest thing. From Uber to AirBnb, people are offering up their cars/houses and rooms these days. Some websites that facilitate this are (www.roommates.com, www.airbnb.com, www.TravelNursingCentral.com, www.SpareRoom.com, www.vrbo.com, industry and community Facebook groups, and even www.meetup.com for social networking.)

Sometimes getting a hotel/motel for the first week or two and then discussing options with colleagues at your new facility is the best way to find awesome deals and potential roommate situations.

2. Take advantage of sites designed specifically for traveling healthcare providers searching for a place to stay.

Several websites, such as FurnishedFinder.com, put you in direct contact with property owners who are offering affordable housing options for traveling nurses. In addition to getting a great price that includes utilities, you can rest assured that the property is in a safe neighborhood and fully furnished. There are entire homes for rent and single rooms, which may be ideal if you are traveling on your own and don’t plan to have frequent visitors. As a bonus, you’ll save even more money by renting a room. NurseHousing.com is another site worth visiting. If you aren’t sold on renting an entire home or staying with someone else, visit sites geared toward business professionals who often travel for extended periods of time. For example, HotelEngine.com reports they can save you as much as 60% off public hotel rates.

3. Take advantage of loyalty programs and corporate discounts.

Most hotels offer some loyalty program for repeat guests, which is definitely something you’ll want to look into as a travel healthcare professional. The more you stay, the more points you accrue, which can be redeemed for free or discounted vacation nights. Bahamas, Cancun, Paris? Who knows where travel points can take you. In some cases, you may be able to redeem points for gift cards to various restaurants and stores. Although this may not save you money specifically on housing, it will help out other parts of your budget.

A Bonus Tip

There is one other option you may want to consider. If you prefer to take assignments in more rural areas where housing options are limited, you may want to invest in a camper. Campgrounds are usually more accessible. Yes, you’ll have the upfront cost associated with purchasing a camper, as well as the maintenance costs, but you’ll never have to worry about looking for a place to stay. Even better, you won’t have to concern yourself with packing because you’ll already have everything you need. Super bonus tip – you can roast marshmallows and make s’mores in the evening. Who doesn’t like marshmallows and s’mores? Win, win, win.

Finally, don’t forget to find out if the company you work for offers a housing stipend. Even if they don’t, it never hurts to ask. You’re an awesome talent so they might make an exception.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 8, 2018

15854 Views

Step #26 Travel Nurse Contract – The Final Week

Posted on August 8, 2018July 24, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

The end of a travel nursing contract.

As your travel nurse contract ends, it’s time to wrap up everything and get ready to move on. Use these tips for a smooth transition to your next travel nurse contract.

Yeah…you made it through!

At the end of a travel nursing contract, there is always a myriad of feelings. You may feel relieved if the job was stressful, sad if you met great friends, or excited to get on to the next adventure. You will often feel a mixture of several things during the last week of a travel nurse contract.

No matter what the feelings, it’s now time to move on, and I want to help you make sure that you don’t forget any of the last-minute things that need to be addressed.

As you reach the end of a travel nurse contract, wrap up the following things:

For your current housing
- Arrange your move-out walk-through inspection.
- Return any leased items or equipment (cable box, etc.)
- Arrange for hold or forwarding of mail (if applicable).
- Pack and clean.
- Donate any unwanted items to Goodwill.
- Cancel any utilities in your name.

Hospital/Facility
- Return your badge and any other equipment.
- Get your final time sheet signed and emailed.
- Obtain a written evaluation (if not already done) and forward a copy to your company.
- Collect any contact information for those you would like to keep in contact with.

For your next location
- Print out a copy of your signed contract.
- Call your new housing and confirm the move-in date and arrangements.
- Check with your company for any last-minute paperwork or other requirements.
- Get your drug screen completed.

There may still be loose ends with your company that need to be completed. As your travel nurse contract ends, try to get these taken care of. These items (online testing, physicals, etc.) will be much easier to complete in a stable location rather than once you’re on the road.

EXPERT TIP:

Don’t forget to double-check your apartment’s ‘odd’ areas for additional items to pack. Places to check would include: under the bed, all the cabinets, the dishwasher, under sinks, the inside of the oven, behind the couch/other furniture, all drawers, and the washer and dryer.

Have you joined our Travel Nurse Community? Follow the link and join today for even more travel nurse tips and advice.

By The Gypsy Nurse

July 28, 2018

7560 Views

Tips for Flying with Pets

Posted on July 28, 2018May 19, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Traveling to a new city is common for a travel nurse, but traveling with a pet is nerve racking. Pets can respond differently when flying and it can be very scary for them. To make traveling easier with your pets, here are some tips for flying with pets.

1.) Book as Early As You Can
Most airlines can only take so many pets per flight, so you should book your tickets as soon as you know you are moving. You should also check before you book your ticket to make sure that the airline has a ‘pet seat’ available. You should try to book with the agent who confirmed the ‘pet seat’ so you are sure that you are both on the same flight.

2.) Direct Flight
If you can, book a direct flight with no stops. This will mean that your pet is not waiting hours in its carrier waiting for the flight to take off.

3.) Buy the Right Carrier
Before planning your trip, you need to buy the right carrier. Your pet is going to be in it for a few hours, so you should think about what would be comfortable for them for that time.

There are many other considerations when traveling with a pet, from housing options, care, and expenses. Don’t take traveling with a pet lightly. Do a little pre-planning and research, and your furry friend can travel with you, enriching both your lives.

Being a travel nurse means that you will be traveling a lot, so you may need to take your pets. Planning is the number one thing that you need to do when you travel with your pets. We hope you found these tips for flying with pets helpful. Do you have tips on flying or traveling with your pet? Please post your suggestions in the comments below.

By Health Providers Choice

July 19, 2018

28991 Views

Sick Pay Laws For Travel Nurses: When it Affects You

Posted on July 19, 2018April 29, 2024 by Health Providers Choice

This is a sponsored post by Health Providers Choice.

Many people in the United States face a tough choice when they get sick on a workday. For people in hourly positions, this can be especially painful since many hourly positions don’t offer paid sick or emergency leave.

You may have heard the United States is a no-vacation nation, but the lack of paid sick days is a major issue, especially in the health and hospitality industries. As a travel nurse, working while sick can potentially compromise patient health even further. So why do travel nurses feel they must choose between taking care of themselves or their bank accounts? Some paid sick leave laws are changing, positively impacting travel nurses.

Benefits of Paid Sick Leave

Even if they don’t affect travel nurses directly, paid sick days can make a huge difference in a community’s health. According to a 2016 study, areas requiring paid sick leave decreased the general flu rate by 5.5%. Allowing paid sick leave may help reduce turnover — and the associated costs — by workers leaving to seek positions with better benefits or by workers being fired after a serious illness.

Healthcare professionals come in anyway.

Paid and unpaid days aside, a survey found 83% of healthcare workers came to work sick at least once in the past year, even though 95% believed working while sick risked patient health. The main reason? They didn’t want to let their teams down or leave their units understaffed.

While admirable, we need to reassess how we view sick days in health care. Supporting sick leave within your own workplace and in your state can do just that.

The state of sick leave in the United States

Thirteen states and Washington D.C. have enacted laws to require paid sick leave, upon meeting the requirements, applies to travel nurses. These states include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. However, state-specific requirements and employee eligibility vary.

Arizona requires at least one hour of paid sick leave per every 30 hours worked unless you already have at least 40 hours of paid time off.
California, Maryland, and Massachusetts require one hour for every 30 hours worked, but the ability to use accumulated sick days doesn’t start until 90 days after employment.
Connecticut requires one hour for every 40 hours worked for a maximum of 40 paid hours off a year. Employees can use these days after the first 30 days of employment.
New Jersey paid sick leave takes effect on Oct. 29, 2018. Per diem, healthcare employees are exempt from the mandate.
Oregon requires business owners with more than 10 employees to give employees 40 hours of sick leave at the start of each year.
Vermont states that people who are employed for less than 20 weeks are exempt from the paid leave mandate.
Like Connecticut employers, Washington employers must offer one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours of work, but employees can’t use it until after 90 days of employment.

While some states may not have statewide policies, certain cities within those states could have their own sick leave mandates. For a more detailed list, click here.

By The Gypsy Nurse

July 3, 2018

13522 Views

Violence in the Workplace: A nurses perspective

Posted on July 3, 2018May 11, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Violence in the workplace is not tolerated. Most professions will protect their workers from workplace violence. Nursing, however, is very different. How can you be protected from the violence that confused, drugged-out, neuro-damaged patients will ultimately give you? You can’t. It’s a simple fact that nurses will be assaulted at one time or another during your career.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines workplace violence as any physical assault, threatening behavior or verbal abuse occurring in the workplace. Violence includes overt and covert behaviors ranging in aggressiveness from verbal harassment to murder. (NIOSH 1996)

Violence in healthcare

Violence in healthcare is such a formidable issue that OSHA has put together a complete policy to address it.

Head Nurse, a fellow nursing blogger posted about an incident that occurred to her in the workplace. “Well That’s Never Happened Before” She puts a funny spin on the experience but the reality can be scary and potentially dangerous.

I’ve been assaulted on many occasions as a nurse. Once a young confused patient grabbed my stethoscope (that was around my neck) and proceeded to nearly choking me to unconsciousness with it. Needless to say, I never wear my stethoscope around my neck anymore.

I’ve been punched, kicked, spit on, pinched so many times that I can’t even count them. This is just the physical violence that I’ve encountered. I haven’t even mentioned the verbal assaults that I’ve received not only from patients and family members but doctors and co-workers as well.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare sector leads all other industries, with 45% of all nonfatal assaults against workers resulting in lost workdays in the US. (BLS, 2006).

Why aren’t nurses and healthcare professionals protected better? We aren’t allowed to utilize restraints except for extreme circumstances and at that, it takes a ridiculous amount of steps to obtain. It’s unethical to simply ‘drug’ a combative patient. What is being done to protect us as nurses from violence?

As a healthcare worker, have you been assaulted by a patient or family member? What are your thoughts on what can be done to protect nurses in the workplace? Do you feel that violence is just ‘part of the job’ and accept it?

Redwood National Park-

Cannon Beach –

Yosemite –

Crater lake-

Monterey –

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A Bonus Tip

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Yeah…you made it through!

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EXPERT TIP:

Have you joined our Travel Nurse Community? Follow the link and join today for even more travel nurse tips and advice.

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