August 17, 2022

2854 Views

Traveling to a Foreign Territory!

Posted on August 17, 2022August 17, 2022 by Medical Edge Recruitment

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written By: Joshua Matthews, Jr. Recruiter, Medical Edge Recruitment

As the market for travel nurses continues to prosper, small towns continue to resort to these methods to meet their staffing quota. This may seem like a great idea for the staff in need, but when the location of the contract is unheard of for veteran travels, what can be done to ease the stress of interesting and unfamiliar territory? When your primary source of income comes from travel contracts, are you to wait for something more familiar to come along? Let’s say you do wait, and it still doesn’t happen. What next?

Let’s explore a very common challenge for an adventurous travel nurse, a contract to a location yet to be explored. Here’s exactly what adventurous travel nurses need to consider before traveling to unfamiliar cities.

Location: Work, Live, Play

Three of the biggest details to come to grips with for a travel contract that leads you to a brand-new location are the facility location, where you will be living, and where you will be spending most of your time away from work.

Your first priority should be to familiarize yourself with the location of your contract. Lucky for us, the internet exists. Even for small-town facilities, there are several resources to utilize in your research efforts:

Location type
Surrounding areas
Facility reviews – both staff and patient reviews are useful

After you feel comfortable with where you will be working, the next step is to find a place to live. Understandably, this process will look different for agencies that supply housing and those that do not. If the agency you work with provides housing, make sure to consult thoroughly with housing management and leave the conversation prepared for what you are getting into. For those that are tasked with finding their own living situations, spend some time researching the topics below:

Safety First – How safe is the area you are moving to?
Commute – Make sure to have a reasonable commute in mind before choosing and stick with it!
Community living – Are there any other travelers at this location, and are they open to building a bond for the contract? Do you have a travel buddy?

Another point of interest that should be a part of your research is where you will be spending the rest of your free time on the contract. Of course, if you are a homebody, there’s no place like (a temporary) home. For those that like to stay active, what kinds of organizations are in the area? Are there any Facebook groups to join before relocating? Will you have the opportunity to engage in any of your favorite hobbies? Having a good sense of what your contract might look like outside of work can be another deciding factor for you to consider.

Financial Preparation: Housing, Food, Fun

Finances are always a part of any decision in life. Not only does having a reasonable budget for what you are looking for in a travel contract give you some standards, but it can help the decision process progress smoothly. One thing to note for any travel contract that leads you to a new destination is that smaller towns can be a bit pricey because of the available living situations. Sometimes there just isn’t a lot to choose from, and that might lead prices to cost more than expected.

Food might be something you rarely consider when choosing a contract, but restaurant choices may be scarce in a small town. Are you willing to cook some meals? Will the housing you chose allow that? Are there grocery stores nearby? Spend some time weighing the food options for the location before committing. A best practice would be to understand what you take home each week, what your weekly living expenses come out to be, and what you want your savings to look like from a travel contract.

Can you bring a travel buddy?

Some of the strongest bonds come from traveling contract to contract with a familiar face. Not only does it relieve some of the financial burdens when it comes to housing and travel costs, but it gives you the sense of being on a team. Travel buddies can come in handy whenever you come across feeling like an “outsider” from the local staff and surrounding areas. Most facilities have more than one need to fill, and some agencies offer referral bonuses for anyone you bring along!

Nurses are a network who share the same healthcare goal – helping those in need. If you have traveled to an unknown location before, your voice matters! It can be good things that have come from uncomfortable situations that give hope to another nurse. Remember, we are all human beings who share a passion for healthcare. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences and give feedback. Strength comes from challenges and new experiences!

We hope you found this article on tips for adventurous travel nurses helpful. Whether going near or far, there is a tip for everyone. Do you have any tips to share with fellow travel nurses or those just starting out? Comment them below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

Need help finding your next adventure?

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 for adventurous travel nurses; let Medical Edge Recruitment show you where to go next!

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!)

By Triage Healthcare Staffing

August 15, 2022

3764 Views

Recruiter (and Travel Nurse) Red Flags

Posted on August 15, 2022July 26, 2022 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

Triage Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

Looking for an allied or travel nurse recruiter or planning on taking your first travel assignment? Before you commit to a recruiter, check out these recruiter red flags, so you know which recruiters to avoid. But, because the recruiter/traveler relationship goes both ways, check yourself for red flags you might be throwing up too.

Recruiter Red Flag: Not Understanding You Work with Different Recruiters

Good recruiters understand that this is a competitive market—for both recruiters looking for travelers and travelers looking for jobs. Most recruiters understand that travelers have a couple of recruiters searching for jobs. Although it’s natural that a recruiter wants to be your one and only, they should be understanding when they find out they’re not. This is especially true if you’re looking for an assignment in a coveted area or one where the company doesn’t have a lot of contracts. If a recruiter asks you to sign an “exclusivity clause,” consider running far away because this recruiter is only looking out for himself.

If you are working with more than one recruiter, don’t hide it because this can actually make it harder to find a job. While it might seem like a great idea to double your chances by having two companies submit you for the same job, that isn’t the way things work. If you have two recruiters submit your resume for the same job, both will get rejected automatically. Hospitals don’t want to waste time figuring out which application was first to determine which recruiter gets the credit, so they reject them both, leaving you without a job. For this reason alone, it’s great to be upfront with your recruiters about where you’re submitted and by who.

Traveler Red Flag: Social Media Negativity

It’s common job searching advice to lock down your social profiles, but that’s not enough when you’re looking for an allied or travel nurse job. If you’re in any travel Facebook groups, like The Gypsy Nurse’s group, know that there are definitely recruiters in those groups. Remember that anyone on social media can take a screenshot of a post in a group and spread it around, so before you talk negatively about a recruiter, a company, or a facility, understand that these groups aren’t quite as private as you might think.

This doesn’t mean you can’t be honest when you have feedback about a facility. Just realize that social media may not be the best venue for your complaints. Basically, if you wouldn’t say it to someone in person, don’t put it in writing on social media.

Recruiter Red Flag: Not Showing a Pay Rate Up Front

No one should work for free. While healthcare travelers have lots of different reasons for traveling, the money sure doesn’t hurt. If a recruiter is shifty when you ask about the pay rate or gives you a vague answer to your questions about pay, keep looking. Good recruiters will give you all the information up front instead of hiding details until after you’ve signed a contract.

When you do get that pay rate, understand that it’s possible that it doesn’t match what you’ll see every week. This isn’t because of any shadiness by your recruiter, though. The number of hours you work each week may vary. Different states have different tax rates, and a recruiter can’t know your exact situation—they’re recruiters, not accountants. Plus, things like 401k deductions, whether you have single or family coverage for health insurance, or HSA deductions can all affect the amount that’s actually deposited each week.

Traveler Red Flag: Being Hard to Communicate With

A good recruiter/traveler relationship starts with good communication. We know—most travelers want to communicate solely by text message because it’s fast and convenient, but a lot of details can be ironed out with a 10-minute phone call, especially if you’re beginning a new relationship. Taking this time up front can help ensure your recruiter knows exactly what’s important to you so they’ll be able to start on your job search immediately, rather than waiting until you’re free to answer questions one at a time.

Doing this also means that your recruiter will know what’s most important to you. For instance, if you prefer an assignment in Seattle, but the recruiter has something elsewhere in Washington that pays more, your recruiter can find out what’s a real requirement and what you consider just nice to have. So next time you get a phone call from a recruiter, consider picking up the phone.

Recruiter Red Flag: Not Being Honest About a Facility

There’s no perfect job, and anyone who tries to sell you on a picture-perfect facility isn’t being honest. Everywhere, even the best facilities, has a few warts. Maybe parking is far away. Maybe the hospital requires a specific color of scrubs that you’ll never need again. Maybe the pay seems great, but housing is expensive and hard to find. If a recruiter paints a 100% rosy picture, dig deeper.

Your recruiter should know if the assignment they’re sending you on has a few bumps along the way and should be upfront about what they know about the facility or the unit. Good recruiters won’t try to sell you on a “paid vacation.” What kind of “paid vacation” comes with a 36 or 48-hour work week attached to it?

If you’re looking for an allied or travel nurse gig, look for an agency that’s committed to treating you with candor and honesty. Triage Staffing pays attention to your wants and needs and works around them—not the other way around. To connect with a Triage recruiter, apply for a travel nurse job on the Triage website.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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!)

By TheraEx

August 9, 2022

8655 Views

6 Ways to Spot Fake Travel Nurse Job Postings

Posted on August 9, 2022August 1, 2022 by TheraEx

TheraEx Staffing Solutions provided this article.

The rise of fake job postings for healthcare professionals has reached an all-time high. As a travel nurse in one of the most sought-after fields, you must be vigilant when it comes to being able to identify when someone is trying to scam you. Fake postings can fall through the cracks even on the most reputable job boards. Below are a few notable red flags to be on the lookout for:

1. All Emails and Job Postings Are Riddled with Spelling Errors and Poor Grammar

Consider it a major red flag if the job posting contains spelling and grammatical errors or has incorrect punctuation. A legitimate job posting will be professional and polished. Emails from scammers may also be overly formal or look like it was copied and pasted from somewhere else.

2. Is The Company or Recruiter Legitimate?

If you’ve never heard of the individual or company that is advertising the job opening, try performing a quick Google search. By viewing their website, recent news articles about the company, and their social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, you’ll be able to have a better understanding of their online presence and if they have actual real employees working for them. Another way to decipher if a company is legitimate is by googling the term “company name scam” to see if there are any previous reports or complaints associated with the company in question.

If they’re a recruitment professional, use LinkedIn to research the person you’re communicating with to make sure they’re legitimate and have other connections from within the company they’re representing. Most scam artists have large amounts of information missing on their profiles and tend to spell “jobs” as “j0bs,” so they’re able to bypass LinkedIn filters.

If you are still uncertain, ask around. Thanks to the availability of social networks and online forums, you can ask for information about the company from your friends, colleagues, and other members in your network.

3. The Recruiter Has a Generic Email Address

Whether your correspondence is with a recruiter from a staffing agency or the head of HR, you should expect that they’ll have a company email address. If the recruiter is using a generic email service such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail, they’re possibly not legitimate. Another warning sign to be aware of is if the email that you receive doesn’t contain any contact information such as a physical mailing address, office, cell, and/or fax number.

4. You’re Asked to Do an Interview Via Chat or Text

If your first interview is scheduled through some type of text messaging services like Telegram, Signal, or WhatsApp, it is a huge red flag. Interviews are typically conducted by phone or through video conferencing software like Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Webex. Any hiring manager worth their salt will not conduct a job interview via instant message.

5. You’re Offered the Job Without an Interview

Some scam artists will try to offer you a job without even doing an interview. A major part of a genuine recruiter’s job is to spend time ensuring that you’re the right fit for the company and position you’re applying for and that you have all the required training and licenses.

6. They Ask You for Money

Genuine recruiters will ask you for your contact details, an updated copy of your CV, and for references. At no point in the process should they ask you to provide any form of payment.

Steps to Take if You Fall Victim to an Online Job Scam:

If you believe you have fallen victim to a job scam, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage:

File a complaint with the FTC online at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling (877) 382-4357.
Report the scam to your state’s Attorney General at usa.gov/state-attorney-general.
Close any bank account(s) affected by the scam and open new accounts at a new bank.
If you provided your social security number at any point, order credit reports from all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and monitor them for unusual activity. To be safe, you can also create an E-Verify account with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and freeze your social security number at e-verify.gov/mye-verify/self-lock.
Report the company name, contact email, and job posting to the site where the fraudulent job was posted so they can remove it and investigate further.
Contact your local police department and file a report.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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!)

By Mynoucka

July 25, 2022

3074 Views

Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable

Posted on July 25, 2022July 22, 2022 by Mynoucka

If travel nursing allows you to travel all over the country and get paid while doing it, why isn’t everyone doing it? Travel is getting increasingly popular; in 2019, millions of dollars were spent on travel and people catching flights. People claim to be catching flights and not feelings. It doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. But there is something about the uncertainty of not knowing what’s next that brings about its challenges. Not knowing where your next job is going to be, not knowing the city or the neighborhood you’re going to be in, not knowing who your coworkers are, and all the things that can make you feel like the new kid on the block. Instead of feeling that for a little while and then eventually learning all those unknowns with time as a travel nurse, you’re in a constant state of change, which can be uncomfortable. So, let’s talk about it. How do you thrive when the only thing that is certain about your living and working situation is that there will be an inevitable change at the end of your assignment?

Inevitable change

The only constant is change. That is a popularized quote you have probably seen floating around on your Instagram or Twitter, but it is true. I was a checklist girl, literally attempting to checklist my way through life. There is nothing wrong with planning or creating goals; without some form of planning, it’s like navigating life with no real direction.

Getting into travel nursing was the opposite of the direction that I wanted to go but transitioning to a career that constantly forced me to face change shifted my mindset. It taught me to adapt to the important concept of flexibility. As a travel nurse, you’re constantly navigating change, like life, learning to adapt and be flexible. Learning how to go with the flow and, yes, change is hard, but like anything else, you learn how to adapt to those changes. When you go to work, you’re constantly changing even within your assignment, whether you go in. You expect to work for a few hours on one floor. You get floated mid-shift, or maybe you go into work expecting to work on one floor, but you then get floated to work on a different floor or the most recent challenge that I’ve had to face is going into work and not having enough staff and working through your shift without taking a lunch break.

Having to deal with those different changes has allowed me to carry those same concepts from work into my everyday life. Not knowing what the next five years will look like or not knowing what the next twenty years will look like is not as much of an issue as it used to be for me. Sure, plan, pray, and manifest. I have different things that I want and different things that I expect from life, but if I veer off those original plans, it’s no longer something that will make or break my day. I have learned how to embrace the change that comes with life and understand that if life begins to go in a different direction, it’s not necessarily the wrong direction. Maybe your life needs to go in that direction to set you up for something bigger and better than you’ve expected. That is a lesson within itself, and I can see how becoming a travel nurse has helped push that concept and plan.

Prioritizing your needs

The second thing that I want to highlight is prioritizing your needs. So, when you’re in a constant state of change, what do you do to bring stability? You have to find things that bring about a sense of home, regardless of where you are. What I mean by that is that I can’t plan my assignments to the exact details as a travel nurse. I can’t plan them too far ahead of time because a lot of time, the assignments come through maybe a couple of weeks or a few days before you start. So, I try to control what I can beyond the actual assignment. I have a list of places I’m willing to go based on my expectations for places I’m willing to live. Even if it ends up being for only three months. I tend to extend my assignments at least by one additional assignment to give me a little time beyond three months. I try to prioritize safety, diversity, and whether there will be a church in the area where I will live. Even though, as a travel nurse, you’re constantly changing, and you’re constantly uprooting your life and moving around, there are non-negotiables or different things that you can set to ensure that those things are constant. Having things that are constant when you’re constantly changing helps. Having that list of places I’m willing to go to gives me a sense of control. If you are the type of person who doesn’t need to have a sense of control and lives off spontaneity, and you thrive off it, then maybe you don’t need a list. Maybe you don’t have to have expectations like diversity, safety, or different things that in your mind give you a sense of peace. Many of these things stay in our minds because just because I perceive a place as safe doesn’t mean that it’s safe, or just because I perceived an area as more diverse than another doesn’t mean it is. Having these lists still gives me a sense of control over what I can control. When things are coming my way that I cannot control, like going to work and not having a lunch break or going to work and not knowing where I’m going to be, it doesn’t bother me as much because there are still some things within my life that I have control of.

Another thing that I try to do is once I get to my assignment, within that first week, I unpack everything. I put everything where I need it to be. I settle into where I’m going to live. I also find my closest gym because I prioritize ensuring I do some physical activity. I also prioritize church, so finding a church community or a church to attend quickly after arriving at my new location is a priority as well. All of these are contributing factors to your self-care and maintaining balance within the workplace.

Self-care

We discuss the importance of self-care because work and life generally cause burnout, anxiety, and depression, especially as healthcare providers. We work in stressful environments, often with patients with very serious situations. We often leave work feeling that energy within us. So, ensure that you know exactly what is important to you regarding stability. So, make sure you write these things down or put them in the note section on your phone. These things will help you thrive and maintain the level of success that you want to maintain when going from assignment to assignment.

Setting Intentions

Make sure you set daily intentions; I have made it a habit to set my intentions for each assignment. During my first assignment, my intentions for that assignment were to get myself together, make sure that I unwind, and make sure that I maintain a level of peace. A level of peace I felt like I was lacking. That first assignment wasn’t about looking around and exploring the city; it wasn’t about making a ton of money; it was more about trying to find consistency and stability in my schedule and daily life. This assignment and moving forward, my intentions for assignments are to try to pay off my debt. I want to be financially independent; I want to be financially free, and I want to get to a point where I am not exchanging my time for money, which is something I have prioritized. When I go to work, that is what I think about; I think of it as an opportunity for me to get closer to my goal.

So along with setting my intentions daily, I still struggle with trying to maintain a sense of balance and trying to maintain and manage my time. Still, I also ensure that I’m setting an intention for each assignment, which is one of the biggest things I think we can do for ourselves. You don’t have to be the type of person that micromanages every aspect of your life. You don’t have to write everything down or have everything on a checklist; everything doesn’t have to be crossed off.

Just make sure that you set your intentions. Know why you’re doing what you do, why you get up every single morning and understand that if you wake up in the morning, you have a sense of purpose. You can then assign different things you do to ensure that it aligns with that purpose. When I wake up and go to work, I want to help people and impact lives. That’s why I’m in the healthcare field. It also ensures that I have a stable job. But I know that every day I go in, even if I don’t want to, it is one more day where I get the opportunity to increase my salary. To make more money so I can pay down debt and essentially get to a place where I’m no longer having to pay down debt and pay for expenses that I’ve made years prior.

Those are some of the biggest things that I think that we can do to make sure that you thrive when you’re in a constant state of change and bring it back to your memory, bring it back to your mind. The three things that I talked about were: remembering the only thing constant is change, prioritizing your needs, and setting your intentions daily but even further than that setting your intentions for each assignment.

Follow my journey at The Vintage Traveling Nurse.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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!)

By Furnished Finder

June 23, 2022

8769 Views

50 Best Places to Travel Nurse

Posted on June 23, 2022April 29, 2024 by Furnished Finder

According to Furnished Finder, here are the top 50 cities where travel nurses work.

First, we’ll start with the top 10 cities where travel nurses need housing:

San Diego
Seattle
Denver
Phoenix
Boston
Los Angeles
Nashville
Atlanta
San Francisco
Portland

Here are the other most popular travel nurse cities to round out the top 50.

Albuquerque
Austin
Las Vegas
Saint Louis
New Orleans
Tucson
Tacoma
San Jose
Reno
Portland
San Antonio
Miami
Charleston
Houston
Washington
Sacramento
Orlando
Honolulu
Tampa
Baltimore
Charlotte
Asheville
Chicago
Burlington
Dallas
Oakland
Palo Alto
Saint Petersburg
Colorado Springs
Anchorage
Fort Myers
Santa Rosa
Charlottesville
New York, NY
Scottsdale
Fresno
Savannah
Boise
New Haven
Jacksonville

There are so many great cities that travel nurses can visit, and just because a city isn’t on this list doesn’t mean that travelers don’t go there. One of the things you’ll notice is that Furnished Finder doesn’t just have listings in the big cities, as about 50% of the cities in the top 200 have populations of less than 100,000 people.

Whether you’re going to the big city or a quaint rural town, chances are that Furnished Finder will have a monthly furnished rental to choose from. Start your travel nurse housing search today by filling out a Housing Request or Search the Map.

The way it works is that you can search and contact landlords directly or through the App. Every landlord on Furnished Finder is verified so you can book housing in confidence, knowing that the person you’re speaking to really is who they say they are.

Next, there are no booking fees on Furnished Finder. This can literally save travelers hundreds every month! Plus, you can now book hotels on Furnished Finder and save up to 25% off.

Want to learn more about a city before you go there? Check out the free travel nurse housing Stipend Calculator.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.

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!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

April 3, 2022

11997 Views

Avoiding Conflict in the Workplace

Posted on April 3, 2022April 3, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Working as a travel nurse, you will be working in different hospitals. Conflict in the workplace can make working at some hospitals unbearable, even if you know that you are only there for 13 weeks. Avoiding conflict in the workplace does not have to be a huge challenge, but it can help you make your time at that hospital more enjoyable. Here are some of the ways that you can avoid conflict in the workplace as a travel nurse.

Avoid Personality Clashes

One of the main causes of conflicts in the workplace is caused by personality clashes. Personality clashes are difficult to resolve, and avoiding that person is not going to work. Do your best to avoid unprofessional discussions with this person, and take the high ground if a disagreement is about to happen.

Another way to avoid some personality clashes might be to make certain to avoid these top 10 things that a travel nurse should never say.

Be Respectful

As a travel nurse, you are only going to be at that location for around 13 weeks. However, you still need to treat people with respect, so treat them how you would like to be treated. Take the time to think about how you are asking for help or speaking to make sure you are getting your message across clearly.

My Grandmother always told me to ‘behave as if you are a guest in their home’ and I encourage you to take her advice.

With how often you switch hospitals as a travel nurse, small conflicts can seem like they are not a problem. However, when reported to your agency, these conflicts can follow you and make finding your next contract difficult.

I interviewed Fastaff nursing back in 2013, and we discussed the conflict in the workplace. Here I give several tips for the step-by-step resolution of travel nurse workplace conflicts. These tips are still quite relevant today.

What conflicts have you encountered in the workplace? Please post in the comments your tips, thoughts, and advice on avoiding or dealing with conflicts as a travel nurse.

Want more information on travel nursing?

Check out our Travel Nurse Guide

By The Gypsy Nurse

March 26, 2022

26152 Views

Transitioning from Travel Nursing to Permanent Employment

Posted on March 26, 2022September 29, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

How to Navigate from travel nurse to permanent employment.

Your Resume

The first item that I recommend is that you update your resume. A travel nurse’s resume is much different than a resume for a permanent job. Employers are not looking to see how well you transition from place to place. They are seeking information on your long-term skills. Ask yourself, “What skills has travel nursing given me?” This could include equipment, procedures, types of facilities, etc. Focus on these items.

Tax-Free Reimbursements

Many travel nurses utilize travel nursing as a means to seek a new home for relocation purposes. Many reasons might require the move from travel nurse to permanent employment. Perhaps a spouse has obtained employment in a new city, or a family member needs someone close by. Travel nursing is a great way to scope out a new area without making a firm commitment.

One of the best ways to scope out a new location is to start with a travel nursing assignment. A travel nursing agency can help you find a job and provide free accommodations or a housing subsidy. At the same time, you look for a permanent home and offer reimbursement for some of your travel expenses.

To comply with the IRS rules for obtaining these tax-free allowances, I recommend that you return home after your ‘scouting’ assignment and work at home for a minimum of three months before making the final move. Please consult a tax professional for additional information on IRS Tax home compliance.

Non-Compete Clauses

Whether or not you know of it, most agencies have non-compete clauses in their contracts. These clauses generally go both ways: Between the hospital and the agency and between the travel nurse and the agency. So, what is a non-compete clause? The non-compete clause is an agreement between you and the agency (or between the agency and the hospital) that states you cannot work for that particular hospital for a certain period following your contract. Many times, this is up to a full year. The hospital can face huge fines/fees if they break this clause.

Don’t despair…

There are ways out of the non-compete. If a hospital wants to employ you as a permanent employee bad enough, they can buy out your contract with the travel agency. Think of it like a ‘finders fee.’ The agency ‘found’ you, and they want their cut. The other option (since you need to go home anyway to fulfill the tax requirements) is simply waiting out the non-compete.

Please be aware that it is up to you to know if your travel nursing agency includes a non-compete clause in any of the contracts you sign. If you are unsure after reading your contract, ask your recruiter. You can also ask the recruiter to remove these clauses before accepting a position. Depending on the company and your relationship with them, they may be willing to eliminate it.

A few staffing agencies out there that not only staff for temporary assignments but also do permanent employment. Connecting with one of these companies may make the transition a bit smoother.

Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for assignments, and if housing is an issue, our housing page can help. It’s time to make a difference!

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!)

By Paula Snyder

March 20, 2022

11944 Views

How Travel Nurses Can Maintain a Healthy and Affordable Diet

Posted on March 20, 2022March 20, 2022 by Paula Snyder

Guest Post By: Paula Snyder

How Travel Nurses Can Maintain a Healthy and Affordable Diet

As a travel nurse, you know that maintaining a healthy and affordable diet is not easy. You may know all about the vacuum packed, plastic wrapped food that’s served as breakfast, lunch, or dinner on the plane. On top of poor quality, the portion sizes never seem to touch the edges, leaving you forever opening your wallet for even more overpriced bite-sized morsels. Depending on where in the globe your plane is touching down, you might also have to deal with poor quality food at your destination. However, with a bit of planning, you can make wiser food choices and keep your energy levels high for the adventure that awaits at touchdown.

It’s not uncommon to reach an exotic destination and have the desire to head to the nearest Golden Arches of McDonald’s through fear of foreign foods. I admittedly raise my hand in guilt. But it was this one time I traveled for 32 hours straight, and all I craved was my creature comforts and then to pass out in my hotel bed. However, if you’re a travel nurse or hold another important job that requires intense periods of focus, commitment, and energy, you can’t afford to make the mistake of eating poor quality food.

Here are some tips for maintaining a healthy and affordable diet as a travel nurse.

Research The Local Cuisine Ahead of Time

The beauty of our modern day lives is that there’s just so much information available at your fingertips. Think of all those that traveled to your destination and have already blogged about their experience in detail. Dedicated foodies will shuffle about the globe for the sole purpose of tickling their taste buds by exotic cuisine, and I think they might just be onto something.

Search for recommendations on the best restaurants and special diet options if you’re a vegetarian or vegan. As a travel RN, make the most of these moments in transit by carrying out this important research to avoid a headache later. Think about it. Even if you find just two good restaurants, you’ll be sorted for the often turbulent first few days in a new town or city. I’m sure the owners of those two restaurants will love having you as a repeat customer – breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Take Your Own Snacks

This is painstakingly obvious but often overlooked in the chaos of packing for your trip. Taking the time to plan and prepare healthy portable snacks at home and throwing into your hand luggage is the perfect way to set foot on your travels. Think of cacao energy balls, homemade muesli bars, or high protein options. Protein is the key to keeping fuller for longer and removing the temptation to buy overpriced airline food. I’ve even noticed some budget airlines charging more than eight times the price of supermarket items!

Take Your Own Supplements

While most of your nutritional needs should come from fresh, whole foods, they’re not always available when you’re on the go. While traveling, I’ve always topped up my daily intake of vitamins and minerals through supplement form. You can get your supplements at a health store or from reputable online distributors, such as Zen Spirit. Some of my staple supplements are:

Multivitamin – once a day supplement covers all bases
Vitamin C – to keep immunity in check
Chlorophyll or spirulina – supports all round glowing health and a healthy digestive system
Vitamin B Complex – especially vital if you’re a vegetarian or vegan as vitamin Bs are mostly animal derived
Matcha green tea – A powerful dose of antioxidants. I’ve even gone so far as buying empty gel capsules and filling my own on-the-go matcha supplement! You can do this with any powdered superfood.

When you’re on a travel RN assignment and you reach the end of a tiresome day, you can be confident that you’ve bumped up your mineral intake.

Find Out Where The Locals Shop

This is important, especially if you’ve traveled to a country where tourism is booming. There’s just so many tourist traps when it comes to dining out and often prices are dramatically inflated. Kick back in a local café and people watch for a bit. Try to pick up on the eating habits of the locals versus the tourists, as I guarantee you they will be vastly different.

You can even ask some locals where the fresh food markets are and prepare your own meals. This will save you mega bucks as a travel nurse, and ensure that you’re getting the freshest varieties of all the local delicacies.

You’re allowed to let some habits slide, provided your overall eating habits while traveling veer towards the healthy side. You’ll notice a huge improvement in your overall energy when you dedicate time to selecting the right nutritionally dense foods. This will set you up for a much more enjoyable time away from home on your next travel nurse assignment.

Want more information on travel nursing?

Check out our Travel Nurse Guide

By Medical Edge Recruitment

March 16, 2022

5289 Views

Tips for Every Type of Traveler

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

Medical Edge Recruitment provided this article.

Written by: Gabriel Velez, Recruitment Consultant, Medical Edge Recruitment

Travel contracts and jobs are both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time! It is an opportunity to travel anywhere, make more money, see new things, or help in areas that need nurses. When it comes to deciding where to go, there are a few factors you need to consider, especially if you are new to travel nursing.

For those new to travel

“Wow, you are making how much?”

“You are traveling to another beach this weekend?”

“Your agency gives you bonuses just for completing a contract?”

These are probably things you or a friend have said if you are a first-time traveler or interested in contract work. Traveling is an exciting opportunity, but if you are new to it, it can also be an intimidating or daunting task to go somewhere far from home, even if it is for a job you do every day. For those just starting out or exploring the scene, it’s best to stay within your state and only a couple of hours away. Most facilities or contracts will consider anyone commuting 60 or more miles for their work as a traveler. Going to a neighboring city or even across the state can be a great way to get a feel for travel while also staying in an environment that is still “homey.” This is one of the best ways to dip your toes in for the experience!

For those looking for the most money

Money is a driving force for almost everyone. Whether you are looking to build your savings, provide for your family, or are a “treat yourself” type of person, money is very important. Traveling contracts are almost always a higher rate than local contracts. It is crucial to investigate what is being offered in your contract. Is the agency giving you a pay package that is based on 48 hours of work, but the facility caps you at 36 hours a week? Ask questions as to how often you are being paid. Ask if stipends are in addition to your pay or if the contract being presented includes it, making it seem like more money than it really is! More money is always tempting, but the best thing to do is to take a travel contract that is high pay and low risk. Sometimes what’s being presented is high pay and high risk.

Additionally, with high-paying contracts, research how much the area costs. If you are paying for housing, it’s nice to find a high-paying job, but not if your hotel, Airbnb, or housing takes half of it. Furthermore, if everything in the area is expensive (i.e., food, entertainment, etc.), is it worth taking that job just because it pays 10 dollars more per hour than another location?

For those looking for an adventure

Travel nursing is a fun way to vacation! For those that like to work hard and play hard, travel contracts are a good way to find adventure and make money at the same time. As a recruiter, it is so fun to work with adventure-seeking nurses. We work across the nation and have facilities all over the country for those that know what they are looking for. Want to work 3 days a week, and the other 4 be at the beach? Done. Want to go somewhere that’s warm during the winter but has a great city life? We can do that! Plan a vacation and work at the same time as your contract!

All in all, recruiters should be doing what is best for you and your success. We are here because we care about our nurses. Our mission is to find you money, adventure, or a comfortable place that makes you prosperous. Nurses have a tough job, one that is selfless and rewarding, and nothing brings us more joy and fulfillment than taking something stressful like job hunting off your plate!

Need help finding a travel nurse adventure?

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!

We hope you found this article on tips for every type of traveler helpful. Do you have any tips to share with fellow travelers? 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 travel assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

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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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