November 24, 2021

7322 Views

Travel Nursing Must-Haves: 10 Items to Bring on Your Next Assignment

Posted on November 24, 2021November 18, 2021 by Favorite Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Favorite Healthcare.

You just landed your dream travel nurse assignment and are eager to hit the road. You have a full list of excursions to experience at your destination and are excited to check each adventure off your bucket list. Before the sightseeing can begin, you have one important task to complete: packing your bags.

Though it may seem like a simple undertaking, knowing what to bring, what to leave behind, and what to source upon arrival in your temporary hometown can raise a lot of questions. This handy list of travel nursing must-haves will ensure you never leave for an assignment without the essentials.

What to Pack on Your Travel Nursing Assignment

Appropriate Documents

Important documents are not easily replaced, so take the time and effort to gather these documents before you embark on your next assignment. Some essential documents include your driver’s license, car insurance, and a backup form of ID such as a passport or copy of your birth certificate. Your staffing agency will have your nursing license and certifications on file, but it’s beneficial to keep digital copies on your phone or laptop in case you need them for any reason. Don’t forget about your most helpful resource – your recruiter! They can answer any questions and give you a full list of documents you might have, which can vary by facility.

Journal

Having a journal to document your adventures is the perfect way to keep the memories you make alive. You will be able to look back on these special moments for years to come and share them with your family and friends back home. Journaling is also an excellent way to pause, reflect, and stay in tune with your mental health.

French Press or Tea Strainer

Are you a caffeine fanatic? No need to break the bank on-to-go lattes! A French press or tea strainer is convenient to travel with and easy to pack away. Don’t forget to bring your favorite travel mug to keep your drinks warm while you’re on the go! Staying caffeinated will help push you through those long shifts.

Bluetooth Speaker

Bring a Bluetooth speaker to make sure you always have your favorite jams or podcasts playing! There’s nothing like your favorite song to get you through your travels. Whether you’re cooking at home, hitting the beach, or enjoying time in the park, having a speaker on hand helps things feel a little more like home.

Camera

Wherever your travels take you, make sure to always have a camera ready to capture the important moments. There’s no need to be an avid photographer with professional equipment. Most smartphones today double as a high-quality camera, making it quick and convenient to capture all the sights of your explorations.

First Aid Kit

While on the go, it can be helpful to keep a first aid kit with you on assignments. You never know when you might need medicine to cure a common cold or a band-aid for a cut when you’re not at work. Some items that are good to have on hand include bandages, vitamins, aspirin, ibuprofen, sunscreen, and of course, any prescription medications you take.

Proper Clothing and Accessories

Do your research on the location you are traveling to. You will need to make sure to have clothes that fit the climate and seasons of your destination. No need to travel with your entire wardrobe! Pack the essentials with plenty of layering options to ensure you have apparel for every occasion. A few other must-haves include comfortable shoes, an umbrella, a travel steamer, and a lint roller.

Electronics and Extra Chargers

Laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartphones, Bluetooth headphones… these days, there are endless forms of electronics at our fingertips. Whether you use these devices for entertainment or work, they have become necessary on any travel nursing assignment. Just don’t forget to pack up each item’s respective charging device and make sure they are fully charged before you journey to your next destination.

Hobbies and Pastimes

Besides visiting all the amazing attractions during your travels, don’t forget to bring something to do during your downtime. Whether that’s reading your favorite book, playing an instrument, or drawing, your hobbies can always travel with you.

Comforts from Home

Being away from home can be a tough adjustment for some people. To avoid feeling homesick, make sure to bring items that connect you to your life back home, such as pictures of your family and friends or a favorite item someone special gave you. Surrounding yourself with meaningful keepsakes can help carry you through difficult times and make you feel comfortable in your “home away from home.”

With all these must-haves for travel nurses, here are a few bonus tips to also keep in mind:

Bonus Tip #1:

Go thrifting to find cheap household items (think pots, pans, utensils, hangers), and at the end of your assignment, donate the items back to a local charity.

Bonus Tip #2:

Find a travel nurse buddy to team up with and decide on which items each of you can bring to get you through your assignment.

This must-haves packing list is just a starting point to make sure the time spent in your new destination runs smoothly and efficiently. What are your travel nursing must-haves? Share with us in the comments below!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have an assignment but need housing? Click here to search our housing group.

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

November 13, 2021

16560 Views

Contract Issues Surrounding the Holidays

Posted on November 13, 2021January 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

There are a lot of discussions currently going on about holiday work. I thought I would put together a quick list of some of the major issues surrounding the holidays

Q: I am scheduled for ALL of the holidays during my travel nurse contract.

A: As a traveler, we are generally scheduled when the facility has it’s highest needs. This includes the holidays. It’s important to discuss this with both the agency as well as the facility in the facility interview. If you do not want to work holidays, this should be clearly discussed and written out clearly in your contract with the facility. Some hospitals will want you to work all, some will not let you work (too expensive) and even others will schedule you just like the staff and allow you to work every other or to pick one. Clear communications are KEY!

Unfortunately, if you didn’t request days off over the holidays; you will be expected to work whatever the facility schedules you for. Always make sure to request time off for any important dates!

Working the Holiday? find out how to make it a great shift!

Q: I’m looking to start my {first} or {next} contract right after the holidays. Will this be difficult?

A: There are two parts to this question. For the experienced traveler that is seeking a start date during the first week of January, this will be a bit easier for you than it will be for the inexperienced traveler. I will warn you however that this is never recommended. Many travelers intentionally schedule their contracts to end before the holidays and are seeking new contracts right after the first of the year. Due to this, there is generally an influx of post-holiday travelers available. What this means is that the supply is greater at this time and you may have more difficulty securing a position. What I recommend is that you hold off and plan to start mid-late January. You will leverage your negotiating power by choosing a start-date after the post-holiday rush.

For the new or in-experienced traveler, I do NOT recommend attempting to find your first contract immediately following the holidays. When a hospital has an influx of available travelers, they are going to generally choose an experienced traveler over one that is inexperienced. Wait until late January or even early February to increase your options and optimize your negotiating power.

Q: My recruiter just told me they can’t bill differently for the holidays so I will not get overtime/holiday pay.

A: Any overtime or holiday pay should be detailed in your contract. Along this same line, it’s important to know what your agency has approved as an official ‘holiday’ date for this particular hospital. Make sure to ask in your preliminary negotiations. The actual date/hours that are considered a ‘holiday’ will vary from agency to agency and facility to facility.

Q: I’m scheduled to work the day before and the day after the holiday. Now I’ll be sitting alone during the actual holiday. What can I do to not feel so lonely?

A: Why not organize a carry-in for your co-workers? Bring a great dessert or treat into work and share the holiday with them. Better yet, find out if you can bring something in for the patients! There are also a lot of places that you can volunteer with homeless meals and such. If there are other travelers in your area, have a ‘Gypsy Thanksgiving’ and invite them over or out to dinner. Buy a box of cookies or cupcakes and go out and hand them out to all of the hospital units. There are so many things that you can do to give someone else a simple smile on Thanksgiving. Whatever you do…do not sit home alone!! Another thought is to set up skype, Facebook Live, or Facetime and join your family via video for the holiday! With today’s technology, this is pretty simple to do.

By Medical Edge Recruitment

November 8, 2021

5030 Views

Make Your Next Assignment Feel More Like an Adventure!

Posted on November 8, 2021February 7, 2022 by Medical Edge Recruitment

This article was provided by Medical Edge Recruitment.

Written By: Amy Stephens, Marketing Manager, Medical Edge Recruitment

Welcome to Travel Nursing, where you get to choose your own adventure with every new assignment! There are many challenges to being a travel nurse, but there are also many benefits. Travel nursing is a great way to experience our country’s diversity and find fun new activities that are unique to each assignment area. Try implementing these five things on your next assignment to make the most of your travel nurse adventure!

1. Try a new restaurant every week.

Locals often know the best places to eat and drink, so ask your co-workers for recommendations of their favorites in the area. Try new cuisines you can’t find back home or a place featured in a magazine or your favorite Food Network show. Expand your horizons with a farmer’s market, food truck, a local diner, or a street festival!

2. Visit a state park or a national landmark.

Connecting with nature is a great way to relax, especially after a challenging shift. You can search the U.S. National Park Service’s website for state and national parks or visit their National Historic Landmarks page for a list of national landmarks by state. Plot all your visits on a map of the United States to track your adventures!

3. Find out what your town/city is known for.

Everyone is known for something! Find out what your assignment city is famous for. Visit the local library, city hall, or visitor’s center to learn about the history and events that have happened there. You will likely meet locals who are passionate to share their history with you as well!

4. Explore the towns/areas around you.

You may never get another chance to explore the state you are assigned to. Do some research and explore nearby towns or attractions that you don’t want to miss. Most states have “official visitor’s center” websites that list things to do, events and festivals, and even trip ideas all around the state. Use your downtime to find a new adventure every week!

5. Keep a journal.

Journaling not only helps you capture memories but also holds you accountable and grateful. We often get too caught up in the daily grind to appreciate all the wonders around us. As a travel nurse, take the time to capture your thoughts about each assignment and the special adventures you create around you.

Not sure where your next adventure is?

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!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse adventure? Click here to view our job board. Do you have your assignment secured but need housing? Click here to search our housing page.

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

October 25, 2021

7060 Views

Taking Your First Travel Nurse Assignment During the Pandemic

Posted on October 25, 2021January 16, 2023 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by TNAA Healthcare.

You feel like you were called to work in healthcare, but maybe you need a change of scenery to combat pandemic fatigue. Or, maybe traveling is something you always wanted to do, and the pay makes travel nursing even more enticing. For those eager to travel, here is what you should know and what you can do during your time as a staff nurse to have the best start when you become a traveler.

Why Experience is Important

Travel nurses are there to fill an immediate need, so hospitals count on them to be qualified, confident, and flexible – especially when facing the intensity of the pandemic. Travel nurses are expected to hit the hospital floor with their heads held high. They don’t need to be walked through weeks of orientation. Instead, they’ll likely only have a few shifts to adjust to their new hospital and unit before they are put to work.

The last thing you want to worry about as a travel nurse is your skillset. While you’re working as a staff nurse, get as much experience as you can by expanding your skillset to make yourself more marketable, learning where to find supplies on your own, or being courageous enough to ask questions. This should help ensure a successful start as a travel nurse.

How to Prepare Yourself Mentally

The pandemic has intensified stress for healthcare workers. This strain is why some staff nurses turn to travel, but there are other potentially stressful situations you have to prepare for as a travel nurse. While you get to meet new people and experience new places, you’re likely also traveling without your immediate support system of close family and friends. For this reason, you’ll need to work on your coping mechanisms and truly understand what helps you destress.

Do your research

Knowledge is power. Research the hospital, unit, community, COVID-19 trends, and housing options before deciding to take an assignment. Knowing what to expect ahead of time can make you feel more comfortable when everything around you is new.

Build your community of support

Build a community of support near and far. With each travel nurse assignment, find your partner on the unit who you check in with day-in and day-out. Connect with other travelers to explore your new town. Have calls with friends and family back home as often as possible. Keeping and establishing these connections can keep you from feeling alone.

Take time for yourself

Don’t forget to take care of yourself in the middle of caring for your patients. This might mean you say ‘no’ to an extra shift (which means you’re saying ‘yes’ to extra sleep or more time for adventure).

Remember your ‘why’

Having a solid reason for becoming a healthcare traveler can keep you focused when you’re having a bad week. Your ‘why’ might be supporting your family, taking a major vacation, or meeting a savings goal. Whatever it is, let it help you keep your eye on the prize.

How Your Travel Nurse Agency Can Set You Up For Success

You’ll want your travel nurse agency to be there to walk you through every step of your new life as a healthcare traveler. There’s a lot of change and adjustment in the beginning!

Your recruiter

Work with your recruiter to get an appropriate first-time assignment. You might want your first assignment to be at a similar type of hospital or unit as your staff job to ease into your life as a traveler. But, don’t worry – your recruiter should be able to help you meet career goals step-by-step with each assignment.

Agency resources

When you have a question or feel stressed, your agency should be there for you. See if your agency has a clinical services team, so you can talk to someone who understands the difficulties of the job. Ask if your agency has mental wellness resources available through an Employee Assistance Program, Chaplain Program, or insurance, so you know that you have benefits you can fall back on when you need them most.

Becoming a traveler is exciting and also a huge adjustment. To have the best start, develop your skills, do your research, and see how a travel nurse agency can be an anchor for you as you embark on a new journey.

We hope you found these tips for taking your first travel nurse assignment during the pandemic helpful.

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 Jennifer Traub

October 22, 2021

5922 Views

Finding the Right Travel Nurse Recruiter for You

Posted on October 22, 2021October 8, 2021 by Jennifer Traub

There is a lot of buzz around picking the right recruiter for a travel assignment. As a nurse who has been a traveler for more than 5 years, here are some tips I have picked up on how to choose the perfect one.

Their approach shouldn’t be “salesy”

You are not buying a car, so a recruiter’s approach shouldn’t be “salesy.” They do not need to “pitch” you. The assignment and the criteria you need speak for themselves. I find it ingenuine if you are being approached with sales tactics, and I wouldn’t want to work with that person.

Choose a reputable company

I would find a recruiter working for a reputable company. Onward Healthcare, Prolink, and Host Healthcare are some of my personal favorites. I have worked with these companies for multiple contracts and have always had good experiences.

Maximize your pay package

A recruiter should look to maximize your pay package. You are traveling away from home and uprooting your life. I think it is important for a company to consider and accommodate you with travel expenses and potential interim travel expenses if possible.

You should be able to have a good rapport with your recruiter

You should be able to have a good rapport with your recruiter. They should be a partner and a friend. Chances are, you will need some guidance when on assignment at some point. Whether it being you decide you need health insurance or you didn’t receive your paycheck. A good recruiter should be receptive and accommodating. They should be able to resolve your issue or point you in the right direction to someone who can. A recruiter who neglects to answer your texts or calls means they are only out for the money and do not have your best interest at heart.

We hope you found these tips for finding the right travel nurse recruiter for your helpful. Do you have any tips for finding a travel nurse recruiter? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you have the assignment but need housing? 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!)

By Furnished Finder

October 19, 2021

4841 Views

How to Navigate Housing in High-Cost Cities

Posted on October 19, 2021October 15, 2021 by Furnished Finder

High-cost cities can sometimes make it difficult to have a successful and fun assignment, so allow me to make suggestions that may help during your next adventure. Let me just start out by saying there is no Easy-Button here as we are all subject to the market. What I mean is that demand for housing is so high in these cities that it drives up the cost of rent for everyone. And while you can’t change the housing market, you can adjust the way that you do things, so they work in your favor. Be sure to read to the end to get discounts on hotels as well.

The first thing you should know is that you are competing against a lot of other people when you’re looking to secure a monthly furnished rental. People across the globe are suddenly able to live and work anywhere, so we are seeing more relocating families and remote workers than ever before. Secondly, don’t expect preferential treatment because you are a healthcare worker. Property managers don’t necessarily care what you do for a living – their job is to just make sure you are the best tenant for the property.

Since the focus of this article is the cost of living in cities like LA, San Francisco, New York, Boston, San Diego, and Chicago, here are 5 things you can do to help you navigate the costs of these high-cost cities:

1. Don’t Pay Booking Fees

Booking fees are a percentage of rent which is added to the total cost of your stay. Booking fees are annoying and expensive…especially if you are required to pay them every month! Booking fees are synonymous with vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO and can add up to 15-18% to the total cost. Still, if you can use platforms like Furnished Finder, you book directly with the landlord and can literally save hundreds every month.

2. Consider Shared Spaces

Rooms are probably the easiest way to guarantee that you’ll pay the least amount of rent living in a high-cost city. Of course, that means that you may need to make a lifestyle compromise since you’ll be sharing the unit with someone else, but the savings of a room over a private unit can sometimes cut your costs in half. Many travel nurses prefer sharing space because it provides them companionship and conversation on their off days. While there are a lot of variables to consider when renting a room vs. a private unit, the cost savings alone are undisputable. Here is where you can search for rooms.

3. Know Before You Go

Make sure you really want to go there before you accept your assignment. That may sound pretty obvious, but there are travelers who don’t do their research before signing a contract and are absolutely shocked once they start looking for housing. There is definitely a trade-off when you decide to work in a high-cost city because you’ll be spending more of your stipend money on housing. The main thing is to educate yourself on the housing costs of an area when you are shopping for jobs, so there are no surprises.

4. Parking…Ugh

Yep. It’s common for properties in high-cost cities to charge extra for parking, making your cost of living even higher. Consider whether you need your car at all during your next assignment. It if will cost you a couple hundred dollars extra a month to bring your car, maybe leave it at home and save the money. Many of these cities have excellent public transportation, and services like cabs and Ubers can help as well.

5. Hotels

If you’ve been doing this long enough, you’ve probably parked it in hotels a few times here or there. It could be for a few nights until your place is ready, a few weeks to scout out an area, or sometimes even for the entire assignment. Since hotels are getting aggressive about marketing to healthcare workers for any length of stay (even for personal stays), more than 35 hotel brands have partnered with Furnished Finder to offer travelers discounts across the nation. Get up to 25% off (depending on the brand and your length of stay) when you book via Furnished Finder.

Every assignment varies, and housing is, of course, that big X-factor that can make or break an assignment…especially in high-cost cities. Start your housing search early… even before you accept an assignment! Don’t get caught off guard by housing costs. Good luck, and safe travels ahead!

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need to secure housing for your next assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

By Amber Pickler

October 6, 2021

8789 Views

Selecting with Precision: The Best Stethoscope for Nurses Unveiled

Posted on October 6, 2021December 19, 2023 by Amber Pickler

As a nurse, you know how important the quality of your stethoscope is. After all, you use it on every travel nurse assignment you take. You also know that they can cost a pretty penny. How do you know which stethoscope is worth the price? Your fellow travel nurses are here to help! A post made in our Facebook network group recently asked what the best stethoscopes are for travel nurses. There were many comments, and out of those comments, Three brands were mentioned the most. Before we get into the top brands, here is a little history of the stethoscope.

The stethoscope was invented in France in 1816 by René Laennec at the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris. It consisted of a wooden tube and was monaural. Laennec invented the stethoscope because he was uncomfortable placing his ear directly onto a woman’s chest to listen to her heart.

Twenty-five years later, George P. Camman of New York developed the first stethoscope with an earpiece for each ear. This design would be used for more than 100 years with very few modifications.

Now, let’s find out what the top stethoscope brands are the best for travel nurses.

Top Stethoscope brands for Travel Nurses:

Littmann

Littman is probably the most well-known brand of stethoscopes. Littmann offers many options for stethoscopes. Whether you are looking for a classic stethoscope or a cardiac, there are many options to choose from. They also carry a line of pediatric stethoscopes as well. Their classic stethoscopes are a favorite among the group. They offer classic stethoscopes, cardiac stethoscopes, lightweight stethoscopes, and digital stethoscopes. They all come in various styles, colors, and ways to personalize the type of stethoscope you choose.

Littman has many resources on their website about stethoscopes, education on stethoscopes, how to choose the right stethoscope, and many other resources for medical professionals.

Ultrascope

Ultrascope offers something for everyone. They have a variety of styles and looks. They also offer a variety of types of stethoscopes that they list on their website. Below you will find each type along with information about each from Ultrascope’s’ website.

Single Ultrascope:

According to their website, Single Ultrascope is a pressure-sensitive stethoscope with a single-sided chest piece and would be considered a “normal stethoscope” that most providers carry… It has an adjustable or tunable diaphragm that allows the user to hone in on different sound frequencies without flipping the chest piece. It’s’ a true workhorse model that will often serve as the point of reference for comparing these different kinds of stethoscopes.

The Duo Stethoscope:

Their site states that “The Duo Stethoscope looks a lot like the Single Stethoscope but offers an additional feature: the ability to switch between stethoscope heads. This is the stethoscope for medical professionals who deal with patients of different sizes or ages. To switch heads, all you have to do is unscrew the head connectors and attach the head of your choice. This is also a great option for those who just enjoy having multiple stethoscope designs on hand.”

Extended Stethoscope:

The Extended Stethoscope differs from the previous kinds in one key aspect: the option of extending the tubing on your stethoscope.

A standard stethoscope has a length of about 30 inches. With an Extended Stethoscope, you have a tubing extension that increases the total length to about 51 inches, making it nearly double the standard length. The tubing extension is optional to use, so you can easily switch between the standard and extended-length as called for by the situation or patient.

Classic Stethoscope:

The Classic Stethoscope is very similar to the Single Stethoscope but differs in how it delivers sound to the user’s ears. Like the Single Stethoscope, it has a pressure-sensitive diaphragm on a single-sided chest piece that is great for picking up sounds of different frequencies. Unlike the Single Stethoscope, however, the Classic Stethoscope has two tubes emanating from the chest piece, with each tube delivering individual sound to the left and right ear, respectively.

The Classic Stethoscope can be a great choice for medical professionals who are hard of hearing or have hearing issues. Sounds travel to each ear separately, giving you better and more focused sound quality. Note that hearing aids must be taken out when using this stethoscope. This stethoscope, like the others above, may also be used on human or animal patients.

Teaching Stethoscope:

The Teaching Stethoscope may look similar to the Classic Stethoscope, but its two tubes serve a different purpose. These tubes emanating from the chest piece allow two users to use it at the same time: a teacher, as the name suggests, and a student.

Like all the stethoscopes previously mentioned, the Teaching Stethoscope also has a single-sided chest piece with an adjustable diaphragm. The advantage of the Teaching Stethoscope is that it allows instructors to hear what students are hearing in real-time. This is great for academic environments where aspiring medical professionals are taught and tested on their auscultation skills. Having separate tubing’s is also great for hygiene, as the ear tips don’t’ have to be shared between users.

MDF

If you are looking for variety and options, MDF has both. They have an extensive list of stethoscope options they list on their website. They offer fifteen different collections of stethoscopes, all of which offer something different from the other collections. MDF also offers a free parts for life program. As you know, your stethoscope can and does taking a beating, so this is a fantastic program. The information below comes from their website and details the program:

Yes, our Free-Parts-For-Life Program (including ear tips) is really free. Free-Parts-For-Life shipments will be sent to the shipping address on the original order or location of purchase. Suppose you have moved to another address or country other than the original shipping location. In that case, we will do our best to send Free-Parts-For-Life and Lifetime Warranty shipments from a designated distribution center or distributor. We have distribution centers in the USA, European Union, Mexico, China, and Japan. We have official MDF Instruments distributors in over 80 countries.

What is Included in the FREE-PARTS-FOR-LIFE-PROGRAM?

The parts include our ComfortSeal® Eartips in three sizes (small, medium, and large), ID Tag, diaphragms, retaining rings, and non-chill rings.

Your stethoscope is a vital part of your job. Picking the right one can be difficult. We hope that you found this information helpful in the process of choosing one. Did we miss a stethoscope brand or company you think should have made our list? Comment them below and if you would like to give a little information on them and why you think they are the best.

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 Frank Hamilton

October 5, 2021

10708 Views

How To Write Covid-19 on Your Travel Nurse CV

Posted on October 5, 2021September 22, 2021 by Frank Hamilton

During the global pandemic, healthcare professionals were as demanded as never before. Travel nurses aren’t an exception. But despite the demand in the labor market, there is fierce competition that forces travel nurses to pay special attention to promoting themselves as a specialist.

For example, the experience of treating patients with COVID-19 can be crucial in landing a worthy job. Therefore, a modern travel nurse CV must necessarily contain information about COVID-19, if there is experience with caring for patients with it. How to properly highlight it in your CV? Below you will find some tips on how to create a competitive CV, mentioning your contribution to the global pandemic fight.

How to Write Covid-19 on Your Travel Nurse CV?

There are two main points regarding Covid-19 that you should note in your CV. It’s about what skills you got and how they affected your professional experience. How to describe them correctly? Below you will find a couple of insights in these areas with the help of which you can correctly highlight your experience during the pandemic.

Don’t Hesitate

When it comes to Covid-19, it can be decisive for your employment. If you have experience in caring for patients with Covid-19, have quickly adapted to new treatment protocols, or have received additional certification in lungs ventilation, then all this should be reflected in your resume without any hesitation. Even minimal experience in treating patients with Covid-19 can be decisive.

Mention Relevant Certificates

If you have undergone additional training, then undoubtedly it is worth mentioning this in your CV. Certified specialists are always in demand, especially during a pandemic, and such a point will beneficially highlight your theoretical background, which you will have to prove in the next sections of your CV.

Add Statistics

At the first glance, it may seem strange to have a statistic in a CV, but if we talk about a global pandemic, each person you helped to survive matters. Therefore, you do not have a single reason to devalue your services to society.

If you worked during the peak of the pandemic and you have indicators of how many people got better with your help, then this can be a good moment that will set you apart from the competitors. For example, you can indicate something like “During my employment at X, 148 out of 150 patients went on a full recovery”.

Expand the Skills Section

There is no doubt that due to the worldwide pandemic, you have gained additional skills that you could not have noted earlier. What skills are we talking about? If we talk about Covid-19, then you can additionally highlight the following vital skills:

adaptability to the situation,
instant decision making,
Covid-19 treatment protocol awareness,
the ability to work with different ventilation devices,
the ability to implement preventive measures for Covid-19.

Highlight the Achievements

If you have any awards that you received during Covid pandemic, note them in your CV. This includes both achievements and awards. For example, if you have such a nomination as DAISY, then it is worth mentioning this in your resume. There is no doubt that such an award will be another benefit you shouldn’t hesitate to show off.

Use Professional Resume Writing Help

Even though travel nurses are now in great demand, competition remains fierce. To get a high-paying job, you need to market yourself as a medical expert and empathic caregiver at the same time. Your CV is a good tool for this.

Use the professional help of writers to create a resume that will grab the attention of HR managers and employers. Use the best essay services reviews to discover the best custom writing companies to get quality help in CV writing.

How To Find Travel Nurse Job

After you have your CV ready, you can proceed to the final stage. Post your resume on local and global job boards, partner with relevant recruiting companies, and don’t forget about using social media.

For example, a platform like Linkedin can help you build the right connections with both employers and HR managers. If you have experience of working with an HR manager, then send your resume again. Perhaps the manager has a suitable job offer for you right now. Always stay in touch with managers, agencies and recruiting companies to be always updated on fresh openings and relocation opportunities.

Wrapping Up

Use the above tips to create such a CV that will differentiate you from the other travel nurses and will open doors to the best job offers. Highlighting your skills and experience in the right way is key to your career as a travel nurse. In this article, we have shared simple yet actionable tips on how to dwell on your experience in the context of Covid-19, so make sure to use them and turn your new skills into competitive advantages along with the opportunity to proceed with helping those in need.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our jobs page. Do you have an assignment but need housing? Click here to view 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!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

September 27, 2021

5170 Views

Caring for a Mesothelioma Patient

Posted on September 27, 2021September 17, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

The transitory nature of being a traveling nurse poses a unique set of challenges when it comes to the long-term care many mesothelioma patients need. Because of this, you may not have been there from diagnosis through the entire process or be able to stay with the same patient to the end. However, it’s still important to understand what they’ve gone through and what the rest of their journey will look like in order to care for them now.

With Mesothelioma Awareness Day being September 26th, let’s take a look at a mesothelioma patient’s journey and explore some ways to best care for them.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. This naturally occurring mineral was used in many building and manufacturing materials, as well as homes before the 1980s because of its fire resistance and insulation properties. However, when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge themselves in the lining of the lungs and create scarring and inflammation. This can lead to the formation of tumors. These tumors are ultimately what cause the symptoms that push patients to get diagnosed. However, it can take 10-50 years after exposure for noticeable symptoms to appear, leading to a relatively late-stage diagnosis.

Understanding the diagnosis

A biopsy is the only way to officially confirm that the patient has mesothelioma. This test determines the cell type, stage, and location of the tumor, information that will be used to give a mesothelioma prognosis and build out the treatment plan. There are two cell types, three main locations where the cancer is found, and four stages. A patient’s prognosis will depend on the stage, cell type, and location of the tumor.

Mesothelioma cell types:

Epithelioid is common, making up 70-80% of cases. Epithelial cells exist naturally in the body as tissue that lines internal organs and vessels. When asbestos becomes lodged in them, they can mutate and become cancerous, causing mesothelioma. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with epithelial cells is 23.4 months.
Meanwhile, sarcomatoid makes up 10-20% of cases. This cell type metastasizes faster to other organs and is more aggressive. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with sarcomatoid cells is six months.

Mesothelioma locations:

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and makes up 80-90% of cases. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are similar to other respiratory cancers and illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose early.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen and makes up 15-20% of cases. This type has a more promising life expectancy because of new progress with treatments.
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart and makes up less than 1% of cases. It has a poor prognosis and often patients rely heavily on palliative treatments.
Testicular mesothelioma makes up less than 1% of cases and has a much better prognosis and life expectancy than the other three.

Mesothelioma stages:

Stage one: the tumor is only in the lining of the affected organ.
Stage two: the tumor has spread to the affected organ
Stage three: the tumor has spread past the affected organ to nearby organs and into the chest.
Stage four: the tumor has spread into distant parts of the body, the lymph nodes, and bones.

Your patient’s treatment plan

Because of how rare this form of lung cancer is, patients often get a second opinion or find someone who specializes in mesothelioma before deciding on a treatment plan, there are three primary treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Many patients choose a multi-modal approach that combines two or three of these.

However, it’s important to note that depending on the cell type and stage, the treatments may be actually trying to eradicate the cancer or provide palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Supporting patients through it all

As a nurse, there are two major things to keep at the front of your mind when caring for a patient with mesothelioma.

Prioritize their emotional health. Pain and weight of a prognosis is an exhausting load to bear. Take some time to make a human connection and encourage them.
Include their family. Like with any other illness, a patient’s support system is crucial to the healing process. Help those around your patient to understand the diagnosis and share advice on how they can best support their loved one.

Closing thoughts

Caring for patients with mesothelioma can be draining because of how common a poor prognosis is. However, a nurse can make all the difference in their life by understanding the journey, advocating for them, and supporting them through the hardest parts.

We hope you found this information and tips on caring for a patient with mesothelioma helpful. Have you worked with mesothelioma patients? Do you have any advice or stories you would like to share? Comment them below.

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

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

START HERE

What to Pack on Your Travel Nursing Assignment

Appropriate Documents

Journal

French Press or Tea Strainer

Camera

First Aid Kit

Proper Clothing and Accessories

Electronics and Extra Chargers

Hobbies and Pastimes

Comforts from Home

Bonus Tip #1:

Bonus Tip #2:

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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