October 4, 2021

8932 Views

Kamana: The Last Profile You’ll Ever Need

Posted on October 4, 2021September 30, 2021 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Triage Healthcare Staffing.

If you haven’t taken the travel plunge yet, you probably aren’t sure what it means to build out your profile. Quite simply, your traveler profile is like a neatly packaged, detailed resume that agencies can use to help you find a job. Every agency you work with requires you to build out a profile with them, and they use it to find a job, and then like magic, a love match happens.

How the Traveler Profile Currently Works

If you’re currently working with multiple agencies (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you probably have quite a few profiles floating around in cyberspace, all that might include some personal info. Since each agency normally uses their own specific profile, this also means that you’ll have to update information over and over when something changes, like a license expiration date or even something as simple as receiving a yearly flu vaccine. Take a second and think about how many profiles you have out there and just how long it can take to update each one when you’re looking for a job. Annoying, right?

Enter the Kamana Profile

Kamana is an encrypted, universal profile that stores your information in one secure location. You can share your universal profile with multiple agencies, so say goodbye to creating and updating multiple profiles that need to be individually updated whenever you have a new piece of info. Update your info once, and your profile can be updated with multiple agencies with one click. Easy peasy.

Also gone are your paper folder and dusty laptop that you haul around from assignment to assignment. Since you access Kamana through a secure web app, you don’t need to text or email sensitive documents to your agency. Send the secured Kamana link and know that your data is safe.

What Info Can Kamana Manage

But what actually goes into a Kamana profile? Like an agency-specific profile, you’ll need to include personal info like your contact details and what you’re looking for in an assignment. Then, you can upload attachments, such as JPGs or PDFs of your license, certifications, or even vaccine records. The next step is to enter your work history, what electronic health record systems you’re experienced in, and even skills checklists.

How the Heck Does Kamana Actually Work?

Once you’ve completed your Kamana profile, you can choose to share your profile within the web app. Only recruiters or agencies that you create a relationship with are able to see your profile. Your profile comes with two versions—a limited view and a complete profile. With the limited view, agencies can only see your name, contact info, and a short summary of your qualifications.

With the full profile view, your receiver can see and download your full profile. In this case, your home address, work history, and reference contact info are available. Kamana recommends that you reserve a full profile share until you’re applying for a specific job with an agency. If you ever decide that you don’t want to work with a particular agency or recruiter anymore, you can also revoke access at any time.

In addition to making it incredibly simple to share your profile, Kamana also keeps track of any expiring licenses or vaccines and sends you a reminder before the expiration, so you are never caught off guard.

What if My Agency Doesn’t Take Kamana?

Over 100 agencies currently use Kamana to help speed up their onboarding process, but what if yours isn’t one of them? You can still send a link to your universal profile, and all the information your recruiter needs is at their fingertips, making your life easier.

Not a Traveler Yet? Kamana is Still for You

If you haven’t dipped your toes in the travel water, you can still take advantage of a Kamana profile. When your Kamana profile is up to date, Kamana can generate a downloadable PDF of your resume, so you don’t need to spend time formatting or updating information if you want to look for a new position. And, of course, Kamana still keeps track of your personal credentialing info and expiration dates, so you’re never unaware when something is about to expire.

To create your Kamana profile and connect with Triage, please visit Triage’s Kamana portal.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse job? Click here to view our job board. Have the job, 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 Heather Downen

October 3, 2021

17050 Views

17 Things You Need to Know About Being a Travel Nurse

Posted on October 3, 2021January 16, 2023 by Heather Downen

Travel Nursing isn’t for everyone. Just like with any other job there are pros and cons to it. For that reason, a travel nurse of 8 years came up with these 17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse before you sign that contract.

17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse.

1. Yes, it will be hard getting your first job.

Because not all hospitals take first time travelers, the more requirements you have (location, shift, block schedule, time off) the harder it will be.

2. You may get a great hospital for your first job that is okay with you being green, asking questions, needing guidance.

But it’s unlikely. Most will give you little to no orientation, the hardest patient load, and then nitpick your care. Or if they do take you it will be a hot mess. Know your practice. That skills checklist you have to do? Be honest. And if you aren’t marking expert in most to all the boxes, get more experience.

3. Yes, we are serious that you should get two years in your specialty.

Yes, TWO years minimum. Are there people who do it? Yup. Would you want someone caring for your grandma who is a year nurse with no support system in place? Oh, and you can bet they will cancel you if you can’t keep up. Or if you need a lot of assistance.

4. We are at-will employees.

Because of this we can’t sue for cancelled contracts, housing issues, ect. We put up a lot of upfront money with no guarantee. It’s just part of travel. You want security, keep your staff job.

5. Are there jobs out there that are destination locations, paying $3k a week, and block scheduling?

Yes, there is one. And it was filled 0.0000005 seconds after it posted by Janet who has been traveling for 22 years and has her travel game on lock down.

6. Have a savings.

You will hit a snag and not have a contract for a month, get cancelled, have that cheap housing fall thru, get sick/injured on contract. Nothing sucks more than being 3000 miles from family, broke, alone, and jobless.

7. They are paying us to work.

If you don’t, they will keep more of your money and you may get cancelled.

8. Be professional.

Yes, more professional than the staff nurses.

9. Mind your business.

They don’t want to know how you did it at your staff job. So, do it the way they want (within the parameters of patient safety). There is more than one way to skin a cat. As they say.

10. Be smart about safety when traveling.

You are alone in a new city. You are a prime target for all kinds of criminals.

11. No one can tell you if it’s better to fly and rent a car, drive to your destinations, or ship your car.

It’s what fits your time and budget.

12. Yes, it’s harder to travel with pets.

Yes, housing is harder. Adding big, bully breeds, or multiple dogs makes it even harder. Is it doable? Yes, but it’s harder. It may limit your locations.

13. Yes there is a quarantine for dogs going to Hawaii.

It’s it doable? Yes. But it’s a huge pain, expensive, and stressful for your pet.

14. Recruiters

There are crooked recruiters. Yes, there are lazy recruiters. There are crappy recruiters. Yes, you will work with a few before you figure it out. But there are great recruiters who will become your friends. Who will support you, listen to you lose your mind/whine/cry. When you find them, keep them. And tell all your friends.

15. Not every “good” recruiter is a good recruiter for every nurse.

Because of this you need to realize your needs and desires and find a recruiter who fits with you.

16. Travel nursing isn’t for everyone.

And that’s okay. You must be flexible, optimistic, and roll with the punches. Therefore, if that’s not you, stay home.

17. There will be nurse that disagree with these.

Saying well “I traveled after being a nurse for two weeks, have fifteen pit bulls and a horse and I found a job making $3k a week with block scheduling on day shift and housing for $50 a month. You can do it”. You can friend, but you are responsible for your license, bank account, and happiness. No one else.

So, before you sign that contract make sure you have not only read over these 17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse, but do your own research as well.

Want more information on travel nursing?

Check out our Travel Nurse Guide

By Go Healthcare Staffing

October 1, 2021

7202 Views

When Should I Take Time Off as a Travel Nurse?

Posted on October 1, 2021September 28, 2021 by Go Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Go Healthcare.

This is a question that is asked over and over. The best time to take time off? There is no best time, BUT as a travel nurse, one must understand they are supplemental staff to the Full-time staff why the whole industry was created due to Full-time staff shortages. But we are in a pandemic, so here are some ideas.

In between contracts or extensions.

This is the best time if you need a week to take a breather and get recharged. Nurses are being asked to work longer, and in more difficult environments, so it is okay to say you need some time for yourself.

Work with your manager for scheduling.

If you feel burnt out or tired, work with them to see if you could get a week where your schedule may allow for a long weekend or a four-day weekend where you would have a Friday and/or a Monday off. Sometimes you just need a few days….

Not holidays but around the holidays.

Meaning supplemental staff is usually asked to work the holidays due to the Full-time staff wanting to take holidays. Hence there is usually a solid bump for that day or bonus. So if you work with your manager, you can schedule sometime around and still get the benefit of higher pay.

Just like any profession, there is never a good time one feels to take a breather.

Just know work will be there. But understand the pandemic will end in time, and rates will come back down, so if there is a time to work and actually work as many hours as you can, now and the near term would be the time and save some money to take a nice relaxing vacation when the pandemic ends!

We hope you found these tips for taking some time to yourself as a travel nurse helpful. Do you have any advice to share with new or even veteran fellow travel nurses about vacations and time off? Comment them below.

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

About Go Healthcare:

For every reason you decide to travel, we are there for you. As a Travel Nurse, you have the opportunity to travel anywhere in the country while gaining an enriching experience both professionally and personally. Some reasons you may decide to travel include avoiding “hospital politics” as a staff RN, a chance to see the country, gain clinical experience for your nurse resume, increase your earning potential and connect with friends or family far and nearby working in the same city. We offer our Go RN Travelers exciting travel assignments across the country, competitive pay & benefits, and healthcare insurance from “day one” of your contract.

By CareerStaff Unlimited

September 28, 2021

7069 Views

Leaving the Day Behind: Relaxation Techniques for Nurses

Posted on September 28, 2021September 22, 2021 by CareerStaff Unlimited

This article was provided by CareerStaff Unlimited.

By Karen Stockdale, MBA, BSN, RN

For most nurses, dealing with high levels of stress on a daily basis becomes the norm. The nature of the job lends itself to stressful situations – from dealing with life and death situations to interacting with people at some of the worst moments of their lives – over long, demanding hours. The rates of nursing burnout are very high, with similarly high rates of mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

Many nurses find themselves re-living the day’s work – mentally rechecking everything to make sure nothing was missed or secretly chastising themselves for not doing more. This mental game is called “ruminating” and can be very damaging. Ruminating prolongs and intensifies stress, leading to depression and impairing your ability to process events. If you find yourself ruminating on the day, step back and find an activity that requires your mental ability in a non-exhaustive way. Puzzle and word games, crafts, visiting friends, sports, or other hobbies can help “reset” your brain and get it out of the loop.

Nurses are often giving people by nature – they entered the profession to help others. This selfless attitude, while admirable, can cause a challenge when it comes to a positive nurse work-life balance. These are the qualities that make great nurses! However, it is also these qualities that make it hard for travel nurses to unwind after work.

As a nurse, how do you unwind, reset, and protect your private time? Let’s take a look at some techniques to reclaim your mental space and coax the stress away.

Five Ways to Unwind

1. Exercise.

Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and takes the tension away. And it doesn’t have to be physically exhausting. A walk, some yoga, some dancing, playing with a child or your dog – all of these are ways to move your body and release some stress. It also helps you sleep better!

2. Keep a Journal.

Focusing your thoughts on exactly how you are feeling can help you express yourself – and leave it on the page. Many find that gratitude journaling is a good technique for emphasizing the greatest things in life. Instead of focusing on stressful parts of the day, it might be helpful to express gratitude for the coworker that brought you lunch or the family member that hugged you. Journaling can help bring the joy back.

3. Spend time with family and friends.

When you don’t feel at your best, it is tempting to be a hermit and skip social events. Don’t do it! Spending time with those you love is a natural stress reliever and gives you a feeling of belonging and connectedness. When nurses talk about work-life balance, this is one component that is crucial to well-being.

4. Laugh.

Sometimes it is hard to find the humor in a situation – but nurses are known for a wicked sense of humor! A twisted sense of humor is a tried-and-true coping mechanism for healthcare workers. Caution – use your humor around people that “get it,” or it could be mistaken as in poor taste. Then laugh until it hurts!

5. Learn to Say NO.

As givers, nurses are sometimes not good at boundaries. This equates to extra shifts, staying late, and helping out coworkers and friends. This often leads to a lack of personal time and self-care and breeds resentment. While it is difficult, learning to say “no” in kind ways such as “I just have too much on my plate right now” or “Thank you for thinking of me, but I need to step away for a while” become easier with practice. Saying “no” gives you control over your stressors and eliminates that overwhelmed feeling.

CareerStaff Unlimited knows how important self-care is to busy nurses, and we support the work-life balance of each individual. Travel nursing opportunities allow nurses to select the assignment and the hours that are right for him/her while seeing new areas of the country and experiencing new cultures. Explore your options through CareerStaff by searching current travel job openings. Then relax and let us handle it!

We hope you found these tips for travel nurses to unwind. Do you have ways that you unwind after a long shift? Comment them below.

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

5204 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

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Kevin Devoto

September 23, 2021

4483 Views

Maintaining a Beauty Routine as a Travel Nurse

Posted on September 23, 2021September 13, 2021 by Kevin Devoto

Travel nursing is a tough but important job. Moving from hospital to hospital to work in places that need your care is extremely important, but it makes an impact. The demands of nursing anywhere are huge, but it can be especially hard to get into a routine when you’re living in a new city and only temporarily. It’s important to put yourself first, especially when your job is nursing others. That’s the only way to stay motivated to work such a hard job over extended lengths of time. Here are some tips for maintaining your beauty routine when working as a travel nurse.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

First and foremost, if your skin starts looking sallow and you’ve got bags under your eyes, think about how much water you’ve been drinking lately. It can be tough to keep up with water intake when you’re working long shifts in the hospital. It’s easy to rely on coffee and energy drinks to sustain you. Hydration is important, though. Drinking a good amount of water can significantly improve the appearance of the skin. Without enough water, wrinkles can appear more prominently. Drinking enough water also improves the elasticity of your skin and can make it appear plumper. Try improving your water intake by about two liters a day if your skin has been looking sallow.

Prioritize What Your Skin Needs the Most

Face it. You don’t have a lot of time for an extended beauty routine. Between night shifts and long days in emergency and intensive care units, you’re not really thinking about beauty. Even so, there are some small things you can do to make big improvements. Think about what your body really needs, and invest in those things. If you’re dealing with sensitivity, invest in the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth. If you’re struggling with bags under your eyes, try a collagen-fueled eye cream. Focusing on a couple of small things will make an impact, even when you don’t have a lot of time in your day.

Shop Organic and Natural Products

If you’re making tough decisions about which areas of your beauty routine you should be focusing on, then it’s important to buy the right brand of product too. Consider gravitating towards natural and organic products to avoid harmful toxins. Toxins can lead to increased signs of aging and duller skin over time. Another benefit to natural products, they aren’t tested on animals, and they aren’t as harmful to the environment. You work as a nurse, and that means you care. Lessen your impact on the environment by buying natural.

Practice Selfcare

Even after you’ve bought the right products, it can be tough to find time to use them. Think through your day and find small moments where you can take a break. Is there a moment when you arrive at work, before you even get out of the car, that you can use lip balm or moisturizer? Can you keep some toiletries in the locker room at the hospital so you can refresh halfway through the shift? When you’re thinking about stealing a few moments for yourself during your workday, also think about dedicating some time for you when you’ve got a day off. Spend an hour focused on yourself on days off. Book a spa treatment, get a pedicure or go in for a massage. These moments will leave you refreshed and recharged to take on the next long, overnight shift on your schedule.

Add Some Order to Your Routine

You’ve taken the time to purchase products, but you have no idea in what order they go on your face. Order is important. After all, what was the point of finding that extra time if you’re going to use the products wrong and don’t get results? Here’s a general order for a facial care routine. First, wash your face. Then, use toner. Follow this with serum and eye cream. Spot treatments come next. Follow these with moisturizer and retinol. Finally, you’re on to sunscreen and makeup. This general order can be followed for body care and hair care as well, though products may vary somewhat.

The Bottom Line

Take the time to develop a beauty routine because someone who works so hard should take a moment for themselves as well.

We hope you found these tips for maintaining a beauty routine while on assignment helpful. Do you have any tips 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

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

September 22, 2021

10971 Views

Travel Nurses: Everything You Need To Know About Moving

Posted on September 22, 2021July 26, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Whether you’re considering a career in travel nursing or you’re getting ready to start your journey as a travel nurse, there are many things to consider when choosing this career. Moving is difficult for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for travel nurses who are consistently on the go, especially when you’re on shorter assignments. Managing travel expenses, housing arrangements, and preparation for your new career require quite a bit of planning. To make the process easier, consider these four tips:

Decide Whether You Should Rent or Buy a House

Deciding on housing arrangements as a traveling nurse requires a lot of research, as well as an overall understanding of your travel assignment. First, you must communicate with your recruiter regarding the length of the assignment. Knowing how long your travel assignment is can help you decide on whether you should rent or buy a home.

If your assignment is short, it’s better to consider renting a small place that won’t cost as much as the expenses associated with homeownership. However, if your assignment is longer than two years, in the same state and you plan to live there long term, it may be good to consider buying a smaller home. If so, it’s important to keep in mind your budget and the cost of living wherever it is you may be stationed. Organizing your finances ahead of time, such as the required credit score for a home loan, state taxes, and so on, can help in your decision-making process.

While renting has its advantages, buying a home can be beneficial when you need housing arrangements between your travel assignments. If neither renting or buying intrigues you, consider taking advantage of your agency and its benefits. Most staffing agencies provide travel nurses with a housing stipend or lodging options that can be cost-friendly. These stipends or lodging options may cover or include hotels, airbnbs, or facilities dedicated specifically to traveling employees.

Budget for All Expenses

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the averag e salary for a registered nurse as of 2018 was $71,730 per year. However, this may differ for travel nurses because of the demand of the job. Travel nurses, in general, expect a higher salary than stationary nurses. Despite the increased salary, travel nurses should budget accordingly based on the average salary and additional expenses they will face while traveling to different states or countries.

It’s crucial to outline the various costs you will incur, including travel expenses, housing, transportation, utility bills, and groceries. You should create a money plan that can help you manage your daily expenses to avoid the stress of being in debt while working a demanding job. While preparing to move to your first travel assignment, make sure to review your contract with your agency and allocate all benefits they provide to your budget. This will help you prioritize what you have to pay out-of-pocket.

Consider having an emergency fund that includes at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This step is beneficial because you may have unexpected costs like medical bills, a car accident, or a sudden move that isn’t supported by your travel agency. Lastly, it’s essential to choose the best travel nursing agency that suits your career and financial needs in this journey.

Pack Light

When preparing for a travel nursing assignment, packing can be one of the most difficult steps, but it doesn’t have to be. To have a smooth relocation, travel nurses should consider packing light and prioritize the essentials. Also, familiarize yourself with the weather trends in your new city so you don’t overpack by bringing clothes you won’t need. Using compression bags can help you fit more items that you will need, like electronics or other items, to make you feel at home.

You will probably be flying to your assigned destination, so consider avoiding toiletries above 3.4 ounces if you will only be bringing a carry-on bag. Instead, wait until you arrive to buy the essential toiletries and home goods. For home furnishings, check out local thrift stores to save money while making your space feel homey. Since we live in a virtual world, consider digitizing important documents to minimize the paperwork you need to carry for your travel nursing assignment. You may need to pack your travel nurse license, but any other documents should be scanned and saved in a safe place.

Remember, this experience will be like no other.

So, enjoy your journey. It’s an amazing opportunity to travel around the country, so take advantage of it and explore the different cultures and traditions you’ll encounter. Take pride in the fact that you are doing something that many are not able to. Good luck!

We hope you found these tips for moving for travel nurses helpful. Have you moved as a travel nurse and have tips to share with fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

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 Katie Fitts

September 19, 2021

18041 Views

Charting Your Course: Travel Nursing Requirements, Skills, and Key Insights

Posted on September 19, 2021December 19, 2023 by Katie Fitts

So you want to be a travel nurse? Galavanting from state to state, making good money, and having great flexibility, right? Well, although it is a GREAT job, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows.

But if you are flexible and adventurous, it truly is one of the coolest professions ever! Here are 5 things you should know before you become a travel nurse.

1. Research, research, research!

There is a ton of information to try to absorb before taking the plunge to do travel nursing! What company do you want to go with? Where do you want to go? How do you find travel nurse housing? Can your pets come, and how hard is it to take them with you? How do you make money?

Luckily these days, there are a ton of resources, most notably groups on Facebook. You have to be added to these groups, but they are worth their weight in gold. Some of the admins of these groups have even been so kind and helpful to actually have compiled files for such topics as travel nurse housing, hospital reputation, taxes, travel companies, etc. Some of the few I have found helpful are:

Traveling the Country, One Hospital at a Time (around 15k members currently). This one has those files I was telling you about!! This group also has a subset of groups that are area-specific, like Traveling New England One Hospital at a Time and Traveling Florida, One Hospital at a Time which makes it nice as well if you are looking for one specific area or to meet up with others in the region!

Travel Nurse Network – The Gypsy Nurse has over 106k members, so a wider array of resources from all the members.

Insider pro tip: use the search function relating to your question. For example, looking to see if someone has experience in the same hospital that you have a potential job offer from? Search the hospital name, city, or both. You will usually find some helpful information, and whatever you don’t find, feel free to post a question and ask!

2. You have to adapt quickly as a travel nurse

Most travel nurses get around 2-3 days of orientation on average. Some a little longer depending on the hospital and if they want you to do their own specific hospital orientation (I try to avoid these like the plague, haha, when you change jobs every 3 months, orientation gets monotonous and boring REALLY quickly).

Regardless, once you are on the floor/your particular setting, you are expected to be ready to go in 3-4 days. That means absorbing the new computer system and charting, learning your way around the unit, and your new coworkers are all done in a hurry! So you obviously need to have experience in your field before doing travel nursing. I traveled for the first time with 1.5 years of experience, but most places prefer at least 2 years. They are not there to teach you how to do the nursing job. They are just teaching you the unit and their way of doing things. So as we used to say in the ER, get your roller-skates on!

3. Be Prepared

Travel nursing can be a flighty kind of job! Not trying to discourage this profession at all, but all I am saying is to be prepared! When I say be prepared, that means be prepared for things to go wrong, hospitals to back out of contracts, and you to not get your dream job (i.e. location, money, etc.), among other things.

In my nearly 3 years of travel nursing at this time, I have luckily not had any major issues, but I hear of this enough to where it warrants mentioning. Hospitals back out last minute, positions close, you are holding out for that one job with the perfect money situation, your recruiting company drags their feet or makes a mistake, and next thing you know, you are out of a job for 6 weeks! I have known a couple of travel nurses to have spent time living in their cars! (This is more the exception than the norm, but still, yikes!)

Top tips to be prepared:

Always have a savings fund for 3-6 months of expenses if you are in between jobs.
Be prepared to take a job that is not your dream job/location.
Know your company’s policy regarding cancellation.
Research the hospital/facility experience in the Facebook groups I mentioned.

4. Your travel nurse job may not be like your permanent job

Now this is meant to be a broad brush covering many ways your job may not be the same. Yes, you have a general specialty that you will work in, say emergency department. But the way they do things may be different. The hospital may likely be going through a huge management/hospital administration turnover. Sometimes, you may even be floated to different areas (always ask the nurse manager you are interviewing with about the float possibility), among other things.

Just be flexible and willing to go with the flow, and you will be fine!

5. It can be a little lonely as a travel nurse

It may seem that this post is a little dismal, but in all honesty, just trying to point out a few things that a lot of travel nurses have difficulty with. In my personal opinion, the pros heavily outweigh the cons (more on that later), but just so you are prepared.

I assume if you want to be a travel nurse, you have to be pretty darn adventurous and independent! But being on the road a lot can get lonely sometimes if you don’t happen to be traveling with a significant other. You are in a town/city where you don’t know anyone, starting a new job, and your friends and family are hundreds if not thousands of miles away.

So whereas normally you can lean on your family, friends, and coworkers who are nearby for support after those tough days at work or whatever may be going on, it may not be the case during your travel nurse assignment. On the bright side, it forces you out of your comfort zone to get out there and make new friends or explore your surroundings by yourself! In my opinion, if you take the plunge to be a travel nurse, you are awesome! So remember that and wear it as a badge! Not everyone has the cajones (nor the opportunity because of obligations) to take off into the unknown and kick butt!

With that being said, here are some tips to stave off a little of the loneliness.

Go explore your town/surroundings.
Plan a trip home.
Plan a road trip to another close destination.
Pack things from home.

Well, again, this post may seem a little discouraging at first, but take heart! Being a travel nurse is one of the most incredible jobs out there! I can’t tell you how many people come up to me who want to know all about travel nursing and are beyond envious of my life. And I must say, their envy is well warranted.

I have been to more amazing places in my going on 3 years of travel nursing than some people have their entire lives! So go get your travel on!

Key takeaways:

Be prepared, be flexible, and get out of your comfort zone. You won’t regret it! Good luck, gypsies!

-Katie

Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for travel nurse assignments, and if travel nurse 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 TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

September 17, 2021

8638 Views

Choosing a Travel Nurse Agency that Values Transparency

Posted on September 17, 2021September 13, 2021 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by Travel Nurse Across America.

Ever spot a travel nurse job boasting high pay only to apply and find out you won’t be making that amount? Have you traveled with an agency only to find out they didn’t advocate for you when you needed them?

Transparency is vital in your relationship with your travel nurse agency. Picking an agency that values transparency means you won’t be wasting your time, adding stress to your life, or taking assignments that hinder you from accomplishing your personal or professional goals. Here’s what you can do to determine if a travel nurse agency values transparency.

Research the company

It takes courage for a nurse to uproot life and start to travel. You’re putting part of your career in someone else’s hands. There are plenty of travel nurse agencies that look attractive online, but what resources do they really offer you? A travel nurse agency that truly values transparency will echo the sentiment in everything it does.

So, before you pick an agency, you’ll want to do your research. To start your agency deep-dive, check out the content on the agency’s website; see if the agency has won awards for its services; look up reviews on trusted sites, like The Gypsy Nurse; and ask other travelers about their experience with the agency.

Look at job postings

Remember how we mentioned a transparent travel nurse agency will echo this value in everything? That includes job postings. If you see any of the below marks on a job posting, it doesn’t mean the agency isn’t transparent. But, you might want to ask more questions before agreeing to an assignment.

No work hours or shifts listed

Say you find a job in your specialty and in the area you want to travel. Do the work hours or shifts listed on the job post-match what you want? Are they listed at all? Choosing the right amount of hours or a preferred shift can work wonders on your psyche. If the work hours or shifts aren’t listed upfront, be sure to ask your recruiter to get these details for you before you agree to a contract.

Disclaimers on the job post

Nothing is more eye-catching than high pay, but it’s always important to read the fine print. Some travel nurse agencies will show a high range of weekly pay, but is that truly the amount of money that will deposit in your bank account each week? Look on the job posting for any disclaimers that factor benefits, reimbursements, or travel nurse expenses into the advertised pay. Exaggerated compensation can just be a quick distraction to get you past the disclaimers and in the agency’s door.

Ghost job postings

Ever apply for a job only to find out it no longer exists? Yes, an attractive travel nurse position can go fast. However, some agencies might post a ‘ghost’ job to get a traveler’s information. While the traveler wouldn’t be submitted for the ‘ghost’ job (since it doesn’t truly exist), the agency would still have the candidate’s information to solicit them and readily submit them for other jobs. It’s a sneaky tactic that doesn’t build a relationship based on transparency.

These are just some of the factors that can help travel nurses determine if an agency values transparency in its relationships. Ready to do an agency deep-dive? Start your research here on The Gypsy Nurse.

We hope you found these tips for choosing a travel nurse agency that values transparency helpful. Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need to secure housing for your assignment? Click here to view our housing page.

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

START HERE

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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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17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse.

1. Yes, it will be hard getting your first job.

2. You may get a great hospital for your first job that is okay with you being green, asking questions, needing guidance.

3. Yes, we are serious that you should get two years in your specialty.

4. We are at-will employees.

6. Have a savings.

7. They are paying us to work.

8. Be professional.

9. Mind your business.

10. Be smart about safety when traveling.

11. No one can tell you if it’s better to fly and rent a car, drive to your destinations, or ship your car.

12. Yes, it’s harder to travel with pets.

13. Yes there is a quarantine for dogs going to Hawaii.

14. Recruiters

15. Not every “good” recruiter is a good recruiter for every nurse.

16. Travel nursing isn’t for everyone.

17. There will be nurse that disagree with these.

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1. Exercise.

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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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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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