September 4, 2020

9523 Views

Tips for First Time Travel Nurses

Posted on September 4, 2020May 19, 2021 by Soliant Health

This article was provided by: Soliant Health.

Being a travel nurse is one of the most exciting things you can do in your career, but the idea of working away from home can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. If you’re ready to embark on your first assignment but aren’t sure what to do next, here are some tips to help first time travel nurses.

1. Get organized.

Travel nursing is an amazing way to see the county and learn a lot of new skills, but to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, you must have all your paperwork in order. Make sure your license, CPR, and any certifications are up to date and that you have all the required documentation.

2. Think about where you want to go.

There are so many wonderful places to be a travel nurse, but if it’s your first time, it’s best to pick a place that you know. It should be the next town over or a city you’ve traveled to in that past, but any sense of familiarity makes working away from home for the first time a little bit easier.

3. Be flexible.

You may not get your first choice, but your recruiter can help you figure out which jobs are available in your specialty. Sometimes, being more general about what you want helps. For example, if you’ve spent some time in Florida and know you’d be comfortable working there, instead of insisting on Miami, open up to the possibilities of Tampa or Daytona Beach, too.

4. Pack carefully.

Most travel nursing assignments are 13 weeks, so consider what you’ll need in that time. Remember, you’ll spend your days off exploring your new city, so come prepared. If you’re an outdoor lover, bring your hiking boots and backpack. Are you looking forward to exploring the city’s art and culture scenes? Bring along some comfortable walking shoes and your camera.

5. Don’t forget to make arrangements for the stuff at home.

For example, is someone going to get your mail for you? What about packages and other deliveries? Should you cancel the cable for the amount of time you’re going to be away? It’s essential to take care of these things so, when you come home, you don’t have a stack of bills or other problems to deal with.

6. Be confident in your skills.

It’s not easy being a travel nurse on a floor where everyone else has worked together for years. Most nurses are welcoming and ready to help travelers as they learn the ropes, but remind yourself that you deserve to be there and are a valuable part of the team.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

You’ll have orientation at the beginning of your contract and learn all about the policies and procedures of where you’re working, and you’ll probably have a lot of questions. And that’s okay! It’s always better to clarify questions, especially when you’re new.

8. Be friendly.

Making friends with your co-workers is a great way to get comfortable with a new city and makes your time there more enjoyable. You can make lasting friendships through travel nursing that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Ask coworkers for recommendations about where to go and what to see while you’re in town, and ask them to join you for dinner or a night of dinner and drinks.

9. Where are you off to next?

Thirteen weeks might sound like a long time, but it flies by. Keep in touch with your recruiter to know what your options are. If you love where you’re working, see if you can extend the assignment for another 13 weeks. Or, maybe you’d rather try something completely different. Don’t wait until the last week of your contract to work it out.

10. Choose your travel nursing company wisely.

Soliant has thousands of travel nursing jobs in many specialties, all across the United States. To learn more, check out their website and get started on the next chapter of your nursing adventure.

We hope you found this information for first time travel nurses helpful, do you have any tips for first time travel nurses to share? 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 Furnished Finder

August 26, 2020

9247 Views

How to Stay Safe When Shopping for Short Term Rentals

Posted on August 26, 2020May 19, 2021 by Furnished Finder

When it comes to planning your next travel nursing assignment, most of the work usually has to happen from a distance. Unless you are moving to a new job in the same city, travel nurses don’t have the advantage of actually laying eyes on a short term housing unit prior to actually moving in. As a result, it is imperative to know how to keep yourself safe when you are booking a short term rental, and when you arrive at your new home as well.

Legitimate and Safe

First, make sure to verify the place you are renting is legitimate and safe. Furnished Finder actually has a great list of tips on how to do this. If you are feeling uneasy about doing this yourself, we will also verify the property for you, even if you are not booking through one of our platforms. We do this by checking the property address to verify ownership, and we also look into any foreclosures in the owner’s name. Do not be alarmed immediately if the records don’t match–sometimes a landlord is using an LLC or parent company to manage their rentals. Make sure and ask the person directly if there is a discrepancy in public records and what you are being told.

You can also do a quick Google maps search of the address to get a visual of the property. I also like to do this because you can sort of “explore” the neighborhood with the street view and get an idea of how well kept or safe it looks.

Housing scams red flags

Also, make sure to know the basic red flags of housing scams. This topic could be a whole article in and of itself, but it was also a topic covered in the recent Gypsy Nurse Virtual Conference. The basics are that if you notice that a landlord is using bad grammar, pushing for a transfer of money ahead of time, or if the unit is priced below market value there is a good chance it is not a legitimate space and you may want to reconsider your housing options.

Arrive a little early

Another option to make you feel more secure in your housing choice is to arrive at your assignment a few days early and stay in a hotel. This allows you to drive around your new location and shop for a short term rental in person. You may even be able to negotiate better if you can talk to a leasing manager face to face. At the very least, you have the ability to drive around different neighborhoods and get a feel for your comfort level in each area. The downside is that you may not have luck right away, so be prepared to pay the extra cost of staying in a hotel while you look around.

Let others know you are meeting someone.

Be mindful of the fact that when you are moving in or viewing potential rentals that you should take precautions when renting from an unverified landlord. Always, always let a friend or relative back home know if you are going to meet someone by yourself. If you are feeling uncomfortable about any part of the meetup, do not be afraid to cancel. Unfortunately, there are people who know travel nurses don’t usually have friends or family around and may try to take advantage of someone traveling alone.

Take time to research

And the number one thing to remember when you are looking for housing in a new location is that no amount of money saved is worth your safety or comfort. Be sure to take the time to do your research and double-check anything that raises questions before ending up in an unsafe or undesirable housing situation.

We hope you found these tips for staying safe while shopping for a short term rental helpful. Do you have any other tips to share? Comment them below.

If you are a travel nurse looking for housing for your next assignment, check out our Housing Page!

By Kevin Devoto

August 19, 2020

5685 Views

5 Ways to Stay Healthy on Your Vacation

Posted on August 19, 2020August 5, 2020 by Kevin Devoto

Vacations are fun ways to get some much-needed rest and relaxation with family or friends. While they are good for your mental and emotional health, they can really derail your healthy habits, though. Here are some ways to keep yourself on track even while you’re traveling. While these tips for staying healthy are great for vacations they can also come in handy while you are on your travel nurse assignment.

Staying healthy while on vacations

1. Drink Lots of Water

It’s all too easy to forget to stay hydrated while you’re traveling, whether it’s because the water tastes bad, you don’t want to take another bathroom break or you just forget. Keeping your body’s fluids replenished is vital to keeping your immune system strong, warding off bloating, and helping you feel alert and ready to have fun on the plane or at your destination. Plus, walking to the bathroom is a good reminder to stretch and get moving. If you struggle to drink water, set a goal for yourself for how many bottles you need to drink while you travel, or promise yourself a treat like coffee or tea once you’ve hit your quota.

2. Bring Some Supplements

While you’re at home, your body gets used to the meals and nutrients you give it. When you travel, that can often be thrown out of whack by the stress of traveling and new foods and environments. Bringing some supplements along can help you combat this. Whether it’s a multivitamin, probiotic, or something to target more specific concerns you have, a little extra boost can make a big difference for your body. You can compare supplements on Fin vs. Fin if you don’t already have a go-to. Just make sure you try everything out before you go to make sure you don’t have any negative reactions.

3. Find Ways to Stay Active

Even though you may not have the time to work out every day in the gym, you can still do some simple workouts in your hotel room. These will get your blood flowing and keep your muscles strong without taking much time away from sight-seeing. Finding tours and activities that will get you moving can also help. Take the walking tour instead of the bus tour, go for a hike or sign up for an adventurous bike ride. Even going for a swim in the ocean or a long, romantic walk on the beach will benefit your body and enhance your vacation experience.

4. Provide Your Own Food

It’s difficult to find healthy, tasty restaurant food. On your next trip, try visiting the local grocery store to stock up on healthy options for breakfast and snacks. This will help you avoid overeating at the hotel breakfast buffet and buying junk food when you get hungry throughout the day. If you have a kitchen available to you, consider making a few of your lunches and dinners at home. It’s just as much of a cultural experience to go to a market and cook with local ingredients as it is to visit a restaurant.

5. Be Prepared

The key to staying healthy on vacation is to go in with a plan. Bring items you’ll need to keep yourself on track and decide ahead of time what you’re going to do to get yourself moving and eating right. Even little things like packing your own snacks and a reusable water bottle with a filter to make that water taste better will make a big difference. Adapt your current habits to your vacation as much as you can, but also allow yourself to enjoy your trip. Try that gelato, spend a day sitting on the beach and stay up way too late hanging out with your family. Balance is important, and your healthy habits should help you relax, not keep you from it.

Vacations don’t have to mean backsliding in your physical fitness and diet. With a little planning and discipline, you can keep your body at its best while you’re relaxing and having fun. Adapt your current good habits to your vacation, and you may enjoy it even more than you would if you didn’t focus on staying healthy.

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 Registered Nursing.org

August 18, 2020

44997 Views

Decoding Psychiatric Roles: Nurse vs. Practitioner – A Comparative Analysis

Posted on August 18, 2020October 13, 2025 by Registered Nursing.org

Are you interested in the psychiatric-mental health population, thinking of specializing within your nursing practice, or considering furthering your education to become a nurse practitioner? The psychiatric-mental health field is currently booming and can be a highly rewarding and varied avenue of nursing. We’ll cover the differences and a few similarities between the care provided by a psychiatric-mental health nurse (PMHN) and a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Considering the need for mental health awareness, these vital roles are at the forefront of the opportunity for travel nurses.

Responsibilities of a Psych RN

“Psychiatric nurses are experts at evaluating complex psychiatric, substance abuse, and physical health needs and problems of patients over the life span” (apna.org, 1998). The PMHN provides an important service to people with mental illnesses or behavioral disorders. RNs in this specialty are multi-faceted and have a variety of duties.

According to Dr. Veronica Doran, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the Malek School of Health Professions, Marymount University, “the psychiatric nurse will operate under medical orders from an advanced practice specialist, mostly an MD or an NP, in terms of medication administration, treatments, or general safety orders.”

Some responsibilities of the psychiatric-mental health RN include the following:

Provide emotional support
Administer medications and assess responses
Maintain communication with doctors and other members of the healthcare team
Follow treatment plans
Educate patients and families
Provide physical and mental assessments

The PMHN utilizes the nursing process on a daily basis. These nurses may specialize in various age groups or populations, such as addiction treatment, adolescent care, or forensics.

Like other nursing specialties, a psychiatric-mental health RN can become certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Do you want to find out more about this specialty of nursing? Check out resources from American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Their link includes downloadable brochures for those interested in the RN or NP specialty so you can make an informed choice – or just broaden your knowledge base.

Responsibilities of a Psych NP

Psych NPs are certified advanced practice professionals with at least a Master’s degree (and sometimes a Doctorate) who are experts in determining diagnoses and ordering treatments accordingly. Dr. Veronica Doran emphasizes an important difference between NPs and RNs: “Psych NPs need a broader range of knowledge. While I teach my BSN students about the disease characteristics, my NP students need to understand the pathophysiology of the disorders at a cellular level.”

Like other NPs, PMHNPs have autonomy. They may work completely independently from a doctor or with minimal supervision, depending on the state. Some NPs have their own practices for providing psychotherapy or treatments. PMHNPs are in the position to become policymakers or board members and drive changes across the mental health landscape.

As Dr. Doran notes, “One of the biggest assets to an NP, and this is abundantly true for psych, is that we approach our specialty from a holistic perspective. I would love to see more psych NPs working in collaboration with primary care offices, nutritionists/dieticians, and other medical specialties because we can look at the whole patient and provide care that extends beyond medication management.”

This type of care differs from that of psych RNs in that the PMHNP can:

Maintain prescriptive authority
Have advanced assessment skills
Create and order treatment plans
Diagnose conditions or diseases
May serve as a counselor or provide psychotherapy to individuals or groups
Educate patients, families, or communities on diagnoses, medications, etc.

Some Similarities

Both RNs and NPs can specialize in varied patient populations and have started their careers as RNs. RNs and NPs can also both serve as educators, participate in committees, and assume leadership or management roles. Whether it’s an RN or NP providing care, both individuals are skilled at communicating and understanding the non-verbal cues that a patient exhibits. For both roles, providing care involves offering emotional support through the use of therapeutic communication. The care provided by either the RN or NP addresses the entire person and the needs and treatment of that individual. These healthcare heroes also excel in addressing crises and remaining calm in emergencies.

The Bottom Line

Whether you are an RN or NP, your primary goal is to provide excellent care to patients within the scope of your professional practice. As discussed, there are several differences between the care provided by an RN and an NP. Nurse practitioner care focuses on advanced assessment skills, pharmacologic and their effects, diagnoses, and prescribing therapies to treat symptoms or diseases. It also involves treating the patient holistically. RN care is driven by the nursing process and assessments, therapeutic communication, administering medications, and monitoring for effectiveness. Both RNs and NPs can work in a variety of settings. While there are a number of differences between the two roles and the care they provide, both are extremely important in ensuring that this population is heard and helped.

About the writer: Susan Sinclair is a nurse who currently works in home health. She has nursing experience in med-surg, telemetry, research, and education. She is also a writer and enjoys writing about current nursing topics and elevating the nursing profession.

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 Jackson Nurse Professionals

August 11, 2020

6451 Views

Combating Anxiety While Caring for Chronically Sick Patients

Posted on August 11, 2020February 3, 2023 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article provided by: Jackson Nurse Professionals.

It’s common for nurses to get emotionally invested in their patients. Of all the health care professionals, nurses are the ones providing comfort, condolences, and compassion to patients visiting a doctor’s office, hospital, or other care facilities. Strong and successful nurses have a natural instinct to nurture, and because of this, it can be difficult to deal with the stress and anxiety that comes with caring for a sick patient.

Specifically, travel nurses may find it especially hard to cope with these difficulties because they’re dealing with other personal stressors, like settling into a new assignment and being away from family and friends.

While a challenging situation, there are plenty of ways for traveling nurses to combat the anxiety that comes with caring for a sick patient. Consider the following tips:

Is it something you can control?

Responding emotionally to a patient’s diagnosis or state of health is normal. But, you have to keep working, right? You’re a professional. So, ground yourself before and after these encounters by identifying what you can and cannot solve. For example, if you have a patient who is confrontational or extremely upset after diagnosis, no problem. You can control your reaction, realizing the emotional trauma the patient has just been dealt. But, if a patient finds out he or she is terminal, you can “solve” the shock of the news by providing comfort and encouragement while still being empathetic to the gravity of the situation. Reacting to their emotions in a confrontational manner or focusing on the factors that are out of your control will only increase your anxiety. So, pull back, focus, and choose differently.

You’re a Gypsy Nurse, right?

One of the reasons you became a travel nurse was to explore new places and take on exciting adventures. With a stressful job as a nurse, you have to rely on these opportunities to relax and make time for yourself. Set aside a few hours weekly or daily to do something new. It fuels your soul. In fact, on your days off, when you’re exploring, intentionally meet new people. The only way for you to avoid burnout and the emotional turmoil that can come with being a nurse is by doing the things that make you a #GypsyNurse. Avoiding activity due to anxiety or depression will only accelerate your condition, not alleviate it. So, go outside girl. And, do something.

Why are you a travel nurse?

At the end of the day, it all comes down to why you decided to take on the profession of travel nursing in the first place. It’s not just about exploring different locations; you get to exercise your passion for caring for others. It’s what you were destined to do! Caring for others is a priceless opportunity, and you can’t imagine yourself involved in any other type of career. No matter how overwhelming your job can be, you’re a skilled professional with a selfless and caring nature. That’s who you are

You might have to take steps to ground yourself from patient to patient, but with a little self-analysis and self-care, you’ll be ready to walk into your patient’s room again.

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 Jackson Nurse Professionals

July 30, 2020

6535 Views

Want to Sell Your Home Before Your Next Assignment?

Posted on July 30, 2020January 16, 2023 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article was provided by Jackson Nurse Professionals.

Want to sell your home before your next assignment? Consider these tips for selling fast.

While travel nursing can be exciting, there are some major decisions to be made before starting your next (or first) assignment. The decision to keep or sell your home is a key one that you may face multiple times throughout your career. An awesome perk of travel nursing is the flexibility to return home between assignments or to continue exploring new positions and locations.

So, if you want to sell your home fast before your next (or first) assignment, follow these expert tips:

1. Pare down & Tidy up (inside and out)

U.S. News and World Report recommends decluttering your home of personal touches while keeping it cozy with furniture and accents. And frankly, you can never clean and paint too much of your home when you’re looking to sell. Buyers will be looking at every wall and every surface, so giving it a refresh and a deep clean gives them the confidence that they can move in quickly.

Potential buyers don’t want to see your personalized home, they want to see how they can transform it into their own space. Consider freshening up rooms with neutral paint and staging your home to appeal to buyers.

And don’t forget the exterior of your home! Curb appeal entices buyers to look inside. Not only can a spruced up exterior help attract buyers, but it can increase your property’s value. A well-landscaped lawn can increase a home’s value by upwards of 12%, according to Home Guides.

2. Pick a sales strategy

Will you try to sell your home yourself, or will you work with an agent since you might be on the road? These are two of the most common selling strategies outlined by Zillow. Depending on the circumstances, either option can be used to help sell your home quickly.

If you’re comfortable with real estate negotiation you can skip the fees and hassle of finding an agent to sell your home. On the other hand, an experienced agent can help streamline the process with their expertise and connections, while freeing up your time to improve the property or find your next travel nurse job. Weigh the pros and cons of each to make a decision that aligns with your goals.

3. Price to sell

Your home’s price is going to make or break how fast it will sell. While you obviously don’t want to under-price your home, Zillow reports that pricing it competitively can help it sell faster.

Check the state of your local real estate market to get an idea of average prices and time on the market. If you price your home a little lower to comparable homes in your area, you can get more interest and have a possible bidding war on your hands (a scenario in your favor).

Don’t be afraid to do a price reduction after a set amount of time.

4. Hold multiple open houses

Holding multiple open houses and making your home available for visits is the final step in selling your home fast. In 2019, it took approximately 68 days to sell a home from listing through closing according to Clever. If you’re on the road during these open houses, having a real estate agent on your team will be crucial. Otherwise, you might enlist a friend or family member to throw in some cookies and open the door. Letting prospective buyers visit your already clean and staged house can help them envision making it a home. Jackson Nurse Professionals provides travel nurses with several housing options so you can start your assignment stress-free. Start making your home sales-ready today and check out some of our open travel nurse positions.

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 Favorite Healthcare Staffing

July 23, 2020

6735 Views

5 Simple Tips for Staying Healthy as a Travel Nurse

Posted on July 23, 2020January 16, 2023 by Favorite Healthcare Staffing

This article provided by: Favorite Healthcare Staffing.

Life as a travel nurse is both exhilarating and challenging. When you’re constantly moving to a new destination every few months, it can be all too easy to slip into a pattern of indulgence and overlook your normal health and wellness practices. Here are five tips to stay healthy as a travel nurse.

Start every day with a glass of water

An easy habit to incorporate into your routine is to start each day with a glass of water and make an effort to continue drinking it throughout the day. Although your favorite latte from Starbucks may be tasty, nothing has the benefits a simple glass of water will. Staying hydrated will not only keep you energized, but it will also help you stay focused throughout the day.

Stay active

Exercise is one of the most important ways to keep your body healthy. Find a local gym to join and ask about their short-term membership options. If the gym isn’t your thing, you can still find alternative ways to stay active.

Maybe you’re on assignment in Florida and can take up swimming or jogging. Are you on assignment in Colorado? Lace up your hiking shoes and go explore the mountains! Wherever you are, find ways to make working out fun. Your body will thank you for it in the long run.

Eat healthy

Although it’s convenient, skip the fast food and try not to eat out for every meal. You will not only save calories when you do this, but you will save money too.

When you arrive at your new destination, look up the nearest grocery stores and try to do some shopping. Cook fresh dinners at home and prep lunches for the next day packed with protein. Eating healthy will help you feel less bloated and lethargic, and more energized.

You may still want to try new restaurants and experience the local cuisine, and that’s okay! It’s all about moderation. Plan to eat out every once in a while but try to pick a lighter option on the menu or substitute healthier side dishes.

Get enough sleep

As a nurse working long shifts, getting adequate sleep is easier said than done. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night to give your body enough time to recharge from the previous day.

Try sticking to the same sleep schedule every day to keep your body’s internal clock balanced. You can also create a calming bedtime ritual to help your body wind down by avoiding electronics before bed. The bright lights from the screens of our electronic devices actually activate the brain and can make it more difficult to fall asleep. A great alternative to phone scrolling is reading a book before bed or writing in a journal.

Having trouble falling asleep in an unfamiliar place? Consider using a white noise machine, blackout curtains or a humidifier. You will wake up the next day feeling energized, refreshed, and ready to continue helping your patients!

Make mental health a priority

Practicing self-care is one of the most important ways to combat stress and burnout. Every individual will have their own techniques to help reduce stress, but some popular methods include meditation (try using an app like Calm https://www.calm.com/), regular exercise, journaling, talking to a loved one or listening to music.

Whatever method you choose, make sure to give yourself plenty of ‘me-time’ so you can recharge for the next day and avoid feeling overwhelmed. You can’t take care of those around you if you don’t take care of yourself first, so don’t overlook the importance of your emotional health.

Following these five simple healthy habits will help you feel your best, will give you the energy you need to experience all your new city has to offer and keep you healthy as a travel nurse!

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 Lirika Hart

July 20, 2020

4933 Views

Helping Our Kids Learn From Home: How To Build Problem Solving Skills

Posted on July 20, 2020January 16, 2023 by Lirika Hart

Most education systems are built around facts, formulas, and functions. Kids are taught to memorize tons of content, but they aren’t adequately prepared to tackle real-life challenges using the knowledge they acquire in school. That is why most of us don’t understand the world we live in, how to live with the people around us, or how to make the best out of the environment we grow in.

The Raspberry Foundation has been issuing schools with Raspberry Pi 4 units, and other Raspberry devices, in an effort aimed at motivating teachers to adopt teaching methods that actually prepare learners for the future world. The raspberry microcomputers also encourage kids to take on projects that impact the world around them in a positive way. Since COVID-19 has disrupted the previous school year and will drastically change this year’s school year, many will be teaching their children at home more than ever before. There are many things to teach our children, including problem-solving skills.

Hopefully, today’s kids will have better problem-solving skills than the kids of yesteryears (the adults of today). However, that is not to mean that you should sit and wait for your kids to change the world for you. You need to teach yourself the art of solving problems.

Basically, anything that is too hard for you to understand or accomplish, be it a task or a situation, can be defined as a problem in your perspective. Problem-solving needs will crop up around you any time, so you must prepare for it, say by signing up for a problem-solving class. Another way would be by cultivating the ability to solve problems. Here are 4 steps that will help you to build problem-solving skills at home:

1. Make it a habit to deconstruct problems

Before you react to a situation or task, learn to start by identifying the nature of the problem. Take an example of a common at-home problem: Your son has become extremely rebellious of late. Now, before you blame it on drugs, peer pressure, or poor parenting on the side of your co-parent, first break the problem down. Deconstruct it to its roots. Erase the thought that your son is out of control, and instead go back to where it all began. When did he start changing? Who came to or left his life just about the same time when he started changing? Where could the change of behavior have stemmed from? Exactly how big is the change of behavior and how is it affecting his life? Could age be a factor in behavioral change? All these questions will help you deconstruct the problem before setting out to remedy it.

2. Identify the solution and the potential barriers

Now that you know what the root causes of the problem are, it is time to lay down strategies on how to get the right solution. For optimal success, you need to come up with multiple possible solutions, and then pick the most effective one. However, you need to understand that there isn’t any solution without barriers; the solution might be clear to you, but removing the barriers and eventually getting to it is the real test.

In the case of a rebellious son, you may have to deal with the barrier of the generational gap. You are old, he is young, and you see the world differently. How you saw the world when you were his age is different from how the world is right now. Another barrier would be you as a person. Maybe he is getting the behavior from how you’ve been treating him, meaning that you have to change and make him trust that you really have changed, but then you are afraid that changing will make you look weak in his eyes. Point is, there will always be sacrifices to be made, hard decisions to be made, and some changes to be effected in order to clear potential barriers to an identified solution.

3. Try to find simpler paths to the solution

Don’t make the problem bigger than it is. Within the barriers you identified, are there any obvious solutions that can get some of the barriers out of the way? Is there a way you can flip things around to get a better, more effective approach? When answering these questions, you have to use a language that creates possibility and positivity. For example, what happens if you take your rebellious child to a therapist? What if you involve his favorite auntie or uncle? What if you go on vacation together and discuss everything while there? Toy with different ideas and play multiple scenarios in your head before deciding on how to approach the problem. Developing a step-by-step execution plan.

4. Now focus on the solution

Now forget about the problem and focus on the solutions; create a solution-oriented mindset. If you focus on the problem, you are likely to get emotional, and the emotions might block your path to the defined solution. Just put all your efforts into executing the action plan, monitoring and evaluating the execution process every step of the way. Don’t stop until the goal is achieved. If one solution fails, try a different one from steps 2 and 3, but don’t go back to the emotions of step 1.

Final thoughts

Problems are never easy, fun, or easy to understand. You should always be prepared to lose, but you must never lose your focus on the eventual goal. It is through persistence and patience that you will find the best solutions to the worst problems.

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 ONESTAFF MEDICAL

July 8, 2020

9997 Views

Adopting a Minimalist-ish Lifestyle

Posted on July 8, 2020May 19, 2021 by ONESTAFF MEDICAL

This article was provided by Onestaff Medical.

Minimalist Lifestyle

If any lifestyle is a good fit for someone that travels months at a time for work, it’s a minimalist lifestyle. Not only for the obvious reason (being able just to grab the bare necessities and hit the road for your next hot new assignment) but because when you’re traveling as much as we do, you don’t settle in and make habits to collect too often. Well, living a minimalist-ish lifestyle can help us emotionally/ mentally also. It keeps our lives less free of clutter, which results in positive effects on our moods and well-being.

Let’s be frank; moving can be THE WORST, especially if you have too many belongings to lug around. Minimalism has been gaining traction through Netflix (Marie Kondo), Podcasts (Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus), and any and all home improvement magazines, websites and tv shows. We can learn about all of the tips and tricks of adopting a minimalist lifestyle, but when it comes down to it, getting rid of that old vase, you kept from flowers you received six years ago or the pile of books you read once and haven’t thought about since is hard.

Why should you at least think of adopting a minimalist-ish lifestyle?

Financial Freedom and saving that dough
Selling unused items
Lessening your impulse buys
Using the money, you would use for things on experiences
Less clutter = Less Stress
Develop better relationships by filling your time with loved ones rather than things
Easier to move city to city
Less stuff= effortless packing

Have I used it in the last 90 days?

Thinking about getting rid of belongings can stir up a bunch of stress and anxiety. To make it simpler, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus came up with the “90/90 Rule.” It’s very straightforward and a great eye-opener. When deciding to keep an item or not, ask yourself, have I used (said item) in the last 90 days? If the answer is no, ask yourself if you will use (said item) in the next 90 days. If the answer is still no, hopefully, this will help make the decision for you. Now, this does not pertain to family heirlooms or very personal items.

(Probably) the most important aspect of Minimalism is saving that moolah. Besides selling unused items and lessening your impulse buys, adopting some minimalist choices in regards to your finances can make a HUGE difference.

Less stuff = smaller place = lower rent/utilities
Fewer credit cards = easier budgeting
Try to pair down your cards and stick to one card with great benefits like cash back or 0 to low-interest rates.

Go at your own pace

If you aren’t used to keeping things minimal, it’s definitely a change, so don’t fret. Focus on small changes. Take it slow and work at your own pace. Adopting a minimalist-ish lifestyle isn’t an overnight switch and will require some hard decisions. But knowing that those decisions lie in YOUR hands and your hands alone is comforting because only YOU get to choose what stays and what goes. Think of your future, future moves, future cross-country assignments, future experiences, and ultimately do what is best for you! End of the day, your focus should be on finding ways to create your own little sanctuary while decompressing between shifts if you can find peace with a bit of clutter, to each his own.

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

1. Get organized.

2. Think about where you want to go.

3. Be flexible.

4. Pack carefully.

5. Don’t forget to make arrangements for the stuff at home.

6. Be confident in your skills.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

8. Be friendly.

9. Where are you off to next?

10. Choose your travel nursing company wisely.

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!)

Related Posts

Stuck in Credentialing Limbo? Here’s How to Take Back Control.

8 Best Housing Sites for Healthcare Travelers

Where Will You Go? Locations That are Great for Travel Nurses

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Legitimate and Safe

Housing scams red flags

Arrive a little early

Let others know you are meeting someone.

Take time to research

If you are a travel nurse looking for housing for your next assignment, check out our Housing Page!

Related Posts

Tips and Tricks for Rotating Shifts as a Travel Nurse

Can I Become a Travel Nurse With One Year of Experience?

Top Ten Items For Travel Nurses

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Staying healthy while on vacations

1. Drink Lots of Water

2. Bring Some Supplements

3. Find Ways to Stay Active

4. Provide Your Own Food

5. Be Prepared

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!)

Related Posts

5 Useful Tips for Working Long Hours

How to Stay Sane and Healthy in a Pandemic

On the Road Again – 10 Tips to Help Healthcare Travelers De-Stress

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Responsibilities of a Psych RN

Responsibilities of a Psych NP

Some Similarities

The Bottom Line

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!)

Related Posts

New Requirements for the Travel Nurse

Ask A Travel Nurse: Drive or Fly?

Top 10 Cities Hiring Travel Nurses

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Is it something you can control?

You’re a Gypsy Nurse, right?

Why are you a travel nurse?

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!)

Related Posts

Tips for Managing Your Health as a Busy Travel Nurse

Frequently Asked Friday: Finding Love as a Travel Nurse

Questions to Ask Your Agency’s Housing Department (If They Have One)

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

1. Pare down & Tidy up (inside and out)

2. Pick a sales strategy

3. Price to sell

4. Hold multiple open houses

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!)

Related Posts

Yoga For Travel Nurses