June 30, 2020

6037 Views

The 6 Things You AND Your Recruiter Should Do to Get You Placed and Back Out on the Road in a Recovery Market

Posted on June 30, 2020May 19, 2021 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

This article provided by Triage.

There’s no denying it, times are tough. As the COVID-19 outbreak spread across the country, hospitals and clinics were forced to forgo elective procedures and focus their efforts on combatting the virus. While there was high demand in a few key specialties, many travel, and even permanent medical professionals, were left on the sidelines.

As we see COVID case volume begin to stabilize, there is a push to re-open the country, including a return to operating rooms and elective procedures. Inevitably the need for travelers will begin to ramp, but all signs point to a slow, measured climb to pre-COVID activity levels. That means there are many more candidates than jobs available. In fact, here is what recruiters are seeing:

Between 1-5 minutes to get candidates submitted out for a chance to interview
For every job that opens, 15-30 profiles submitted within minutes

Return to normal will be competitive

So yes, the return to normal will be competitive and positions are limited. The events of 2020 have left many feeling out of control. But, some good news: you (and your recruiter) are in control of how you respond to the opportunities opening around the country.

In this market, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Prepare now and your chances of starting an assignment are real. Sit back and wait for the return? You will likely continue sitting . . . on the bench.

We have compiled a list of the 6 things you and your recruiter should be doing right now to ensure you are ready. If your recruiter isn’t reaching out now, maybe it’s time to look for another recruiter. And we’ve got just the folks for that.

6 things you and your recruiter should be doing:

Take action now. Don’t wait.

1. Update Skills Checklist:

Don’t wait until a job becomes available, make sure your skills checklists on file with your agency today is the most up to date.

2. Verified References on File:

It’s not just enough to provide references, be sure your recruiter has followed up and verified. Don’t miss out on a job because Sally Manager at your last facility hasn’t returned your recruiter’s phone call.

3. Ensure you have a Branded Resume:

You may not know it, but your agency often reformats your resume before they can submit you for a job. Again, make sure it is up to date with your latest work history and your recruiter has formatted it properly for submissions. Waiting to complete this step can mean you miss out on the next urgent opening.

4. Answer your Phone:

It might be your recruiter calling with a job or facility calling to interview you. Miss the call and be ready to ride the pine…: It is crucial to stay in touch with your recruiter either by text, phone, or email weekly. Once a job is posted with staffing agencies, the volume goes through the roof. It is essential to be in the first round of submissions. Again, if they aren’t staying in touch with you, now’s the time to go looking for someone who will.

5. Give Permission to Submit:

Consider giving your recruiter permission to submit you to a job if they are confident it meets your needs. You do not want to miss an opportunity because you missed a text message or phone call about an opening.

6. Readjust Expectations:

We get it. This one is tough. We saved it for last. You may not want to hear it but the medical pros that are the most flexible are the ones landing their next gig.

Timing: Clients will want the soonest start date possible. Have your bags packed and be ready to go. You may also have to be open to shorter contract options during the recovery.
Flexibility: No sugar coating this one. The more open you are, to settings, to locations and to pay, the more opportunities are available.
Pay: Let’s get more specific. You will likely not see the same pay as your last assignment for the next several months. It’s not what you want to hear, but we want you to be prepared for the current market.
Vacation: We recommend limiting your PTO requests during the next 3-6 months if possible, especially during the upcoming holidays. Not ideal but may be worth it if for your career in the long run.

For more information or to reach out to a recruiter with Triage click here!

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 Meg and Ty Dewitt

June 4, 2020

9915 Views

Packing Tips from Travel Nurses

Posted on June 4, 2020May 19, 2021 by Meg and Ty Dewitt

Deciding what you will need for 13 weeks can be difficult. Megan and Ty have put together some packing tips to help you get started. They currently live in a repurposed van, so space for them is limited. Before they lived in the van they would pack 2 cars to the brim, they almost couldn’t see out. Because space is limited now, they are very mindful of what to pack for each assignment.

Clothing

They recommend thinking about your lifestyle and what activities you enjoy doing. To pack your clothes around that. They also emphasis to pack your clothing based on the location of your assignment. If it is a warmer climate, you won’t be needing your winter coat and boots. Likewise, a colder climate might mean you don’t need shorts and tank tops.

Scrubs: They suggest packing enough scrubs to get you through a week. Generally 3-4 pair each.

Megan and Ty use packing cubes for their clothing. Amazon has a wide variety of packing cubes, these are the ones that Megan and Ty use Shacke Pak – 5 Set Packing Cubes – Travel Organizers with Laundry Bag.

Kitchen

Megan says pack what is essential to you. If you are going to be staying in furnished housing you may not need to pack many appliances, however, if a blender is something you use daily it may be a good idea to pack it. Also if you have a favorite mug or cup bring that as well.

Collapsible Items: Megan and Ty suggest getting as many collapsible items as possible. Storage containers, gadgets, and strainers. These tend to take up less room when packing and storing them.

They also use magnetic spice containers so they can store them right on their refrigerator and don’t take up space in the cabinets.

Decor/Books

Making your housing feel like your own and personalized can help with loneliness, however don’t go overboard. Megan suggests thinking about just how much time you plan to spend inside and pack your decor and books accordingly.

Megan and Ty really emphasis keeping in mind the location of your assignment when you are packing. They also say to keep in mind if your housing is furnished you may not need to pack as much. If it is an item that you don’t use more than 2-3 times a week, don’t pack it. Remember, you can pick another one up or have a family member ship it to you if you find yourself needing it.

We hope you found this video from Megan and Ty on packing tips helpful. Do you have any packing tips you would like 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 TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

May 29, 2020

6629 Views

Travel Nursing, Industry Changes & What You Need to Know

Posted on May 29, 2020May 19, 2021 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by TNAA.

Don’t get comfortable yet. As the country shifts into this new phase of the crisis, we must adapt to industry-standard changes and slightly more personal freedoms outside of work. Staying up-to-date with varying state regulations has always been a burden carried by travel nurses. Like the disease itself, our way of life — on and off the unit — changes by the minute. More than ever, it’s crucial that your agency remains vigilant by ensuring they’re protecting their nurses, reacting to market trends, and ensuring they’re available to support their nurses.

Industry Changes & What You Need to Know

Between the influx of crisis assignments and the numerous canceled contracts, it’s safe to say the healthcare industry is trying to find its footing. Many travel nurses find themselves wondering whether the facility will provide adequate PPE, or how state emergency declarations impact licensure. Keeping up with these changes can be overwhelming — hello, news overload — and nurses have enough on their plates. You need your agency to have your back. Check with your recruiter to see how your agency is protecting you during this time.

Credentialing: Your agency should ensure the issuing of your emergency temp license before your start date. Plus, they should have a plan to follow up on permanent license status so you can continue working if/when the state of emergency lifts.
Clinical Support: Your agency should focus on supporting you through the acute portion of this crisis. Do you have a team available to assist with concerns surrounding PPE and mental health resources?

Adapting to the New Job Market

Between limited surgeries and low hospital census, it seems that work is scarce if you’re not an ICU nurse. Yes, we’re talking to you OR, PACU, and even some NICU nurses. It’s a terrible time to start travel nursing because there are no jobs, or that’s what chatter across social media would have you believe. But that’s not the case. Jobs will return. As America adjusts to a new normal, so will hospitals. It’s crucial to prep your file now so that when positions open, you’re ready to be one of the first nurses to submit. Think about it; you can count on seeing an influx in elective surgeries, from knee replacements to trigger finger surgeries. Plus, with summer rolling in and states reopening, there’s sure to be a rise in emergency surgeries from accidents and injuries. Operating rooms will reopen, and when they do, every OR and PACU travel nurse will submit for the same jobs.

Prep Your File: Focus on updating your skills checklist and references to reflect any recent travel experience. Your recruiter is your best ally, armed with market knowledge of what hiring managers want to see from travel nurse profiles.
Remain Flexible: As jobs open, we expect a tidal wave of nurses applying to each job. Increase your chances of landing a job by remaining flexible on location, shift, and any day-off requests.
Stay Available: Travel nursing is always about speed. When your recruiter submits your profile for a job, try to keep your phone available. Look up the area code and should you miss a call, call back as soon as possible.

Hiking, Exploring & Changes to Expect When You’re Off The Clock

While Texas beaches are open, lodging at Arkansas state parks remains reserved for in-state residents only. Confused? You’re not alone, and unfortunately, no one really knows what to expect in the coming days. So, what can you do on your day off? Here are a few tips.

Outdoor Exploring: Before you pack up your gear, check to see what restrictions are in place. State tourism websites, nps.gov, and local government press releases keep updated restriction info listed. Be sure to pack any items you need to remain socially distant and ensure you can practice good hand hygiene.
City Exploring: With social distancing guidelines in place, it can be difficult to get a feel for your new city. Expect some level of overcrowding at those must-see venues, so you may need to get creative. Try to go when they’re not typically busy, or see if you can reserve a more private experience — for instance, booking a private tour for you and your fellow nurses.
Local Exploring: Travel nurses know, there’s a big difference between visiting those must-see attractions and really getting to know the local culture. A great way to do this, while self-isolating or remaining socially distant, is to create a local bucket-list. Ask around and visit local food blogs to find out what you need to experience, from notable take-out dining to a city’s staple local shops. Essentially, those local treasures that will help you remember the area.

Seeking Support

Above all, the COVID-19 pandemic impact highlights a glaring need for travel nurses — real support. Over the years, the industry has shifted as agencies, and travel nurses alike trended toward do-it-yourself technology and minimized communication. As the coronavirus spread, all aspects of travel nursing changed by the minute. From contract cancellations to shifts in housing options, it’s more important than ever to have a team behind you as you navigate these unchartered waters. So, what is support? It’s knowing that you have people in your corner to find you clean, safe housing after hours. Feeling confident that you can communicate with your agency’s payroll team to fix any mistakes. It’s believing that your agency’s focus remains on connecting you to high-paying, quality travel nurse jobs while continuing to protect your interests along the way.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By ReyAnn Moya

May 18, 2020

15038 Views

Travel Nursing: TEN STEPS To Get You Started

Posted on May 18, 2020May 19, 2021 by ReyAnn Moya

10 steps to get started travel nursing

ReyAnn shares the TEN STEP process that helped her land her first travel nurse job here in California. Travel nursing is a very unique and amazing opportunity that she thinks all nurses should try at least once in their

career. ReyAnn feels truly blessed to be apart of this community as it has opened so many doors for her and for the future. We hope this video inspires some of you to step into this crazy awesome lifestyle.

Below you will find the 10 steps ReyAnn talks about in the video.

1. Get your license

ReyAnn states that she highly suggests getting a compact license. She says it just makes the process so much easier, especially with those states that use compact licenses.

2. Get Experience

Most hospitals want 2 years of experience, however, it is not impossible to get a job as a travel nurse with less than 2 years. ReyAnn said that if your specialty is any of the following that 2 years of experience is probably best; ER, ICU, PACU, OR, or Cath Lab. She says that with travel nursing you hit the ground running and have a lot less orientation so you have to be ready for that.

3. Update your certifications

ReyAnn suggests taking advantage of any and all facility paid/offered certifications/renewals while you are still working at your permanent/staff hospital/facility. As these can tend to get pricey.

4. Find the perfect recruiter

ReyAnn says that you almost want a recruiter that feels like a friend, someone who has your back. Someone you feel really comfortable with. A recruiter who won’t lowball you, that fights for you and one that offers you things that other companies won’t.

She suggests have 3-4 recruiters/agencies under your belt. Agencies of different sizes. She says this is to help you compare their pay packages.

5. Preparing profile/ paperwork

ReyAnn says to keep all your paperwork together, in one area so you can build your profile easier. This paperwork includes, but isn’t limited to the application, resume, nursing license(s), certifications, references and your skills checklist

6. Submitting your contract

You may find that you have a hard time getting the first contract, ReyAnn says to look at these three things if you aren’t getting a contract. 1. How picky are you being? 2. How much money are you asking for? 3. How much experience do you have. She says to make sure you discuss your non-negotiables with your recruiter prior.

Also, remember don’t take it personal if you don’t get the job. Just keep applying and trying.

7. Do your research

One one of the biggest pieces of advice ReyAnn offers is to do your research. She says to reach out on Travel Nurse Facebook groups like The Gypsy Nurse. ReyAnn said to do your research on the hospitals themselves, ask fellow nurses, and even the person interviewing you. She also highly suggesting researching the location of the hospital. But all around do your research!

8. Signing the contract

Make sure you understand everything in the contract and that you read it thoroughly as it is a legally binding contract between you, the hospital/facility, and the agency. Be sure you understand the pay break down, the bill rate, and the contract in general. If you don’t understand it be sure to ask your recruiter for clarification.

9. On-boarding paperwork/exams

This is the time to get all the necessary paperwork and exams you may need to start the contract.

10. Starting your assignment

At this point, your recruiter should be checking in with you frequently to make sure everything is going well.

ReyAnn discusses these steps in more detail. This is just a brief overview of the video. We hope these ten steps to help get started travel nursing have helped you. Do you have any tips for starting out 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 Brittany Greaves

May 15, 2020

5926 Views

#StayHome: Self-Care Tips

Posted on May 15, 2020May 19, 2021 by Brittany Greaves

Self-care in a pandemic has me thinking about the saying ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’. Regardless if the hair salons or massage business is closed, we have to make ourselves a priority and find the time for our revamped self-care routines. Here are some ways I’ve been staying sane while ‘staying home.’

Self Care Starts with Self Love <3

To love means to learn the art of nourishing our happiness. If we think of things as loving ourselves and pouring into our own cups no matter how small, it changes the thought process behind it to “I love myself so I _____” Knowing your deserving of self-love; self-care becomes a tool to replenish said love. Do some internal work: journal, meditate, read a new book, devotionals/prayer, or take a social media break. Your mental health is key in staying strong during a fearful time, another helpful resource for me, has been therapy. It’s a listening, judgment-free, let it all out the type of environment – why wouldn’t you sign up?

Healthy Eating/Exercise/Sleep

Don’t burn the candle at both ends! All of us are working tirelessly and our minds, bodies, and souls are exhausted. The quickest way for us to leave ourselves even more vulnerable is to live unhealthily. Recharging your battery with the right stuff gives you the energy, push, and stamina to outlast these times. We’re all nurses so we know what endorphins do for our brain. So go get some, they’re free! Put more color in your diet. Get those 8 hours. Whatever you do, take care of yourself before you take care of others.

Put On Real Clothes!

“If you look good, you feel good” I know those sweats are comfy, but when was the last time you got dressed? I don’t mean roll out of bed my delivery guy is here dressed. I mean top and pants with no elastic waistband—Well its time to take yourself on a take-out date, meet your friends for a virtual happy hour, or try out a Tik Tok. You’ll feel more alive and like yourself, don’t you miss you?

Show Gratitude

I saw an affirmation that blew my mind: ‘the most powerful weapon against your daily battle is finding the courage to be grateful anyway’. We all are going through a lot right now but we are all also, very blessed. So remember that, put it out in the air, and breathe it in. The best advice I could give in this time is to be thankful for the laughs, the tears, and the life.

Sending You All Light & Love -Britt

Do you have any tips for staying sane during this time or some self-care tips for travel nurses? If you would like to share them please 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 Jessica Smith

May 7, 2020

5711 Views

5 Ways To Stay Safe On Your Next Road Trip

Posted on May 7, 2020May 19, 2021 by Jessica Smith

Typically traveled by automobile or a car, there is nothing as appealing as a road trip, what with the sun behind and wild, open spaces before you. You already know it, don’t you? Was your last road trip both fun and safe?

While road trips are certainly liberating and full of cheerful conversations, refreshing music, and thrilling sightseeing halts, they also require careful preparation to make them safe.

So, will not you like to make safety a priority while planning your next road trip?

Here are 5 ways to stay safe on your next road trip:

1) Get Yourself Ready –

Preparing yourself thoroughly for your forthcoming road trip is undoubtedly a must. While doing so, you need to consider several significant factors. These include familiarizing yourself with the route you’d be taking and with the local regulations of that place, checking the weather forecast in advance, and packing roadside necessities.

Make sure to inform your loved ones where you’d be traveling and sleep well, particularly in the nights just before your trip. Test the working range of your cell to verify that emergency operators are reachable from wherever you’re driving. Also, wear appropriate clothing while setting out, for experiencing the utmost comfort on the road trip.

Devise your route and plan to carry a map along. The reason is that though today, a smartphone provides you with maps and step-by-step instructions, you’ll need a physical map to guide you if you end up losing service or your phone altogether. You must understand the local driving laws of your road trip destination. For instance, in France, you can’t smoke with a minor sitting in your car.

Check the weather conditions along your route a few days ahead of your trip and also on the “D-Day”. For example, check for snow before setting out to drive in high mountain passes such as Colorado’s Independent Pass, or gauge the possibility of encountering sandstorms before taking the wheel through the dry, flat Texas desert.

Make certain you fill your backpack with all possible roadside essentials. Water, healthy, travel-friendly snacks, a flashlight, blankets, pillows, and a well-equipped first-aid kit must go in your knapsack. Besides these critical items, also ensure that you have other necessities like jumper cables, tire chains for traction, a screwdriver, a durable, spare tire, and an emergency tool kit handy.

2) Get Your Car Ready –

Equally important for smooth sailing is preparing your car for the road trip. For instance, if you’re planning to drive in hot weather, you might require a very adhesive motor oil. Also, keeping a functional, spare tire helps greatly as driving for long distances with an under-inflated tire is likely to cause a dangerous blow-out.

Hire a skillful mechanic to do basic checks for oil, coolant, filters, lights, signals, wiper blades, batteries, brakes, and tire pressure. Plan a minimum of one month ahead of your road trip for unanticipated repairs. Also, equip your car with a good-quality universal roof rack to carry your camping gear.

If your next road trip involves traveling with children, make sure to enable your car’s child safety locks on every door and window. This way, even if kids push buttons out of curiosity, they won’t endanger themselves. It’s also a good idea to have a child-friendly seat in your car.

Last but not least ensure that your tank is at least one-third full. Knowing the location of the nearest gas station isn’t always easy, so, having an ample quantity of gas amid exit points helps.

3) Avoid Overspeeding At All Costs – Just because you’ve planned for emergencies doesn’t mean that you ought to encounter them. You’ll want to avert them! So, make a point of following the rule that overspeeding is a strict no-no. The more you’ll speed, the less time you’ll get to react, likely proving injurious or even fatal.

On your next road trip, make safe driving a priority. Watch your speedometer and don’t talk on the phone while driving. Distractions can reduce your focus on safe driving and you could, unnoticing, overshoot the highest speeding limit. This way, by being cautious and alert, you can share the road space with others mindfully, making their as well as your journey easy and safe.

If you’re worried that you’ll reach your destination late, instead of speeding up inappropriately, plan to start ahead of time. On a wet road, keep a distance of not less than four seconds from the vehicle directly in front of you.

Look out for road hazards like debris, standing water, and piled-up snow. Pullover, if you find it difficult to drive because of tailgaters or bad weather. Just stay inside, using your hazard flashers for the other vehicles to see you.

4) Use Gas Smartly –

Constantly rising gas prices deprive you of substantial spending money while on your road trip. So, it only makes sense to have an efficient gas mileage. Estimate your fuel expenditure for the trip and fill your car tires with optimum pressure. If possible, purchase gas during the day, when it’s coolest, because, at this time, you’ll get the densest possible gas.

Try to drive at a moderate, steady speed, like 55 mph. This way, you’ll save nearly twenty percent more on gas versus driving at 70 mph. Also, when accelerating from 0 to 60 mph, take about fifteen seconds to accelerate, thus saving thirty percent on gas mileage.

If you’re driving at a high speed, make sure to close the windows, since open windows reduce the gas mileage by approximately ten percent. Also, avoid traveling on uneven or rocky roads, as they drop gas mileage by about thirty percent.

Place the automated gearbox in neutral if you need to wait in traffic standstills. This cools down the gearbox, saving on gas. Also, freeing your car of additional weight prevents the reduction of gas mileage.

5) Take Sufficient Breaks-

On your next road trip, plan to break for fifteen minutes every couple of hours. Although taking such driving breaks will delay reaching your final destination, don’t neglect the fact that your body requires rest periods.

While taking a break, stop at a well-lit rest stop so that you can stretch your legs but without falling asleep. Listen to music, else roll the window down to unwind. Drink water, have a bite nearby and attend nature’s call. If you’re traveling with kids, a driving break also lets them relax.

You can also take driving breaks by sharing the driving with other, licensed, responsible driver/s who’ll accompany you on your next road trip. No point driving when you’re feeling bored or drowsy. It can certainly prove dangerous. So, share driving responsibilities, thus giving each other an occasional rest period and avoiding driver fatigue.

Conclusion

So, now you know how to stay safe on your next road trip. Start preparing right away!

By Titan Medical

April 30, 2020

5281 Views

Finding Success in Working From Home

Posted on April 30, 2020May 19, 2021 by Titan Medical

This article provided by Titan Medical Group.

Since COVID-19 began spreading across the world, most non-essential companies have started making the transition to have their employees work remotely. If you are finding yourself working from home, here are some tips for staying on track with your daily routines and keeping motivated in your everyday work.

Make a checklist

Making a checklist of both work and personal tasks to complete will allow you to set goals for a certain time period. Being able to check items off as you complete them will have you feeling accomplished as you finish the tasks!

Stick to daily routines

Sticking to your daily routines will keep you feeling rejuvenated throughout the day completing items on your to-do list as you would have before/during/after working at the office. In addition to keeping within your routine, there are applications you can download on your cell phone to let you know what time of day you are most productive and that’ll help identify best ways to plan out your days.

Create a separate work space

It is important to create a stationary desk space at home to help kick-start yourself into being productive. Having a comfortable space where you can log into work will allow you to be in the working mindset to get daily tasks accomplished in a timely matter at home.

Stay in contact with co-workers

Be sure to check-in with your coworkers regularly as you would in the office. It is a great idea to keep in contact with them to feel connected and included, especially for those in companies that are typically not a remote work culture. Keeping in contact will prevent disconnect in employee engagement and keep up with work relationships.

Communication

When working remotely, over-communicating is extremely important. Since you won’t have in-person meetings as frequently, you will want to be sure to spell out every bit of information pertaining to a topic to ensure everyone is on the same page of understanding.

Learn something new

Take advantage of the extra time you have with not having to commute to work by learning something new! Whether it’s learning how to use a Microsoft or Adobe platform, learning a new language or finding a new recipe to make, exploring how to do something new will keep you engaged and give you something new to look forward to every day.

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 Keith Kolomichuk

April 29, 2020

6205 Views

Finances in the time of COVID-19

Posted on April 29, 2020May 19, 2021 by Keith Kolomichuk

If there is one thing this global pandemic has shown us, it is how quickly everything can change. It seems only weeks ago we were paying attention to a democratic primary, impeachment proceedings, and tragic images from a massive earthquake in Turkey. Now there are medical professionals all over the world on the front lines of a global fight to stem a virus we have only known for a few months. In the face of uncertainty, we have a human need to try to bring some control and stability to our lives.

Here are a few steps I would start with.

Finances in the short term

We have seen how the economy can shift rapidly, and while many of you are still employed and will be for the foreseeable future, this is a good moment to make sure that you have an emergency fund. Having the funds necessary to move yourself to a new location and take care of 6 to 12 months of your basic living expenses will prevent you from having to liquidate either investments or real estate or take on debt in the face of a sudden change. Take this moment to evaluate your realistic worst-case scenario for 12 months and make sure that you have the funds to cover at least your needs.

Finances in the long term

When it comes to your long term investments, I cannot stress enough how important having a plan is. If the month’s events have you rattled, look at your plan. If you do not have a plan, consult a professional (like myself) and create one. One of the most important things to make sure we do in emotionally charged moments is to stick to our plan. If that means you are young and still contributing to our retirement, stick with it. If that means you are facing retirement and the equity side of your portfolio has taken a dive, remember that you have bonds for this very moment. We as humans are prone in these moments to make decisions that will reverberate for decades and having the framework to make those decisions is how we help eliminate our biases and fear.

Remember we have been here before

Know that the global economy has seen many historic moments before. It has been through world wars and recessions. It has seen full industries collapse and new ones emerge. What the world is facing is very real, tragic and scary. We do not know when it will end and how many heart-breaking stories we will have to tell from it. History has shown us, however, that these moments, while they change us and shape us, do pass. When they pass the world economy will start to move forward again, our investments will have more clarity, and we will gather together the pieces of our lives and make a path forward.

Crisis Pay

For the nurses out there signing up for assignments fighting this virus, first of all, thank you. The world is a better place because people like yourself are helping to save lives. On the more practical side, go into this quick assignment with a plan. These kinds of assignments can pay very well. They are also the first to go when the situation begins to clear up. One of the most prudent things you can do is save the bulk of your crisis pay. One of the best strategies I have seen executed was someone who put their entire crisis assignment paycheck into a separate account. When this assignment was over, they had saved over a year’s worth of their regular wages.

Smile

Lastly and arguably most importantly find the things that bring you life and hope and build them into your life. This is arguably important all the time but especially when the headlines are so stark and the “normal” that we had before seems like a relic of the past. I find that being with the people I love, climbing and meditating are what keep me smiling. Find what keeps you smiling and hold onto it.

We hope these tips on finances have helped you.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

Keith Kolomichuk, Financial Advisor, CPFA, AAMS
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC
Address: 5285 E Williams Circle, Ste. 5500 Tucson, AZ 85711 Phone: 520-330-3652
This material is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment
advice. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy
selected.

By Emily Bryant

April 22, 2020

3861 Views

Travel Nurse’s COVID-19 Hospital Experience in Rhode Island

Posted on April 22, 2020April 28, 2020 by Emily Bryant

In the above video travel nurse, Emily Bryant went live on The Gypsy Nurse Facebook group to share her experience as an ER travel nurse at a Rhode Island COVID 19 hospital.

Treating everyone as positive

At the hospital Emily is currently working at they are treating every patient that comes into the ER as positive until they have reason to believe they’re not positive.

Updates to the hospital to accommodate COVID-19 cases

Emily talks about how the hospital has made policy and procedural changes almost daily as things change. They are reserving their negative pressure rooms for patients that will need to be intubated or code patients. She also mentioned that all rooms have been stripped of their supplies and equipment because if the patient is positive all of the items in that room would need to be thrown out.

All Admits Swabbed

Emily said that all patients are being swabbed for COVID-19 on admission unless they are very asymptomatic. They are using precautions with every patient.

Staff procedures

As far as changes for the hospital staff of the COVID 19 hospital, as with many if not all hospitals and facilities staff must take their temperature before each shift.

PPE

As far as PPE, Emily says that the staff wears N95 masks for rule out, otherwise they are to wear surgical masks all shift. It appears they have enough surgical masks as far as she can tell. Isolation gowns used at her hospital are reusable, so they are washed and reused. She said they use their N95 masks until they need to be replaced.

Community Outreach

Emily says that the community around the hospital has been great. They have provided many meals for the staff at the hospital. Catering companies bring in food, family members order in catering for staff and children are sending in ornaments to decorate their departments.

COVID-19 Resources

We hope that you have found this video from Emily helpful. If you would like to read more COVID-19 articles click here. If you would like to look for a position at a COVID 19 hospital click here.

Our hope is that by providing these videos from fellow travel nurses not only do you feel connected, but to also see that you are not alone in your positions now.

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