May 6, 2022

2996 Views

Best States for Spring Travel Nurse Assignments

Posted on May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 by AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare provided this article.

We have some good news if you’ve been mulling over some potential spring destinations for travel nurse assignments! We’ve compiled a list of states with a wide variety of open positions that rank among the best states for travel nurses in the springtime. Each state has its unique attractions and festivities to keep you busy throughout your travel assignment.

So take a look, contact your recruiter, and start planning for a new springtime adventure. One of these states is sure to be just right for you.

The top states for travel nurses in the spring

Georgia

When you think “Georgia,” do you automatically think “peaches”? Georgia is famous for being a leading producer of peaches, but don’t forget some of the state’s other agricultural marvels. Several big food festivals celebrate strawberries, Vidalia onions, and even wine in the springtime. And yes, there are multiple peach festivals in Georgia in the springtime, just as you might expect, although these typically start in the late spring or early summer.

Or maybe you’re feeling the need for some sun and sand, some fishing, and some seafood. Head to one of Georgia’s beautiful beaches, like Tybee Island, or one of Brunswick’s barrier islands, like St. Simon’s Island or Jekyll Island. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

California

There’s so much to do in California in the springtime that it could fill an entire book! But a few highlights include:
• Seeing the wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park or Anza Borrego Desert;
• Combining wine and wild animals (yaks and alpacas!) on the Malibu Wine Safari on a giant ranch/vineyard in Los Angeles County;
• Going whale watching in Northern California; just get ready to ooh and aah over some orcas and gray whales;
• Visiting Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles for a glass-bottomed boat tour on a breezy, sunny day and renting a golf cart for a scenic, self-guided tour around the island.

Washington

Washington is a great spring destination for travel nurses. And the month of April is an especially good time to visit Washington State because it’s the month of the famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. You’ll think you somehow wound up in the Netherlands by mistake. Be sure to check out the year-round garden known as RoozenGaarde while you’re there, too!

Another fun Washington destination in the springtime is the Bavarian mountain town of Leavenworth. You might enjoy booking a room at a bed and breakfast or going camping, so you’ll have more time to soak in all the charm (and take some great photos for your Instagram posts).

Texas

If you do nothing else, be sure to make time to see the bluebonnets. The bluebonnet is the official Texas state flower, and they begin blooming in March and hit their peak in April. You could even plan to attend the 39th annual Bluebonnet Festival, set for April 8-10 in Burnet, Texas. The festival celebrates the iconic Texas flower with live music, arts and crafts, and other fun activities.

Other fun springtime events in the state include the Annual Texas Steak Cookoff and the Lone Star Elvis Festival, held in May. And if you’re looking for something pretty unusual to do over Memorial Day weekend in Texas, how about going to the National Polka Festival? And yes, you’re likely to find some good barbeque joints throughout the state.

Florida

No matter where you plan to visit, there will be something exciting on the calendar in the Sunshine State. Seafood, music, and art festivals abound in Florida during the spring. And yes, there are even pirate festivals, like the Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club Pirate Festival and the Billy Bowlegs Festival in Fort Walton Beach.

One highlight to consider: if you’re planning to be in the Orlando area this spring, plan a trip to Walt Disney World to take in the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which is ongoing through the beginning of July. The festival is famous for its whimsical topiaries and garden exhibits, but you can also partake of unique food and drink offerings while you’re there.

New York

New York City is chock full of opportunities for travel nurses to indulge their sense of adventure. But if you’re going to be in New York City this spring, make a point to visit the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. The Azalea Garden in the heart of the campus is home to one of the largest azalea collections in the world! Plus, an Orchid Show is going on this spring. (And you can pop over to the nearby Bronx Zoo afterward.)

Elsewhere in the state, you might still be able to take in some late-season skiing or participate in a Maple Weekend, where you can celebrate New York’s maple syrup industry and eat pancakes with New York’s world-class maple syrup. And when it warms up a little more, consider a trip to the Lilac Festival in Rochester or the Tulip Festival in Albany. Or maybe consider the Buffalo Wine Festival in April.

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is a fantastic city, rich with history and art, and you can’t go wrong with playing tourist there. One suggestion for this spring: visit the Franklin Institute and immerse yourself in the Harry Potter exhibition. And when you have a free weekend, take a short drive outside the city to visit beautiful Chanticleer Gardens, which is open from April through October.

Another Pennsylvania destination that might intrigue you is Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, Dutch country. Spas, museums, festivals (even a Rhubarb Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village), scenic covered bridges, other sightseeing opportunities, and hiking trails all await you when you can get a little time away from the hospital or clinic.

AMN Healthcare has thousands of travel assignments to advance your career while seeing the country.

We hope you found this article on the best states for travel nurse assignments this spring. What do you think of our list? Are there any you think should be added? 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 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 Krista Berge

May 5, 2022

4105 Views

How I Survived My Husband’s Suicide

Posted on May 5, 2022May 5, 2022 by Krista Berge

How did I survive Brian’s suicide?

The unedited version is…I didn’t. I desperately want to put a beautiful bow on how I successfully made it through to the other side of this immeasurable grief, but I can’t. I deeply wish I could tell you I leaned on my faith in those early times of confusion and pain, but that would be a flat-out lie. The me I was before suicide inflicted a death blow; died with Brian. I just couldn’t accept I had lost him and myself. It felt like defeat at every turn.

Admittedly, I walked around like a zombie regretting my choice not to climb into the car with him for well over a year. I relived every second and knew I would have had more than enough time to stop breathing before any kind of help would have shown up. In those moments of self-disdain and being so utterly lost, I can also tell you the only reason why I didn’t that day was because our kids were right there. The kicker is they had to watch Brian die, and in so doing, they were the only reason I was breathing (ok, that was REALLY difficult to write). I remember saying, over the beeping of machines keeping him alive for those few days, “I just want to be with him,” and I didn’t mean in that room. He was already gone, and so was I.

I didn’t survive

I didn’t survive, but I sure was trying to make it look like I did. I continued to run at 100 mph. There was SO much pressure. Pressure to grieve “correctly,” handle legal matters, run a household, hold space for all of the kids’ pain, etc. The list goes on, and I feel sad for the girl I was trying to be. It was like I was standing over my own dead body, trying desperately to revive her. If I could just grasp what I lost…I would be ok. I could make this pain go away if I tried a little harder. I mean, Brian would still be here if I tried a little harder, right? If I just could be good enough and do enough. If I could fill all my seconds with busyness, then the darkness wouldn’t come. All the lies that I swallowed to fill the void are something I was doing out of despair and desperation.

This new and chaotically beautiful life

I kept trying to be who I was before Brian’s suicide, and it took years to see that just wasn’t possible. I had to learn (and am still learning) some hard lessons in order to not only survive this incredible loss but to thrive in this new and chaotically beautiful life.

1. I had to learn to rest.

I never really understood this concept before. I didn’t know how to rest, and I didn’t want to. If I could just keep up the charade that I had my life under control…then I would eventually feel better. If people believed I was ok, then maybe I would feel it, right? The rug was pulled out from under me, but I was not willing to accept Brian wasn’t coming back or why. I couldn’t be who I used to be, and it was slowly killing me. I kept trying to fill the void, and nothing worked. Much like depression, it finally sunk in that I took a major blow to my body. A trauma had occurred, and I was finally willing to understand that this was my story. The only way I can explain it is, “imagine if someone had half of their body amputated…you wouldn’t tell them, “Quit crying and let’s go!” It would take YEARS of therapy to relearn how to use the half that was left. Yet I placed this pressure on myself to keep moving as if I was intact. Grief and pain finally caught up with me, and the only thing to do was to stop running and rest. To let my body heal. This was and is still imperative to my healing even close to 4 years later.

2. I had to learn to show myself grace.

I lost Brian and so much more. I watched as my children lost their father. I lost ANY sort of security in my and their future. I lost my dreams. I lost my financial security. I lost my protector. I mean, now, who was going to get up in the middle of the night when I hear a strange noise? I lost my reason to believe God is good. I lost my world. But here I was pretending like everything was normal. Why is it that if my best friend was going through what I was going through, I would heap so much grace upon her? Why was it so difficult to extend this to myself? Once I realized I could actually be kind to myself and extend grace, THAT became my oxygen. I didn’t need to carry this weight anymore. I found friends that bestowed immeasurable grace on me and still do when I am incapable of extending it to myself.

3. I had to learn to be ok with losing people.

Suicide will ripple FAR past what you could ever imagine. Grief not only changed me, but it changed everyone around me. Some were willing to accept Brian’s death, while others kept wanting to talk through the timeline of it; why didn’t I tell them? They would ask me what specific medications he was on, was I aware of the side effects, what was our last conversation, etc. HINT: Don’t do this, please…you are only placing more pain onto someone that feels solely responsible (it needs to be said again that suicide is a symptom of a disease that ravishes the body). In finally realizing my answers weren’t good enough and also they wouldn’t bring him back…I just stopped even trying to explain the unexplainable. When I began to get my life back together or started working, or the forbidden “dating” as a widow…I lost even more people. Sometimes, and this is a hard truth, others like you are so broken so they can repair you how they want to, not necessarily what is best for you. The second I began to come alive again little by little….I gained myself back but lost others. It seems counterintuitive, right? I lost more people on this road of healing, for sure. I just wasn’t willing to lose myself anymore to keep them.

4. I had to learn to NOT people please.

I was living in a fishbowl. I was either too sad OR didn’t seem sad enough. Was it even ok to laugh and smile? Was I joking around too much? I was either moving forward too quickly or not quick enough. Why was I still so sad after the first year when everyone said that was the most difficult? I mean, I either looked too disheveled, or who was I dressing up for? The people-pleaser I was couldn’t keep up anymore. No one was happy with me now. Brian’s suicide clouded so many people’s eyes, and I felt it was my responsibility to try and make them all feel better. But grieving is work, and it takes time to go through the process. But I couldn’t make anyone do it either. Once I let go of others’ expectations of me, I started to breathe again.

5. I had to learn to not only form a new identity but take responsibility for it.

Suddenly I was a “widow” and a “suicide survivor .”Shoot, I didn’t want to be either, and I still don’t. But I am. When the opportunities (and yes, they are called “opportunities”) come up to talk about losing Brian, I better….lives depend on it. When I hear of someone else deeply grieving….eventually, I need to speak up and tell them what I have learned OR better, yet I can just sit there and be quiet (take note this is all you need to do in someone’s deep pain). I need to tell them that who they were before suicide wreaked havoc isn’t coming back and to stop trying so hard. That just being alive when all you want to do is die is more than enough. I so wish someone had told me sooner that just breathing from one painful chest stab to the next was all I had to do. I wish someone would have grabbed my hand and told me to put on my favorite sweatshirt and cry in bed all day. Now it is my responsibility, to be honest about suicide and what it actually takes. Suicide always takes more than just one life, and this may not be who I wanted to be, but it is who I am now.

I had to learn how to come alive again in an impossible situation. I had to let go of Brian and accept a horrible disease had taken his life. I had to let go of the girl who had tried saving him for years. I had to let go of the guilt and the shame that I did all I could, and it still didn’t work. I didn’t survive losing Brian, and I was never going to. Accepting Brian’s death by suicide did not overshadow the beautiful soul he was and still is. I was terrified death meant defeat. It was only by accepting Brian’s death, my own, and learning these hard lessons that I could truly begin to live again.

We can all help prevent suicide.

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals at 1-800-273-8255. You are not alone in this fight!

If you would like to read more articles from Krista, click here. If you are looking for more articles on mental health, click here.

And remember, If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts…please reach out to someone, anyone. And make sure you STAY. YOU, my dear, matter.

By Gifted Healthcare

May 4, 2022

5700 Views

Iconic Moments in Nursing History

Posted on May 4, 2022May 3, 2022 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

As Nurses Week approaches, let’s kick it off early with a celebration of nursing throughout time with some iconic moments in nursing history.

National Nurses Week is celebrated every year, beginning on May 6^th, National Nurses Day, and ending on May 12^th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. This is the time to celebrate the Nurses that heal us every day, put our needs first, and collectively fight for humanity daily. Nurses have championed iconic moments in time throughout history, but the profession was not always respected.

In the 1800s, most “nursing” was executed by family members on sick loved ones at home. There was no schooling, certifications, or training to establish the profession and advance the field of nursing. All of this changed and set nursing forward on a successful path, and now we live in a world where nurses are a critical and essential piece of the healthcare system.

Let’s take a look through moments in time that have brought nursing to where it is today.

1860

Florence Nightingale, the mother of modern nursing, established the very first collegiate nursing school in 1860. The school opened its doors in London, creating an image of nursing as a profession for the first time in history.

Leading up to the school’s opening, Nightingale published the first-ever instruction manual titled “Notes on Nursing.” The manual was full of training tips based on her time running an army field hospital during the Crimean War. She became known as the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ because she put her patients first, often patrolling the hospital at all hours of the night, but the biggest takeaway Nightingale used to propel nursing forward was the need to enhance ventilation and sanitation in hospitals.

Nightingale incorporated her experience in the school, and it was a major success. It inspired more of its kind, with a nursing school opening in New York City, Connecticut, and Boston in the years following. Nightingale’s original school is still around today and is known as The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery.

1879

Mary Eliza Mahoney, a child of freed slaves, was the first African American licensed nurse and began working in 1879 at the age of 34, a dream she had had since she was a teenager. Mahoney started working at the New England Hospital for Women and Children as a janitor in her teenage years, hoping to one day become a nurse. She spent 15 years at the hospital, working as a cook, washerwoman, and eventually a nurse’s aide.

Once accepted into nursing school for this experience, Mahoney was one of four students to graduate among a class of 42. This fact alone is exceptional, but what makes it astonishing is that Mahoney did all of this as an African American woman in a time when discrimination was overwhelming.

Due to discrimination, Mahoney spent the next 40 years working as a private nurse, advocating for equal rights, women’s rights, and the rights of children, pioneering a path for minorities in the nursing field.

1947

By this time, the American Nurses Association has been established for more than 35 years and is fighting to continuously improve working environments for registered nurses, but nurses still did not have equality in the field.

Florence Blanchfield was a nurse during both World War I and II and began leading efforts for nurses serving in the military to earn full rank and payment due to the lack of equality she experienced as a nurse serving in the military.

At the time Blanchfield served in the military, women were not treated equally when it came to recognition and pay. In fact, women were discharged immediately if they chose to marry. By 1947, Blanchfield’s efforts were validated, and nurses were granted full rank and equal pay under the Army-Navy Nurses Act of 1947.

1983

Cliff Morrison began working as a nurse at the San Francisco General Hospital in 1979. Within two years, the AIDS epidemic broke out, and the hospital had five ICUs filled with AIDS patients at a time when there was little to no research on the disease. Everyone suffered not only because of the physical and mental effects of the disease but also because of the stigma.

Morrison took care of his roommate at the time, who he believed had AIDS, and used this experience to pioneer the patient care that HIV and AIDS patients deserved. Morrison spent time interviewing patients and gathering information on how nurses could best support and care for the terminally ill.

From Morrison’s research and first-hand experience, Ward 5B was born in July 1983 and was the only unit in the United States dedicated solely to the care of HIV/AIDS patients. It revolutionized the way AIDS patients were treated, placing care and physical touch at the heart of it all.

The nurses of Ward 5B touched their patients without gloves or any protective gear to remove the feeling of ostracization, something a lot of healthcare professionals were too afraid to do at the time.

2020

The year of the nurse. The world began to face the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, and nurses around the globe stepped up to fight. Everything changed quickly, and many answers were unknown, but that did not prevent nurses from putting their patients first.

Nurses had to shift from floor to floor to prioritize the COVID units and safe care, many working far more hours than they ever had before. Not only was the work dangerous and exhausting, but it was also mentally difficult.

Afomia Bekel from Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, summed up the feeling of thousand of nurses when she said, “The unknown was frightening, but the urgency of the pandemic placed on health care workers all over the world didn’t allow us to sit in that fear or uncertainty for too long.”

Although nurses still face COVID-19 challenges, their work at the height of the pandemic, as well as its ups and downs, have collectively brought the world to a safer standing within the pandemic.

Thank you, Nurses!

Nurses come from a history of heroism, acting on the front lines through iconic moments in humanity’s history. From fighting for recognition and equality in the field to stepping up in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, Nurses deserve the recognition as healthcare professionals they have long-awaited.

The role of the nurse has evolved over time, but some things never change. The profession has been voted first among the professions the public trusts the most multiple times, rightfully so.

Celebrate this Nurses Week by thanking a nurse in your life that has put your care above all else when you needed it most. It is the care they give patients that heals the world.

We hope you enjoyed this article on iconic moments in nursing history. Are there any other iconic moments in nursing history we didn’t include that you think should make the list of moments in nursing history? 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 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 Misty Lack

May 3, 2022

3894 Views

Substance Abuse in Travel Nursing: My Story

Posted on May 3, 2022April 25, 2022 by Misty Lack

Content Warning: descriptions of drug use is mentioned in this article if you or some you know are struggling with substance abuse get help here.

My substance abuse story:

Hi! My name is Misty, and I am a recovering drug addict.

My clean date is February 29, 2016, and for that, I am truly grateful. A couple of months ago, I reached out to The Gypsy Nurse with the topic idea of nurses struggling with addiction and mental health.

I was duel diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and Severe Opioid Dependence.

On Feb 8, 2016, I was escorted to Human Resources and questioned about “tampered vials” of Morphine. I lied, of course, and apologized for the inconvenience. I was escorted out of the hospital via security.

When I pulled out of the hospital, I was numb.

I didn’t have any idea what I was going to do. Would it just go away, or is the gig up? I received a text message from my recruiter telling me to get a drug test, but the closest place was 45mins away, and it was 1630. So, I was told to get there first thing in the morning.

The next morning my phone was going off

With text messages, phone calls, and emails from the travel agency. I was praying this was just a bad dream. I opened the email, and there it was, in bold letters “We will have to report even if negative and BON will investigate because not all suspected diverters actually ingest the meds.”

Oops, they accidentally sent me the email that all company heads had been responding to. Well, it was official- I was busted! I forwarded the email to a nurse I had worked with who is also an attorney. First question: Are you safe? And then said, we must go to the Board.

I got busted on a Monday

I talked to an attorney on Tuesday, drove 2 hours to get back home and in his office on Wed, and sat in front of the Director for the diversion program on Friday. The attorney wanted me to call and talk to another nurse who reported to the board for diversion.

“How honest do I need to be?”

After hanging up, I called her right back and said, “How honest do I need to be?” She said, “As honest as you’re ready to be!” I didn’t know if I would be arrested or, worse, lose my license. I sat down and, for the first time, told my story.

I told my substance abuse story-

I admitted that I was diverting drugs and shooting up for about 2 yrs. When I was done, she smiled and acknowledged how refreshing it was to hear the gut-wrenching truth and not be given excuses or lies. She explained how the diversion program works and asked if I was interested. There was one reservation I also suffered from chronic pain. I would not be able to be in the program and take narcotics of any kind. I cried and explained that I really do suffer from pain. She looked at me with empathy and said, “I’m sorry!”

I spent the next 17 days tapering myself off any and all mind-altering substances. I officially started the program on March 1, 2016.

My story is not for everyone.

I get that. You will find me repulsive, unethical, a disgrace, and several other adjectives. I am not seeking your approval. My hope is to open your eyes. Do not sign that you witnessed a waste unless you witnessed it. I banked on my colleagues whom I worked with for 15 years to sign regardless.

My story is for you!

The nurse that is scared and can’t find a way out. The nurse that wakes up every day saying, “I’m not using today!” and then finds yourself with a needle in your arm within minutes of clocking into work. There is a way out. If I can do it, you can do it too. You just have to admit that there is a problem and ask for help.

I am a member of a 12-step program that keeps me accountable. You can find me on Instagram or email me. #wedorecover

We hope you found this article insightful and possibly helpful. Have you found yourself in a similar situation? Would you like to tell your story? Comment below.

Still searching for that next travel assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? 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 Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

May 2, 2022

5336 Views

Coping with COVID- Two Years Later

Posted on May 2, 2022May 2, 2022 by Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

A little over two years ago, the pandemic began, and in some way, our lives were all changed forever. It’s been an incredibly hard road for so many of us these last two years, and some may still be trying to cope with the damage that this pandemic has caused; mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, etc. Believe me, when I say wholeheartedly, you are not alone.

Coping with COVID

All in this fight together

We have all been in this fight together, especially as healthcare professionals. I have had many moments over the last 24 months in which I have felt hopeless, helpless, anxious, sad…I could go on, but I will spare you. Luckily, but not always easily, I have been able to pull myself through these dark times, sometimes slower than others, but I have made it through nonetheless. There’s no one size fits all answer to how you’re supposed to cope with the things we have been through not only as frontline workers but as human beings. However, if there’s one thing that I always aim to do in life, it’s to try my hardest to look at all the positives but also remembering to accept the negatives for what they are.

Reflect

I encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect. Reflect on the negatives that you have experienced since 2020. Reflect on what these two years have taught you. Reflect on how you have changed and grown to get through. We have been through a lifetime of challenges and hardship while dealing with being strong for our loved ones and our patients. It has been truly exhausting, wouldn’t you agree? Accept the negatives as lessons, as emotional and mental weights that helped you gain some positives — perspective, hindsight, and even empathy, to name a few out of dozens more. I also challenge you to look at these last two years and ask yourself where you would be if these two years didn’t happen. For myself and my fiancé, we were finally brave enough to dive into the world of travel nursing because we were reminded daily, oftentimes even hourly, that tomorrow is not guaranteed. This has just been my way of turning a negative into a positive, and I invite you all to do the same during your reflection.

Put yourself first

Healthcare workers are notorious for forgetting to put themselves first. Ask any nurse at the end of their 12-hour shift how many times they’ve taken a sip out of their water bottle or gone to the bathroom – I can guarantee that you can count both on the one hand. It’s not hard to assume that we all carry this mentality into our everyday life as well. So many of us are fixers but forget that sometimes we need to fix ourselves, too. In addition to reflection, we have to remember to take some time for ourselves. Get outdoors, disconnect from social media and the news, volunteer at a place you love. There are endless options, but do something FOR YOU that brings you happiness and joy. Remember, you deserve that.

In closing, I have to say as a nurse; I am so proud of all my fellow healthcare workers. We have been put through the wringer and tested beyond comprehension, but if you are reading this…You. Made. It. It’s safe to say that we are all a little bruised and broken in one way or another, but we are here. We did it. I know the pandemic is far from over, and right now, historical events around the world make it so difficult to be positive. Please remember your strength in these moments. Take a deep breath and remember to pat yourselves on the backs. Be proud of where you are now, especially after going through so many things that were meant to break you.

Speak up

Lastly, please do not be afraid to speak up. As healthcare professionals, we are trained to bottle up our emotions and get the job done. But what I have learned over the last few years as an ER nurse is emotions, much like energy, are not destroyed; they do not go away simply because we refuse to process them. Bottling up emotions is a temporary fix, but the effects of doing so can be lifelong. Remember, there are a multitude of resources available to you if you are ever feeling anxious, sad, or just overwhelmed.

Wishing you all happy reflections,

Ariel

thattravelnursecouple

We hope you found this article on coping with COVID helpful and encouraging. Do you have any advice for fellow travel nurses on coping with COVID? Comment any tips for coping with COVID 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 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 Lilly Partin

April 30, 2022

4757 Views

How Self-Care Can Assist You in Stress Management

Posted on April 30, 2022April 22, 2022 by Lilly Partin

Many of us have so many duties in life that we neglect to look after our own needs. This is especially true for those who are responsible for a large number of people. Self-care is a vital element of stress management, even if it’s difficult to prioritize when you have so many other things on your to-do list.

How Self-Care Can Help You

When we’re physically and emotionally exhausted, we’re less equipped to handle the challenges that life throws at us. Or, to put it another way, when we are physically and emotionally at our best, we are more robust and capable of handling life’s stress. A massage, a hot bath, or some other type of pampering rejuvenates you on the inside and out. Taking time to maintain self-care provides a number of advantages.

Physical Health Possibly Beneficial

While self-pampering may not necessarily result in significant gains in general health, like a good diet and exercise, the calm it provides might stimulate the relaxation response; as a result, prolonged stress is less likely to harm your health. In this way, self-care benefits you both inside and out.

Can Help You Feel Better Emotionally

Taking time to look after yourself can serve as a reminder to you and others that you and your needs are equally important. Taking care of your body may help you feel better about yourself and your life, as well as show others that you respect yourself. This can lead to long-term sensations of happiness.

Assists You in Being a Better Caregiver

People who ignore their own needs and forget to nurture themselves are at risk of experiencing greater degrees of sadness, low self-esteem, and resentment. People who spend all of their time caring for others are at danger of being burnt out, making it more difficult to care for themselves or others. Taking care of oneself on a regular basis might help you be a better caregiver for others.

Stress Management Through Self-Care

Self-care may be approached in a variety of ways. Making time for sleep, prioritizing good meals, keeping a balance of leisure time in your schedule, and making time for friends are just a few of them.

Having a self-pampering session on a regular basis in your own house is a simple but frequently forgotten type of self-care. Taking a few hours to relax at a spa is a great method to relieve stress.

Provides a Stress-Relieving Break

Having a break in a tub of warm bubbles or under the warm hands of a skilled masseur may make you feel as if you’re fleeing from a difficult situation and taking a mental and emotional vacation. This activates the relaxation response, allowing you to return to your daily life feeling refreshed and calm.

Allows you to spend time alone

While various people have differing degrees of introversion and extroversion, most people need time alone to function well. It’s far simpler to relax by yourself and slip into a state of silent meditation, enjoy some self-reflection, or let your troubles work themselves out in the back of your mind without requiring all of your focused attention.

Produces Relaxing Feelings

Giving your body particular attention is a natural stress reliever. Spa-related activities like massage and warm baths have been found to soothe even little colicky babies, in addition to keeping your skin supple and your body in excellent repair. As we become older, such activities remain useful instruments for relaxation, but we sometimes forget to use them.

Workable Self-Care Techniques

When you’ve decided it’s time to start caring for yourself and your body, set aside some time to do so. Make an effort to set a time when you won’t be disturbed. Try one or more of the self-care methods listed below.

Take a brisk walk: Exercise may be beneficial to your mind as much as your body. Though you may not always feel like you have time to go to the gym or do intense exercise, a brisk stroll may be a great way to take care of yourself.

Engage your senses: Engaging your senses is an excellent method to relax and discover inner calm. Consider soaking in a hot bath, lighting a scented candle, listening to relaxing music, or sipping herbal tea.
Get a massage: This one is really relaxing. If regular massages with a professional are out of your budget, try if you can exchange with a friend or your spouse or utilize an electronic massager.
Soak in the tub with bubbles, oils, and fragrant soaps till you’re wrinkled.
Maintain your oral hygiene: Dental hygiene is necessary to keep teeth and gums healthy. Brushing twice a day and seeing the dentist on a regular basis are part of it. Oral health, on the other hand, is more than just preventing cavities and gum disease. According to a dentist in Mesa, there is a link between a person’s dental health and their overall health. Oral health problems are increasingly being recognized as a global health problem.
Make time for socializing: Maintaining social ties is an important aspect of self-care. Make an effort to see friends and family on a regular basis.
Deep-condition your hair: Put on a deep-conditioning treatment for your hair in the tub and relax while it works.
Deeply cleanse your pores: Using a clay face masque, you can pull pollutants and tension out of your skin.
Take care of your skin: Rich, luscious lotions smell great and feel silky smooth, especially if you exfoliate your skin in the tub first.
Take care of your nails: File and buff your nails to help them recover from the battering they’ve received from your busy life (particularly if you bite your nails).

Self-care that is more comprehensive and involves healthy lifestyle choices is also vital. For long-term health and stress management, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep are all essential.

We hope you found this article on why self-care can assist you in stress management helpful. Do you have any self-care tips that help you with stress management? 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 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 trustaff

April 29, 2022

3136 Views

Travel Nursing Tips and Requirements in 2022

Posted on April 29, 2022April 29, 2022 by trustaff

TruStaff provided this article.

So, you’re ready to jump into travel for the first time? Or maybe you’ve taken a break, went back to staff, and now want to get back into traveling? We’ve compiled a list of requirements and tips from our recruitment team to make sure you’re ready to take on your next adventure in 2022– travel nursing!

When looking for your travel assignment, there’s a shortlist of requirements that must be met. These requirements are pretty standard across all agencies and facilities.

One and a half to two years of experience in your specialty.

Facilities will require you to have at least 1.5 years of recent experience in the specialty you want to travel in. Many agencies and facilities will require a solid two years if you are a new grad nurse. When it comes to travel nursing – you are going to facilities across the US that have gaps in employment or openings where they need extra help. When arriving at the facility, you’ll need to be ready to hit the ground running and jump right in to help the facility.

Up-to-date certifications

When applying to travel jobs, you’ll want to make sure you have the most up-to-date certifications required for your specialty. Many times, you’ll want to make sure these certifications do not expire prior to your assignment ending. There are many options right now to take these courses online and be prepared for your next assignment.

Covid vaccination or medical/religious exemption

While this requirement is completely up to each facility – it is ideal to make sure this information is ready for any assignment that may require it.

Our team also had many great tips they offer travelers who are new or recently returning to travel, and we think they came up with a pretty good list:

1. Find an agency that has great perks and benefits.

Having a one-stop-shop for all of your needs makes for a flawless experience. This could range from full medical benefits, 401k, or smaller perks like hotel and car rental discounts, cheaper tickets to theme parks, great deals on scrubs, and more. Many agencies have great partnerships with companies to offer great perks!

2. Worried about being too far away from home on your first assignment?

There’s probably a facility closer to home that you could start with. The general rule for travel nursing only requires 50+ miles from your residence! Buddying up with a friend or family member makes for great experiences as well.

3. A multi-state or compact license will open up many more open job opportunities for you to explore.

Obtaining licensure from a compact state makes you eligible to travel and work in states included in the Nurse Licensure Compact. If you don’t – no worries! Getting a state license is usually fairly easy, and your recruiter and company can often offer assistance, reimbursement, and maybe even reward you for getting a new license.

4. Be ready to ADVENTURE!

Travel nursing is an experience many nurses dream of! Take a deep breath and embrace it. Enjoy the overall experience of exploring while doing what you do best – providing healthcare for people all over the US.

As a bonus trustaff has put together a TikTok to go along, click here to view!

We hope you found this article on tips and requirements for travel nursing in 2022 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. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? 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 Advantis Medical Staffing

April 27, 2022

10537 Views

Heartwarming & Funny Travel Nurse Stories About Patients

Posted on April 27, 2022May 16, 2022 by Advantis Medical Staffing

Advantis Medical Staffing provided this article.

Hospitals seem to bring out a unique side in individuals that might not typically be seen at home or in public. Nurses go through a wide variety of emotions during one shift while experiencing these behaviors and interesting personalities. We have patients who are generally “normal” and are easy to work with, patients who are angry and demanding, which creates an air of frustration for the entire staff, and patients who are absolutely hilarious, and we leave their rooms with a smile and loving our jobs. Of course, there are always the situations that arise that leave everyone wide-eyed and open-mouthed in disbelief too. It is widely known that nurses generally have a wicked sense of humor with the ability to laugh at things that others might find terrifying, annoying, or offensive. Below are examples of nurse stories about patients we experience and how we find humor in each situation.

Heartwarming & Funny Travel Nurse Stories:

Witnessed by a nurse: an accidental act of kindness.

I had a patient who had a stroke and couldn’t talk. He kept having a woman visitor who shaved him and took wonderful care of him for 3 days. We assumed it was his wife and never thought any different until speech therapy went in to work with him. She asked the wife if she could work with Mr. Doe. She said, “Oh, that’s not his name; it’s Johnson.” The speech therapist looked at his wristband, confirmed it was the patient she was looking for and came to me to verify the patient’s name. I let her know it was Mr. Doe, the person she was going to work with at that time. She says, “well, the lady in the room said that his name is Johnson.” I told her that we do have a patient by the name of Johnson, but he is in room 210. So, I walked into room 214 and asked the lady to step out for a moment. I asked what her husband’s name was, and she told me Johnson. I then walked her to room 210 and asked, “does he look familiar?” She put her hands over her mouth and said, “yessss!!”. She said, “Oh my, 214 looks just like him, only a little puffier, but I thought it was because of the stroke! Please don’t tell my husband what I did; this is soooo embarrassing!” I laughed and jokingly said, “Good luck explaining where you have been for the last 3 days!”. Later that evening 214’s son came to visit for the first time. He said, “Dad looks so good. You guys kept him all shaved up.” I told him the story, and his eyes welled up. He explained that his dad’s wife had died 2 years ago, but this is how she always kept him, well shaved. “I bet he was in heaven those 3 days.”

That time the nurse explained, “it isn’t lemonade.”

I had a very confused patient I was taking care of one night. He had Alzheimer’s Disease and was incredibly pleasant, so I enjoyed spending time with him and his wife. At one point, I saw his wife leave the unit, so I walked down to his room to keep an eye on him and make sure all safety precautions were in place. I stopped dead in my tracks at the doorway when I saw him drinking from his urinal like it was a bottle of juice. I rushed over, pulled the urinal from his lips, and sweetly asked, “whatcha doin bud?” His reply was, “I wanted a drink of this lemonade, but it tastes terrible!” My response was, “I bet it does!” and I proceeded to empty it and leave it in the bathroom where he could not reach it on his own. I informed his wife of this interaction when she returned, and we both got a good laugh out of it (outside of the room).

When the patient teaches anatomy to the nurse.

I was caring for an elderly gentleman during a shift and was completely enjoying my time with him. Older men are often my favorite patients because they can be so sweet but so funny. This man was incredibly witty and had a new joke for me every time I entered his room. My absolute favorite, which still makes me laugh to this day, was, “How do you know what mothballs smell like? I can never get their legs apart!” That one got me, and I wheeled him out to the nurse’s desk so he could repeat it for everyone.

Is honesty always the best policy?

I was taking care of a post-op open-heart patient. We had removed his breathing tube and had woken him up. We start doing education right away with patients, so the dietitian came into the room and was giving him information on what his diet should look like when he leaves the hospital. The patient appeared to understand the education and soon ordered lunch. Of course, he was disappointed by the cafeteria food and was grumbling about it a bit. I was making casual conversation with him in hopes to boost his mood, and I asked him what his first meal will be when he leaves the hospital, thinking he will have listened to the dietitian. His answer was, “a one-pound cheeseburger with a big slab of butter on it.” I kinda waited a minute to see if he was joking, ya know, open heart surgery and all, and he never cracked a smile. My response was, “ok first of all, don’t say that to the surgeon when he comes in, and second, I look forward to doing this again with you soon!”

The sassy patients nurses love.

I was working in a detox facility when two girls broke out into a fight one night. I stepped in to stop the fight and asked what it was all about. One girl started screaming that another girl had borrowed her jeans and she had crabs. She came towards me with a pair of tweezers and said, “See! Look at it!” I had these tweezers coming at my face, so I quickly grabbed her wrist and focused on what she was holding. As my eyes were adjusting, I realized she has an actual crab in her tweezers! I yelled, “Crap! Don’t let that thing go!!” I’m laughing, thinking about having just come face to face with someone’s crab. I put it in a baggie and called the on-call doctor. I related everything that had transpired and then got treatment for everyone!!

Nurses know laughter is the best medicine. Wine, not whine.

One patient I took care of off and on for a couple of years as she fought breast cancer was always a pleasure to work with and had a great sense of humor even though she was going through a fight for her life. She was a wine lover like myself, so we had several conversations about our favorite wines and wineries. During her treatment, she had to have a double mastectomy, which is always a little heartbreaking. Thankfully, she completed her course of treatment as a breast cancer survivor! She chose to have breast implants when she was completely healed and stayed with us for a night post-procedure. When I asked what she thought of her new look, she laughed, pointed to her chest, and said, “I’d like to introduce you to Pinot and Grigio!”

A Nurse’s Perspective

There is really no such thing as a typical day or patient; that’s part of the adventure in a nursing career. But each day presents unique challenges and opportunities that help us grow into better nurses and better people. Treating patients kindly and professionally is core to who we are, and when we can share a joke or a smile with those we serve, everyone feels better. Isn’t that the goal, after all?

We hope you enjoyed this article with heartwarming and funny travel nurse stories about patients. Do you have any heartwarming or funny travel nurse stories you would like to share? Comment those travel nurse stories 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 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!)

nurse stories

By Brandy Pinkerton

April 26, 2022

6455 Views

How to Combat Feelings of Loneliness on your Travel Nursing Assignment

Posted on April 26, 2022April 27, 2022 by Brandy Pinkerton

Each new travel assignment opens up a world of possibilities. New people to meet, new hospital to work in, new adventures to be had, and new cultures to experience. Despite all this, it can be easy to get lonely as a travel nurse. The average assignment is usually 13 weeks but let me tell you what, it flies by! Since you are cycling through places for a short amount of time, it can seem difficult to make connections and feel part of a community. These feelings are all quite normal, and it doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t keep pursuing travel nursing. Here are some ways to combat these feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

Make your housing feel like a home

This is one of my top priorities when I first arrive at my new travel assignment. I try to arrive a few days early to explore the area and get settled in a bit before that first week of chaos. I always pack a few sentimental items from home, such as pictures, my favorite books, and comfortable bedding to decorate a bit. I want my temporary housing to have a peaceful, homey vibe to it. I travel with my two pups, Cooper and Isabella, and having a furry companion that is always happy to see me has also helped me fight feelings of loneliness.

Plan adventures

For me, I started traveling not only for income but also for adventure. Seeking opportunities to try new things is high on my priority list when it comes to travel nursing. You get to have experiences that you normally may not give to have in your hometown. Get out and explore your new city; you might meet some new friends. Plan adventures with staff and other travelers in the area; they likely are in the same situation as you and would love to tag along. I encourage you to live in the moment and push yourself outside your comfort zones!

Pursue your hobbies and passions

During a new travel nurse assignment is the perfect situation to set time aside for a beloved hobby or for picking up a new one. Try to visit places that encourage social interaction. You can join a gym, hiking group, church, book club, or whatever suits you. Those are all great places to meet like-minded people to hang out with. One of my first go-to’s is the Facebook events; it is a great resource to see what events are happening around you. Depending on the city, you can try new things that you normally wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do at home. Don’t ever be afraid to try new things solo. It helps you grow as a person, and you see just how truly capable you are.

Make time for family & friends

I have a little secret for you that many are surprised when they hear. My family was not completely on board with the whole “travel nursing” thing. My parents did not really understand it since they had never heard of it, and they have a very conservative approach to life. So, you can imagine how they felt when I told them I was selling all of my belongings, quitting my staff job of 15 years, and leaving to travel the U.S. They thought I was crazy. However, after inviting them out to vacation at my travel nurse destinations, they quickly understood. Not only do they now get a vacation every 3 months and get to come visit me, they see how truly happy I am! I always try to plan a trip home during or after my assignment too. Since the time you get to spend is more infrequent, you tend to make it more quality time, and you don’t take it for granted. The beautiful thing about living in a digital world is we have FaceTime and Skype, so utilize them often to chat with family and friends.

Take time off to renew yourself.

You have to make sure to take care of yourself and your wellbeing. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and I think we can all agree that nursing, in general has been harder than ever due to the pandemic. One of the biggest perks of becoming a traveling nurse is you can build time off in your contract or in between contracts. Many companies will even ensure you medically for a certain amount of days in between contracts so you can take some time for yourself or plan a dream vacation. I like to give myself small rewards and self-love every week or so. I plan a massage or mani/pedi. Some days I just spend the whole day in my pj’s and order DoorDash and don’t leave the house. It’s called Dolce Far Niente, which is the sweetness of doing nothing!

“You will never be completely at home again because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.” -Miriam Adeney.

We hope you found this article on how to combat feelings of loneliness on your travel nurse assignment helpful. Have you found any ways to combat feelings of loneliness while on assignment? Comment your tips for combating loneliness 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 search our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

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