Nursing is a highly demanding profession, both physically and mentally. In light of these challenges, it’s important to find a mode of exercise that suits you. Everyone has their own personal taste in exercise, but this article wants to demonstrate the power of pilates for those who are uninitiated.
Pilates and yoga are often confused with one another. While they have many similarities, it may surprise you that pilates originated in the early 20th century. Joseph Pilates developed a method he called Contrology. We now go with the eponymous name of ‘pilates,’ however.
Pilates comes in several forms, and most of them center around nine fundamental Pilates principles. They’re all to do with alignment and, as Joseph Pilates’ original name for the method suggests, control. Whichever type of pilates you land on, they’re all quite similar in this regard. Here are the main reasons for you to opt for this type of sports:
1) Improves your mental clarity
Student nurses often have to travel; in addition to learning in their job, they’re also churning out papers like an essay writing service expert. Keeping all these plates spinning at once demands that our minds have time to calm down.
Through its emphasis on breathing and flow, accentuates our mental capabilities. The near-meditative state can be advantageous for sorting out our mental clutter and making our plans for the coming days and weeks more palatable.
2) Improves your balance
As a nurse, balance is crucial in performing day-to-day duties, reaching over patients, and carrying precious medicines between wards, all in a busy hospital environment. Mat workouts are one of the most common ways of practicing pilates.
Pilates on a mat has the advantage of keeping you on your toes, which is where you’ll be during those long shifts. It feels terrific to have bare feet while exercising. That connection with the ground is, to coin a phrase, grounding. Your balance is a gift, and pilates will improve it tenfold.
3) Strengthens your core
A pilates table is a large bit of equipment which enhances various pilates exercise by adding resistance or changing the angle of exertion. A strong back and core are necessary for handling patients with care, and the range of exercises which pilates includes is well suited to building this type of strength.
By improving these facets, you will also improve your posture. And we know the psychological impact that presenting ourselves well has on those in our environment and our self-image too.
4) No impact training
Injury is a risk many nurses cannot take. Pilates allows a comprehensive workout without putting your body in harm’s way. Though soccer or hockey may feel like vigorous ways to let off steam, pilates can make you get a sweat on too. Given the tiring effort required to be a nurse, it only makes sense that your workout doesn’t beat you up even more.
5) Tones you up
Vanity is vanity; no one likes it. But coming off a long shift, you may feel like a frumpy and frazzled being. Pilates works in a very calm, controlled manner. These movements tone your body in ways and places you wouldn’t have thought possible.
Feeling fit, healthy, and looking good is a natural impulse. It can help improve your conception of yourself. The meditation element will also help you improve that sense of self-worth.
6) Helps meet friends and socialize
Collaboration, community, and camaraderie; that’s what being a traveling nurse is all about. Working in unfamiliar areas away from family or friends can make you feel lonely. This is a fantastic way to meet friendly, like-minded people. Whether they’re nursing or not, group exercise is a way to build strong bonds.
As nurses, we’re super aware that social bonds are essential for our health. So, combining the healing, strengthening power of pilates with a social group is the perfect way to unwind after a shift or prepare for the next one.
Hopefully, these points have persuaded you to grab a mat and sign up for the next class in your town. Traveling nurses need to look after their bodies and minds. The restorative power of pilates is perfect for this profession. And, given the benefits of exercise, which are extolled on patients, being able to talk about it with them from the perspective of experience will help them embark on this journey too.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
I have been a travel nurse for five years, going on 6. It is pretty clear I love it and am addicted to the lifestyle. Like with any career there is the good and bad in travel nursing. Below are what I consider the good and bad of travel nursing.
The Good:
Some of the pros of travel nursing are experiencing a new city not just as a vacationer but as a local. You get to meet plenty of co-workers who obviously are from the location you are traveling to. This leads to new friendships and experiences, not just as someone who is visiting for five days.
You get to try the local food and hang out at the popular spots on your days off. Friendships are created, which gives you a base you can return to if you ever wish to visit again.
You acquire a whole new array of skills and work with patients of different demographics. You become very malleable and become able to be thrown into any situation and excel. Your resume becomes very impressive. Not to mention, your bank account bulks up with your new travel salary.
Along with anything good, however, comes the bad.
The cons of travel nursing are not having your hospital match your 401K, which is what plenty of companies offer. If you do not take your travel company’s health insurance, because you hop from company to company, chances are you have to find your own.
If you travel alone, you are thrown into an unfamiliar city and have to make all new friends. Depending on your personality, this may be difficult for some. You could be up to 3000 miles away from home, which could lead to homesickness.
As beneficial as being thrown into unfamiliar situations can be to the development of your skills, you have to accept that you will be thrown into the fire and be forced to learn as you go. When you do not know the staff as a traveler, some units may be reluctant to help you until they get to know you better. Often the hospitals you are assigned to work for are in crisis mode and are hurting for staff, so depending on the state you work in, you may be going out of ratio.
Travel nursing has been the greatest experience of my life. It has led me to be the nurse I am today. I have created countless friendships, seen the county, and feel as if there is not a single situation I can’t handle in the hospital.
We hope you found this article on the good and bad of travel nursing helpful. Is there any other good or bad things we missed? 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 travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
It’s a beautiful year to explore some incredible new locations, travelers. And when it comes to spots for your next travel nursing assignment, the cool thing is that every traveler is looking for something different, which means great-fitting jobs for everybody! Or, as Amy Poehler says, “There’s a lid for every pot.” When it comes to travel nurse assignments, there tend to be locations so popular that they’re nearly universal and always sought after, those simply in high current demand, and those hidden gem locations that only the savviest travelers will discover.
Here are our top 20 travel nurse destinations for 2022!
1. Anchorage, AK
Travel nursing assignments in Anchorage offer great adventure with Alaska’s unique location, culture, and otherworldly natural beauty making it a fantastic travel nurse destination. As the state’s largest city, Anchorage offers a neat blend of both wild and urban places to experience. Here you can explore trails, peep wildlife like moose, bears, and whales, see (and hear!) glaciers, and tons more in the wild. Explore the indigenous culture at the Alaska Native Heritage Center, or shop for Native crafts and art, fresh seafood, or other wares. Bonus: Shopping in Anchorage is tax-free! And yes, it gets cold here. But bundle up, and you might see the northern lights or midnight sun, go dogsledding, take a day cruise, kayak with expansive views of unspoiled nature, and so much more. It’s an enjoyable place to spend 13 weeks building your career in care! Barrow, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Soldotna are a few other incredible cities for Alaska assignments.
2. Jacksonville, Florida
On the other hand, this hotspot in northern Florida is the largest city in the Sunshine State and a heavenly place for your next travel healthcare job. From downtown high rises to the most extensive urban park system in the nation, JAX (as the locals call it) has something for everyone to enjoy. Originally dubbed “The River City by the Sea,” the presence of St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean make JAX a water lover’s dream indeed. Think sun, sand, boating, fishing, and diving — plus arts and culture, a lively music and nightlife scene, foodie-approved dining, fun riverwalks, and tons more. Also, the cost of living is solid in this city, so blessed by beaches! Explore Jacksonville travel nursing assignments and see if this sunny hotspot is the right fit for you.
3. Falls Church, Virginia
This charming town of approximately 15,000 offers travelers a little bit of everything. It may be small, but it’s just a 25-minute drive to everything Washington, D.C. has to explore — including some of the nation’s top tourist sites, museums, and more. However, this quaint, historic town has plenty to explore, too, like classic Victorian architecture, arts and entertainment, great dining and shopping, parks and hiking, Great Falls and the Potomac River, and so much more. Enjoy access to the big city but only when you want to venture in and spend the rest of your assignment in this adorable enclave! Explore Falls Church travel nurse jobs and see if this is the Goldilocks spot for you.
4. Phoenix, Arizona
The larger Phoenix area is a conglomeration of suburbs and cities, so this entry comes with many bonus location options and tons to do and see. Phoenix travel nursing jobs are a great choice this year for travelers who want to escape colder weather, explore the Southwestern U.S., golfers, hikers, nature lovers, art lovers, and others. Nearby Chandler is also a popular spot for an Arizona travel healthcare assignment. Not in the mood for a major metro area but still feeling a location in the Southwest? Check out Show Low, Arizona.
5. Tacoma, Washington
With a location just south of supersonic Seattle, many travelers will choose a healthcare travel job in Tacoma this year. Like its famous neighbor to the north, Tacoma has great art (it’s known in particular for glass art), creative culture, and it sits on the Puget Sound. But it all comes with a lower cost of living — which can go a long way for travelers’ take-home compensation! This is a hidden gem and an excellent spot for a travel assignment. Nearby Gig Harbor, Washington (just 20 minutes away) is also a prime location. On your days off, you can explore everything the Evergreen State offers — from the Seattle city scene to the natural beauty of its many mountain peaks and forests.
6. Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia should be on your mind when it comes to your travel nurse career. With its consistently available jobs and chock-full of Southern charm attitude, most travelers find Atlanta travel nurse assignments to be just as sweet as a peach! This capital city has many exciting features like pro sports teams, fantastic dining, shopping, history, and more to explore on your days off. Check out the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, the Fox Theatre, Stone Mountain, World of Coca-Cola, and Piedmont Park.
A travel nursing assignment in the Aloha State is a dream for many travelers for obvious reasons. Make your dreams come true with a travel nurse job in Honolulu! There’s probably no need for us to explain why Hawaii is on this list of popular travel assignments for the year. But to nutshell it for anyone who doesn’t know, this city and its surrounding area are known for surfing, beaches, lovely tropical climate, Pearl Harbor, lush flora, volcanoes, rich Polynesian culture, nightlife, and tons more. It’s basically paradise, OK? Hilo, Waimea, and Kealakekua are a few other great cities for Hawaii travel jobs.
8. Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is an incredible little city (population just over 30,000) in north-central West Virginia, not far from the Pennsylvania and Ohio borders. The city sits along the Monongahela River and is known for its arts culture, mountaineer history, great people, and a strong food and drink scene. It’s a college town — the Art Museum of WVU, Mountaineer Field, and WVU Core Arboretum are big draws for those who take travel nurse jobs in Morgantown. And also a nature town — explore Cheat Lake, Coopers Rock State Forest, WV Botanic Garden. About 150 miles east is Martinsburg, another excellent travel nursing location to consider in West Virginia.
9. Santa Cruz, California
Sun, sand, surf. If these are a few of your favorite things, talk to your recruiter about a travel nursing job in Santa Cruz. Many people visit this charming seaside destination, but it’s a real treat to spend 13 weeks (or more!) really exploring and taking it all in as a traveler. There’s so much to do and see here; let’s do a quick roll call: the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (complete with rides, entertainment, dining, and attractions), lots of great beaches like Main Beach and Cowell Beach, the Santa Cruz Wharf, whale and dolphin watching in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, great surfing and a surfing museum, quaint Downtown Santa Cruz, historic Santa Cruz Mission, Mystery Spot, incredible hiking and views, and all just a quick drive to the famous Highway One route along Monterey Bay. The San Francisco/Oakland area, just about an hour-and-a-half north, is another excellent area for travel jobs — or day trips!
10. Redding, California
California’s so huge and full of hidden gems that we’re giving The Golden State two spots on the list. Nature lovers will adore Redding, Northern California’s largest city north of Sacramento, with a population of 91,000+. Redding sits at the Sacramento Valley’s north end, just an hour south of Mount Shasta. The natural beauty is stunning and plentiful when you take a Redding travel nursing assignment, but the cost of living is low! Redding is known for the fact that hundreds of miles of State and National Parks and Forests are within just a 30-mile radius of the town. Must-sees include Sundial Bridge, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lake Shasta, and many more. Redding is nicknamed the “Gem of the U.S. Trails System” and the “Trails Capital of California.” We weren’t kidding when we said this place was a gem!
11. Lewes, Delaware
This hidden gem sits right where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean in the state’s beautiful Cape Region. Lewes is a tiny, picturesque town, and it’s perfect for travelers who love the sea, sand, and sun! The town’s also got a walkable historic district with cute shops, restaurants, museums, and more. And despite its small-town quaintness, the medical facilities in Lewes are excellent. The town’s known for its great cost of living, and the state’s well known for being a tax-friendly place — always a plus for travelers. There’s a biking/hiking trail to Rehoboth Beach, which is a mere six miles away, plus Lewes is adjacent to Cape Henlopen State Park, which boasts lots of beautiful beaches and more. Ready for a travel nursing job in Lewes?
12. Terre Haute, Indiana
Located in west-central Indiana, just 5 miles east of the Illinois border, this city of 60,000 sits along the Wabash River and is known as “The Queen City of the Wabash.” Terre Haute is family-friendly and known as an educational hub. Culture, art, architecture, football, dining, outdoor activities, and more beckon when you take a travel nurse assignment in Terre Haute. The cost of living here is well below average, allowing travelers to make their compensation stretch. Terre Haute is also just about an hour’s drive each to Bloomington and Indianapolis and about a 3-hour trip to Chicago. So, it’s a great home base for regional trips!
13. White Plains, New York
White Plains is just northeast of New York City near the Connecticut border. This outer suburb of The Big Apple is known for top-notch shopping and dining and also for great schools, culture, and healthcare facilities. It sounds like the perfect spot for a traveler who may want to explore NYC but doesn’t care to live in the city that never sleeps. When you take a travel nursing job in White Plains, you can access all of New York City’s culture, dining, theater, sightseeing, and more after just a quick half-hour train ride down. Also, White Plains has some pretty great stuff to explore itself, like the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Saxon Woods Park, Battle of White Plains Park, Percy Grainger Home, Westchester Mall, White Plains Farmers Market, and more. Daring travelers may also enjoy a helicopter tour of the NYC metro area!
14. Omaha, Nebraska
Take a travel nursing job in Omaha, and you’ll see why more folks should stop and stay awhile in “flyover country.” This mid-sized city sits on the eastern edge of Nebraska with a population of around 475,000 and a metro area population nearing one million. The state’s most populous city, Omaha’s full of friendly faces, sees all four seasons and has plenty to do on your days off. The historic Old Market, Dundee, Blackstone, and Benson are hip neighborhoods to explore for a night out and some foodie fun. The famous Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is a must-see. Sports fans can take in a Creighton Bluejays basketball game or make the 45-minute drive to Lincoln during football season to join the famous Nebraska Cornhuskers “sea of red.” Plant one foot in Nebraska and one in Iowa on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Admire art deco architecture at Joslyn Art Museum and Durham Museum. Hike Fontenelle Forest and Lauritzen Park. Omaha’s big enough to have great dining, shopping, art, music, museums, and theater, but also petite enough to have a slower pace than major cities.
15. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio may be known for The Alamo, but that’s not all you’ll remember from your time in this incredible city! In addition to warmer temps, travel nursing jobs in San Antonio come with lots of opportunities for historic sightseeing, shopping, dining, golfing, caving, day trips, and more. The must-dos are many here, but you’ll definitely want to see the Alamo, the famous San Antonio River Walk, Missions National Historical Park, the Pearl District, Market Square, and El Mercado. You can also take culinary classes at the Culinary Institute of America. Day-trippers will love jaunts to New Braunfels (a charming small town with a country music legacy) and Bandera (Cowboy Capital of the World).
16. Kansas City, Missouri
If you like BBQ, jazz, shopping, pro sports, and fine arts, consider K.C. This urban Midwest mecca sees all four seasons and has much to explore year-round, making it the perfect travel nurse destination. Here you can root for the Royals and cheer on the Chiefs, stroll Nelson-Atkins Art Museum and Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, sample world-class BBQ and Beard-nominated fine dining, explore the American Jazz Museum, and tap your toes at local jazz clubs, have a blast at Worlds of Fun and a make a splash at Oceans of Fun — and tons more. Explore K.C. travel nursing jobs to find your perfect fit. Prefer to head a bit further south in The Show-Me State? Osage Beach is another great location that allows you to explore the Lake of the Ozarks!
17. Roseburg, Oregon
This gem in southeast Oregon has a population of about 25,000 and is known for its cool culture and stunning natural beauty. Roseburg sits in the heart of the beautiful Umpqua Valley. Its charming, walkable, historic downtown is known for unique shopping, restaurants, and galleries. On the outdoors tip, you can’t skip a stone around here without hitting an epic trail, waterfall, or forest. That means great rafting, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and scenic views. Luckily for you, this is also the land of historic, award-winning wineries and craft breweries galore if you’re thirsty after all of that fun in the great outdoors. Cheers to you because Roseburg travel nursing jobs are a great choice! Klamath Falls, about three hours southeast of Roseburg and known as the gateway to Crater Lake National Park, is another excellent location for travelers in Oregon. Roseburg is a great travel nurse destination for outdoor lovers.
18. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Travel healthcare jobs in Myrtle Beach come with the city’s famous 60-mile stretch of sandy beaches and boardwalks (part of the Grand Strand along the South Carolina coast), attractions, entertainment, golf, dining, and shopping galore! Broadway on the Beach is a bustling, touristy entertainment complex that’s a must-do for many. But from Vegas-style shows to more traditional theater to fine art offerings, there’s a bit of something for all tastes here in Myrtle Beach. The seafood, of course, is fantastic here, but you’ll find a full menu of foodie faves as well — from fine-dining sit-downs to boardwalk grab-and-gos to fresh ingredients you can whip up in your kitchen. In addition to the beautiful beaches, nature stuns everywhere in Myrtle Beach. Duck the beach crowds for some me-time at Myrtle Beach State Park, Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, Conway Riverwalk, and Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Also, whether you prefer golf or mini-golf, Myrtle Beach is a wonderful place to tee up on your day off.
19. Aurora, Colorado
If you love the mountains and city life, a travel nursing assignment in Aurora is an excellent travel nurse destination for you. Aurora is Colorado’s third-largest city, and it’s only about a half-hour drive from downtown Denver, so you’ll have access to all the world-class dining, art, sports, shopping, culture, events, and attractions that the larger Aurora/Denver metro area has to offer. But, the great thing about this location is that even though you’re surrounded by all the benefits of urban living, you’re never too far away from a serene mountain getaway here! So, you can add hiking, skiing, rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, golfing, fishing, and so much more to your to-do list when you work a travel job in Aurora. This is a fantastic location for nearly any traveler — the mountain air and majestic views of colorful Colorado will do wonders for your mental and physical health!
20. Augusta, Maine
This quaint New England town of about 20,000 sits right on the Kennebec River. Augusta is the Maine state capital, located just an hour from Portland. This adorable town is known for its historic downtown (it’s a nationally designated Main Street community!) and streets lined with Victorian architecture. Speaking of historic, the Augusta’s Old Fort Western is the nation’s oldest surviving wood fort, built back in 1754. Not far from the fort, you’ll find Waterfront Park and the Augusta Greenway Trail, which is part of the larger, 6.5-mile Kennebec River Rail Trail and is a great spot for strolling and biking. Travelers also love the 224-acre Viles Arboretum, with its six miles of trails. Now imagine hiking, biking, and strolling all of that with the iconic New England fall colors all around you. This travel nurse destination sounds like heaven! Nearby Lewiston, Bangor, and Portland are also great locations in Maine for travel jobs — or fun spots for day trips from your Augusta travel nursing job!
Hopefully, our list of top 20 travel nurse destinations for 2022 gave you some inspiration and got you dreaming of where care will take you this year and beyond! Even if none of these hotspots for travel nurse destinations feel right for you right now, you can keep them in mind for later down the road. Plus, we’ve always got tons of open jobs — with new ones added every day! Are there any travel nurse destinations we missed on this list? 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:
A travel nurse has the option to choose almost anywhere she desires to live – then has all employment, housing, and moving preparations made for her.
Many nurses and other healthcare professionals, with the freedom to travel, and the propensity to explore new sites and surroundings, enjoy travel positions. Moving without the daunting duties that accompany, is made simple and may even be an exciting experience.
Registered nurses are medical health professionals who have completed at least two years of training in the field of nursing at a school of nursing or community college. Graduates must then pass state licensing exams. Once a nurse has earned her state license, she can look for a job in the many varied fields of nursing. One of the most popular employment areas of nursing is known as travel nursing.
Traveling nurses work in many parts of the country. They help deal with the medical effects of short-term disasters such as hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, or earthquakes. Travel nurses also help hospitals and nursing homes fill staff shortages. A travel nurse may assist workers helping people dig after their homes have collapsed, fill in for a nurse on maternity leave, or help a busy urban hospital deal with an influx of patients for some time.
A travel nurse might spend a month in a hospital in a burn unit in Florida during December and then head to Texas for three months or California for six months.
Travel nurses are paid by their staffing agency – not the facility or hospital. She may receive direct deposit payments and benefits provided by the agency. Bonuses are another perk that is dependent upon the agency – and may include referral bonuses and completion bonuses (paid upon completion of the employment term). Considering the many advantages such as paid travel expenses, furnished and fully paid apartment living, and free standard utilities – those employed by such agencies may fare better (financially) than those employed directly by the hospitals and facilities.
Disadvantages
Individuals with family ties and tight-knit friendships may find it difficult to travel. Relationships may be strained when communication is stretched. For those who seek permanence and stability – a transitory lifestyle may be intimidating and unsettling. In addition, those who have forged friendships with co-workers may find it disheartening to leave upon completion of the temporary employment assignment. A definite resilience to new situations and settings should be a prerequisite to travel nursing. Those inquiring about a position should be sure to weigh the advantages against the disadvantages and not make a hasty decision.
A travel nurse agency is a company that specializes in the employment of traveling nurses. Agencies vet candidates for employment, create contracts, set up assignments, and act as a middleman between the travel nurse and her assignments.
Most traveling nurse agencies require candidates to have completed their education and training. Nursing agencies also require most registered nurses to have at least two years of full-time employment in a hospital setting. A potential travel nurse may also be required to have specific training and certifications such as neonatal resuscitation to work in a NICU or experience with kidney patients to work on a dialysis unit.
Many travel nursing agencies have contracts in different states. A traveling nurse must have a valid state license for each state where she wants to work. A travel nursing agency owner will work with her to earn any additional state licenses so that she has as many working opportunities as possible.
Benefits of Travel Nursing
Working as a traveling nurse can have many benefits. Travel nurses often earn a higher hourly wage than their on-staff counterparts. A travel nurse can decide to work for six months and then take the next month off. Many travel nursing agencies provide travel nurses with additional benefits such as health insurance, a housing allowance, and a completion bonus if they full all the requirements of their contracts.
Travel nurses are expected to be quick learners. Some hospitals will provide the nurse with a few hours of onsite orientation. Many expect the nurse to be fully ready to work in a position within a short period of her arrival.
A job as a travel nurse can be fun and exciting. For a registered nurse with the right credentials, travel nursing can be the perfect way to see many parts of the country and advance their careers.
We hope you found this article on working as a travel nurse helpful. Do you have any advice or tips to share with those considering this career? Comment them below.
Are you looking for your first travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
About the author:
Diane H. Wong is a content writer atessaywriter.nyc and a family coach. So she prefers to spend her spare time working out family issues solutions. In this case, she has an opportunity to share her experience with others and keep up with advancing technologies.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
It doesn’t matter if you are just beginning your profession as a travel nurse or are a seasoned veteran in the field. Anxiety doesn’t discriminate and can strike at any time without warning. The sheer responsibility of overseeing another person’s health, safety, and wellbeing can get rather nerve-racking! Sometimes you just need a quick fix for when you’re feeling particularly stressed and overwhelmed. Enter these 6 ways to calm anxiety, from creating a calming morning routine to taking a relaxing bath.
Create a Calming Morning Routine
Mornings – you either love them, or you loathe them. Chances are, you most likely loathe them. And we get it; you’re not alone! Mornings can be hectic and rushed, and they can set the stage for a bad day that feels like it will never end. Try creating a specific routine that you’re comfortable with, and it’ll give you a game plan that you can rely on when your brain feels like it’s running in a million circles and you cannot seem to focus on anything but the sound of your own racing heart. Try creating your own calming morning routine that includes an early morning walk, journaling, yoga, meditation, listening to a podcast, reading gossip blogs, or simply drinking a hot cup of herbal tea or coffee.
Listen to Your Favorite Music
Music is powerful. It can pump you up, boost your confidence, make you feel like you’re on top of the world, and nearly everything in between. Feel like you can run the world every time you hear Beyoncé? Or you’re a champion every time you hear Queen? Either way, putting on your favorite feel-good tune can put you in the mood you need to conquer the task at hand. Choose something that reflects how you want to feel throughout the day, blast it as loud as you can, and sing along to your heart’s content.
Incorporate Regular Exercise Into Your Routine
One of the best-known coping strategies for anxiety is exercise. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, getting your body moving is a great distraction. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression than sedentary people,” and exercise can help the brain cope with stress better.
Create a Calming Commute Home
Once your shift has ended, you may face nursing shift anxiety and stress from the 8-12 hours you spent providing care to your patients, in addition to acting as a liaison to their worried families. On your commute home, try stopping for a treat to reward yourself with or listen to an audiobook or a podcast. As soon as you walk in the door, immediately change from your work clothes to a comfortable home outfit. Sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
Take a Relaxing Bath
Taking a bath can seem like a rare luxury for busy medical professionals. However, it is extremely beneficial to set aside time just for yourself to decompress from your stressful workday. In today’s hectic world, it’s easy to fall into the routine of showering after a stressful day of work, throwing on clothes, and heading to bed. But slowing down and taking a bath every once in a while can benefit both your physical and mental health. It can also help soothe muscle aches and pains from a long day at work.
Learn How to Separate Home and Work
You have a work-life. You have a home life. And you have, likely, forgotten how to keep them separate. As hard as it can be, try to forget that you’re a medical professional when you’re at home. Focus on relaxing, eating, and sleeping well. Go out and spend time with friends and family and try to forget all your work problems. Do all the things you love and leave your work problems at work.
We hope you found this article on pre and post-shift anxiety tips helpful. Do you have any remedies for pre and post-shift anxiety? 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:
Getting quality sleep on a regular basis is essential for maintaining good health. That being said, travel nurses and nurses, in general, can struggle with getting adequate amounts of sleep at night. Between the long hours, night shifts, time zone changes, achieving a restful night of sleep can seem impossible at times. The good news is that there are things you can do to begin improving your sleep quality. The first step to doing this is to make sure that you understand what impacts your ability to fall asleep at night. If you want to get the rest that you and your body need to truly feel regenerated, then here are some things to consider.
Your Diet and Nutrient Intake
One of the first things you need to think about when you are working to improve your overall sleep quality is what you eat on a daily basis. The foods you eat can impact how much energy you have throughout the day and your overall hormonal balance. These things, in turn, can then impact how easy it is for you to fall asleep. When you eat foods that tend to be high in sugar and carbs, your blood sugar will be more likely to spike and crash. This means that your energy levels will also be spiking and crashing. Ultimately, this can cause you to feel tired all day long and then full of energy at night.
In addition to paying attention to your blood sugar and how foods impact that, you also need to consider the nutrient density of the foods that you eat and whether or not you might be deficient in some nutrients. Doing things like taking a vitamin d test can help clue you into what nutrients you need more of in your diet. Different deficiencies can hurt sleep in different ways. For example, those with a vitamin B12 deficiency might find that their sleep patterns are disrupted, while those with a vitamin D deficiency might notice that their sleep duration is shorter overall.
Your Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
The amounts of caffeine and alcohol that you drink can also significantly impact your ability to fall asleep at night. Caffeine can keep you up due to the fact that it is a nervous system stimulant. A nervous system stimulant can be great for getting you up and going early in the morning. However, all of this energy can be detrimental too late in the day. Because caffeine can keep you energized for up to several hours after consuming it, it is important to make sure that you avoid drinking caffeinated beverages too late in the evening.
Along with caffeine, alcohol is another beverage that can significantly impact your sleep quality. Even though some may not think that alcohol impacts their sleep much because they are able to fall asleep easily after drinking, the reality is that it can still be hurting sleep quality. While alcohol may not prevent you from falling asleep, the reality is that it can disrupt sleep cycles and lead to short and fragmented sleep. Because of this, you may find yourself waking up frequently throughout the night and feeling exhausted when you do finally get up for the day. To avoid this, it can be a good idea to limit the number of drinks that you consume or to avoid drinking too frequently.
Your Daily Activity Level
Your daily activity level is something else that can have a noticeable impact on the amount and quality of sleep that you are able to get. Typically, the more active that you are throughout the day, the easier it will be for you to fall asleep at night. This is due in part to the fact that being physically active can wear you out and cause you to feel more tired when it is time for bed. The other reason that it can be beneficial is that physical activity can help to balance out your hormones and can even affect many hormones that are related to sleep quality and duration.
Something else to keep in mind is that it often doesn’t matter what kind of exercise or movement you are doing throughout the day. As long as you can make sure that you are working out for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day, you can see benefits when it comes to your sleep quality.
Your Sleeping Environment
Where you sleep is another factor that can have a lot to do with whether or not you are sleeping well at night. If you have a bedroom that is full of light, heat, and noise, you may find it difficult to fall asleep easily or stay asleep throughout the night. While you may not always be able to change all of these things, doing what you can to create a dark, cool and quiet sleeping environment can be important for getting good sleep.
One way to help cool your bedroom down is by using a fan at night, which can also be great for white noise. Additionally, turning your thermostat down by a few extra degrees before bed can be another way to accomplish this. To help reduce noise, using noise-canceling panels on your door or earplugs can be helpful. If you want to make sure that your room is dark enough, then using a sleep mask or trying room-darkening blinds can be a good idea.
Your Stress Levels
Your stress levels are another thing that can impact your ability to sleep well in a big way. The more stressed that you are, the more stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol you will have coursing through your system. These hormones can cause you to feel wired and can lead to you staying up, even if you are feeling very tired. While it may not be possible to avoid stress in your life altogether, the good news is that there are things you can do to help reduce it.
One way to help cut down on stress is to try out mindfulness, or meditation. Meditation can not only help you to clear your mind, but it can also help to calm your nervous system as well. Often, aiming for 15 to 20 minutes of meditation is ideal if you want to see results.
Parting Thoughts
Quality sleep is essential for travel nurses because they have very demanding jobs that require their full energy for extended periods of time. Many don’t get as much rest as they truly need. While it might not always be easy to get enough sleep, the upside is that by being aware of all the factors that can affect your rest, you can help make the right decisions to get better sleep.
We hope this article on ways to improve sleep as a travel nurse was helpful. Have you found any ways to improve sleep as a travel nurse? Comment ways you think will help other travel nurses improve sleep.
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:
Throughout a lifetime, everyone moves at some point or another. But as a medical traveler, you move a lot more frequently than the average Joe. And that can be tough.
6 Ways to Adjust to Your New Travel Job
For you, each move likely means a new zip code, a new living space, and a new work environment. Although you’ll only be there for about 13 weeks, it’s still important you make the time to get acclimated to your new surroundings. Lucky for you, your good friends at Fusion have put together these helpful tips on how to adjust to your new travel job. Check it out!
No. 1: Meet new friends
As a kid, it was easy to walk up to another strange child and ask, “Do you want to be my friend?” But, somewhere along the way of growing up, it became harder to have that conversation. According to psychologist and University of Maryland professor Marisa Franco, it’s because when you get older, making friends doesn’t happen as organically.
“Sociologists have kind of identified the ingredients that need to be in place for us to make friends organically, and they are continuous unplanned interaction and shared vulnerability,” said Marisa. “But as we become adults, we have less and less environments where those ingredients are at play.”
So, it seems easier said than done to make new friends in your environment, but it’s completely doable. All you have to do is put yourself out there and make it a priority to make friends! Again, easier said than done, right? Here are some tricks you can try to form new friendships:
Assume that people already like you
Make the move to get someone’s information when you connect with them
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you find you’re on the struggle bus
Continue to put yourself out there
Use these tips at work, in the gym, in a coffee shop, etc., to meet new people. Or try out an app like MeetMe or We3 to find people nearby with common interests. No matter how you prefer to make friends, once you do, it’ll help you get situated and feel more at home while you work your travel job.
No. 2: Be a joiner
It’s hard to fit in if you don’t put yourself out there. One way to do that is by being a joiner. There are tons of local groups and organizations for you to join and be a part of. All you have to do is a little research.
Not sure where to start? Here are some good examples:
Join an employee resource group
Join a book club
Check out role or industry-specific professional associations
Meet internal colleagues
Join a gym
Put on your thinking cap and find the best atmosphere for comfort away from home. If none of these ideas fit your fancy, then give no. 3 a shot and make the first move!
No. 3: Make the first move
It can feel intimidating to put yourself out there, especially if you don’t get much in return from others. Have no fear, dear traveler. You have a lot to offer, and you should share your skills, talents, and friendship with others around you.
There’s no robust orientation or guidebook for how to adjust to a new travel job, so it’s up to you to make the best of it. If there’s no existing club or organization for you to join and connect with like-minded folk, then take it upon yourself to get one started!
There are an infinite number of clubs you could start, but to help get those gears turning, here are a few examples of common types of clubs:
Movie club. Watch movies as a group and then spend time afterwards to discuss thoughts, feelings, and more.
Dinner club. All about delicious food and wonderful company, a dinner club could be the start of lifelong friendships. Whether you decide to focus on a specific cuisine, explore a new restaurant, try a new recipe, or experiment with flavors from across the globe, a dinner club brings people together over something we all love: Food.
Sports club. Find a group of people who are fans of your team and get together for game days. You could also put together a recreational sports team if your city doesn’t already have an existing league for you to join.
Hiking club. Connect with friends over beautiful scenery and a common appreciation for the outdoors. Get together and adventure through local hiking trails to experience all nature has to offer.
Language club. Always wanted to learn another language? Well, this could be your chance! Come together with those who have the same goal and watch movies, read books, and listen to music in the particular language you want to learn.
Coffee club. Enjoy nice conversations over a warm, comforting cup of coffee. Go coffeeshop hopping and try out different brews from all over the city.
Now the million-dollar question is, how do I start this club? Well, first, there are a few tiny details to smooth out. Like what kind of club is the best fit for you? Who do you think would want to join and participate in club activities? Lastly, when and where will you meet? After you’ve worked out the details, all that’s left to do is spread the word!
No. 4: Make your temp housing feel like home
When you’re away from home for 13-ish weeks working a new med travel job, it’s natural to get homesick. Do yourself a favor and adjust to your new living space, new city, and new job by making your temp housing feel like home. But how?
Fully unpack your bags. You’ll be there for at least 13 weeks, so don’t spend all that time living out of a suitcase. Instead, fully unpack your bags, put things in their place, and enjoy a clutter-free living space complete with your personal touch.
Get comfy. There’s nothing better than crawling into bed after a long workday. Make sure your bed is ready for you when you get home with your own bedding. Adding your favorite blankets and pillows is a quick and cozy way to instantly transform your new bed into a safe haven.
Get personal. Bring along pictures, mementos, house plans, candles, and all those little things that make you happy and remind you of your homeplace. Maybe it’s your favorite book or fuzzy socks—whatever it is, bring it along because nothing cures homesickness like a piece of home.
Familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Don’t get stuck inside while the world passes you by! Venture out and explore your new city. See the sights, hunt for a new coffeeshop, find a farmer’s market, walk a nature trail, and experience local attractions like museums and boutiques.
Whether you’re staying in a five-star hotel, Airbnb, or luxury apartment, make your temporary housing feel like home to help you adjust to your surroundings. Once you unpack your belongings and get settled, you’ll feel right at home.
No. 5: Practice self-care
Hot take: Self-care is underrated. When was the last time you took a bubble bath just because? Or the last time you took yourself out on a romantic dinner date? Or how about the last time you treated yourself to a massage?
If you’ve found yourself thinking, “Oh gosh, I’ve been seriously slacking on self-care,” then don’t worry—you’re not alone. Self-care isn’t as easy as it sounds or should be. But hear us when we say that you deserve to feel loved and supported by your own self. These are some ways you can practice self-care to help you adjust to your new travel job:
Get out and enjoy some physical activity
Pump your body with nourishing foods
Manage your caffeine and alcohol intake
Get plenty of sleep
When you care for yourself, it allows you to authentically enjoy what your life has to offer. Plus, engaging in self-care activities have been clinically proven to reduce and eliminate anxiety and depression, which gives you the energy to get up and at ‘em!
No. 6: Establish a routine
It may seem like the perfect opportunity to shake up your routine in your new city, but oddly enough, such a drastic change can have negative effects on your productivity levels, as well as mental and physical health. To adjust to your new travel job, stick to a familiar routine.
No, it doesn’t have to be the exact same routine that you had with your previous travel job. Of course, things won’t be the same—you’ll be in a new city with new people in a new medical facility treating new patients. However, there are ways you can still manage your routine inside and outside of work.
For example, if your normal morning routine involves a fresh pot of coffee, then carry on the tradition during this job. Or maybe every day after your shift, you go to the gym for a workout. Again, keep it up!
Treat yourself to a sense of normalcy and stick to a consistent schedule and daily routine. As your routine drops your anxiety and stress levels, it’s bound to increase your positivity, productivity, and sense of adventure.
It’s no secret that you move around a lot as a professional med traveler. Every 13 weeks or so, you take off for a new travel job in a new city or maybe even a new state. So, the next time you hit the road for a job, follow these five tips to help you adjust to your new surroundings in no time.
Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming travel nurse assignment? Click here to search our housing page.
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
Burnout is a term that gets thrown around so much in healthcare that you’re probably going to stop reading right now. Please give me a few more sentences before you decide to stop. Yes, you know what it means, you probably have it, and you’ve heard all the trite tips and strategies for overcoming burnout over and over. What more can be said?
How about this: It’s not your fault. It’s not a problem with your character or fortitude. It’s not the fault of your place of employment or a lack of planning and poor resources. It can’t be blamed on covid or society. Nor is it a reason to change careers and get out of healthcare.
Yes, your sense of purpose and fulfillment in your job are important. Yes, your emotional wellbeing and overall health should be priorities. Yes, you deserve to be paid what you’re worth and treated with kindness and respect. Maybe a change of scenery is just what you need—become a traveler or take a vacation.
So, back to burnout. Whose fault is it? How do we fix it?
Much research has been done that identifies rapidly rising rates of burnout among healthcare workers due to “high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and low levels of professional efficacy.”[1] The “Great Resignation” is really a thing. We all know the problem is bigger than any one person or facility, which are merely symptoms. Fundamentally, we are operating in a diseased healthcare system. The problem is that we think it’s too big to fix.
What can we do? As individuals, we can turn our burnout into intention. Let it inspire us to change the world within our reach. Emphasis: within our reach. Who and what in the world can we touch within our reach?
Instead of dreading the next shift and all the negative things that will likely happen at work, get curious about what we can bring into each patient encounter or interaction with a coworker. Go into each assignment with the intention to inspire and be inspired. Transform negative patterns into opportunities for growth. How might we choose to see things differently this time?
I know this isn’t the answer to the problem of burnout nor a simple solution, but it’s a start. That’s all any one of us can do—and talk about it. Say what you’re feeling out loud to a trusted friend or colleague. Then let it go. And refocus on what can I bring into this moment?
Aequor Healthcare Services has over 20 years of experience placing nurses, therapists, allied healthcare professionals, physicians, and technicians in contract assignments across the United States. We match our best and brightest talent with jobs that lead to fulfilling careers and empower both employees and employers.
We hope you found this article on what to do about healthcare burnout helpful. Have you suffered from healthcare burnout? What did you do to get past it? Comment 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:
Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)
[1] Listopad, I. W., M. M. Michaelsen, L. Werdecker, and T. Esch. “Bio-Psycho-Socio-Spirito-Cultural Factors of Burnout: A Systematic Narrative Review of the Literature”. Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 12, Dec. 2021, p. 722862. PubMed Central, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8672245/.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or CTS is a condition that typically starts as a numbness or tingling sensation in the arms and hands that could be painful due to everyday strenuous activities. It occurs when the median nerve running from your forearm to the hand gets compressed or pinched. This nerve runs through a narrow space called the carpal tunnel that gives the condition its name. Many forms of manual labor, musical instruments, or vibrating hand tools could lead to CTS. It could be mild or severe depending on the level of pinching occurring in the median nerve.
Why do nurses get carpal tunnel?
Since CTS begins due to excessive strain on the median nerve while performing everyday tasks and activities, there has been a rise in the cases of CTS in nurses. The reason is that your occupation demands continuous repetitive movements of the fingers and wrist without any break, awkward hand movements for long hours when assisting in surgery, and constant vibration or mechanical stress on the palm because of various medical devices.
These activities are most likely to put severe pressure on your median nerve resulting in pain, swelling, weakness, numbness, and various other symptoms in your fingers and hands. Most of the occupations, including nurses, face higher risks of CTS because their job requires excessive tugging, pulling, pushing, or twisting movements in arms and wrists. So while you may be going through your routine work of pushing syringe plunger, pressing blood pressure bulbs, continuously tapping into keyboards, etc., your median nerve might be overexerting itself.
Now you know what might have caused your CTS. It is time we take a hopeful look at what you can do to ease your symptoms. Most mild symptoms of CTS tend to fade away with some lifestyle changes and medication.
Here are nine home remedies for carpal tunnel relief:
Take multiple breaks while performing repetitive tasks:
Using timers to give your aching arms and fingers a break after every 15-20 minutes would help your hands relax. Gentle shaking of the hands also helps relieve the median nerve pressure.
Wear splints on your wrists:
Wearing wrist splints, especially when sleeping, will allow your hand to remain in proper alignment without the risk of overextension or extreme flexing. Being a nurse, you might not have breaks at work, so you can ever prefer wearing the splints during your workday to help relieve some pressure from your median nerve.
Wear compression gloves:
We all know what the cold weather can do to an already aching body part. Seek relief with warming mittens like compression gloves which help relieve the numbness and pain. Compression gloves are available with copper ions embedded in them that improve blood flow and supply adequate oxygen to your hands and wrists.
Warm water treatment:
For some people, warming treatments help alleviate the pain, weakness, and other symptoms. You could try soaking your hands in warm water. Make sure that the temperatures range between 92-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ice bath:
Your tendons might swell up due to CTS. The best way to relieve them is by soaking your hands in an ice bath or using an ice pack once every few hours. The best time to use an ice bath is after performing your CTS relieving exercises to avoid inflammation by restricting the blood flow.
Reduce your force and relax yourgrip:
Lightening the strength you use to perform regular tasks can also diminish the discomforting symptoms of CTS. Try softening your grip and taking on your duties lightly.
Elevate your hands and wrists:
Some causes of CTS give rise to fluid retention. Elevation will help ease this thereby, reducing the pressure on the median nerve and helping your hands relax.
Do quick wrist exercises:
Since you don’t require special equipment for most CTS exercises, you can even perform these exercises when at work to improve blood circulation.
Ergonomic changes:
These include minor changes in the way your hands and wrists move when performing daily tasks at work.
Although CTS disrupts daily life to a large extent because it directly affects the hands and wrists, it is easy to manage it with these home remedies.
We hope you found these tips for avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome helpful. Do you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and have any tips to share? Comment 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:
Happy Nurses Week 2025! We’re so grateful for all that nurses do—every single day. This week is all about you, and we’re excited to celebrate with a giveaway! Need more details? Visit our Facebook page.
