March 12, 2021

7182 Views

Can Your Relationship Survive Long-Distance? 3 Ways to Know…

Posted on March 12, 2021November 28, 2023 by Jackson Nurse Professionals

This article was provided by Jackson Nursing Professionals.

While travel nursing comes with many ups, long-distance romances can be a downfall if you or your partner aren’t equipped for it. Many travel nurses involved in romantic relationships find themselves maintaining their partnerships from afar. Still, it takes a lot of drive, dedication, and effort from both ends to make it last.

If you’re ready to take your nursing career on the road, but you’re not sure about leaving your significant other behind, here’s how to know if the time is right:

Are you willing to put in the extra communication effort?

Long-distance relationships can work – but it’s work. Surprisingly, research conducted a few years ago shows that long-distance couples can be more satisfied with their communication than couples who live near each other. Wow, right? With that in mind, long-distance requires that you either “over-communicate” or set aside time in a way that works for both of you. For instance, you may need to schedule a video chat every night, make a rule on discussing serious matters through text, or set a time to talk every day. If one end of the relationship starts to drop the conversation, it just can’t work long-term.

Does your partner support your travel nursing career?

One of the many benefits of a relationship is having that steady support system. But, if your partner doesn’t believe in your career as a traveling nurse, you may begin to doubt your decision to travel or even find it difficult to share your experiences. An interesting study conducted by Washington University in St. Louis found that your partner’s personality can play a direct role in whether or not you succeed in your career. According to the study, “workers who scored highest on measures of occupational success tended to have a spouse with a personality that scored high for conscientiousness.” So, a key question to ask yourself might be, “is my partner careful, attentive, hard-working, or ambitious?” If the answer is no, long-distance may not be the best choice for the two of you.

Are you willing to compromise?

According to Dr. Gabrielle Morrisey, before you ask your partner to “give up” something (like your nearness to them), you have to be willing to give up something yourself. It’s only fair. So, if your partner is willing to continue a relationship with you while you work as a traveling nurse, your compromise may be in the number of contracts you do back-to-back, or maybe it’s by traveling together – in between contracts – to areas you’re both interested in. Or, maybe you compromise by communicating more frequently than you might normally, especially if your partner is a better communicator than you. Most relationships require some kind of compromise; long-distance relationships just might (occasionally) require more.

Regardless of the distance between you, relationships are work. So, consider your answer to the above 3 questions before approaching your partner about pursuing a long-distance relationship. It might just save you (or them) a lot of heartache.

By Egbert Feron

March 9, 2021

6997 Views

How to Continue Acquiring New Nursing Skills While Working

Posted on March 9, 2021January 16, 2023 by Egbert Feron

Being a nurse is such a joy; there is so much fulfillment you get when you are helping people who really need it. When you are a nurse, there are always new nursing skills that you must add to your toolbox; it is a job that requires evolution and frequently. Through this article, you will discover the skills that all nurses need to be reliable and successful nurses anywhere in the world.

What Skills Are Needed?

One of the most important nursing skills one must acquire is to be able to think on the spot, critical thinking. When you are able to think under pressure and think quickly, this is a great advantage. As a nurse, you may be required to work with a new team at a new location, so being flexible with your ideas is a great asset. As a nurse, all the patients you will be serving are different. They all require different needs. So it is vital to have a fast mind that can deal with different scenarios that may be presented to them.

Another huge part of being a nurse is the amount of technology required to do the job. So it is very important to keep up to date with the various technologies that come onto the market. There are now apps that nurses can use which will tell them how much of a dose is needed for each patient. Nowadays, you need to understand websites to collect patient data and health records. So to keep reviewing technology as a nurse will certainly keep you up to date with everything you may face when you work on the job.

Communication is another skill that is super important as a nurse. To be able to communicate well with your patients and also your work colleagues. As a nurse, you are working on getting a certain outcome with your patients. So this requires lots of communication with each patient plus explaining to your fellow nurse when you hand over after your shift. This part of nursing is crucial and determines a good outcome or a negative outcome.

How to Keep Learning While on The Job?

This is always the challenge that every nurse faces. To learn new nursing skills is a difficult task on its own, but while you are working dealing with patients, it can really be a challenge. The best way to approach learning on the job is to incorporate it with what you are doing from day to day. So, in fact learning new nursing skills can work out better while you are doing your everyday shifts. The thing to remember is that we are always learning whatever we are doing in life, so it is important to keep an open mind while working and pick up new nursing skills as you go.

As long as you are someone that asks questions and is not afraid of getting something wrong, learning on the job will be no problem for you. It is a good idea to make sure you are looking at new technology in the hospital. It is always a good thing to practice your communication skills with other colleagues and patients whenever you can. The best nurses work with a notebook and are always taking notes as they work. You will also find that the best nurses when they are on their lunch breaks, are looking through books and notes to learn more.

Make the best of your time

The most important part of learning while you are on the job is to make the best out of your time. You must be organized. This is the number one thing to remember. As long as you can organize your time, you will be able to learn new nursing skills on the job. So a tip that is good to use is to stay a little later after your shift to see how other nurses start off their shift. This will help you see how other nurses deal with things. The more ways you see something done, the more methods you will have to solve problems in the future.

Best Skills to Learn on The Job

Effective communication
Organization skills
Keep up to date with all technology.
Critical thinking skills
Meet a mentor and watch them work
Always ask questions

These are effective tools that will help you become better at doing your job as a nurse.

Summary

With your new nursing skills, you will be able to deal with patients better, and it will also help you deal with fellow colleagues in a better way. You never stop learning when you are a nurse, so keep an open mind and be like a sponge, absorb all you can.

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 HCI College

March 8, 2021

8165 Views

Top Nursing Trends That Will Transform the Industry in 2021 and Beyond

Posted on March 8, 2021January 16, 2023 by HCI College

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 3 million registered nurses in 2019, with employment expected to continue growing faster than other professions through 2029. As demand for nurses continues to rise, familiarizing ourselves with the trends that are poised to transform the industry can help provide valuable insight into the growth and potential of the US’s largest healthcare profession.

1. Demand for Nursing Specializations Will Rise

Focused expertise on specific areas of medicine for nurses is on the rise. Nursing specializations allow the nurse to deliver skilled and expert care in a specific niche. This allows them to demonstrate their skill and deliver better patient care that in turn fosters patient trust. Additionally, it also helps open more doors for career growth and advancement as nurses seek to pursue additional education and certification in their preferred fields.

2. Increasing Adoption of Telehealth Prompting More Focus on Patient Privacy

A dramatic increase in telehealth services was seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This prompted not just a strong focus on the efficiency of telehealth services but on the security and privacy concerns of patients and healthcare professionals as well.

Because of this, nurses should be more stringent about obtaining patient consent before engaging in telehealth services. Strict compliance with HIPAA guidelines will also guarantee secure communication between both parties and secure transfer of sensitive data as a stronger need for privacy and security comes into focus for 2021.

3. Rise of the Nurse Navigator

Nurse navigators are nurses whose medical knowledge, management expertise, and people skills are used to guide patients through their healthcare journey. Their primary role is to help patients learn more and understand their current condition and guide them through the testing process, diagnosis, and medication they need to take.

With an aging population requiring more focused care due to chronic health conditions that need to be managed, the role is steadily gaining more importance.

4. Expanding Opportunities for Entrepreneurship

The opportunities for growth among nurses are no longer just limited to hospitals and medical settings where they are tasked to deliver direct patient care. As nurses’ roles expand and evolve, opportunities for entrepreneurship are also opening up. For instance, nurse consultants can work independently to assist doctor’s offices and clinics in managing electronic health records (EHRs) or manage scheduling and documentation. Others can work as management experts for assisted and long-term care facilities.

5. Supporting Continued Nursing Education Online

Additional training and certification for nurses will always be an advantage. However, with online programs becoming more accessible and gaining more prominence due to the pandemic, many nurses saw this as an opportunity to further their education and training.

6. Stronger Focus on Self-Care for Nurses

As rewarding as nursing is as a profession, it also is one of the most challenging careers to enter. It’s physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing. While nurses are primarily tasked to deliver top-notch care to patients, the recent demand for nurses, especially given the pandemic, is putting the spotlight on the need for nurses to take better care of themselves.

Numerous studies highlight that employers who encourage and promote self-care for their nurses manage burnout and compassion fatigue better. There is a direct correlation between the quality of healthcare a nurse can deliver and their wellness, which is driving more employers to focus on their nurses’ wellness.

These top trends are set to influence how the field grows and evolves through 2021 and the coming years. It also illustrates how a career in nursing could be one of the most promising professions you could pursue, given its growth.

We hope you found this article on the top nursing trends that will transform the industry in 2021 and beyond helpful. Have you noticed any trends you feel will change or transform the industry? Comment them below.

Author Bio

Jessica Williams is a marketing professional for HCI College, a school dedicated to preparing students for a career in the medical field by offering programs such as Nursing, EMT, and Paramedical services. The institution is best known for its practical approach to learning that propels students from theoretical classroom instruction and forwards them into the workforce.

We regularly share news, trends, and insights about the industry on the official HCI blog. Do connect with us on Twitter @hcicollege.

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 Gifted Healthcare

March 5, 2021

8263 Views

Tips for Travel Nurses: 10 Ways to Succeed on the Night Shift

Posted on March 5, 2021May 19, 2021 by Gifted Healthcare

This article was provided by Gifted Healthcare.

Are you a travel nurse that’s about to begin working the night shift? If so, it’s important to develop a strategy to stay on top of your game while the rest of the world is asleep.

We’ve created a list of tips to help you stay healthy and focused on the night shift. By using these tips, you’ll be focused, driven, and excelling on the night shift in no time!

Tips for working the night shift

Develop a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Being well-rested is the most important part of staying healthy and on your game on the night shift.

While it can be difficult for shift workers to maintain a stable sleeping schedule, try to be as consistent as possible. This will make falling asleep and waking up much easier, and reduce your chance of crashing while you’re awake.

Limit your use of electronics before bed and invest in blackout curtains to darken your room during the daytime.

Remaining open-minded about your new schedule will help you develop a routine that works. Once you’ve figured out which sleeping schedule works best for you, stick to it. Sleeping at irregular intervals will lead you to poor health, stress, and on-the-job-mistakes.

Only Use Your Bedroom for Sleeping

Do you use your bedroom for activities other than sleeping? If you’re someone that has trouble falling or staying asleep, you might need to find a new room for working, watching television, or using your laptop.

By using your bedroom exclusively for sleeping, you strengthen your brain’s association between “bedroom” and “sleep.” If you find yourself lying awake and struggling to fall asleep, try moving to another room and doing something else until you feel tired enough to try again.

Work Your Night Shifts Consecutively

If you can, try to schedule your night shifts consecutively. This will help you maintain a stable eating and sleeping routine, which will keep your energy levels high.

Working consecutive night shifts will also allow you to enjoy your days off, rather than spend them catching up on sleep.

Stay Hydrated

Due to the nature of the job, it can be difficult for healthcare professionals to stay hydrated. But drinking water is essential for maintaining your physical and mental health.

Bring a refillable water bottle with you and drink steadily throughout your shift — once you’re thirsty, a headache may be on the way.

Focus On Your Patients

While nighttime might be a quieter time in many hospital units, some patients require more care or assistance at night. With fewer visitors and distractions, take advantage of the quiet time to focus on your patients.

Paying more attention to detail and providing an extra level of care for your patients overnight is a great way to stay focused and show initiative on your team.

Exercise

Physical exertion causes the body to release endorphins, which acts as a natural energy boost. Staying fit and active will give you the energy you need to thrive on the night shift.

Studies show that just 10 minutes of light exercise will significantly increase your alertness. If you don’t have time to work out before your shift, there are ways to fit exercise into your work schedule. Lunges, wall-sits, and jogging up and down the stairs are great ways to stay active while you’re on the job.

Be Careful on Your Days Off

Although it may be tempting to change your schedule to suit your days off, be careful about disrupting your regular sleeping and meal schedules.

Staying awake for too long before starting your first night shift of the week will disrupt your internal clock, negatively affecting your energy levels. Eating at irregular intervals prevents your metabolism from functioning efficiently and optimally.

Do your best to maintain your routine. Your body will thank you later.

Eat Healthy Snacks During Your Shift

Snacking is a great way to stay energized over the course of a long night. However, it’s important to eat the right snacks.

Almonds and cashews are high in healthy fats and protein. Avocados are superfoods, which means they’re nutrient-dense and contain relatively few calories. Fruits and vegetables are low-calorie options with natural sugars and fiber.

Try to avoid snacks high in sodium and added sugar — they may give you a quick boost, but you’ll end up crashing hard.

Training and Education

There are lots of resources to help night-shift workers thrive. Organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer online classes created by experts for professionals like you.

Night shift training offers in-depth strategies for your professional and personal life intended to maximize your performance and minimize your stress levels.

Make Time for Friends & Family

Most of the world works during the daytime, which makes socializing difficult for healthcare professionals who work nights. However, it’s important to spend time with friends and family.

Your social life greatly impacts your emotional well-being, which is closely tied to your physical and mental health. Avoid feeling isolated or lonely by making time for social interaction.

Maintaining your emotional well-being will help you provide better care for your patients and help you have a longer, happier career.

We hope you found these tips for succeeding working the night shift helpful. Are you a travel nurse that works the night shift? Do you have any tips for fellow travel nurses working the night shift to help them succeed? Comment them below.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Katie Fitts

March 3, 2021

6314 Views

Northeast Georgia Why You Should Add it to Your Travel List

Posted on March 3, 2021January 16, 2023 by Katie Fitts

I am currently on assignment in a town called Gainesville, Georgia. No, no, not Gainesville, Florida, Gainesville, GEORGIA! Most people assume I am working in Florida when I tell them about Gainesville. No gators here in this Gainesville! I have to be honest; I had never heard of this town before this assignment. It turns out it’s a wonderful place for an assignment! Situated in an area deemed Northeast Georgia, adjacent to the Appalachian Mountains (the most beautiful mountains in the U.S. in my opinion) and right next to beautiful Lake Lanier, it’s a nature lover’s paradise and a relatively short drive to the city life of Atlanta and other lovely towns.

The Hospital

Northeast Georgia Hospital is based in Gainesville but has a few different smaller locations, including Braselton and Barrow, and plans for a Dahlonega facility. At 557 beds in Gainesville, it is quite large and is a level II trauma center, has labor and delivery services, cardiovascular services, and dialysis capabilities, as well as 23 operating rooms. Outside of Atlanta, it offers some of the most comprehensive services and state-of-the-art technology.

I have been quite impressed with NGHS. I would recommend this hospital based on my experience in the peri-operative area. They use EPIC for their EMR (electronic medical records), which is the best charting system I have seen.

What to See and Do in Northeast Georgia

Hiking

If you are anything like me and love nature and WINE, 🍷 you are in for a treat!

Hiking abounds! The Appalachian Mountains provide an incredible backdrop for all kinds of amazing hikes dotted with incredible scenic mountain views, waterfalls, and lush forests. I found a super great site that lays out all the hikes around the Atlanta and Northeast Georgia area, atlantatrails.com. It is very detailed in the trail terrain, distance, difficulty to be expected, and directions.

The infamous Appalachian Trail (AT) starts in Northeast Georgia at Springer Mountain and ends at Mount Katahdin in Maine. I have now inadvertently been to the beginning and the end of the Appalachian Trail! Maybe a sign I need to do this hike one day?! In the summer of 2019, I had the good fortune to spend my time in beautiful Maine as a camp nurse, and that is another wonderful area to visit.

Whether it is the AT or other trails, Northeast Georgia provides for some spectacular hiking! Some of the trails I was able to explore and enjoyed included Amicalola Falls, Raven Cliffs Falls, Blood Mountain, and Preacher’s Rock. It would take months of consistent hiking, though, to really see all Northeast Georgia has to offer. Happy hiking!

Northeast Georgia Wine Country 🍷

Now to my close second favorite part (ok, probably my top favorite) about Northeast Georgia…. the wine! Did you know there were wineries in Northeast Georgia? Me neither! I was pleasantly surprised!

Despite being in the well-known hot and humid south of the U.S., the Georgia foothills provide moderately cooler temperatures and rich soil for grape growing and winemaking. From muscadine to sweet wines to more heavy-bodied wines, Northeast Georgia has it all!

Some of the wineries also have full-sized restaurants and also do superbly done brunch. Who doesn’t love brunch? There are also tasting rooms in the quaint little town of Dahlonega, GA, which is just 30 minutes outside of Gainesville and where I happen to reside for this assignment.

Some of the wineries near Dahlonega include Wolf Mountain, Montaluce, Three Sisters, Kaya, Cavender Creek, and Frogtown Cellars. A little further out near Helen and Cleveland, Georgia, you can find one of Georgia’s oldest wineries Habersham Winery, Yonah Mountain, The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, and CeNita, to name a few.

Charming Towns in Northeast Georgia

Dahlonega

I live in Dahlonega, Georgia; pronounced Duh-lawn-egah for my non-Georgia resident friends. It took weeks of purposeful practiced pronunciation as I read it as dall-o-nega (akin to Talladega) as any typical part unabashed southern redneck may do. 😂 It is derived from a Cherokee Native American word meaning yellow, as it was found as a gold mining hub in the 1800s.

At any rate, Dahlonega is about 35 minutes outside of Gainesville and is a quaint town locally revered as a Hallmark movie inspiration with its picturesque small town square surrounded by the Smoky Mountains, particularly during Christmas. A local Dahlonega bar also debuted in a country music song by Ashley McBryde, A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega. Who knew?! The square has many cute little restaurants and shops, and wine tasting rooms. If you like Greek food, you MUST visit Capers on the Square. I probably ate there 5 to 6 times during my stay, don’t miss the goat cheese and fig flatbread… to die for. They also have delicious baba ganouj, gyros, and moussaka.

Charming Dahlonega at Christmastime

Helen

A Bavarian-inspired town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Helen is full of charm. You will think you have just teleported to the Bavarian region of Germany! The architecture is stunning, and downtown has plenty of shops and German-inspired restaurants. It was revamped in the 1960s and modeled after Germany’s Bavarian region to increase tourism and bring life back to the town after an economic downturn.

Other Charming Towns

More towns to see within a relatively short distance include Clayton, Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Cave Spring, to name a few.

Additional Things To Do in Northeast Georgia

Gainesville is pretty neat in itself! It has a quaint square downtown area with shops and restaurants. Gainesville boasts lakeside views of Lake Lenier, popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating. A special little treat for my garden lover friends, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens has a branch in Gainesville and is a lovely respite area! Moreover, they have special events like “Wine in the Woodlands” nights with food trucks and wine, so be sure to check their events page.

In the mood for big city life? Atlanta and the metro area are only about 70 miles outside of Gainesville. Plenty to see and do there as well!

Pro Tips for Northeast Georgia

Ideal times to visit and or do an assignment – Spring to Fall (Winters are dreary and cold and gray and not a whole lot of snow to make it a great winter destination)
Travel Nurse Housing is surprisingly expensive in Gainesville! This is likely because it is a lakeside community as caters to people making mountain/lake getaways. I opted to live in Dahlonega for much more reasonable pricing, although a hike from the hospital.

I hope you enjoy Northeast Georgia as much as I did and put it on your list to visit! With wineries and nature, you can’t go wrong. Happy travels!

Gypsy love,

Katie

By Laura Greco

March 2, 2021

7629 Views

Why Do We Provide Better Preventative Maintenance for our Cars Than We do For Ourselves?

Posted on March 2, 2021May 19, 2021 by Laura Greco

Self-care or preventative maintenance has a long list of benefits: optimizing your immune system, relieving stress, improving resilience, having a more positive mindset, greater well-being, improved sleep, better able to manage chronic pain, reducing your risk of heart disease, and enjoying a better quality of life. It is enjoyable, makes us feel better, and is easy to access.

So why don’t we do more of it?

People have misconceptions about self-care, thinking it takes too much time, is costly, or is selfish. People often question where the line falls between self-care and self-indulgence. Why do we provide better preventative maintenance for our cars or homes than for ourselves? Do we consider that preventative maintenance an indulgence?

Self-care is not an indulgence.

It is preventative maintenance for YOU, the whole you: body, mind, and spirit. It takes many forms but is basically any action that replenishes you and enhances your well-being. If it causes you to slow down, be present in the moment, contributes to better self-awareness, and leaves you feeling good about yourself, it is probably self-care.

If you are a car, you aren’t particularly useful with no oil, no gas, and deflated tires. To be of service, you need to have reserves, be tuned up, and ready to go.

When you are depleted you are no longer as effective or resilient. It is hard to give when you don’t have anything to give. The negative effects of stress, physical, mental, and emotional illness run higher in those who neglect their own care.

Methods of replenishment

Because self-care nourishes us physically, emotionally, mentally, intellectually, spiritually, it will be different for each of us. While some aspects of self-care are universal (caring for our bodies with sleep, nutrition, hygiene, and exercise), others are unique. We each need our own methods of replenishment. What restores your soul and lights you up?

Some behaviors have immediate benefits, and others are cumulative. Notice there are tiers of self-care: some things you do monthly, weekly, and others daily. Some of the suggestions below won’t appeal, and that is OK. But before you write off an idea as “I can’t do THAT!” pause and determine what you are reacting to, what it represents to you, and whether your reaction is how you really choose to respond.

Ideas for self-care (preventative maintenance):

getting a massage or facial
meditating
cooking from scratch
starting each day with an intention to find beauty in the world
getting sauna treatments
setting a bedtime and creating a bedtime ritual
practicing mindfulness several times a day (when you wash your hair, sip coffee/tea, brush your teeth)
practicing gratitude daily
devoting a weekend to reading a book
journaling
creating art
trying photography
having time with friends or family
enjoying your pet
having time to daydream
having time alone
spending time in nature
learning
getting enough non-work mental stimulation
exploring a city
practicing self-compassion
traveling
enjoying hobbies
soaking in a tub with Epsom salts
volunteering
taking stock of all, you have accomplished
watching a sunset
performing random acts of kindness
floating in a pool or ocean
maintaining work-life balance
creating healthy boundaries
dancing
having a source of meaning outside of work
playing sports on a team
taking breaks and vacations
breaking up work with play
making regular time for decompression and reflection
streamlining/simplifying life
shopping for something that isn’t a necessity
making a bucket list and tentative plans to accomplish it

What brings you joy or connects you to your purpose?

Self-care (preventative maintenance) is not about getting more done. Culturally we are encouraged to push through, do more, be more…do it all. After a while, this approach backfires, and we are less productive, less efficient, and less happy. Therefore, practicing self-care is an ongoing lifestyle, not occasional spurts of doing something nice for yourself. Like gas for your car, it is best to keep some fuel in your tank and not run down to empty.

As nurses, we excel at caring for others, and we must also care for ourselves…proactively and regularly.

By Rachel Altum

February 27, 2021

8434 Views

February Gypsy Nurse Travel Spotify Playlist

Posted on February 27, 2021May 19, 2021 by Rachel Altum

Each month we ask our Gypsy Nurse Instagram followers where they are this month in our story. As our inbox is flooded with responses, we carefully curate a soundtrack dedicated to where our travel nurse community is this month. This month we picked 26 songs. So if you have about an hour and 30-minute drive somewhere, this playlist is perfect for you!

Want to hear The Gypsy Nurse’s February Traveler Soundtrack? We’ve included the Spotify playlist below! Check out the rest of our Spotify playlists as we are slowly adding songs for each state.

Disclaimer: Explicit songs are indicated by Spotify. Song lyrics are not a direct reflection of The Gypsy Nurse.

ARIZONA

So many nurses in Arizona this month!

Check out Josh Kerr, Mark Lindsay, Kevin McHale, Frances Cone, and UPSAHL for your Arizona fix. PALA’s Desert Oasis is an added pick, not related to Arizona, but it gives the vibes for sure. Josh Kerr will have you missing an ex you never had, my apologies. Kevin McHale will have you belting out Arizona on the top of your lungs; you’re welcome. Plus, it’s perfect for an Instagram caption or story. Frances Cone will most likely get stuck in your head, my apologies.

California

February Gypsy Nurse Travel Spotify Playlist

California has the easiest songs to find. Artists are endlessly writing and singing about the Cali life. Can we blame them? This month’s songs on our list are California Day by Common Kings and California Soul by Marlena Shaw. Want to get a little more specific? If you’re in San Diego, this song by Don Vedda is for you! Also, any excuse to add Going Back to Cali by LL Cool J, I’m going to do it. We also included No Roots by Alice Merton since it’s so fitting for the travel nurse life.

Colorado

So many songs about Colorado out there but this month, Colorado by Sam Burchfield really hit our soul.

Georgia

I love any excuse to play Welcome to Atlanta by Jermaine Dupri, so I’m super excited Gypsy Nurse Mentor Paula is in ATL this month!

Illinois

The song Chicago by Sufjan Stevens will definitely give you those Chicago vibes. Pop your headphones and explore the city with this song.

Massachusetts

This is a tough one to find songs for unless it’s about Boston. Massachusetts by The Lady Bug Transistor is a smooth, relaxing song that you need to listen to while crossing that state line.

Nevada

Reno is always a popular assignment location for travel nurses. There are some really fun songs for Reno, especially this one by Wild Child. She keeps the state themes, too, with her song Oklahoma.

New Jersey

Assignment in New Jersey, and you’re ready to rock out? This one will definitely give you those punk rock 90s vibe. New Jersey Girl by Nerf Herder is definitely a little bit of a headbanger.

Texas

Texas is a hot spot for travel nurses and easy to find songs for. This month we found, She’s Like Texas by Josh Abbott Band and Texas Sun by Khruangbin and Leon Bridges.

Utah

Utah by French Cassettes and the posts from The Overlanders on Instagram will have you calling your recruiter asap to get you an assignment in Utah. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Washington

If you’re ever working or visiting Seattle, I highly suggest listening to Hello Seattle by Owl City. It can be fun feeling a little cheesy because of how poppy it is, but sometimes it’s fun to be a little cheesy right? We also picked Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere for our Gypsy Nurse Mentor Couple Megan and Ty. Fleetwood Mac could be a travel nurse soundtrack in itself.

Washington DC

Sometimes it’s such a struggle to find songs for nurses in DC, but Washington DC Hospital Center Blues by Skip James made it so easy. This bluesy smooth song will have you singing it while walking into work or possibly all day.

Wyoming

How many songs do you know about Wyoming? Well, we found it for you. This country cross of Pink Floyd and blue, Cold Wyoming Snow by Bruce Hauser & Sawmill Creek Band will have you making light of their cold winters. Unfortunately, you’ll only want to listen to this one when there is snow on the ground.

What do you think of our February playlist? Are there any songs you think should have made the playlist? Comment them below!

By AMN Healthcare

February 26, 2021

9640 Views

The Importance of Travel Nurses To Hospitals and the Benefits They Receive

Posted on February 26, 2021May 27, 2021 by AMN Healthcare

This article was provided by AMN Healthcare.

For nurses who have a bit of wanderlust, a travel nursing career can be quite rewarding and fulfilling. So, why do hospitals need travel nurses? Travel nurses are typically needed in hospitals and other facilities temporarily to fill short-term employment gaps. They can work in a wide variety of clinical areas. Whether you’re a seasoned RN or you’re considering a career as a travel nurse out of nursing school, there’s a lot to know and internalize about your career choice.

The Importance of Travel Nurses

Travel nurses are extremely important to the healthcare industry because they help fill in the gaps between supply and demand in the nursing field. Hospitals have mandatory staff-to-patient ratios to maintain for the safety and overall health of patients, and travel nurses help do that.

Research has shown a positive connection between nursing staff levels, nurse retention, and measures of patient outcomes.

Since travel nurses come from different educational backgrounds, geographical areas, and areas of expertise, they can help share knowledge with the existing nursing team. Sharing ideas and know-how benefits patients and other nurses.

Why Hospitals Need Travel Nurses?

1. Crisis Staffing

At the moment, with COVID-19 killing tens of thousands and many more patients receiving hospital care to treat the novel coronavirus infection, many hospitals do not have enough nursing staff. So, they turn to overtime and travel nurses. Overtime can provide temporary relief, but too much OT and not enough downtime can increase errors and burnout.

2. Nursing Shortages

The nursing shortage remains a key driver for hospital’s use of traveling nurses. Travel nurses who can provide high-quality care are in tremendous demand. Some hospitals experience more difficulty recruiting new nurses, such as those in rural areas. Travel nurses will cover those shifts and deliver quality care.

3. Adjusting Staffing To Seasonal Demand

Some regions of the country experience a predictable rise and fall in census. In the winter, people frequent Florida, Arizona, and other warm climates, while in the summer, Cape Cod, Michigan lakefronts, and other temperate climates experience increases in populations. The annual flu season can also bring an increase in demand for nurses, so staffing managers often plan ahead. Instead of bringing on full-time staff and then laying them off, travel nurses can fill those positions.

Benefits of Travel Nursing

The travel.

For nurses who have an unending desire to travel from city to city and state to state, travel nursing is an excellent career choice. Travel nursing lets you explore different geographical areas and work in many different hospitals.

Freedom.

Typically, travel nursing assignments last for eight to 13 weeks, depending on the hospital and the available role. Details are often flexible, so sometimes shorter or longer stints are available. The best part is, if you’re not thrilled about your assignment, you’re not stuck there forever because, most likely, it’ll be time to move on after just a few months.

Grow your career.

As a travel nurse, you can work in various clinical settings, where you can learn new skills and share your own knowledge and expertise with others. This valuable experience can help bolster your resume when you decide to settle down in a more permanent nursing position.

Make professional and personal connections.

Another great benefit to becoming a travel nurse is meeting new people at every new travel nursing assignment. Making professional connections is a great networking strategy, as some of these individuals may open a new professional door for you or end up being great personal friends.

We hope you found this information helpful. Did you know these reasons why hospitals need travel nurses? Are there any other reasons you think hospitals need travel nurses? Comment them below. 0

Interested in learning more about travel nursing? American Mobile is the industry’s best travel nursing company. We take pride in offering the nation’s largest database of travel nursing jobs throughout the entire U.S., in addition to the industry’s most comprehensive salary and benefits packages.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Furnished Finder

February 25, 2021

32866 Views

Housing Stipend For Travel Nurses

Posted on February 25, 2021April 29, 2024 by Furnished Finder

The housing stipend is one of the most confusing parts of a travel nurse pay package. This portion of the package is for nurses who prefer to find their own housing through sites like Furnished Finder rather than taking housing provided by their agency.

Most travel nurses prefer to take their housing money and find housing themselves rather than allow the company to choose for them. Generally speaking, this is because if you can stay under the amount given, any excess goes into the pocket of a travel nurse. Here are a few key things to note about travel nurse housing stipends.

You must have a tax home in a different location to collect your stipends tax-free on your travel nurse assignment.

A handful of travel nurses will sell their homes, put everything in storage, and travel without a “home” where they pay rent or a mortgage. In this instance, any money collected for housing will be taxed normally.
If you do have a tax home established wherever you are from (for more on tax homes, be sure to check out Travel Tax), then you can collect any money provided for travel nurse housing without paying taxes on it. This can make a considerable amount of difference in your take-home pay, especially if you find low-cost travel nurse housing wherever you are going.

Do your research on the cost of living for each city.

By using the Furnished Finder Nurse Housing Stipend Calculator, you can get a big-picture idea of what you will expect to pay for travel nurse housing at each assignment. Hospitals don’t necessarily look at things like short-term rental prices when they set a bill rate, so be sure to do your own research before deciding that a stipend package will be enough to cover travel nurse housing.

Housing stipends may vary slightly between recruiters.

Every recruiter has a preferred way to “break down” a pay package. This means they divide up a pay rate offered by a facility into two pools: taxable and non-taxed. The formula for these portions is generally similar, but each recruiter may have a preferred method of doing this.
If you are comparing two jobs and the stipend to taxable ratio is different, ask questions. Explain to your recruiter what your other offer looks like, and remember that they may not be trying to pull a fast one–they may just be working off their experience and what works best in the long run for both parties.

Look at the entire pay package, not just the travel nurse housing stipend.

Most recruiters will structure their pay packages to maximize pay while also being within certain taxable ranges to help their travelers avoid audits. This means that the travel nurse housing stipend may look great, but you could also be taking home a lower hourly (think $25 an hour).
The majority of travel nurses could not afford to pay their full expenses at home and while on an assignment if they spend their entire stipend on travel nurse housing and only take home the $25 after taxes and insurance. Therefore, you need to look at the pay package as a whole when determining if it will fit your budget or not.

Know that it is okay to say no if the numbers don’t work out.

Determining the travel nurse housing stipend for each assignment’s pay package is not black and white. And unfortunately, recruiters have zero say over what the hospital is willing to pay as a whole for their travelers. While they may be able to shift money between taxable vs. non-taxed, at the end of the day, they can only make an offer as good as what the hospital is willing to pay.
Sometimes this means you will have to pass on a job that you really thought you wanted. Travel nursing requires a lot of balancing and being smart while also seeking the experiences you want. It just might not be the right time for that particular experience.

Even if you are a couple of contracts into travel nursing, understanding travel nurse housing stipends can seem a bit overwhelming or intimidating. The more you know, the more power you have to ask questions and negotiate what doesn’t feel right, and the more successful you will be in your travel nursing career.

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

START HERE

Are you willing to put in the extra communication effort?

Does your partner support your travel nursing career?

Are you willing to compromise?

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Develop a Consistent Sleep Schedule

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Be Careful on Your Days Off

Eat Healthy Snacks During Your Shift

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