July 11, 2023

3310 Views

Travel Tips for Travel Nurses: Making the Most of Your Journey

Posted on July 11, 2023July 11, 2023 by Fastaff Travel Nursing

Fastaff provided this article.

As a travel nurse, you have the incredible opportunity to combine your passion for healthcare with your curiosity for adventure. However, navigating the world of travel nursing requires careful planning and preparation to ensure a smooth transition. Whether you’re a seasoned travel nurse or embarking on your first assignment, these essential travel tips will help you make the most of your journey.

1. Be sure to utilize your recruiter:

Staying connected with your recruiter is an essential part of the job. Recruiters will have all the important information you need to ensure success on your travel assignment.

2. Determine your availability:

One of the major perks of being a travel nurse over a staff nurse is that you can decide when you want to work. It is of extreme importance to speak with your recruiter about your availability, so you can avoid assignments that conflict with your schedule.

3. Embrace flexibility:

Be prepared for unexpected changes and challenges. Being flexible is a key component of travel nursing. Adaptability will help you navigate new environments and handle any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

4. Research your destination:

Before heading to a new location, take the time to research the area thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with the local culture, climate, and cost of living. Being well-informed about your destination will help you adapt more quickly and make informed decisions.

5. Networking:

Creating a strong professional network is crucial for a travel nurse. Connecting with colleagues, fellow travel nurses, and healthcare professionals in your new location. They can provide guidance, support, and insights about the local healthcare system and community.

6. Take Care of Yourself:

Self-care is essential for travel nurses. Maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize your well-being. Find time for yourself while on assignment. Stay active, eat well, and get enough rest. Remember to take breaks and recharge between assignments to prevent burnout.

7. Keep Learning:

Each assignment presents an opportunity for professional growth. Take advantage of continuing education programs and training opportunities. Ingenovis Health and its family of brands, including Fastaff Travel Nursing, has The ACT Program that offers training and development services to travel nurses and clinicians. The ACT Program is a great benefit for travelers and was designed based on feedback from frontline healthcare workers. Utilizing continuing education services, such as The ACT Program, will help to enhance your skills and broaden your knowledge.

Use these tips to make the most out of your journey!

We hope these tips will help you on your upcoming travel assignment. Travel nursing offers an exciting and rewarding career path. By following these essential travel tips, you can maximize your journey, make lasting connections and create cherished memories along the way. For more travel tips, check out Fastaff Travel Nursing Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Safe travels, and enjoy the fulfilling world of travel nursing!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.

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 Leslie Catalano

May 27, 2023

3774 Views

The Perils of Being a Hero

Posted on May 27, 2023May 27, 2023 by Leslie Catalano

Over the past few years, nurses have been described as heroes for the care they provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and the care they continue to provide under difficult working conditions. While it is the highest honor to be referred to as a hero, it can be a dangerous sentiment.

My nine-year-old is enthralled with comic books and the Marvel Universe, and as a result, I have also become quite familiar with heroes and superheroes.

Surprisingly, the life of a superhero is not all glitz and glamor. Many superheroes are flawed and have deep emotional wounds they are trying to fix or avoid. Many heroes have a dark and traumatic past, the same as supervillains. So what makes a person a hero versus a villain?

Well, according to my son, and I am paraphrasing, heroes are selfless, while villains fight for selfish reasons.

This made me think about what is the difference between selfless and selfish.

What is the difference between selfless and selfish?

According to the Webster dictionary, selfish means acting in one’s own interest at the cost of others, while selfless means putting the needs of others before your own, even if it means causing yourself harm.

If we are using this definition of selfless, and it is the selfless actions that make a person a hero, then yes, nurses have rightfully earned that title. Everytime they skip lunch, work a double shift, or care for a contagious patient or a combative patient, they are putting their patients before themselves.

Back in October 2022, there was a shooting in a Texas hospital. The shooter killed two nurses, yet the medical staff, including nurses, still worked to save the gunman’s life. I am sure they did it without even thinking twice because nurses are built to save.

Helping and saving people is ingrained in us, but at what cost? Burnout and mental health struggles among nurses has skyrocketed since the start of COVID-19.

Being referred to as a hero is an honor, but should we even be asked to fill those shoes? Do we need to be selfless in our work? Is there a sweet spot between helping our patients while at the same time putting our needs front and center?

We should not be made to feel selfish for putting ourselves first. We should not have to choose between ourselves and our patients. We are not placing patients in harm’s way when we decide that our mental health is important.

It is not a selfish act. In retrospect, we are actually advocating for our patients when we are asking for better working conditions or taking the steps needed to care for ourselves. Better working conditions for nurses results in better care for patients.

So how do we fix this hero expectation?

The healthcare environment is in a perilous place, and it will take nursing leaders and probably government involvement to truly fix the healthcare crisis and the nursing shortage, but for yourself, there are things you can do.

Here are some individual self-care suggestions the American Nurses Association gives us in the American Nurse journal.

Acknowledge your hurt and how severe it is.
Avoid negative social media and news coverage.
Practice gratitude taking 2 minutes every morning thinking about five people you are grateful for.
Stay connected to colleagues and check in with each other after each day.
Find ways to destress on your days off.
Talk with a mental health professional or join a support group.
If you have an idea of how to improve your work environment, share it. Don’t be afraid to use your voice.
Get outdoors and relax in the fresh air.
Make yourself a priority and take care of yourself through exercise, a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest.

We may not have complete control over the healthcare environment, but we do have control over how we react and respond.

While it is an honor to be called a hero, we must ensure we are not sacrificing our own health.

Make your mental health a priority. Visit The Healthy Nurse Connection to learn about how to incorporate health and wellness into your life, or listen to The Healthy Nurse Connection podcast.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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

February 13, 2023

3440 Views

The Importance of Emotional Support in Travel Nursing

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by Gifted Healthcare

Gifted Healthcare provided this article.

Emotional Support For Patients

As a nurse, taking care of patients in the hospital tends to emphasize physical care. Twelve-hour shifts are spent administering medication, monitoring vital signs, conducting physical assessments, administering IVs, and so much more. What is behind all of the physical care nurses provide their patients is the emotional care and support that never falters.

Emotional support can come in many forms, from simply listening to a patient’s concerns to providing reassurance and encouragement. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, this is a time of year that could be more difficult on your patients, especially for patients who are dealing with illness or the loss of a loved one. Here are a few ideas for how you can support your patients this Valentine’s Day.

Organize a card-making activity.

Encourage patients to make handmade Valentine’s Day cards for their loved ones. You can bring construction paper, stickers, markers, and other craft materials to help patients get creative!

Bake something yummy

Sweet treats such as chocolates or cookies are always enjoyed. Bring in extra for the break room to celebrate your fellow nurses too.

Decorate the hospital for a photo op.

Easy décor such as balloons, streamers, and signs make for an easy background, and you can take turn snapping pictures of patients in front of the décor to send to loved ones as e-cards!

Bring in some games

Organizing a game day for patients can bring energy to the floor, whether it’s board games, a round of bingo, or even charades!

As nurses, you can play a vital role in providing emotional support to your patients during this time. The simple gestures of card-making or game-playing go a long way regarding emotional well-being.

Emotional Support for You

In order to give support, we often need to recharge from our own support systems. As a travel nurse, you might be a plane ride away from your support system back home, so this Valentine’s Day, find other ways to connect with a support system. Here are some ways to find support while on a travel assignment this Valentine’s Day.

Connect with Home

Set aside time to connect with friends and family back home. Whether it is through regular phone calls, FaceTime, or staying connected through social media, dedicated time to each other will help you feel connected to home.

Lean on your peers

One of the best places to find emotional support is with other travel nurses. Joining a travel nurse association, participating in online forums, or attending travel nurse events can provide a supportive network of peers who understand the unique challenges of this career. These connections can provide a sense of community and a safe place to discuss the ups and downs of travel nursing.

In that light, it is also beneficial to support your own peers in return. Encouraging your colleagues to take breaks when they need them and to talk openly about any stress they may be experiencing can really help both of you.

Find Support in Yourself

In addition to providing emotional support to patients and colleagues, it is crucial that you engage in self-care practices to maintain your own emotional well-being. This can include activities such as meditation, exercise, journaling, or spending time with loved ones. Trust yourself and find balance in your day-to-day, and you will feel a sense of peace with yourself.

Visit a Professional

Lastly, know that you can always seek support in the form of therapy. Talking to a mental health professional can provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss any emotional struggles and will help you develop coping strategies for when the balance in your life feels off.

Show Up For You, Show Up For Patients

This Valentine’s Day, showing up for yourself as well as your patients will go a long way in maintaining emotional support. It is as essential to the healing process just as the physical support you provide is to the process. By providing emotional support to your patients, colleagues, and yourself, you can help create a healing environment that promotes well-being and recovery. So, take the time to make this Valentine’s Day special for everyone in your life, including yourself.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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 Kevin Devoto

January 17, 2023

3490 Views

5 Ways Travel Nurses Can Market Themselves

Posted on January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 by Kevin Devoto

Travel nursing has become a popular profession in recent years. This job lets you explore the country while helping those in need.

Unfortunately, the increased competition has made it hard for travel nurses to find work. You need to market yourself to employers to secure one of the few available positions in this field. Just as a businessman comes up with a sales plan to help him meet his revenue goals, you must create a strategy for locating and obtaining new assignments. Here are some tips for promoting yourself and your skills.

Travel Nurse Marketing tip:

1. Make Sure Your Resume Is Polished and Accurate

Many potential employers first get to know a traveling nurse by reviewing her resume. Keep your resume up-to-date and highlight any credentials or certifications you have obtained. Have a trusted friend or family member review the resume for any spelling or grammar errors.

If you are fluent in a foreign language, you should mention this on your resume, as well. This skill could be useful for international jobs.

Since hiring managers do not always read entire resumes, you should put your most valuable qualifications at the top of the resume. You may also want to make your own skills checklist. Most agencies require traveling nurses to fill out one of these checklists, so having one ready in advance will demonstrate your preparation.

2. Create a Website

A website is another way to show off your credentials. Yet it should not just be a carbon copy of your resume. Instead, your website should feature a blog demonstrating your personality and experience as a traveling nurse.

Take advantage of search engine optimization techniques to increase the chances that a hiring manager or agency will locate your blog. If you are not an SEO expert, hire someone who is. You may also want to write guest posts on other websites to promote yourself further.

3. Utilize Social Media

Before making any hiring decisions, potential employers will search your name online. This means they will look at your various social media posts. You should thus delete any inappropriate pictures or comments immediately. You may also want to make your personal Twitter and Facebook accounts private.

However, you should maintain an active LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn allows you to find job listings and connect with others in the industry. Your profile should include a link to your professional website and the latest version of your resume.

4. Find a Recruiter

LinkedIn can also help you find a recruiter who can match you with your ideal job. Try speaking with several recruiters until you find one who best fits your needs.

Once you have chosen a recruiter, stay in contact with him so you will remain at the top of his mind when a position becomes open. Communicate with the recruiter constantly, so he understands which types of assignments you prefer.

However, do not feel pressured to take every job the recruiter finds for you. If something about the position does not seem right, or if the job does not fit your needs, you should respectfully decline.

5. Interview Well

Your job interview is also a piece of the marketing process. Since it will likely be conducted over the phone, you should make sure your cell’s voicemail message is appropriate and professional.

Once your interview is scheduled, practice answering questions ahead of time. You should also do plenty of research into the company that is pursuing you. Come prepared with questions to show that you have done your homework. Do not forget to send a follow-up thank-you note after the interview, as well.

There are only a limited number of traveling nurse jobs available. By following these travel nurse marketing tips, you can increase your chances of landing one of these coveted gigs.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

By Kevin Devoto

December 2, 2022

4556 Views

Why Nutrition Is Essential for Travel Nurses

Posted on December 2, 2022November 29, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

When you ask people if they have a healthy lifestyle, most will assume you’re asking if they have any vices that impact their health and well-being. If they don’t drink excessively, they think they’re automatically being healthy. Others assume that health is about their body shape. If they’re skinny, they will say they have a healthy lifestyle, even if they eat pizza for dinner every night.

Achieving a healthy lifestyle is about giving your body what it needs, not just avoiding negative influences or focusing on its shape. A big part of that is nutrition.

It Gives You Lasting Energy

While the box of doughnuts at the nurse’s station might seem like an easy, high-energy breakfast, the saturated fats actually take extra energy to digest, and the energy you gain from the simple carbohydrates gets all used up immediately. When you’re on your feet for twelve hours or more, you need dense nutrition, or else you’re going to get caught in a cycle of burnout.

Why Nutrition Is Essential for Travel Nurses

Companies like Le-Vel offer multi-faceted nutritional systems that make getting all your nutrients in the morning amazingly easy. According to Thrive reviews, it’s simply three steps: two multivitamins when you wake up, a breakfast shake, and a dermal patch that lets you slowly absorb supplements through the day.

If you are looking for a food overhaul, healthier eating choices you can make include cutting out fruit juices, sodas, and other sweetened drinks and sticking to lightly sweetened tea, coffee, or water. Switch out snacks made with refined white flour with whole grain or greasy fried food with baked options. You can skip processed snacks entirely and go nuts (literally) by replacing crackers and chips with things like almonds or cashews.

It Improves Your Mood

Sometimes nurses get so focused on their patients’ health that they forget to look after their own! If you’re feeling foggy or grumpy, you might want to order up your own blood panel to see if you’re low on B vitamins, magnesium, or other nutrients, as they can directly affect mood.

You can increase these nutrients by finding out what foods they come from. For instance, if you’re low on B12, you might want to increase your meat intake or add nutritional yeast to your diet, and if you’re low on magnesium, eating some types of beans can help with that. You can also get these nutrients from supplements, such as the Thrive capsules and breakfast mix.

By increasing your energy levels with good nutrition, you can rely less on caffeine to give you a boost, reducing agitation and jitteriness. Having less caffeine in your system may also help you get to sleep quicker, increasing restfulness and improving overall stability.

It Makes You More Resilient

Adequate nutrition gives your immune system gets a boost. This doesn’t always prevent you from getting sick in the first place. However, it does mean your body is better able to fight off disease and that you’re likely to recover sooner.

Your body is constantly renewing itself from wear, and what you put into it matters. When you eat a nutritionally dense diet or take supplements such as Thrive, you are ensuring that your body has the best building blocks available to it. You can actually see the immediate benefits of good nutrition in things like the density of new fingernail growth and the lustrousness of your complexion.

A person’s genetics play a large part in the development of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and bone loss. However, while there are people that will experience those things no matter what, there are also people that get them because they aren’t making healthy choices. By focusing on nutrition now, you may be preventing issues later in life.

Proper nutrition isn’t a cure-all, and for maximum effect, it should accompany other lifestyle changes, such as cardio and flexibility-focused exercises. Systems such as yoga and pilates can also increase strength and require little to no equipment beyond your own body! Both are great choices for the nurse on the go.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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 Uniti Med

November 23, 2022

3457 Views

Looking Ahead to Travel Healthcare in 2023

Posted on November 23, 2022November 23, 2022 by Uniti Med

Uniti Med provided this article.

It’s hard to believe that 2022 is already ending, and a new year will soon begin. It feels like the past few years have all blended together for many of us. Covid-19 completely changed the healthcare industry, and since it swept the nation in 2020, the future of healthcare staffing has been uncertain.

Earlier this month, we attended the annual SIA Healthcare Staffing Summit in Houston, Texas. The Healthcare Staffing Summit is an annual event to give updates and changes in the industry. This year, the focus was on healthcare staffing beyond the pandemic. Let’s look at some of their projections for travel healthcare in a post-pandemic world.

Looking Ahead to Travel Healthcare in 2023

Job Openings to Hires Ratios Will Increase

As we move into 2023, we will continue to see the ratio of openings to hires increase. For the last ten years, ratios remained steady at 1.67. In August 2022, that number jumped to 2.4. Staffing shortages were nothing new prior to Covid, and that gap will continue to grow. We are no longer in a staffing shortage but a staffing crisis. As a healthcare traveler, this means more job opportunities. There has never been a greater need for healthcare employees than there is now.

Burnout Will Drive Professionals Out of the Field

It’s no secret that healthcare providers have been put through the wringer these past few years. Long hours, high patient ratios, and devastating loss of life at the height of the pandemic led to many feeling helpless and wanting to leave the industry entirely. Statistics show that 27% of healthcare professionals will reduce their hours in the next 12 months, and 29% will leave their current practice altogether in the next two years. This, unfortunately, will only add to the shortage and give more burnout to those who stay.

The Demand for Healthcare Professions Will Increase

As the staffing crisis continues, the need for certain specialties and professions will also increase. The top 3 professions with increasing needs are nurse practitioners (52.2%), PT assistants (35.3%), and OT assistants (34.6%). Allied professions will have the highest need, a positive for those in the field who are looking for more travel job opportunities.

Hospitals Are Under Financial Pressure

In 2022, more than 50% of hospitals in the nation were operating in the red. Because of this, they are being pushed to lower bill rates, therefore, lower compensation. Not to mention, there is a 96% likelihood of a nationwide recession in 2023. Many healthcare professionals start a travel career for the higher compensation, but depending on the facility they are working, it may not be the case.

While these statistics seem bleak, there is hope for the future of healthcare staffing. Hospitals are opening themselves up to more flexible staff and schedules. Modern technology is transforming the way travelers find jobs. The 2022 Travelers Conference in Las Vegas was the most attended ever, which proves that despite the odds, travelers aren’t going anywhere. The number of travelers in the workforce continues to increase. In 2022, we saw a massive increase in travelers. The need isn’t going away, and neither are the travelers.

So, what does this mean for you? As a full-service healthcare staffing company, our travelers can expect us to continue to provide the absolute best service. We will work hard to find you the best fit for the best pay possible. Just because you are traveling alone, it doesn’t mean you are alone. As the needs of facilities continue to adapt to the market, so will we. As hospitals send out new requirements to their staff, our compliance team will be on top of it. As jobs change and needs arise across the country, our recruiters and client managers will be there. No matter what is to come in 2023, know that your healthcare staffing agency will always be there for you.

The Gypsy Nurse job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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 Medical Solutions

November 18, 2022

2597 Views

The Best Reasons to Be a Healthcare Traveler Again

Posted on November 18, 2022November 10, 2022 by Medical Solutions

Medical Solutions provided this article.

When you think back to the heart of why you started healthcare traveling, what lights your fire the most? Is it the chance to broaden your clinical knowledge? Enjoy a taste of true work/life balance. Or to wander coast to coast?

Your care journey to date has been as inspiring and unique as you are. Which is why you deserve a rewarding career that helps you reach big goals and achieve lifelong dreams – whatever they may be! Traveling can help get you exactly where you want to be, both in life and location.

It’s time to get back to the heart of it all and remember your “why.” Nursing or allied health traveling can help you:

Move at Your Own Pace

Work 13 weeks and take 4 off. Work 8 weeks, take another 3 off! Traveling lets you conjure up a flexible work lifestyle without sacrificing career security. You can work at your own pace with confidence, knowing your career is still cared for with:

Benefits up to 4 Weeks Between Assignments

Traveling literally gives you room to take a step back and breathe! Your day-to-day can be highly stressful and emotionally taxing, which is why it’s important to pencil in some guilt-free “me” time. With Medical Solutions and our sister company, Aureus Medical Group, your benefits are active for up to 4 weeks between assignments.

Varying Contract Lengths

Travel contracts are available in all shapes, durations, and sizes, but you choose assignments that best support your needs and goals. Need to be in a specific region at a specific time of the year? Let’s make it happen – search through hundreds of jobs across the country today. Considering the occasional contract for some supplemental income? No problem – your recruiter is here for you anytime you need them. Want the flexibility of travel but need to stay close to home? Hold tight – something exciting is in the works!

Whether it’s per diem, PRN, strike, a 13-week contract, or an extension, you’ll find career freedom in the flexibility of healthcare traveling.

“I hadn’t been home for a major holiday in two years because I was working as a perm staff. But after I started working as a traveler, I got to be home with family for the holidays.” – Mariah T., BSN, RN – Stepdown/PCU

Shake up a Tired Routine

Picture the year ahead: you could spend the summer in Seattle, check out Fort Worth in the fall, then beat the winter blues down in Palm Beach. Each new assignment (and everywhere in between!) is a chance to branch out from the same old routine. Most importantly, traveling gives you the flexibility to take breaks when you need to between contracts or arrange to be near loved ones for important events.

So hike that mountain trailhead, follow your inner foodie, or take a day trip with a new friend – traveling helps you try things you might never experience at home.

“I’ve been able to visit some unique locations and stay at places that I otherwise may not have traveled to, like an Airbnb horse ranch in Montana that’s run by adults who have disabilities. It was such a great experience.” – Abigail M., BSN, RN – ER

Invest in Yourself While Helping Communities in Need

Each new assignment is an opportunity to advance your clinical knowledge, learn from other inspiring clinicians, and go where help is needed most. From soft skills, clinical skills, knowledge of protocols, state laws, and so on, everything you learn on assignment adds to your ever-growing list of abilities.

Expand Your Skillsets

Challenge yourself to adapt and grow as you work in different facilities and acuity levels, from nonprofits to trauma centers to community hospitals, in both urban and rural settings. Learn new technologies and strengthen your communication skills as you experience firsthand how different healthcare systems function across the country.

Help Those in Need

You were called to care for a reason, and traveling helps you find new, rewarding ways to help patients, hospitals, and communities in need. You could be a fresh face for an understaffed, small-town community hospital or much-needed support for first-time travelers in a large unit. You could even provide medical support to kids with serious illnesses at a life-changing summer camp!

Advance Your Education

Thinking about pursuing another degree or certification? The flexible nature of travel can help you take those extra steps in your education journey. You have more time to devote to these professional goals and passions without placing your career on hold.

“I was able to complete my practicum while traveling because my recruiter at Medical Solutions always had my back. He was able to find me assignments around Miami for 10 months so I could be near my clinical site.” – Cindy W., RN – ICU/PACU

Where Will Care Take You Next?

If you’re dreaming of a change of pace but want the flexibility and security of an in-demand career, travel with Medical Solutions! Jobs are available in every corner of the U.S., with new openings added each day. You can quick apply now to connect with a member of our team, search for jobs here to get a feel of what’s out there, or call 1.866.663.3548 to get in contact today!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

By RNnetwork

September 13, 2022

3901 Views

2022: The State of Travel Nursing

Posted on September 13, 2022November 10, 2023 by RNnetwork

RNNetwork provided this article.

Travel nursing is in a state of transition in 2022. Throughout the pandemic, COVID-related hospitalizations combined with staffing shortages and provider burnout led many hospitals to increase travel nurse usage to meet demand. But as hospitalizations surged, so did the cost of travel nursing contracts — and many nurses experienced an unprecedented period of demand and high compensation for their services. However, as COVID-19 trends toward endemic status and hospitalizations subside, that trend is changing.

Travel nursing: Then and now

Eleonore Ruffy, Vice President of RNnetwork, says that travel nursing was a regular, steady business prior to the pandemic. “Hospitals staffed approximately two percent of their nursing positions with travel nurses,” Ruffy says. “Here at RNnetwork, we had roughly 8,000 open positions nationwide at any time.”

However, as the COVID-19 pandemic surged — especially surrounding the Omicron variant in December 2021 and January 2022 — demand for travel nurses soared. COVID highlighted the value of nurses but was also a tipping point, according to one industry expert.

“COVID patients were treated largely by nurses. So, as the hospitals filled and nurses treated those specific patients, demand spiked. Compounding the issue, nurses began to get very burned out from the experience, and many left their permanent positions or left the profession altogether,” Ruffy says. “At its highest, contingency nurses accounted for an estimated nine percent of total contingency staffing. Here at RNnetwork, we peaked at 55,000 open positions nationwide. As you can imagine, when supply didn’t increase, bill rates and pay rates went up dramatically at that time.”

Industry data suggest the average pay for travel nurses increased from $1,706 per week in December 2019 to around $3,290 per week in December 2021. The travel nursing industry doubled in size over the last year. And in 2021, travel nursing revenue tripled to an estimated $11.8 billion, up from $3.9 billion in 2015.

As COVID-related hospitalizations decrease and relief funding tapers, some experts predict the travel nursing “bubble” may burst. Ruffy acknowledges the demand reduction but says demand and pay are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels.

“It has dropped down, but it’s still much higher than before COVID,” says Ruffy. “We have more than 20,000 open positions. And while hospitals are making incremental adjustments to pay, rates are still much higher than pre-pandemic rates.”

Traveler and permanent staff rapport

In addition to demand and compensation, the pandemic impacted other areas of travel nursing, including increasing the tension that sometimes exists between permanent staff and travelers.

“There are challenges to travel nursing,” says Ruffy. “And some got better, and some felt more intensified during the pandemic.”

“Long-term relationships can be harder to forge as you’re seen as the new provider and have to learn new systems and processes with new team members. Sometimes a stigma exists if someone is not a permanent nurse, and that stigma was exacerbated during the pandemic. As travel nursing compensation increased, that gap widened.”

“However, in areas like Florida and Arizona where the census changed a lot during the year, facilities have been very traveler friendly,” says Ruffy. “Facilities in these areas have historically been more accustomed to having travel nurses. They are more welcoming, as a result, and tend to give a better experience overall because they have been more used to having temporary staff.”

Ruffy hopes that the pandemic-driven demand for travel nurses will help make it standard practice for more areas and contribute to friendlier work environments.

“As more and more facilities have gotten more comfortable using travel nurses, the experience has been enhanced,” says Ruffy.

Travel nursing outlook

As for the outlook for the travel nursing market, Ruffy is optimistic.

“I think the outlook is still very bright for travel nurses. Even though COVID seems to have settled, demand and travel nurse pay is still higher than pre-pandemic levels, and there is a really good opportunity for nurses who are interested in the travel profession to get in,” says Ruffy. “Travel nurses today may not expect to earn peak crisis pay, but they’re also not going to experience the challenges of peak-pandemic demand, either.”

We hope you found this article on the state of travel nursing in 2022 helpful. Do you agree with what we have said? Share your comments on the state of travel nursing and what you are seeing below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

Interested in travel nursing? We can help you find your first (or next) travel nursing job. Call us at 800.866.0407 or view today’s travel nurse job openings.

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

START HERE

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

By Favorite Healthcare Staffing

August 30, 2022

3791 Views

5 Ways to Become a Travel Nursing Pro

Posted on August 30, 2022August 25, 2022 by Favorite Healthcare Staffing

Favorite Healthcare Staffing provided this article.

Whether you’re a seasoned travel nurse or brand new to the field, you might be looking for a few ways you can thrive as a travel nurse. In this article, we dive into five ways to become a travel nursing pro. From tracking your finances to recognizing the signs of burnout, we’re covering all the bases.

1. Be flexible and open to learning

You might notice that the one thing travel nursing pros have in common is that they’re all flexible and open to learning new skills. While you’re moving from one facility to the next as a travel nurse, no environment will be the same. Tawyna, ER Nurse, urges those interested in travel nursing to be gracious to the people you work with and open to learning new things. Learning how to be flexible and adaptable to any circumstance will help you excel as a travel nurse.

Every travel nurse contract might operate differently than the previous one, so it’s important to keep a positive outlook, have patience, and be willing to learn. “You need to have patience. The first few days can be challenging. They often won’t have your badge ready, your computer login, etc. Just take a deep breath, smile, and introduce yourself. It’s important to work well with others,” says Med Surg Nurse Tammy. Making the most out of each assignment can make all the difference. So, as you pick up new skills at various facilities, you will strengthen your travel nurse resume and advance your nursing career.

2. Know what qualities to look for in a travel nurse recruiter

If you’re looking to secure more assignments, a good way to do so is to maintain a solid relationship with your travel nurse recruiter so they can understand your skill set and what type of travel nursing contracts you’re searching for. Psychiatric Nurse, Rebecca, explains, “a good recruiter will work just as hard for you as you do for them,” so you will want a knowledgeable recruiter who has good communication skills and pays attention to detail.

A knowledgeable travel nurse recruiter will be able to answer all your questions while guiding you in the direction of your dream assignment. Communication skills are also important when looking for a recruiter so you can ensure that they will be there for you every step of the way. Lastly, a recruiter’s ability to pay attention to detail is important to help you understand the fine print of your travel contract. Korenne, OR Nurse, says that one thing she couldn’t live without while traveling is her recruiter, Sally. “I could not do this without her continued kindness and support!” Once you find a recruiter who suits your needs, it’s key to stay in contact with them so they can stay up to date on what you’re looking for in a travel contract.

3. Stay organized with the latest apps

As a travel nurse, getting lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life can be easy. Luckily, there are a few apps you can use to stay organized. Our first pick is Adobe Scan which can be used to quickly and easily scan any documents you need. With Adobe Scan, you have the power to access your scanned documents from your phone, tablet, or computer because they are kept on Abode Document Cloud.

The next app we recommend for traveling nurses is Evernote, which has all the features you need to keep organized. Stay on top of things by creating fully customizable to-do lists, adding events to your calendar, and syncing your information across all your devices. Evernote provides you with the tools you need to stay organized, all in one app.

Our final must-have app is for the travel nurse who loves to get out and explore. FourSquare City Guide makes it easy to find things to do and places to eat in any city. Simply select what you’re looking for, whether it’s a trending excursion in the area or a local coffee shop. FourSquare City Guide delivers exactly what you’re looking for in just seconds. The best part about each of these apps—they’re free for Android and iOS users. These apps will make you a travel nursing pro!

4. Keep track of your finances

The first step to successfully keeping track of your finances is understanding what your salary is, along with any pay policies that might come with your travel assignment. A travel nurse’s salary differs from a permanent staff nurse’s, so it’s important to understand hourly, overtime, on-call rates, and any tax-free stipend for housing and meal expenses so you can calculate your take-home pay.

Once you have a good grasp of your travel nursing salary, you can establish a budgeting routine. Be sure to include everything from monthly subscriptions to rent to ensure you still have money to put into savings. A handy budgeting rule you can use to stay on top of your finances is the 50/30/20 rule. This rule recommends you allocate 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. You can find more tips about budgeting for travel nurses on Favorite’s blog here.

5. Know how to avoid burnout

Being constantly on the go can get tiring, so it’s important to know the symptoms of burnout so you can avoid it. Some telltale signs of burnout include lack of motivation, emotional exhaustion, and the inability to focus. Working long shifts, having high stress, and being around sick patients are all components that can lead to burnout in nursing.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid burnout. Taking time for yourself is important, so don’t be afraid to take breaks between assignments and say no to offers if you feel like burnout is possible. Another way you can avoid burnout is to keep your physical and mental health a top priority. Find someone you can talk to and who will be your support system throughout your journey. Once you’re ready to get back on the road and pick up your next travel nursing contract, Favorite will be here for you. You can view our full list of travel nursing jobs here.

We hope these tips on how to become a travel nursing pro were helpful. Do you have other tips to help fellow travel nurses or those just starting become travel nursing pros? Comment below.

Travel nursing with Favorite Healthcare Staffing gives you the opportunity to advance your career, develop new skills, and experience new things. Take a look at our open travel nursing jobs and start exploring the country with Favorite today!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

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

START HERE

1. Be sure to utilize your recruiter:

2. Determine your availability:

3. Embrace flexibility:

4. Research your destination:

5. Networking:

6. Take Care of Yourself:

7. Keep Learning:

Use these tips to make the most out of your journey!

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!)

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