As a travel
nurse, you are undoubtedly aware of the many perks that your career provides,
not to mention the excitement and adventure that comes along with it. However,
there are times when you may feel a bit homesick. This feeling is not uncommon,
especially if it is your first assignment or if you have not traveled in some
time.
Good news
is, there are ways to cope with homesickness as a travel nurse. In many cases,
you will welcome your new assignment and your new friends in no time at all.
Here are a few ways to make the most of your job while kicking homesickness to
the side.
Put Technology to Work
Technology is making it easy for you as a travel nurse to stay in touch with your loved ones and friends. FaceTime and Skype are making face-to-face communication up close and personal. And apps like Marco Polo offer you the option of recording a video chat that your family can watch at a time that works for them. This option is particularly helpful if you work odd shifts or have friends in different time zones.
Of course, a simple phone call is always a good option. There is nothing like hearing the sound of the voices of your loved ones and catching up. And don’t forget about texting and emails. With modern technology, keeping up with family is easier than ever before. There are multiple options for you to keep in touch with those back home, so pick one that works best for you.
Connect with Your New Colleagues
Probably one
of the best perks for you on a travel assignment is the opportunity to make new
friends. Although breaking the ice may be difficult at times, try to embrace
the new environment and invite a co-worker to coffee or dinner. Doing something
outside of work is an ideal way to foster friendships. Do not be surprised if
you end up making a few long-lasting friendships along the way.
Bring Part of Home with You
A great way
to prevent homesickness is by bringing part of your permanent home along with
you. It takes little effort to create a feeling of comfort and familiarity in
your new home while combating feelings of depression and anxiety. A favorite
blanket or pillow and meaningful photos can put a smile on your face.
Also, many
travel companies offer pet-friendly assignments, so you may want to consider
bringing your dog, cat or other pet along with you. Pets love you no matter
what the circumstances, and there is nothing better than coming home to a
familiar face when you are in a strange town.
At the end of the day, travel nursing is truly an amazing and one-of-a-kind career. Don’t let homesickness stop you from fully embracing your assignment. If you are on the hunt for your next adventure, check out the opportunities available now at GHR Travel Nursing.
We hope these tips for avoid getting homesick as a travel nurse helps you along your way. Do you have tips for fighting being homesick while on assignment? Comment them below.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
2020 is finally here! With the new decade comes brand new Travel Nursing jobs. If you’re looking for a new adventure this year, Favorite Healthcare Staffing has chosen our Top 20 Travel Nursing Destinations for 2020. See what cities and their surrounding areas made our list and start exploring the country today!
1. Atlanta, GA
Located in the heart of the South, Atlanta has quickly become a popular city
destination. From its thriving restaurant scene to the bustling nightlife,
tourists flock to this cultural hub. Popular attractions include the World of
Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and the College Football Hall of Fame.
2. Baltimore, MD
History buffs and foodies alike will love this East Coast city. Take a stroll
along the Inner Harbor and try freshly caught blue crabs, a local favorite.
Sports fans can catch the Orioles play at Camden Yards and book lovers can stop
by the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum. Baltimore has something to offer for
every traveler!
3. Boston, MA
A bustling city with many of the nation’s top hospitals, why wouldn’t you want
to travel to Boston? This Northeastern city has history and charm on every
corner. Step back in time and stroll the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill or
visit the financial district for some fantastic seafood.
4. Chicago, IL
Shopping districts, nightlife and an Instagram-worthy food scene are just a few
things the Windy City has to offer. Don’t forget to stop by quintessential
tourist attractions like the Navy Pier, “The Bean” and Wrigley Field. Chicago
deep dish pizza anyone?
5. Denver, CO
Denver is the perfect location for those wanting to experience the hustle and
bustle of city life and for those who want to escape in nature. Hiking, skiing
and exploring the city – Denver has it all!
6. Hays, KS
Located in Western Kansas, Hays offers a unique look at history. Visit museums
and learn about the Wild West, Fort Hays or the German heritage of the town.
For foodies, be sure to visit Downtown Hays and try the local coffee shops,
craft beer and cuisine.
7. Harrisburg, PA
Fascinated with American history? Check out the interactive exhibits and
historical re-enactments at the National Civil War Museum, or learn more about
the city’s cultural and industrial heritage at the State Museum of
Pennsylvania.
8. Houston, TX
This sprawling city is home to some of the greatest shopping areas including
the Galleria. Houston is also home to an up and coming art scene, delicious
Tex-Mex cuisine and grassy parks. Don’t overlook this Texas city.
9. Kansas City, MO
Located in the heart of the country, Kansas City is quickly becoming a must-see travel nursing destination. The city is perfect for sports lovers and is home to a variety of professional sports teams including football, baseball and soccer. Let’s not forget about the barbecue – lots and lots of barbecue.
10. Lebanon, NH
Make sure to bring your appetite as this small town offers an eclectic food
scene ranging from Thai to French cuisine. Check out the Lebanon Opera House or
spend time in the great outdoors because this quaint town experiences all four
seasons – a nature lover’s paradise!
11. New York, NY
The Big Apple has something for everyone – art, history, nightlife, eclectic
food scenes, shopping…the list goes on. It’s true that you’ll never be bored in
New York City. Snag tickets at a Broadway show, spend time at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, or stroll through Central Park. Just be sure to add this
energetic city to your list!
12. Oklahoma City, OK
As the largest city in the state, Oklahoma has a lot to offer. Learn about its
western heritage in one of the many museums or snag a pair of new cowboy boots
and you’ll fit right in. Don’t forget to add this eclectic, laid back city to
your list!
13. Portland, OR
Portland is easily a must-see destination of the Pacific Northwest. The City of
Roses boasts a top-notch craft beer scene with over 100 breweries located in
the metro area and has diverse and affordable street food lining its
pedestrian-friendly streets. Adventurers will also be satisfied and can find
miles of trails for hiking and biking.
14. Providence, RI
Providence, RI is a true college town home to schools like Brown University and
Rhode Island School of Design. This vibrant city’s thriving restaurant and art
scene is a huge draw for visitors. Be sure to visit popular attractions like
the RISD Museum or admire the architecture of historic Colonial houses along
Benefit Street.
15. Seattle, WA
Nestled in the stunning Pacific Northwest, Seattle is the perfect travel nursing destination for those who love the great outdoors. Don’t let the rain scare you off, Seattle has some of the most lush and breathtaking landscapes, thanks to the average annual rainfall of 35 inches.
16. St. Louis, MO
As the birthplace of iced tea and ice cream cones, there’s plenty to eat and
see in St. Louis. The city is filled with free attractions so you can find
things to do without putting a major dent in your wallet. Make sure to check
out the City Museum, Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch.
17. St. Paul, MN
Is St. Paul the hidden gem of the Twin Cities? We think so. Foodies go
crazy for the city’s eclectic food and craft beer scene. Don’t forget about the
spectacular views of the Mississippi River!
18. Trenton, NJ
As the capital of New Jersey, Trenton has a long list of
things to do and the Trenton Farmers Market is a great place to start. Visit
the market five days a week and find fresh food and produce. On a nice day
visit the Grounds for Sculpture, a museum full of incredible well-known
sculptures.
19. Tucson, AZ
Escape cold weather and visit this sunny Arizona city. You’ll find influences
of the Hispanic heritage on every corner. Sample the Mexican cuisine and stroll
through neighborhoods to see the colorful adobe buildings and charming shops.
Explore Saguaro National Park for a true taste of the Arizona desert.
20. Waterford, CT
A shoreline town full of parks and outdoor space makes for a great travel nursing destination. Stroll through the lush landscapes of Harkness Memorial State Park or make a trip to Waterford Beach to take in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the open Atlantic.
For
many travel nurses, sleep is merely a luxury. Long hours and night shifts make
sleep precious and hard to find.
However, getting enough shut-eye is an essential part of maintaining a healthy, productive lifestyle. Studies have shown that insufficient sleep can significantly affect one’s well-being.
But
don’t worry, there’s hope! Read on for a list of tips to help travel nurses
improve their sleep health.
Stick
to a Schedule
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.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, maintaining a consistent schedule trains your body’s internal clock. This internal clock, or circadian rhythm, determines your cycles of sleepiness and alertness.
If you
fall asleep and wake up at the same time each day, you’ll be less likely to
feel the changes of your internal clock.
Take
Time to Decompress
Engaging
in stressful activities before bedtime can cause anxiety, which makes it harder
to fall asleep and sleep soundly. Your body needs time to transition into
“sleep mode.”
Try a
calming activity like reading, meditation, or taking a bath. Once you’ve found
a reliable way to decompress, try to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Avoid
Electronics & Bright Lights
The
type of light emitted from modern electronics can activate your brain in a way
that makes it harder for you to sleep. Try to avoid screens at least an hour
before your bedtime.
In
addition, other kinds of light can disrupt your body’s natural sleep/wake
cycle. If you work nights, do your best to avoid sunlight and make your home as
dark as possible when it’s time to go to bed.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way to ensure that you sleep soundly, especially if you struggle with anxiety. Physical activity is a natural stress reliever and has been shown to improve sleep quality and increase sleep duration.
According to Sleep.org, “as little as 10 minutes of aerobic exercises, such as walking or cycling, can dramatically improve the quality of your sleep.”
Save
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.
Avoid
Stimulants & Large Meals Before Bedtime
Stimulants
like nicotine and caffeine can significantly affect your body’s ability to wind
down and fall asleep. Large meals can cause indigestion, which can keep you
awake or cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.
Try to
avoid stimulants and large meals at least two hours before bedtime.
Make
Sure You’re Comfortable
Nobody
looks forward to sleeping in an uncomfortable place. That’s why it’s so
important to view your bedroom as a sleeping sanctuary.
Having a mattress and pillows that encourage a good night’s sleep is a worthwhile investment. It’s also essential to organize your bedroom in a way that eliminates stress and clutter.
Start
Improving Your Sleep Health Today
Getting enough sleep is an important part of living your best nurse life! Use our list of tips to improve your sleep health today.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
It’s a proverb as old as time: The early bird gets the worm—and the prepared travel nurse gets the coolest assignment. It may be too soon for some to think about their 2020 resolutions, but travel nurses are a different, forward-thinking kind.
As you plan for all the adventures this new year of travel nursing will bring you, take a moment to make some resolutions that will help you enjoy your travels even more. Travel nursing is all about creating your best life on your terms, so draw inspiration for your 2020 goals from our resolutions and let’s make this year awesome!
Learn Something New
No matter where you find yourself working in 2020, embrace its landscape and culture to squeeze every bit of goodness out of your experience there. You can find opportunities to learn new hobbies, meet new people and try new foods at any assignment in any city. Spending a few months in Colorado? Check mountain climbing off your bucket list! Exploring the Pacific Northwest? Get to know your local barista! In New York City for the first time? Find the best pizza in your neighborhood!
Each new assignment is a chance to enrich your life with unforgettable, meaningful experiences. So, get out and try something new.
Build Out Your Professional Network
Networking is an essential career tool for travel nurses, especially when you have your heart set on a contract but don’t know how to secure it. Because travel nurses don’t have a permanent set of coworkers to advocate for them, they’re constantly representing themselves. In order to advance your career and land dream contracts, you have to build connections everywhere you go.
In 2020, focus on expanding your network of advocates and friends through social media, your recruiting agency and your assignment coworkers. The more people you have in your corner, the more options open up to you.
Make Life Easier for Yourself
There’s no doubt nursing can be physically and emotionally taxing, so take every opportunity to reduce your stress. You deserve to fully experience the freedom and fun of travel nursing. But that can be tough if you’re battling burnout. So, if you see a way to make your life simpler and less stressful, go for it. Here are some of our favorite ways to manage stress:
Work with your recruiter to get your travel documents organized in a way that’s easiest for you.
Build family and relaxation time into your 2020 schedule.
Make your housing needs clear so you can quickly find ideal housing.
Schedule a massage or take a soothing bath.
Make time to regularly talk with the people you care about.
Whatever makes you happy and takes a weight off your shoulders is well worth your time.
And if you’re in need of a new contract for the new year, contact LRS Healthcare to lock in your perfect 2020 plans.
We hope these New Year’s resolutions for travel nurses gives you some ideas for resolutions this year!
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
Who else gets to travel the country for their career, do work that really matters to patients and families, use their talents and training in all kinds of different environments, and make new friends nationwide? They may not always get their due, but Travel Nurses do a lot to strengthen the healthcare industry as a whole, especially as the U.S. nurse shortage increases.
Of course, all nurses make a hugely positive impact in the
healthcare world, but this blog’s devoted strictly to those of the travelin’
persuasion. Here are 5 awesome ways that writer Sarah Wengert says Travel
Nurses make a positive impact in the world!
Travel Nurses Patient Care
The number one, most positive impact Travel Nurses make has
to be that they help keep staffing levels safe, leading to better patient care
nationwide. Because of the extra help you provide, you and all of your
colleagues are able to provide better patient care as a result.
They Fight Burnout
Because they’re fresh to a facility and unit, and also because they ease tight staffing levels, Travelers do a lot to help their perm counterparts fight nurse burnout. Burnout in the nursing world not only takes its toll on individual nurses, it also increases the likelihood for a clinical error.
They Inspire Others
I’m sure most Travelers have heard from their mom, best
friend, old college roomie, etcetera, how awesome their career is. I concur!
The fact that you can travel for your job and choose whichever locations you
like is super inspiring and it makes others around you who hear your story
inspired to live their best life. Well, I say “inspired” but really, the rest
of us are super jealous of your career. Lucky you!
Travel Nurses Remain Flexible
It takes a lot of flexibility to be able to touch down in
any hospital nationwide, fall right in step, and make an impact in the delivery
of patient care. Travel Nurses make a positive impact because of their
flexibility on the job and ability to, as Tim Gunn famously says, “Make it
work.”
They Share a Fresh Perspective
Because they have a unique view of many different facilities
and ways of doing things, Travelers can offer a great new perspective to the
facilities they grace with their presence. Of course, it’s not polite nor
effective to come in the first day trying to change everything and it’s best to
conform to each hospital’s unique structure. But, your fresh set of eyes on a
unit can also be invaluable to a facility. Ready to Live the Adventure and see the
U.S? Visit AHCStaff.com or email Travel@AHCStaff.com
for more details.
Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?
We recently asked our group of Travelers the following Question: “If you could give a hospital one piece of advice on working with travelers what would it be?”
The responses were overwhelming! We come to your facility to help you in a time of (sometimes) dire need of staff. We have left our families, friends, and all support behind. We truly want to do our best to provide excellent patient care, but we could use your help. Let us help you help us by following these few simple suggestions.
Provide A Cheat Sheet:
A small booklet or folder with just the most pertinent information we are going to need to do our jobs. This should include:
List of Physicians with Privileges – Organized by group/practice/specialty including extensions/answering service phone numbers and any ‘other’ names that the Physician goes by.
Frequently Needed Numbers – Including a list of floors/units/dept (lab, blood bank, security, pharmacy, etc). The unit director/manager and numbers for co-workers in case we need to try and switch a shift, etc.
Step-by-step instructions and necessary documentation for admits/discharges (by unit) and charting requirements by department (i.e., ICU charts this, this, and this q 2 hours; tele charts this, this, and this, q4 hours; med/surg, etc.).
Access codes for all med/supply rooms, mobile computer storage drawer codes, on ALL units so we can get around.
Access to the facility’s online policy and procedure page (If it’s not included in our orientation, we need to know where/how to find this information).
Give us Fair Assignments:
Don’t always give us the worst patients or the patient that no one else wants. We don’t mind ‘taking our turn’ but when we are given the worst patients all the time, it wears on us physically and emotionally and we won’t be able to perform to the best of our ability. Share the load.
Floating
We know that as ‘the traveler’ we are going to be expected to float. Please give us at minimum a week to acclimate to the facility and then feel free to float us just like you do your staff (unless we’ve been hired as a float position). Give us at least one-day orientation on any floors that we may float to prior to having us work them.
Orientation Streamline it, geared toward the traveler.
We don’t need another lecture on HIPAA, corporate compliance, or benefits that we aren’t even eligible for. Give us the information that we need to do the job at hand. Consider documentation, policies on the administration of blood products, restraints, etc. as items that we need. Anything that might be different from the hospital to the hospital is a good item to be educated on.
Give us a Tour
Knowing where the Lab, ER, Pharmacy, Etc. are located makes running for that unit of blood much easier. Show us around and provide a facility map for reference.
Communication
Please remember that you have (generally) not included the travelers in your facility email. So when you keep referencing to check your email for updates and changes it doesn’t mean anything to the traveler. Remember to communicate with your travelers any important information.
Give Access
Please make sure that we have a badge and the access we need on day one or as soon as possible. Access to computers, medications (Pyxis, Omnicell, etc). Having this set up on our arrival makes a much more effective orientation since we can focus on learning the charting, med systems, etc. instead of running around trying to gain access.
Having the resources you need at your fingertips as a travel nurse is very important. We have put a list together with all state’s Nurse Board websites for your convenience. We hope that this will be a valuable resource for you now and in the future.
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.
