October 5, 2021

10778 Views

How To Write Covid-19 on Your Travel Nurse CV

Posted on October 5, 2021September 22, 2021 by Frank Hamilton

During the global pandemic, healthcare professionals were as demanded as never before. Travel nurses aren’t an exception. But despite the demand in the labor market, there is fierce competition that forces travel nurses to pay special attention to promoting themselves as a specialist.

For example, the experience of treating patients with COVID-19 can be crucial in landing a worthy job. Therefore, a modern travel nurse CV must necessarily contain information about COVID-19, if there is experience with caring for patients with it. How to properly highlight it in your CV? Below you will find some tips on how to create a competitive CV, mentioning your contribution to the global pandemic fight.

How to Write Covid-19 on Your Travel Nurse CV?

There are two main points regarding Covid-19 that you should note in your CV. It’s about what skills you got and how they affected your professional experience. How to describe them correctly? Below you will find a couple of insights in these areas with the help of which you can correctly highlight your experience during the pandemic.

Don’t Hesitate

When it comes to Covid-19, it can be decisive for your employment. If you have experience in caring for patients with Covid-19, have quickly adapted to new treatment protocols, or have received additional certification in lungs ventilation, then all this should be reflected in your resume without any hesitation. Even minimal experience in treating patients with Covid-19 can be decisive.

Mention Relevant Certificates

If you have undergone additional training, then undoubtedly it is worth mentioning this in your CV. Certified specialists are always in demand, especially during a pandemic, and such a point will beneficially highlight your theoretical background, which you will have to prove in the next sections of your CV.

Add Statistics

At the first glance, it may seem strange to have a statistic in a CV, but if we talk about a global pandemic, each person you helped to survive matters. Therefore, you do not have a single reason to devalue your services to society.

If you worked during the peak of the pandemic and you have indicators of how many people got better with your help, then this can be a good moment that will set you apart from the competitors. For example, you can indicate something like “During my employment at X, 148 out of 150 patients went on a full recovery”.

Expand the Skills Section

There is no doubt that due to the worldwide pandemic, you have gained additional skills that you could not have noted earlier. What skills are we talking about? If we talk about Covid-19, then you can additionally highlight the following vital skills:

adaptability to the situation,
instant decision making,
Covid-19 treatment protocol awareness,
the ability to work with different ventilation devices,
the ability to implement preventive measures for Covid-19.

Highlight the Achievements

If you have any awards that you received during Covid pandemic, note them in your CV. This includes both achievements and awards. For example, if you have such a nomination as DAISY, then it is worth mentioning this in your resume. There is no doubt that such an award will be another benefit you shouldn’t hesitate to show off.

Use Professional Resume Writing Help

Even though travel nurses are now in great demand, competition remains fierce. To get a high-paying job, you need to market yourself as a medical expert and empathic caregiver at the same time. Your CV is a good tool for this.

Use the professional help of writers to create a resume that will grab the attention of HR managers and employers. Use the best essay services reviews to discover the best custom writing companies to get quality help in CV writing.

How To Find Travel Nurse Job

After you have your CV ready, you can proceed to the final stage. Post your resume on local and global job boards, partner with relevant recruiting companies, and don’t forget about using social media.

For example, a platform like Linkedin can help you build the right connections with both employers and HR managers. If you have experience of working with an HR manager, then send your resume again. Perhaps the manager has a suitable job offer for you right now. Always stay in touch with managers, agencies and recruiting companies to be always updated on fresh openings and relocation opportunities.

Wrapping Up

Use the above tips to create such a CV that will differentiate you from the other travel nurses and will open doors to the best job offers. Highlighting your skills and experience in the right way is key to your career as a travel nurse. In this article, we have shared simple yet actionable tips on how to dwell on your experience in the context of Covid-19, so make sure to use them and turn your new skills into competitive advantages along with the opportunity to proceed with helping those in need.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our jobs page. Do you have an assignment but need housing? Click here to view our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

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By Triage Healthcare Staffing

October 4, 2021

8926 Views

Kamana: The Last Profile You’ll Ever Need

Posted on October 4, 2021September 30, 2021 by Triage Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Triage Healthcare Staffing.

If you haven’t taken the travel plunge yet, you probably aren’t sure what it means to build out your profile. Quite simply, your traveler profile is like a neatly packaged, detailed resume that agencies can use to help you find a job. Every agency you work with requires you to build out a profile with them, and they use it to find a job, and then like magic, a love match happens.

How the Traveler Profile Currently Works

If you’re currently working with multiple agencies (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you probably have quite a few profiles floating around in cyberspace, all that might include some personal info. Since each agency normally uses their own specific profile, this also means that you’ll have to update information over and over when something changes, like a license expiration date or even something as simple as receiving a yearly flu vaccine. Take a second and think about how many profiles you have out there and just how long it can take to update each one when you’re looking for a job. Annoying, right?

Enter the Kamana Profile

Kamana is an encrypted, universal profile that stores your information in one secure location. You can share your universal profile with multiple agencies, so say goodbye to creating and updating multiple profiles that need to be individually updated whenever you have a new piece of info. Update your info once, and your profile can be updated with multiple agencies with one click. Easy peasy.

Also gone are your paper folder and dusty laptop that you haul around from assignment to assignment. Since you access Kamana through a secure web app, you don’t need to text or email sensitive documents to your agency. Send the secured Kamana link and know that your data is safe.

What Info Can Kamana Manage

But what actually goes into a Kamana profile? Like an agency-specific profile, you’ll need to include personal info like your contact details and what you’re looking for in an assignment. Then, you can upload attachments, such as JPGs or PDFs of your license, certifications, or even vaccine records. The next step is to enter your work history, what electronic health record systems you’re experienced in, and even skills checklists.

How the Heck Does Kamana Actually Work?

Once you’ve completed your Kamana profile, you can choose to share your profile within the web app. Only recruiters or agencies that you create a relationship with are able to see your profile. Your profile comes with two versions—a limited view and a complete profile. With the limited view, agencies can only see your name, contact info, and a short summary of your qualifications.

With the full profile view, your receiver can see and download your full profile. In this case, your home address, work history, and reference contact info are available. Kamana recommends that you reserve a full profile share until you’re applying for a specific job with an agency. If you ever decide that you don’t want to work with a particular agency or recruiter anymore, you can also revoke access at any time.

In addition to making it incredibly simple to share your profile, Kamana also keeps track of any expiring licenses or vaccines and sends you a reminder before the expiration, so you are never caught off guard.

What if My Agency Doesn’t Take Kamana?

Over 100 agencies currently use Kamana to help speed up their onboarding process, but what if yours isn’t one of them? You can still send a link to your universal profile, and all the information your recruiter needs is at their fingertips, making your life easier.

Not a Traveler Yet? Kamana is Still for You

If you haven’t dipped your toes in the travel water, you can still take advantage of a Kamana profile. When your Kamana profile is up to date, Kamana can generate a downloadable PDF of your resume, so you don’t need to spend time formatting or updating information if you want to look for a new position. And, of course, Kamana still keeps track of your personal credentialing info and expiration dates, so you’re never unaware when something is about to expire.

To create your Kamana profile and connect with Triage, please visit Triage’s Kamana portal.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse job? Click here to view our job board. Have the job, but need housing? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

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By Heather Downen

October 3, 2021

17036 Views

17 Things You Need to Know About Being a Travel Nurse

Posted on October 3, 2021January 16, 2023 by Heather Downen

Travel Nursing isn’t for everyone. Just like with any other job there are pros and cons to it. For that reason, a travel nurse of 8 years came up with these 17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse before you sign that contract.

17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse.

1. Yes, it will be hard getting your first job.

Because not all hospitals take first time travelers, the more requirements you have (location, shift, block schedule, time off) the harder it will be.

2. You may get a great hospital for your first job that is okay with you being green, asking questions, needing guidance.

But it’s unlikely. Most will give you little to no orientation, the hardest patient load, and then nitpick your care. Or if they do take you it will be a hot mess. Know your practice. That skills checklist you have to do? Be honest. And if you aren’t marking expert in most to all the boxes, get more experience.

3. Yes, we are serious that you should get two years in your specialty.

Yes, TWO years minimum. Are there people who do it? Yup. Would you want someone caring for your grandma who is a year nurse with no support system in place? Oh, and you can bet they will cancel you if you can’t keep up. Or if you need a lot of assistance.

4. We are at-will employees.

Because of this we can’t sue for cancelled contracts, housing issues, ect. We put up a lot of upfront money with no guarantee. It’s just part of travel. You want security, keep your staff job.

5. Are there jobs out there that are destination locations, paying $3k a week, and block scheduling?

Yes, there is one. And it was filled 0.0000005 seconds after it posted by Janet who has been traveling for 22 years and has her travel game on lock down.

6. Have a savings.

You will hit a snag and not have a contract for a month, get cancelled, have that cheap housing fall thru, get sick/injured on contract. Nothing sucks more than being 3000 miles from family, broke, alone, and jobless.

7. They are paying us to work.

If you don’t, they will keep more of your money and you may get cancelled.

8. Be professional.

Yes, more professional than the staff nurses.

9. Mind your business.

They don’t want to know how you did it at your staff job. So, do it the way they want (within the parameters of patient safety). There is more than one way to skin a cat. As they say.

10. Be smart about safety when traveling.

You are alone in a new city. You are a prime target for all kinds of criminals.

11. No one can tell you if it’s better to fly and rent a car, drive to your destinations, or ship your car.

It’s what fits your time and budget.

12. Yes, it’s harder to travel with pets.

Yes, housing is harder. Adding big, bully breeds, or multiple dogs makes it even harder. Is it doable? Yes, but it’s harder. It may limit your locations.

13. Yes there is a quarantine for dogs going to Hawaii.

It’s it doable? Yes. But it’s a huge pain, expensive, and stressful for your pet.

14. Recruiters

There are crooked recruiters. Yes, there are lazy recruiters. There are crappy recruiters. Yes, you will work with a few before you figure it out. But there are great recruiters who will become your friends. Who will support you, listen to you lose your mind/whine/cry. When you find them, keep them. And tell all your friends.

15. Not every “good” recruiter is a good recruiter for every nurse.

Because of this you need to realize your needs and desires and find a recruiter who fits with you.

16. Travel nursing isn’t for everyone.

And that’s okay. You must be flexible, optimistic, and roll with the punches. Therefore, if that’s not you, stay home.

17. There will be nurse that disagree with these.

Saying well “I traveled after being a nurse for two weeks, have fifteen pit bulls and a horse and I found a job making $3k a week with block scheduling on day shift and housing for $50 a month. You can do it”. You can friend, but you are responsible for your license, bank account, and happiness. No one else.

So, before you sign that contract make sure you have not only read over these 17 things you need to know about being a travel nurse, but do your own research as well.

Want more information on travel nursing?

Check out our Travel Nurse Guide

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By The Gypsy Nurse

October 2, 2021

27534 Views

Overtime Negotiation

Posted on October 2, 2021March 22, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

In my series of articles on Preliminary Contract Negotiations, I discussed negotiating overtime in step 11. In this article, I’m going to delve a little deeper…

The case for Travel Nurse Overtime Negotiation

If you have no intentions of working any overtime, ever, you can skip this part. However, if you’re like me and want as much overtime as possible, this is a negotiating point.

Some travel nurse companies will negotiate overtime rates separate from the contracted hourly rate. The following information is important, and armed with it will help you negotiate for a higher overtime rate. Why? This is because all of your expenses/benefits are covered on the travel nurse agencies part in the contracted amount of hours. Any hours you work over the contracted amount are simply a benefit (and increased revenue) for the travel nurse agency. Most companies will offer you time and half of your base rate (minus any tax-free amounts) for overtime. I always negotiate for a higher overtime rate, and if the travel agency does not budge on this, I remind them that me working overtime is beneficial for me…but them.

Overtime isn’t simply the 1.5 times your taxable rate

Although this is the standard in the permanent staffing world, travel nursing pay is set up differently. We are contractors and can negotiate whatever rate we want – within the constraints of the agency agreement, of course!

1. Determine the “effective taxable wage”

For the sake of the conversation, let’s say that your take-home wage is $1200 a week; you have a 36hr guarantee; and a taxable wage of $18/hr. Many companies will try to pay you overtime on only the taxable wage of $18. And most will only pay the ‘taxable wage’ ($18/hr in this example) for hours 36-40.

The reason is because housing and M&I are based on your guaranteed 36 hrs. However, the bill rate to the hospital doesn’t change, so the company profits on the difference. We are going to try to recover some of that money back into your hands.

Go to paycheckcity.com and play with the calculator until you reach a taxable wage that would make you the $1200/wk take home if you were taxed on 100% of your money for 36 hrs. (This varies by state). For this example, we will assume it’s $44/hr. Once you know your ‘effective taxable wage,’ you are better positioned for negotiations.

2. Negotiate the ‘Secondary Rate.

For hours 37-40, you can negotiate a secondary rate with the agency. Generally, I recommend that you base this on the ‘effective taxable wage.’ In this example, $44/hr.

3. Determine your Overtime rate.

Now that you know your ‘effective taxable rate,’ you can better determine what the OT rate should be. It’s unlikely that the agency ‘can’ pay you time and half of the ‘effective taxable rate’ because this is likely higher than the actual bill rate. BUT, you have a place to start! In this example, time and half of the ‘effective taxable rate’ would be $66/hr.

My recommendation is to work with a ‘triple’ rate as a start for OT negotiations. In this example, the taxable rate is $18, so the ‘triple’ rate would be $54/hour. This is likely much closer to a realistic OT rate than the $66 (time and half of the ‘effective taxable wage.’

4. Be Realistic

The agency has to make money too! You want this to be a win-win situation! These tips are only a suggestion on a place, to begin with, negotiations. Your trust level with your agency/recruiter will play a role in your negotiations, which is why it’s essential to have an agency/recruiter that you trust.

When you work OT, it should be putting more in your pocket and the agencies as well.

Personally Speaking: I’ve had contracts that I couldn’t get a good OT rate and told the agency that I wouldn’t work OT with that rate (and I didn’t). Then I’ve had contracts where my ability and drive to work OT was a great factor in negotiating a great rate. Simply stating, ‘I’m hoping to work a bunch of OT this contract. Let’s make this a ‘money-maker for BOTH of us!’ and my recruiter was able to get me a fabulous OT rate.

5. Don’t Forget…

It’s important to remember if you are taking call/call-back or working holidays during your contract that this is reflected in your contract at the correct rate!

I hope that these travel nurse overtime negotiation tips have been helpful. How do you experienced travelers negotiate OT? Looking for more information about your Travel Nurse Pay? Do you have other tips or suggestions? Please post in the comments to share with our readers!

Looking for an Agency?

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By Go Healthcare Staffing

October 1, 2021

7192 Views

When Should I Take Time Off as a Travel Nurse?

Posted on October 1, 2021September 28, 2021 by Go Healthcare Staffing

This article was provided by Go Healthcare.

This is a question that is asked over and over. The best time to take time off? There is no best time, BUT as a travel nurse, one must understand they are supplemental staff to the Full-time staff why the whole industry was created due to Full-time staff shortages. But we are in a pandemic, so here are some ideas.

In between contracts or extensions.

This is the best time if you need a week to take a breather and get recharged. Nurses are being asked to work longer, and in more difficult environments, so it is okay to say you need some time for yourself.

Work with your manager for scheduling.

If you feel burnt out or tired, work with them to see if you could get a week where your schedule may allow for a long weekend or a four-day weekend where you would have a Friday and/or a Monday off. Sometimes you just need a few days….

Not holidays but around the holidays.

Meaning supplemental staff is usually asked to work the holidays due to the Full-time staff wanting to take holidays. Hence there is usually a solid bump for that day or bonus. So if you work with your manager, you can schedule sometime around and still get the benefit of higher pay.

Just like any profession, there is never a good time one feels to take a breather.

Just know work will be there. But understand the pandemic will end in time, and rates will come back down, so if there is a time to work and actually work as many hours as you can, now and the near term would be the time and save some money to take a nice relaxing vacation when the pandemic ends!

We hope you found these tips for taking some time to yourself as a travel nurse helpful. Do you have any advice to share with new or even veteran fellow travel nurses about vacations and time off? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need housing for that next assignment? Click here to visit our housing page.

About Go Healthcare:

For every reason you decide to travel, we are there for you. As a Travel Nurse, you have the opportunity to travel anywhere in the country while gaining an enriching experience both professionally and personally. Some reasons you may decide to travel include avoiding “hospital politics” as a staff RN, a chance to see the country, gain clinical experience for your nurse resume, increase your earning potential and connect with friends or family far and nearby working in the same city. We offer our Go RN Travelers exciting travel assignments across the country, competitive pay & benefits, and healthcare insurance from “day one” of your contract.

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By CareerStaff Unlimited

September 28, 2021

7051 Views

Leaving the Day Behind: Relaxation Techniques for Nurses

Posted on September 28, 2021September 22, 2021 by CareerStaff Unlimited

This article was provided by CareerStaff Unlimited.

By Karen Stockdale, MBA, BSN, RN

For most nurses, dealing with high levels of stress on a daily basis becomes the norm. The nature of the job lends itself to stressful situations – from dealing with life and death situations to interacting with people at some of the worst moments of their lives – over long, demanding hours. The rates of nursing burnout are very high, with similarly high rates of mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

Many nurses find themselves re-living the day’s work – mentally rechecking everything to make sure nothing was missed or secretly chastising themselves for not doing more. This mental game is called “ruminating” and can be very damaging. Ruminating prolongs and intensifies stress, leading to depression and impairing your ability to process events. If you find yourself ruminating on the day, step back and find an activity that requires your mental ability in a non-exhaustive way. Puzzle and word games, crafts, visiting friends, sports, or other hobbies can help “reset” your brain and get it out of the loop.

Nurses are often giving people by nature – they entered the profession to help others. This selfless attitude, while admirable, can cause a challenge when it comes to a positive nurse work-life balance. These are the qualities that make great nurses! However, it is also these qualities that make it hard for travel nurses to unwind after work.

As a nurse, how do you unwind, reset, and protect your private time? Let’s take a look at some techniques to reclaim your mental space and coax the stress away.

Five Ways to Unwind

1. Exercise.

Exercise releases feel-good endorphins and takes the tension away. And it doesn’t have to be physically exhausting. A walk, some yoga, some dancing, playing with a child or your dog – all of these are ways to move your body and release some stress. It also helps you sleep better!

2. Keep a Journal.

Focusing your thoughts on exactly how you are feeling can help you express yourself – and leave it on the page. Many find that gratitude journaling is a good technique for emphasizing the greatest things in life. Instead of focusing on stressful parts of the day, it might be helpful to express gratitude for the coworker that brought you lunch or the family member that hugged you. Journaling can help bring the joy back.

3. Spend time with family and friends.

When you don’t feel at your best, it is tempting to be a hermit and skip social events. Don’t do it! Spending time with those you love is a natural stress reliever and gives you a feeling of belonging and connectedness. When nurses talk about work-life balance, this is one component that is crucial to well-being.

4. Laugh.

Sometimes it is hard to find the humor in a situation – but nurses are known for a wicked sense of humor! A twisted sense of humor is a tried-and-true coping mechanism for healthcare workers. Caution – use your humor around people that “get it,” or it could be mistaken as in poor taste. Then laugh until it hurts!

5. Learn to Say NO.

As givers, nurses are sometimes not good at boundaries. This equates to extra shifts, staying late, and helping out coworkers and friends. This often leads to a lack of personal time and self-care and breeds resentment. While it is difficult, learning to say “no” in kind ways such as “I just have too much on my plate right now” or “Thank you for thinking of me, but I need to step away for a while” become easier with practice. Saying “no” gives you control over your stressors and eliminates that overwhelmed feeling.

CareerStaff Unlimited knows how important self-care is to busy nurses, and we support the work-life balance of each individual. Travel nursing opportunities allow nurses to select the assignment and the hours that are right for him/her while seeing new areas of the country and experiencing new cultures. Explore your options through CareerStaff by searching current travel job openings. Then relax and let us handle it!

We hope you found these tips for travel nurses to unwind. Do you have ways that you unwind after a long shift? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to view our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

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—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

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By The Gypsy Nurse

September 27, 2021

5200 Views

Caring for a Mesothelioma Patient

Posted on September 27, 2021September 17, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

The transitory nature of being a traveling nurse poses a unique set of challenges when it comes to the long-term care many mesothelioma patients need. Because of this, you may not have been there from diagnosis through the entire process or be able to stay with the same patient to the end. However, it’s still important to understand what they’ve gone through and what the rest of their journey will look like in order to care for them now.

With Mesothelioma Awareness Day being September 26th, let’s take a look at a mesothelioma patient’s journey and explore some ways to best care for them.

What causes mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. This naturally occurring mineral was used in many building and manufacturing materials, as well as homes before the 1980s because of its fire resistance and insulation properties. However, when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge themselves in the lining of the lungs and create scarring and inflammation. This can lead to the formation of tumors. These tumors are ultimately what cause the symptoms that push patients to get diagnosed. However, it can take 10-50 years after exposure for noticeable symptoms to appear, leading to a relatively late-stage diagnosis.

Understanding the diagnosis

A biopsy is the only way to officially confirm that the patient has mesothelioma. This test determines the cell type, stage, and location of the tumor, information that will be used to give a mesothelioma prognosis and build out the treatment plan. There are two cell types, three main locations where the cancer is found, and four stages. A patient’s prognosis will depend on the stage, cell type, and location of the tumor.

Mesothelioma cell types:

Epithelioid is common, making up 70-80% of cases. Epithelial cells exist naturally in the body as tissue that lines internal organs and vessels. When asbestos becomes lodged in them, they can mutate and become cancerous, causing mesothelioma. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with epithelial cells is 23.4 months.
Meanwhile, sarcomatoid makes up 10-20% of cases. This cell type metastasizes faster to other organs and is more aggressive. The average life expectancy of someone diagnosed with sarcomatoid cells is six months.

Mesothelioma locations:

Pleural mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs and makes up 80-90% of cases. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are similar to other respiratory cancers and illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose early.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the abdomen and makes up 15-20% of cases. This type has a more promising life expectancy because of new progress with treatments.
Pericardial mesothelioma affects the heart and makes up less than 1% of cases. It has a poor prognosis and often patients rely heavily on palliative treatments.
Testicular mesothelioma makes up less than 1% of cases and has a much better prognosis and life expectancy than the other three.

Mesothelioma stages:

Stage one: the tumor is only in the lining of the affected organ.
Stage two: the tumor has spread to the affected organ
Stage three: the tumor has spread past the affected organ to nearby organs and into the chest.
Stage four: the tumor has spread into distant parts of the body, the lymph nodes, and bones.

Your patient’s treatment plan

Because of how rare this form of lung cancer is, patients often get a second opinion or find someone who specializes in mesothelioma before deciding on a treatment plan, there are three primary treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Many patients choose a multi-modal approach that combines two or three of these.

However, it’s important to note that depending on the cell type and stage, the treatments may be actually trying to eradicate the cancer or provide palliative care to relieve symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Supporting patients through it all

As a nurse, there are two major things to keep at the front of your mind when caring for a patient with mesothelioma.

Prioritize their emotional health. Pain and weight of a prognosis is an exhausting load to bear. Take some time to make a human connection and encourage them.
Include their family. Like with any other illness, a patient’s support system is crucial to the healing process. Help those around your patient to understand the diagnosis and share advice on how they can best support their loved one.

Closing thoughts

Caring for patients with mesothelioma can be draining because of how common a poor prognosis is. However, a nurse can make all the difference in their life by understanding the journey, advocating for them, and supporting them through the hardest parts.

We hope you found this information and tips on caring for a patient with mesothelioma helpful. Have you worked with mesothelioma patients? Do you have any advice or stories you would like to share? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to view our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

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By The Gypsy Nurse

September 26, 2021

14970 Views

Interviewing Your Travel Nurse Recruiter

Posted on September 26, 2021March 2, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

Finding a great recruiter and agency can be crucial to your travel nurse experience.

It’s important to interview your travel nurse recruiter to make sure that they are a good fit.

We’ve talked about things that make a great travel nurse recruiter and how to work with your travel nurse recruiter. Now we have 20 Questions to ask your travel nurse recruiter when you interview them. Yes! You should interview your travel nurse recruiter!

20 Questions: Interview your travel nurse recruiter

How many years of experience do you have in the field?
What attracted you to doing travel nurse recruiting?
What were you doing before going into travel nurse recruiting?
What’s the highest degree you earned?
If I talk to your manager what would he/she say about you?
What are your strongest assets?
What are the areas of weakness and need improving?
How are you available to me and other candidates?
How do you present a pay package to me?
Do you provide prep before an interview?
Do you debrief me after an interview?
Present me with a hypothetical offer right now?
Show me a resume that you have prepared to present to your clients!
Show me a pay package that you prepared to a candidate and how did you tailor that pay package to their needs and wants
How do you keep in touch with your PLACED candidates?
How do you keep on sharpening your skills?
Why should I work with you than anyone else
If I find a pay package that’s higher than yours by 100 dollars, are you willing to match and allow for negotiation in the pay package?
Do you pay an extra shift bonus and an OT after 12 hr shift?
Anything else you would like to add to make me want to work with you?

Are you looking for a great travel Nurse Company?

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By Maddie Torres-Gypsy Nurse Correspondent

September 25, 2021

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Suicide Prevention Month: Ending the Stigma

Posted on September 25, 2021November 10, 2023 by Maddie Torres-Gypsy Nurse Correspondent

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

With an increase in isolation due to COVID-19 quarantine regulations, people are feeling lonely and disconnected. The pandemic has also caused high levels of uncertainty, causing increased anxiety for everyone, no matter their vulnerability to the virus. These conditions make it particularly critical for people to frequently focus on their mental health. Making authentic connections with others while distanced and wearing a mask, or online via Zoom, is much more challenging.

People are feeling disconnected from themselves as well as other people. This “new normal” brings an onslaught of mental health challenges, particularly for traveling health care providers, who may find themselves in unfamiliar places with fewer connections to stave off loneliness. Despite the circumstances, it is important to emphasize that people do not have to experience these feelings alone.

A person’s feelings and mental health matter.

The month of September is dedicated to National Suicide Awareness and an important reminder that a person’s feelings and mental health matter. Health professionals, allies, survivors, and community members take this time to come together to promote suicide prevention awareness and end the stigma surrounding mental health. As of mid-2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that one person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. This staggering statistic is an important reminder that suicide or suicidal thoughts are pervasive.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (nami):

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34, and the fourth leading cause of death for people ages 35-54
The overall suicide rate in the United States has increased by 31% since 2001
46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition
While only half of the individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms

An article published by the Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry (JAMA) warned that the COVID-19 pandemic may create a “perfect storm” among medical professionals, many of whom are already at an increased risk of death by suicide. Travel nurses on the frontline can be particularly susceptible to thoughts of isolation or depression due to their current work with COVID-19 patients. With long hours, grueling work, and a feeling of displacement that comes with being assigned to an unfamiliar location, it is essential to take time for personal check-ins. Finding the right resources may be individualized and there are a number of tips and tools available.

Silver Lining

A silver lining of virtual connection is the emergence of online forums, community boards and virtual groups where people can come together and share their experiences. Although a sort of unspoken taboo still exists in terms of talking openly about mental health, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Health (nami) are creating a dialogue so people can share their stories and build a sense of community. People around the world are posting photos on various social media platforms to share their journey with mental health or suicide prevention with hash tags such as #SuicidePrevention or #Stigmafree. This public series has now surpassed 1.5 million posts on Instagram and is therefore available for anyone to look at. Some have found the sheer act of sharing these posts liberating and freeing.

However, if the act of sharing seems too public, there are other resources and tools available for those who struggle. Or for those who may know someone who is struggling. More specifically for healthcare workers, the American Nurses Association (ANA) is a great resource. There is an entire page dedicated to mental health tips designed specifically for nurses. Which includes important links to support groups and wellness initiatives. Even quick tips for relieving stress either at home or at work.

Some of the tips from the ANA webpage include:

While at work, take back the act of handwashing as moments of self-care. Recite a meditation or affirmation, sing a song, or pray
Take a lap around the department for 1 minute while focusing on breathing. Breath in for 4 counts, holding for 7, and out for 8
At home, spend time outdoors safely by going for a short walk
Write down 3 people or things that you are grateful for every day

The significance of this information does not expire once the month of September is over. Utilizing these mental health resources can play an integral role in relieving anxiety, depression or other emotions that can lead to suicide. Healthcare workers on the frontline are working tirelessly everyday to fight COVID-19.

With depleted energy at the end of the day, it is absolutely pertinent that nurses integrate effective self-care regimens into their daily routine. It doesn’t have to be a time-consuming routine, but even a couple of minutes makes an immense difference. Suicide plagues thousands of families every year. By raising awareness and facilitating open conversations we can begin to end the stigma surrounding mental health.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Other important mental health resources:

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
The National Alliance for Suicide Prevention
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Online Support Group

Sources:

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-09-2019-suicide-one-person-dies-every-40-seconds

https://nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2764584

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