January 20, 2021

10127 Views

Top 6 Books All Travel Nurses Should Read

Posted on January 20, 2021December 13, 2021 by Katherine Rundell

Whether you are an experienced traveling nurse or only just beginning to consider this healthcare career option, there are some fantastic books available that can help guide you and provide invaluable information. Here are 6 must-read books all travel nurses should add to their reading list.

**1. ‘Hitting The Road: A Guide To Travel Nursing’ By Shalon Weddington**

If you’re wondering whether or not becoming a traveling nurse is the right option for you, then you should definitely make sure that you check out Hitting the Road. In this 2010 updated version of the book, Weddington provides practical information for those about to embark upon travel nursing. A retired travel nurse herself, she shares her decades of experience with readers. She provides detailed information on a range of topics, such as tax strategies, international travel, finances, and listings of travel staffing services. There are even some self-assessment quizzes to help you decide whether or not travel nursing is the right option for you.

**2. ‘I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories Of Becoming A Nurse’ By Lee Gutkind**

Even if you absolutely love being a travel nurse, there are inevitably bound to be days where it can feel like a struggle, and when you may begin to question how to keep going. I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out is the perfect book when you need a little support and inspiration. In this book, Gutkind shares a range of true stories from a variety of nurses as they share their experiences. The book is filled with stories of nurses who discuss their struggles and how they were able to keep going during the hardest of times.

**3. ‘The Nurses: A Year Of Secrets, Drama, And Miracles With The Heroes Of The Hospital’ By Alexandra Robbins**

If you’re looking for a book that really examines what it is like to be a nurse, then look no further than The Nurses: A Year of Secrets, Drama, and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital.

“This book covers a range of topics which nurses encounter in their jobs and indeed, throughout the course of their careers. Robbins was able to follow four real-life nurses over the course of a year at four hospitals, as well as interviewing many others. The result is a book that authentically captures the drama, courage, and sisterhood of nursing,” says Nathan Mitchell, a journalist at Academized and OXEssays.

**4. ‘The Truth About Travel Nursing’ By Kyle Schmidt**

In The Truth About Travel Nursing, Schmidt offers an insight into the world of travel nursing from the recruiter’s perspective. A former travel healthcare recruiter himself, Schmidt provides helpful information, including offering advice about how to compare travel services and the compensation packages that they offer.

**5. ‘Travel Nurse’s Bible (A Guide To Everything On Travel Nursing)’ By David Morrison**

If you are thinking about becoming a travel nurse or have just embarked upon your journey, then Travel Nurse’s Bible (A Guide to Everything on Travel Nursing) is a must-have resource. Morrison uses his 14 years of experience as a travel nurse to provide useful need-to-know information for every aspiring or practicing travel nurse.

“The book covers some really important topics, such as detailed instruction on how to get started on your journey as a travel nurse, the qualifications you need, as well as the key personality traits you need to have. It’s a really useful resource for anyone at the outset of their travel nursing career,” says Jennifer Ackles, a writer at Custom Writing and Dissertation Help.

**6. ‘Fast Facts For The Travel Nurse: Travel Nursing In A Nutshell’ By Michele Angell Landrum**

Although this book is particularly suited to those thinking about beginning a career as a travel nurse, it’s also filled with valuable information and tips for those already practicing. An experienced traveling nurse herself, Landrum provides helpful advice on how to better prepare yourself for assignments and how to successfully negotiate assignment contracts, as well as ways to increase your pay and improve your benefits.

Conclusion

Being a traveling nurse is a rewarding and challenging job. With these books, however, you’ll be better equipped to face any challenges which come your way. The next time you’re traveling to your next assignment, take along one of these books to help inform and inspire you.

Do you have any books to add to the list? Any you have read that you think other travel nurses would love? Comment them below.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

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

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By Kashan Muhammad

January 19, 2021

9736 Views

Top 6 Nursing Jobs That Are Highest Paid

Posted on January 19, 2021May 19, 2021 by Kashan Muhammad

Nursing certainly is a noble profession; what could be more divine than serving humanity by giving all required assistance to serve people irrespective of their color, caste, creed, and financial background. But this certainly doesn’t mean that a professional cannot make his ends meet once after joining the profession. Contrary to popular belief, nursing jobs are in high demand due to the presence of lucrative opportunities within the healthcare setting.

Appaelnbags.com has been serving this honorable profession by making custom medical staff uniforms and custom logo medical staff uniforms. Our quality speaks for itself. Many medical practitioners choose our services and products for their hospital staff. We have a huge range of custom medical staff uniforms to choose from. Our medical scrubs, lab coats, and logo uniforms are some examples of our exceptional quality products. So, if you are looking to make a uniform of your own choice, we are a one-stop solution for you. Read the article below to know more about the nursing jobs that make the most money.

Clinical Nurse Instructor

The clinical nurse educator is in charge of preparing and supporting professionals associated with the healthcare industry. They primarily improve healthcare training prospectuses and are generally responsible for supervising new nurses and students in the clinical setting. It is generally opted by the specialists who are fascinated with teaching. It is estimated that a clinical nurse educator makes around $110,211 every year. It’s an exciting field for those who want to pursue their passion for teaching while remaining an active healthcare practitioner.

Nursing Administrator

The prime job description of this job also requires training nursing authorities – by mixing their knowledge in healthcare education with professional skills – in view of managing and tackle executive challenges and regular clinical accomplishments within a healthcare facility. On average, this job employee takes home at least $101,255 every year. It’s an exciting field with substantial growth prospects.

Family Nurse Practitioner

A professional practitioner is one who brings professional care in light of family-focused training and methods to people of all age brackets – from childhood to old age – they often support professional doctors in conducting the routine analytic tests, recommends medicine and treatment plans, and are regularly in touch with the patients and their associates. It’s also a lucrative field that approximately gives $101,361 yearly.

Medical-Surgical Nurse Manager

They are mandated to provide course and managerial error to respective surgical care teams. The academic members have often warned that this job is quite stressful and has some baggage as it’s considered quite stressful. Relatively high from other nursing jobs, nurses associated with it usually make around $102,678 yearly.

Nurse Practitioner

They are in charge of taking care of each part of patient care, leading, interoperating tests such as X-rays, and making treatment plans with patients’ families. It requires the individual to be a master of all; the nurses need to consider every aspect of the healthcare treatment in consultation with patients and their families. On average, a practitioner takes home at least $106,636 yearly.

Pain Management Nurse

They are often stationed at a hospital’s oncology unit or care unit to assist the therapeutic teams and patients in detecting the cost of the patient’s pain and then formulate a treatment plan accordingly. Due to their significant role in the entire healthcare process, the nurses associated with this field are highly demanded in the industry; they are among the highest-paid nurses as they receive around $107,377 every year.

Apparelnbags.com promotes this noble profession and wants to help in any way we can. We are the pioneer of medical staff uniforms supplies and make custom medical uniforms easy to wear. We make our uniforms from the highest quality fabric to make them stand out from all the others. You do not need to conduct a lot of research if you have opted for our uniform making services. Many companies are associated with textile manufacturing, but we are apart because of our quality and available policies.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

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

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By Frank Hamilton

January 18, 2021

8884 Views

How to Write an Exceptional Travel Nursing Resume?

Posted on January 18, 2021May 19, 2021 by Frank Hamilton

It’s okay to change the workplace. What’s more, somewhere else, patients really need your care right now. So it’s time to create a cool travel nursing resume. Even if you seek professional help from the best essay writing services, you still need to prepare the right facts about your work experience and logically structure your travel nursing resume. The following tips will help travel nurses create a resume that will definitely grab a potential employer’s attention.

Write a Summary

Interesting fact! HR managers look through each resume for only six seconds. For this reason, you need to make your resume more attention-grabbing. Therefore, it is worth considering creating a summary.

A summary consists of two to four sentences where you tell about your current goal, experience, and achievements.

Summary Example:

Certified nurse with over seven years of experience in emergency care. An ethical and compassionate professional who can remain calm in emergencies with a Master’s degree in Surgical Nursing looking for a Senior Nurse position.

The presence of such an element as a summary is a must-do for everyone who has working experience since you really have a lot of important things to say.

Replace Ordinary Words with Specific Ones

If you analyze the various resumes of nurses, then the most used expressions are “responsible,” “worked,” “created.” These are quite logical phrases that immediately come to mind during the writing. But to stand out among the thousands of resumes, you can grab attention with other words.

When HR managers read the same thing in each of the resumes they receive, it looks like reading templates (because of the above expressions). But when they start skimming through the text where slightly different wordings are used, it will arouse interest to perceive your resume differently. Such a psychological trick may become your competitive edge.

Use the following phrases to stand out on your resume:

Measured;
Analyzed;
Administered;
Specialized;
Treated.

If you have difficulties with choosing the right expressions for your resume, you can find a writer using the website’s ratings that will help you come up with a unique vocabulary.

Highlight the Hard Skills in Your Travel Nursing Resume

Most professionals overwhelm their resumes with “soft skills.” These are such skills as precision, observation, endurance, friendliness, or teamwork. Instead of such skills, focus on skills that will distinguish you as a specialist, as this is the prevailing factor that HR managers pay attention to. For example:

Chemotherapy;
Surgery;
Urgent Care;
Laboratory testing.

These are just examples of “hard skills” with which you can understand what is at stake. If you have been an assistant during surgery or chemotherapy, be sure to list your skills in these areas. Surely, you should mention some of your soft skills as well. However, your professional skills still matter most to make the right impression and convince the HR manager you are suitable for a specific position.

Add “Non-Typical” Sections to Your Travel Nursing Resume

Most likely, you are well aware that there are typical lines for a nursing resume. But since you have the experience, it will not be superfluous to add non-typical graphs that will help you stand out from other specialists. Here are some sections you can add:

Courses: Many nurses strive to gain new knowledge in their field and if this is about you, be sure to mention all the additional courses and certificates you have. Managers always pay attention to such moments. Even if you have completed the Rescuer courses, you can indicate this.
Conferences: Experienced nurses tend to attend and even speak at various thematic conferences. If you have such experience, it can once again emphasize your interest in your specialization.
Volunteering: If you took part in any volunteer programs, be sure to indicate this. Such experience is important in your career, and it will again show you from the best side not only as a specialist but also as a person.
Languages: If you know foreign languages, then you cannot keep silent about it. Do you doubt that this can affect your job opportunities? However, indicating your foreign language skills, you get a chance of being hired by an international clinic, where knowledge of a foreign language will be one of the key requirements. Also, don’t forget to indicate the level of foreign language knowledge and mention the corresponding courses and/or certificates, if any.

Resume Structure for an Experienced Nurse

Now let’s move to the logical and clear structure of your resume. Below you will find a simple sample that you can use to get started with resume writing.

Name
Address
Position
email
Phone number

Summary

Education (Start from the last to first education degree)

Skills (Use Hard Skills first)

Work History (Start from the last workplace to the first one)

Additional Sections (Courses, Conferences, Volunteering, Languages)

The Final Words

When it comes to creating a resume, the main thing is not to be shy about your successes and skills. But you still need to be professional, so make sure to use the right wordings, emphasize your hard skills and complement them with the soft ones, plus attract the attention of the potential employer to your competitive advantages like certificates, courses, languages, and volunteering experience.

As travel nurses, your resumes are very different from other professions, even staff nurses. Have you found any ways to make your resume stand out or steps/tips while working on yours? Comment them below.

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.

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By The Gypsy Nurse

January 17, 2021

70288 Views

Travel Nurse Housing: Where am I going to Live?

Posted on January 17, 2021December 20, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

3 Travel Nurse Housing Options

What are the housing options for travel nurses? There are 3 travel nurse housing options to consider when asking the question Where am I going to live?

Agency Provided Housing
Securing your own travel nurse housing with a ‘stipend’
Travel in an RV

Travel Nurse Housing Tax Implications

It’s important to understand that no matter which housing option you opt for, you must have a valid tax-home to obtain ‘free’ housing. If you do not have a tax-home, your housing costs should be taxed as income. Many agencies will not tell you this.

PART I: Agency Provided Housing

Overview

With agency provided housing, the agency takes care of everything for you, from deposits (excluding any pet deposits), utilities, and furnishing. All you should have to do is show up. Your housing should be ‘move-in ready.’ Sometimes the internet or cable TV are not included. You may have to arrange this on your own if you need/want it. Ask the agency if this is included. Many Agencies provide housing in hotels, motels, and extended stay type properties. These can vary greatly. It’s important to ask what type of housing and where and do your research.

Additionally, if you are taking company-provided housing, it’s important to know what is actually included in the companies description of ‘furnished.’ ‘Furnished’ can mean a wide variety of different things to different people. I discussed the importance of clarifying what is ‘furnished’ in a previous post, so I won’t rehash it here.

Questions to Ask about your Travel Nurse Housing

In addition to knowing what is furnished in your company provided housing, here is a list of other questions about housing that you might find helpful.

What type of property do you provide? Apartment. Hotel. Etc.
What amenities does the apartment/housing offer? I.e., fitness center, pool, business center (fax, copy, print).
Is parking provided? Is there a fee? Will the company cover?
The time frame for move-in and move-out. Most companies will give you a day or two on both ends of the contract.
Contact information for housing.
Microwave, TV, Vacuum, provided? (don’t assume that your housing will include these items)
Address of the housing?

To-Do Before You Move Into your Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

The following is a “To Do” list to help you ease into your agency provided travel nurse housing smoothly:

Obtain the housing’s address and contact information and call them yourself to confirm your arrival date and time.
Research the area before your move. Use the internet. There are many internet resources to check on crime rates, locations, police blotters, etc. Use these resources, and if you find any information that might be concerning to you, notify your recruiter and request a different housing assignment if appropriate.
On arrival at the location, drive around the neighborhood and assess the safety. Does it appear to be a safe neighborhood?
Obtain a copy of the lease.
Obtain the after-hours maintenance/emergency contact information. (Sometimes this is included in your lease)
If you travel with a pet, request a copy of the pet rules. (You may have to sign a pet waiver).
Make sure to do a pre-inspection of the apartment as soon as you arrive. I would suggest that you also take photos of any damages and make sure that the manager is aware of and noted on your lease.
Check that all windows and doors latch and lock securely.
Most importantly, see this full list of what to check on arrival at your travel nurse housing.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

Advantages

You don’t have to spend countless hours trying to find adequate and affordable travel nurse housing.
The lease is not in your name, so there are no credit checks required from the accommodation (*usually).
Many times you are actually treated better by the apartment staff when going through a large company. (They want you happy so they can get long-term business).
You are not responsible for monthly payments.
If housing is limited in the area, you might actually get better housing using the agency’s resources.

Disadvantages

You have little to no control over the location and type of housing provided.

Travel Nurse Housing Options

READ PART II: Securing your own travel nurse housing with a ‘stipend’

READ PART III: Travel in an RV

Looking for Travel Nurse Housing?
CLICK HERE for the most up to date Travel Nurse housing resources.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

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

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By Amber Pickler

January 16, 2021

11917 Views

10 Tips for Your First 12-Hour Travel Nurse Night Shift

Posted on January 16, 2021November 10, 2023 by Amber Pickler

Travel nursing can be hard, add working a 12-hour night shift for the first time and it can prove to be even more difficult. This is always a hot topic in our Facebook network group. We have compiled the most popular ways to survive your first 12-hour travel nurse night shift.

Drink Coffee-

This may not work for everyone. Caffeine doesn’t have the same affect on every person. However, for those that it does help boost them, this would be a great option. Just be sure to not use too much sugar in your coffee, because contrary to popular belief sugar can cause an energy crash. So, while you may get a boost from caffeine the energy crash could outweigh the caffeine.

Water-

While some people believe that coffee is the key to staying awake during your first 12-hour travel nurse night shift. However, for those who do not like coffee, or it doesn’t wake them up, water may be a better option. Dehydration leads to fatigue because it impacts the flow of oxygen to the brain and causes your heart to work harder to pump oxygen to all your bodily organs, making you more tired and less alert. By staying hydrated you stay energized. Being energized will help keep you awake for your night shift. Water is the best drink to keep you hydrated. If you don’t like water, try putting some type of water flavoring in it. Just make sure it isn’t full of sugar because as previous stated it can cause you to crash.

Appointments-

You may not even think about your work schedule when making appointments. However, because you work night shift it is important to keep that in mind when making appointments. When making appointments, stick to the early mornings so you can go as close to the end of your shift as possible. If this isn’t possible try to get a late afternoon or early evening appointment. Having a mid-afternoon or early evening appointment makes it difficult to get a decent amount of uninterrupted sleep before your night shift.

Sleep as late in the day as possible-

Try to sleep as late in the day before your first travel nurse night shift. This may mean staying up later the night before and getting your sleep closer to your night shift. If you aren’t able to sleep during the day, you can try a sleep aid. There are many options of over the counter sleep aids, including melatonin. Melatonin comes in natural and synthetic forms. If these don’t do the trick you may need to talk to your doctor about a prescription sleep aid until you get used to the night shift life.

Exercise in the evening-

This is another option that may not work for everyone. While some people get a boost of energy from exercising, it may make others tired. For many working out gives them a boost of energy and gets them going for the night shift. Exercising releases endorphins which can give you a boost of energy. For some they even do some light exercising while at work on night shift. A couple ideas of easy exercise to do at work includes arm circles, jumping jacks, walking the unit and lunges. There are many more you can do but this just give you an idea to get started.

Keep sleep schedule-

Try to maintain your sleep schedule for night shifts even when you aren’t working. On days you aren’t working, sleep during the day and try to stay awake for as much of the night as possible. Our readers also suggest that you start your new sleep schedule before you start working the night shift. Many suggest a week before your first day. This will give you time to get used to your sleep schedule before you absolutely have to be on that schedule.

Black out curtains-

Black out curtains are always a popular suggestion from our members for travel nurses starting to work night shift. Our bodies are meant to sleep when it is dark, so trying to sleep during the day in daylight will make it that much harder to get used to your new sleep schedule. Black curtains come in many different styles and some will completely block out light while others will block out most of it. The heavier duty ones also help keep the heat and cold out, as well as can help buffer some sounds.

Stay active-

This is by far the most popular tip for surviving your first 12-hour travel nurse night shift. There are many ways to keep active while working. Walking the unit is a popular option. Light cleaning or stocking carts are other great options. Just staying up and on your feet will help you fight fatigue, like exercising this can give you a little boost of energy to keep you going.

Healthy snacks-

Healthy snacks at night can help keep you awake. Try to stay away from foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. According to The Washington Post “the quick spike in your blood sugar from eating junk foods high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars can cause a surge in insulin, leading to a quick drop in blood sugar. That leaves you feeling tired, cranky and hungry for more.”

If you are looking for suggestions of healthy foods to snack on during your night shift here are a few ideas to get you started.

Green Tea
Protein (jerky, boiled eggs and cheese are a few examples)
Chocolate (dark chocolate is best)
Fruits (Oranges, pineapples, strawberries and bananas are great options)
Whole grain foods (try whole grain toast with peanut butter on top)

Nap before work-

If you aren’t able to stay awake for a period of time after your night shift it is in your best interest to get up earlier and then take a nap before your shift starts. Power naps are a great option for night shift travel nurses.

To get the most out of a power snooze, follow these quick tips from Mednick:

Be consistent. Keep a regular nap schedule. Prime napping time falls in the middle of the day, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Make it quick. Set your cell phone alarm for 30 minutes or less if you don’t want to wake up groggy.
Go dark. Nap in a dark room or wear an eye mask. Blocking out light helps you fall asleep faster.
Stay warm. Stash a blanket nearby to put over you because your body temperature drops while you snooze.

Power napping before your first travel nurse shift will give you a little kick to start your shift.

We hope that these tips help you with your first travel nurse night first, or any night shift for that matter. These tips are just to get your started, you may find ways that work better for you. If you have any other tips or tricks for working night shift comment them below.

If you would like some information on self-care to keep your mind and body at its best these articles have some great tips!

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.

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By Rebecca Metzler

January 15, 2021

7761 Views

Reservation Travel Nursing In a Pandemic

Posted on January 15, 2021May 19, 2021 by Rebecca Metzler

I walked through the hospital doors feeling a bit nervous. Today was my first day on the job. The roof had large window cut-outs, exposing the blue sky. Statues and paintings of Native Americans were displayed throughout the lobby. Women and men were photographed in native clothes, beautiful thick braids below their waist. The land surrounding the hospital was flat and expansive. I got my badge laminated together and headed to the outpatient department, where I would be working for the next 13 weeks.

COVID-19 and Native Americans

A few months ago, I heard on the news how COVID-19 was devastatingly affecting the Native American communities in Northern Arizona. One of my friends was actually working in the inpatient department at the hospital. She told me what it was like living on the reservation and how the hospital needed more nurses. At the time, I was working as a public health nurse in Austin. I had no idea there were clinic nurse travel positions. I thought traveling was limited to hospital nursing. But after reaching out to a recruiter and filling out a ton of paperwork… there I was! 13 hours from home, in the middle of the Navajo reservation with 2 suitcases and 4 jugs of water.

Barriers they face

For the next 13 weeks, I spent the weekdays in the outpatient department and doing drive-thru covid testing. I soon learned some of the barriers this community faced in the presence of COVID-19. Multi-generation family living accelerated the spread of the virus in households. The prevalence of chronic illnesses among the population made it harder for locals to fight and recover from COVID-19. As a result, many people lost loved ones. It was hard on the community and the hospital. So I worked alongside my team, lessening the spread of COVID-19 through education, testing, providing resources for essential supplies, and any other way we could.

The majority of my coworkers were local and permanent employees.

They would tell stories about growing up on the reservation, showed me videos of the different dances they perform for ceremonies. One day, a coworker pulled a piece of corn out of her bag and handed it to me. “I smoked these over the weekend. Do you want one?” I smiled and took a piece. I really enjoyed the contrast to my typical work. Patients were curious, “You must be new here. Where are you from? How do you like living out here?” they would ask. Everyone knew everyone around town, and I was a new face.

The pandemic kept me from knowing my neighbors well.

A simple wave on the side of the streets as we walk past 6 ft apart. But I found ways to entertain myself. On the weekends, I would slip my Nikes on in the morning and go pet the horses behind my house. I would go on hikes, climb up on the giant boulders overlooking the scenery around. You could see the sandy dirt for miles, shrubs decorating the sides of the canyons. In the evening, I would sip on tea, maybe read an old western. Get a soda from the one gas station nearby, drop off some letters at the post office.

There is a peacefulness that exists out there.

I have always been attracted to that. To live somewhere remote, farther from wifi and the accessibility to the things I claim to “need.” It would annoy me at times, but it was an opportunity to see how other people live. I had to buy jugs of water to drink because their water source is contaminated with uranium and arsenic. I had to buy groceries in bulk because it took 2 hours to get there. And inevitably, I would forget something, lettuce or dish soap.

I truly appreciate my time on the Navajo reservation.

I watched sunsets behind the canyon, saw how the pink sky painted the landscape. Saw birds perch on the telephone pole wires, chirping away every evening. Giant ants were crawling on the cemented sidewalks as I walked into work. I learned what the difference between a crow and a raven was. I was welcomed with generosity and learned from the locals. In turn, I was able to contribute my nursing abilities.

I would encourage other nurses to take IHS contracts.

I want to encourage other nurses to take an IHS or other remote contracts. To work with communities that need assistance, especially during COVID-19. I do not in the slightest believe I am now well-versed in Native American culture. I am only beginning to dive in, but I have an awareness I would not otherwise have. An awareness that will continue to influence how I nurse, maybe even the future jobs I pursue. Working on the Navajo reservation caused me to expand my understanding of cultures (especially in the United States) and the barriers underserved communities face. So take a chance, Go on an adventure to a whole other world. You will grow in ways you never imagined.

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

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

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

January 14, 2021

7753 Views

Becoming a Travel Nurse During COVID-19

Posted on January 14, 2021May 19, 2021 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article was provided by Travel Nurse Across America.

There’s no job out there that’s quite like being a travel nurse. As a traveler, you get to experience new places, learn a wide variety of new skills, and enjoy a lot of flexibility, all while helping patients around the country. That’s why it’s no surprise that there are so many new travel nurses who decide to take the plunge at the start of each year!

However, with COVID-19, many would-be travel nurses have some new questions and concerns about getting started. Therefore, it’s important to know what it takes to get started as a travel nurse in the midst of COVID-19. While many things have remained the same, some have changed that are good to be aware of. By doing so, you’ll help ensure that you get your new career started on the right foot.

Getting Started

Important Requirements

Going from being a nurse to a travel nurse isn’t all that complex, but there are a few important prerequisites that you should make sure you meet ahead of time. First, most facilities look for nurses who already have at least one or two years of experience. Certain specialized units, like ICU, may require more experience. You’ll also want to make sure that you have the appropriate credentials.

Aside from having an active RN license, along with Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications, you’ll also need to make sure you have the right state licensure. Now, if your home state is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, then you’ll have what’s known as a compact license. This means your license will be good in any other compact state. If your home state isn’t a part of that program, or the state you want to travel to isn’t, then you’ll need to make sure you get the right licenses. This leads to the next important step…

Finding an Agency

It’s key that you work with a travel nurse agency that will have your back and support you not just as you start traveling but for as long as you plan to do so. A good agency with friendly, knowledgeable recruiters and a dedicated clinical team made up of nurses can help you solve issues that might come up on an assignment and help avoid any in the first place!

For instance, they can help you make sure you have the correct licensure, that it’s all up to date, and that any related expenses are covered. A good agency can also provide other benefits, like travel reimbursement, day one paid sick leave, pay guarantees, and opportunities to continue your education. They can even help you find and pay for housing and navigate tax codes. Working with an agency that cares about you can really make all the difference when you begin to travel!

Prepare to Travel

Once you’ve found your agency, it’s time to plan out your first assignment. During this time, don’t be afraid to ask your recruiter a lot of questions. Your recruiter will be an important part of your traveling career, so it’s important to find one that you feel comfortable talking to and trusting with your career goals. After you’ve done that, start thinking about where you want to go and where you’d like to work and tell your recruiter. That way, they can help you begin to search for an assignment that fits what you’re looking for.

Once you find a posting that fits and apply to it, the next step will usually be a short interview with someone at the hospital, mainly to cover hospital procedures and to make sure everything sounds good to you. Should it all go well and they offer you a contract, then congrats! You’re now on your way to your first of many assignments.

COVID-19 Considerations

As you can see, getting started as a travel nurse really isn’t all that complex, especially when you’re working with the right agency. Still, COVID-19 has created a few changes in the travel nurse process and experience that are good to be aware of. Some things to consider are:

Licensure Changes

Some states are currently either relaxing or waiving certain laws they may have about licensing to make it easier for nurses to travel to them, in particular non-compact states. There are also temporary licenses, allowing a nurse to take on an assignment as they wait for their permanent license. Working with an agency that is up-to-date about these changing licensure requirements will help you figure out what assignments are open to you and avoid any conflicts.

Auto-offers

With COVID-19, auto-offers from hospitals have become increasingly common. While this can speed up the process, many nurses don’t have a chance to talk directly with someone from the hospital. In these cases, it’s good to ask any questions you may have had for the hospital to your recruiter, so they can help find answers for you.

Finding Housing

It may also be a bit trickier to find housing because of COVID-19. Some places may have more limited options available due to either decreased demand or COVID-19 restrictions. An agency’s housing team can make it easier to find places available in the area you’re traveling to, along with helping you cover some of the initial costs to make everything smoother.

PPE and the Hospital Environment

Hospitals all across the country are using much stricter PPE standards to keep patients and nurses alike safe from COVID-19. Therefore, when you find an assignment that you’re interested in, it’s good to ask your recruiter or the hospital’s representative during your interview about their PPE practices. You’d also want to ask about any other sort of similar practices like distancing measures or cleaning procedures and to be kept in the loop about any changes made before you start. That way, you’re prepared ahead of time and can keep those policies in mind when you start your assignment.

Avoiding Burnout

It can be tough sometimes to adjust to how a hospital handles things, especially if it’s different from what you’re accustomed to. Add that COVID-19 has required doctors, nurses, and other frontline workers to be constantly moving and working during their shifts, and the risk of feeling overwhelmed and burnt out is much higher than usual. This means it’s important to take care of yourself when on assignment. Don’t be afraid to reach out to co-workers, your recruiter, or your agency’s clinical team for help. The latter two, in particular, can help give you advice on how to best deal with your situation and direct you to some good resources for getting these feelings off your chest. Remember too that you can take some time off in-between assignments should you feel you need it!

Are you planning to become a travel nurse during COVID-19? What pushed you toward this decision? We would love to hear from you. Comment below.

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.

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By Nancy Howard

January 13, 2021

10069 Views

6 Nursing Apps for Travel Nurses and Nursing Students

Posted on January 13, 2021November 10, 2023 by Nancy Howard

Modern medical professionals need to stay updated with the latest developments, innovations, and discoveries in this area. There are many specialized sites, dental blogs, medical journals, and even specialized nursing apps. This article will focus on the latter.

However, with such a variety of different nursing apps, travel nurses and students can be misled. Therefore, below you will find the best applications that will help with your professional development and education.

Top 6 Nursing Apps for Travel Nurses and Students

Whether you are a student or already working as a travel nurse, there are some apps to help you get better. Some tools allow you to broaden your knowledge, prepare for exams, while other apps are responsible for workflow planning. Below you will find 6 nursing apps that are a must-have for all travel nurses and medical students.

1. PEPID PEDS

Pros

Available for both IOS, Android, and PC.
Allows for a more accurate diagnosis statement.
There is a lot of detailed information on patient care.

Cons

The only drawback is the cost of the app. There is a trial period here.

It can be safely noted that this application is a must-have for both students, nurses, and doctors. In this app, each specialist can find the information they need to make a more accurate diagnosis or find answers to questions.

For students, there are complete discipline guidance, clinical practice, and even laboratory exercises. The tool is paid, but in fact, the fee is charged for a year, and from this perspective, this application looks more affordable.

2. Epocrates

Pros

Availability of a wide database of information in the field of pharmacology.
The availability of a free version of the app is sufficient for students and novice nurses.
The application can work offline. It is available for IOS and Android.

Cons

While the free version offers many options, a premium membership will be a better option for healthcare practitioners.

In this application, you can find all the information on each drug, interactions between drugs, and in-depth clinical guidelines. There is also a “Pill ID” feature with the help of which the nurse may quickly get all the data about the drug. Thus, nurses can avoid mistakes in patient care, and students can better prepare for exams with this tool.

3. NCLEX RN Mastery

Pros

There is a free version, but with in-app purchases.
Available on both iOS and Android.
This app is a good trainer to prepare for an exam.

Cons

There are no obvious disadvantages.

This app is a good option for those who want to prepare well for the NCLEX RN exam. There are hundreds of tests in this app to check the knowledge. You can not only test your knowledge but also fill in the gaps that can become an obstacle to successfully passing the exam. If you do not answer the test correctly, you will receive a detailed explanation of this issue, and thus, avoid the mistake next time.

4. WebMD

Pros

There are a lot of helpful resources for students and nurses.
The application is available for free for both Android and iOS.

Cons

In most cases of diagnosis checks, this application will suggest “cancer”. This feature can confuse students and nurses.

This is an app of the famous resource of the same name. All publications and resources of the official site are available in this application. Here, both students and nurses can find useful information regarding medical practice, pharmacology, and other topics in the field of health. It is also known for allowing patients to receive information in simple words rather than complex medical terminology.

5. NurseGrid

Pros

The ability to have a work schedule at hand.
The ability to view the schedule of colleagues and communicate within the platform.
Available for both iOS and Android.

Cons

Customer support can take a long time to respond.

It is a good tool for nurses and students to plan work schedules and communicate. Here you can create a schedule for the entire work shift to be aware of who is at work. This app provides internal communication between nurses. It is a good time and task management tool for medical professionals.

6. Med Mnemoni c s

Pros

A good knowledge base for both students and healthcare practitioners.
There are tips on how to memorize information faster.
Users note the real benefits of using the application.

Cons

The tool is paid ($2). However, this symbolic sum is difficult to consider as a crucial drawback.

This app is designed to help experts and students quickly memorize complex medical terminology. There are a variety of tips and about 1600 abbreviations to help you quickly understand diagnoses or terms. There are all sections of topics that are useful for both travel nurses and students. This educational tool will be useful for all users.

Conclusion

Choose the best apps that will help you both in education and at work. A busy schedule sometimes does not allow you to develop and study further, but apps allow you to do this at any free minute. Download any of the tools above and start improving your knowledge and skills right now.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

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

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

By Medical Staffing Solutions, LLC

January 12, 2021

6538 Views

Healthy Snacks on the Go for Travel Nurses

Posted on January 12, 2021May 19, 2021 by Medical Staffing Solutions, LLC

This article was provided by Medical Staffing Solution LLC.

As a healthcare professional, it can be hard to eat healthy when running and to work long shifts. But, taking care of yourself is so important when you’re taking care of others. You don’t want to get run-down. To help you snack well and keep your energy up, we wanted to share these 10 energy-boosting healthy snacks with you.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are packed full of protein, fiber, and potassium. In addition to filling you up, they can help control diabetes and blood pressure. Along with all the other nutrients, the iron and calcium in chickpeas contribute to bone health. Roasted chickpeas are an easy way to get your snack fix.

Trail Mix

This delightfully tasty mix of dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and grains. Buy pre-packaged or create your own that is tailored to your tastes. The protein in the fruits and nuts will help fill you up and give you an energy boost, while the chocolate can help satisfy your sweet tooth. Add in some roasted chickpeas. It is important to remember to eat your trail mix in moderation. Trail mixes are high in calories. Remember, too much of anything is not a good thing.

Jerky

Made from beef, chicken, or turkey, jerky is a quick portable snack that’s loaded with protein. Just make sure if you are buying jerky that you check for added sugars or salt.

Greek Yogurt

A single-serving of Greek yogurt packs a lot of protein into a small container. Add in berries packed with lots of nutrients and fiber to help fill you up and aid in your digestion. The calcium in yogurt is another boost for your bone health.

Pumpkin Seeds

No access to the fridge? No problem. Keep a little packet of pumpkin seeds for a quick snack. Just a ⅔ cup can give you 8 grams of protein. They are also loaded with fiber, vitamin k, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and many antioxidants. Studies have shown that diets rich in pumpkin seeds have been associated with reducing the risk of certain cancers, improving prostate, bladder, and heart health, and lowering blood sugar levels. And this amazing snack does not require refrigeration.

Peanut Butter and Apples

Apples contain a whole slew of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C, K, copper, manganese, and potassium), are high in fiber, and are just good for your health in general. Peanut butter is protein-rich, high in healthy fats, and chocked full of vitamins and minerals. A quick apple and peanut butter snack will help fill you up and give you an energy boost to get you through your shift.

Almonds

Almonds, too, are loaded with nutrients even in just a small handful. They are high in protein and fiber and low in carbs, making them a great option if you have diabetes. Packed with magnesium – almost half your daily requirements in just one serving, almonds can assist with blood sugar control and benefits blood pressure levels. Plus, they fill you up.

Cheesy Popcorn

Popcorn alone is a yummy, easy healthy snack that will help fill you up. But, give yourself an energy boost by adding on some parmesan cheese for protein.

String Cheese

It’s hard to believe that nutritionists will approve processed food, but string cheese actually makes their list. String cheese provides your carbs and protein for energy and calcium for strong bones. Add veggie sticks or fruit to your snack for an extra boost.

Veggie Sticks

No list of healthy snacks would be complete without veggie sticks. Pack yourself a handful of carrot and celery sticks. Snack on them with peanut butter or yogurt for a protein boost. These veggies are loaded with antioxidants, potassium, and numerous other vitamins and minerals.

High-protein healthy snacks are valuable to you as a strike nurse to ensure you can stay full until mealtime and avoid any “hanger” issues that can arise while you’re working. Keeping a small selection on-hand will make it easier for you to grab a quick bite, even when time is short.

APPLY FOR TRAVEL NURSING JOBS TODAY TO GET STARTED ON YOUR TRAVEL ADVENTURE!

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.

“Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!”

—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

Join Now

1. ‘Hitting The Road: A Guide To Travel Nursing’ By Shalon Weddington

2. ‘I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories Of Becoming A Nurse’ By Lee Gutkind

3. ‘The Nurses: A Year Of Secrets, Drama, And Miracles With The Heroes Of The Hospital’ By Alexandra Robbins

4. ‘The Truth About Travel Nursing’ By Kyle Schmidt

5. ‘Travel Nurse’s Bible (A Guide To Everything On Travel Nursing)’ By David Morrison

6. ‘Fast Facts For The Travel Nurse: Travel Nursing In A Nutshell’ By Michele Angell Landrum

Conclusion

Related Posts

Healthcare Staffing Agencies: Choosing the Right One

TGN and Travel Nurse 101: Let’s Talk the Travel Nurse Industry

Taking Your First Travel Nurse Assignment During the Pandemic

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Clinical Nurse Instructor

Nursing Administrator

Family Nurse Practitioner

Medical-Surgical Nurse Manager

Nurse Practitioner

Pain Management Nurse

Related Posts

10 Ways to Improve Communication with Patients

Tips for Asking for a Travel Contract Extension

Travel Nursing as a Single Parent

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Write a Summary

Summary Example:

Replace Ordinary Words with Specific Ones

Highlight the Hard Skills in Your Travel Nursing Resume

Add “Non-Typical” Sections to Your Travel Nursing Resume

Resume Structure for an Experienced Nurse

The Final Words

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!)

Related Posts

Where Will You Go? Locations That are Great for Travel Nurses

4 Surprising Ways to Travel Nurse Abroad

#StayHome: Self-Care Tips

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

3 Travel Nurse Housing Options

What are the housing options for travel nurses? There are 3 travel nurse housing options to consider when asking the question Where am I going to live?

Travel Nurse Housing Tax Implications

PART I: Agency Provided Housing

Overview

Questions to Ask about your Travel Nurse Housing

To-Do Before You Move Into your Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

Advantages and Disadvantages of Agency Provided Travel Nurse Housing

Travel Nurse Housing Options

Looking for Travel Nurse Housing?CLICK HERE for the most up to date Travel Nurse housing resources.

Related Posts

Step #4: Understanding the Myths

5 Easy Ways to Make a Space Feel Like Home

Step #19 Arrival on Location

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Drink Coffee-

Water-

Appointments-

Sleep as late in the day as possible-

Exercise in the evening-

Keep sleep schedule-

Black out curtains-

Stay active-

Healthy snacks-

Nap before work-

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!)

Related Posts

Hidden Gems Across America

8 Ways To Boost Your Immune System as a Travel Nurse

How to Combat Feelings of Loneliness on your Travel Nursing Assignment

**1. ‘Hitting The Road: A Guide To Travel Nursing’ By Shalon Weddington**

**2. ‘I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories Of Becoming A Nurse’ By Lee Gutkind**

**3. ‘The Nurses: A Year Of Secrets, Drama, And Miracles With The Heroes Of The Hospital’ By Alexandra Robbins**

**4. ‘The Truth About Travel Nursing’ By Kyle Schmidt**

**5. ‘Travel Nurse’s Bible (A Guide To Everything On Travel Nursing)’ By David Morrison**

**6. ‘Fast Facts For The Travel Nurse: Travel Nursing In A Nutshell’ By Michele Angell Landrum**

Looking for Travel Nurse Housing?
CLICK HERE for the most up to date Travel Nurse housing resources.

6. Med Mnemoni c s