March 25, 2020

5955 Views

A Travel Nurse’s Experience with COVID-19

Posted on March 25, 2020May 7, 2021 by Priscilla Redding

COVID-19 Experience as a Travel Nurse

Travel nurse Priscilla Redding shares her direct experience as a nurse dealing with COVID-19 patients first-hand at her current assignment. In this video, she shares what is happening within the ICU that she works at. Including the loss of patients as well as how the hospital is handling the current situation.

It is a difficult time to work in the medical field. Travel nurses and nurses are on the front line of COVID-19. We hope that hearing fellow travel nurses’ experience with COVID-19 will help make our community of travel nurses feel connected.

Resources and Information

If you are looking for COVID-19 jobs, try our COVID-19 pre-application form or try our COVID-19 job board.

If you would like more information on COVID-19 or would like to read other articles on COVID-19 click here. These include articles and videos by fellow travel nurses including the article A Travel Nurse’s Guide to Crisis Assignments.

Are you a travel nurse working with patients with COVID-19, would you like to share your story? If you have content on COVID-19 that you would like to submit for consideration, please contact us.

If you are a nurse working with patients with COVID-19, but don’t want to submit an article and have tips to share, please comment them below.

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By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

March 24, 2020

8189 Views

Travel Nurse Interviews: Tips to Ace it & Book Your Next Assignment

Posted on March 24, 2020May 19, 2021 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article provided by TNAA

For most people, interviewing can be nerve-wracking, from what to wear to engaging with the interviewer. However, for travel nurses, interviewing is an entirely different experience. Not only will they not be in person, but there’s really no set standard either. Whether you’ve done a dozen interviews or are prepping for your first travel nurse interview, here are our best tips on how to prepare, what to expect, and how to secure your next job.

Why Do Travel Nurses Need Interviews?

While hospitals and facilities are looking to fill staffing shortages, that doesn’t mean they’re not concerned with who will join their teams. Like any job, your interview will determine if you’re a good culture fit as well, ensuring your skills match your profile.

Experience: The employer will be looking to ensure you have the expertise to provide top-notch patient care.
Culture Fit: Does your personality mesh with their team? How does your work style — think how you organize your shifts — complement their unit?
Accommodations: Typically, this is where you’d ask if the facility can make arrangements around any dates you want off. Given the current pandemic, consider offering up flexibility.

But, and this is a big deal, it’s also your opportunity to ensure the facility is a good fit for you. It’s your chance to gauge how the unit operates and discover details on how you can be an asset to their team; this is a crucial step in determining if you want to pursue an opportunity with them.

Interviews & What You Can Expect

While each interview you do will be different, there are a few things you can count on to remain consistent. Namely, that it will be a phone interview. Before your interview, you and your recruiter will discuss the facility. They should never ‘blind submit’ your profile to a hospital. If they do, understand that this practice isn’t standard, and you can easily find an agency that will ensure you have final approval on all submits. Let’s get back to interviews and what you need to know.

Pre-Interview

Some facilities may conduct a pre-interview. Think of it as a resume check — this can be a big time-saver for facilities by double-checking your skillset before scheduling a formal interview. A pre-interview also opens up more time for your unit-specific questions when you speak to the hiring manager in your formal interview.

Can I expect a pre-interview screen? Not necessarily. Some facilities forego this process, and others may confirm your background with your agency first. Your recruiter will be your go-to resource during this time and should advise you on whether or not to expect a pre-interview.

Tips for Making a Strong Impression Over the Phone

The standard in-person interview offers the opportunity to communicate with facial expressions, hand gestures, and eye contact. Interviewing over the phone can feel awkward, so you’ll need to focus on sounding confident and competent. Consider these tips to help you make a strong impression.

Speak slowly: Have you ever accidentally combined two words, like in that scene from Mean Girls? Take a breath, speak slowly, and utilize natural pauses to make it easier on the interviewer while also minimizing those weird blunders — gruel.
Pay attention to inflection: Did you ever have a professor ask, “Are you sure?” Make sure your tone reflects confidence by avoiding up-speak — that’s when your voice goes up, like when you ask a question.
Stand up & smile: This one sounds weird, but it makes a big difference! Smiling can change your speech patterns and people can pick up on that! Similarly, standing up improves your posture and projects confidence.
Practice on the phone: Have your recruiter, a family member, or coworker ask you questions over the phone. Ask them for feedback on the clarity of your answers.

Travel Nurse Interview

Again, there’s no such thing as standard here. Your formal interview can be a brief 5-minute check of basic culture questions or it can be a lengthy interview filled with behavioral questions. It’s a good thing travel nurses are so adaptable, because there are a few different interview types too.

Interview With Hospital Staff

For these interviews, you can expect to chat with unit managers, charge nurses, or hiring managers. These representatives will likely ask about your schedule and have scenario-specific questions for you. As the ‘boots-on-the-ground’ interviewers, they’re also your best source for you to investigate topics like:

Scrub color
Patient population
Day-to-day workflow
Traveler history
Float expectations

You may have an interview with HR staff. While they might not have access to unit details, they still have useful insights for nurses. HR staff can arm you with an overview of the hospital itself like:

Resources available to your unit
Internal medicine doctors on a unit
Pharmacy on the unit
Transports
CNAs/PCTs and Environmental Services on the unit

Automated Interviews

In an ideal world, after submitting your profile, you’d hear back with potential interview times with a manager. Unfortunately, as you know, travel nursing is all about adjusting when things aren’t ideal. Enter the Voice Automated Interview (VA). Instead of speaking with a person, you will record your answers to a list of questions selected by the manager. The manager then listens to your answers and decides to hire you based on your responses and skills checklist. Here a few things to note:

You should be notified before submission: If a hospital uses VA, you should know before you decide to submit.
You won’t speak to anyone on the unit: Understand that you will forgo speaking with someone about unit-specifics like scheduling.
You should be able to submit questions: Typically, if a hospital uses VA, you can submit questions in writing; however, you may not get a quick response or receive a response at all.

Look for Recruiter Who Takes Your Career Seriously

There’s so much to consider when it comes to interviewing. Particularly when thinking about what’s essential for you to ask; that’s why it’s crucial to find an experienced recruiter. A good recruiter will not only guide you through the process but coach you to make the most of each interview. Ask your recruiter if they have a list of questions for you. Olivia Carper, TNAA Recruitment Manager, coaches her nurses to ensure they’re prepared and confident. We asked her for her top tips for travel nurses interviewing for the first time:

As soon as you get a call, ask for the manager’s name and contact number in case you get disconnected and need to call back. It also is good to have to help your recruiter secure the offer for you so that when you call back, you can focus on those additional questions.
Keep a list with you of vital questions you need to know to accept an offer with confidence. Think about what you need to know to do your job safely.
Close the deal! If you like the job, tell them and ask for it. Asking for the job is key, and that can feel uncomfortable. It helps to practice what to say, “This job sounds like a perfect fit for me, can I tell my recruiter you will be sending over an offer? I am ready to start in 2 weeks.”

We hope you found these tips help in acing your travel nurse interviews. Do you have any tips for travel nurse interviews?

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By Amber Pickler

March 21, 2020

24260 Views

Comfort in Every Step: Choosing the Best Compression Socks for Nurses

Posted on March 21, 2020December 18, 2023 by Amber Pickler

As nurses, you spend the majority of your workday on your feet. Because of this, compression socks have become a staple for nurses. Compression socks have many benefits, including improving blood flow and reducing swelling. Another benefit is they help with reducing spider and varicose veins. We recently conducted a poll on our Facebook group asking our members what their favorite brands of compression stockings are. Below you will find the results as well as some information and links to learn more about each. As you will see, the compression socks today are not your grandmother’s compression socks. They are much more fashion-forward and comfortable than ever before.

Top Compression Socks for Travel Nurses

Pro Compression

PRO Compression provides premium quality compression socks and sleeves for running, training, travel, play, or on the job. Our graduated compression products improve circulation to promote recovery and reduce muscle soreness. All products are designed and made in the USA.

Sockwells

Sockwell socks offer compression socks for women and men in stylish colors and patterns for everyday life, travel, hiking, walking, running, and work.

About the Nurse

Knee-High Graduated Compression Socks (20-30 mmHg) in fun colors and prints. Super comfortable fit, with a wide top band that ensures the socks don’t cut into your calf or slip down. Clinically effective in increasing circulation, decreasing muscle soreness & fatigue, minimizing swelling, helping to prevent varicose veins, clearing lactic acid build-up, and minimizing the risk of a DVT during travel. Great for anyone on their feet all day! Your legs will feel supported, and you’ll no longer have that achy leg feeling at the end of the day! Zero Risk: 30 Day Love Them Guarantee!

Nursemate

Over the years, we at Nurse Mates have been committed to bringing you the very best in quality footwear, scrubs, and accessories. From comfort technologies to timeless style, you inspire us to design products that will meet your workday demands. You could say it’s in our veins.

Dr. Motion

Our compression socks feature a mild compression level of 8-15 mmHg, making them extremely comfortable to wear all day, every day. Our products are perfect for travelers, athletes, people who sit or are on their feet all day, etc.

PODsox

PODsox, short for “Post Operative Design,” sox the creation of two rehab professionals who, along with their patients, got bored of seeing the same plain white compression stockings.

Swiftwick

BEST SOCKS EVER. GUARANTEED. We are committed to providing each customer with the best experience possible. If you are unsatisfied with a Swiftwick product, reach out to us, and we will take care of you.

Above all, your overall health and wellness are important to be able to care for your patient. Therefore, knowing what compression stockings are on the market is very important. These are just a few of the brands out there in today’s market so, compress to suppress the aching and swelling!

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By Paula Rouse

March 20, 2020

14599 Views

A Travel Nurse’s Guide to Crisis Assignments

Posted on March 20, 2020May 19, 2021 by Paula Rouse

Tips for Crisis Assignments:

1. Review your contract:

Thoroughly review your pay rate, overtime rate, and housing stipend. These contracts are going to be more than 36 hours. They will be at least 48 hours, some are 60 hours a week. Also, keep in mind your filing status and ask for your take-home pay after taxes. Not gross pay but net pay this is a definite need to know!! Make sure your housing stipend is enough to cover you during and after the assignment if you have a difficult time leaving the city. Lastly, check with your company’s policy on what is in place in case you are exposed and have to be quarantined. Are you going to have to go without pay for these two weeks? Are they going to cover your medical expenses if you end up needing care? Always make sure you are covered.

2. Contract Location:

Decide on how you are getting to the contract flying or driving? If you plan to fly think about how much you need to pack. I also recommend packing for an extra two to three weeks in case that city goes on travel restriction and you have to stay longer.

3. Secure Housing:

This is getting difficult as many people are not wanting to rent to health care workers. If you’re returning to a city that you’ve been to reach out to old landlords. Connect with family or friends in the area if you have the option. If traveling somewhere new I recommend a hotel or extended stay close to the facility.

4. What to pack:

Essentials!! We are seeing how crazy it’s getting keep in mind you have no idea what type of state that the city is in. They may not have what you need. Pack it all. Have everything you need to survive for the length of the contract and at least two weeks after. Just be prepared.

5. Protect yourself!!

At the facility, their guidelines may differ from where you have previously worked in terms of precautions and PPE. Stay compliant but above everything else protect yourself go with your gut and what you think you need to be protected. Days off make sure you rest and keep your immunity up stay in and stay healthy.

We hope you find these tips for crisis assignments helpful. We have made it easier for you to find these crisis assignments on our site. Click here to view COVID-19 jobs now!

COVID-19

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By Fastaff Travel Nursing

March 19, 2020

6408 Views

Travel Nurse Coronavirus Resources

Posted on March 19, 2020November 10, 2023 by Fastaff Travel Nursing

The Coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, is a growing concern across the globe. As a nurse or travel nurse, we encourage you to stay updated on the latest in order to protect yourself and provide quality care to your patients. Here’s the latest information on the outbreak, including how it’s spread, how to protect yourself, and other nurse-specific resources.

What is the Coronavirus and how is it different from other coronaviruses?

There are four types of coronaviruses which cause common colds in humans. This coronavirus, named COVID-19, is different because it originated in animals and evolved to infect humans. Because of this change in the virus, it is called novel coronavirus. The outbreak is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, with links to a large seafood and live animal market. Other examples of a novel coronavirus is SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus).

What are the symptoms of 2019 novel coronavirus?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory virus infections, like influenza. It includes fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe, even causing death.
The CDC believes at this time that symptoms appear as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

Coronavirus in the United States

Originating in China, it has officially been named a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
Globally, there are 207,855 confirmed cases as of March 19, 2020.
In the United States, there are 10,442 confirmed cases by the CDC.

Tips to protect yourself against the coronavirus

Looking for additional tips to stay healthy? Read these prevention tips from the CDC and LiveScience:

As with normal flu season precautions, practice good hygiene and healthy habits.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as you can pick up the virus that way.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects, like doorknobs and countertops. Other coronaviruses are effectively inactivated within a minute with disinfectants with 62% to 71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide, or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite. It is not yet known if the new coronavirus will react the same way.
- Get a flu shot if you have not already. Though the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you from the COVID-19 strain, it does have some benefits. You will be less likely to develop severe pneumonia if you contact both at the same time. You will also avoid making a trip to the doctor’s office in the middle of a COVID-19 epidemic, which could put you at additional risk.
Prepare to stay home, if possible. If a large outbreak does occur, anticipate staying indoors away from public areas.
- If you or someone in your household regularly takes prescription drugs, consider procuring an emergency supply from your health care and insurance providers to avoid exposure in doctors’ offices and pharmacies.
- Make sure you have a reasonable amount of groceries and basic household items. No need to prepare for the apocalypse, but consider keeping essentials around. Having items like extra laundry detergent and frozen or dry goods around will reduce possible exposure at the grocery store.

Nurse coronavirus resources

As a nurse, you are heroically putting yourself at risk to serve others. We hope these below facts and tips provided by the CDC will assist you.

When is someone infectious?

The onset and duration of viral shedding and period of infectiousness is not yet known. Looking at similar viruses, like SARS-CoV-2 RNS, it may be detectable in the upper or lower respiratory tract for weeks after illness onset. Existing literature regarding SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses suggests the incubation period may range from 2-14 days.

Can people who recover from COVID-19 be infected again?

The immune response is currently not understood. Patients with MERS-CoV infection were unlikely to be re-infected, but it is not yet known if a similar immune response will exist with COVID-19.

How should healthcare personnel protect themselves when evaluating a patient who may have COVID-19?

Here is what the CDC recommends – Although the transmission dynamics have yet to be determined, a cautious approach to persons under investigation for the coronavirus is recommended. Healthcare professionals should use Standard Precautions, Contact Precautions, Airborne Precautions, and use eye protection when providing care for patients with confirmed COVID-19.

How should COVID-19 be treated?

There are currently no antiviral drugs licensed by the FDA to treat COVID-19. Clinical management for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is focused on supportive care of complications, including advanced organ support for respiratory failure, septic shock, and multi-organ failure. It should also be noted that not all patients with COVID-19 will require medical supportive care.

Should travel nurses anticipate coronavirus screenings for new job placements?

Most likely, yes. If you are matched with a hospital that requires a coronavirus screening, your recruiter or our credentialing office will provide you an additional screening form. If you have additional questions, please contact your Fastaff recruiter.

Fastaff’s Dedication to our Nurses

In a constant effort to maintain the safety and wellbeing of our nurses, we have implemented guidelines and procedures in the event one of our nurses should be exposed and require quarantine during their travel assignment. Please be reassured that if this should happen, you’ll be taken care of. Fastaff will continue to pay your weekly guarantee and housing expenses during this time.

The health and safety of our nurses and their patients is our number one priority. If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Clinical Service division at 1-800-736-8773.

Additional coronavirus resources for travel nurses:

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By Gifted Healthcare

March 19, 2020

7301 Views

Guide to Taking a Road Trip for Travel Nurses

Posted on March 19, 2020May 19, 2021 by Gifted Healthcare

This article provided by Gifted Healthcare

Some consider the road trip to be an American rite of passage. A long drive on our nation’s highways and back roads reveal an amazing variety of beautiful landscapes, charming towns, and iconic roadside attractions.

A road trip could be the perfect beginning to your next travel nursing assignment! Read on for our list of tips for travel nurses looking to take the road trip of their dreams.

Do a Vehicle Checkup

It’d be a shame for your road trip to be interrupted by preventable problems with your vehicle’s basic functionality.

Before you head out onto the open road, bring your vehicle to a mechanic for a basic checkup. Make sure your breaks, tires, windshield wipers, and fluid levels are in good shape. Inflate your spare tire and pack tools and accessories like jumper cables, a tire jack, and lug wrench to make sure you’re prepared.

In the meantime, make a checklist and pack the essentials for your trip.

Create a Budget

There are countless opportunities to spend money on a road trip. Creating a budget for your road trip will help you make decisions and plan your days. Plus, it’ll make the occasional splurge more rewarding.

Decide how much to spend on lodging and food, and do some research on gas prices along the way. Don’t forget to account for unexpected costs, like flat tires or tolls.

Prepare Entertainment Options

Relying solely on the radio for your drive might leave you disappointed, as local radio programming isn’t as vibrant or diverse as it used to be.

Thankfully, there are countless hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks at your fingertips if you have a smartphone.

Download the soundtrack to your trip from music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. If you prefer the spoken word, you can learn about every subject under the sun on your favorite podcasts [link to nurse podcasts blog], or experience the novel you never read on audiobook from apps like Audible.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Find an adorable little town worth exploring? Want to take a detour to see a jaw-dropping natural wonder? Feel like an afternoon in the nearest park rather than finishing the day’s drive?

If you keep a loose schedule, you can do all of these things without. Play more and stress less by giving yourself extra time to arrive at your destination.

Plan Your Daily Endpoints

If your road trip will take more than one day, there are two reasons why it’s a good idea to plan where you’ll be ending your drive each day.

First of all, it’s the safe thing to do. If you don’t plan ahead, you’ll risk getting stranded in an uninhabited area in the middle of the night.

Planning your daily endpoints also allows you to pace yourself, providing you with more freedom to explore when inspiration strikes.

Bring a Real Map

Modern technology has simplified navigation and communication, but it’s not perfect. Mobile phone service can be spotty on the open road, restricting your access to phone calls and GPS devices.

Invest in a real map! You may never have to use it, but better safe than sorry.

Pack Plenty of (Healthy) Snacks

The temptations of the drive-thru seem to be around every corner. Unfortunately, the empty calories in fast food won’t provide you with the energy and focus you’ll need for long days of driving.

Pack a cooler full of water and snacks like:

Hard-boiled eggs
Apples, bananas, or grapes
Beef jerky
Almonds or pistachios
Hummus and celery
Dark chocolate
Sliced bell peppers and guacamole
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Your snacks will pack the punch you need to seize the day, and your body will thank you later.

Consider Camping

There are many state and national parks that offer campgrounds with breathtaking views of nature. Embracing the great outdoors will save you money on motels and make for great memories later on.

Take Photos

Make memories and document your road trip by taking photos along the way. Once you arrive at your destination, you can settle into your new home by putting together an album to share with your friends and family.

Taking photos will help you remember the thrills of the open road forever.

Taking a road trip to a travel assignment can be an incredible way to kick off your nursing adventure. We hope these tips help you turn your next road trip into the excursion of a lifetime!

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 Rebecca Siggers

March 12, 2020

6490 Views

How to Plan a Trip with Friends

Posted on March 12, 2020May 19, 2021 by Rebecca Siggers

Deciding to travel is one of the most blissful decisions in life that has the potential to change your life for the better. Traveling gives a respite from the mundane aspects of daily life and provides a chance to rediscover yourself and find your true calling. Everyday life can be strenuous, and the toll of working in an office can get to you after some time.

Traveling opens up the horizons of your potential and expands your mind to knowledge that is unattainable through any other means. The experiences and adventures you go through while traveling can become the most significant life lessons and will help you for the rest of your life. Experiencing the diverse cultures of the world opens you up to understanding the world in a new light, and the people you meet can become lifelong friends.

The guidebooks of a destination, travel advice, and social media blogs of travelers are beneficial in providing valuable insights that aids in planning. However, it may be overwhelming with a vast amount of information available for prospective travelers. This article is a guide for those wondering how to plan a trip with friends.

How To Plan A Trip With Friends

1. Choose The Perfect Destination

Selecting an apt destination should be among the first decisions that you make while planning for a trip with friends. You can make a list of possible destinations with friends and then choose from them. Every individual in your travel group will have different interests, and you must select a destination that satisfies everyone’s taste to make sure that everyone enjoys the trip.

2. Choose Your Travel Buddies

As you will be spending plenty of time in each other’s company, choose the friends you want to invite to the trip carefully. Clashing with your travel buddies is avoidable if you choose your companions that enjoy each other’s company and have compatible personalities and travel habits.

People who are chill and laid back tend to be more cohesive with the rest of the group. Constant communication will ensure that you can resolve any issues before they reach a boiling point. Ultimately, everyone will need to compromise on certain things sometimes so that everyone enjoys the trip.

3. Select The Travel Date And Duration

Discuss with your friends on a good date to start your travel well beforehand. Everyone will have their work and commitments which they have to sort out as they cannot work while on the trip. It is also vital to decide the duration of the trip as it helps in planning out the trip with destinations and activities. You may find it harder to find a date where everyone is available if you are traveling with a large group.

4. Decide On Your Budget

Planning the date and duration of your trip will allow you to estimate the budget requirements for the trip. You will need to discuss with your travel group to get an idea of how much everyone is willing to spend on their trip for planning purposes.

The preferences of your group will also make a massive impact on the budget as some prefer backpacker hostels and others prefer single suites in hotels. Even though it may be awkward to discuss budgets, it is essential to ensure that everyone is happy and on the same page.

5. Transportation

Part of the charm of traveling lies in the traveling itself as much as in reaching the destination. You can decide on the form of transportation according to your destination and budget.

If you are traveling by flight, train, or bus it will be wise to book tickets well before the date of travel to obtain tickets at a lower price. You may also use your car for traveling as a group if you use roof racks for carrying the luggage, leaving the inside of the car available for your friends.

Conclusion

Going on a trip with friends can be full of fun and hilarious moments. Your travel adventures will help you in understanding your friends better and strengthen your bonds. Traveling exposes you to a plethora of obstructions and challenges, and when you work together to find a solution, these issues can become glorious memories.

Traveling is also extremely beneficial for mental and physical health as you tend to have plenty of exercises while traveling that you do not have the opportunity to do in daily life. The lack of stressful routines is also advantageous for mental health, and you get to do what you love to do the most.

Traveling has something for the taste of every person, and figuring out what you want to do will help in planning your trip better. It is paramount that you sit with your friends and make a plan for the activities and schedule for your trip. Careful planning allows you to avoid a plethora of issues and ensure that you do not have to stress on last-minute decisions.

Proper preparation and communication will ensure that your group stays enthusiastic about the trip and that everyone enjoys the trip. It is important not to pack your trip full of activities as it will prevent you from enjoying each moment to the fullest as you will always be hurrying to the next activity. It would help if you also did prior thinking on choosing the destination, the activities, mode of travel, and the friends you wish to take along with you.

We hope these tips to help plan a trip with your friends help while planning your next trip! Do you have any other suggestions? Comment them below.

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By Elizabeth Barletta

March 11, 2020

5986 Views

Best Seaside Countries to Visit with a Toddler this Winter

Posted on March 11, 2020January 16, 2023 by Elizabeth Barletta

Traveling with a kid is one thing, but doing it with a toddler is a whole other experience and most of the parent can confirm. After you managed to survive flying with a toddler, you will be occupied with entertainment for the rest of your vacation. It might be a little bit more exhausting, but you can still have the best vacation.

Experience tells us that an important aspect is for you to make sure that there is enough time and space for you guys to explore, given the fact that your pace will be slowed down significantly. But hey, look the bright side, you will have the chance to actually slow down and enjoy the surroundings. And that’s the first thing you should come to terms with when adapting to how to travel with a toddler.

It’s winter and you want to escape to a nice and warm vacation on the seaside, having already found the answer to the “when can baby swim?” typical question. This is the perfect time to find out what are the best places to travel with a toddler

Thailand – One of the Best Places to Travel with a Toddler

Best Seaside Countries to Visit with a Toddler this Winter

If you are wondering where to travel with a toddler in early winter, this should be your first option. Give your toddler an amazing experience on the islands of Thailand, where they can touch base with a different culture, see the elephants (without the riding part, of course) and maybe visit some of the temples they have to offer

The beaches have plenty of sand and shells to be collected by the little one, and one of the best things is the calm water in which you can all play for hours. Make sure you are aware of the places that require taking malaria pills in the event that your toddler is having difficulties in swallowing pills.

Croatia – an Amazing Experience for the Entire Family

Continuing our list of best places to travel with a toddler, we reach Croatia. Everyone is aware of the stunning coastline and beaches that Croatia has to offer. This place definitely has to be on your list of best places to travel with your toddler, where you can explore the Klis Fortress in Split.
Another good idea would be for you to try the islands of Hvar and Korcula where you can enjoy the stunning beaches or the beautiful promenade that has a stroller accessible path with a little playground along the way, just in case you need a break.

Cancun, Mexico – The Dream Holiday

We continue our list of best places to travel with your toddler with this silky gem of Mexico, where you can grab a lounge chair and enjoy the Caribbean Sea at one of their finest hotels.
You can visit places like the Mayan ruins and many unforgettable nearby destinations. When the sun goes down you can try Captain Hook dinner cruise which is an epic adventure for the whole family, having dinner in an exact replica of 18^th-century galleon vessel

San Sebastian, Spain – All You Need

Another great destination that is perfect as one of the best places to travel with a toddler is Spain. If you’re wondering where to travel with a toddler and at the same time enjoy a nice and quiet beach, you will love this place. Here you will find a stunning beach: La Concha. Being located straight in the city, La Concha is basically a protected bay, with huge strips of sand and small waves.

Make sure that after a long day at the beach you go out to dinner and enjoy some delicious pintxos (Basque for tapas) that are part of the city’s famous foods

Turks and Caicos Islands – Island Fun for the Entire Family

Located nearby the Dominican Republic, this archipelago of 40 coral islands is a top choice for the best places to travel with a toddler, especially for the family-focused resorts where every member of the family can be accommodated and everyone can have a great time.

Here you can put to use those hacks for travel mums and maximize your time spent relaxing on the beach. Maybe go on a quick boat ride straight to Little Water Cay where you can observe endangered rock iguanas or just admire the mangroves

Palm Springs, California – Pampering for Everyone

Of course, in this list of best places to travel with a toddler, California couldn’t be entirely absent. It’s a popular destination that offers you a whole range of attractions, starting with those stylish mid-century hotels that have giant swimming pools right by the palm trees for everyone to enjoy.
Why not hit the family-friendly water park of Omnia Rancho Las Palmas Resort, where there is hiking galore, museums and even dinosaur fun.

Conclusion

To end this journey of travel with a toddler tips, we want to underline the fact that you have to take into consideration that your trip will have a much slower pace than you are used, and you should take this as an advantage and an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings more.

Don’t forget to do your homework carefully when preparing the suitcases and make sure you have all the medication, clothes and toddler accessories needed so that you can stay relaxed. You now have plenty of the best places to travel with a toddler to choose from.

What places have you visited with your toddler and what experiences can you share with us and the other parents that are planning their first adventure? Share them in the comments below!

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

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By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

March 9, 2020

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Travel Nursing, the Coronavirus & What You Need to Know

Posted on March 9, 2020December 27, 2023 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

This article provided by TNAA

This is a pandemic. To be clear, we’re talking about the misinformation surrounding coronavirus. Between the mask-buying panic and the rapidly-evolving disease itself, it’s essential to take a step back. First and foremost, a “pandemic” label won’t change infection protocol. And you, a smart and capable nurse, know what to do.

Here’s What We Know About COVID-19

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus. It’s part of a large family of viruses that are common in people and animals that, in rare cases, can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure, or death. So, what’s new? Typically, animal coronaviruses don’t infect people.

There’s still so much to learn about this new disease — namely, how easily it spreads. According to the CDC, it’s thought that person-to-person spread happens via respiratory droplets among close contacts. And, as a nurse, caring for patients can put you in close contact.

Healthcare personnel are situated squarely on the front lines caring for patients with confirmed infection with coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Naturally, that brings an increased risk of exposure, but, as you were trained, following infection prevention and control guidelines can minimize your risk of exposure.

Protecting Yourself in Real-Time

As a travel nurse, you’re in a unique situation away from what’s familiar. Except, that’s not entirely true. Your education, training, and skills transcend any physical location. Trust what you know. Every nurse has heard the adage, “follow the protocol,” and that holds. Adhering to CDC recommendations for infection prevention and control is critical.

Know the Policy: Check with your nurse manager or charge nurse to ensure you know your facility’s isolation protocol. Do they have a particular floor designated? Airborne Infection Isolation Room? Assess and triage patients with symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19 to minimize exposure risks.
Don’t Skimp on Protocol: Complete each and every step before or after all patient contact or contact with potentially infectious material. This goes for hand hygiene too.
Practice With PPE: If it’s been a while, practice! Check out this quick guide from the CDC for proper don, use, and doff PPE.

COVID-19, Influenza & Preventing the Spread

Although COVID-19 is attracting a great deal of attention, the flu isn’t taking a back seat. While both of these infectious respiratory illnesses can look similar, the flu is impacting Americans more than COVID-19. As of February 15, the CDC estimated at least 29 million fell ill with the flu. So whether it’s the novel virus, one of the current flu strands, or a cold, here’s how you can prevent the spread:

Stay Home: Restrict outside activities, except for getting appropriate medical care and avoid using public transportation.
Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands, cover your sneezes, and avoid sharing personal items. As nurses, you know this, but make sure you’re practicing it in your own home.
Communicate With Your Agency: If you cared for a patient infected with COVID-19 and are reporting symptoms, your agency needs to know.

How Agencies Are Reacting

Rest assured, as much as you see news about Coronavirus and Influenza; your agency teams are too. In fact, most agencies are actively communicating with NATHO and the Joint Commission. All potential exposures need to be worked through with local and state health departments using CDC guidance. Read CDC Guidance for healthcare professionals here.

Remember Ebola? Luckily, a lot of people do and used that to shape present-day responses. In fact, EPIC pushed out an update in January to help clinicians identify factors for a fast and effective diagnosis. You can read about their work with the CDC to update workflows here.

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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Do a Vehicle Checkup

Create a Budget

Prepare Entertainment Options

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Plan Your Daily Endpoints

Bring a Real Map

Pack Plenty of (Healthy) Snacks

Pack a cooler full of water and snacks like:

Consider Camping

Take Photos

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

Travel Nursing, the Coronavirus & What You Need to Know