By Titan Medical

January 24, 2020

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Setting New Year’s Resolutions: Tips for Travel Nurses

This article provided by: Titan Medical


With the new year right upon us, you probably have some resolutions that you want to keep in mind for 2020. Maybe it’s adapting to a healthier lifestyle? Or it could be something as simple as being more organized. Sticking to your New Year’s resolutions will keep you feeling rejuvenated and ready to kick start your weekly goals. To get thinking about what you can do to make 2020 your best year yet, here are some ideas to help you be successful.

Resolutions for Travel Nurses

Adapting to a healthier lifestyle:

While a healthier lifestyle might seem like a difficult task, taking baby steps will ensure happy, healthy habits in your future. You’re an avid soda drinker? Try drinking flavored seltzer water instead. Do you go out to eat for most meals? Cut it down to maybe 2 or 3 times a week with help from creating a monthly meal plan. It’s important to get excited about new, healthy recipes to try and once you’ve gotten into your routine, you’ll be adjusted in no time!

Getting into shape:

Instead of joining a gym that you know for a fact you won’t go to all the time, try doing an intro class to that gym to see if it’s something you would like doing. Some classes to consider would be CrossFit, hot yoga, pilates, etc. It’s about finding what works for you and your hectic schedule. If you are not able to join a gym, try streaming some workout videos on your TV in the morning. They work well for their convenience and are friendly for any budget.

Being more organized:

Ever have an itch to buckle down and get organized? Some ways to do so might be to declutter your storage unit, go through closets and cabinets, shred old mail that is piling up on counter tops and clean the nooks and crannies in your home. These cleaning tasks don’t need to be done at the very beginning of the year, but make it a gradual process. Getting around to tidying up will make for a cleaner, healthier environment and you will feel cozier in your space.

Trying one new thing each month:

Is there something that you have always wanted to try or see, but you just never got around to doing it? Whether it’s tasting a new dish at a local restaurant or going to an art gallery – it’ll be a fun and new experience for you to share alone or with loved ones. This is an idea that works well being a traveling professional as you can meet new friends while trying out new things.

Spending time with family and friends:

Everyone has a busy schedule and it can be difficult to find times to gather. To visit family and friends more often, attempt setting up dates to get together a couple weeks in advance that way everyone can ensure they have the time to meet up. This will also leave your schedule feeling less hectic as you have specific plans in place versus last-minute arrangements. New Year’s Resolutions are exciting and the key to keeping them obtainable is making sure they are simple and something that you know you could stick to. If it helps, make a list of what you want to achieve in the new year and add something else after you successfully fulfill one. Make 2020 your best year yet!

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

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

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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

By Host Healthcare

January 21, 2020

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10 Ways To Spend Your Day Off On Your Travel Nurse Assignment

This article provided by: Host Healthcare

There are so many benefits of travel nursing. From the money you make, to the people you’ll meet, you will love being a travel nurse. However, as a travel nurse you are on the road and not always near friends and family, what do you do on your days off? It’s important after a busy week of caring for your patients to use your days off wisely. To help, here are 10 ways to spend your day off on your travel nurse assignment.

10 Ways To Spend Your Day Off On Your Travel Nurse Assignment

1. Get Some Fresh Air. As a nurse, you spend most of your time inside. That’s why it’s important on your day off to get some fresh air. Go for a walk or a run. This is also a fun way to explore your new city.

Enjoy Your New City

2. Explore Your New City. Odds are the city you are working in has a lot of great things to offer. From historical places to other fun attractions, it’s important you get to know the city you’re in. It might end up being a place you go back to for a fun vacation after your assignment ends.

3. Invite Your Friends For A Picnic. One last fun idea to explore your new city is to have a picnic. Enjoy great food and great conversation by inviting some of your new friends to a picnic. Picnicking creates an opportunity to socialize with others while you soak up some sunshine and enjoy fresh air outside the workplace.

Plan and Prepare

4. Plan Your Meals For The Week. Meal planning might not sound relaxing but it’s a rewarding use of your free time. Planning your meals a head of time can help you save money and ensure you are eating healthy.

5. Prepare For Your Week Ahead. In our theme of planning and preparing, it’s proven to help with stress when you plan your week ahead. Preparing for your week will ensure you have enough scrubs and plan your meals during the day. Follow this tip and you will minimize stress and increase your happiness.

Expand Your Mind

6. Take A Class. Most cities offer a variety of classes you can take. Whether it’s cooking, art, photography, there should be something for everyone. This is a great way to learn a new hobby or expand upon an existing one.

7. Read. Not only does reading expand your mind, it’s also proven to reduce stress. Reading is your opportunity to get lost in a new fictional best seller or learn about important historical events.

Relax

8. Sleep. It’s important to your health that you get enough sleep. As a nurse, you might not be getting adequate sleep during workdays. So, on your day off, make sure you get enough sleep. And don’t forget about taking naps if needed.

9. Binge Your Favorite TV Show. Another great way to relax on your days off is to sit back and watch your favorite TV show. Power up your favorite streaming service and let the binging begin.

10. Unplug From The World. Our final tip from our are 10 ways to spend your day off on your travel nurse assignment is to unplug from the world. It can be simple ways too such as leaving your phone at home as you go to the grocery store. Or turn your phone on ring and leave it in the next room. That way if there’s an important call you will hear it but don’t have the distraction of having your phone next to you at all times.

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

By Ben Hartwig

January 20, 2020

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Top Challenges in Travel Nursing: How to Control the Situation

Travel nursing is an excellent way to hone your clinical skills and advance your career while getting paid to see the country.

Taking the leap from staff nurse to gypsy nurse is difficult, but once you’ve taken the first step, nothing can stop you! The chance to see and experience the entire country while doing what you love is one heck of a reward. However, if this is your first assignment, know that the road you’re on has its own set of challenges and perils. The key to overcoming any issue is to understand what it is firsthand and take control of the situation as it arises.

Here are some of the challenges in travel nursing both on and off the hospital floor.

Challenges in Travel Nursing


You’re Going to Miss Home

As the name implies, you’ll be traveling a lot as a travel nurse. Every working assignment is in a different location, and you’ll be away from home all the time. It can be a wee bit lonely in the beginning, but you’ll overcome it soon enough when you start working. You’ll be seeing a lot of new faces and will get to experience many different cultures when traveling. These two reasons alone will take your mind off home, so make the most of it and explore your new surroundings!

Being a travel nurse is also a chance to form lasting friendships with the people you meet along the way. Having a friend or two in a different city or state sounds like a wonderful trade-off for being far from home. If you’re having a hard time meeting people, try your colleagues and neighbors.

Choosing Where to Live

Since you won’t be living in any one location for long, finding an ideal place to call home can be a challenge. There are plenty of things to consider, such as how far are you willing to travel to work and how much transportation costs will be. Most agencies provide housing for travel nurses that rotate in and out of an area. However, you can always take the housing stipend so you can have more control over where to stay.

You can overcome the housing situation by avoiding Craigslist scams that sound too good to be true. Join travel nursing housing forums and ask around. If you go for a co-living space, make advanced background checks on the people you’ll be sharing a space with. Do the same to a landlord if you find a short-term rental. Try HomeAway or Airbnb if you can’t find anything. If your finances can handle it, extended hotel stays are a great option.

Your First Few Assignments

In time, you’ll learn everything about being a travel nurse, and you’ll have the credentials to choose where to go and what to do. If you’re starting, however, things won’t always go your way, and the environment can be very competitive. Remember, you’re there to help a short-staffed hospital. You need to keep an open mind on unpredictable schedules and different work assignments.

Expect More Work

Travel nurses are often expected to handle a heavier workload because of their higher pay. More work and extended hours will lead to burnout, so you need to avoid places with a low nurse to patient ratio. Gather as much information you can about a potential assignment before you commit.

Floating

Floating isn’t fun, and since you’re the new travel nurse on the block, you’re the most likely candidate to get “floated” to another unit. Before you freak out, look at floating as an opportunity that can benefit your career. Floating opens you up to different experiences and can teach you new skills that can make you a better nurse. If you were a part of a crew that had daily drama issues, floating is an excellent chance to get away from all that.

Working with New People

As a travel nurse, you’ll be working with different sets of colleagues for each new assignment. There will be a lot of personalities, attitudes, and customs at play, so you must learn how to adapt to your new surroundings quickly. Learning how your new co-workers do things, and the culture of the workplace can help your integration run a lot smoother.

In some cases, however, you should expect a little jealousy from other staff nurses. Issues about higher pay and more desirable shifts are the usual sources of workplace jealousy aimed at travel nurses. Since you’re a traveling nurse, your salary will be a little higher, and you’re not subject to seniority when it comes to shifting assignments.

In a Nutshell

There are plenty of perks to being a travel nurse, but the job has its fair share of challenges as well. What can make or break your career is how you deal with the issues that come your way.

We hope these tips help with the challenges in travel nursing you may come across in your travel nurse adventures.

Our travel nurse guide is a great resource for new travel nurses and those who have been traveling.

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

By AB Staffing Solutions

January 2, 2020

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Preparing for a Cold Weather Travel Assignment

This article provided by: AB Staffing Solutions

You’ve chosen your next assignment and it is going to be cold. Are you a fan of the winter? Do you dream of hitting the slopes on your days off? Cold weather travel assignments aren’t for everyone. Whether you grew up in a cold weather climate or it is your first time experiencing snow and ice, we’re sure you will make the most of it. In this article, we will discuss tips for a winter assignment including what to wear, what to ask your recruiter, and preparing your pets.

Preparing for a Cold Weather Travel Assignment

If you’re used to the cold weather, then your research may be less than someone coming from a milder climate like Phoenix or Southern California. Either way, take time to find out what the weather is like for your 13-week assignment. Alaska in the winter means darkness most of the day but Denver might mean snow in the morning and sun in the afternoon. We want you, your pets, home, and vehicle to be safe and ready for whatever may come your way!

Clothing

Clothing for your cold weather assignment should include a variety of jackets, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves. Our friends in colder climates have a variety of jackets they wear – windbreakers, fleece, wool, and goose down. You may also want flannel shirts and flannel-lined pants, gloves, and waterproof boots for the coldest of days. Wool socks, hats, and gloves along with a good pair of leather driving gloves should round out the winter weather gear. Keep an extra set with you for snowy days so you can layer or change if you get wet shoveling or cleaning the car.

Your Car

Speaking of your car, we recommend checking with your trusted mechanic to find out what is best in terms of winter-friendly tires, windshield wipers, and snow chains. When the weather gets snowy and icy, you will be grateful to have the proper equipment for your vehicle. Also add blankets, ice scraper, freeze proof windshield wiper fluid, shovel, and an emergency kit in your car. Even if you’re just commuting from work to home, you may find yourself in need of these items.

It is important to start your car a few minutes prior to leaving. Not only will it run better and be warm for your commute, but you will also make sure you can get into your locked vehicle. On the coldest of days, you may need to de-ice the lock before you can even start the car. Warming the key with hot water or putting rubbing alcohol on the key will melt ice to loosen the lock.

Leave Early

Another reason to leave early is that you will need to allow extra drive time, especially when it is snowy and icy. If you’re moving to a colder climate in the fall, keep in mind that fallen leaves plus rain are as dangerous and slippery as black ice so exercise similar caution. Whether freezing rain, ice, or snow, drive slowly and carefully, using lights and turn signals.

The winter can be tricky because it may snow one day and be warm the next. You may think the snow has melted but when the temperature drops again in the evening, there could be a layer of black ice on the road. Keep in mind there is a difference between when it snows and when it is freezing or below freezing. Just because it is cold and the roads are clear, doesn’t mean you can drive like it is a warm day. You and your car will need extra time to be prepared.

Ask your recruiter questions

When you speak to your Recruiter about your cold weather travel assignment, we encourage you to ask questions not only about the facility and the community but also about the housing accommodations. You may need extra blankets, sweatshirts, and socks to stay warm indoors on the coldest of days.

In our article Making the Best of a Travel Assignment With Your Pet, we discuss what to do before, during, and while on assignment. It’s more than just putting a pet in the car and driving to your next location, especially if you’re heading to a cold-weather climate. In addition to the paperwork from the vet, you may need to buy extra blankets or jackets for your dog. Keep in mind some breeds do better than others in cooler temperatures and may not need an extra layer. Either way, they, like you, need time to adjust to their new surroundings.

As you’re preparing for a cold-weather travel assignment, we recommend talking to your recruiter and researching the area, so you’re prepared! 

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

By Krista Berge

December 31, 2019

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The Days are Hard…A Wife’s Story of Survival After Her Husband’s Suicide

The days are hard and that’s even an understatement.

They’re so busy, ya know? Four kids, sports, work, a household to run…that’ll do it to you. I’m constantly busy. Then the nights come. Ugh, I dread the evenings. The nights are so lonely. When the house is quiet and the last baby goes to bed. The aching grows. This used to be the favorite part of our day. Now I have to force myself to sit downstairs, alone.

This was our time together.

This is where we would go over our day. Where I wouldn’t be just a mom anymore, but your best friend, a lover, the girl you fell in love with. You would remind me I’m not the failure I feel. I’m not the damaged goods I’ve been told I am. This is where you would bring me gently back from the world beating me down. I miss you speaking God’s truth to my heart. Miss the way you loved me. I miss the honor of being your wife. I miss….you. Just you.

How we laughed and were always joking. We talked about each one of the kids. Their quarks and which one we worried about the most. How we couldn’t wait to see how they were going to change the world. This was the time we would both admit we didn’t know what we were doing too. How were we going to keep up this charade of being “adults”? And who trusted us with four kids and a house? This is where we found beauty in the chaos. Together. We created this beautiful messy life, together.

Now…this reality

Now I literally have to set a timer and make myself stay downstairs. Like a child forced into timeout. I’m forced to accept this reality. Even walking up the steps to bed is painful. I remember every night I would race you up because still in my 30s, I was afraid of the dark. A fear you would exploit as you would turn off the lights and hide. Man, how we were kids raising kids!

Fast forward to what the experts call the “separation anxiety phase”. Sounds pleasant enough, right? I would just call it “hell” but the word “phase” puts an official seal on it, I guess. This is where for the past 19 years you were an every single day part of my life. Where I accept there will be a time that my days without you will outnumber my days with you.

This is where the painful process of “two becoming one” is ripped from my body.

From my soul. From my heart. This moment is where I bring my dreams to the cross where they must die again. Where the beautiful dance of marriage is unraveled day by day. Where my ring finger feels oh so heavy and so light at the same time. This is where I not only miss you but I’m left to figure out who I am without half of me.

Like an amputee, you’re cut from my body and life over and over again at night. The phantom pains of the life we had is gnawing at me. Half of me is missing. I’m learning how to walk and talk again. How to function now without you still.

You aren’t really here sitting with me.

suicide

I want to pretend you’re in the other room so I’ll even call your name. To taste it on my lips again. I call out for you and again my heart sinks when there is no response. Just silence. A silence that is deafening. I never knew silence could be so painfully loud.

Here it goes. The memories flood in. The good, bad, and the ugly. I’m left with thinking why did I ever complain about you leaving dirty laundry everywhere? Man, what I would give to find a trail of dirty clothes leading to your hamper. You never did understand that dirty clothes go IN the hamper, did you? I want that back. Want you back. I want it all back.

You were already gone way before you were gone.

But, let’s be honest here too. You were already gone way before you were gone. I missed you when you were sitting right next to me. Longed for your laughter more than I longed for air. I was desperate to hear your voice. Days would turn into weeks of feeling alone. Even when you were here, you weren’t. For years I would miss you for hours, days, weeks, and months on end.

Depression stole you from us.

Depression stole your smile. It stole your energy. Depression stole your sense of humor. It stole your joy for life. It stole you from me. From us.

You fought though. You fought so hard. But then you got so tired of fighting. I fought for you when you were done fighting for yourself. Fought for every appointment. I fought every reason you said you were “fine”. I fought to make you breathe when your were already gone. The scars on my knees are a painful reminder of how I wouldn’t accept defeat with your last breath.

I know you didn’t want this.

You didn’t want this for us. The pain. This isn’t the outcome you would have chosen for yourself or our babies. But your brain said we would be better off. The one organ you tried to reason with was the one organ that was so sick.

So, here I am to set the record straight for anyone considering suicide.

So, here I am to set the record straight for anyone considering suicide. For anyone thinking “they’re better off without me.” That suicide is the answer. It’s a lie. A flat out lie.

Make the decision

Make the decision to:

  • to get help
  • tell someone you’re wanting to harm yourself
  • to FIGHT

And keep making it! Every single day. Even every single minute if you must. It’s not a fix-all. One appointment or one conversation may not do it. But have it anyways. Then have the next one. It’s a battle. You’re battling for your life. For the lives of those you love. You are breathing for a reason. Don’t stop. Keep living. Fight. Keep fighting. And fight some more! We need you. Stay!

We can all help prevent suicide.

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Chat option available
1-800-273-8255

Please if you’re struggling with depression, your mental health or thoughts of suicide tell someone. Stay.

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

By Titan Medical

December 30, 2019

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Tips to Help Relieve Your Holiday Stress

This article provided by: Titan Medical

While the holiday season brings joy and cheer, sometimes we can quickly become overwhelmed with the chaos of planning and organizing our holiday events.

To help ease some of the holiday stress, here are some tips and tricks to prepare for the hustle and bustle of holiday planning.

Check your schedule

Holiday Stress

Have an idea ahead of time of what your holiday month looks like. Make it a priority to not overwhelm yourself with too many weekday and weekend commitments. You won’t want to go away from your typical routine as that can cause additional distractions to your already hectic schedule.

Make a budget

One way to help keep you on track with timelines and goals is to budget for your holiday spending. This will help prevent any impulse buys and you will feel comfortable knowing your holiday spending limit.

Make a List

Whether it’s planning out your meals, gift wrapping schedule or remembering timeline of events. Be sure to write a list of details so you can cross items and events off as the days pass. This will ensure you haven’t forgotten anything and you’ll feel at ease knowing you’re getting everything done in an efficient order.

Avoid Confrontation

This holiday season, try your best at avoiding conflict of any type. Conflict alone can cause unnecessary negativity and unknowingly cause the stress you may be feeling. If topics you disagree with are brought up, simply remove yourself from the situation or conversation.

Make time for you

Tips to Help Relieve Your Holiday Stress


Remember what this time of year is about: Setting goals, rejuvenating and getting a fresh start to the New Year. Make time for you and recognize those times that you are overwhelmed. It might be best to stay home and relax versus be on the go. Purchase a nice planner for the new year and get ahead of the upcoming year early to avoid stress this holiday season!

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

By LRS Healthcare

December 27, 2019

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New Year’s Resolutions for Travel Nurses

This article provided by: LRS Healthcare

It’s a proverb as old as time: The early bird gets the worm—and the prepared travel nurse gets the coolest assignment. It may be too soon for some to think about their 2020 resolutions, but travel nurses are a different, forward-thinking kind.

As you plan for all the adventures this new year of travel nursing will bring you, take a moment to make some resolutions that will help you enjoy your travels even more. Travel nursing is all about creating your best life on your terms, so draw inspiration for your 2020 goals from our resolutions and let’s make this year awesome!

Learn Something New

No matter where you find yourself working in 2020, embrace its landscape and culture to squeeze every bit of goodness out of your experience there. You can find opportunities to learn new hobbies, meet new people and try new foods at any assignment in any city. Spending a few months in Colorado? Check mountain climbing off your bucket list! Exploring the Pacific Northwest? Get to know your local barista! In New York City for the first time? Find the best pizza in your neighborhood!

Each new assignment is a chance to enrich your life with unforgettable, meaningful experiences. So, get out and try something new.

Build Out Your Professional Network

Networking is an essential career tool for travel nurses, especially when you have your heart set on a contract but don’t know how to secure it. Because travel nurses don’t have a permanent set of coworkers to advocate for them, they’re constantly representing themselves. In order to advance your career and land dream contracts, you have to build connections everywhere you go.

In 2020, focus on expanding your network of advocates and friends through social media, your recruiting agency and your assignment coworkers. The more people you have in your corner, the more options open up to you.

Make Life Easier for Yourself

There’s no doubt nursing can be physically and emotionally taxing, so take every opportunity to reduce your stress. You deserve to fully experience the freedom and fun of travel nursing. But that can be tough if you’re battling burnout. So, if you see a way to make your life simpler and less stressful, go for it. Here are some of our favorite ways to manage stress:

  1. Work with your recruiter to get your travel documents organized in a way that’s easiest for you.
  2. Build family and relaxation time into your 2020 schedule.
  3. Make your housing needs clear so you can quickly find ideal housing.
  4. Schedule a massage or take a soothing bath.
  5. Make time to regularly talk with the people you care about.

Whatever makes you happy and takes a weight off your shoulders is well worth your time.

And if you’re in need of a new contract for the new year, contact LRS Healthcare to lock in your perfect 2020 plans.

We hope these New Year’s resolutions for travel nurses gives you some ideas for resolutions this year!

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

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

By Accountable HealthCare Staffing

December 26, 2019

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What to Expect During Your First Holiday Season as a Travel Nurse

This article provided by: Accountable Healthcare Staffing

Your first year working as a nurse is challenging, and your first holiday season is even more so. Oftentimes, the last thing you want to do is put on your scrubs and drive into work while your friends and family are celebrating without you. Unfortunately, every nurse has to work some holidays—it’s just part of the job. Here are eight tips to help you cope successfully with your first holiday season as a nurse.

Get ready to work at least some holidays.

Different facilities run their schedules differently, but one thing is for sure: You’re going to have to work at least some holidays throughout the year. At some hospitals, if you normally work that day of the week, then you work the holiday–period (unless you find someone gracious enough to swap shifts with you, of course). Other facilities pair holidays together—Thanksgiving with July 4, Memorial Day with Christmas, etc.—and you work one day and get the other off, alternating year over year. However, almost no nurse gets all the holidays off each year, so mentally prepare yourself to work on at least some of these days.

If you want to make swaps, do them in advance.

No one likes that coworker who tries to swap a holiday shift only days in advance, so don’t be that person! If you really want a particular holiday off, look into your facility’s shift-swapping protocol and reach out to your coworkers well in advance. It’s a big ask to request that someone else works on a holiday, so you might have to be willing to work a different special day. For example, you take their Thanksgiving shift while they pick up your Christmas one. And of course, it never hurts to sweeten the deal with some Christmas cookies while you’re at it.

Plan your schedule wisely.

Some nurses figure that if they have to work on a holiday, they might as well do three 12-hour shifts back-to-back and get their week over with. While this may sound tempting, be honest with yourself if this is something you can and want to do. Nursing is a tough profession emotionally and physically, and it can be even more so over the holidays–especially if you’re away from your family. If working three consecutive twelves is going to compromise your nursing work, or simply make you exhausted and sad, try to leave yourself some downtime in between shifts so you can spend time with friends and family. Take care of yourself, even if you can’t celebrate the day of the holiday.

Know how to get in touch with senior leadership.

Senior leaders often take or get off the holidays, so they won’t always be around to assist you in case of an emergency. Ask your supervisor what the protocol is for contacting out-of-office leadership in case a situation does arise. Make sure you know who will be quickly accessible and keep their contact info in an easy-to-reach place, such as your nursing bag, at all times. Hopefully nothing will happen, but staff is often spread a bit thin over the holidays and you want to be prepared ahead of time.

Ask others for help and minimize your commitments.

If you already have a holiday routine, it can be difficult to make the adjustment during your first holiday season as a nurse, especially if you’re usually the one doing all the work: cooking the big festive meals, gift shopping on other people’s behalf, hosting the annual holiday party, etc. But trying to do all that during your first year as a nurse will only make you tired and prone to burnout. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family members for help or to back out of your usual activities. Be upfront about the demands of your nursing career, and give people plenty of heads up on what you can and can’t do. Of course, this isn’t to say you have to completely give up on everything. You can still make a side dish to bring to the party (for example), rather than hosting the entire thing.

Be prepared that your family might not understand.

Non-nurses don’t always understand the rigors of the work schedule, and this is especially true for those who work a regular 9-to-5 job and get holidays off. As soon as you know your holiday schedule (which should be pretty far in advance), communicate it to your family, explain why you won’t be able to join them the day of and offer to coordinate an alternative celebration either before or after the holiday itself. If they give you pushback, explain that everyone in your unit has to work some holidays each year without exception. More senior nurses will have gone through this routine many times, so don’t be afraid to turn to them for advice and encouragement on this matter.

Focus on the incentives.

Almost no one wants to work on a holiday, but the situation isn’t all negative. Many facilities provide overtime pay for working on a holiday, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they may offer other perks (such as a free meal in the cafeteria) as well. Put that extra money to good use by scheduling a fun activity after your holiday shift, such as a massage or art class, so you have something to look forward to and a way to reward yourself for all your hard work.

Don’t forget other people are missing the holidays, too.

Obviously, being away from friends and family during the holidays can be tough, but you’re not the only one. Up to a quarter of all Americans are required to work at least one winter holiday.  Many other hospital staff, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, restaurant workers, and retail workers will put on their scrubs or uniforms and clock into work over the holidays. (And of course, your patients are missing the holidays as well and they’re sick and in the hospital on top of that.) If nothing else, remember that you’re not alone and that you’re helping other people—and possibly even saving lives—in the process.

Your first holiday season as a nurse may not be fun, but you can make it a lot less painful by preparing ahead of time. Follow these eight must-know tips to successfully weather the holidays as a working nurse for the first time. Thanks for the great info DailyNurse.com

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By Fastaff Travel Nursing

December 23, 2019

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6 Reasons to Work a Travel Nursing Assignment During the Holidays

This article was provided by: Fastaff Travel Nursing

The holidays are most commonly viewed as a time to relax and spend time with family, however, there are many travel nurses who jump on the chance to work during a holiday. Travel nurses who work holiday assignments cite it as advantageous to their nursing careers and rewarding in more ways than one. If you’ve been considering taking a travel nursing assignment during the holidays, let the below benefits inspire and motivate you to try something new this year.

1. Higher pay

When you’re a Fastaff RN, you are one of the first responders; undertaking challenging opportunities, and changing communities with dedicated patient care. We understand that it is not always easy and we’re here to ensure your success.

As a way of showing our gratitude for our nurses’ continued hard work this holiday season, we are offering a pay rate that is 1.5 times your hourly rate for ALL hours worked during the holiday week from December 22-28, 2019.

2. A calmer, more relaxed atmosphere

Usually, you will have fewer patients in the hospital over the holidays. Many doctors don’t schedule as many procedures, and people avoid coming in for non-essential treatment.  This can lead to a more laid-back atmosphere with less commotion and stress.

3. A chance to build rapport

When you agree to work on the holidays, you show your employer that you are a team player and that you are willing to do your part to ensure that the hospital or clinic is staffed at all times. This helps you to build a strong, positive relationship with your employer, which can be beneficial to you in the future.

4. More one-on-one time with patients

With less going on in the hospital, you will have more time to spend with each of your patients. This allows you to provide them with more comprehensive care.

5. Intrinsic rewards

When patients are in the hospital over the holidays, they may feel more low or homesick than usual. By showing them kindness and attention on these days, you can help to raise their spirits.

6. A sense of purpose

When you work assignments over the holidays, you are making even more of an impact in your patients’ lives; connecting with them on a deeper level during a time when they may need someone the most.

We hope this article makes working an assignment during the holidays a little more bearable.

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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