It’s Nurses Week. The Theme for National Nurses Week 2019 is 4 Million Reasons to Celebrate — a nod to nurses’ sheer numbers and an open invitation to #ThankaNurse for enriching our lives and the world we live in.
4 Million Reasons To Celebrate
With over 4 million Registered Nurses in the USA, we have a lot to celebrate. Nursing is considered one of the ‘most trusted’ occupations with the highest honesty and ethical standards of any industry.
Nursing has changed a lot in the years since Miss Florence Nightingale. However, nurses still share similar values and commitment to those of Florence Nightingale.
Today’s nurses share similar values and commitment to those of Miss Nightingale:
uphold a commitment to addressing many public health challenges to transform health care to focus on health and wellness, in addition to illness care.
commitment to delivering culturally competent care and increasing diversity and inclusion in nursing.
ground-breaking work as researchers, executives, educators and innovators on national and global initiatives.
Florence Nightingale
(12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910)
Florence Nightingale was a celebrated English social reformer and statistician, and the founder of modern nursing.
She is a ‘ministering angel’ without any exaggeration in these hospitals, and as her slender form glides quietly along each corridor, every poor fellow’s face softens with gratitude at the sight of her. When all the medical officers have retired for the night and silence and darkness have settled down upon those miles of prostrate sick, she may be observed alone, with a little lamp in her hand, making her solitary rounds.
She came to prominence while serving as a nurse during the Crimean War, where she tended to wounded soldiers.
During the Crimean war, Florence Nightingale gained the nickname “The Lady with the Lamp” from a phrase in a report in The Times.
In 1860, Nightingale laid the foundation of professional nursing with the establishment of her nursing school at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world on her birthday.
The first trained Nightingale nurses began work on 16 May 1865 at the Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary.
Her social reforms include being a pioneer in the visual presentation of information and statistical graphics.[31]
Improving healthcare for all sections of British society;
Improving healthcare and advocating for better hunger relief in India;
Helping to abolish laws regulating prostitution that were overly harsh to women;
Expanding the acceptable forms of female participation in the workforce. – Wikipedia
How you can #ThankaNurse this Nurses Week
Post #ThankaNurse or #ThankyouGypsyNurse to your social media pages to show your support.
SHARE this article on your social networks to help us spread the word. #nursesweek2019
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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!”
More travelers today are choosing to secure their own temporary housing for a travel assignment than ever before. With that said, we have also seen a rise in number of housing scams listed online, especially on Craig’s List.
RED FLAGS: Possible Indications of a housing SCAM
Before you endeavor in finding your own travel nurse housing arrangements, know what “red flags” to watch for when evaluating potential temporary housing. Here are some general rules for avoiding scams.
Never wire funds to another individual via Western Union or any other wiring service. No legitimate property management company or agent will ever ask you to wire money. Additionally, never send money if the agent will not show the rental or release keys until a large payment has been made.
Never give out personal financial information such as your bank account number, social security number, credit card or other financial information until you have seen the rental property.
When possible deal locally and in person. We know you are often looking for housing in a different part of the country, but whenever possible schedule a trip to go see all of your options in person, or ask a friend or family member to go on your behalf.
Some personal information should be requested. If a landlord doesn’t seem interested in any form of tenant screening, such as credit score, criminal background check, rental history, or employment verification, it should be viewed suspiciously.
Unreasonably low rents are a sign it’s too good to be true. If the rent you are being offered is hundreds of dollars below the average for that area, it is very likely a scam.
Legitimate agents will have an actively working phone number. If a telephone number is not provided or is disconnected, be wary of who you are dealing with. Also be cautious if the advertiser has a free email (Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc.) versus a corporate email.
Avoid renting from anyone based overseas who is unable to meet with you in person, or send a representative to meet with you in person, or who can only be reached electronically because they are out of the county.
Most scam postings will be very poorly written and contain numerous typos, spelling mistakes, and sentences that just don’t make sense.
What to do if you become the victim of a housing scam:
1. Call the police. If you’ve been scammed, immediately notify local law enforcement. The information you provide might be enough to help police apprehend the scammer, and get your money returned even if you choose not to press charges.
2. Contact the publisher where the ad was posted. If the scam originated from a newspaper classified ad or online posting, let the publisher know what happened. Many take scams very seriously and will block the scammer from posting again.
3. File a complaint with the FTC. If you become the victim of a rental scam in the US, consider reporting it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Finding a rental property that has rented to travelers in the past is the most ideal situation. The best thing you can do to protect yourself is talk to other travelers for their housing suggestions. There are a number of travel nursing blogs and Facebook housing pages that have been created by travelers, for travelers, to share information just like this. There are also services such as Travelers Haven that are available. For a small fee, they help travelers find their own housing arrangements.
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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!”
Nurse Burnout is a real and deeply personal topic. The following is a personal account of one travel nurse’s experience in dealing with burnout and rising from the ashes.
“And when all that was left was ashes, she would again clothe herself
in flame, rising from the dust of her past to rekindle the spark of her future.
She was a Phoenix, her own salvation; rebirthed, renewed, resurrected.” —
LaRhonda Toreson
I was burned out. Burnt to a crisp, really. I was bitter, angry, frustrated and tired. My
back hurt, my feet and shoulders hurt; my soul
hurt. It all came to a head when, one
day at work, I suddenly burst into tears, snot and all, crying the ugly cry. It was silly, really, and I was beyond embarrassed. No, I didn’t cry over some tragedy with a
patient, or even over an error. Nope, I
cried over a shower. Seriously, I, a
hardened ER nurse who’d seen the underbelly of society working in an inner city
ER, lost my cookies over the docs kicking me out of their shower. Was this some kind of joke?!
Let me explain. I’d been riding
my bike to work because we only had one car and my husband needed it. Every day I arrived at work, sweaty and
smelling like a billy-goat so I showered in the on-call room in our ER before
my shift. One day, administration locked
me out, saying that shower was for doctors only. It was a small offense, one that would normally
make me angry, but not something I would typically burst into tears over. But I became unhinged. I hid in the bathroom trying to compose
myself. Something was really wrong with
me.
Nurse Burnout: I’d finally reached a breaking point
After that embarrassing episode, I realized that I’d been holding back my feelings for a long time before those floodgates burst open. Nurses don’t have the luxury of dealing with their feelings in real time- there’s work to do! I had carefully put aside the sadness that threatened to overtake me when that baby was born dead to a drug-addled mother; I’d swallowed the anger that flashed inside when a patient called me a stupid bitch; I suppressed the frustration I felt over declining resources. And I’d been doing it for years, stuffing my feelings down deep inside me, tucked neatly away to be dealt with at a more appropriate time. Except I never did deal with them. Instead, they lurked there, just beneath the surface, a sleeping volcano waiting to erupt.
When I look back it surprises me that no one
had raised concerns. The signs of my
emotional decline were definitely there- I’d neglected my appearance, was short
tempered with my co-workers and had stopped going to social gatherings. I was in pain, too. When you tuck away emotions every day they
begin to pile up, weighing you down, making you tired and sore. You begin to walk differently, like you’re
carrying a heavy load. Your back and shoulders
ache. You don’t hold yourself as
upright; the burden bends you, distorting your body and hunching you over. Then the injuries begin.
I needed help
I obviously couldn’t be breaking out into a
mess of tears all the time at work, though I often felt like it. No, I had to get a hold of whatever was going
on with me, and I needed to do it fast. I
needed a therapist but it was surprisingly difficult to find one! Access to mental health services, even for
those of us blessed with good insurance, is difficult at best. But that’s a topic for another day….
While I set out to find an appropriate therapist, I began seeking
support by opening up to trusted friends.
It was a reasonable place to start, but not a whole lot of answers came
from those sessions, only loving support, which I wrapped myself in like a
warm, comfortable blanket. It was
comforting, but it wasn’t the solution. I loved my job, and I wanted to be able
to continue to be professional and effective in interactions with peers and
patients. I didn’t want another
emotional outburst to undermine my credibility.
Getting mental health care became a priority both for my own sanity and
for my professional efficacy.
Nurse Burnout: Making steps forward
I found a therapist and began to go weekly. I used to call it “weeping Mondays” because that’s what a lot of the sessions were in the beginning. But, slowly, together with my therapist, I uncovered the issues that were causing me to feel so badly. We talked about how my work required me to withhold strong emotions and that how ignoring feelings can lead to problems like anxiety and depression. I started to understand, and the sessions slowly involved fewer tears and more objective reflection. I began to feel more confident and effective at work when dealing with difficult situations. A weight had been lifted from my back and I began to feel energized and whole again. It led to a host of other small, healthy changes, too, and slowly, day-by-day, I felt better. The nurse burnout that I was experiencing was finally diminishing.
I realized that once I was able to bring the
stories behind my emotions to the surface, I could look at them objectively and
finally understand why they made me feel angry, sad and frustrated. I came to understand that my feelings are
valid, they’re based in my personal values and that they deserve to be examined
and felt, not hidden away and disregarded.
I, too, have value and I started treating
myself like a person of value. A lot
of interesting things happened after that little revelation. I noticed that I was more objective when
conflicts arose and could respond from a place of intellect instead of emotion
because I’d been able to sit with my emotions authentically and compassionately. I’d treated myself with dignity and, as a
result, my communication and leadership skills improved as I treated others
with more dignity and respect as well.
Things got a whole lot better for me at work and at home.
Have you ever had to hide in the med room to fight back tears? Or maybe had an emotional outburst that was less than professional that left you feeling embarrassed and devalued? I encourage you to sit with your emotions for a while. What underlies them? What can you learn about your personal values? Look, I know you’re tired and sad and hurting. And it’s scary to confront powerful emotions. But you’re also strong, and our power lies in unearthing what makes us feel these feels. Allow yourself to experience it. Let those feelings rise to the surface; sense the release. Maybe you need help? Sometimes it may be necessary to get professional help so that you can release your emotions safely and with guidance. There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. Dealing with nurse burnout made me a better nurse.
So cry! Laugh!
Scream out in frustration and fury. Let it rise up and flow through you and let it
out. Then, when you’ve felt all you can
feel and you’re spent, take time to look past the feelings at what lies
beneath. Discover your spark in the
ashes.
And rise.
We hope you found this article on burnout helpful. Do you have ways you cope with burnout? Comment them below.
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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!”
The effects of mental illness and suicide on its sufferers and their love is all too familiar to me.
I had a cousin named Stefan
Whom I grew up with and was like a brother. He has had a huge influence on my life. He had tons of friends, was good looking, smart, funny, and the life of the party. Stefan had it all. Little did any of us know what was truly brewing below the surface.
He suffered with severe depression and masked it with drugs and alcohol. He portrayed he was happy and had it all together while remaining too proud to ask for help or acknowledge he even had a problem. Perhaps he viewed that as a sign of weakness.
I was on my first travel nurse assignment in Fresno, California when I woke up to the news that Stefan had committed suicide at age 32 years old and was found on the bedroom floor by my aunt and cousins with a rope around his neck. He had suffered in silence.
It has been 3 years since his death,
..yet the wound is still fresh. There are so many unanswered questions I have including what demons he faced and where he is now. It is incredibly painful to have someone you love leave you in such a drastic way. How could you choose to take your life? Isn’t life all we have?
My message from this horrific experience is this
No one is better than anyone else. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your job is, what you look like, how much money you have, etc. As drastically blunt this is, we are ALL going to die, so therefore we’re all the same. You would think given that logic, we’d make existing a little more pleasant for one another.
Growing up and living in the world, and this country could be very tough. Especially today. Society sets a bar of what people feel they should look like, be, or have. They are constantly bombarded with images of this on social media and the internet. If they fall short, they feel like they don’t measure up and are a failure. They feel they shouldn’t exist.
My message to you is that is so wrong
Success could be defined in so many different ways even if it includes just being a good freakin’ person to someone else and performing random acts of kindness for people even when no one is looking. If you’re going to be anything in this life, be kind. Many are facing daily battles that you absolutely know nothing about. Being kind could go a long way even if you don’t realize it. It could even potentially save a life.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
The CDC reported that in 2014, there were more than 40,000 deaths by suicide in the United States. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among all ages.
There is no one cause for suicide. Risk factors include social isolation, substance use, mental illness, and situational crises.
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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!”
Next week is nurses week and we want to give you a sneak peak at what we have in store for you! We will be celebrating nurses week with contests from a few of our sponsors starting May 6th and ending May 10th!
To join in on the fun, you must be a travel nurse and all contests will be held on The Gypsy Nurse’s Fan page ( https://www.facebook.com/TheGypsyNurseFan/) Be sure to like our fanpage before the contests begins so you can be the first to see when the contest begins!
Contests will begin at 8am EST and end the next day at 8am EST. Winner will be announced at 12PM EST the following day
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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!”
The relationship you and your medical travel recruiter build can make or break not only your upcoming placement, but also your entire career. The travel nurse recruiter relationship needs attention. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you rate the value your recruiter brings to the travel table.
Awesome do’s:
Do stick with those who stick to their word.
Word is bond, and if your travel nurse recruiter relationship is at the very least an open and honest one. That’s fantastic and should always come standard.
“Your travel nurse recruiter should never over promise and under deliver. Honesty is always the best policy. It’s a good sign if your recruiter admits they don’t know the answer to your question while practicing their due diligence to find the most accurate information on your behalf.” —Craig Overway, LRS Healthcare Social Media Recruiter
Do partner with those who advocate on your behalf.
Many travel nurse recruiters out there go above and beyond for their travelers—which is awesome because you deserve red-carpet treatment. But your safety, licensing integrity, treatment on assignment and prompt compensation are not cherries to good recruiters, they’re part of the job they should be passionate about 24/7/365.
Do open up to those who invest in your why.
Your travel nurse recruiter should want to get to know you as a person and understand your travel and life goals. By understanding what motivates you and your general interests, they’ll be able to connect you with opportunities in line with your personal career plan. They’ll also be able to move more quickly with targeted placement and housing options. So many good recruiters out there become great friends with their travelers because they are invested in their happiness and truly care.
Big don’t you dares:
Don’t associate with those who bad talk others.
It’s never a good sign when a travel recruiter throws serious shade about their coworkers, a facility or other travelers. Sure, you two will become close, and being real about what’s going on in your lives and swapping stories can and should happen. But if venting turns into gossip, your spidey senses should be telling you something isn’t kosher and consider treading lightly.
Don’t work with those who place you without consent.
“Hey, I submitted you for a job in Hawaii!” OK, that sounds great, but if you didn’t agree to it ahead of time, that’s a huge recruiter red flag. The excitement you hear in her voice or read in his text is just the spin doctor talking, and even if you’re interested in the placement, you should always give the yes or no to opportunities before your travel nurse recruiter submits your information to a facility.
Don’t waste your time on those who waste yours.
Nobody likes their chain yanked. Overway puts it well here, “Time is an incredibly valuable asset, and location and pay are of major importance to travel nurses and allied travelers. Your recruiter should always be real with you and let you know early on if something isn’t lining up with a potential assignment rather than stringing you along for days or even weeks.”
Your travel nurse recruiter relationship is KEY to success.
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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!”
Throughout the drama caused by the insensitive statements from Senator Walsh, nurses nationwide have found a way to have a little fun. From the hundreds of memes created to some fun card games, only nurses can understand.
Nurses fish for multiple things such as and are not limited to: supplies, veins, meds from the pharmacy, staffing, time for lunch and bathroom breaks, and typically our sanity by the end of the day or night.
Poker: What do you have in your nurses hand this shift?
Having 5:1 nursing ratios = FULL HOUSE
having a pocketful of saline = flush
Working 16 STRAIGHT hours or work 14 STRAIGHT days to provide patient continuity = Straight
Admissions placed on appropriate units for nurses with an experience tailored to their specific needs = 4 of a Kind
Crazy 8’s (only in Nursing)
Many crazy things I can list here, but none as crazy as the SHB 8hr shift amendment!!!!!
War (for patient advocacy)
The war nurses fight when advocating for our patients in a political world that puts money and power over patient safety. The war of stress us nurses fight through every day we swipe the time clock. ??
Blackjack (building those strategy skills)
Strategizing to beat the dealer has so many correlations here
Every shift, we strategize when we use critical thinking to prioritize every patient we see.
Strategizing how to educate and care for complicated patients with a variety of barriers.
Strategizing through a code to save the patient!
Strategizing how to handle the mental stress and emotional toll when you go from holding the hand of a dying man (which is a privilege, and not a complaint) who has no family or friends by his side during his final hours to….caring for your patient who you’re trying to keep alive and out of CCU bc their vitals are tanking d/t severe septic shock…then on to your 3 or 4 other patients who your charge nurse and fellow peers are thankfully looking over!
Strategizing how to tell your children you won’t be home from work because you’ve decided to clock out after the end of shift and do the right thing by sitting at the bedside with a 90+ yr old WWII POW. After all, he has night terrors, and there’s no ava staff to sit 1:1 with him till morning.
The dealer has many faces. Senator Walsh and nurses strategize every day, all day/night long, and often we go above and beyond to provide the best care humanly possible….because that’s what we do. We’re nurses. ❤️
Card games for nurses:
The following is taken and modified from a public Facebook post by: Cindy Hudson Mullins
Nurses are Dealing
Nurses have to DEAL with a lot of Drama, sadness, death, heartache!
Nurses DEAL with grieving parents, children, and families when their loved ones die unexpectedly and plan.
Nurses DEAL with being short-staffed, not having the supplies we need to do our job, and not spending time with our families!
Nurses DEAL with having poop thrown at us, being spit on, urinated, and puked on. We DEAL with being cussed out, objects were thrown at us, and being physically attacked!
Nurses DEAL with the grieving parents who just lost their child to suicide, a car wreck, a school shooting.
Nurses DEAL watching the life drain out of someone, and they turn white as a ghost as they lost their spouse, child, parents to the death angel.
How Nurses Shuffle
Nurses SHUFFLE our bathroom breaks, our lunches, and even sitting down for 5 minutes!
Nurses SHUFFLE our home life to fit around our “work-life.”
Nurses SHUFFLE our children around to others because the nurse on the next shift is sick or has a family death.
Nurses SHUFFLE our feet because we have stood on them for 14 plus hours, and our ankles are swollen over top of our shoes!
Nurses “got to know when to hold ’em” and know when to “call” and deal with the “hand” we are dealt.
Sometimes nurses have to CALL family members to tell them their loved one passed away.
Nurses CALL our families to tell them to go on to bed or eat without us because there was an emergency at the hospital and we have to work overtime.
The HAND we are dealt with In nursing is not always a fair one. We have doctors cuss us out as well as family members. We let our families down as we pick a stranger’s family up off the floor and hold them as they cry.
Nurses HAND out bad news daily. I’m sorry, but you have cancer. I’m sorry, but cancer has spread. I’m sorry, but your child didn’t make it thru surgery.
God forbid there is a FULL HOUSE at the hospital. No breaks, no lunches, no potty breaks!
And when we do get to go home, we FOLD up into a ball and cry or try to sleep and not think about the “one we lost” today.
Nurses FOLD our hands in prayers for the patients, our co-workers, and our family!
Nurses go in a RUN to the code blue they just called. We RUN and cram a bite of food down our throats so we don’t pass out.
We RUN to get our patients drinks, medications, food, warm blankets! Nurses PASS on family get-togethers, our children’s school functions, their sporting events because we take care of your loved ones.
Nurses know when to HOLD a patient’s hand instead of getting the patient in another room an extra pillow or sandwich.
Nurses understand medications well enough to know when to HOLD the next dose for fear of over-sedation.
Nurses, Please continue playing the cards that you play. Our healthcare system NEEDS you. You are the backbone of healthcare and deserve nothing but respect. #cardsnursesplay
Candy Treft, RN Founder of TheGypsyNurse.com
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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!”
As the summer months approach, the urge to pack up for a vacation hits a fever pitch. Whether you’re itching for long, languid days poolside or wanting to explore a new culture, the time to start planning your vacation is now. Luckily, you’re a travel nurse (or thinking about becoming one) which means that while you get to work in desirable locations, you also have the freedom to take time off in between assignments. Like the other aspects of the job, taking a vacation as a travel nurse requires a little organization and good old-fashioned planning. Follow these steps for a worry-free vacation, after all, you’ve earned it!
Budgeting
Taking a month-long vacation can take a big chunk out of your finances. 30 days without pay can seem daunting, but with the right planning, it can easily be done! First, track your recurring monthly expenses so you know exactly how much you’ll need to stay on top of bills. Next, look at flights, hotels, and any tours or excursions you’re wanting to do. Now that you have a baseline you’re ready to start making extra money for your trip — like referral bonuses! Here are some additional budgeting tips for travelers.
Overtime Pay
Working overtime is a great way to make extra money to use toward your vacation. Most contracts have a bill rate for 36 hours but overtime pay won’t kick in until 40 hours. Ask your recruiter about those 4 hours. Some agencies offer pay packages that up your hourly rate on those additional hours until your contracted overtime kicks in. Need some help on negotiating overtime? We’ve got you covered.
Extension & Rebook Bonuses
Depending on when your vacation is, you may be able to extend or even rebook for another 13-week assignment. This is a great opportunity for a bonus. Again, this is agency by agency, but it’s worth asking your recruiter. The agency won’t need to reimburse you for pre-employment screenings, so you may be able to get a bump in pay if not a bonus. Don’t leave any money on the floor that could go into your vacation fund.
Insurance
If you get health insurance through your agency, you likely pay out of each paycheck. But what about in between assignments? When you decide to take time off, will you be covered? It’s important to think about the level of coverage you feel comfortable with according to your lifestyle and activity level. Look for agencies that offer bridge programs. These will keep you covered while you travel to your new assignment, but they’re not meant to be long-term options.
COBRA Insurance
For longer vacations, COBRA may be your best bet. Unlike typical insurance, COBRA won’t be taken out of each paycheck, rather it will be paid all upfront so be prepared. Check with your agency and ask if they switch your insurance over to COBRA and reinstate you when you’re back on assignment — you typically even get to use the same insurance card.
This article details insurance options between contracts and goes into exactly how COBRA works.
Travel Insurance
Let’s talk about travel insurance too! What happens if your connecting flight is canceled, your luggage is stolen, or a tropical storm rolls in and derails your plans? Would you be okay eating that bill without getting the tan? While this isn’t something offered by healthcare staffing agencies, it’s an important step to protecting yourself against unfortunate situations. Travel insurance for travel nurses may require a few extra steps due to your unique occupation, read more here!
Planning
Logistics
When it comes to the logistics of your trip, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the details: flights, check-in times, and itineraries. You can also check with your agency to see if they can help. Some agencies are starting to offer an Employee Assistance Program as an added benefit with their health insurance packages. EAPs give travelers access to legal, financial, and work-life experts that can act as a concierge for you. Do you need a travel visa? Will your passport expire before you’re due to return?
Connectivity
Depending on your level of planning you may already have your next assignment lined up, but if not you’ll want to make sure you can connect with your recruiter. Will you need to have pre-employment screenings done immediately when you return? If you’re traveling somewhere remote, find coffee shops or other local businesses that offer free WiFi so you can be accessible.
See, Do & Stay
Start by leveraging online communities. Search destinations in The Travel Nurse Network or ask for recommendations to find the must-see places and hidden gems. Hotel Engine is a great place to find budget friendly accommodations. Check it out before you book your stay.
Another great resource for trip planning? Airbnb. While the savviest travel nurses know how to save on housing using Airbnb, but there is also a whole host of things Airbnb can help you with for your trip, like experiences. From food tours to one-of-a-kind local classes and excursions, you’ll find can’t-miss experiences from a trusted source. Explore experiences now and you just might find your next share-worthy memory. Another tried-and-true resource for activities? Groupon! From restaurants to local activities, you may save some cash trying something new.
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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!”
In addition to calls and emails, many nurses took the initiative to send Senator Walsh a deck of cards. It’s reported that more than 600 Decks of Cards have been received to be delivered to Senator Walsh.
Update on Bill HB1155
Some good has come out of the visibility of this issue. Nurses nationwide made their voices heard by emails and phone calls. As a result, Bill (HB 1155) passed the Washington State Senate Wednesday with an agreement to get rid of the eight-hour maximum shift limit. You can see the progress of Bill HB 1155 here.
Message from The Gypsy Nurse Founder
As the founder of an extensive social network for travel nurses, I would like to ask that we continue to remain professional in all of our responses to these issues.
We have a huge voice, and by using it collectively and professionally, we CAN garner change that can benefit both the nurse and the patient.
Candy Treft, RN Founder of TheGypsyNurse.com
If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:
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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!”
Happy Nurses Week 2025! We’re so grateful for all that nurses do—every single day. This week is all about you, and we’re excited to celebrate with a giveaway! Need more details? Visit our Facebook page.
![[Video] Senator Walsh Apologizes](https://static.thegypsynurse.com/2019/04/sddefault-14-400x400.jpg.webp "[Video] Senator Walsh Apologizes")
