The ratios are too high, the hospital is too busy, and there isn’t any help!What do I do?!
As a Traveler, you may have felt these sentiments or even voiced them. Feeling unsafe on assignment is a scary experience — and that can be especially true in a new hospital where you really don’t know anyone. Who do you turn to for support in that situation? Because every scenario is different, there are no black and white answers, but let’s look at some assignment safety concerns commonly reported by nurses and how you can best address them.
Ratios
Many nurses report being “out of ratio” or facing high ratios. What exactly is high? Well, it really comes down to what the nurse’s experience is and what their expectations are of a hospital. California is the only state with nurse:patient ratio laws. Med-surg, for instance is a 1:5 ratio there, but this ratio could be much different elsewhere in the country. Some states see up to 1:7-8 ratios and more!
So, what is “unsafe”? Well, one common average is 1:6 on a med-surg floor. If a Traveler comes from California and starts an assignment on the east coast, they could suddenly see 1:7 ratios when they are used to seeing 1:5. This is a drastic difference. The nurse could suddenly feel overwhelmed and unable to meet the needs of the patients. Their expectation of the position may have been unrealistic as well.
Perpetually Short-staffed Units
Another common complaint is that a unit consistently does not have enough staff to care for the patients on the floor, causing higher ratios as well. Most Travel Nurse positions exist because a hospital recognizes that there’s a critical shortage of nurses on their floors. So, travel assignments will often be short-staffed due to the nature of the work. However, this makes a big difference whether or not a hospital is actively seeking new permanent employees and/or Travelers to fill its gaps.
It’s important to do your research before accepting a position. Ask why they have a travel need when interviewing. This is a great way to get more information about this area. Even gauging howthe interviewer answers the question will give you insight.
Being Asked to Take Patients Outside Your Skill Set and Comfort Level
This is a very serious situation. Travelers asked to take patients outside their skill set often feel like they have to — to keep their job and stay in good standing with their travel company. But hear this: No nurse should be forced into taking an assignment outside of their ability! Travelers must be vocal when this issue arises and calmly state the reasons they cannot accept a patient assignment. The worst thing you can do is blindly accept this kind of assignment and hope to “fake it, ’til you make it.” Be professional but be firm.
Always know that anything that happens with the patient under your care will be your responsibility and under your license. Continue to take the issue up the chain of command if the hospital is adamant. Also, contact your recruiter! Many travel companies — including Medical Solutions — have in-house clinical staff that can be your advocate in the field. Find out if you have this resource before you accept an assignment with a company.
Being Asked to Cut Corners Because “That’s How it’s Done Here”
There are no circumstances where it’s acceptable to do anything outside of the standards of practice set forth by Joint Commission standards and state laws. A commonly reported situation is perm staff telling a Traveler that a physician does not like to be called at night. So, they just order labs and the physician signs it the next day. This is never acceptable, unless there is a protocol order signed by the physician in the chart already. Always call the physician. Will they be upset? Probably. But this is better than ordering something without an official physician’s order and having a complaint sent to the BON on you practicing out of scope. The core staff will do what they do, but don’t assume that risk yourself just because everyone else is doing it!
There are several other issues that Travelers tend to report as unsafe, and many of them are valid. Overall, what can you do to protect yourself?
What Can Travelers do to Protect Themselves?
Ask more questions
If the manager says their ratio is 1:5, but sometimes can be 6-7, then ask how often someone on the floor carries more than six patients. If the manager says Travelers float, then ask if they float round-robin with the staff or if they float first. Ask if floating mid-shift or more than once per shift is common. Ask where they expect Travelers to float. It is never out of line to ask questions during an interview.
Take a personal inventory and know your expectations of each assignment.
If your expectations don’t align with what the hospital expects, then it may not be a good fit. Trust your instincts!
Talk to your travel company and have them work for you!
Get enough information about an assignment from your recruiter before an interview so you can make an informed decision and be prepared to discuss any questions you have.
Traveling is an amazing experience, and you can make sure that it is just that and no less for you. Get answers to your questions, clarify your expectations, and find that perfect match!
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We’ve gathered these tips on how to manage your money with less stress.
Save 5-10% of Each Paycheck
Adding to your savings account seems straightforward, but many people wonder “How much is enough?” Many financial advisors recommend a minimum of 5-10% of your take-home pay is set aside. If you are earlier in your career, these funds can be applied to an “in case of emergency” account to cover unexpected expenses, such as medical costs or auto repairs. As you advance, this money could be invested in a retirement account or with the help of a financial planner. No matter what your situation, a lot of worrying can be avoided if you start saving before surprise expenses pop-up.
Set Up Automatic Saving Deductions
“Let’s go online and have fun working on my financial management!” said no one, ever. It can be hard disciplining yourself into saving money. It can add another item on your already long to-do list that never seems to stop growing. Why not make it easier? Many banks allow you to set up automatic processes that will split your direct deposits for you between checking and savings. Some institutions even offer bonuses if you regularly deposit in your savings account past a certain amount.
You gain peace of mind knowing that the amount in your checking account is available for spending. Plus, you might not notice the difference in pay after the first few deposits. Setting this up allows you to be less confused around what you can afford and what you cannot spend money on while appropriately planning for your future. If dealing with all the numbers is challenging or sounds difficult to figure out, meet with a banker at your local branch and they can help set it up for you.
Avoid Lingering Credit Card Debt
Straight up, spending money you don’t have is a dangerous game. Credit cards can be a useful tool for making big purchases with a pre-planned repayment strategy. Figuring out how to get rewards bonuses or travel points can also let you get more bang for your buck.
Letting debt accumulate, however, can only hurt your long-term financial health. If you don’t pay the minimum balance each month, your credit score will plummet. This makes it challenging to get good interest rates on a mortgage or car loan. Beyond that, if you avoid paying the entire balance each month, you start accumulating large interest fees, making your purchases end up being double or triple what they could have costed if you had paid with your debit card. It might be a good time to pass on big spending splurges if you haven’t assessed your income and built out a realistic monthly budget. Apps like Mint and PocketGuard make it easier to budget and avoid overspending.
Plan Out a Savings Timeline
A lot of people say the idea of saving for “emergencies” or retirement doesn’t motivate them to put the money aside. If you’re more interested in traveling or big-ticket items, look at the price tags and start to figure out how long it would take you to accumulate that much cash. It can feel easier knowing you’re setting aside dollars for a tropical vacation with your sweetheart or a plane ticket for a European adventure. Once you have the experience of meeting a short term, fun savings goal, it might be easier to start thinking about longer term planning. Even setting aside $25 a week can add up to a nice gift for yourself. It might mean skipping dining out here and there, but you won’t remember than when you’re packing your bags for a getaway.
Sometimes financial planning can seem like a drag. The best thing to remember is that when you’re able to use your savings for fun excursions or able to fix your car without the stress of borrowing money, you show the world your independence. Fiscal fitness allows you to get more of the things you want with less worrying. You deserve to feel confident about where your money goes!
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You know you’re a “people person” but that doesn’t mean meeting new co-workers always feels easy. Nurses are expected to have unending compassion for long hours in intense situations. It can feel tempting to keep your focus on your patients and distract yourself from your own feelings about your job. Distractions can only work for so long. After your first few assignments you can build up a few strategies for creating positive relationships with your team members. We’ve gathered a few suggestions here based on what travel nurses in the field have experienced.
Common Dynamics
The first step is recognizing the common dynamics that occur between staff nurses and travelers. While some staff members will be happy for the extra help on the floor, some will focus more on the differences in your contract. As a travel nurse, you may earn a different hourly rate than someone in a permanent staff position. Issues with money can really warp some people’s thinking. You may be expected to go the extra mile more often than staff nurses or handle higher numbers of patients. Any new job has its own set of rules and expectations.
One way to think about this is to consider the context of your assignment. Realistically, you were brought on because they needed a talented and compassionate professional to fill a hole in their staffing needs. Before you arrived, the current team was probably pushed to their capacity. They all may have had larger than usual caseloads and felt like they needed something to change.
You were brought in to make things better. The process of re-stabilizing takes time. You might feel overwhelmed the first week but start to feel way more comfortable over time. Talk with your co-workers about the unit. Notice the communication strategies that seem to be successful. Reach out to your agency to discuss the contract’s expectations. You don’t need to have everything perfect on day one. Enter a contract with an open mind and confidence in your ability as a professional, and other staff members will pick up on your energy.
Positive Social Interactions
Building up a collection of positive social interactions can also make changes flow much easier. Do your co-workers go out for drinks and dinner on weekends? Is there a recreational sports team people play on? Maybe you can discover a co-worker or two that has similar interests to you and meet up outside of work. Reaching out and searching for connections can feel vulnerable. Ask yourself about a time where you’ve taken a chance to get to know a new person. What went well? Did parts of the process surprise you? Did going into work feel different? Feeling like you have no control in the situation can be overwhelming. When you recognize you can be your own change-maker, problems become opportunities.
Professional development sometimes means learning a new charting software or technical ability. It also can be recognizing what about your career path gives you anxiety and building up awareness of your self-care needs. If you know it takes you awhile to warm up to people, give yourself the compassion you deserve. Don’t make other people’s work stress into your own.
Prove to yourself that you deserve this role
And anyone worth connecting with will see that also. If you feel like co-worker relationships are important to you, find new things to do in town and invite people to join you. Schedules might be tricky to coordinate, or it could take a few tries. What’s most important is knowing what you’re doing is worthwhile and letting that motivate you. You’re connected to the process of trying new things; you can control your actions but not other’s reactions. If things work out, you’ll be satisfied you put yourself out there. If reality ends up being different than your expectations, you can re-assess the situation with more information and try again. That’s what nursing is about.
If you have any advice about building connections at new facilities, comment below. If you have questions about travel nursing or think it’s the path for you, talk to a GIFTED recruiter today!
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While travel nursing enables you to discover and enjoy various new destinations, you might find yourself attached to a certain location based on how much you love your nursing assignment. If this occurs, you may consider asking for a travel contract extension.
Before you talk to someone about extending your current contract, it’s important to keep in mind that some hospitals may be more flexible than others. Being open about the potential outcomes will save you stress, and a potential let down in the long run.
Tips to asking for a travel nurse contract extension:
Talk to your current nursing manager
As soon as you feel passionate about remaining in the same location for a longer period of time, have a discussion with your nursing manager. This gives you an opportunity to be vocal in how you’re feeling about the end of your contract, and this conversation can enable your nursing manager to empathize with you and work with your recruiter in your favor. You must act fast, however; waiting too long may result in your position already being up for grabs, according to Melissa Wirkus, associate editor of Travelnursing.com.
“Always be vocal about how you’re feeling
at the end of your contract.”
“It can be difficult if the traveler does not talk with their nurse manager and discuss their desire to extend,” she wrote. “In situations like that, the facility may start interviewing new travel nurse candidates or, if they wait until the last minute, their apartment may get rented out to another traveler.”
Connect with your recruiter
Once you’ve talked to your nursing manager about your interest in staying, get in contact with your recruiter. He or she will let you know if they have the authority to grant you the extension. There’s absolutely no reason to feel reluctant about asking your recruiter, even if they’ve been looking at other locations for you. In most cases, your recruiter will be thrilled to hear you want to extend your contract. Because that means you’re happy.
Always keep your options open
No matter how the conversation goes, it’s important to keep your options open. Perhaps there’s no way to extend the contract at your current facility, but there’s an opportunity at a hospital nearby. Or, maybe your recruiter just presented you with a potential assignment in a location you’ve always dreamed of visiting. Keep this in mind as you start weighing your options.
If your heart is really set on staying put for longer than your contract entails, don’t be afraid to ask. It’s important, however, that you don’t dwell if your request is denied. Remember, there’s a reason you pursued this career path in the first place. And that was to explore other cities and areas in need of care across the country. There are plenty of opportunities out there for travel nurses, so get out and explore!
Here are some additional tips for Travel Nurse Contract Extensions:
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Does the agency or the travel nurse pay for certification renewal? The Gypsy Nurse strives to be your #1 source for Travel Nursing Answers. For new and experienced travelers alike. CHECK HERE to see if your travel nurse question has already been answered.
Does the agency or the travel nurse pay for certification renewal?
Travel Nurse certification renewals are generally the responsibility of the travel nurse. Unfortunately, as a travel nurse; you will generally be responsible for maintaining all of your certifications. Occasionally, you will find a staffing agency that will assist with these costs but it isn’t the norm in the industry. ADDITIONAL TRAVEL NURSE PAY RESOURCES
Does the Agency or travel Nurse Pay for Certification Renewal?
Renewing certifications while on contract can be challenging. If you don’t negotiate this expense into your contract, you will need to make arrangements. Additionally, it’s important to keep track of all of your renewals, nursing licenses and certifications.
Find/locate the classes needed.
Registration
Plan for the financial costs (many of these certifications can be costly)
Arrange appropriate time off work to attend the classes.
Negotiate travel nurse pay for certification renewals
It’s important to remember that everything the company provides comes directly from the bill rate. If you take money in one place it comes out of another. Some travel nurse contracts will provide a re-imbursement or offer to cover these costs. Make sure to address this as well as any other pay questions or issues in your travel nurse contract negotiations.
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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!”
Travel Nurses know this well – frequently changing jobs and locations is a way of life. As an entrepreneur (founder of The Gypsy Nurse), I can fully relate to this constant state of change.
The Gypsy Nurse was ‘born’ in July 2012. As a solopreneur and nurse by trade, I didn’t have any business degree and wasn’t prepared for the rapid growth the industry experienced. In 2016, changes were initiated to accommodate this growth. The change wasn’t easy, but was absolutely necessary.
Fast forward to today
Today, The Gypsy Nurse is one of the founding forums available for travel nurses. The growth of the travel nurse industry has been significant throughout The Gypsy Nurse’s existence. Since my previous announcement, TGN continued to seek and receive investment in order to provide and expand available resources to travel nurses. As part of these investment strategies, two years ago, TNAA (Travel Nurse Across America) became an investor in The Gypsy Nurse.
TNAA’s investment has not changed The Gypsy Nurse’s mission and core values. In keeping with its culture, TNAA has been more interested in helping The Gypsy Nurse than in receiving credit for its contribution.
The Gypsy Nurse is grateful to TNAA for its industry leadership and investment that will continue to make this platform, continued growth, and resources possible. If not for TNAA’s commitment to the Gypsy Nurse, it would not have remained an objective voice and forum for travel nurses. This investment ensures that Gypsy Nurse can continue its journey for the future.
The Gypsy Nurse’s mission remains unchanged. To provide a safe forum and platform to educate travelers, in addition to providing helpful resources to the travel nurse community.
Candy Treft
The Gypsy Nurse Founder
A message from the CEO
Hello Gypsy Nurse Community! Our team here at The Gypsy Nurse understands and appreciates how tough life on the road can be for travel nurses, and it’s been our commitment over the years to provide you with the tools and support you need to make your travel nursing journey a little easier. We are here for you every step of the way, and we will always strive to provide a safe forum and platform to educate the nursing community.
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
Since partnering on this journey with Candy Treft three years ago, we have grown at a tremendous pace and have become the largest online community and resource for travel nursing – with over 100,000 travel nurses actively engaged with us. As the need for online resources and information in our community has increased, we realized that we needed additional financial support to help build out the tools and the team we needed to meet this huge demand. As such, we decided to find an investor that would help us maintain our support for travel nurses, while at the same time ensuring that we remain the unbiased voice of the travel nursing community.
After months of seeking the right investor to partner with, we found Travel Nurse Across America (TNAA) – an agency whose culture and value system closely aligned with ours. As an investor, TNAA has provided us with wonderful support, allowing us to uphold our commitment to protecting the data of our audience while maintaining a level playing field for all our partner agencies. They fully understand how vital the Gypsy Nurse platform is to the travel nursing community.
Simply put, TNAA invested in The Gypsy Nurse to improve the quality of life for travel nurses
Simply put, TNAA invested in The Gypsy Nurse to improve the quality of life for travel nurses, no matter what agencies they choose to travel with during their careers. Without TNAA’s commitment to the Gypsy Nurse, our ability to continue to provide a superior level of support and dedication to the travel nursing community may have been adversely affected. This investment guarantees that Gypsy Nurse can continue to carry out its mission for the foreseeable future. In keeping with its culture, TNAA’s focus has been to help The Gypsy Nurse continue to be the impartial voice for the travel nursing community.
TNAA’s investment has not changed The Gypsy Nurse’s mission – to be a safe forum and platform to educate nurses and to provide accurate resources to the travel nurse community. We are excited about the future of The Gypsy Nurse and look forward to growing together!
To continue our mission, we need support from everyone in our community – including staffing agencies – to continue to provide the most comprehensive resources available. We need your feedback on our platform, and we will continue to listen to your ideas for new features and products as we collectively grow.
We thank you for all you do as travel nurses, and you can count on the team at The Gypsy Nurse to continue to support you on your journey into the future!
Taylor Welch
Chief Executive Officer, The Gypsy Nurse
What’s this mean for The Gypsy Nurse?
Marketing & Advertising
There has been no change in how agencies connect in regards to sales and marketing. Our Sales Manager, Kathia Camacho-Aponte (kathia@thegypsynurse.com) continues to be the main point of contact for sales or service-related inquiries.
Social Media
Our social media team has not changed. Our social media manager, Rachel Altum continues to spearhead all of our social media initiatives. Involvement from our volunteer ambassadors has also gone unchanged. These volunteer ambassadors are valuable moderators of our Facebook groups. In fact, we’re always seeking additional ambassadors – if you are interested in joining our team, please contact Rachel rachel@thegypsynurse.com.
Website Upgrades
TGN has already been able to implement some great new tools and features to make your life as a travel nurse just a bit easier. Over the past two years, we’ve implemented:
If you haven’t explored these items yet, check them out and please provide us your feedback so we can work to make these tools even better for you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Questions & Answers
Q: Why did The Gypsy Nurse wait until now to announce TNAA’s investment in TGN?
A: At the time of TNAA’s investment in The Gypsy Nurse, TNAA held the view that any mention of its connection with The Gypsy Nurse might cause unnecessary distractions to the travel nurse community.
However, in 2018, The Gypsy Nurse sponsored a high-quality, agency survey using established, independent research firms to conduct and compile data from travel nurses about their experiences with various travel agencies. When The Gypsy Nurse learned that TNAA had won the survey it feared that questions might arise around the survey’s results. In part, to address those concerns, The Gypsy Nurse, in conjunction with the TNAA Board, agreed that it was time to tackle the issue head-on and communicate the change and TNAA’s investment to the travel nurse community.
Q: Will I receive phone calls and emails from even more recruiters?
A: TGN is fiercely protective of the safety and privacy of members of its forum, and it remains one of the few communities nurses can participate in without fear of being inundated with calls from recruiters. This has not changed.
Q: Since you have been backed by a larger company, has content been skewed towards TNAA?
A: Absolutely not. The Gypsy Nurse is a resource for ALL travel nurses. We receive support from our industry partners, including many staffing agencies, to provide the most comprehensive resources to our community. In fact, we have a multitude of various agencies and individuals that continue to provide content for TGN. We are always seeking content providers. If you are interested in contributing, please email us at content@thegypsynurse.com.
Q: Is TNAA involved in the day-to-day operations of TGN?
A: Since TNAA’s investment nearly two years ago, The Gypsy Nurse has remained a separate company with separate books and personnel.
Q: Did The Gypsy Nurse Ambassador Team have prior knowledge of TNAA’s investment in The Gypsy Nurse?
A: No, The Gypsy Nurse Ambassador Team did not have knowledge of this prior to the public announcement. The TGN Ambassadors are a group of volunteers that assist in the moderation and management of various TGN Facebook groups that are part of The Gypsy Nurse brand. We feel it was important this information and TGN’s back-office operations are separate from their role, and knowledge of this should not impact their volunteer activities and interaction with the community.
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While you can’t eliminate patient complaints entirely, you can do your best as a professional to handle patient complaints in a way that benefits everyone.
Below are six effective ways for handling patient complaints. Use these tips next time you encounter a patient complaint.
6 Tips for Travel Nurses to Handle Patient Complaints like a Pro:
1. Just Listen
One of the best ways to handle patient complaints professionally is to simply listen
As basic as it may sound, most of the time when patients complain, all they want is to be heard and listened to so they can vent their frustrations.
Practice good listening skills by giving them your undivided attention, keeping eye contact and listening to what they have to say.
2. Acknowledge patient feelings
When it comes to handling patient complaints professionally, empathy is a key component. Keep in mind that because this person is a patient, they may not be feeling well or be in a lot of pain.
When you let him or her know that you understand their frustrations and that they’re valid, you can help ensure a more successful outcome.
3. Ask questions to gain information
Asking the patient questions about their frustrations can help you gain as much information as possible, and it can help you and the rest of the staff figure out how to handle the complaint moving forward.
4. Explain the process and take action
When handling patient complaints in hospitals, be sure to explain the situation to them and outline the next steps.
Let them know their complaint is being taken seriously and that you’ll follow up with them after taking the appropriate action — which usually means reviewing and discussing outcomes with management.
5. Don’t forget to document
Any time you’re handling a complaint, whether big or small, be sure to document the process. Many hospitals already have a protocol in place, and if so, you should follow it.
In addition, keep your own notes of meetings, phone calls and what was said during each conversation. Make sure to date everything and add times so events can be pieced together chronologically if needed.
6. Maintain a positive attitude
While dealing with patient complaints can often be unpleasant, maintaining a positive attitude can go a long way towards a successful outcome for everyone.
Use it as a learning experience that helps you advance your career and skillset. Dealing with patient complaints is part of the job as a nurse, but how you deal with them professionally is what can help set you apart.
As a travel nurse, it’s important to keep your recruiter in the loop with anything that could affect your contract. If a situation escalates, or management gets involved be certain to communicate with your recruiter to keep them in the loop.
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Rapid response travel nurses – Able to start in 2 days to 2 weeks. Greater flexibility in assignment length, with shorter contracts available.
Strike-nurses – Typically for only a few days or weeks. The sole purpose of providing temporary relief staffing in times of labor disputes.
Why do Hospitals NEED Rapid Response Nurse Staffing?
EMR (Electronic Medical Records) Conversions
Remote or “hard-to-fill” positions
Unexpected acute fluctuation in staffing or patient loads. (Flu season is a good example).
What are the Benefits for the Travel Nurse in doing Rapid Response Nurse Staffing?
Work shorter assignments of 2-8 weeks This can be a great ‘filler’ if you are looking for a contract that is shorter than the average 13 week contract. Perhaps you had a contract cancelled? Need something right away while you look for a longer contract? Rapid Response travel nursing is a great way to fill in and make great pay for a shorter contract.
Greater Flexibility in Contract Length Companies like Fastaff Travel Nursing provide the travel nurse with various possibilities. Contracts lengths ranging from short-term 2-4 week contracts to standard contract lengths of 13 weeks or longer.
Earn top pay rates Depending on the severity of the need of the hospital, the Rapid Response Nurse can earn significantly more than the traditional travel nurse. Furthermore, hospitals look to Rapid Response solutions when their needs are urgent. The increased bill rate hospitals pay is shared with the travel nurse in the form of above average pay. In addition, rapid response staffing agencies like Fastaff Travel Nursing, often negotiate for 48 guaranteed hour work weeks. Factoring in overtime, this can translate into a 50% to 70% increase in total pay over a traditional travel assignment.
What does the Staffing Agency need in a Rapid Response Nurse?
Ready to start quickly
Multiple state Licenses/Compact License
Knowledgeable
Experienced
Ready to start quickly
In order to be available for these Rapid Response needs, the Travel Nurse will need to be organized and make certain that all their paperwork is up to date and readily available. It’s a good idea to have everything on hand with a Rapid Response Nurse Staffing agency well ahead of time. It’s also recommended to give the agency approval to submit prior to consulting with you. (This is not recommended with Traditional Travel Nursing).
Multiple state Licenses/Compact License
Being licensed in multiple states or licensed in a Compact State will be a huge benefit to the travel nurse. Multiple state licenses means quicker placement and more job availability.
It can be costly to maintain multiple licenses. I recommend that you do your research and find out where it’s best to be licensed. It’s also important to note that multiple state or compact licensure is not a requirement for Rapid Response travel nursing.
Another important aspect to remember is that the time needed to obtain licensure varies widely depending on the state. It’s important to think ahead and work to obtain licenses in states that you are interested in working in. States like NY can take up to 10 weeks or longer for licensing and often have rapid response needs. Don’t miss out on some of these great opportunities. You may be a great fit for an assignment but, if you can’t process your license before the scheduled start date.
Some travel nurse companies will often cover your licensing costs and assist you in obtaining licensure for open positions.
Knowledgeable in multiple types of systems and platforms
Experience in multiple EMR systems is a huge benefit. This will yield you great flexibility as well as availability in obtaining a Rapid Response position.
Experienced Nurse
Rapid Response Travel Nursing is generally utilized to fill an emergency need. It’s expected that the travel nurse will be able to hit the ground running. These positions are even more demanding than traditional travel nursing. Rapid Response Staffing agencies are looking for confident and experienced nurses to fill these needs. Most agencies will require a minimum of 2 years of recent acute care experience in your specialty.
What to look for in a Rapid Response Staffing Company
Proven experience and history of Rapid Response Staffing
Joint Commission Certified
A company with good staff support in place.
How to get started as a Rapid Response Travel Nurse
Research agencies and sign up with an agency that specializes in Rapid Response Travel nursing likeFastaff Travel Nursing. Fastaff is a subsidiary of Reliant Healthcare Professionals and has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. Fastaff pioneered the concept of Rapid Response travel nursing to the healthcare industry in 1989. Search the current rapid response jobs available via Fastaff.
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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!”
Spring is here, and summer is right around the corner. That means one thing – it’s time for a vacation! Unfortunately, many American’s don’t take advantage of their allotted time off. According to a 2018 study, roughly a quarter (24%) of Americans have not taken a vacation in over a year. However, as many of you know, the beauty of working as a travel nurse is your ability to incorporate your vacation into your next assignment.
With travel nursing expecting to see a 15% growth over the next 7 years and warmer months ahead, now is the perfect time to plan your next travel nurse work assignment. We broke down some of the top vacation destinations for travel nurses in 2019 based on job opportunities and what each city has to offer. Whether you decide to arrive a couple of days before your assignment or do your sightseeing on your days off, we guarantee these cities won’t let you down.
Top 6 Travel Nurse Vacation Destinations
Atlanta
First on our list is Atlanta, the gate city to the south. Atlanta’s eclectic and captivating culture comprises its rich history, diverse dining scene, and endless shopping districts. This city has something to offer for everyone, and it is no surprise Atlanta is one of the most popular destinations in the southeast. When you plan your trip, make sure to visit the Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coke Museum, Centennial Olympic Park and explore the many hidden neighborhoods plentiful with restaurants, parks, and shops. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the greater metropolitan area of Atlanta is ranked seventh in the highest levels of employment for nursing.
Boston
Let’s be honest, Boston can be rather frigid in the winter months. That is why planning your next travel assignment here is perfect for the upcoming spring and summer. Boston isn’t the largest U.S. city, but it is definitely chock-full of attractions and activities that can appeal to everyone. Eat at top-notch restaurants, explore the Boston Common and Public Garden, or attend a baseball game at the world-famous Fenway Park. You can also enjoy music festivals and the nearby beaches of Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. This medical hub is also home to world-class hospitals such as Massachusetts General and Boston Children’s Hospital. Not to mention, Massachusetts has an annual mean wage of $89,330 for registered nurses!
Washington D.C.
If you have never experienced the nation’s capital, now is the time to visit. The seemingly countless monuments, memorials, and museums alone make the trip to D.C. worth it.
However, there is much more to this historic city that many are unaware of. Walk along the tidal basin in the spring to see the beautiful blooming cherry blossoms, or grab your bike and take a trip along the scenic C&O Canal. When you get hungry, make sure to snack on the Capital’s iconic dishes such as a jumbo pizza slice, fried chicken with mumbo sauce, or a half-smoke on a bun. Let’s not forget that the District of Columbia is the third-highest top-paying state for nurses and has an hourly mean wage of $43.32, according to BLS.
Charlotte, NC
Rounding out number four on our list is the soulful, charming city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Even though this city may not have been the first place you thought of, we can assure you that it is well worth the visit.
Charlotte is loaded with historical landmarks and museums that will keep you thoroughly engaged for those that love to learn. The outdoor lover will also enjoy the beautiful spring weather, botanical gardens, and outdoor experiences offered. Plan a weekend trip to the nearby coast or escape into the mountains for some hiking and whitewater rafting. Luckily for traveling nurses, some of the surrounding areas have the highest concentration of nursing jobs in the country.
Phoenix, AZ
It is no mystery that Phoenix, Arizona, has some of the best spring weather in the country. We also know that many travel nurses love the outdoors, which makes this city a top destination.
Take a day trip to the Grand Canyon, explore the majesty in Monument Valley, see the blooming desert cactuses and wildflowers, or stargaze under the clear desert night sky. Don’t forget to make time to soak up the sun by the pool, attend one of many music festivals, or finally learn how to play golf. Most importantly, Phoenix and the metropolitan area are in the top ten for areas with the highest level of employment among nurses.
Providence, RI
The smallest city rounding out our list. With a population of just over 180,000 residents, it is the quaint city of Providence. When you are not admiring the impressive colonial architecture or the art at the world-famous RISD Museum, you can take a trolley tour and visit the zoo.
Make sure you also enjoy the Narragansett Bay and all that it has to offer. Or even take a short drive to the neighboring city of Newport to visit the coast. The capital of Rhode Island makes for the perfect relaxing get-away for the busy traveling nurse. On average, there are about 25 nursing positions for every 1,000 jobs, which is higher than the nation’s average.
We hope you found this article on vacation destinations helpful. Have you found any vacation destinations that you think other travel nurses would love? Comment them below.
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