January 23, 2019

32845 Views

The Top 5 Podcasts Nurses Should be Listening to

Posted on January 23, 2019May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

I don’t know if you’ve hopped on the podcast bandwagon yet, but I am definitely a fan. For me, my favorite time to listen to a podcast is when I am in the car for an extended amount of time, and as a travel nurse there may be a few times you find yourself in that situation. Whether you need a quick laugh from someone who understand the in’s and out’s of your profession, or you’re wanting to keep in the know with current technology and advancements in medicine, you can find this and just about anything in between. Here are my top 5 podcasts nurses should be listening to:

1.) Sawbones is as they describe a “Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine.” On Friday’s, they uncover “the odd, weird, wrong, dumb and just gross ways we’ve tried to fix people over the years” by researching the historical side of medicine. Definitely a fan favorite for anyone who needs a good laugh and can appreciate a fun attempt to show you how we got to our current approach to modern medicine.

2.) Amateur Traveler the first episode premiered July 2th of 2005. The reason I enjoy this podcast so much for a travel nurse is that it helps you dive into new locations and helps you decide where you may want to explore next. The Amateur Traveler media kit has quotes from folks who have been inspired by the “Amateur Traveler” to travel themselves.

3.) NRSNG’s website has a plethora of podcasts on their site but their flagship nursing podcast is what they describe as an “eclectic look at the profession.” On the NRSNG Show they talk about:

Confidence in nursing
Real life nursing stories
Life hacks for nurses
Anatomy and Physiology of diseases
Interviews with incredible nurses, authors, and successful people

4.) Nursing Continuing Education is great for the nurse who is not only busy, but wanting to be prepared when it comes to your CE credits. Nurse.com offers CE credit courses that you can listen to for free or pay a small fee for the certificate to get full credit. The series covers topics important to nurses such as antibiotic resistance, sleep disorders and necrotizing fasciitis. Most podcasts are worth at least one CE contact hour. The Nursing Continuing Education podcast is available on iTunes for download or visit Nurse.com for more information. You can also reach this site through thegypsynurse.com by going to the resources tab and then down to “continuing education.”

5.) The final recommendation I have is “The Nurse Keith Show.” This podcast is a wealth of knowledge for those who are looking for up-to-date career advice for 21st century nurses who are looking to excel when it comes to their nursing career management and development. The podcast itself is run by holistic career coach Keith Carlson as he “explores salient aspects of creating the most satisfying nursing career possible.” Definitely worth a listen!

There is something for just about anyone out there if you look! The Gypsy Nurse is all about helping fellow travel nurses like you find your passion and help you explore the world and inspire others along the way. Comment below on this post and let us know what your favorite podcasts are!

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By Andrew Pentis

January 22, 2019

13570 Views

10 Best Small Cities for Nurses With Big Student Loan Debt

Posted on January 22, 2019November 28, 2023 by Andrew Pentis

Guest post by: Andrew Pentis at Student Loan Hero

Although nurses shell out less money than doctors to pay for their medical schooling, they’re often just as stressed out about how to pay for it.

About 7 in 10 nurses take out student loans to pay for their graduate program, according to a 2017 report from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. What’s more, 50% stated their biggest concern after graduation was figuring out how to repay their loans.

But relocating can often help struggling borrowers get a handle on student loan payments, especially if they can combine low costs of living with a healthy salary and job demand.

So if you’re a nurse looking to jump-start your debt payoff journey, check out the following best small cities to live in and work in when paying off student loans.

10 best small cities for nurses paying off student loans

To help nurses figure out whether relocating to a smaller city might be worth it, we first wanted to be able to answer the following questions:

What annual salary can a nurse expect to earn?
How much demand is there for nurses?
How far will a nurse’s salary go when paying for goods and services?

We relied on three data points from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to help formulate our answers to the three questions.

Average annual wage: The median pay for registered nurses nationally in 2017 was $70,000, according to the BLS.
Location quotient: The location quotient compares the employment of nurses in a city to the average for the nation. If a city reports a location quotient greater than 1.0, which is the national average, nurses are more likely to be in demand in that city. Cities with ma
rks below 1.0 are less likely to offer as many employment options.
Regional price parity: Price parity refers to varying costs of goods and services in cities, which in turn affects the purchasing power of your wages (or how much you can actually buy with your paycheck). If a city’s regional price parity is less than 100, which is the average, goods and services are less expensive in that city (so a large paycheck will go further). If a city reports a mark greater than 100, goods and services are more expensive there.

Here are the top 10 small cities that received the highest marks in these areas:

Best Small Cities for Nurses Paying off Student Loans
Infogram

1. Bay City, Michigan

The first of two Michigan cities atop our rankings, Bay City comes with the benefit of a lower cost of living. In fact, thanks to the city’s regional price parity, the purchasing power of the average annual wage for a nurse jumps to $78,020, according to the BLS.

Average annual wage: $69,360
Location quotient: 1.42
Regional price parity: 88.9

2. Saginaw, Michigan

Like their neighbors in Bay City, Saginaw nurses can take advantage of the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program. It provides a maximum of $200,000 over eight years to help nurse practitioners repay their loans.

Average annual wage: $66,030
Location quotient: 1.58
Regional price parity: 89.4

3. Greenville, North Carolina

Despite being the most populous small city on our list, Greenville reported a relatively high demand for registered nurses. In fact, it recorded the highest location quotient of any city in our top 10.

Average annual wage: $63,130
Location quotient: 2.02
Regional price parity: 88.4

4. Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Johnstown nurses can look into receiving help repaying their debt via the Pennsylvania Primary Care Loan Repayment Program. It awards up to $60,000 to full-time nurse practitioners in exchange for two years working in an underserved area. Contact the program to stay abreast of application periods.

Average annual wage: $62,120
Location quotient: 1.69
Regional price parity: 87.2

5. Cumberland, Maryland

Aside from being paid well, nurses in Cumberland can take advantage of the Janet L. Hoffman Loan Assistance Repayment Program. In exchange for treating low-income and underserved residents, nurses can receive up to $30,000 in aid over three years if they have debt totaling $75,001 or more.

Average annual wage: $65,010
Location quotient: 1.36
Regional price parity: 88.2

6. Florence, South Carolina

Combine a relatively high demand for nurses with a low cost of living and, boom, you have a city that’s conducive to paying off your student loans.

The cost of goods and services in Florence is so low, in fact, that the average salary of $60,470 has a purchasing power of $70,725, according to the BLS.

Average annual wage: $60,470
Location quotient: 1.85
Regional price parity: 85.5

7. Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth cracked our top 10 because it reported strong marks in each of the three data categories under consideration.

Here’s a fourth reason for its rise up the rankings: the Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness program. It offers repayment assistance of up to $20,000 over four years to nurses who work at least two years in a nursing home.

Average annual wage: $66,780
Location quotient: 1.38
Regional price parity: 91.7

8. Hanford, California

The lone West Coast city among our top 10, Hanford made up for its relatively higher cost of living with an equally impressive salary. In fact, of the 334 small, midsized, and large cities we reviewed, Hanford reported the 13th-highest annual average wage.

Plus, Hanford (and other California) residents can look for assistance via the state’s Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program. Recipients may receive up to $10,000 after agreeing to a one-year obligation practicing direct patient care at a qualifying facility in California.

Average annual wage: $91,340
Location quotient: 1.56
Regional price parity: 95.5

9. Alexandria, Louisiana

You might scoff at Alexandria’s relatively low salary, but the BLS gave this small city in Louisiana a purchasing power of $67,355, thanks to its lower cost of living.

Residents can access the Louisiana State Loan Repayment Program if they work in rural or inner-city communities or for a nonprofit. It awards a maximum of $45,000 over three years.

Average annual wage: $59,070
Location quotient: 1.89
Regional price parity: 87.7

10. Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Although not as mighty as Milwaukee or Madison, Eau Claire represented Wisconsin well by rounding out our top 10. The smaller city reported high marks across the board and also boasts the state’s Health Professions Loan Assistance Program, which offers up to $100,000 in repayment aid.

Average annual wage: $66,500
Location quotient: 1.42
Regional price parity: 92.3

Should you move to a smaller city?

Chances are you don’t already live or work in one of the top 10 best small cities for nurses paying off student loans, but it’s worth considering the benefits of such a move. After all, your location affects the amount of disposable income you can put toward student loan repayment.

Sure, your salary, job prospects, and cost of living vary from city to city. But you’ll also want to compare differences between states. There are many state-based loan forgiveness programs for nurses, for example.

Similarly, you might target smaller cities within states that have no income tax. That way, you can take home more of your paycheck.

Say you moved to Sherman, Texas, which ranked 15th among our top small cities for nurses. You might see a pay increase, more job demand, and a lower cost of living — but you’d also appreciate Texas being one of nine states without an income tax.

Like refinancing or consolidating your loans, moving to a smaller city is a potential repayment tool. It could be the right choice if it helps you pay down debt faster. And, hey, you could always return to the big city once you’re debt-free.

Top 25 small cities for nurses

In case your city fell outside the top 10 but still ranked highly, consider our top 25:

Rank	City	Annual mean wage	Location quotient	Regional price parity
1	Bay City, Mich.	$69,360	1.42	88.9
2	Saginaw, Mich.	$66,030	1.58	89.4
3	Greenville, N.C.	$63,130	2.02	88.4
4	Johnstown, Pa.	$62,120	1.69	87.2
5	Cumberland, Md.	$65,010	1.36	88.2
6	Florence, S.C.	$60,470	1.85	85.5
7	Duluth, Minn.	$66,780	1.38	91.7
8	Hanford, Calif.	$91,340	1.56	95.5
9	Alexandria, La.	$59,070	1.89	87.7
10	Eau Claire, Wis.	$66,500	1.42	92.3
11	Rome, Ga.	$56,250	2.35	82.2
12	St. Cloud, Minn.	$79,700	1.17	93
13	Asheville, N.C.	$62,030	1.62	92
14	Battle Creek, Mich.	$63,460	1.24	90.5
15	Sherman, Texas	$60,130	1.74	91.5
16	Redding, Calif.	$89,960	1.55	98.6
17	Flint, Mich.	$64,920	1.57	93.8
18	Kalamazoo, Mich.	$64,200	1.36	92.7
19	Huntington, W.Va.	$55,140	2.01	86.7
20	Wenatchee, Wash.	$74,290	1.36	96.3
21	Lewiston, Idaho	$60,960	1.38	91.7
22	Dothan, Ala.	$54,410	1.8	85
23	Cape Girardeau, Mo.	$51,990	2.32	82.8
24	Albany, Ga.	$60,910	1.09	85.1
25	Danville, Ill.	$62,050	1.03	79.4

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By The Gypsy Nurse

January 21, 2019

12091 Views

Treatment: Shift Work Disorder

Posted on January 21, 2019March 21, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

If you feel that you or someone you know suffers from Shift Work Disorder, you probably want to know how to treat it. Below you will find some interventions that have been successful for others in the treatment of SWD.

Treatments for Shift Work Disorder

“Prescribed sleep/wake scheduling”

Experts agree that there is no such thing as an “ideal” night work schedule, but some schedules may be better than others. For example, you can rotate shifts every two weeks in a forward (delaying) direction was found to be easier than rotation in a backward (advancing) direction. Some experts have advocated short runs (1 to 2 days) of night work with time for recovery; however, in the traditional heavy industries, longer (5 to 7 day) runs remain the rule.

Bright light treatment

The light-dark cycle is the most important environmental time cue for entraining circadian rhythms of most species, including humans, and bright artificial light exposure has been developed as a method to improve circadian adaptation in night workers. The timing of bright light exposure is critical for its phase shifting effects. To maximize a delay of the body clock, bright light exposure should occur in the evening or first part of the night, and bright light should be avoided in the morning

Melatonin Treatment

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland for about 12 hours at night. Taking melatonin resets the body clock in the opposite direction from light exposure; that is, taking melatonin in the afternoon or evening may cause the clock to reset to an earlier time, while taking melatonin in the morning may cause the clock to reset to a later time. Melatonin has been shown to accelerate the adaptation of the circadian system to a night work schedule

Medications that promote alertness

Caffeine is the most widely used alerting drug in the world and has been shown to improve alertness in simulated night work. Caffeine may or may not be recommended as a treatment for shift work disorder but it’s The Gypsy Nurses‘ go to drug of choice. Modafinil and armodafinil are non-amphetamine alerting drugs originally developed for the treatment narcolepsy that have been approved by the FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) for excessive sleepiness associated with Sleep Work Disorder.

Medications that promote daytime sleep

Obtaining enough sleep during the day is a major problem for many night workers. Hypnotics given in the morning can lengthen daytime sleep; however, some studies have shown that nighttime sleepiness may be unaffected.

Other Interventions for Sleep Work Disorder

Minimize exposure to light on your way home from work if you are on the night shift to keep morning sunlight from activating your internal “daytime clock.”
Follow bedtime rituals and try to keep a regular sleep schedule – even on weekends.
Go to sleep as soon as possible after work. It is important to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every day.At home, ask family and friends to help create a quiet and peaceful setting during your sleep time.
Have family members wear headphones to listen to music or watch TV. Encourage people in the household to avoid vacuuming, dish washing, and other noisy activities during your sleep time.
Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the front door so that delivery people and friends will not knock or ring the doorbell.

Head Nurse; A fellow blogger writes about how to deal with night shift in the post titled Beginners Guide to Working Nights. I would encourage you to read this informative and somewhat comical entry for the new night shift worker. The recommendations are excellent for sufferers of Shift Work Disorder.

That old saw about a fifteen-minute shower being equal to eight hours’ sleep? Is true. Don’t make any decisions about anything until you’ve poured a substantial quantity of hot water over your head. This goes whether you’re working that night or not. It’s amazing how far a little soap will go to make you feel Almost Human.

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By The Gypsy Nurse

January 20, 2019

64846 Views

On the Move: Essential Rental Tips for Traveling Nurses with Furnished Finder Insights

Posted on January 20, 2019December 19, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Chances are you became a travel nurse because you wanted a job where you could help people in need and see the country (or the world). But along with the rewards of traveling comes the responsibility of securing travel nurse housing and hotels. Travel Nurse housing can get expensive. Figuring out where and how to save money on hotels and housing while traveling is always a challenge.

5 Tips to Save Money on Travel Nurse Housing:

1. Use a hotel booking site for Healthcare Travelers like Hotel Engine

Hotel Engine offers rates that frequently beat Kayak. As one of the first members-only hotel booking platforms, they can offer lower rates than leading travel sites. And you’ll be pleased to know that membership is free.

2. Search for apartments for long-term stays

You could go with the accommodations provided by your travel nursing agency, or you can select housing on your own. And if you can find a rate lower than the stipend you are being offered, that means extra money in your pocket!

Furnished Finder is a great option for your travel nursing housing needs.

3. Choose an Extended-Stay Hotel

Extended-stay hotels feel a little bit more like home than regular hotels, but they often have amenities that more apartment-style accommodations don’t. For example, many Residence Inns by Marriott provides free hot breakfast every day as well as light dinners (with beer and wine included) a couple of nights each week. For long assignments, many travel nurses find that extended-stay hotels strike a nice balance between the comforts of home (e.g., a kitchen so you can cook for yourself) and the conveniences of a hotel (someone still cleans your room every day). You can book extended stays via plenty of sites like Priceline, Hotel Engine, or Kayak.

4. Join Loyalty Programs

With the myriad choices available today, hotels are competing hard for repeat customers, and even budget hotels are getting into the loyalty rewards game. But most of the really excellent perks don’t kick in until you become an elite member. As a travel nurse who spends many nights per year in a hotel room, you can reach the elite levels very quickly, which means discounts, upgrades, freebies, and more. Many hotel loyalty programs also let you redeem your points for other types of travel, shopping, and dining. You name it.

When it comes to rewards programs, we recommend a nice mixture of the best cards, the best hotels, and the best booking site.

5. Call the Hotel Directly

With the amazing convenience of online booking, most people never even think to call the hotel directly. But many hotels are able to offer deals to individual customers over the phone that they could never offer publicly online. So, if you are looking for a place to stay for several weeks and don’t see a price you like, try calling directly. Anecdotal reports from traveling nurses around the Web suggest you can save up to about $7 a day this way.

The trick to saving on hotels during your travel assignments is to book smart. These tips will help you find a great rate on a great room, meaning you have extra money to enjoy exploring wherever you are! Do you have tips for finding great deals on Hotels & Housing? Please share them in the comments below.

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By Alexandra Close

January 19, 2019

7809 Views

A Nursing Student’s Perspective on Travel Nursing Options

Posted on January 19, 2019November 10, 2023 by Alexandra Close

Guest Post By: Alex Close

A nursing student’s window of exposure to different jobs, roles, and positions thus far has been through our clinical experiences, stories from our peers, and conversations with professionals in a career of interest. This could be true for any career, but in nursing, there are so many sub-specialties within the profession that talking to one nurse about their job could be completely different from talking to another nurse about their job.

A Nursing Student’s Perspective

For instance, this morning, I was at an outpatient clinic in a homeless shelter. Performing foot care, assessing vital signs and blood sugar. One of the nurses in the clinic described her typical day as working with walk-in patients. Dressing wounds, helping with medication administration. Also, dealing with the psycho-social and physical needs of people living in homeless shelters in Boston. The next day I find myself in a labor and delivery unit chatting with a nurse about her role. Her days vary as well but consist of helping a woman through labor; before, during, and after birth.

Both of these women are considered nurses and have their RN. Yet both spend their days dealing with a very different patient population. Their daily jobs are very different. I was lucky to have the experience during my clinical placements of observing these nurses in their different roles and what they do on a typical day.

Understanding the Role of a Travel Nurse

But how do we go about understanding the role of a travel nurse? Is it the same as the nurses I’ve been talking with but comes with a different title and employer? While brainstorming ideas for this article, I ran into a nurse who a travel nurse agency employed. She spoke to me about the similarities and differences of her job compared to the other nurses on the floor, what she liked and didn’t like, and so on. If I didn’t recognize that her identification card was a little different and contained a travel nurse sticker, I wouldn’t have been able to form this connection and form a better understanding of the roles of a travel nurse.

Many of the nursing students in my program have not had the opportunity to detect which nurse on the unit is a travel nurse. Several of my student peers told me that they are interested in becoming a travel nurse. But have not yet spoken with someone in that career. These nursing students are interested in the travel nurse experience but can only rely on the internet to fulfill their curiosity.

Reaching Out Online

Communities like The Gypsy Nurse share information with their readers. About personal experiences, the pros and cons. And other related material for nursing students to get a better understanding of the job. Some of my peers mentioned they would really like to speak with a travel nurse directly, hear about their experiences and see if the role is right for them. There isn’t exactly a way for us to shadow, intern, or try out travel nursing for a day. Their experience comes with time and travel, not from the day-to-day tasks they do.

So, travel nurses, any tips for student nurses and future travel nurses to get a better understanding of your role?

Please note: Before becoming a travel nurse, you should have at least a minimum of 2 years of experience; click here to find out why.

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By Nina Mosely

January 18, 2019

8001 Views

How Being Aware of Social, Physical and Environmental Factors Can Improve Your Nursing Services

Posted on January 18, 2019May 20, 2021 by Nina Mosely

Guest Post By: Nina Mosely

Social, Physical and Environmental Factors

Travel nursing is a career that continually allows you to learn new things, move to new places and advance your position. That is why so many nurses with bachelor-level degrees choose to pursue an advanced master’s degree from a school like the University of Southern California and its USC nursing program. Beyond that, however, nurses could also learn how to become increasingly aware of social, physical, and environmental factors that patients are dealing with. In doing so, these medical professionals could improve the services that they offer their patients. Check out the information below to learn more.

Understanding the social environment from which a patient comes is a great way to personalize your care to their needs. This sociological knowledge could help a nurse improve the quality of the care provided because this information could offer an important insight into what a patient has gone through and how they actually experience society and the world around them. Plus, an individual’s social environment could have also played a role in the type of care that they received in the past. Ultimately, seeing things from the patient’s perspective could help a nurse boost the level of care provided to people from a wide range of social backgrounds.

Physical Factors

The physical factors of illness are certainly front and center when it comes to treating patients. But, if nurses went a step further and took a more holistic approach to health and healing, they could improve their services. Most nurses will not think to apply a holistic method to their treatment of patients, so if you are a nurse who wants to improve the way you work, consider learning about this approach. You may be surprised by what you can discover about a patient and their needs when you take a step back and view the whole body as a complete system.

Environmental Factors

Medical professionals should not discount the effects that the environment could have when it comes to illnesses and injuries. From poor water quality to pollution, a dirty environment could cause a patient to become ill, and it could even prevent them from getting the care they need to get better. But the unfortunate truth is that the various environmental factors that could contribute to illness are ignored or overlooked when nurses and doctors evaluate patients. On the other hand, with an understanding of the many environmental factors that could adversely affect health, a nurse could dramatically improve the quality of care that a patient receives.

As you can see, there are several ways nurses could improve the quality of care they provide. By understanding every patient’s social, physical, and environmental factors, you could help them in new ways that are more personalized and filled with understanding and empathy. So, if you are a nurse who wishes to improve their services and boost their ability to help others, this is a good place to start.

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By christy Asah

January 15, 2019

7646 Views

Travel Nurse Fitness and Nutrition Tips

Posted on January 15, 2019May 20, 2021 by christy Asah

Guest Post by: Christy Asah

Hi everyone, my name is Christy Asah, RB-BSN, and a travel nurse. Please allow me to thank the Gypsy Nurse for giving me this opportunity to share with everyone, especially nurses, some tips on balancing work, nutrition, and fitness. This is perfect timing because it is the beginning of the year; what better way to start achieving those goals?

I have been struggling with balancing work, fitness, and nutrition for about 6 years, sometimes doing what is called “the yo-yo diet.” Making unhealthy choices and be like, “oh, I will go to the gym tomorrow.” I was not seeing the results I wanted and kept asking myself why. So, I took it upon myself to find ways to make changes to my lifestyle. I went on Instagram and found beneficial tips and reasons why I did not see results, and I must confess I got the answers I needed. At that moment, I decided it was time to make modifications, and it has been life-changing since!

I have been able to achieve my body goals, which has helped to reach such a positive place in my life to a point where I am a part-time fitness and empowerment coach with my goal to help others get results, and I love it, especially when it comes to motivating, working with and helping my fellow nurses.

Working as a nurse can sometimes be challenging, especially when it comes to balancing our work with outdoor life. When we start on a fitness journey, it is very easy not to be able to keep up because of one reason or the other, which is very understandable, but at the same time, we must take care of ourselves. I have been there before.

Travel Nurse Fitness and Nutrition Tips

To start with:

I must say 100% is your mindset. You must be ready in every way you possibly can. Set attainable goals, take baby steps, and be determined. I call it investing in yourself. It is not an easy journey if I must be sincere. You must be able to get out of your comfort zone, push yourself and go the extra mile.

Healthy tips on taking an assignment:

I always search for fitness centers in any location before I take an assignment; on the other hand, you can get yourself a mat, two dumbbells, a resistant band, and a workout at home. Yes, you can work out at home, so there is no excuse for not going to the gym!

Are you driving or flying to start your next assignment?

Prep your lunch and snacks! Also, make it a habit to do your meal prep for the week, especially if you have been scheduled for 3 days in a row and will not have time to cook. Do not starve yourself but make sure you make healthy choices, and protein, protein, protein! This is what my nutrition plan focuses on – protein is the building block of your muscle tissue, and it also curbs your hunger and controls cravings! You need the right amount of complex carbs, healthy fats, and micro-nutrients also. 20% is fitness, 80% is nutrition, and 100% is your mindset.

Increase your water intake

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of water. Also, have healthy snacks between meals and fuel up every two hours. You will be surprised how this works.

I’ve got you covered; follow @datmodernafricanurse of Instagram for more tips, motivation, empowerment, and looking forward to starting 2019 with my fellow nurses.

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By The Gypsy Nurse

January 12, 2019

13390 Views

Ask A Travel Nurse: Do I need to have Savings?

Posted on January 12, 2019May 20, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Gypsy,

I’m looking at getting into travel nursing in August but I have very little savings and I am mostly concerned about not having a steady paycheck! Do I need to have a savings before I start? Do you find it difficult to keep your assignments back to back? Have you had a contract cancelled last minute and been stuck “jobless”?

Thank you,
Michelle

Thank you for reading The Gypsy Nurse. You have taken the first step on your journey to become A Gypsy Nurse.

Let’s first address the savings. I always recommend that you have enough in savings to at the very minimum get you back home!! Contracts DO get cancelled (I’ve had it happen) and there can also be issues with ‘pay’. (Know your companies reputation well!). Many of us have traveled without a significant financial buffer but it’s not something that I recommend.

As for a steady paycheck….travel positions are abundant right now, especially if you are flexible on the location. You shouldn’t have any trouble staying employed. (It’s just those unexpected cancellations that you should be prepared for). I’ve personally been traveling for nearly 9 years and by being flexible on location, I’ve never been without a position when I wanted one.

You may want to read through these articles on Contracts.

I love hearing the opinions of my readers. Your opinion could be the perfect solution for someone. Please share your thoughts below in the comments.

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By Lori Boggan

January 11, 2019

14736 Views

Gypsy Yoga for First Day Nerves

Posted on January 11, 2019April 20, 2022 by Lori Boggan

Are you trying to find a way to relax before your First Day? Check out this sample of Gypsy Yoga to ease your First Day Nerves.

Hi Gypsies! I’m writing this on a flight from London to Gothenburg. I am in near panic mode post take off. I have a bit of flying anxiety (take off) and rely on my breath (among other things) to keep me calm. It is a similar feeling to the healthy stress one feels on the first day of a new assignment. Each time we start a new assignment, we walk into the unknown. Will it be a good fit? Will the staff be friendly, helpful? What will the docs be like? What will the policies be like?

I was drawn to yoga over 15 years ago while in the trenches of nursing school. I am by nature a fairly hyper person. Yoga keeps me grounded. It has helped me stay balanced and it begins with the breath. I hope some of you can benefit as well.

The breath has a profound effect on our well being. Every time we inhale we fill the lungs with oxygen rich air that circulates throughout the body. With every exhale we rid the body of carbon dioxide. A deep, even breath washes the autonomic nervous system with calm. Most of us don’t even use close to our potential long capacity. Have you ever noticed the changes that occur in your breath when you are stressed versus calm and relaxed?

What is Yoga and Who Can Practice?

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophical practice of breath and postures dating back to as early as 5000 B.C. to 300 A.D. In whatever form it is found, yoga has at it’s center the breath as the guide. Yoga is for everyone. There are no prerequisites to practice. It is not a religious practice. According to BKS Iyengar (Guruji), yoga is “a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.” It’s a moving meditation that’s goal is to relieve the mind of it’s internal chatter and thus suffering.

We will practice one pose in our first ever Gypsy Yoga practice. It is a pose enjoyed by those new to yoga and those with years of practice under their belt. It is typically practiced at the end of any traditional hatha yoga class, although I sometimes start and end my classes with it when I teach. While this pose is safe, if you have any medical condition that you are unsure could be affected by practicing, talk with your physician before practicing. I will give modifications as we delve deeper into future posts.

What you Need

All you need is a small space to practice. I have unrolled my mat in many a hotel room. As you can see from the photos, I practice in my living room 🙂 You will need a yoga mat, beach towel, or blanket, and a small, rolled hand towel. Wear loose fitting pants and a tshirt. Pajamas work too. Dim the lights or use natural light from a window.

One Pose: Savasana (Corpse Pose)

We begin with one simple, but powerful pose. This pose is sometimes considered even more challenging than a more advanced pose like standing on one’s head (Sirsasana) because it insists the student be still and relax. Let’s give it a try. Lie down on your mat, beach towel, or blanket. You can place a small rolled hand towel under your neck (optional) to maintain the natural curve in your neck. If you have any discomfort in your low back, place a rolled blanket or a pillow under your knees. Draw your shoulder blades in and down your back. Soften your shoulders down and away from your ears. Broaden across your collar bones. Soften your jaw, soften the muscles in your neck. Stretch your arms out alongside your body, palms facing up. The upper arms should rotate externally. Stretch your legs long along your mat and allow your ankles to fall naturally to the side.

Close your eyes. Begin to bring your awareness to your breath. Observe your breath. Is it short and choppy or is it even and smooth? Smooth, even breath is the goal. Begin inhaling and exhaling deeply through your nose. Inhale for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, and exhale for a count of four. Repeat this 10-20 times. As you focus all your awareness on the breath, allow those first day jitters to just pass you by. Can you let go of any expectations of your new assignment, let go of any negative reviews you may have read, let go of expectations of yourself? All will be exactly as it should. Can you be present in this very moment with only your breath as a guide? Continue breathing in and out of the nose now, trying to lengthen each inhale and exhale.

Try to stay at least 2-3 minutes in this pose, ideally longer. Practice just before heading out the door on your first day. It is a simple pose, but when done with commitment and intention can have a profound effect on your day. This pose can relieve headache, insomnia, depression, and helps lower the blood pressure.

From Savasana, draw your knees into your chest, rolling to your right side in a fetal position. Take a few more deep breaths From here, press yourself slowly up to a comfortable seat. Bring your hands together to your forehead in honor of right thoughts, to your lips in honor of right speech, and to your heart in honor of right intention.

Stay tuned for future Gypsy Yoga posts! Best of luck on your first day!!! Namaste!!

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