By Host Healthcare

November 1, 2018

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10 Homesick Tips For Travel Nurses

This article is provided by Host Healthcare

As a travel nurse, you understand that for many months out of the year, you are not going to be at home. While it’s an understanding, it doesn’t mean being away from home is enjoyable. We speak with many travel nurses who experience homesickness during an assignment. To help, we have put together this list of 10 homesick tips for travel nurses.

homesick

10 homesick tips for travel nurses

Setup Weekly Calls With Friends & Families.

Schedules give you something to look forward to. Find a day and time that works for you and your friends or families to have a weekly call. Use it as an opportunity to catch up. If you want to have more fun, use Facetime.

Stay Connected Via Social Media.

Social Media is a great way to stay connected. You can see what others are doing and they can also see what you are up to.

Explore Your New Surroundings.

Getting out in your next city helps you establish new routines. It also takes your mind off being homesick as you become present in the moment.

Get To Know Your Neighbors.

Your neighbors can be great people to help you explore new areas and no longer be homesick. When you “get adopted” by others in your new surroundings, you can create a new family.

Go Out With New Colleagues.

You should have a few similarities with some of your colleagues. Use that to build off of. Invite one of them out to dinner, drinks, coffee, or go exploring. If you have travel nurses at your facility, even more of a reason to get to know them.

Join A Social League.

Many cities have sports leagues you can join. These are great ways to have something social in your schedule and meet new people.

Have Friends/Family Visit You.

The best way to avoid being homesick and missing your friends and family is to see them. So why not have them come out for a few days. They can see your new environment and they get to take a little vacation. It’s a win, win.

Travel With Someone.

Many travel nurses travel with someone else. Whether it’s another traveler, a friend, loved one, or pet, traveling with someone is certainly one of our 10 homesick tips for travel nurses.

Take Your Next Assignment Near Friends and Family.

If you want to avoid being homesick on an assignment, make your next assignment near loved ones. Be sure to let your recruiter know ASAP as depending on your ideal location, it could be competitive.

Do Something New.

There must be something on your bucket list you have always wanted to try. What better time to try something new than when you are on assignment. Doing something new can help take your mind off being said and focus that energy on your new hobby.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By The Gypsy Nurse

October 30, 2018

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An Analogy About Breast Cancer During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Guest Post By Melissa Jansen

There’s a big party going on and only 1 in 8 women get to go. Nobody knows how to get a ticket but everyone knows only the lucky ones get to go. Everyone spends all their time and energy trying to figure out what they have to do to be special enough to get a ticket. Everyone wants to be at the party.¹

You get a ticket! Only 1 in 8 get to go and you a LUCKY girl! You get to the party and right as you get through the door you feel FREE.² You meet a ton of amazing women, they are all cool as fly like you. We sure are a bunch of special, bad-ass bitches is what you all think. All the women feel amazing to know each other, they are bonding and giving each other “props” and “high-fives” they made it. Yes, they did. They are feeling FREE!

Suddenly the worst thing happens…A deranged gunman kicks down the door and is wielding a weapon that can shoot and kill you.³

Suddenly you and your friends feel duped. Why didn’t anyone tell us that 1 in 3 of the people in the party were going to get shot and eventually killed by the gunman? All the women start calling relatives and friends and they all rush to the scene and are watching from the outside.

The professionals already at the sceneand doing their best to keep everyone (both inside and out) calm. They know all the statistics but are there to just keep the crowds at bay. They’ve seen this type of party before and hope is about all that helps them continue to function on the job. They continue to assure everyone things will be okay.

Inside the party the scene is thick with stress and emotion. Some are choosing to ignore the gunman hoping he’s not real. Some have no idea that his weapon is packed with Stage IV. Others are doing all they can to avoid getting hit. Some women beg for to the gunman “shoot me!” in order to save some of their new friends. Some of these women have small children and can’t afford to die.

Outside the crowds are shouting to the people inside “You need to change your diet, become vegan and he can’t get you” and “You need to exercise to lower your risk of reoccurrence” or “But you got the best kind of cancer – it can’t kill you” still others are shouting “I bought that awareness shirt to help the cause!” People are now setting up booths with pink merchandise for people to wear in support of their friends inside. It doesn’t help any but it makes others “aware” of what’s going on. All that pink makes a lot of people feel good.

Inside the women only just start noticing the ones who were already there when they arrived. Some of the people at the party are men.We weren’t even told that men were at the party. A lot of the people have already been hit. Some in the lungs, some in their brain, others have bone mets7. You name it, Stage IV is killing people. 114every day.

People outside are becoming outraged. Many are just trying to figure out how to get the gunman out. Others are focused on disarming the gunman. Some are just trying to keep others out of the party.

And of this scene only 7% of the peoplethat know about the gunman are trying to find a cure for the cancer. Because, if they could CURE STAGE IV BREAST CANCER then the gunman would have no power. No one would die from being at the party.

And why didn’t you know about the fact that 1 in 3 people at the party DIE? Because, most of the people in the world are too busy making you aware that THERE IS A PARTY THAT ONLY 1 IN 8 WOMEN GET TO GO TO….you could be the 1.10


1The Party is Cancer
2Cancer Free
3Stage IV Breast Cancer
4Doctors and other medical personnel
5 “Pink-Washing” is the sale of merchandise (usually pink) sold in the name of “awareness” yet most often none of the money actually goes to any charity at all.
6Men also get breast cancer.
7‘mets’ is short for metastasis (also known as Stage IV)
8Yes, it’s true. 114 people die in the US every day from Stage IV breast cancer.

9Only 7% of funding goes to Stage IV research.
10Aren’t you glad that most of the funds spent on breast cancer is primarily to make you “aware”?


Melissa Jansen lives on the central coast of California and is the creator of “I Don’t Need Two,” a fashion website for women who have had a unilateral mastectomy without reconstruction.
Although Melissa’s first degree is in design, she chose to pursue a career in the legal field where she specialized on cases regarding child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Melissa worked as an advocate for protective parents and taught deception, victimization, abuse and trauma to law enforcement.

Shortly after her decision to leave legal work behind, Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. While searching for images online of women who had unilateral mastectomy without reconstruction she came up empty handed. Utilizing her degree in design, Melissa now writes articles on how to dress without wearing a prosthetic. She has worked hard to post images of herself for women who have yet to decide their treatment plan.


Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By ONESTAFF MEDICAL

October 26, 2018

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4 Ways to Stay Connected to Family While Traveling

This article is sponsored by OneStaff Medical

It’s not an uncommon complaint to hear that there is difficult for travel nurses stay connected to family. When we talk to our travel nurses about what they love most and least about the lifestyle, the responses are pretty universal. The travel itself and helping those in need top the list of what they love, and the least popular thing about these trips? Leaving loved ones behind.

If you are not able to travel with your family, saying goodbye to them for 13 weeks can be difficult. But it’s not impossible. That’s why we’re dedicating today’s blog to tips and tricks that will help you stay connected while traveling. Find out how you can maximize everything that’s great about travel nursing and share it with the ones you love most.

TIPS: Travel Nurses Stay Connected to Family

Make the last couple of days count.

If you’re headed out of town soon, don’t be afraid to go out in style. Spend your last days with your family enjoying a fun activity. Go to a ball game, the amusement park or whatever you most enjoy doing. Make the moments count, and they’ll have memories to savor while you travel.

Set aside time to connect.

Your life at home falls into a familiar pattern, and the same can be true while you’re traveling. Set aside an hour or two each day — at a time that works for your loved ones and your schedule — to connect, and honor this schedule no matter what.

Utilize technology.

Modern technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected while you travel. From Skype and text conversations to sharing pictures of your adventures, keeping your family in the loop constantly is quick and easy, so be sure to communicate and send them images of your smiling face whenever you can.

Plan a trip.

There’s no law that says you have to be without your family for the entire duration of your travel. Before accepting the assignment, make plans for your family to come and visit you during your assignment. Whether they stay with you or book a hotel of their own, having them in the same city will be great. Plan the visit around a break in your schedule and you’ll feel like you’ve all traveled together to enjoy a vacation.

What ways do you use as a travel nurse to stay connected to your loved ones while traveling? Let us know.


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Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By The Gypsy Nurse

October 17, 2018

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How To Pack For A 13 Week Travel Nurse Assignment

This article was provided by Vero.

Packing in рrераrаtiоn for уоur 13 wееk travel assignment саn either be an еnjоуаblе experience or a nightmare. Thеrе are two ways to analyze thе items уоu intеnd to take on an assignment.

Don’t take too much!

Firѕt, уоu might dесidе to tаkе аlоng everything thаt iѕn’t рhуѕiсаllу bоltеd down in уоur hоmе. Thаt, hоwеvеr, iѕ a miѕtаkе. If you tаkе too much on уоur vасаtiоn you will inеvitаblу bе tiеd uр trуing to mаnаgе thе ѕаmе mаtеriаl роѕѕеѕѕiоnѕ that you hаvе cluttering uр уоur lifе bасk hоmе. Hоwеvеr, уоu dеfinitеlу nееd to tаkе itеmѕ thаt аrе absolutely еѕѕеntiаl so that уоur assignment is еnjоуаblе.

If thеrе iѕ any question about juѕt hоw essential аn itеm rеаllу iѕ thеn maybe it wоuld be mоrе рrudеnt to lеаvе it out оf your bаgѕ! Thе kеу tо packing juѕt what wе need liеѕ in a careful соnѕidеrаtiоn of the fасtѕ. Dесiding what tо take аlоng аnd whаt tо lеаvе bеhind is аll dependent, оf соurѕе, оn your рrесiѕе destination, уоur lоdging аrrаngеmеntѕ, how уоu will bе traveling, and a dоzеn оr ѕо оthеr fасtоrѕ.

Tips for Pасking Your Luggаgе fоr a 13 Wееk Assignment

A 13 wееk travel assignment iѕ a valuable luxury for thе аvеrаgе working person. Hоwеvеr, ѕоmе mау find it ѕtrеѕѕful during the расking рhаѕе. Gеtting ready for a triр can bе еxhаuѕting, mаking thе gеtаwау еvеn mоrе рlеаѕurаblе. Pасking fоr a wееks lоng assignment does nоt hаvе to bе diffiсult, however. Below are a fеw tips that can help уоu knоw how tо bеѕt pack уоur luggаgе fоr уоur wееks in paradise.

Make a list

Thе firѕt thing you ѕhоuld do when packing fоr a weeks lоng assignment iѕ mаkе a liѕt. Thiѕ will kеер you frоm forgetting аnуthing thаt уоu will nееd whilе away frоm hоmе. Break the list dоwn intо categories, and writе down еvеrу ѕinglе itеm you рlаn tо tаkе with уоu, nо matter how imроrtаnt the itеm is. It mау ѕееm funnу tо inсludе undеrwеаr оn уоur liѕt, but you will bе ѕurрriѕеd аt thе numbеr оf реорlе whо mау fоrgеt (or nоt расk enough) undеrgаrmеntѕ whеn lоаding their suitcase.

Keep toiletries separate.

Keep your toiletries ѕераrаtе frоm thе rest of thе luggage. Sometimes shampoo оr bоdу wash саn lеаk frоm thеir bоttlеѕ, which соuld ruin уоur сlоthеѕ, ѕhоеѕ, and other bеlоngingѕ. It iѕ bеѕt tо put them in their own bag tо рrеvеnt thiѕ from happening or buy these items once you reach your destination.

Make sure your luggage is a good size.

Make ѕurе уоur luggаgе is a gооd size fоr you and еvеrуthing уоu nееd tо tаkе with you. Thiѕ mау mean carrying multiple bags, but you will wаnt tо mаkе sure you have еnоugh ѕрасе tо accommodate аll оf уоur itеmѕ. Cramming your bаgѕ full соuld rеѕult in dаmаgе tо уоur ѕuitсаѕеѕ or your bеlоngingѕ thаt аrе inѕidе. Considerations rеgаrding hоw muсh уоu need tо расk should аlѕо bе made in оrdеr tо limit thе numbеr оf pieces оf luggаgе you tаkе with you. It iѕ best to hаvе thе fеwеѕt bags with уоu, еѕресiаllу if уоu are traveling оn an airplane.

Knоwing hоw tо pack for a 13 week assignment can save you a grеаt dеаl оf stress. Yоu ѕhоuld bеgin early еnоugh ѕо thаt уоu аrе not ruѕhing around at thе lаѕt minutе. Doing so will nо dоubt hеlр you forget a fеw muѕt have items frоm your hоmе.

Things nоt tо forget whеn расking for уоur 13 wееk vасаtiоn

With уоur flights and accommodations bооkеd, thе luggage iѕ the lаѕt thing ѕtоррing you frоm thаt grеаt assignment. Wе knоw it fееlѕ likе a сhоrе, but if уоu follow оur expert расking tiрѕ уоu’ll nеvеr hаvе tо wоrrу.

Nаmе tаgѕ are thеrе tо hеlр

Unlеѕѕ you’re аn international mаn оf mуѕtеrу, уоu shouldn’t hаvе to worry about trаvеlling incognito. Most ѕuitсаѕеѕ соmе with nаmе tags fittеd аѕ standard, ѕо bе sure tо fill thеm in juѕt in case уоu – оr thе airline – lоѕе уоur luggage!

Mаkе a liѕt

Ok, ѕо it ѕоundѕ a littlе bоring, but idiot-proof lists аrе thе gаtеwау to a ѕtrеѕѕ-frее assignment. Sераrаtе your еѕѕеntiаlѕ from уоur desirables, аnd bе rеаliѕtiс with your luggаgе limitations. If уоu need liѕt inѕрirаtiоn – thе following might be a gооd рlасе tо ѕtаrt…

Don’t fоrgеt thе firѕt аid kit

Wе’rе nоt asking уоu tо рrераrе fоr ER, just a ѕmаll bаg with thе most necessary pills аnd mеdiсinе you might nееd. After аll, nоbоdу wаntѕ tо suffer a рuniѕhing headache, high-сlimаtе fеvеr, uрѕеt stomach оr all thrее during a trip. It might bе еаѕу enough to рiсk uр a domestic remedy fоr your ailments аt hоmе, but medicines in the соuntrу уоu are viѕiting mау be limitеd to рrеѕсriрtiоn оnlу. The ѕаmе gоеѕ fоr аllеrgу mеdѕ and аѕthmа remedies – bring thеm оn bоаrd!

Obѕеrvе rеѕtriсtiоnѕ оn bаggаgе

If уоur airline ѕауѕ: “23kg”, then they mean 23kg! Weigh уоur bаgѕ bеfоrе уоu gеt to the аirроrt аnd mаkе ѕurе уоu аrе within thе rеѕtriсtiоnѕ, оthеrwiѕе уоu’ll be fоrсеd tо cough up extra cash аt the аirроrt or, еvеn wоrѕе, have tо ѕау gооdbуе tо that lоvеlу hаnd-knittеd саrdigаn уоur grandmother spent ѕо long slaving оvеr.

Bе dеliсаtе with уоur delicates

If you hаvе to pack any сhinа plates оr glаѕѕ gооdѕ, wrаррing thеm in bubble wrap or in-bеtwееn сlоthеѕ аnd putting them right in thе middle оf уоur case iѕ ѕаfеѕt wау tо mаkе ѕurе thеу аrrivе with уоu in оnе рiесе.

Cаtеgоriѕе уоur сlоthеѕ

Pасk clothes in grоuрѕ: thаt means ѕhirtѕ with shirts, pants with раntѕ -it’ѕ еаѕiеr tо find whаt you nееd and unрасk оn thе оthеr side.

All valuables gо in hand luggаgе

It’ѕ rаrе that airlines lоѕе luggаgе thеѕе dауѕ, but whу tаkе the risk? Stау ѕаfе аnd stow all уоur expensive luxuries – frоm your camera tо your diаmоnd еngаgеmеnt ring – in hand luggаgе

Skiр the shoes

Thе biggеѕt аnd mоѕt fruѕtrаting itеm оf luggage. Hоw mаnу раirѕ оf ѕhоеѕ уоu ѕhоuld tаkе is vеrу much dереndеnt оn hоw long your assignment might bе, but wе’d ѕuggеѕt thаt fivе pairs iѕ a rеаѕоnаblе аvеrаgе for a 13 week gеtаwау. Mоrе imроrtаnt thаn vоlumе is vеrѕаtilitу, ѕо make ѕurе уоu’rе not ѕtuсk hiking in ѕtilеttоѕ by bringing a pair of ѕhоеѕ fоr еvеrу rеаliѕtiс оссаѕiоn оf your trip. Wear уоur most сumbеrѕоmе pair on thе рlаnе – рluѕ, ѕtuff уоur socks in the rest – and уоu’ll ѕаvе even mоrе ѕрасе.

Hоw tо Sаvе Mоnеу on Yоur Nеxt Assignment

Gоing on assignment iѕ a gооd time to explore the unknown, learn new skills, аnd maybe сrеаtе mеmоriеѕ with new friends. Traveling саn be expensive, аnd it is easy to break thе bаnk. A littlе рlаnning ahead саn make thе соѕt of уоur next triр more аffоrdаblе.

Firѕt, you’ll wаnt tо figurе оut what уоur budgеt iѕ going to be. Knowing hоw much уоu рlаn оn ѕреnding will hеlр you dесidе whаt аttrасtiоnѕ you саn see аnd hоw much mоnеу уоu саn ѕреnd оn ѕоuvеnirѕ. If you run intо a ѕtrеаk оf gооd luck аnd еnd up with еxtrа mоnеу tо ѕреnd, уоu саn аlwауѕ upgrade your triр, but trу to сrеаtе a budget fоr аn amount of money thаt уоu knоw you will have fоr the assignment.

Travel nursing assignments ѕhоuld be аn аdvеnturе!

Gеtting tо your dеѕtinаtiоn and finding оut you lеft ѕоmеthing bеhind thаt iѕ indispensable, however, саn ruin thе еxреriеnсе. To kеер that frоm happening, уоu have tо hаvе well-thought-out liѕtѕ. Those liѕtѕ аrеn’t ѕоmеthing thаt you generate аt thе last minutе. Thеу аrе ѕоmеthing thаt iѕ fоrmulаtеd and саrеfullу noted over thе соurѕе оf оur livеѕ. By following thеѕе расking tips for your 13-week assignment, you will have an еnjоуаblе experience!

Photo Credit: Leah Gnitka (@ScrubsInASuitCase via Instagram)

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Aaron Highfill

October 13, 2018

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Getting above it all….Flight Nursing!

A serious motor vehicle accident has occurred in your suburban community, many seriously hurt, traffic clogged roads between the scene and the trauma center.

Flight Nursing

A man having a heart attack presents to a rural community hospital. He is given the best care available at that facility, but he needs the Cath Lab 100 miles away in the city.

Your retired grandparents are finally able to go on that Caribbean cruise. Unfortunately, the trail to the beach was a bit too steep and Grandma is now in an island hospital with a broken hip.

What do all three of these situations have in common? 

All will likely require the services of a flight nurse.

Flight Nursing

Flight Nursing is the provision of nursing care within the air transport environment. A flight nurse typically works in either a helicopter (rotor wing) or airplane (fixed wing) setting. They likely have a paramedic partner, though some organizations will pair the nurse with a respiratory therapist, another nurse, or occasionally a physician.  The medical team works closely with the pilots to get the patient safely to their destination.

Shifts

A flight nurse on a helicopter might work 12, 24 or 48 hour shifts at a base or hospital. They may be tasked with helping out with critical patients in the ER or ICU when not flying.  When notified of a flight they report to their briefing room or hangar to get whatever information is available about the patient, while the pilots plot a safe flight path and landing area. Sometimes conditions exist that might make a response unsafe. Weather, unfamiliar environments, crewmember illness, or maintenance issues are some of the reasons this might occur. Every mission must be accepted by all crewmembers in order to proceed. The common expression for this is: “Three to go, one to say no”. Dispatch to launch is often less than 10 minutes.

Fixed wing flight nursing is slightly different in that you’re not picking up a patient from the side of the road, but rather from a hospital with an ambulance providing ground transport at each end of the trip. The transport times are longer, sometimes by a couple hours, sometimes by a few days. The patients may be critically ill, requiring ventilator management, vasoactive medications, etc, but they should be stabilized prior to flight to the best of the sending facilities capability. The flight crew may assist in stabilizing patients for transport. Because of the logistics involved, dispatch to launch times might range from 30 minutes for a quick in-state hop to 24 hours for a long international flight requiring multiple fuel stops, crew changes, landing and overflight permits for multiple countries.  The logistics of planning for such missions using a very small aircraft are often more complex than the patient care aspect. “Do I have enough oxygen to care for this patient for 20-30 hours? What stops along the way can refill it?  Does the accompanying family member know there is no bathroom? How much do they weigh? How much luggage do they have?”

To become a flight nurse, the registered nurse should have 5 years of critical care experience. In the opinion of this author, a mix of ICU and ER is best, but most programs will consider a candidate with either. EMS experience is helpful and some states require flight nurses to maintain co-licensure as an EMT or Paramedic. Many programs have specialty teams for Neonatal and High Risk Obstetrical patient transport made up of staff with the appropriate background. Flight nurses enjoy an expanded scope of practice compared to their bedside colleagues and must be comfortable with the responsibility that comes with autonomy. Physician approved protocols define the scope of flight nurse practice for each organization. Some of the skills the flight nurse must master are advanced and surgical airway management, chest tube placement, arterial and central line access and escharotomy. Maintenance of these skills must be demonstrated frequently and quality care is maintained with regular case reviews and critiques by the medical director.

While clinical excellence is required for a flight nurse, interpersonal and communication skills are just as important. As every day is different with new opportunities and challenges, flight nurses must be extremely flexible and willing to adapt to new situations. The flight nurse interacts with people at some of the most stressful times of their lives, making tact critical.

Ultimately, most flight nurses find the rewards outweigh the downsides. The flight nurse gets to be the critical link between accident and surgery, between community hospitals and tertiary care. When you’ve been lying for a week in a hospital bed in Brazil or Barcelona, the flight nurse gets to walk in and say “Hi, we’re here to take you home.”

Travel assignments for Flight Nursing positions do pop up from time to time. These are usually at small rural hospitals where the flight nurse also does ER/ICU. Even such listings in places like Alaska and Montana.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By movemofitness

October 8, 2018

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A Stronger Heart Built by Strong Relationships

As a travelling nurse, getting your individual fitness and exercise going is important for cardiovascular health, but that’s not all.  To build a stronger heart, I’d like to highlight another essential principle instead of just regular exercise and fitness – building real relationships.

Often people assume that keeping your body healthy and preventing cardiovascular disease can be achieved solely through fitness and exercise, good eating and positive behavior change.

Indeed, as a travelling nurse, I can understand how even finding time to exercise on your own and eat well in a new home is a challenge in itself.  But the goal of a stronger heart and even stronger body can’t be fully achieved without building good and real relationships with those that can keep you happy, motivated and healthy for a lifetime.  For example, building a positive relationship with a family member, friend and even co-worker can mean having another workout buddy at the gym or another jogging partner on the weekends.  Having them at your side, building a healthier life with you will strengthen your heart physically and emotionally.

I know this can be hard especially for travelling nurses whose profession involves moving around to different locations.  However, don’t let this be an obstacle.

Nowadays, there a numerous ways to stay connected and involved in people’s lives without the convenience of physical proximity (i.e. Skype, G-chatting, Facebook, Face-time and of course the classic – phone calling).  Human beings are, for the most part, social in nature and therefore health and happiness often happens between people rather than in isolation. Why try to build a healthier and happier heart alone?  In addition to exercise and eating well, try building on positive relationships to create a life of wellness that is well supported and enduring.

As a travel nurse, what tips do you have to build or maintain strong relationships?  How do you maintain the relationships you have with family, friends, and co-workers?  Please share in the comments.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By The Gypsy Nurse

October 5, 2018

21291 Views

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Ask A Travel Nurse: Brand New RN, Ready for Travel Nursing?

Gypsy,
HI Gypsy Nurse! I love your site. It’s so informative. I am currently working in the surgical trauma ICU at a Level! Facility. My one year is in Sept (brand new RN), but I am ready to start traveling, specifically in NYC! I have been talking with a travel company, started the app process, etc., but I wondered if you had any knowledge or info about being new RN and a travel nurse in NYC. Any info you might know would be SO wonderful as I start to work out all the details in the next few months…

Thank you, thank you!
Nurse K, RN BSN

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

Kristen,
I have not personally worked in NYC, so I can’t give you any specific information on the location. Our Facebook group is a great place to ask questions about NYC. You could ask there specifically about NYC, and hopefully, someone with personal experience can help.

I would caution you on taking a travel contract as a new RN with only a year of nursing experience. As a traveler, you will be expected to ‘hit the floor running. You will be lucky to get a full shift of floor orientation. You will likely be given the worst patients. Staff could be helpful, or they could throw you under the bus and let you drown….either extreme is possible. As travel nurses, we are expected to adapt quickly to the new environment, rules, and patient loads. Not to mention new computer systems, new equipment, different drugs (what’s a common treatment in one part of the country may not be the same in another). I am not questioning your ability to care for patients. However, please understand that it’s best for the safety of the patients if you are experienced before traveling.

I would really encourage you to hold off on travel nursing until you have had a good two years of experience under your belt. In the meantime, I would suggest that you pick up a couple of ‘agency’ shifts in your local area and see how you adapt to the varied environments. This will give you a good feel for how you will adjust to travel nursing.

I realize that this is not the answer that you were looking for, and I’m sorry. I hope that you will consider my advice. If you decide to continue to pursue the travel nursing route, please feel free to contact me with any further questions.

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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Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Nina Mosely

October 3, 2018

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Unveiling AGNP-C: A Comprehensive Guide to Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners

While most people are familiar with the term FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) at this point in time, when approached with the title AGNP (Adult-Gerontology NP), it can get a bit confusing. By the name alone, you would think that this designation deals with geriatrics, which is the treatment of elderly patients.

However, that isn’t always the case. Although an AGNP may specialize in geriatrics, they may also deal with patients ranging from adolescents through all stages of adulthood up to and including geriatric patients. From there, it can get even more confusing because there are also two different focuses in an AGNP degree. If you are looking at Nursing School Programs, this might be a career goal for you to pursue.

Two Different AGNP Credentials

As an advanced practice nurse, the first thing you need to know is that you are required to have a BS in nursing prior to attending graduate school. Many applicants to an AGNP program have worked as an RN for several years before pursuing an advanced degree. As an AGNP, you can specialize in acute care or in primary care, and the focus is totally different in both designations.

With a specialization in acute care, you will most often be working with inpatients at hospitals. These AGNPs focus on treating patients who are ill. As a primary care AGNP, you will be focusing on a patient population who aren’t usually ill, and your focus will be to keep them well. This is just a broad understanding because as a practitioner, you will be treating ill patients who see you at your office, but they will not be considered acute care patients until they are admitted into a hospital.

Addressing the Confusion in the Nursing Designation of AGNP

Once someone sees the words gerontology or geriatrics, they assume this nurse practitioner only deals with the elderly. Since they will be licensed to see patients from adolescence onward, the only patients an AGNP will not deal with are infants and children up to adolescence. Younger patients would see an FNP, and that Family Nurse Practitioner may, or may not, specialize in children.

The Role of an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Practitioner

Since you know that an AG-ACNP (Acute Care NP specializing in adult-gerontology) deals with patients in a hospital setting, the focus of your training will be on:

  • Stabilizing the patient’s condition
  • Preventing any complications
  • Restoring maximum health
  • Providing palliative care

This is according to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Competencies, as established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Tasks may include such things as making a diagnosis, prescribing medications, and monitoring the patient throughout his or her stay in the hospital. Upon being released, an AG-ACNP may also make referrals to specialists as needed.

The Role of an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)

While an AG-ACNP will focus on treating inpatients, an AG-PCNP will primarily focus on keeping their patients well with an emphasis on promoting healthy choices. AG-PCNPs may work in clinics throughout the community, but they may also carry on their own private practice as well.

The focus of an AGNP in a primary care setting will be to improve outcomes within the population they have chosen to serve. They may be required to manage chronic illnesses, as opposed to acute care AGNPs who focus on helping their patients recover from acute illnesses of abbreviated duration.

Bringing Your Nursing Skillset Forward as an AGNP

As an increasing number of people within the general population begin understanding exactly what an AGNP is and what it is they do, many more nurses will be needed to fill these two roles. At the time, the AGNP designation is somewhere in the shadow of an FNP simply because most people equate the designation with the treatment of the elderly.

Perhaps when this confusion is better addressed, those nursing skills that made you who you are will be in high demand as an AGNP. Consider for just a moment how most patients describe their doctors. You usually won’t hear them talking about all those letters behind their titles and you won’t hear them talking about the rapidity in which they made an accurate diagnosis. For the most part, you will hear patients describing their doctor’s “bedside manner.” As a nurse, you have what it takes to communicate on a better level with the patients you see.

It would be nice if medicals schools required their doctors to work on the floor with patient care before licensing them as medical doctors, but, that will never happen. Some doctors have a special personality that helps them engage well with patients and others are simply too busy being a doctor. As a nurse, you have learned both sides of the fence and that is what you can bring with you to this new level of nursing. If your primary focus is on adolescents and adults of any age, an AGNP degree is for you.

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

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab

By Bianca Festa

October 1, 2018

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What To Do While On Assignment In The Sunshine State

Being a travel nurse, you’re always on the move. It can be exciting and refreshing to pick up your stuff and stay in a place that maybe you’ve always wanted to go to or go somewhere that you didn’t really expect to go to, but you thought, “Hey, why not?”. While you’re living in your new home, you’re going to learn a lot about the new place you’re staying at and doing a job that’s making a difference in people’s lives!

sunshine state

For some Travel RN’s, the thought of what to do or see when you’re in a new location may cross their mind. If you’re a Travel Nurse who’s on assignment in Florida, the sunshine state, here are some fun things to do and places that are worth a visit:

 Duval Street, Key West

Duval Street is located in downtown Key West Florida and by day, it’s a fun place to shop with something for everyone and offers boat tours. Also, only a few minutes away, is the Southernmost Point Buoy where people come to take a few pictures (and some selfies) at the Southernmost Point of the continental U.S. As the evening approaches, Duval street comes to life, and the variety of restaurants and famous bars are full of people who come to eat delicious meals, listen to live music and enjoy themselves.

Walt Disney World, Orlando

For those RN’s who want to let their inner kid out, welcome to the magical world of Disney, aka the happiest place on Earth. It’s composed of four different parks, so there is something for everyone. Magic Kingdom is the heart of Disney and has almost all the characters shown in Disney movies and has multiple rides. Epcot is where you’re able to experience a bit of the world in a day. 11 different nations are featured in this park so that visitors can learn and experience the culture of each place. Animal Kingdom features nature, animals, and pre-historic life with attractions and simulations. Hollywood Studios is that last park, and when you walk in, it feels as if you are on the set of different movies depending on where you are. In addition, every night, each park has its own firework show! A great option for a sunshine state city to take an assignment.

Wynwood, Miami

Wynwood is one of those places that someone has to visit while being in Miami. It’s known as the art or fashion district, so art covers most of the walls and is also scattered on the sidewalks. Street artists worldwide come down and create their masterpiece, which is influenced by all different types of cultures. There are art galleries, bars, unique restaurants, and one-of-a-kind boutiques seated in the area.

City Place, West Palm Beach

City Place is a hangout area where individuals and families eat at various restaurants and shops. For those who don’t want to have a whole dining experience, City Place has some places where you can grab a snack and relax. Also, there’s a large movie theater located in City Place. If you’re not really in the mood for a movie, there’s a not-for-profit art center that’s walking distance from City Place. There is a schedule on the Kravis Center website that shows what will be going on, on certain days. Some of the showings include ballets, concerts, plays, and orchestras.

Flea Masters Fleamarket, Fort Myers

For those who want to spend some time finding unique treasures, the Flea Masters Fleamarket is open Friday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s an indoor and outdoor market where you’re able to buy almost anything, eat, and drink. Also, on certain days there’s some live music.

 Riverside Arts Market, Jacksonville

The Riverside Arts Market is open every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM with a selection of fresh produce and one-of-a-kind pieces. Each purchase allows you to support local small businesses and individuals! In certain months you’re able to participate in morning yoga or take a bike ride.

 Busch Gardens, Tampa

For the adventurous ones out there, Busch Gardens is a must. Visitors can see different animals, go on a safari tour and ride some thrilling roller coasters. There are different dining options and shows available for those who still want to experience an amusement park without the adrenaline-filled rides. It’s a place for all ages to enjoy!

These are a few things that you should check out and do while you’re in the sunshine state! Hopefully, you can visit a place or two and even make your own discoveries. For more information on Travel Nurse jobs in the sunshine state (Florida), check out the job page on The Gypsy Nurse.

Join The Gypsy Nurse Nation

Discover new travel nurse jobs, subscribe to customized job alerts and unlock unlimited resources for FREE.

Since just recently joining The Gypsy Nurse, I have had so many questions answered about the world of travel nursing. This has been an excellent resource!
—Meagan L. | Cath Lab