February 28, 2022

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5 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Nurse

Posted on February 28, 2022February 21, 2022 by TheraEx

NursesPRN provided this article.

Nursing is a career full of endless opportunities! You can thrive as a staff nurse, explore the nation as a travel nurse, or pick up per diem shifts. Whatever you choose to pursue, know nursing doesn’t come without challenges. Before you say, “I want to be a nurse,” do your research! Being a nurse isn’t for everyone. When considering a healthcare career, you should know a few things before becoming a nurse.

Opportunities in Nursing

Nurses are in high demand all around the United States. The number of nursing jobs will increase about nine percent by 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. This makes nursing one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States. With high demand comes high wages. You can make more as a nurse now than ever, with the average salary of around $75,000 a year. Things you should know before becoming a nurse include what motivates you! Are you motivated by money, or do you care more about work satisfaction? Each state has different pros and cons. Here are some of the best states for nurses to work and live in.

With COVID-19 crisis rates and the high demand for nurses around the United States, travel nursing is a great career opportunity. Travel nurses work on a contract-to-contract basis. They can travel across the nation or stay in their hometown and travel to different facilities. The allure of travel nursing is the great money, flexibility, and experiences!

Nursing isn’t for everyone

Although the opportunities in nursing are substantial, not everyone can be a nurse. There are many factors that go into being a nurse, such as schooling, long hours, physical job demands, interacting with people, and intense situations. Nursing is a difficult profession. As you look at the pros, you must also consider the cons in nursing. Here’s a great blog on the challenges in nursing and how to overcome them.

The Combination of Science and Service

5 Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Nurse

When you marry science and service, you get nursing! In preparation of becoming a nurse, you need an Associates or Bachelor of Science in nursing. This includes education in a combination of sciences: biology, anatomy, and chemistry. After completing an undergraduate degree, you still need to pass the NCLEX test, a comprehensive nursing licensure exam. Being science-oriented is important for nurses, especially when dealing with medications, bodily functions, patient plans, and the recovery of patients.

Things you should know about nursing is that in addition to science, nursing is ultimately a service industry. It’s all about providing care to patients and respecting their wishes. While aiding doctors in the care of the patients, you will be the face of their healing process. Providing the best possible patient care is an important aspect to becoming a nurse.

Choosing a Specialty

Let’s say your heart is in nursing and you have achieved a registered nurse license; now you have to decide a nursing specialty. There are various specialties within nursing, and each specialty comes with its own pros and cons. If you are an adrenaline junky, specialties in the intensive care unit and emergency room are for you. Maybe the high pressure gives you more anxiety than adrenaline; that’s okay. Consider a specialty in clinical nursing or long-term care. Pro Tip: As Baby Boomers continue to age, long-term care nurses will be in higher demand as geriatric care facilities increase in patients.

Other popular specialties include pediatrics, neonatal intensive care unit, psychiatric, and rehabilitation. Picking your specialty all depends on your interest and ability to perform job duties. Doing your research to determine what you need to be a nurse will help you decide the best specialty for you. To learn more about different specialties, visit Johnson and Johnson Nursing to help you determine the specialty that fits your interests and needs.

Nursing is a Rewarding and Respected Career

What are the benefits of being a nurse? To start, nursing is a very rewarding career because every day, you get to help patients and their families. As a nurse, you form a bond with patients on a different level from their doctors. This is because of the amount of time you spend with them; you are their advocate and main caregiver. Aiding and healing a patient while they are sick can be a very rewarding experience. In addition to work you do, the pay is also a great reward for the hard work. With the increasing nurse shortage, hospitals are in need of nurses and willing to compensate accordingly. Whether you are in it for the pay or the rewarding experience, being a nurse is a career that will leave you satisfied.

Nursing is also a very respected profession. It’s not easy to be a nurse. You gain a general respect from the public because of the care you provide patients and risk you take exposing yourself to illnesses. Aside from the care and risk of illness, nurses work in very stressful situations that most people can’t handle. Putting your patient first and respecting their privacy are great responsibilities, and people trust nurses to obey those responsibilities.

Think About it

Overall, becoming a nurse isn’t an easy decision and should be well thought out. Things you should know before becoming a nurse include the education needed, future nursing career trajectory, specialties of a nurse, and much more. As a nurse, you have many responsibilities, but with those responsibilities comes great satisfaction. Do your research, and decide whether being a nurse is the best fit for you! Need to talk it over with an expert? We’re here for you.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. Are there any other tips or advice you would give to those considering a career in nursing? Comment them below.

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By Sara Renwick

February 27, 2022

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Coping with Seclusion During Quarantine

Posted on February 27, 2022February 27, 2022 by Sara Renwick

This time of seclusion in quarantine has been hard on everyone. The joke “check on your extroverted friends during quarantine because they are not ok” is so true. I am probably one of the most extroverted people you will ever meet. I thrive on being around people and being social. This time as been very eye-opening for me. I have had to learn to be ok with being with myself. I have roommates and I have coworkers to be around but I can still feel alone. I have had at least 3 breakdowns where I have cried and just felt so alone. I moved to a brand new city during a pandemic in a city-wide shutdown. Not the easiest time to make friends.

This time has made me learn to embrace this newfound “ME” time. Here are some things I’ve done to try to help.

Get Outside:

Being outside is not canceled. San Francisco has amazing green space. I got a picnic blanket on amazon and have been checking out all the parks on my days off. I bring Cooper (my dog), wine/food, and just try to relax. I’ll lay there and close my eyes or people watch. I have never been someone that would find this enjoyable. But there is something peaceful about doing nothing I’ve discovered. Most towns have some kind of green space. A simple google search or Alltrails would be a good place to start your search. Fresh air is good for the soul. Sometimes going outside can clear your mind and cheer you up. I have spent more time outside during quarantine than ever before.

Hit the books:

If you have been thinking about advancing your career, this is an excellent time to look into it. Social events may be canceled, but there are hundreds of online classes. There is no reason to say you don’t have time now. If you have been thinking about advancing your career, this is the time to look into it. I have been working on getting my BSN for over 5 years. I’ve always found a reason to put school on hold. I kept telling myself, “I don’t have the money” or “I’m too busy” but now neither of these are true anymore.

Get a Green Thumb:

Everyone is starting to have a new hobby during COVID. The house I’m renting has a large backyard for San Francisco and my landlord was fine with my using the space. I started learning about plants by downloading the MasterClass App and taking a class on gardening. Gardening has become my new hobby. Warning: Gardening can get expensive. If you don’t have a lot of money to work with or space, try just growing one planter box. Herbs don’t require a lot of space and are easy to grow. My garden gives me something to do every morning. My tomatoes are actually starting to grow. This makes me realize all the hard work I did was worth it.

In the end, remember that you are not the only person feeling this way. This is a difficult time for everyone. Try to use this time to better yourself. Focus on all the wonderful things you can do rather than dwelling on what closed. Take the time for yourself and allow yourself to enjoy things you normally wouldn’t have time for. Things are slowly being to open back up but for now, we have to embrace the new normal.

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

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

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By Kevin Devoto

February 26, 2022

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Simple Healthy Breakfast Tips for Traveling Nurses

Posted on February 26, 2022February 21, 2022 by Kevin Devoto

Change is a big part of life, and if you’re a traveling nurse, you already know how important it is to adapt and be ready to go. With your job calling you away to new places and contracts, the last thing you want to stress about is your morning breakfast.

You already have to put in long hours and experience new places often; you shouldn’t have to worry over what you have time to eat and if your breakfast is going to give you the nutrition you need to make it through until break. With your job demanding so much out of you, it’s important to take care of your mental and physical energy. Save yourself stress and time with these breakfast tips to keep you going throughout your morning.

Healthy breakfast tips for traveling nurses:

Focus on Protein

Mornings are hectic enough without needing to pause and figure out what you have time to eat. More often than not, it’s easier to grab something loaded with sugar and less substance as you walk out the door. It should come as no surprise that what you stock your pantry with is what you’ll likely reach for on your way out the door.

Substitute sugary cereals or meals you won’t have time for with to-go items that are packed with protein and taste. You could opt for a peanut butter snack bar instead of your grocery store granola bar. Your energy levels will thank you, and you’ll likely find yourself not suffering from the sugar crash you would have with your standard granola bars.

Prepare the Night Before

Take time to prepare for what you want for breakfast the night before. Planning ahead and shopping for items that will give you the right boost in the morning is key to helping you feel alert and ready to work.

For each new location, take time to find a grocery store the night before. Focus on loading your cart with protein bars, instant oats, quinoa, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and quick snacks you can pack on the go. Load up your fridge and pantry and set to work deciding what you want to eat in the morning the night before.

You can choose a variety of easy and healthy breakfasts by mixing up your morning routine from breakfast bars to protein shakes and even yogurt parfaits. Load up greek yogurt with nuts, berries, and granola, or fill your oatmeal with chia seeds, peanut butter, and fruit. Quick breakfast doesn’t mean you forgo deliciousness. Prepare ahead and stock your pantry and fridge; you’ll find you have everything you need to enjoy breakfast on your way to work.

Make it Count

It would be easy to forego breakfast or choose a sugary cereal in the morning if you knew you could count on your breaks or lunches being on time, but with a nursing job, routine and on-time breaks just aren’t a guarantee. You know you need protein and something that will get you through the day without feeling hungry, but don’t stop at protein alone. Your body will thank you if you give it some complex carbohydrates too.

Carbs equal energy, but simple carbs are quickly burned through, leaving you lackluster and feeling a dip in your energy. Whole grain bread and oatmeal will help you feel full and curb that hunger a little longer.

If you make time to eat a larger breakfast that includes protein, dairy, and carbs, you’ll find yourself feeling satisfied and alert. Don’t forget the importance of meal prepping the night before. You can make and stock your fridge with egg and sausage muffins, oatmeal cups, parfaits, and shakes. Grab your protein bars along with an egg muffin and find yourself feeling more alert for the day.

Whatever you enjoy eating, remember to give your body the nutrition it needs. After all, you do a job that requires so much out of you. Treat yourself with kindness and fuel your body with what it needs.

We hope you enjoyed this article on simple healthy breakfast tips for traveling nurses. Do you have any tips for a healthy breakfast for your fellow travel nurses? Comment them below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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By TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

February 25, 2022

3536 Views

Have a Successful Travel Nurse Career in a Changing Industry

Posted on February 25, 2022February 20, 2022 by TNAA- Travel Nurse Across America

TNAA Healthcare provided this article.

The travel nurse industry is booming as pandemic burnout has pushed RNs to look for ways to enhance their careers and lives. Nursing school students have aspirations of traveling, no longer envisioning their career spent in one spot. Staff nurses have learned traveling is viable for many lifestyles and situations, and hospitals are advised to better fit travelers in their units, treating them as partners instead of seeing them as temporary staff.

How can you set yourself up for a successful travel nurse career if you’re interested in traveling? It comes down to three things: your agency, your recruiter, and you.

How Travel Nurse Agencies Can Help You Navigate the Industry

Some travel nurse agencies have been overwhelmed with the amount of nurses wanting to travel and don’t have the resources available to keep up with the growth. That’s one reason why you’ll want to be picky about the agency you partner with on your travel nurse journey.

Picking a Travel Nurse Agency With Industry Knowledge

There are dozens of travel nurse agencies out there, but you want an agency and recruiter that can serve as your trusted advisors to help you navigate the growing and changing industry. Your agency should have high credibility in the industry, and your recruiter should be highly knowledgeable about the healthcare facility you are interested in and the facility’s requirements.

Picking a Travel Nurse Agency That Values Relationships

Along with industry knowledge, you’ll want an agency and recruiter that focus on building their relationship with you. That starts with having a recruiter who is available to talk to you instead of leaving you abandoned with your questions. Your recruiter should listen to your personal and career goals, ask important questions to understand your goals better, and seek out the assignments that align with those goals. Your recruiter should also be transparent and honest about situations in the industry or at a certain facility. They should always be looking out for your best interests.

Picking a Travel Nurse Agency With Benefits That Matter

This one is really important. Not all agencies offer the same level of benefits and support that you had while you were a staff nurse or that you want when adapting to your new life as a traveler. We’re talking housing assistance, licensing assistance, mental health resources, insurance options, and more. Take the agencies you are interested in working with and research their benefits. Make sure they have the benefits that you want to fall back on when you take your life on the road.

How to Set Yourself Apart and Have the Best Travel Experience

If you’re a new travel nurse or even a seasoned traveler among the influx, here’s how you can set yourself apart from the crowd.

Engage With a Facility’s Core Staff

You may be at one hospital for a limited time, but you can still leave a lasting impression. Don’t settle for just being ‘the traveler’ on your unit – make yourself known to the director. Let them know you are here to be a partner in promoting excellent patient care and best practices. While getting to know people, find your core staff buddy and invite them out or over for dinner. It will make the travel life a little less lonely for you and give you friends across the nation.

Be the Best Guest

Be the best guest on the unit. You are there to fill a hospital’s needs. That doesn’t mean you should allow yourself to be disrespected, but it means you might be tasked with doing the less-than-glamorous duties from time to time. Being willing to help in this manner is actually to your benefit. In the event of a low census, you will have proven your worth and desire to be a teammate on the unit, meaning you’ll likely be the traveler they want to keep.

You’ve learned several techniques while supporting facilities across the nation. It makes sense that you would want to share your expertise, but do so tactfully. Avoid telling a staff nurse how they could do their job better. Instead, write a letter to the nurse manager or director about what you saw that worked best for you in a previous assignment. As you share your expertise, remember always to be willing to learn and try new techniques yourself.

Before the pandemic, travel nurses were hired when staff nurses took leave during busy seasons and to fill gaps as hospital managers worked to build their core staff. Now, it seems like a chapter as a travel nurse is almost expected in your career as an RN. So, if you see travel fitting in your life, follow these tips to give yourself a successful career as a travel nurse.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

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

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By Brandy Pinkerton

February 24, 2022

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Scared to Take the Leap into Travel Nursing? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Be!

Posted on February 24, 2022February 20, 2022 by Brandy Pinkerton

There is no doubt that travel nursing has been a trendy topic and more popular than ever due to the pandemic and nursing shortages. You may have met some travel nurses in your unit or have seen their adventures on social media. However, travel nursing may have been a goal and dream of yours for quite some time. For me, travel nursing had been my intention long before it gained such popularity, so you can imagine how scary the unknown was for me personally. Unfortunately, I had to learn some things the hard way and wish I had someone to guide me to the process. There are also a lot of misconceptions out there, so I wouldn’t want those to keep you from travel nursing. If you are scared to take the leap into travel nursing, I am here to help you through this transition and help set you up for success. Trust me when I tell you, the rewards will be worth it!

Debunking a Few Common Myths

If you are one of the many nurses considering a career in travel nursing, you’ve probably heard some horror stories or, at the minimum, some misconceptions. From being “too old” to start travel nursing, being assigned to the worst patients on the unit, floating, having no control over your schedule, being bullied by co-workers, or feeling like you don’t fit in. I’d like to share my perspective, both as a travel nurse and as a charge nurse.

You’re Too old to Try Travel Nursing:

My friend, you are never too old to set a new goal or have a new adventure. There is no set way you have to live your life; travel nursing isn’t just for young nurses. I will tell you one thing, you do not want to have regrets, and as I’ve gotten older, thinking about that has helped give me a new perspective on every decision in my life!

Travel Nurses always get the worst assignments and patients:

First of all, the charge nurse isn’t familiar with your skill level, and core staff often need the experience with higher acuity pts. No matter how many years of experience you have as a nurse, there’s always a chance to grow and learn while traveling. Being in a new environment requires you to adapt and be flexible. You’ll need to know your resources because with each new contract; there are new policies, new people, and new technology.

Travel Nurses are first to float:

While in many facilities, this may be true, you should not be asked to float to a unit that you are not comfortable with unless being asked to be “helping hands” to take vital signs and help answer call lights and phones, etc. Learning to float and be flexible is a skill; a skill that is only mastered by a few. During your interview, make sure to discuss floating with the unit manager. Make sure to get the units you are required to float to in your contract. It is very likely that after a few assignments, you likely won’t care as much because you have learned to be flexible and adaptable. Step out of your comfort zone and remember your purpose as a travel nurse is to fill a hospital’s needs.

Travel Nurses get the worst schedule:

The units I chose to work on have had self-scheduling with a weekend and holiday requirement, which was the same for staff nurses. Your schedule may not be exactly as you asked, but it’s usually close. If you know you need some time off during your assignment, it’s important to have those dates ready when you interview and make sure they are written in your contract.

Travel Nurses are bullied:

Unfortunately, this is a very real thing both as a staff nurse and traveler. Here are my “two cents.” If you go into your new unit with a positive, helpful attitude, you are much more likely to be well received by staff. Choosing a unit that already has a few travel nurses always seemed to be better for me. The nurses are less stressed, the on-boarding process is more thorough, and the management is generally more supportive.

Don’t let these common myths prevent you a travel nursing career— and enjoying the many perks that come with it: a great compensation package, professional development, and adventure! My Call to Action to you is to try it at least once!!!

Take the leap!

Check out TravelNurse101.com for more tips and education about Travel Nursing. Schedule your complimentary 1:1 mentoring session with Brandy today!

We hope you found this article on debunking myths and why you should take the leap into travel nursing helpful. Did you take the leap into travel nursing? Please share your story below.

Are you looking for your first travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for your upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

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

START HERE

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

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By Fusion Marketplace

February 23, 2022

2742 Views

Healthcare Travel Pay Trends by State

Posted on February 23, 2022November 28, 2023 by Fusion Marketplace

Fusion Marketplace provided this article.

Written by: Megan Bebout

The past few years have brought major changes in the world of healthcare travel. It seems like the notorious coronavirus, and its variants have virtually taken over the entire healthcare field, causing an influx in travel healthcare professionals like yourself. The dramatic increase in demand has also come with wage increases for healthcare professionals across the board. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of healthcare wage trends by state to gain a better idea of what to expect for the rest of 2022.

Recent changes in healthcare pay

Within a year, every state in the U.S. experienced changes in healthcare wages and, out of the 50 states, 44 of them saw at least a 10 percent growth in wage. With a 51.6 percent pay increase, Alaska tops the U.S. state as no. 1 for the highest healthcare pay growth, with Georgia followed behind at 47.7 percent and New Mexico at 40 percent.

Since winter enhances the spread of most viruses, the industry has seen a recent trend where wage increases mirror virus outbreaks within a particular state. In other words, the more infectious patients there are to treat, the more money you can make as a healthcare traveler.

Of course, what comes up must come down, and Wyoming healthcare workers felt firsthand the decrease in pay. For example, at the beginning of August 2021, healthcare professionals could expect a weekly salary of $2,538. But by the end of the month, that wage had decreased to $2,417, which is a decrease of 4.8 percent within the month.

There are several ways to compare your next travel assignment’s pay, including Fusion Marketplace. And regardless of where you live or where you travel to, you’re bound to feel the changes of healthcare pay eventually. When it happens, you can be as prepared as possible with Fusion Marketplace’s comprehensive job search platform and these recent trends broken out by state.

Healthcare travel wage trends by state

State	Weekly salary at the beginning of 2021	Weekly salary at the end of 2021	Percentage difference
Alabama	$2,074	$2,821	36%
Alaska	$2,154	$3,265	51.6%
Arizona	$2,375	$3,069	29.2%
Arkansas	$2,455	$2,911	18.6%
California	$2,587	$3,313	28.1%
Colorado	$2,157	$2,652	23%
Connecticut	$2,472	$2,542	2.8%
Delaware	$1,716	$2,810	38.9%
Florida	$2,402	$3,173	32.1%
Georgia	$2,456	$3,627	47.7%
Hawaii	$2,327	$2,367	1.7%
Idaho	$2,474	$3,173	28.3%
Illinois	$2,461	$2,879	17%
Indiana	$2,241	$2,908	20.1%
Iowa	$2,422	$2,677	10.5%
Kansas	$2,453	$2,756	12.4%
Kentucky	$2,325	$2,843	22.3%
Louisiana	$2,331	$2,925	25.5%
Maine	$2,311	$2,355	1.9%
Maryland	$2,284	$2,574	12.7%
Massachusetts	$2,419	$2,492	3%
Michigan	$2,296	$2,701	17.6%
Minnesota	$2,584	$2,970	14.9%
Mississippi	$2,348	2,814	19.9%
Missouri	$2,600	$3,022	16.2%
Montana	$2,091	$2,665	27.5%
Nebraska	$2,448	$2,680	9.5%
Nevada	$2,326	$2,863	23.1%
New Hampshire	$2,333	$2,600	11.4%
New Jersey	$2,309	$2,726	18.1%
New Mexico	$2,430	$3,401	40%
New York	$2,417	$2,788	15.4%
North Carolina	$2,289	$2,773	21.1%
North Dakota	$2,680	$3,396	26.7%
Ohio	$2,180	$2,581	18.4%
Oklahoma	$2,559	$3,025	18.2%
Oregon	$2,456	$3,211	30.7%
Pennsylvania	$2,441	$2,996	22.7%
Rhode Island	$2,259	$2,772	18.5%
South Carolina	$2,377	$2,749	15.7%
South Dakota	$2,392	$2,817	17.8%
Tennessee	$2,172	$2,588	19.2%
Texas	$2,270	$2,558	12.7%
Utah	$2,175	$2,727	25.4%
Vermont	$2,363	$2,457	4%
Virginia	$2,246	$2,546	13.4%
Washington	$2,307	$2,957	28.2%
West Virginia	$2,195	$2,569	17%
Wisconsin	$2,440	$3,159	29.5%
Wyoming	$2,538	$2,417	-4.8%

The healthcare industry goes through constant change, especially as the nation experiences infectious waves from illnesses like the coronavirus and influenza. As healthcare travelers become more and more in demand throughout the year, we can expect to see fluctuations in pay that mirror the demand. For you as a professional healthcare traveler, it’s important to keep up with current wage trends so you’re able to negotiate your pay with each assignment and ensure you’re making the most you can.

We hope you found this article on healthcare travel pay trends by state informational and helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please comment below.

Are you looking for your next travel nurse assignment? Click here to view our job board. Do you need housing for an upcoming assignment? Click here to search our housing page.

Author Bio

Megan Bebout

Megan is a professional writer and marketer, producing high-quality content to make a positive impact in the healthcare industry. She has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Journalism from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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By Morgan Elliott

February 21, 2022

2932 Views

Stress Relief: How Travel Nurses Can Use Their Time to Recharge

Posted on February 21, 2022January 16, 2023 by Morgan Elliott

Being a travel nurse is an exciting and fulfilling role. However, due to the responsibilities this job bears, many nurses tend to get overwhelmed and stressed. Even though most jobs nowadays are stressful now and then, prolonged stress can have extreme consequences on your health. This leads to burnouts and even mental illnesses like anxiety and depression!

Due to that, taking care of your mental health and taking time to get relieved from stress is crucial for this type of job. Since, as a travel nurse, you spend most of your time helping patients, it’s time to help yourself minimize stress! It’s a challenge that is not easy to overcome, but how can you succeed?

1. Stay organized

Even though staying organized is essential for any type of work, being a travel nurse requires top-notch organizational skills. As you frequently move from one place to another, keeping a schedule can help you stay organized and know your next move. But how can you do so if your every day is different?

The truth is that organization itself can cause stress if it’s not done correctly. Create schedules, to-do and checklists to stay on top of your game. They can be applied to various different situations and places. Also, keeping a bag with all work necessities can be a true lifesaver. Such organizational methods reduce anxiety as you know you already have everything you need.

stress relief — Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels

2. Get enough sleep

Naturally, getting enough sleep is vital for work. As it’s one of the main methods people use to cope with stress, sleep is an amazing remedy that relaxes your entire body. Due to stress, many travel nurses have trouble falling asleep. Is there anything you can do to make yourself fall asleep faster?

Practicing good sleep hygiene is essential for every profession. However, if you work as a nurse, you’re not only responsible for your own health and life but also for your patients’. So, to fall asleep faster and have a better quality rest, try to always go to bed around the same time, if possible. If you’re frequently working night shifts, practice sleeping during the day. Also, leave your phone before bed. That can help you relax and fall asleep faster.

3. Set a self-care routine

One of the best ways to minimize the effects of stress and take care of your well-being is having a self-care routine. Caring about your physical and mental health can have a meditative effect on your brain, which causes you to relax and enjoy your day. How can you set a self-care routine?

The self-care routine doesn’t have to be anything complicated. For instance, to establish a proper self-care routine while working as a travel nurse, drink a cup of tea or black coffee in the morning to start off your day right. Additionally, taking care of your hair, nails and skin also have a soothing effect on your mental health. Practice things that are beneficial for you.

4. Have a “me day”

Besides daily self-care activities, having a day just for yourself is a fantastic way of relieving stress as well as handling burnout. In case you didn’t know, “me days” are periods dedicated only and solely to you. You can do activities you enjoy the most during these times, such as reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or hiking!

Travel nurses don’t get many chances to enjoy a day by themselves. However, “me days” are ideal stress reliefs. Keep in mind that different people recharge in different ways. Therefore, what might work for one, it’s not a good option for the other!

5. Create a quality support system

Did you know that most people tend to talk to the closest ones when they are stressed? Since you’re far away from home, having a way to reach out to people is crucial. Sadly, your friends and family members may not always understand what you’re going through as a travel nurse. Therefore, try to build a quality support system with your colleagues.

When colleagues are mentioned, many people may think about boring emails and calls. However, you can create internal communication using informal chats and shorter content. Such internal communication examples can help you stay in touch with colleagues as well as set healthy boundaries between work and private life.

6. Try yoga and meditation

Yoga is an ideal balance between resting your mind and keeping your brain active. One of the best ways to remove tension and stress from your body is by daily practicing yoga and meditation. Even though you might have a packed schedule, you can always do these light exercises for 15 minutes.

Pranayamas and asanas are fantastic ways of letting go of all the negativity gathered during the day and enjoying unbothered rest of your time. Yoga and meditation keep you physically active without getting tired. Quite the contrary, they fill you up with energy and positivity for your day.

Final thoughts

Working as a travel nurse can be extremely stressful. You have to deal with patients daily without having much time to dedicate to yourself. However, with these stress relief tips, you can recharge your batteries to improve the quality of your personal life and work productivity!

We hope you found these tips for stress relief for travel nurses helpful. Do you have any tips for stress relief for travel nurses? Comment what has helped you below.

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By Daniel Wanderson

February 20, 2022

6843 Views

Brighten Your Day: Ways to Feel Better and Improve Your Mood

Posted on February 20, 2022December 19, 2023 by Daniel Wanderson

We might not understand it yet, but we live during times when people’s happiness is a priority. We have all the tools and tricks to make us feel better each day, even though life might be stressful at times. Moreover, we have access to science-based information to see the proof that these methods work.

This means that you can use scientifically based ways to make you feel happier, and they will work. The ways described below are focused on boosting hormones responsible for people’s happiness, satisfaction, and overall good mood. These hormones are endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Let’s check out some ways you may use to feel better.

Endorphin Boosters

Everyone knows that endorphins trigger pleasant feelings and reduce the feelings of pain. So here are some ways to boost your endorphins and become happier.

Exercise

Sport and physical activity shape your body, and you become healthier. After several weeks of exercising, you will notice that you look a lot better (in case you haven’t been exercising at all before). This alone will make you feel happier, but that’s not the point. Exercising boosts endorphins.

The hormone reduces your perception of pain and triggers the positive feeling in your body, almost like dulling the pain with morphine but in a pleasant way. If you exercise correctly, you get a beautifully shaped body; you will become overall healthier, boosting endorphins. To exercise correctly, you have to combine various exercises. Training only one type of muscle is counterproductive. Try to vary your exercises, so all muscles work.

Laughter

Not just randomly producing the “haha” sound, you have to enjoy something. It’s quite a pleasant way to become happier, but you need to find ways that make you laugh. Laughter stimulates endorphins since it convulses your innards. It’s believed that laughter helps release fear. Instead of fearing something, you may find something amusing and start laughing. You can watch your favorite episodes of TV-series, videos on YouTube, read funny stories, etc.

Stretching

First of all, it feels so good that it makes you instantly happier. Second, it’s easy to stretch so it won’t disrupt your everyday routine. You may stretch your back, arms, and legs while working or watching your favorite TV-series, you can stretch while waiting for someone, talking to someone over the phone, etc.

It’s not at all necessary to push yourself harder to feel the pain. The point is to stretch those muscles you have neglected before. That’s how you get your endorphins boosted. You can start by performing simple stretching exercises and then proceed with more advanced things.

Oxytocin Boosters

Oxytocin is a hormone that is often related to love, friendship, and social bonding. Boosting oxytocin will make you feel better, so here are some ways to improve your mood.

Massage

Getting a massage is a surprisingly effective way to trigger the production of oxytocin in your body. If you think it might become an expensive habit, you are not quite right. There are at least 2 ways to save your money and still get the best massage:

Find a massage buddy.
Watch videos to learn how to perform self-massage (very effective).

It’s good at triggering oxytocin production, and what is even better, it’s a pleasant habit, and you will fall for it after the first try.

Trust

Oxytocin is responsible not just for the feeling of love (including maternal love), friendship, but for social bonding as well. Being able to trust someone triggers oxytocin in your body. If you have several individuals you can completely trust, doesn’t that make you happy? Exactly, it does, that’s the point!

If you have someone you want to trust, but you can’t, this person should be your target. It doesn’t mean you have to trust this person for the sake of trusting. Try building trust by starting conversations. If all goes well, proceed with turning this person into someone you trust, maybe, even a friend. That will help you get rid of negative emotions and will trigger the production of oxytocin.

Be Trustworthy

In a similar vein, when you trust someone, the feeling that someone trusts you also triggers oxytocin production. It’s an amazing feeling when people trust you, even if those people are not your friends or family members.

To boost the production of oxytocin, you may think of situations when people trust you. One of the best ways to do so is to honor your commitments. If you have some tasks to do, and people rely on you, a job well done would be a great oxytocin booster. You don’t have to accomplish great deeds, just small things that help you build trust every day.

Dopamine Boosters

Here are some ways to boost the level of dopamine.

Cope With Unpleasant Tasks

Everyone has it, everyone dreads even to start dealing with such a task, but you will eventually have to deal with it. The best way to make you happier is to dedicate several minutes a day to deal with it. You won’t even notice it when it’s over, and you will become happier.

Reach a Goal

In a similar vein, you may reach success by dedicating several minutes a day to complete a task. It may be learning a new language, reading a book, getting into better physical shape, working with websites like dota2-bets, etc.”. It takes less time, but the results will be amazing and satisfying.

Celebrate Every Victory

We don’t get a Ph.D. every day, but we have to be happy when gaining smaller victories. We all tend to concentrate even on small losses; why not celebrate small victories instead? Just think of one small accomplishment you have reached today, and celebrate it!

Serotonin Boosters

This hormone is responsible for such feelings as happiness, the feeling of well-being, and even boosts your confidence. Below you may find some pleasant ways to trigger the production of serotonin.

Make Peace with Lack of Control

If everything is under control, we feel happy. Even if you are the least control-seeking person, you will still be happy that your everyday routine is not disrupted. Lack of control over something confuses us; we have no idea what to do, which makes us feel worse. But it’s important to understand that we can’t control everything. Instead of feeling confused or scared when something is out of your control, it’s best to cope with the fact that you can’t control everything.

That way, you feel happier since whenever something extraordinary happens, you won’t feel like it’s the end of the world. You will feel safe, not scared. The best way to train your brain to be ready is to do things you are not used to. For example, if you love when everything is neat and in order, create chaos around you. Or, if you love baking your cookies due to the recipe, throw out the recipe and bake cookies without it.

Always Enjoy Your Social Role

Your social position may keep changing over time, so get used to this thought and enjoy every moment. You may think that being a subordinate is a bad thing, but dominant positions also may be confusing. As a result, you are not satisfied in both situations. Whether you are in a subordinate or a dominant position, think about the advantages of your current position. It will help you be happy and satisfied that you have advantages while being in a current position. Just enjoy every day!

Enjoy Being Proud of Something

Being acknowledged is a good feeling, but it’s a bit tricky. Everyone loves getting praised for doing something, but if not, no disappointments. It’s a tricky way to boost your serotonin level, but you can try it anyway. If it works – good, if not – it doesn’t kill you, don’t get disappointed.

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By Ian Lewis

February 19, 2022

11732 Views

6 Simple Travel Nurse Workout’s While on Assignment

Posted on February 19, 2022November 10, 2023 by Ian Lewis

If you work as a travel nurse, you have the opportunity to see new places, meet new people and experience plenty of new things.

However, the fact that you’re always on the road makes sticking to a workout schedule as a travel nurse almost impossible. But, if you want to be a good nurse, you must pay attention to your health first and keep your body in top shape, even when traveling. Luckily, even though a bit hard, here are 6 simple travel nurse workouts that you might not have thought of.

Simple Travel Nurse Workouts

Rent a bike

Renting a bicycle is a great way to stay in shape and save some time. Bicycling is a simple solution to adding to your travel nurse workout. You can always catch a bus or subway to work, but you can also hop on a bike and do your workout while commuting! Today, most cities are super bike-friendly, which makes riding safe, simple, and pleasant to get in a workout. And, before you know it, your blood will be pumping, and you’re going to feel your activity in your leg muscles as well as your core and arms. Plus, opting for a bike is eco-friendly, so you’ll also be doing something great for the environment.

Join a local gym

If you’re staying at the same spot for more than a few weeks, why not use that downtime to join a gym? Even though sticking to a gym schedule with a nurse job can be tricky (many medical workers have a membership that never gets used), the benefits are great. You’ll have dozens of machines at your disposal and even private trainers to guide your progress. There are also weekly spin classes and other programs you can try out.

Explore your destination on foot

There’s no better way to explore all those great new destinations than on your own two feet. You can not only check out famous tourist sites but also find useful locations. Supermarkets, farmers’ markets, and other stores and facilities in the neighborhood are useful for travel nurses. Getting in a simple travel nurse workout in the process is a bonus. Grabbing groceries on foot will add some extra weight to your back and give you a better workout. If you often suffer from pain in the feet stopping you from taking long walks, make sure to get a diagnosis and grab some comfy shoes and socks. Once your condition is out of your way, you can rely on your feet to stay in top shape!

Meet new people at a sports club

It’s quite easy to meet people for various sports activities no matter where you are. If you love to hike, you can join a hiking group for weekend adventures, or if you enjoy a dynamic game of soccer, there’s probably an amateur club you can join. If you hit the park, you can often find outdoor yoga sessions that will make you break a sweat. All in all, there are plenty of activities out there that can help you keep up with your fitness routine and meet new like-minded people.

Spy on the locals

Every region has its signature sport or hobby activity. For instance, Australians love surfing, Americans are into mountain biking, and Canadians love to hit the mountains for a hike. See what locals love to do on weekends and pick up their hobbies. Who knows, they might become your fave new travel nurse workout routine!

Exercise in the comfort of your accommodation

If you’re super tired of people when you get home from work, you don’t even have to go out to get good exercise. Try climbing the stairs in your hotel for a quick killer cardio, or set aside a few minutes to do planks or wall sits. You can even pack some light travel workout equipment like a jumping rope, travel weights (that you fill with water), or resistance bands. These will provide you with good cardio and strength training straight from your room. Additionally, if you have a smartphone, a laptop, or a tablet, you can find hundreds of great exercise tutorials on YouTube you can do in 20 minutes or less. From stress-relief yoga to core workouts and flexibility exercises, you can find practically any type of workout!

No Excuses

Now that you know how simple it is to find time and place for your travel nurse workouts, there are no excuses.

However, staying truly healthy also includes eating clean. Ordering a takeout after a hard shift or checking out that new bakery might be tempting, but cooking for yourself might be the best way to stay fit. Additionally, no matter how busy you are, try to sleep regularly since sleep deprivation can contribute to weight gain and can ruin your hard work at the gym. You can also limit the intake of sugary drinks, alcohol, and junk food. Constant travel can take a toll on your healthy lifestyle habits, but once you get the hang of the job, you’ll be able to stay healthy and fit no matter where your work takes you.

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Megan Bebout