I’m sure many of you out there on a traveling nurse or allied assignment would love to be home for the holidays. Unfortunately not all of you will be able to. Remember, you are out there to relieve hospitals of their staffing woes and may have to cover for some while they take their holiday break. But f you are one of the lucky ones and have your time between assignments spaced out correctly, I have a tip for you. This morning I happened upon this site called airfarewatchdog.com. This site allows you to pick up to 5 destinations from your base airport and will send you daily or weekly updates as to airfare sales. Now I haven’t used it yet and don’t think I’ll get to this year (I only have 3 days left of vacation to use, which includes -cough- sick days). It seems like a pretty good site and lists most major airliines, including the elusive Southwest.

Of course, there are the other sites out there like Orbitz, or Priceline.com, but Airfarewatchdog.com seems to go that extra mile. It’s not a search engine like those other places. With this site, they actually do the research and give you the skinny, whether it is non-stop, how many seats are available and other important factors which are all sought out “by hand”. Also, many of the prices are unadvertised and short-lived, so you may want to get on it while the getting is good.

This may seem a bit pre-emptive, but like I said, summer is just about over and it’s time to look forward to the fall. I hope you can find the time away from your traveling assignment and get to visit friends and family.

As a traveling nurse you are constantly on the move and having to re-establish yourself, but one thing you can do where ever you go and the easiest, is recycle. Everything from paper, plastic, cans and glass are recyclable and in some states that you travel to it may be law to do so, so why not get in the habit already. Other easy ways to be green is to reuse containers as a way to store leftovers or pack lunches. You can also change out the light bulbs and use the eco-friendly low wattage bulbs and unplug electronics throughout the house that garner little use. These are all very easy first steps in being a green conscience traveler.

Some other simple green ideas that you can put in place deal with water consumption. We all probably take it for granted from time to time, but water is a vital resource and many don’t think much about it. Most of you will have the convenience of a washer and dryer in your residence and it is tempting to just wash the one outfit you want to wear. If you absolutely need to wash it without cleaning other clothes, change the setting on the washer to accomodate the smaller load. Most washers these days have similar settings. Another way to save water is to take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth. These are all great ways to conserve earth’s most precious resource.

I touched briefly on the subject of reusing items. Since you are constantly on the move and it is such a pain to find boxes for moving each time, so why not just save what you used the first time and there won’t be an issue. Whatever it came in, it can definitely fit in again. A great alternative to boxes are the big plastic containers that you can fill over and over again. You can get creative and find many ways to reuse things, from rubber bands, cloth napkins and diapers and cloth sacks for groceries, these can all make a difference.

Although it may seem as the latest fad to be green, it is something we should adopt for the rest of our lives. As a traveler, it’s a privilege to see this beautiful country and at this rate there won’t be much to see due to all the waste that is filling up the land. Do your part in reducing your waste, recycling your goods and reusing any and all things. We can all play a part in keeping the earth beautiful.

In this day and age, healthcare and hospitals are under heavy scrutiny due to the nursing shortage, patient acuity and so forth. Many hospitals are feeling the pressure from these issues and are looking to hire well qualified applicants as opposed to the average RN. Not to say, all RN’s are average, by no means am I discounting the skill and knowledge many of you possess. It’s just that hospitals are looking to fill their open positions with people who are highly educated in the advancement of nursing theory. These nurses generally hold a BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and will be able to handle many different areas within the field of nursing and have distinct qualities of leadership. Furthermore, having a BSN will open the door to many other opportunities you can pursue, such as an advanced degree (nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist).

There are many programs available to you in which you can take the next step. You can either go back to school at your local university or college that have a BSN program. You can also earn the degree through many different online programs, all of which are accredited by the CCNE (Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education). Whatever you decide to do, know that opportunities will be waiting. As a traveling nurse with a BSN you will have the chance to earn more money, pick better locales and jobs for your next assignment, develop further as a professional and be groomed to become a leader in the nursing industry. So what are you waiting for?

Let’s face it, rumors are a fact of life. I’m sure each and every one of us is guilty of playing a part in the rumor mill. Whether it was back in high school when you heard Susie dumped Johnny for Mike to go prom and you told your lunch table. Or maybe it was between family and that Uncle Jim lost his job because x, y and z. It all seems harmless at the time, but is it really?

Most of the time rumors start because there is a lack of information or truth pertaining to the subject. Rumor is defined as, a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts: a rumor of war. It’s difficult to separate ones self from being involved with such happenings, but there are ways to handle the situation in a professional manner.

As a traveling nurse, you will come into many new surroundings where you will not know a single soul and your only connection would be with the manager who hired you. So that is your point of contact and probably the one person you should be able to trust. There may be some chatty nurses and it could be real easy for you to feel accepted by playing along with their gossip, but in the end it can hurt you. Building trust among your peers is an important quality to your career, but that is not how it’s done. My best advice to you is that if you hear something derogatory or blasphemous, ask kindly to hear no more. Knowing such “information” can make you feel uneasy and add stress to your already hectic environment, so it is best to just avoid it all costs.

So what should you do if you are burdened with a rumor? If you do hear a rumor, either go to the source or speak with a superior to find out the truth. Before you prolong the gossip, ask yourself, “Is there a reason to pass on this information? Is it fact or fiction?”

So what’s the difference between the two, Travel Nursing & Per Diem Nursing?

Let’s start with Per Diem nursing. Imagine a world where you can pick the shifts you want to work, a job that doesn’t require you to work weekends or holidays. Have you ever thought that this could be possible? Well it is. Do you remember the days of elementary school when you’re teacher would be out sick for a couple days or absent for awhile because they had a baby and then you got the substitute teacher for the next month? Per Diem nursing is similar to that scenario, except now you are the sub.

Working Per Diem allows you to choose the hospital you want to work at and at what times with no requirements attached. Also, the pay rate for your time is much more than that of a staff nurse which is also very enticing. However, like most things that seem to good to be true, there are dangers with being a Per Diem nurse. Remember you are there at the hospital to fill in, and when that hospital has found a permanent replacement or there’s a shift in need, Per Diem nurses are usually the first to go.
What you can do though, is not rely on Per Diem as your main source of income and rather turn it into a supplemental source which enables you to earn more when you need it.

Now on to Travel nursing and it’s advantages, and yes, disadvantages. I imagine if you’re reading this blog you already have an interest in this field or are currently employed as such. LIke Per Diem jobs, you can pick and choose where you want to work. Whether it be in California or West Virginia, the opportunities are boundless. Unlike Per Diem jobs, you are guaranteed your shifts, however you may have to work a weekend or a holiday, which is a slight drawback, but just remember where you are. You wouldn’t be able to enjoy the white sandy beaches or breathtaking views of the Rocky mountains without having took the job in the first place. While under contract, your position is safe from cancellation and permanent staff members are usually the first to be cut. After you have fulfilled your obligation to your agency and hospital you are free to chose another location or if the need is still there, extend your stay at your current location.

There are many agencies out there that offer both Travel Nursing and Travel Per Diem jobs. When you sign on with an agency you will be provided with benefits such as housing, health insurance, retirement plans and shift differentials. There are also bonuses and other perks available to you when signing on with an agency, like Medical Solutions. So remember, do your research, explore your options and see what’s waiting for you… Outside your comfort zone.

There is however the other side. Some may not have the luxury of choice and like any job, it is not for everyone. Many are not able to travel as a result of family or other priorities. Like I mentioned earlier, the state of the economy is a major factor in the swing of appeal, or lack thereof. Some staff nurses are now having to pick up other shifts because their partners have lost a job or received pay cuts due to budget restraints. There is a plus side to this though, some of the hospitals experiencing the upswing in nurses wanting shifts is no longer experiencing a shortage… at least until the economy picks up again. When do you see the economy bouncing back?

As traveling nursing becomes more appealing to talented and experienced staff nurses, many hospitals will turn to traveling healthcare agencies such as Medical Solutions. Take the time to weigh your options and make sure you are prepared to become a traveler. You can learn more about what it takes to do so by reading the many other posts here at TravelNursingBlogs.com.

While we are familiar with the state of healthcare here in America, it should come as no surprise that many Americans are now seeking medical care from abroad. Within the past decade, the medical travel industry is beginning to really, take off. More often than not one can find the level of expertise and care to meet or exceed that of what one may be used to in the ole US of A. There are a few companies based here that offer exchange healthcare in countries like Brazil, Costa Rica, South Korea and many others. On another note, from major to minor medical emergencies one can expect to pay significantly less and without the hassle of insurance companies. So while you have the option to choose where you want to work and practice, the patients now have a similar option… Except their choices can be a little more exotic.

My hope is that I imagine the whole world will open it’s doors to one another and soon enough anyone and everyone can get the care they need and deserve. Until then… Be well.

So how does the upcoming election affect you and your position as a healthcare provider? Each election there are a number of pivotal issues that are addressed and none greater than healthcare reform. As a nurse or allied health professional you witness firsthand the importance of affordable and quality healthcare, but not everyone has the access needed. Unfortunately in the US there are 47 million people without health insurance, of those, 9 million are children. Besides the lack of insurance, it is almost impossible for one to pay for healthcare as costs are skyrocketing; Health insurance premiums have risen 4 times faster than wages over the past 6 years. The nation faces epidemics of obesity and chronic diseases as well as new threats of pandemic flu and bioterrorism. Yet despite all of this less than 4 cents of every health care dollar is spent on prevention and public health. So where does your candidate stand? Find out at Health08.org.

Well summer is fast approaching and most of us at some point in time will hit the road, rails or sky to venture to various vacation destinations, or maybe, to that new Traveling Nurse assignment through Medical Solutions? I for one have no plans as of yet, maybe a weekend jaunt here and there, but nothing major. I’ve done plenty of traveling already through the beginning of the year and all the while I was accompanied by new best friend, the iPhone!

Believe it or not, it is “My First Cell Phone!” That’s right, you read that right. I’ve held out for so long but came to the realization that having some means of communication is essential when traveling to foreign places for obvious reasons, like safety and security. I no longer have pockets full of little post-it notes with numbers written all over. No longer do I have to use a pay phone and feel like the only man on the planet without a cell phone… I mean, 4th graders even have cell phone nowadays!

So finally I’ve joined the ranks of the 21st century! What better way than with the iPhone. Of course it’s much more then just a phone. I can email, get on the net, check the weather, look at stocks, play games, watch movies and listen to music. That’s just the tip… There’s so much more, but I don’t want to bore you. My point being though… It would quite the tool when on your next traveling nurse assignment. I don’t know how many times I was asked to find a certain restaurant or see how late this store is open? Each time I was glad to help and it made the price of the iPhone a little more justifiable. Now when you’re out exploring your new surroundings, what better way to know who, what, when or where you are than with answers from your iPhone?! Sure there are other options, but to me, this is the ultimate gadget to have right now! Just ask my boss… He’s a PC guy and we “discuss” the pros and cons all the time.

Get those bags packed, check the oil, charge that phone and hit the road!

P.S. Today Apple is about to launch the latest and greatest… iPhone 2.0! Anybody want to buy my old one so that I can get the new one?

So as I’m sure you are all well aware, there is a wealth of knowledge available to you on this thing they call the internet. One site in particular that I’ve discovered today is www.travelnursingnews.com. Though it is not the best looking site out there, it is chalk full of articles and resources all pertaining to traveling, nursing, healthcare… All things you might have an interest in! Check it out, you just might learn something like I did. Did you know last year, over 100,000 nurses joined the workforce. Out of that number, most were over the age of 50! Many hospitals and other healthcare facilities are doing all they can to attract nurse back into the field by making their workload easier and facilities more accessible. This can only work for so long though… We need to reach out to the youth and stress the importance and dire need of new nurses. Let’s start today!