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Here are some oldies but goodies:

1.Valentine’s Cards: Buy a bunch of children’s Valentine’s Day cards and send one everyday to your loved one until Valentine’s Day.

2. Capture the moment: Who doesn’t love photos? Make a collage with photos of the two of you or even just a bunch of photos of him/her and their friends. You can even find inexpensive snow globes at places like your local hobby store to insert your own photos into to create a homemade snow globe! You can also add photos to mugs, mouse pads, or calendars to spice up any loved ones life.

• Walgreens Photo
• Cafe Press

3. Be Betty Crocker: If it isn’t too far to send the baked good-try making some of the cookies below, everyone loves homemade treats. Otherwise, if you’re like a lot of people you can always just order cookies and have them shipped to your loved one!

• Valentine Suger Cookie recipe
• Valentine Chocolate Suger Cookie recipe
• Mrs. Fields

4. Coupon book: Make homemade coupons that you know the other person would love to have you do for them. Such as “I’ll do the dishes” or “One Free Back Massage” or “I’ll make breakfast” either way the coupons you create will be a sure hit.

5. Scrapbook: Make a page or an entire book of pictures of the two of you. Decorate the pages with quotes or stories that go along with each photo.

6. Flowers: Flowers will never go out of style. Just find a local store near where you’d like to send them and order away.

• 1-800 Flowers

Here are some new unique ideas to keep things interesting:

1. Jar of LOVE: Find a little box or jar and decorate it if you choose.

• Fill with pieces of paper with reasons why you love them or memories you have with them. Also spice it up with some quotes and/or drawings.

2. Email Valentine’s: There are a bunch of new ways to say “I love you” or “I miss you” through email “cards.” They are cheap yet are sure to warm any heart.

3. Buy A STAR: Buy your significant other a star. Nothing says you’re special to me like a star of their very own!

• International Star Registry

4. Perfume: Create your own perfume or cologne. You get to pick not only the way yours will smell but also the bottle it comes in and best of all… you get to create its name / logo for the bottle.

• ScentCrafters

5. CANDY: If they love M&M’s or Dove Chocolate, what could be better than creating a little message on the inside wrapper or a couple words on M&Ms! It’s a sure treat that your loved one will eat right up.

• Personalized M&M’s
• My Dove Chocolate

6. Photo Book: Create an actual hard cover book full of your choice of pictures! You even get to choose the design and color of both the pages as well as the cover.

• Our Hubbub – Photo Memory Books

Even though you may be miles away from your loved one, hopefully by reading these 12 Valentine’s Day ideas you’ll be able to easily surprise your Valentine with something they would have never expected. Sometimes the joy of holidays isn’t in the huge present you give or receive; it is the idea and meaning behind the gift itself. Make this Valentine’s Day the holiday you give out of love and creativity. Those seem to be the gifts that are never forgotten.

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

My wife and I are both nurses and are starting to travel nurse. Her experience is in home health, hospice and LT care. My experience is ED, cardiac and CATH lab. We have signed with a couple different companies, but they seem to be looking more for me and not for us together. Could you recommend a good company that would work for both of us to travel together.

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

There are a handful of agencies I use, but when referring people, I prefer to give nurses the names and numbers for specific recruiters, as these are the people I work with and trust. The nurse/recruiter relationship is very important in travel nursing and a good recruiter can make all the difference in the world. I prefer not to post those numbers online as some are direct numbers that dial in to a specific recruiter rather than going through the company switchboard (where most new travelers are routed). If you contact me at david@travelnursesbible.com, I’ll be happy to share with you the contacts I have at the companies I use and trust.

Just be sure that your recruiters understand up front that they need to secure a position for BOTH of you. I have worked with many husband/wife teams (work in a unit with two traveling couples right now). Be very emphatic if you need to, but make them understand that if they don’t find you two positions, they’ll lose TWO travelers to another company that will find you assignments. Do understand though that it might take some time if you are both new to traveling, but the more agencies you use, the better. It might even be possible to find you an assignment with one agency and her an assignment in the same location with another agency.

Email me and I’ll hook you up with some of the people I use.

David
TravelNursesBible.com
david@travelnursesbible.com

Being a travel nurse means you have the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends all over the United States. Making new friends is one of life’s richest pleasures and is a fun and easy way to interact with others while at your workplace or during your free time. Take some time and try out some of these ideas to help you meet new people, whether a new co-worker or a new neighbor.

Why you should meet new people

Because you are a dedicated travel nurse we know it can be difficult for you to find time for yourself, let alone meeting others. However, whether you have one minute or one hour, you should take some time to say hello and introduce yourself to new people. Doing this is the first step towards feeling connected to your new community and co-workers. Meeting new people helps you enjoy activities, can bring positive opportunities into your personal and professional life, gives you the sense of support through difficult times, and contributes to your experience when you have something to celebrate. Meeting new people also helps you get involved, share things with others, and connect with people at work.

How to meet new people

• When you meet someone for the first time it is important to be yourself. Being true to who you are is the most important thing and will show others your true character.
• Have a positive attitude. When you have an attitude that is accepting and you behave like you believe you will find you’ll get a better response from those that are around you.
• Be natural. When you force a smile it looks unnatural, but when you act natural it is more comfortable and inviting to others.

I am an experienced OR Nurse (over 35 years) and also an experienced Traveling Nurse. I have been permanent for the last three years and I am considering traveling again. I would like to know how the travel nurse industry is holding up (in our current economic situation) in terms of getting contracts that will allow the nurse to continue to be employed full-time within a travel nurse setting. In other words, is it realistically possible to get three to four contracts per year which would constitute full-time hours?

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

Hello.  As you might already know, 2009 was a bad year for the traveler with assignments down almost 50%. The following year was a “bounce back” year, but things were certainly not up to their pre-2009 state. In 2011, we only continued the climb, but I’d say that with hospitals around the nation facing state and federal cutbacks, we are not going to see anything like pre-2009 for a long time.

However, one thing remains and will continue for a LONG time. We are still in a nursing shortage, that by all accounts, will only continue to worsen. That means staffing needs throughout the country.

If you still have inactive (or active) licenses in a few states, you will be ahead of the game. The major thing is that needs are more immediate and the quicker you can interview, accept, and have license in hand, the better off you will be. Many travelers will now obtain their license before interviewing in a particular state (I believe all the travel agencies I use will still reimburse for that license if it is used on an assignment with them, even after the fact).

You might also need to be more flexible in assignment locations and if you were not using several agencies before, I recommend everyone be on file with at least two or three (I am currently on file with about 6 or 7).

So, if you understand how the market has changed, you should still expect to be able to work on a full time basis. Most of my years as a traveler have been spent on multiple extensions or repeat locations to help me limit my gap time, but you should still be able to keep traveling full time even if you need a change of venue every 13 weeks.

Hope this helps.

David
TravelNursesBible.com
david@travelnursesbible.com

So you’re saying to yourself, “I waste so much food when I cook by myself” or, “It’s just not worth my time and energy.” Cooking for oneself can both be fun and demanding. It is quite a chore to break down a recipe that is catered to four or maintain a healthy diet with take out. It’s fun, because you have total freedom in deciding what, when and where to eat, and eating a well prepared meal can equal an explosion of delight for the senses. Eating at home promotes healthy dining, it is less expensive and you get to actually concoct something of your own.

Lots of people, especially those in the healthcare profession often have a crazed schedule which in turn causes them to snack throughout the day, skip meals entirely, run through the local burger joint or another grab and go option. Neglecting meals or eating foods with high fat content can be damaging to your body and result in loss of energy. Most people today have careers that offer little in imagination so cooking can be a delightful way to step out of the box, be original, and use your creativity. There is more to life than the drive-thru, grocery store deli, and pizza delivery. Do something bold for a change: make your dinner. With just a few easy-to-remember tips you could be saving money and eating healthier! So what can you do to help yourself?

Plan Ahead

Make a list of menu items you’d like to prepare throughout the course of the week. While at the store it is always tempting to buy what you see, but try and stick to your plan. Also, never, never under any circumstance go to the store when you’re hungry. If you do, it is guaranteed you will buy something you don’t need, even worse, something you may regret. This will keep your budget under control as well as your waistline.

Shopping

Since you’re only cooking for one it is important to buy just enough of what you’ll need. Do go shopping once a month for the essentials and non-perishables, but try and make it a habit to frequent the store at least once a week to replace your veggies, milk and other perishables. When shopping for produce remember to buy small quantities, pre-packaged portions or frozen vegetables. Buy smaller cuts of meat, or ask the butcher behind the deli to slice the meat exactly as you like. This will keep costs down, your food tasting fresh and delicious.

Divide & Conquer

Making dinner for one can be quite complicated and often frustrating when trying to reduce the serving size. One way to combat this would be to go ahead and make the recipe as specified regardless of serving size and then freeze the remaining portions to eat at a later date. Casseroles, lasagna and stews are all great meals that freeze well. Another way might be to use a slow cooker or “Crock Pot”. The portions are large but this allows for plenty of leftovers for the week or, again freeze and store.

Make it Yours

Often times eating alone can be boring and monotonous. To make dinner more of an occasion, try setting the table with placemats, use your best plates and add some color with flowers as the centerpiece. Even the color of your food can be a factor in your enjoyment. Keep it colorful. Add a green salad, fresh bakery bread and your favorite bottle of vino. Remember this is your time, so make the most of it and more importantly, make it fun!!

Now after all these helpful hints you should be able to begin a regime that will keep your pantry stocked and your belly full. Of course there will be those days when you haven’t the time to shop for the necessary ingredients but want to keep eating right. Lucky for you there is an alternative. A new trend that is sweeping the nation is going to stores where you can pick out a pre-prepared meal and all you have to do is cook it. There are also places where you decide what to make and purchase all the necessary ingredients right there in the store. With all this available to you, one should never go a day without eating what’s best for you. However, we all have our guilty pleasures and we shouldn’t give up what makes us happy, at least in moderation!

Here are a few links for recipes and other dinner suggestions:

All Recipes
Rachel Ray
Martha Stewart
Supper Thyme USA

2012 will be a big year for us. We have started a web design business and two travel blogs. Additionally, we are considering the purchase of a large motor home so that we can become permanent travelers. That right there lets you know how we feel about travel nursing, but let’s go back to the beginning.

We became full-time travelers in October of 2011 and were recently asked about what led us into this lifestyle.  Was there a firm decision and moment of clarity that set our feet on the road? Sure, but it came after finally acknowledging the existence of, and giving in to, our own gypsy natures.

There is also a depressing aspect of our journey that, in my opinion, follows the decline of American manufacturing. As a maintenance electrician, I have witnessed the fall with my own eyes. I was one of the last to go as I watched Cessna Aircraft cut 10,000 workers in Wichita. Thus, with broken loyalty and fresh wounds, I quit my next job two months before they shut the plant down and absorbed the business into another facility. I couldn’t watch it happen again, but as you can imagine, it did.

Long story short, it was time for a career change. At some point during all of this, I went back to college for Web Design and started taking classes online.

Looking back, I can see that we were already “amateur” road warriors. In our 17 years of marriage, Melissa and I have moved 14 times and have lived in 7 cities. I literally dragged the poor woman all across the Midwest while I went from one manufacturing plant to the next.

What we learned is that dodging lay-offs and continually working for struggling companies places a huge burden on the entire family. The sad truth is that we have only been able to work the same hours for 6 of the last 18 years, and take one vacation per decade. It hurts because, after shopping, sightseeing is her passion in this world.

I can see now that we were damaging her resume while trying to maintain high wages and provide for the family. Because of this, Melissa has worked for seven different hospitals in the last five years prior to taking her first travel assignment.  We can joke about it now and refer to it as “travel training”.

As the situation and our emotions were heating up, here is a picture of where we were at:

• We had sold our last home 2 years earlier.
• Our current lease was coming up.
• Junior had gone off to college recently, so we were empty-nested.
• My “new” job required us to go days without seeing each other.
• Most importantly, Melissa was fed up with our lives and lack of adventure.

For as long as it takes Melissa to make a decision, the world sure moves when she finally does. Maybe she was just waiting for me to throw in the towel. I still don’t know, but here is how it went down.

I came home from work one day and said, “I give up. Manufacturing no longer provides an acceptable future. It’s time to deliver pizzas or something until I graduate.” She must have seen it coming because her reply was several steps ahead of me. She says, “Well, I have been speaking with a nursing recruiter lately, and I want you to be my Sherpa. You can finish college, take care of everything, and drive me to work every day while I make the money.”  Since Cessna took all my manly pride during my first layoff, all I said was, “do you want me to wear an apron?”

We were packed and headed for the mountains two weeks later and have slept in the same bed at the same time every day since leaving. Feels kind of like being married for a change.

The first thing to keep in mind is that all of the brands we carry are well vetted and there is something for everyone.  That is to say that there isn’t necessarily one brand that is better than another, it is more about finding what you want in a scrub set!

Cherokee Scrubs: Cherokee provides the largest variety of any of our brands.  It is actually really difficult to put all of the Cherokee products in one box, so we will break it down a little further.

• The Cherokee WorkWear line is the most popular selling line of scrubs in America.  This line tends to be your basic cuts and styles.  There isn’t a lot of flash but they are made to last, priced right, and are always available.  They have made the same scrubs for years and will continue to do so years from now.  The Cherokee WorkWear line has a history of consistency that is actually tough to find with other brands.  You don’t need to worry about finding a scrub you love and it being discontinued a month or two later.
• Cherokee Flexibles are a small line that has stretchy side panels.  There isn’t a lot of variety here, but the material is brushed and a little more comfortable then the WorkWear line.  The side panels also provide a feature no other brand has.
• Everything else….We could spend an entire article on just Cherokee, but if you have questions about any other Cherokee lines just let us know and we will be happy to help!

Dickies Scrubs:  Dickies is another trusted brand in the uniform industry.  They are known for being tough and long lasting.  Like Cherokee they have a variety of lines to choose from.  The “every day scrubs” line is very, very comparable to the Cherokee WorkWear line, it offers many of the same styles, great price point, and durability.  Dickies has a new line out called “enzyme washed” scrubs.  If you want to find a product that is super soft at a very reasonable price, then give these a chance.

Baby Phat Scrubs: One of the more popular “fashion” scrubs that is out there Baby Phat scrubs are a great option if you are looking for something a little different from your standard every day unisex options.  Our most popular Baby Phat scrubs come from the wide variety of animal prints that are offered.  They are definitely a great way to stand out and break up your normal rotation.

We will review more brands in part 2!

Nothing can help alleviate that tension like a good massage. The question is, what kind? There are so many different kinds of massages available that choosing the right one for you can be a stress all its own.

At TravelNursingBlogs.com we want the experience you have during your travel nursing job to be enjoyable and rewarding, so here are just a few quick overviews of the over 200 types of massage options that are out there. Each one can offer different benefits, so it is really just a matter of finding the one that fits your needs.

Deep-Tissue Massage
Deep-Tissue Massage aids in relieving chronic muscular pain and can speed injury rehabilitation. It also helps patients suffering from arthritis and tendonitis by reducing inflammation. A Deep-Tissue Massage utilizes techniques that affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia and require advanced training and comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology by the practitioner.

Reflexology
Reflexology is used to encourage relaxation, improve circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids and lessen pain. Reflexology has also been promoted as having the ability to help improve concentration, confidence and motivation.

Building on an ancient Chinese therapy method, Reflexology is the manipulation of the foot, hands, and ears, which are specific reflex areas and correspond to other parts of the body. Pressure is applied to these reflex “zones” to invigorate the body’s organs and clear areas of congestion. Using principles similar to acupressure, Reflexology uses the body’s energy flow to create self-healing and promote physical balance.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu can help alleviate painful conditions like asthma, back pain, headaches and stiffness. It can also help with depression while at the same time helping to restore a natural balance to your system. For the busy worker with lots of stress this is a great massage.

Originating in Japan, Shiatsu is a technique utilizing finger-pressure and acupuncture points. It focuses on improving the flow of energy and repairing balance in the body to foster self-healing. This treatment creates a feeling of relaxation while at the same time stimulating blood and lymphatic flow through the body. Shiatsu’s benefits may include pain relief and improvement in the body’s resistance to disease and disorder.

Nothing can help alleviate that tension like a good massage. The question is, what kind?

Sports Massage
A Sports Massage does pretty much what it sounds like. It is used to improve athletic performance and speed recovery. A Sports Massage can be helpful to an athlete during three phases of the athletic endeavor, either pre-event, post-event or for injury treatment.
A pre-event massage is given right before the event and can help to warm up muscles while the athlete visualizes the race, game or competition. A post-event massage is given shortly after the event and can help calm the athlete’s nervous system, as well as helping the body flush toxins and waste products that occur from competition. This helps shorten recovery time and allows the athlete to continue training much quicker than mere rest allows. Athletic injuries are also able to heal faster and better if a Sports Massage is utilized during the rehab process.

Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage is one of the most popular massage techniques. It offers benefits that can include better circulation, eliminating scar tissue adhesions and relaxation to allow for quicker healing and reduced swelling after an injury by keeping ligaments and tendons flexible. This is a great massage if your life or work requires a lot of physical work. It is an intense system designed to energize the body by increasing circulation.

Swedish Massage uses five basic strokes, which all flow toward your heart and manipulate the body’s soft tissues. The therapists utilize a combination of movements that include kneading, percussive, rolling, tapping and vibrational, along with applying oil in order to minimize friction on the skin.

Trigger Point
Trigger Point Massage flushes toxins out of the body and releases endorphins that promote healing. This relieves tense muscles and can help alleviate pain from injuries. Some of the areas that Trigger Point Massage can help with are back pain, bursitis, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder, low back stiffness, neck stiffness, sciatica, shin splints or tennis elbow. The goal is recovery from or a noticeable reduction in myofascial pain. Through a systematized approach this treatment relies on trigger point compression, myomassage, passive stretching and a regime of corrective exercises.

Successful treatment using Trigger Point Massage can be measured by a reduction in pain levels and an increase in endurance, range of motion and strength. Client and therapist interaction is vital in trigger point massage, the therapist asks the client to take their improvement into their own hands by paying attention to other health factors like nutrition, stress, exercise, mechanical abnormalities and other physical areas of their lives. Paying attention to these areas of their health can protect the client from a delayed diagnosis and treatment or even a conflicting treatment.
Massage is a proven stress reliever and being less stressed will help you perform at your best so enjoy. Hear are a few resources to help you figure out what massage is right for you.

MassageTherapy.com
MassageNetwork.com
HealthWorldOnline.com
About: Spas
ShiatsuSociety.org
NaturalHealers.com
Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy

All information contained in this article, on MedicalSolutions.com or in the recommended non-affiliated websites is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem – nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. See a physician before starting any exercise program or other therapy.  Sources: MassageTherapy,com and AskMen.com

If you are narrowing your focus on a particular area of study, you may be able to accept a position that will help to supplement your studies. For example, if you are interested in focusing on geriatrics or pediatrics, an assignment that will help you gain experience in these particular branches of medicine will help to supplement your education and add substance to your resume.

Aside from being a wonderful way to experience new places and a chance to work for some of the top hospitals in the country, travel nursing can also offer a great deal of flexibility in scheduling. Because you can often decide exactly how long a particular job will last, you can plan to incorporate a few weeks` study time in between nursing positions. If you find it too difficult to fit study time into your regular everyday schedule, plan for time in between work assignments to take an accelerated summer course. You may even be able to negotiate the cost of your schooling as part of your bonus package.

Time management skills become of the essence in combining travel nursing with continuing education. As a nurse you will already be competent in utilizing time management principles for patient care. Your own schedule is no exception. Common sense and adherence to a few classic techniques will go a long way in helping you to maximize efficiency. It may help you to get a diary and track your activities for a few days, in order to see where the majority of your time is spent. You will then be able to zero in on unexpected moments of free time that you could use for effective studying or for completing homework.

Once you’ve identified areas where you can free up time, write a to-do list so that you can budget your time most effectively and make sure you update it daily. It is also good to remember that travel nursing by its very nature helps you to simplify certain aspects of daily living that can free up time to focus on completing your degree.

Any work experience can have a positive effect on your resume and travel nursing also has the advantage of offering job opportunities at some of the country`s best hospitals. You may be able to coordinate your travel nursing job to take advantage of top nursing programs that are offered in your assigned area. For example, both Yale and Emory Universities offer positions to travel nurses and are also considered among the top schools in the country. With a little forethought and planning, you will be able to make the most effective use of your time and talents, as well as working towards completing your degree.

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Patient safety and quality care often hinges on the strength of the team’s communication abilities. In fact, The Joint Commission states that “communication breakdowns, whether between care providers or between providers and their patients, is the primary root cause of the nearly 3,000 sentinel events – unexpected deaths and catastrophic injuries – that have been reported to The Joint Commission.”

As a traveling healthcare professional, your ability to communicate effectively is critical to your success.

As a traveler you don’t have the benefit of working your shifts with familiar people who understand your communication style and you may not understand them easily at first either. You’ll need to take the extra step to listen closely and speak clearly to ensure you’re communicating effectively with your colleagues as well as patients. After a few weeks, you’ll begin to gain familiarity with your new environment and those strong communication skills will serve you well on the job as well as building relationships with your co-workers.

Of course at the end of your assignment you may be moving on to a new location and will start the process over again. Obviously your ability to communicate will play an important role in your success and enjoyment of your travel nursing or travel allied health assignments.

With so much emphasis on communication, it’s always a good idea to be aware of how you can improve your skills. So how does one go about improving their communication skills? Here is a list of links and tips to help you become a better communicator.

• How To Learn Assertive Communication In Five Simple Steps – This article offers 5 simple steps to improve your assertive communication skills. Practicing these steps can improve your abilities as well as help to reduce stress resulting from conflicts.
• How to Improve Communication Skills and Your Personal Style – This article will help you become aware of your communication style and the styles of others. You can use this knowledge to adjust your style and match other’s styles for more effective communication.
• How to Improve Communication Skills – Good eye contact and active listening are 2 steps of this article’s 6 step process to improve your communication skills.
• You can also look for books on the subject that can help you improve your skills. There are many titles to choose from and most of them will be able to give you some useful tips.

This is my first time traveling. I love my hospital. I LOVE my neighbors and the area I live in. When I went on-line I could not find an apartment that was furnished, that would accept 2 small dogs. Any suggestions on finding housing on-line?

Ask a Travel Nursing Housing Expert Answer:

There are several third party companies that provide fully furnished housing, it’s just the cost and location that may be difficult. Oakwood Corporate Housing, PC Corporate Housing, and Travelers Haven are just a few. If you are going to a small town they may not have apartments set up in that town, and in smaller towns it’s more difficult to find vendors that are willing to take pets. There are also apartment websites that give you the option of selecting furnished as an option. For instance if you go to Apartments.com, enter the town you are headed to, and then under Amenities you can check furnished available, hit update and it will give you the options in that town that provide furnished apartments.

It’s usually more cost effective to find an apartment and just rent the basic furniture if that is possible for you. Cort Furniture provides furniture and housewares which will make the move in really easy by having everything in the apartment when you arrive. If you are going to a smaller town where Cort does not deliver there is usually a Rent A Center in which you can get basic furniture and then bring your own housewares or purchase them. Please let me know if there are other questions you may have or if I can help you in any other way.

At first, signing up for these various programs seems like a great deal but later down the road, most don’t know how they work or what these loyalty programs are actually offering. In many cases, Travel Nurse loyalty programs are the same way. Each agency has their own version of such programs, some that are fairly simple and easy to follow, while others have many stipulations in place that make it nearly impossible to actually redeem any sort of bonus.

The paradox, says Mark Johnson, president and CEO of loyalty marketing think tank Loyalty 360, is that consumers are more engaged with and more 
demanding of brands than ever. “Loyalty is no longer about points for a purchase,” he explains. “Consumers are looking for ways to engage with brands who listen to them. Loyalty is about timeliness and relevancy. You have to understand each individual and how often they want to be engaged. Your offer must be unique and tailored to each person and delivered through the channel they want it delivered through.”

As a Travel Nurse, it is highly important to find that one agency that fits to your ideals and values, while offering you the best in customer service… However, if you’re just in it for the money, you may not have a chance to experience what it’s like to be a valued “customer.” In it’s most basic form, a loyalty program is designed to thank Travel Nurses for their devotion to the agency, and if you’ve found one that lives up to your expectations and offers a loyalty program, well that’s just icing on the cake!

Before signing any contracts with an agency, it’s very important to inquire about the various benefits offered, from paid time off to Completion and Loyalty bonuses. Read the fine print associated with the bonus programs, make sure that the goals set out are attainable and that your hours or points don’t expire within a certain amount of time. Many programs make it difficult for the traveler to redeem such bonuses let alone keep track of. Below we’ve listed a number of Loyalty Programs being offered to the Travel Nurse community. If you know of any others, please add them to our comment section.

Travel Nurse Across America – Complete 1300 hours of work (approximately 3 assignments) with Travel Nurse across America and enjoy your choice of cash bonuses, paid vacation, housing perks, or other rewards.

CoreMedica Group - CoreMedical Group rewards their travel nurse, travel allied health, and permanent placement staff by offering them the ability to qualify for the company’s all-inclusive, annual trip to the Caribbean.

Fastaff – The 3 level bonus program will apply to all assignments beginning or ending between 7/31/11 and 1/15/12. Bonuses will only be paid upon COMPLETION of an assignment.

Advantage RN – Advantage RN offers its travel nurses Loyalty Bonuses of $250 — $500 on every 13-week extension you accept with us. (Please note: nurses have the choice to continue their FREE single insurance OR receive a Loyalty Bonus with each extension.)

HGI Healthcare – We’re also with you every step of the way with rewards and other perks that demonstrate our commitment to RNs by rewarding you for your dedication to your patients, and your loyalty to us.

Onward Healthcare – Onward Healthcare offers one of the most comprehensive travel nursing bonus plans in the industry, including up to $5,000 completion bonuses for select travel assignments. These bonuses are paid upon the completion of your assignment and are detailed in your travel contract. We also offer renewal bonuses on select assignments of thirteen weeks or longer.

Aureus – Other bonuses, including sign-on and completion bonuses, vary from travel assignment to assignment but are often available.

Procel Nurses – All Travelers earn a Loyalty Bonus throughout the year. The bonus is earned upon each 1000 hours worked in one year. Your recruiter will tell you all about it.

Medical Solutions is also launching a new Loyalty Program for travel nurses at the start of 2012. It’s one of the easiest explained traveling nurse loyalty programs in the industry. Simply work 600 hours and they’ll pay you $600. Work another 600 hours and earn another $600… All throughout the new year.

Your first day at your travel nursing job will set the tone for the rest of your assignment. It is when will you need to learn the most. It is when first impressions of you will be made. And it is probably going to the most stressful day you face, merely because of the unfamiliarity and unknowns surrounding it.

Most likely your first day will consist of some sort of orientation. How extensive that orientation is depends on the hospital . In some cases your orientation may be brief and on the same day you actually start working on your unit, while others the orientation may be more thorough and will be all you will do that day. Either way though, having a great nights sleep is the best way to ensure that you will be prepared for the day. So take the time to establish a quality bed time routine as soon as you get to your new location.

Getting a good night’s sleep in a new location can be difficult so it is important to create a routine that is as similar to what you would do at home as possible. Here are some articles full of advice just for helping travel nurses get the sleep they need.

• Strategies for getting quality sleep
• Tips for Travel Nurses on how to get a good nights sleep
• Positive sleeping habits for a traveling nurse means consistency

Bundle up

First and most importantly, make sure that you have the proper clothing to keep you warm during freezing temperatures. A windbreaker and a sweater simply won’t cut it when you’re walking around in 20 degree weather. If you’re working in a city with a harsh winter climate, don’t hesitate to invest in quality winter clothes—it’ll be worth the money when the time comes. Starting from the feet and moving up, consider these additions to your wardrobe:

• Snow boots (waterproofed so melted snow won’t leak inside)
• Wool socks
• Thermal pants
• Thermal shirt
• Heavy, insulated coat
• Gloves (thin enough so you can use your fingers, but thick enough to keep your hands warm)
• A thick scarf
• A beanie or a wool cap

As a nurse, you surely know that most of your body warmth escapes through the extremities, so do your best to keep them the warmest of all! When you’re shopping for winter clothes, be sure to choose utility over fashion as the more fashionable clothes won’t keep you as warm.

Secure your car

If you have a car, you’ll need to be wary of the dangers brought on by severe winter weather. Freezing temperatures can render your car useless if you’re not proactive about securing it. Do yourself a favor and take your car in for a routine inspection to make sure everything is in order. When you take your car in for inspection, ask the mechanic to pay close attention to the brakes, the tread on your tires, and the belts and hoses under the hood. If the mechanic recommends chains for your tires, ask that they install them on your car to save you the trouble of putting them on yourself.

Also be sure that your car’s level of antifreeze is up to regulation levels. Antifreeze—like its name implies—helps your car fluids from freezing during extreme cold temperatures. Without antifreeze, your car would basically turn into a useless hunk of metal in freezing weather.

Be prepared for snowstorms

Ask friends in the area about the average snowfall during the winter months. If they tell you that the average snowfall can get to several feet, you should prepare your home in the event of a snowstorm. If you rent a house, invest in a snow shovel for clearing large swaths of snow and plenty of rock salt to thaw out icy pavement. Stock up on groceries if serious snowfall is expected in the forecast so you can cook at home while you wait out the storm. The same advice goes for those living in apartment complexes or condos.  Even if you aren’t snowed in during a snowstorm, it’s wise to wait it out inside until the worst of the storm has passed and it’s safe to travel.  People unaccustomed to snowy weather would be wrong to have the perception that snow is fun and festive, something not worth worrying about. When the snow starts piling in front of your window, you’ll be glad that you took steps to prepare properly.

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How can I estimate the taxes that will be taken out of my paycheck for the housing that the travel company provides for me (if I do not have a residence to claim)? How do I compare that to having a residence, tax wise?

Ask a Travel Nursing Housing Expert Answer:

Thank you for your question.  First, I must say that I am not able to give you specific tax advice. Please ask your personal tax professional. But I can explain how this works:

1. If you take travel nursing company provided housing, there are no taxes taken out of your paycheck for this, whether you have a permanent tax home or not.
2. If you do not have a permanent tax home, companies are not able to give you tax-free monies as a housing stipend. The reason for this is because of your classification as a “traveler” according to the IRS. A traveler is someone who takes a work assignment away from their home base for a specific, limited amount of time. Because you are away from your homebase for a work assignment, there are costs that you would incur that you would not have if you stayed home. Housing is one of those costs. If you do not have a permanent tax home, then you are never away from that home.
3. If you have a permanent tax home, then one of the options companies have is to reimburse you for your housing costs in a tax free manner.

In the end, it all comes down to what you are most comfortable with. Some will want to take the control of finding their own place to stay while on assignment, while others would rather have their company do the work.

Focused Environment

You want to pay special attention to your surroundings when you are planning to do a phone interview. Because technical difficulties can be common, you want to make sure that the interviewer can only hear the sound of your voice. Find a location that is quiet without any background noise or foot traffic. You should make sure that you are in a place that allows you to stay focused and distraction free. Also, pay close attention to your phone. While this may sound silly you should be sure that you have your phone charger with you in case your battery begins to dwindle. It may also be wise to remove earrings that might clank and make noises when the phone is to your ear.

Do Your Research

This is a step that any interviewee should take be it a phone interview or a face-to-face interview. You should be sure that you are educated on the specifics of that particular facility. Of course, because you are a traveling nurse, you know what to expect in general about a new practice, but you should be sure to know more of the specifics about your interviewer. You should try to gain an understanding of that facility’s particular interests and objectives. Going into an interview uninformed about your potential employer is a surefire step towards rejection.

Prepare Notes

While each interview will have a unique set of questions, there will no doubt be topics and ideas that are common throughout. It is a wise idea to prepare your answers to some of the standard questions you know will likely show up during the interview. Prepare these notes ahead of time so that you can give them some careful thought and consideration. However, you should not write out a script for yourself. Just jot down a few notes that can guide you in your answers. You want to sound natural and confident, not theatrical.

Relax

Obviously, staying calm and relaxed during your phone interview is important. Because the interviewer only interacts with your through the sound of your voice, you want to keep your speech clear, calm, and professional. Take a few breaths and make sure to even out your voice. Speak slowly and clearly. Staying relaxed during your interview will help you give the best and most accurate answers to the interviewer’s questions. One of the struggles with phone interviews is that silence over the line feels much more painful than when people are in person. Don’t feel like you need to fill every silence with your voice. Take time to collect your thoughts and catch your breath. You want to sound engaged and enthusiastic while remaining professional and knowledgeable.