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.

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.

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.

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.

With a very catchy and memorable name Beauty and Bandaids is a great new blog written by a new travel nurse. She writes about, you guessed it, her experiences as she makes the transition to a travel nursing career and beauty tips.

Melissa, the author, is married as she embarks on her travel nursing journey so if you are interested on how to be a travel nurse while married then you should definitely check her blog out.

The blog is designed beuatifully and is easy to find your way around. Without a doubt worth subscribing to.

She is off to a great start so lets hope she keeps it going.

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

Whether you have one minute or one hour, you should take some time to say hello and introduce yourself to new people.

Everyone has different personalities with different strengths and weaknesses, and you may feel comfortable or uncomfortable taking the initiative towards meeting new people. Keep in mind that the other person probably feels the same way you do. While at work it may be a challenge to converse with co-workers while taking on an important role attending to others and fulfilling your role as a nurse, but asking others for their opinion or letting them know you are new to the workplace is a great way to break the ice. During your lunch break, try having lunch with a group of people; this will help increase your opportunity to meet people through others and connect with your co-workers in a non-working environment. It may be tough at first meeting a group of new people, but half the battle is having enough confidence. It will help to just be you. By taking the first step you could be beginning a new lifelong friendship. Here are some sites giving you more ideas on how to meet new people:

Five Friends Every Woman Should Have
SoYouWanna meet people in your neighborhood?
Making And Keeping Friends: A Self-Help Guide

Where to meet new people

When you have time to spare outside of work, try attending a variety of events such as: sporting events, concerts, art shows, theatrical productions, special interest groups, or joining a book club. Letting your new neighbors know that you are new to the area is a good way to strike up a conversation with the people in your neighborhood. Other ways to meet new people include: going to a coffee shop where the environment is relaxing and friendly; going to a bookstore where you can meet new people with the same interests; and shopping where you can interact with others with similar hobbies. Here are some sites that will give you more ideas on where to meet new people:

Friends wanted
No plans? Meet New People via Activities
6 Tips for Meeting New People When You Move

A few last tips to help you 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.

There are some great precautions you can learn and take with you when you are in your car, housing, working out or even while exploring your new area.

Car/Parking Lots

When walking to your car always have your keys ready in your hand to be able to open up your car quickly if needed. Possibly think about purchasing a flashlight, whistle, or something to protect yourself for your keychain. Create a safety plan and change up your routine by driving different routes to keep people from tracking you.

Make your car less of a target of getting broken into. If you have a stereo with a face plate, take it out when you are not in your car. Leave nothing valuable in your car, and if you do, put items in the trunk out of sight. Try to park your car in well lit areas and not on the street. This decreases your car’s chances of getting broken into or even hit.

Parking Lot Safety

Parking Garage Safety

Parking Lot Security

House/Apartment

“Safety first” has been a slogan everyone has heard when growing up. If you don’t feel comfortable then don’t do or go somewhere that you feel uneasy about.

If you live alone, keep that information unknown by making up a roommate or dog. Tell people you have a dog and give it an aggressive name like Spike. Find a neighbor or coworker to trust and let them know your schedule, so they know when you are going to be gone. If you are going to be gone for a few days have the post office or your trusted neighbor or coworker hold your mail. Also keep your schedule confidential so people don’t know when you aren’t going to be home – it’s easy nowadays to post these types of things of Facebook and whatnot, but we highly recommend against it.

Once again you don’t want to give people a reason to break in. Keep blinds shut on bottom floors so people cannot see in. Always lock your door when alone in your house and at night turn on lights around all inside and outside entrances. Alarm systems are great, but it is hard to get one when you are moving every 13 weeks. To fix that problem, you can get a fake alarm or just put a sign out saying you have an alarm system. Notify your landlord to cut overgrown shrubbery around your home so people can’t hide in it. At night keep your phone and something that could be used as a weapon by your bed just in case something does happen at night.

Apartment Safety Basics

Apartment Safety Tips

Working Out

If you like to go on walks, runs, or bike rides before or after work you should visit www.mapmyrun.com, www.favoriterun.com and www.sanoodi.com to map out safe runs in your new community. Try to work out in high populated areas or with a new friend from work. Work out during the day and at places you feel comfortable at. If you cannot find a place outside where you feel comfortable, then look to find a gym that you can work out at.

How To Run Safely

Running 4 Women’s Safety Guide

Additional Tips

• Take a self-defense class before or during your travel nursing assignment. It is important to learn to stand in a way to ward off people from thinking they can take advantage of you being new to their city. By doing this, it makes you more aware of your surroundings so you feel more comfortable in your community.
• Make sure you learn about your new city so that you don’t make wrong turns or end up getting lost in unfamiliar areas. Also, try to ask your new coworkers about where you should do your shopping and exploring, most likely they are from there and able to give you good advice.
• Another important tip is to put 911 on your speed dial to make it easier to call for help if you find yourself needing it.

“Safety first” has been a slogan everyone has heard when growing up. If you don’t feel comfortable then don’t do or go somewhere that you feel uneasy about. Learn and follow the steps to become “personal safety certified.” At TravelNursingBlogs.com we want you to be comfortable and safe wherever you travel.

National Crime Prevention Council

Impact Personal Safety

ISU Department of Public Safety

Routine monthly check-ups under the hood will do wonders for the life of your automobile.

Fluids

Look under your hood monthly to check fluids. Check transmission, engine coolant, oil, power steering, window washer, to help keep your car running smoothly. Get to know your car by learning where to check all the fluids. Check the car manual for a diagram of your engine and learn what your car requires. If you have never checked all the levels before have someone experienced run through it with you.

Maintain Your Car’s Fluid Levels

Car Fluids

Gas

Thanks to the increase in gas prices, it has been a highly discussed topic across the United States, but one way to save money is understanding the different types of fuel qualities. When pulling up to the pump, you have the option of regular unleaded, mid-grade and premium. Most cars only require regular unleaded and upgrading your car to the higher octane fuels doesn’t do anything for your car unless it’s made for it. With gas prices these days, there is no reason to buy the more expensive fuels. Conserving fuel can also limit your visits to the pump by maintaining the speed limit. This way you won’t burn an excessive amount of gas.

How Can I Improve My Gas Mileage?

Fuel Types

Tires

There are also a lot of people out there that don’t pay much attention to their tires unless they get a flat. Check your tire pressure once a month to help improve gas mileage. Keep an eye on your tires to see how they are wearing down. If one side is wearing down then it could be time for an alignment. People should get an alignment on their car around every 12,000 miles, and you should get your tires rotated around every 6,000 miles. To find the tire pressure for your car, check your car’s owner’s manual, and it is also noted on the tire themselves. Also keep in mind that during the winter the pressure should be less than in the summer.

Proper Auto Care

Automotive Care

Cleaning

Keep your car looking good too. Wash it at least once a month especially during the winter months when there is snow on the ground. This will keep your car from rusting as a result from the salt on the ground. Make washing the outside of your car and cleaning the inside a monthly routine.

Twelve Car Cleaning Myths

Auto Detailing

How to Clean Car Interior

These timely car care reminders will help keep your car running with fewer problems. As a travel nurse, you need a reliable car since you are traveling to and from every assignment. Take the next step to prevent your car from being on the side of the road. Make checking your car a monthly routine by taking care of your car like you would take care of any of your patients.

Winterizing your car

Even if you don’t live in the snow belt, it pays to run through a basic winterizing checklist to keep your car in top cold-weather shape.

How-to Winterize Your Car

Ten Tips to Winterize Your Car

There are so many (better) ways to keep in contact with those you care about.

Embarking on your travel nursing assignment is an opportunity to travel and experience the country, but being away from loved ones, family and friends can be hard at times. To help you capture and share memorable moments whether across the state or across the country we have some easy solutions to keep your friends and family in the distance even closer.

Your loved ones, family and friends are the most important people in your life. By staying in touch while traveling, you give the important people in your life an opportunity to observe what you are doing as a travel nurse and allow others to connect with your experiences as well. With the boom of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc., it can seem as though you never left… But alas, below are some old fashioned ways to do the same.

All of the ideas we have for you can be altered for anyone regardless if they are a loved one, family or friend.

Staying close with your significant other:

Being far from your significant other may be hard at times. These easy tips are ways for you both to stay connected and share memories even miles away.

• Before taking off on your traveling nurse assignment sit down with your significant other and create a playlist of your favorite songs and songs that bring back special memories. Have as many songs as you both would like with a variety of music that you can put in any time of the day to bring back memories and put a smile on your face. If you choose, tailor the music to different memories and different genres to play during different times of the day.
• When you are away create your own personal stationary of memories and pictures of your experience being a traveling nurse. Alter each letter to be different so each time your loved one receives it they will have a different letter of your experience and they can be a part of it. At the end of your assignment when you return home you will be able to gather all your letters and create a collage or scrap book of your experiences. Each letter will be different and will summarize your experience.
• If you both have access to a computer and are able to purchase webcams this is an easy and fun way to communicate face to face over a personal video conference. Webcams are an inexpensive way to stay connected and communicate across the country and see your significant other on the computer. By interacting online you are able to see each other every day and stay close even when you are miles apart.

Connecting with your family:

Staying close to your family when miles apart should be something that is fun and gives your family an idea of what you have been up to while on your travel nursing assignment.

• Creating a scrapbook of your adventure is a great way to share with any family members. Individualizing your scrapbook lets your family know you were thinking of them when away and you want them to experience what you did. Over the course of your assignment collect brochures and pictures of the places you have visited to make it personal and allow them to see where you have been and what you saw.
• If some of your family has access to a computer, create an online album that is easy to update so family members can check it at their convenience. Online albums such as Kodak gallery and Picasa are two of the many online albums available and are easy to use. Albums online gives you the capability to add photos and captions to personalize your experience.
• When you are away from home nothing is better than having your favorite meals that remind you of your family. Gather your favorite recipes before you leave and create a family cookbook of all your favorite meals. While on your travel nursing assignment plan out your meals to cook and the aroma and taste will remind you of home.

Staying close with friends:

Many times throughout your career close friends move away or relocate due to a job, especially as a travel nurse. Staying in touch with friends should be something easy and something you look forward to.

• If you have a group of friends that are spread out create a friends group to send each other gifts or pictures of your experiences. Rotate your group of friends to send each other memoires of your new town and scenery. Keeping in touch with friends and sharing your and adventures is what being friends are all about.
• Sharing similar interests, books and movies with friends is great ways to stay connected when miles apart. After finishing a good book or favorite movie send it to a friend with similar interests. Staying close to friends by sharing some of your favorite things shows them you haven’t forgotten about them and that you where thinking of them while reading or watching a movie.

With your career as a travel nurse, maintaining relationships and staying in touch with family and friends in your life can be difficult. With these simple tips nothing should be a hassle or take long for you to do. When staying close with your spouse, family and friends any one of these tips can be altered. Adding your own inspiration and making it personal is the best way to include a part of yourself in each project.

If you have some unique and other thoughtful ways of staying close to those you love and care for, please leave them in our comment section below.

Reasons to keep active

You may be surprised by the physical and internal changes that can take place when you stay active. As you already know, you will be able to lower your risk of many diseases including high blood pressure, strokes and diabetes. In addition, it will help you on the job. Research has shown that exercise can help you be more productive, and even friendlier on the job.*

Whether it is walking, running, weight lifting, yoga, Pilates or countless other exercise alternatives, the key is to get moving. By doing just 30 minutes of exercise three times a week you will be able to see improvements in your athleticism, balance, strength and flexibility. Not only does achieving a fitness goal lead to more self-confidence and self-esteem, but you will also notice improved overall muscle tone, more energy, and more stamina. Regular exercise can also help you sleep better, giving you more energy and less stress during your busy workday and life. Here are a few web sites with more general fitness information:

Fitness Online
Women Fitness
Fitness Magazine
Self
MSN: Men’s Fitness

Recommendations for keeping active

Going for a walk or run around your new location is a great way to experience the culture of an area.

Just because you are on the go as a travel nurse does not mean you can’t still get a good workout on the road. Even though you may not belong to a gym or are unable to take a lot of equipment with you on your travel nursing assignments, there are still good exercise alternatives available. Resistance bands or exercise videos/DVDs are easy to pack and can be very effective. And don’t forget your running shoes. Going for a walk or run around your new location is a great way to experience the culture of an area.

Visit these sites for information, advice and recommendations for keeping active without fancy equipment. Whether you are just a beginner or have been working out for years, there is something for everyone:

weightlossforgood: Exercise in the home
MedicineNet: No weight workout
WebMD: No Gym Required: How to Get Fit at Home
eDiets.com: Weight Lifting without Weights
Women Today Magazine: Workouts That Travel

Everyday Life

Make life easier with companies and services that are available across the US.

Open a checking account at a bank that is located nationwide. This will make it easier to deposit checks and get cash out of the ATM without any charges. This is much more convenient than having to worry about finding your bank in a new city every 13 weeks.

Bank of America

U.S. Bank

Wells Fargo

These days less and less people are using landline home phones. Some travel nursing companies do set up a landline for you in your new home, but changing your number every 13 weeks can be difficult for people to keep up with. Get a cell phone with nationwide coverage allows you to have one number that doesn’t change, and you don’t to have to worry about calling cards and long distance fees. It will also make it easier for your family and friends to keep contact with you.

Verizon

Sprint

Alltel

AT&T

On the Road

AAA is best known for its roadside assistance, but it offers more than just that. You can also receive different types of discounts from hotels to dining. Some of the perks are prepaid 24-hour emergency towing, locksmith, tire change, fuel delivery and maps. With AAA, you can travel without the fear of being stranded.

AAA

Nobody wants to be lost on the road and GPS is a way to help you get avoid that situation. It can be used for local help or even for a road trip cross country, and assist you in learning your way around your new home without getting lost. Just imagine finding the stores you need to without driving around wasting gas. Another option instead of GPS is navigation on your cell phone. Companies are now offering GPS on your phone for about $10 a month. These services come with auto-rerouting, mapping, local searches by name or category, and place messaging.

GPS Reviews

Garmin

Dell

Circuit City

Health

Everyone always wants to keep in shape, so it is a good thing 24-Hour Fitness, Bally’s and Life Time Fitness offer nationwide memberships. Make it easy to get your workout in, get a membership that can be used in multiple states. Keep in mind that these gyms aren’t in every state, but try to pick the one that will be in most of the states you work as travel nurse in. Each club has their own types of memberships. You just need to find the right one for you.

24-Hour Fitness

Bally Total Fitness

Life Time Fitness

Sometimes after working the floor all day, making dinner is the last thing you want to do. Well you are in luck. There are websites where you can order meals online. Order in advance to be able to get the meal on a certain day, or if you are planning on having people over then you can order an appetizer for your guests.

Home Bistro

Dine Wise

Schwan’s

Entertainment

To help relax when on assignment after a long day of working the floor, watching a movie is always a good way to clear the mind. Netflix and Blockbuster both offer movie rentals by the mail. There are no late fees, so you can have the DVD for as long as you want. With no late fees, you don’t have to watch the movie in two to seven days. You can wait to find a convenient time for you. Depending on your plan, you can have one to three DVDs at a time. This makes it easier than driving around in a new place trying to find a store while on assignment. Plus with the gas prices rising, it is a good way to save money.

Netflix

Blockbuster

Another thing to think about is possibly spending some money on a XM or Sirius radio. This way when you are driving across the country you will always have a radio station you enjoy to listening to. You will also be able to listen to the radio at home, online and on the go. It offers commercial free music, sports coverage, breaking news reports, a traffic navigator and weather updates.

XM

Sirius

Remember, keep your life simple. These few nationwide memberships can make your travel nursing experience that much more enjoyable. There is no need to worry or stress, when traveling is becoming easier every day.

The sweepstakes which started last week is open to any and all traveling healthcare professionals, specifically traveling nurses like yourself and will continue through October 31st. It’s easy to enter and even easier to win! Each week, twenty travelers will be chosen and the winners will receive a Mobile Phone Accessory Kit ($74.99 value) complete with portable battery, car charger and other connection devices made for smartphones like the Android and iPhones. Also, all entrants are eligible to win the Grand Prize of an Apple iPad 2 at the end of the sweepstakes. Enter as often as once per day to increase your chances of winning… If you don’t win this week, you certainly can win in the following weeks.

Visit MedicalSolutions.com on your phone, click the "contest" button and enter for your chance to win!

One important part of the sweepstakes is that you’re only able to participate through your mobile device or smartphone. Medical Solutions recently went through a brand change and has added a mobile friendly website to its arsenal. The sweepstakes was launched to help bring attention to its newest tool, one which will undoubtedly change the way a nurse can seek employment, on the go. So if you like winning and you have an iPhone, Blackberry or any of the Android based phones, take a look at the Room 2 Roam Mobile Sweepstakes and get yourself in the mix. Your chances of winning are great and the possibility of finding your next assignment with Medical Solutions is even greater!

Here’s the link to the page that will help you with how and where to enter Medical Solutions Room 2 Roam Mobile Sweepstakes.

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 force a smile it looks unnatural, but when you act natural it is more comfortable and inviting to others.

Everyone has different personalities with different strengths and weaknesses, and you may feel comfortable or uncomfortable taking the initiative towards meeting new people. Keep in mind that the other person probably feels the same way you do. While at work it may be a challenge to converse with co-workers while taking on an important role attending to others and fulfilling your role as a nurse, but asking others for their opinion or letting them know you are new to the workplace is a great way to break the ice. During your lunch break, try having lunch with a group of people; this will help increase your opportunity to meet people through others and connect with your co-workers in a non-working environment. It may be tough at first meeting a group of new people, but half the battle is having enough confidence. It will help to just be you. By taking the first step you could be beginning a new lifelong friendship. Here are some sites giving you more ideas on how to meet new people:

Five Friends Every Woman Should Have
SoYouWanna meet people in your neighborhood?
Making And Keeping Friends: A Self-Help Guide

Where to meet new people

When you have time to spare outside of work, try attending a variety of events such as: sporting events, concerts, art shows, theatrical productions, special interest groups, or joining a book club. Letting your new neighbors know that you are new to the area is a good way to strike up a conversation with the people in your neighborhood. Other ways to meet new people include: going to a coffee shop where the environment is relaxing and friendly; going to a bookstore where you can meet new people with the same interests; and shopping where you can interact with others with similar hobbies. Here are some sites that will give you more ideas on where to meet new people:

Friends wanted
No plans? Meet New People via Activities
6 Tips for Meeting New People When You Move

A few last tips to help you 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.

The majority of travelling nurse jobs range between 6-13 weeks. Depending on what type of assignments you are looking to take and the length of each will be factors in what you may wish to bring with you. A key factor is to ensure you bring just a little touch of home with you to make your stay just a little more comfortable.

Getting to your Assignment

You will want to ensure your vehicle is reliable and properly maintained. Follow the regular scheduled maintenance plan as outlined in your auto manual. This practice of preventive maintenance will prove a smart choice as the miles begin to add up after each job.

Investing in a GPS, Global Positioning System will ensure accurate directions, times and distances to your assignment. Many GPS now come with free map updates as well as live traffic alerts and reroute options. The live traffic alert feature can save you a whole lot of trouble an aggravation on unfamiliar roads.

A few basic items for your car should be, jumper cables, first aid kit, flashlight, break down kit, properly inflated spare tire and hopefully an updated road assistance membership.

A Little Piece of Home

A six – thirteen week assignment, in a starkly furnished apartment, can feel like a lifetime from home. Bring a bit of home with you. Do you have a favorite candle, soap or even dish detergent? If so, pack it and bring it to your assignment. You will find that just a small touch of home, on the road; will be a nice welcome home after a long day on the job.

A large part of travelling for work is to make sure you are comfortable with your surroundings and they feel like home. Having a comfortable place to return from a long day today can make all the difference in keeping a positive attitude tomorrow.

Dress to Impress

You have had a long workweek, long hours, an unfamiliar workplace and lack of friends. At this point, a couple of favorite’s mobile apps can become your new best friend. “Around Me” is one such app that will calculate your position and advise you of a variety of different locations such as restaurants and attractions, “around you.”

A travelling nurse will pack the staple scrubs, white shoes and typical nursing attire. Be sure to bring a black skirt or pair of pants, pair of evening shoes, earrings, tank top (to which you will cover with a light sweater) and an evening shade of lipstick.

These few items will afford you the opportunity to have an evening out without all the fuss of a closet full of choices. Packing smartly, with a few choice outfit pieces, which can easily flow from day to eveningwear, will prove invaluable when away.

The key to packing smartly is to ensure you have a full array of clothing options, for any situation you may find yourself in, without dragging out the steamer trunk. Black, white and gray all prove to be great color combinations easily livened with a splash of color or even your favorite piece of jewelry.

Working away from home doesn’t mean you need to feel alone or that you live in a Holiday Inn. Take a few choice items with you, pack wisely and have a blast while making money.

Jessica Bosari also writes for TherapistSchools.com, a site that helps students get the tools and information they need to prepare for therapy careers, such as information on the best physical therapy schools.

These ideas are fit for hot and muggy summer days or mild summer nights in all states and are fun for everyone, young or old. Engaging in these activities is not only a good way to bring back the inner child in you but allows you to venture out and enjoy the last of summer.

1. Attend a County Fair: Take a walk through the fair and enjoy the activities, grab some authentic fair food and play some midway games for a fun evening or a laidback day. Check out event dates for either the local fairgrounds or a close by County.

BreedersWorld.com – Listing of State & County Fairs
WeekendEvents.com – Listing of State & County Fairs
Yahoo! State Fair Directory

Ride your bike to the park and have yourself a nice picnic with friends and family.

2. Go for a bike ride: Taking a bike ride on a cool summer night is not only relaxing, but a great way to spend time with friends or find some quiet alone time while doing something healthy for you. Intermediate or advanced, there are conditions and locations for all levels of biking in the summer in all locations.

Pedaling.com
TrailSource.com
Trails.com

3. Throw a BBQ or Picnic: On a cool summer evening or toasty afternoon get together with a group of friends and family, enjoy the day and the essence of summer with the people you enjoy. By making it a potluck event you will reduce the stress of being responsible for all the food, freeing yourself up to enjoy great company and of course food!

Barbecue’n On The Internet
Fiesta Barbecues
Evite.com – Picnic Party Ideas

4. Pick fresh fruit: Before the trees are done bearing fruit and the berries are all picked, go out one last time and pick some fresh fruit and enjoy the summer day. Make some homemade jams and pies and if you have leftovers freeze them, it is always a good way to bring back the summer treats in the winter.

PickYourOwn.org
Tips on Picking and Using Strawberries

5. Go fishing: Lake, river, or ocean, take some time to relax, catch some fish and get a tan before the days become too cold. Enjoy the great outdoors, it does not matter if you catch ten fish or any fish at all, enjoying this hobby or trying it for the first time is always a good experience and a great way to spend time with friends.

Best Fishing Tips
TakeMeFishing.org

6. Watch the sunrise/sunset: On a weekend morning, try getting up earlier than normal to watch the sunrise from a local park or lake, bring a cup of your favorite coffee and savor the moment. It is a great reminder of how wonderful life really is and a chance to appreciate summer.

SunriseSunset.com
U.S. Naval – Observatory Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day

7. Attend a concert in the park: Attending a summer concert at many parks is free. You are able to bring your own food and drinks and have the freedom to come and go as you please while enjoying the relaxing music. Many cities and towns also offer free movies at dusk in the park showing classic movies from Casablanca to Grease.

TiBConcerts.com
AOL – local city guide

8. Go to the zoo: The zoo is fit for all ages and is a great way to get some exercise walking around before the warm days come to an end. Check out the times at your local zoo for animal shows and gather up some friends and family to enjoy the wildlife and have a “wild” day together.

Smithsonian – National Zoological Park
Association of Zoos & Museums
Zoos Worldwide

9. Shop at your local Farmers Market: Most places all over the United States offer free to the public Farmers Markets with locally grown fruits and vegetables. Most have many other wonderful products only available at these markets. Fresh foods inspire most people to cook and experiment with new recipes or to make old time favorites, another great way to do something you enjoy and it’s good for you.

Find your state’s local farmers market
LocalHarvest.org

10. Go to a baseball game: Whether a college, minor or major league baseball game attending a game is a great way for family bonding or going out with close friends. Enjoy the loud and enthusiastic atmosphere and make sure to grab hotdog and peanuts to complete the nostalgic feel of a baseball game.

Baseball.com
MLB.com
MILB.com

You may be thinking “I’m only going to be there for three months, how much unpacking do I really need to do?”

Well for starters living our of boxes is just going to create an extra stress to your life that you just don’t need. Plus 3 months is a lot longer than you think.

Secondly, If you forgot something important you will find out much quicker when you are unpacking. Waiting until the first day of your assignment to discover that heels are the only shoes you packed is not a good way to get started.

Finally, you may just absolutely love the location and the hospital and decide to extend. Wouldn’t that be an easier to decision to make if you were already unpacked?

OK, so now that we have established how important it is for you to unpack how can you do it as quickly and easily as possible? The more you travel the more you will establish your own routine, but these tips are for those of you just getting started.

How much you have to unpack can depend a lot on whether or not you took housing from your travel nursing company or if you decided to take a stipend and set up your own housing. But either way these tips should help you out.

The first thing you will want to do is unpack your boom-box, stereo or iPod and get some of your favorite upbeat music playing. This will help you get in a rhythm, which makes everything go faster.

Next move each labeled box or tub into its appropriate room. You did mark your boxes right?

After that take a look at the furniture, is is it where you want it? If not move it now, before you get everything unpacked.

Unpack your ”essentials” box first if you have one. Having one is a good idea so that if you do find yourself in a pinch for time you can just unpack that one box and still be able to function and get to work.

After the bathroom is done, move on to your bedroom. Take some time to make sure it is going to be a comfortable place for you to get a good nights sleep each night, but especially the first night.

If you have kitchen items, especially if you set up your own housing, then unpack that next. You will probably want something to eat once you are done right?

Then move onto the living room and unpack any other miscellaneous items you have like a bike, or pet supplies, etc.

Finally, this is a great chance to throw out anything you don’t need or think you over-packed.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the Travel Nursing Checklist.

Do many travel nurses travel in RV’s or campers? Do you know if it is difficult to find camp sites new travel locations? Any input you have would be appreciated.

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

I’m not sure I would say many travel nurses choose to travel in an RV or camper, but there are definitely some who prefer this over company provided housing.

If you do not already own an RV, you will have to consider many factors in your purchase. How large an RV will it take to meet your needs? Is it an all-in-one unit that would need to be driven to work? Or would you tow another vehicle behind it to use to get to and from work? Or would you purchase a pop-up or a fifth-wheel that could be detached from your tow vehicle?

You would also have to consider where you wanted to work as a traveler. If you are interested in “big city” facilities located in large metropolitan areas like L.A., New York, or San Francisco, that would certainly make finding a campground close to your assignment more of a challenge (although not impossible). However, if you work in places like Flagstaff (to be close to the Grand Canyon), or Northern California locations (to be close to Yosemite), then you might find several places from which to choose. An internet connection is all you need now days to find options for RV living. KOA has locations throughout the US and typing “campgrounds” into any search engine will help you find a spot just about anywhere in the world.

Traveling and living in an RV is not for everyone, but if that is your cup of tea, a little planning shouldn’t hold you back from just about any travel assignment out there.

Hope this helped.

David
TravelNursesBible.com

Yet, when it comes to calming their mind and body, Travel Nurses fail to follow their own advice.

Travel Nurses are great at caring for others, they often fail miserably at caring for themselves. Traveling Nurses push their needs aside and focus their energy on patients and their families, their own spouses and children and their communities to the detriment of their physical, mental and emotional well-being. This is not a good thing.

Simple breathing exercises and stretches through the day can do wonders for your body & soul.

Being a Travel Nurse takes a certain mentality where you often put others ahead of you, it just comes with the territory. But how long can you continue to ignore the needs of your own body before it becomes more of a hazard than help? It’s obvious that in order to be at your best, you have to feel your best and taking time for ones self through the day can do wonders for your mind, body and soul.

One technique in particular can help you stay grounded throughout the day…Have you ever heard of yoga? Well, it’s not like you need to break out the yoga mat in the middle of the ICU unit or anything like that. No, all you need is just a few moments to use certain elements from this practice. Breathing and minor little stretches here and there can and will do wonders for your body and mind.

All you need is to find a little quiet place and in less than five minutes you can recharge yourself and get through the strenuous day of a Travel Nurse, or any Nurse for that matter. If you don’t have five minutes, do yourself a favor and do some neck rolls or stretches right there behind the Nurses station, or just take some deep, deep breaths and collect yourself.

To help Traveling Nurses rein in stress and clear their minds, practice pause breathing. To perform this technique, inhale imagining you’re filling up your whole torso like a balloon. Pause for a few seconds and notice how you are feeling, then exhale pulling your abdomen in toward the spine, pausing again on the out breath. Follow this cycle for about seven breaths. Pause breathing can easily be practiced throughout the day, and, although it’s simple, nurses can reap loads of benefits from this practice.

These simple, daily practices can do a lot for helping you manage your life and get you through the grueling hours at the hospital. The simple act of getting in tune with your body and mind may reap huge rewards. Always remember to listen to your self, your body and take heed to what is going on, doing so is probably the best thing you can do.

For more relaxation tips and other helpful stress reducing practices, visit YogaNurse.com – helping caregivers give sacred service, enlightened health care & make a difference.

Professional Advantages

Cloud computing offers a plethora of advantages, not only to traveling nurses, but also to traveling professionals in any field. Through it, a person can access their e-mail, personal and professional records, and a full array of office tools from any desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone without having to even once transfer their records from one device to another. What’s more, they can do so at-will from any location with Internet access without any need to install software or set up a new account. No matter where they work from one week to the next, a traveling nurse will have ready access to all his or her data instantly without the need to back it up, carry it along or transfer it to a new system.

As an added benefit, the cloud obviates the need to synchronize data across networks and devices. Any important documents or information are available to anyone they have been shared with at any time from anywhere and with the utmost attention to security—though of course this is dependant on the user observing good password practices. Thus cloud computing not only makes the sharing of information more efficient, but also increases the ease with which it is shared.

Personal Advantages

The personal advantages of the cloud are just as pronounced. Through it traveling nurses can easily keep in touch with their friends and family by maintaining the same e-mail account, and having ready access to it, regardless of their location. Sharing pictures and videos is also a painless process, since you can just upload them to a globally accessible directory. Further, most cloud providers allow for free, real-time interaction through text, voice and video chat, enabling unprecedented levels of personal communication through the Web.

Maintaining consistency despite travel also makes it far easier for traveling nurses to stay on top of their social media. Simply by maintaining a constant e-mail address, they no longer have to put up with the headache of changing their user settings on the myriad sites they frequent. What’s more, many social media sites are jumping on board with cloud computing and allowing users to integrate content from their cloud into their blog, wall or forum and vice versa. We are rapidly approaching a point where all of a person’s online social interactions and shared files will be accessible from a single browser page.

The many professional and personal advantages traveling nurses can find in cloud computing speak for themselves. Not only can it improve the efficiency and ease with which they move from place to place, but also it improves their ability to keep in touch with and communicate with friends and family. Future developments in cloud computing will continue to increase its utility, ease of use and security as more people adopt into their daily lives. Ultimately the benefits of using cloud computing will only continue to grow as time passes. It’s clear that while the cloud is useful to traveling nurses now, in the future it may be an unavoidable and indispensable tool.

Patricia Walling is a graduate student working toward her Masters in Conservation Biology. She has both professional and volunteer experience in a hospital environment and currently resides in Washington state.