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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.

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.

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.

Do you forward your mail to a new address each time you take on a new assignment? Would it be wiser to maintain a PO Box in one location or have it delivered to a trustworthy friend/family member and have him/her mail it in bulk periodically to your current location? What are your thoughts?

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

How you handle your mail is entirely up to you. What you need to know are the options open to you.

First, the USPS will forward your mail to a temporary address for the amount of time you would spend on a typical assignment (13 weeks). By contrast, the USPS will only “hold” your mail up to 30 days. So for many, forwarding the mail works best.

In my travels, I did a combination of things. First, for all of my professional licenses, I used either my mother or father’s address and then had them send me any renewals I needed. I also did this with my auto tags and insurance bills. It was simple enough for my dad to shoot me an email saying that State Farm wanted a couple hundred for my truck insurance and then go online to arrange payment through my credit union. He would also just store up whatever else came along and then forward it to me every few months. However, after awhile I figured it was easier to call every few weeks and we would go through the mail together. Almost every time I would have him throw out at least 90% of what I received.

With my credit cards, I would call and change my address so that I got those bills in a timely manner. I kept a secure list of the credit card numbers, security codes, and company’s phone numbers, so that every time I moved I would simply spend about 20 minutes calling up and having everything changed. Mind you, you have to be aware of when bills are due so that you do not miss a payment and having a credit union or bank that has online bill pay is a big advantage.

You can always maintain a PO box if you wish, but I figure that anything that I can go without seeing for 13 weeks is not something I really need to see anyway. If you were talking about getting a PO box and then having a friend or family member go pick up your stuff, why not save them a trip and just have it delivered to their address?

So as you can see, there are many options out there and no one single solution will work for everyone. Just remember when having a family member tend to your mail, they need to be someone you can depend on to get you the important things on time.

Hope this helps.

David
TravelNursesBible.com
david@travelnursesbible.com

Decorate

If you are spending Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years away from home you can still celebrate while on your travel nursing assignment. Just think of the fun activities you can do. For starters, decorate your house for each of the holidays. This is just a little thing to do that will help you feel better about the holiday season and less homesick. Don’t forget to put up a Christmas tree and lights.

Home Decorating

If you are not feeling like the usual turkey or ham dinner, go out to a great restaurant or make your favorite meal.

Holiday Dinner

The holiday dinner is an important subject since you are making it for yourself. If you are not feeling like the usual turkey or ham dinner, go out to a great restaurant or make your favorite meal. You can even go to the Whole Foods website and have them make a holiday dinner for you to pick up. Check restaurants in the area for any holiday dinner specials. You are the only one you need to please this year so eat whatever you want. How often can you have lasagna on Thanksgiving or lobster on Christmas?

Whole Foods

Celebrate with a New Friend

When you are working on your travel nursing assignment, wrap yourself up in holiday festivities by celebrating with patients and other staff members. After you get off your shift on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years, ask new friends who need someone to celebrate the holiday with to join you for a holiday get together. Have a holiday dinner together and then check out the local theater for a movie or watch a holiday movie marathon.

Keeping in Touch

To help keep in contact with family and friends during the holidays there are a few things you can do. Email your family and friends to catch up individually or send them all a Christmas newsletter. Have a conversation on instant messaging using a webcam making you feel closer to your family and friends. You can even set up your own website to have people be able to check-up on what you are doing and make a family blog that everybody can write on. Social networking is really huge in the community right now. Find out which one most of your family members are on and use it. This way it is easy to share pictures and videos back and forth between your family and friends. And of course don’t forget to send them presents in mail for the holidays.

5 Ways to Keep in Touch with Family and Friends Online

Elf Yourself

WordPress

Facebook

Twitter

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the time of giving, so give back to the community by volunteering your time. Volunteering is a great way to spend your free time this holiday season while on your travel nursing assignment. Do your part by helping out at a local soup kitchen or ringing a Salvation Army bell. If you do have to work Thanksgiving make the best of it. Be the one to get patients excited about the holidays. Plus the hospitals always serve better food on Thanksgiving, so take advantage of it.

Thanksgiving Fun and Games

Christmas

When December comes rolling in possibly look into going caroling at a local church or attending a local holiday parade. You can also continue volunteering after Thanksgiving in your community for the Christmas season.

New Year’s

Every New Year motivates people to make their own New Year resolutions. However, many people end up not being able to keep them. Make one that you know is reachable and if you do falter one day forget about it and get back on track.

To celebrate the New Year, find out information about the community your doing your travel nursing assignment at. Every place has their own festivities so why not join them in the fun. If you are a huge college football fan you can watch the bowl games and the Rose Parade.

New Year’s Info

New Year’s Resolution Tips

While you are on your travel nursing assignment away from family, always make the best of the situation. The holiday season can be as enjoyable as you make it. Your family is only a phone call away, and remember that you have the ability to make a patient and their family have a great holiday season.

Celebrate Alone

Festivals and Events

Donate and Volunteer for Charity

Here are a few other things to help you while navigating your career as a Travel Nurse… Check out these useful Travel Nurse tools, everything to help you start, from a cost of living calculator to a packing list to help you prepare for your next journey.

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

Here at Travel Nursing Blogs.com we are always looking for other travel nursing blogs and websites that we think would be of interest to our readers. Lately I’ve come across two new blogs chronicling the authors’ travel nursing career journeys.

The RN in a RV

This blog is about a nurse about to graduate with her BSN who then plans on getting her one to two year experience and becoming a travel nurse. Definitely a good read for other nursing students or soon to be nursing students planning on becoming a travel nurse too someday.

Food, Fitness, & Fun in All 50 States

In her blog Kelli, who is the wife  of  a travel nurse, outlines the life of a travel nurse and the spouse or significant other. She writes on a wide reange of topics including answering questions about travel nursing, plus how to make the most of the adventure and how to find fun things to do in the cities you travel in. You can of course also read about her and her husband’s adventures as well.

If you are considering a travel nursing career both these blogs are good ways for you to get a glimpse into the life before you start, so check them out.

At this point your stuff is all unpacked and it’s been a long drive. You are tempted to crawl into bed and sleep until you are supposed to be at the hospital. Don’t.

The first thing you need to do now is find where the hospital is. The experience you have on any of the travel nursing jobs you ever work will be heavily impacted by the impression you make on the first day. So arriving late because you got lost on the way to the hospital is not a good way to start.

Even if you have a GPS don’t rely solely on it. It still will be helpful if you have made the drive the once and are somewhat experienced driving int the city.

But don’t just pull up in the hospital parking lot and go home. Find out where you should park and and get out and go in. Find your unit and try and familiarize with the layout of the hospital. You don’t have to check-in or anything (unless of course you are in a unit that requires a sign in like Labor & Delivery or ICU), just walk around and get a sense for where everything is. Of course if the opportunity arises, introduce yourself to any other nurses you meet, but don’t feel pressured to do so at this point.

Now, you can go home and rest.

Blow your nose frequently: by blowing your nose often rather than sniffing mucus back into your head.

It’s that time of the year again when our schedules are getting hectic, the weather is inconsistent and the common cold and flu can get the best of us. As a Traveling Nurse you are on the go and it’s very important that you stay healthy and feel good on and off the job. Let’s review some of the symptoms of the common cold and nasty flu and also look at some suggestions to help prevent you from feeling under the weather this winter.

Symptoms of colds and flus

It’s the yearly colds and virus that can put us down for a period of time and makes us feel uncomfortable. Colds usually are not dangerous to your overall health but may set you back with symptoms including:

• Generic stuffy nose
• Congested headaches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Decreased appetite

Colds generally settle in the nose. While symptoms usually last between 1 and 5 days, most often symptoms are over within 7 days with possibly a lingering cough for another week.

Flus are similar to colds but you may have symptoms which can make your entire body feel sick instead of just settling in the nose. Flus can take many forms but the most common form includes the following symptoms:

• Abrupt high fever ranging from 102 to 106
• Body aches
• Flushed face
• Loss of energy
• Dizziness
• Vomiting

After 2 to 4 days the symptoms of the entire body begin to slow down and respiratory symptoms begin to increase. Viruses can settle anywhere in the respiratory track which produces symptoms of a cold.

The main difference between a cold and the flu is that you have a better chance of preventing the flu. Every year scientists gather data to produce vaccines to prevent the flu. Vaccine results can vary from year to year but are a valuable tool in prevention.

DrGreene.com – Caring for the Next Generation

Home remedies for the cold and flu:

• Drink plenty of water: by drinking plenty of water it helps to cleanse your body and wash out your cold and flu. Also, try adding a little lemon to help balance the pH and keep your body hydrated.
• Feed a cold, starve a fever: The best way to remove congestion is to reduce your food intake. You are ill because of congestion and if you feed a cold, you need to starve a fever. Drink plenty of fresh fruit juices, vegetable juice or broth to help the hunger.
• Blow your nose frequently: by blowing your nose often rather than sniffing mucus back into your head, you will loosen up the pressure improving your breathing.
• Rest: Getting plenty of rest helps your body strengthen your immune system which will fight off colds and flu’s.
• Take a hot shower: Hot showers or a bath helps to moisturize your nasal passages and releases congestion which can make you feel better.
• Gargle: An easy home remedy is to gargle; it is a simple way to moisten a sore throat. Try adding a teaspoon of salt in warm water, the salt reduces the tickle and scratching in your throat.
• Use salve under your nose: Salve can help save the skin around your nose from frequent tissue use, using a mentholated salve can have the added benefit of clearing your breathing passages too.

9 Tips to Treat Colds and Flu the ‘Natural’ Way
6 Quick Tips to Avoid Getting Sick and What to Do if You Do
7 tips for new travelers

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.

• Organizing your travel nursing life – Researching the travel nurse industry
• Organizing your travel nursing life – Signing up for Evernote

Step 1:

The first thing you will need to do is list out the companies you want to compare. You can look at as many as you want, but considering there are over 300 companies out there for you to choose from you may want to narrow that number down to something that you can actually handle. To get you started here are some links where you can see lists of the travel nursing companies out there:

• Ultimate List of Travel Companies
• The Travel Nurse Company List
• Travel Nurse Company Ratings

Step 2:

The next thing you need to do is list out the things that are most important to you when looking for a travel nursing company, whether it is  benefits, pay, job locations, personal service. You will use this list to evaluate each company that you listed in Step 1.

Here are some resources to help you get started:

• Questions to ask about travel nursing pay
• Questions to ask a travel nursing company about themselves
• Questions to ask to ensure you get the travel nursing housing that meets your needs
• Questions to ask about what your travel nursing job will be like

Step 3:

The next thing you will want to do is open Evernote. Simple enough.

Step 4:

Now you need to create a new Notebook.  To do this just click File>New Notebook. Be sure to name it your first company and don’t forget to make sure  it is a Synchronized Notebook, that way you can update it no matter what computer or smart phone you on.

Step 5:

Now open your new Notebook and the Internet, any of the major browsers will work but each one works with Evernote a little differently. Google Chrome and Firefox are probably the best, but Internet Explorer will work just fine too.

Step 6:

Now it is time to start gathering the information on each company. So open your favorite search engine, be it Google or Bing and type in the name of the first company you want to look at.

Step 7:

Create an overview Note for the company. You can do this very quickly by going to the companies About Us page (most sites will have one) and clipping it to your Notebook.

*If you are a visual learner you might also want to first add the company’s logo to your Notebook. You can do this by using Evernote’s cool Print Screen tool. Hit the Print Screen key and it the tool will overlay your screen and let you clip just the part of the page you want to take a Print Screen of, then you can clip only the part of the screen you want and then do one of three things, Clip Selected Area to Evernote, Copy Selection to Clipboard or Save Selection to File. In this case you will want to add it to Evernote and then name that note the company name.

Step 8:

Now you are going to start going through each of the areas you listed as important to you in a travel nursing company.  You will be building a new note for each area, so for example when you are done you will have a Benefits note for each company and a Housing note, etc. To do this simply find that page on the travel nurse company’s website you are looking at then highlight the important text and right click on your mouse and click Add to Evernote.

Step 9:

Then simply repeat Step 7 for each area or benefit you have for each company.

Step 10:

Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for each company on your list.

Step 11:

Now that you have a built your own travel nursing company research book you can look at them all in one place and make quicker comparisons between them all when you are looking at for a new company to work with.

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