5 Completely Attainable New Year’s Resolutions for Nurses
With 2018 right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to sit down and put pen to paper by writing down your goals. Life can be busy and sometimes New Year’s resolutions can seem unattainable so we’ve made a list of five completely attainable New Year’s resolutions you can add to your list!
Live a Healthy Lifestyle
The most common resolution amongst the general population when the new year comes around—get healthy. Travel nursing gives you plenty of opportunities to explore new cities, which means lots of walking and exploring, and maybe even some hiking or swimming depending on where you are. Being healthy also means eating healthy, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice experiencing new foods and things you love. Instead, change small habits like bringing healthier snacks to work. Check out these healthy snacks for some inspiration.
Give Back to the Community
As a nurse, your entire career is centered around helping others. However, it doesn’t just end there. Your skills make you a valuable member to countless volunteer opportunities in your community. So add it to your New Year’s resolution to get out there and give back, even volunteering once makes a difference!
Use Mindfulness in Nursing
Recent studies have shown that mindfulness has a huge can positive impact on nurse’s feelings and abilities to cope with the pressures of their work. Making it a goal to practice mindfulness makes for better self-care and improved nursing work. Click here to read more about mindfulness and its effects in the nursing environment.
Explore What the World Has to Offer
There’s no better time than today to explore what the world has to offer and for a nurse there is no better way to do this than to look into travel nursing. Travel nursing is a great way to expand your horizons while still keeping up with your career. Stability has your next destination just one click away!
Prioritize Self-Care & Maintaining a Work-Life Balance
Sometimes when you spend all day (or night) taking care of someone else, you can forget to take care of yourself. That’s why in 2018 you should make it a priority to treat yourself like you treat your patients. Take a bath, eat a well balanced diet, get the sleep you need, and take a walk around the block. When you feel your best, your work life will flourish and your patients will notice.
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Baseball, Seafood, and History: Why Boston is the Perfect City for a Travel Nursing Placement
Do you ever find yourself dreaming of sitting at Fenway Park, enjoying a hot dog and an ice cold beer as you cheer on your team as they take on the Red Sox? Or maybe you dream about cuddling up by the fire and enjoying some New England clam chowder after spending a day walking through the streets that pave our history? If the answer to either of these is yes, then picking a travel nursing placement in Boston will turn your dreams into reality.
Boston is a charming city in New England that is full of colleges, food, and of course amazing healthcare facilities. Massachusetts General Hospital was established in 1811, making it the third-oldest facility of its kind. Not only does it hold historical value, but has also been recognized as the second-best hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report. Along with the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston boasts many other famous institutions including The Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s. If the prestigious medical institutions didn’t sell you, the fact that Boston was named one of the highest paying cities for nurses.
When you aren’t working there is an entire city to explore. Boston is easily one of the most walkable cities in America and also has a subway system that will get you where you need to go if walking isn’t your forté.
A day off in Boston might look something like this: Start your morning off grabbing a cup of coffee at Render Coffee and walk your way to the Museum of Fine Arts. After spending your morning admiring some art, go grab one of Boston’s best lobster rolls. After that, head over to Harvard. Spend your afternoon strolling around the highly recognized campus. All of that walking will have you ready for your dinner. Venture to the North End to find countless Italian restaurants and enjoy an overflowing platter of lasagna. If you’re in the mood, you can head to one of the many famous Irish pubs in the city for a great end to your day off.
If this sounds like you’re type of city, head to Stability online at https://stabilityhealthcare.com/ to request a quote and see what placements are available.
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Stability Holiday Gift Guide
Holiday shopping can be a challenge, but Stability HealthCare’s got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best gifts for travel nurses this holiday season.
This list is filled with a variety of items that are sure to bring a smile to any nurse’s face. From stethoscopes to self-care, these gift ideas encompass all aspects of their life, even outside of the hospital.
Check out the Stability Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect gift for the travel nurse on your Christmas list.
This Light Box is the perfect addition to any space. With removable letters, the options for captions are endless.
Because you can’t have a gift guide for nurses without a stethoscope. As one of their most used tools, every nurse needs an updated and properly working stethoscope. That’s why we’ve chosen the MDF® Pulse Time 2-in-1 Digital LCD Clock and Single Head Stethoscope.
3. Hydro Flask, S’well Water Bottle and Pendleton Thermos
It is so important for nurses to stay hydrated, and these water bottles keep water extra cold throughout long shifts. The thermos is a great addition to any nurse’s collection, as it’s perfect for bringing hot coffee or tea to give them that extra kick to get through their shift.
4. Cozy Socks
As children, we would hate receiving socks as gifts, but as adults it is one of the best gifts. Nurses can wear these socks to stay cozy after a long shift of being on their feet all day…or even better, they can wear them during their shift to keep their feet warm all shift long.
5. Nurse Related Books
We’ve picked out two in particular, one filled with stories and one filled with coloring pages. I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: The Stories Of Becoming a Nurse, offers the inside scoop on what it is like as a new nurse, and, on the lighter side of things, #NurseLife is snarky coloring book that is sure to leave any nurse in tears (from laughter of course).
6. 52 Lists for Happiness and Clay Masks
Nurses spend so much time taking care of other people that sometimes they can forget to take care of themselves. These gifts are the perfect for someone who needs to relax and put themselves first for a minute.
7. Headphones, Crosley Speaker, and Bluetooth Desk Speaker
Because who doesn’t love to jam out to their favorite songs? These gifts provide your travel nurse the perfect opportunity to tune out the outside world and blast their favorite songs…on the go or in the comfort of their own home.
8. Speidel Watch and Bracelet
Every nurse needs the perfect accessories, and we’ve found the perfect ones. Every nurse needs a watch with the second hand and that is why a Speidel wrist watch makes the perfect gift. For their life outside of work, get them this Golden Heart Beat Bangle. It is the perfect accessory that will complement almost every outfit.
9. Instax Mini Polaroid Camera and Frame
A polaroid camera is the perfect gift for anyone, really. The travel nurse in your life can capture their favorite moments and display them forever.
This is the perfect gift for the male travel nurse in your life! Get him to his next shift feeling and smelling fantastic with this grooming kit.
Nurses work tiring shifts, and nothing is better than coming home and cuddling up with a plush fleece throw blanket while binge watching some Netflix.
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Stay Fueled at Work With These 7 Snacks
Whether it is a 12-hour shift or an 8-hour shift, make sure you are prepared and pack some healthy snacks. We’ve compiled a list with some of our favorites.
Your job revolves around keeping people healthy, but it is important not to forget about yourself! Staying high energy all the time and avoiding the dreaded afternoon slump may seem nearly impossible, but keeping yourself filled with the right things will keep you feeling upbeat and powered through the work day.
Try out these snacks to make sure you are staying fueled through your shifts so you have the energy to explore the city when your shift is over. Click the snack name for the full recipe.
Chia, Acai and Strawberry Layered Breakfast Jar
No-Bake Superfood Granola Bars
Apple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix
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Los Angeles: The City of Stars (and Travel Nurses)
Ever wonder what it’s like to live amongst the stars in Los Angeles? Read more to find out!
People don’t just go to Los Angeles to become famous –they also go to become travel nurses!
Just picture this… sunshine all year round, walks down the beach, and seeing your favorite celebrity grabbing coffee. Los Angeles is an ideal place to spend a six-week placement as a travel nurse.
With a population of just over 3.9 million, Los Angeles has a large variety of medical campuses and opportunities in healthcare, including the UCLA Medical Center which is nationally ranked in 15 adult specialties and 10 pediatric specialties.
When you aren’t working, there are endless places to explore in LA and the surrounding areas. Whether you are in the mood to go dancing and thrive in the lavish LA nightlife, or take it easy with a drive down the Pacific Coast highway to Malibu, there is something for everyone.
While Los Angeles may be known best for its celebrities, traffic, avocado toast and the Hollywood sign, there is much more to be discovered in this vast city. There’s hiking, surfing, shopping, dancing, eating, people watching, and so much more. You can even take a weekend trip to Joshua Tree or Palm Springs.
A typical day off in Los Angeles might look something like this… Wake up early and grab a coffee and acai bowl with a friend at the famous Urth Cafe, and then take a scenic hike in Runyon Canyon which overlooks the entire city. After that, head to the Grand Central Market to pick up some snacks, and take a drive down to Santa Monica to spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach. After your relaxing afternoon, spend the evening amongst friends enjoying the amazing live music scene that LA has to offer.
If this sounds like your type of city, head to Stability online at https://stabilityhealthcare.com/ to request a quote and see what placements are available.
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Packing Essentials for a Traveling Nurse
One of the many exciting parts of a travel nursing placement is the anticipation of finally hitting the road and leaving to experience a new city…this starts with packing and making sure you’ve got everything you will need to make your placement feel like home.
The key is to not overpack. Think about what you use on a daily basis and go from there. If you don’t cook often, that probably won’t change in six weeks so you don’t need any extra kitchen tools. If you haven’t worn that one dress you have been waiting to wear for the past three years, you probably won’t wear it now. And don’t forget…if you forget something, you can always buy it!
Start by finding out what will be provided for you at your housing arrangement. If it isn’t stocked with kitchen supplies and household goods, you will need to bring those.
- Blankets, sheet, comforter
- Laundry basket
- Towels
- Cooking utensils
- Minimal dishes (plates & bowls)
- A pot and pan
- Dish towels
- Keurig/Tea kettle
Regardless of the living situation, you will definitely need clothes. Bring what makes you feel most comfortable and what you wear on a regular basis. If you are going to a city with a different climate you might have to switch some things up in your daily wardrobe.
- Casual clothes
- Workout clothes
- Swimsuit
- One or two nice outfits
- Pajamas
- 3-4 pairs of shoes
- Weather dependant: raincoat, winter coat, etc.
- Don’t forget scrubs or whatever the appropriate attire for your placement is
You can’t forget the essentials to keep you entertained, connected, and feeling right at home.
- Cell phone
- Laptop
- A book or two
- A speaker and headphones
- Charging cables for electronics
- Any little decorations for your temporary home like pictures or a candle
Last but not least, make sure you have all of the important things.
- Driver’s license
- A copy of your nursing license
- Car registration and insurance papers
- Social Security card
- Copy of birth certificate
And of course, don’t forget your stethoscope and favorite pair of Danskos.
Have questions? Reach out to your trusted Stability recruiter for more information.
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Coffee, Hiking, & Health Care: Why Portland is the Ideal Placement for Travel Nurses
You could spend six weeks eating your way through all the best restaurants, consuming way too much coffee, soaking up some nature, and have access Portland’s incredible medical campuses.
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is one of the most prominent hospitals in America. OHSU the only health system in Oregon to be recognized in the US News and World Report’s Best Hospitals List and is constantly featured on “best of” lists. Not only was OHSU rated the number one hospital in Oregon by U.S. News, it also ranks among the best hospitals in the nation in seven different specialties including, Oncology, Cardiology, Diabetes, ENT, Geriatrics, Nephrology and Neurology.
Besides OHSU, Portland offers a wide variety of hospitals to choose from. Along with the technical care, almost all of the hospitals in Portland are teaching hospitals so you would get to work in an academic setting where you can constantly learn and assist others.
Aside from Portland’s hospital system, Portland is a great city to explore on your days off. Think of Portland this way: it is a bustling city, in the middle of a forest, an hour from the mountains, the coast, and the desert. In the City of Roses there is something guaranteed to steal a little part of everyone’s heart.
Portland is known for it’s beautiful forests and rivers, which allow for breathtaking walking and hiking trails. At 102 years old, one of the most famous Portland-area landmarks is Multnomah Falls located in the Columbia River Gorge located just 30 miles outside of the city. If you are looking for something a little closer, Forest Park is the biggest park in Portland– sprawling across 5,200 acres. This park offers more than 80 miles worth of trails, sure to keep you busy on your days off.
Feel like taking in the crisp Portland air, but aren’t committed to the idea of full on nature? You can take a stroll along the iconic Portland Waterfront and while you’re in the area you can cross a few things of your PDX bucket list. Grab lunch at one of the many food carts, devour a donut at Voodoo, grab a coffee at Stumptown, and spend the afternoon getting lost in the aisles of Powell’s Book Store.
The overflowing list of things to do in Portland doesn’t just end in the city limits. As mentioned before, Portland is just hours away from skiing at Mt. Hood or a weekend trip at Cannon Beach.
Whether it’s your passion for nature, your love for food, or just your passion for wanting to experience a new city, Portland is welcoming to anybody who is looking to call it home.
Visit Stability online at https://stabilityhealthcare.com/ to request a quote and see locations. Follow @stabilityhealthcare.com.1 on facebook and @stabilityhealthcare on instagram for updates!
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