Why Nurses Will Continue to Be In Demand
Why Nurses Will Continue to Be In Demand
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the next few years, the healthcare system will need roughly 1.1 million new nurses to fill in vacancies due to retirement and expansion in hospitals. Additionally, the bureau projects industry growth of 7% until 2029.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the global population of nurses is less than 28 million, a shortage of at least 5.9 million—creating healthcare gaps in vulnerable countries such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Taking these numbers into consideration, it is safe to assume that a nursing career is a smart choice. It’s also a perfect time for students who wish to pursue higher education or who want to shift careers.
Reasons for Increasing Demand for Nurses
Here are some reasons the nursing profession will continue to grow in the next decade:
Steady Population Growth
The world’s population may be showing a downward trend with an annual growth rate of 1.05% in 2020 compared to the 1.08%, 1.10%, and 1.125% AGRs in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. However, experts believe that the world population will continue to grow, albeit slower than before. A growing population means that more people will need access to healthcare.
Aging Baby Boomer Population
What’s more concerning is that the baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) are aging. This is why many investors are now pouring their money into nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Aside from filling the gaps in the hospital setting, nurses will also be in demand in these other healthcare facilities. This translates to a greater demand for nurses who will provide healthcare services for this generation as they enter their twilight years.
Birth of New Technologies
The medical industry is rapidly embracing technology. As the adoption of new technology comes into play, many providers will need seasoned personnel to manage it. In most cases, these positions call for individuals with an extensive understanding of the technology and the required medical training and knowledge—and RNs will surely take the helm. Experienced RNs typically have the skill set necessary to handle telehealth, centralized command centers, portable monitors, electronic health records, and automated IV pumps, to name a few innovations coming into general use.
Increase in Life Expectancy
According to the WHO, global life expectancy rates grew by over six years from 2000 to 2019, largely due to technological advancements in the medical field. Notably, more people living longer means more medical help will be required in their later years. More nurses will be needed to provide that care and assistance.
Better Health Reforms
As many countries aim to improve healthcare provision and make it more accessible to everyone, hospitals and clinics are legally mandated to provide the necessary care. In the US, the Affordable Care Act gives low-income family groups access to treatment. One of the strategies to meet these increasing demands is to employ more nurses to help.
Shortage of Primary Care Physicians
A recent study from the Association of American Medical Colleges noted that by 2032, there will be a shortage of as many as 55,300 primary care physicians. This shortage means that nurses will have more expanded roles in healthcare systems. Family Nurse Practitioners will be in demand, particularly in areas where FNPs enjoy full practice authority. Since it will take years to train so many doctors, more medical facilities will turn to nurses to keep up with the rapid growth in the medical field.
Focus on Holistic Care
A growing body of evidence showing the benefits of holistic care has increased its adoption, and nurses have a big role to play to address this demand. Nurses understand a patient’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health needs. With such positive outcomes being reported, people are asking for this kind of care, and many hospitals and healthcare facilities are now moving to integrate holistic practices into their medical delivery.
How Are Nursing Programs Responding to this Demand?
With a better job outlook for nurses, many nursing programs are now adapting to the rapidly changing needs of the industry. Many colleges are now expanding their nursing degree offerings online, particularly catering to nurses who wish to obtain higher education while continuing to work full-time, and those who want to shift their specialty.
Since there is an increase in the integration of holistic care in the medical setting, many nursing schools offer programs such as the Associate Degree in Nursing, which have a focus on teaching holistic care and its best practices, helping students prepare for their nursing careers.
The State of the World’s Nursing Report 2020 highlighted many notable gaps in the nursing workforce as well as areas for improvement, and many of them highlight the need to make considerable investments in education and jobs.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out, “Nurses are the backbone of any health system. Today, many nurses find themselves on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19. This report is a stark reminder of the unique role they play, and a wake-up call to ensure they get the support they need to keep the world healthy.”
Boosting the quality of nursing programs and streamlining the application process, as well as improving support for the nursing profession overall will encourage more people to consider this career.
Author Bio
Jessica Williams is a marketing professional for HCI College, a school dedicated to preparing students for a career in the medical field by offering programs such as Nursing, EMT, and Paramedical services. The institution is best known for its practical approach to learning that propels students from theoretical classroom instruction and forwards them into the workforce.
We regularly share news, trends, and insights about the industry on the official HCI blog. Do connect with us on Twitter @hcicollege.
Read More
Ways to Find a Roommate as a Travel Nurse
Nursing is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging work. No matter where your job as a travel nurse takes you, you’ll want somewhere comfortable to land at the end of the day.
But finding cozy, affordable travel nurse housing can be difficult. Before you commit to an assignment, it’s important to explore the area’s housing options. Make sure there are living spaces available that suit your taste and budget.
Finding a roommate is a great way to expand your choices, save money, and enjoy built-in companionship. Luckily, the internet makes it easy to connect with others who want to share housing.
Are you ready to meet your next travel nursing roomie? If you answered yes, read on for our guide on how to find a roommate as a travel nurse.
The Benefits of Living With a Roommate
Cutting costs isn’t the only benefit of living with a roommate. There are many reasons to share your space when you’re travel nursing.
Making friends in a new city doesn’t happen overnight. It can be hard to have a healthy social life when you move every few months. Finding a roommate means you’ll have immediate company.
Loneliness is a real bummer, and it comes with health consequences. You’ll be grateful to have a support system while you learn to live in your latest location.
It’s even better if you can room with a fellow travel nurse. They will be able to relate to the ups and downs of your transient career. Other travel nurses won’t be bothered by your unpredictable schedule and long hours.
With a roommate, it’s often possible to upgrade your accommodations. A space you wouldn’t be able to afford alone becomes an option when you split the rent. Keep in mind that your housing can make or break the travel nursing experience.
Additionally, if you rent a room from a homeowner, you won’t have to worry about maintenance. Your landlord will be your roommate and your property manager, so you can focus on work and recreation.
Now that you know why roommates are great while travel nursing, here’s how to find them.
Use Your Networking Skills
Many travel nurses find roommates through word of mouth. Do you know someone in the city you’ll be visiting? Ask them for tips.
You’ll be surprised to find out how much people love to help travel nurses find housing. Friends, family members, and friends of friends often have rooms to rent. Sometimes they are even looking for a housesitter.
Stay Social on Facebook
Facebook is a great place to look for accommodations. Search for a travel nursing group specific to your destination. These pages are full of helpful information from nurses who have successfully worked there before.
Someone might even be looking for a roommate. Post about yourself and let everyone know you need a place to live. Keep an eye on the comments for ideas and advice.
You can also look for rentals on Facebook Marketplace. Browse the Property Rentals section for shared, short-term apartments. This is a great tool for international travel nursing assignments.
Negotiate an Airbnb Stay
Travel nursing jobs are often located in places with thriving Airbnb communities. If you find an Airbnb listing you love, ask the host if they will negotiate an extended stay. You might be able to move into their extra bedroom for the duration of your contract.
It’s also possible to reserve an Airbnb for a week or two when you arrive. This will give you time to explore other rentals without worrying about where to sleep.
Browse Craigslist for Hidden Gems
There are hidden gems to be found in the shared housing section of Craigslist. We have heard from plenty of travel nurses who found great roommates this way.
Stay safe by meeting with potential roomies in a public place before you visit the house. Alternatively, bring a friend or co-worker along when you view properties.
Check Furnished Finder
Furnished Finder is a favorite among travel nurses. Landlords on the site are familiar with the domestic travel nursing schedule, and they often cater to nurses. You can request to be connected with potential roommates.
They even offer a travel nurse stipend calculator to help you budget for your next location.
Ask Your Agency for Ideas
If you’re still stuck, ask your agency for help. Travel nursing companies assist nurses with housing questions all the time. If they can’t answer your question directly, they will tell you who to contact.
You might be scheduled to begin your assignment with a group of other travel nurses. If that’s the case, your agency can put you in touch with them to coordinate shared housing.
Before You Sign on the Line
Did you find a roommate? Before you commit, talk about your habits and priorities to avoid future conflict.
Your roommate will need to know if you have pets. They will also want to know if they should expect frequent visitors.
Are you a smoker, a neat freak, or a night owl? Be upfront about these things.
You should also discuss how you will share responsibilities. Who will clean and who will call the landlord when something needs to be fixed?
There are no right or wrong answers, but good communication leads to happier living.
A Roommate Can Improve Your Travel Nurse Experience
Looking for someone to share your housing with can feel overwhelming at first. These tips will make the process smoother and faster. Keep in mind that you can always ask your agency for help if you need it.
Finding a roommate can make your experience as a travel nurse more enjoyable and more lucrative. You’ll gain a friend while saving money for adventures and experiences.
Even if your roomie doesn’t become your best friend, you’ll have a valuable support network in your new city. Over time, you’ll develop a network of contacts all over the world.
If you are interested in starting a travel nursing career, Stability Healthcare can help. Check out our open jobs today to get started.
Read More
Everything You Need to Know About Psych Nurses
Psychiatric nursing is unlike any other kind of nursing. While psych nurses aren’t there to treat or reverse depression or dementia, they can offer the understanding empathy only a nurse can offer to help patients begin healing. Mental illness is by far one of the most challenging disorders to treat. Thus, it’s easy to see why psychiatric nursing can bring some unique challenges to the job and some rewarding moments. If a psychiatric nursing career interests you, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about psych nurses.
What is a Psychiatric Nurse?
First of all, there are two primary types of psychiatric nurses or career paths you can take. First, you can work as a psych registered nurse. You can also work in more advanced roles like a psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric/mental health advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Mental health nurses are essentially specialized nurses who focus on caring for those with mental illness’s psychological and physical well-being.
They also support the family members and friends of those with mental health conditions. Psych nurses may assess mental health needs and develop nursing plans for care.
National average salary: $74,651 per year with about $12,125 extra in overtime
Job outlook: 26% increase by 2022
Where Do Psych Nurses Work?
Like with other medical professions, psychiatric nurses find themselves working in both inpatient and outpatient care. These can be hospitals or psychiatric facilities that offer inpatient treatment. Or outpatient care in the patient’s home or a local clinic. Psych nurses have a bit more independence in terms of where they can work. They can also work with a wider variety of patients on their own, making outpatient care a standard option for many.
Other work settings for psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHN) include rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, mental health agencies, schools, colleges of nursing, and military clinics or hospitals.
What Kind of Patients Are On A Psychiatric Unit?
Although psych nurses work with patients all over the place, they can work with almost every segment of the population. Patients in this unit can be children, adolescents, adults, and older people. They often work with people with substance use disorders and those with eating disorders, among other mental illnesses.
What Does a Psych Nurse Do?
Unlike other traditional nurses, psych nurses don’t treat any conditions. Instead, they work with a larger group of health care professionals to develop and implement care plans. Psych nurses can work with anyone who has a mental or behavioral condition that’s negatively impacting their life.
Depending on the path someone chooses, their duties will vary. The psych nurse essentially develops a nursing diagnosis and a plan of care, implements the treatment plan, and evaluates its effectiveness. On the other hand, APRNs also offer primary care and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders, sometimes even offering psychotherapy.
Most responsibilities include:
- Prescribe medications if needed
- Administer medications
- Implement nursing care plans
- Assist in basic needs
- Facilitate group therapy
- Create treatment plans
- Offer psychotherapy
- Coordinate with families, doctors, and other health professionals
- Provide self-care
- Evaluate mental health needs of patients
How Do You Become a Psych Nurse?
A career as a psychiatric nurse can be gratifying and exciting. The path starts by earning either an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing. There, prospects need to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination to become a registered nurse (RN). After this, many try to spend some time building up nursing skills before moving to a psychiatric nursing path.
It’s possible to work in psychiatry without certification. However, there are some certifications and advanced practices that can help. Those who wish to continue their education can become an advanced training registered nurse (APRN) to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Common certifications:
- Psychiatric-mental Health Nursing RN-BC Credential
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Psych Nurse?
It takes a specific combination of skills to become successful as a psych nurse. Communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills are at the essence. However, setting healthy boundaries and excellent technical skills will also be beneficial. Psychiatric nurses are very hands-on with daily monitoring of their patients, requiring patience, empathy, and organization.
Most common skills for psych nurses include:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Extensive knowledge about medication effects and interactions
- A critical eye for signs of deteriorating mental processes or advancing mental illness
- Exceptional coordination and collaborative skills
- Good problem solving and adaptability skills
Starting Your Psych Nursing Career
Psychiatric nurses have a unique career filled with ups and downs. If you’re interested in a psychiatric nursing career, these are the steps you need to get started. Also, due to psych nurses’ nature and their flexibility, mental health nurses are often highly coveted travel nurses who can move freely across the country. At Stability Healthcare, we place nurses in hospitals across the United States, helping them find their perfect roles. See our open jobs today!
Read More
Top Benefits of Travel Nursing
Travel Nursing is a career that offers a unique set of perks. It’s one of the only jobs that gives you the opportunity to check off all of the places on your traveling bucket list. If that alone isn’t enough, keep reading to learn why you should be a travel nurse.
Live Anywhere You Want
As we mentioned before, travel nursing will have you checking places off of your bucket list left and right. With short placements, you’ll be able to experiences for just the right amount of time before you head to your next placement. If you near the end of your placement and realize you aren’t done exploring, it’s easy to extend.
Not only can you live in any city or town you want, but you can also live in any living arrangement you want. Live alone in an apartment, a house, a trailer, a treehouse, anywhere. Or even find a roommate or two! Travel nurses often times find a place together during their stays. You can learn more about finding a place to live on our blog.
Have Professional Flexibility + the Ability to Experience Different Work Environments
Being a traveler is great because it creates more opportunities to experience different areas of the hospital and work in different types of hospitals! As a traveler, you’ll be exposed to all types of practices and ways of doing things. Hospitals across the country vary in policy and rules but don’t worry they will fill you in and you won’t be left confused. With different hospitals requiring nurses to do things a certain way or have certain knowledge in a specific area – you’ll be growing your skills every day. If you ever return to a full-time stationary role, hospitals love seeing travel nursing roles on your resume for this exact reason.
In terms of flexibility, being a travel nurse is ideal because you can plan your placements whenever you want to. Once your placement ends at one hospital, you can wait however long you’d like until you pick up your next one. This makes it easier for scheduling off for big life moments and vacations.
Increase Your Earnings
Travel nurses typically see higher pay than the other nurses in the units, this is because a traveler is filling a role that NEEDS to be filled. On top of higher base pay, travelers will still receive the benefits that go along with being a full-time staffer.
Not only do travelers get paid for their work, but they also receive a housing stipend to go towards their living situation.
Job Security
When a hospital is looking for a travel nurse, it is because they need a spot to be filled. That’s right, travelers are always needed. This ensures that as long as your a rockstar in your role, you’re all set and don’t have to worry about facing layoffs or staff cuts. Who doesn’t love job stability 😉
Meet New People
One of the greatest gifts of travel nursing is the people that you meet along the way. Working in different hospitals and living in different places, the opportunities are endless for making new connections. Many travelers will grow out their communities and networks to sizes that they never thought possible leaving them with lifelong professional and personal relationships.
Some travelers will even form a pod and pick up assignments in the same cities so they can all live and experience new cities together.
Finding a Job is Easy
Finding a job is simple at Stability Healthcare. Stability offers an extensive list of travel nursing jobs. All it takes is one click on our website to get started!
Read More
2020 Recruiter Recap
2020 has been a year unlike any other – from battling the COVID-19 pandemic to major shifts in hospitals across the county. We caught up with several Stability recruiters to reflect on the year, what’s been going on in the travel nursing world, and what we’re looking forward to in the new year. Check it out:
What was the high of 2020?
The high of 2020 was seeing all our nurses step up and help out during the pandemic. It was great to see how passionate our nurses are and the amazing work that they do. Another personal high of 2020 for me was starting to work for Stability Healthcare. We have a great team of supportive employees and I am grateful for the relationships that I was able to form this year with both the nurses and my co-workers.
What was the low of 2020?
The low of 2020 was seeing the world struggle with the pandemic.
How was 2020 different than other years for travel nursing?
As a new recruiter, this was my first year as a travel nursing recruiter. Once the pandemic hit hospitals were desperate for nurses and the healthcare professionals all stepped up to the plate to help out.
What was it like when COVID first began in the travel nursing industry?
When COVID first began the travel industry became very busy and we saw an increase in jobs.
What has been something that Stability has done really well throughout the increase in travelers?
Throughout the increase in travelers, Stability has done a great job of checking in on our nurses and showing them support during this hard time.
What are you looking forward to in the new year?
In the new year, I am looking forward to continuing to work with our amazing nurses. I am looking forward to all of the new connections that I will make. I also have hope that the world will get back to normal again.
What was the high of 2020?
Witnessing all of the brave nurses willing to leave their hometowns to help out other areas in need.
What was the low of 2020?
Definitely the confusion and uncertainty that plagued the market in the beginning of the pandemic.
How was 2020 different than other years for travel nursing?
Volume for sure. I’ve never seen so many potential travel nurses come through the pipeline in my entire career.
What was it like when COVID first began in the travel nursing industry?
Hectic! It was a time of great uncertainty.
What has been something that Stability has done really well throughout the increase in travelers?
Keeping our technology top of the line, making sure we could handle the influx of new travelers.
What are you looking forward to in the new year?
Looking forward to a continued safe environment for travel nurses across the country.
What was the high of 2020?
Working from home. No traffic!
What was the low of 2020?
Canceled contracts that were out of our hands.
How was 2020 different than other years for travel nursing?
The amount of high paying jobs that were open and faster turn around time for offers.
What was it like when COVID first began in the travel nursing industry?
We were not sure what was going to happen to our current nurses and upcoming contracts. It was all unknown, and uncharted territory. COVID changed travel assignments and how quickly contracts can move.
What has been something that Stability has done really well throughout the increase in travelers?
We remain to have personal connections with our nurses. Stability is always transparent with our nurses and we always try to make sure to continue providing the best relationships with our nurses.
What are you looking forward to in the new year?
I look forward to seeing how far we can grow. This year has taught us that we can take on challenges and keep pushing forward. The sky’s the limit.
Ready to plan your 2021 adventure? Check our travel nursing jobs now. See you in 2021!
Read More
Tips For Travel Nurses Working Long Hours
Travel nurses often work long hours in unfamiliar regions and often have little downtime between shifts. This can not only cause significant stress but also, can contribute to long-term burnout for nurses that don’t find work-life balance. Here are some tips for travel nurses working long hours.
Prioritize Self-Care Outside of Work
Travel nursing is demanding, which makes self-care that much more important. Outside of working hours, it is important to eat well, exercise, and engage in personal pastimes that bring you joy. Anything that you can do to relax and have fun can ease the stress of working long hours. Cultivate hobbies outside of the workplace and spend time exploring your new surroundings. This is one of the benefits of travel nursing.
Take Breaks When Possible
You might be tempted to forgo breaks when you’re trying to prove yourself in a new healthcare environment or are still trying to master a new system. When working long hours, however, breaks are important to ensuring quality care. Breaks afford options to hydrate, get in a quick bite, and rest your feet. Working long hours can contribute to extreme physical and mental fatigue, so if you have a chance for a break, take it. Check out our article on knowing when to take a mental health day to take care of yourself.
Get Extra Sleep
Travel nurse jobs are draining in part because of the long hours and in part because of the unfamiliar surroundings and distance from family and friends. When you are working long hours, the fatigue can make it harder to do your job more effectively. Get extra sleep when you can. Take naps before your shift if you can and try to stick to a regular sleep schedule on the days you don’t work. This can be tricky when you are working as a travel nurse and sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings, so maintain a healthy sleep environment as well.
Get Organized On Your Days Off
One of the ways that you can ease the strain of working long hours as a travel nurse is by staying organized. Wash and iron your scrubs on your days off so that you don’t have to try to manage this task while working long hours. Plan meals in advance if possible, so that you can also grocery shop and perhaps cook in advance between nursing shifts. The more organized you get between shifts, the easier it will be while you are in the midst of it.
Work With a Company That Cares About Your Placement
Work with a travel nursing agency that focuses on helping you to find an ideal match for your next placement. One of the best ways to avoid burnout when working long hours as a travel nurse is to receive a placement match that aligns with your ability to find balance between work and your personal life. Stability Healthcare provides a support team to make sure you’re being taken care of, find your next placement today!
Read More
Job Highlight: Surgical Spine and Trauma Nurse
Far more than chills run down a person’s spine. Millions of nerves run through the spinal cord and then out into the human body. Our organs depend on the signals being sent.
A surgical spine and trauma nurse specializes in spine health. Many nurses know the importance of spine health, but they have questions about specializing in it.
Look no further. Here is a quick guide to the life of a surgical spine and trauma nurse.
Specializing in Surgical Spine and Trauma
17,000 Americans injure their spines every year. Nearly half of these injuries cause complete damage, in which the individual loses all function below their injury.
Trauma nurses are essential to avoiding complete damage. They treat patients as soon as they come into the emergency room. A nurse must immobilize the spine and monitor the head and spinal cord for damage.
The spine is often injured in multiple ways, with bone and nerve damage. Both kinds of damage need treatment.
Many certified nurses can treat spinal cord injuries without the need to specialize. But the complicated nature of spinal cord injuries means specialty nurses are necessary.
The Life of a Surgical Spine and Trauma Nurse
A surgical spine and trauma nurse has many essential duties. They treat initial injuries in the emergency room, then they take responsibility for spine health.
They prepare a management schedule for patients. They monitor a patient’s reaction to medication, and they adjust prescriptions accordingly.
Nurses follow preadmissions procedures. They need to evaluate a patient’s medical history, medication lists, and allergies. The nurse then determines if the patient is fit for surgery.
After surgery, the nurse helps the patient avoid readmission. They assist the patient in a plan to protect and enhance their spinal health.
They recommend procedures for physical therapy and other outpatient options. Nurses can help patients redesign their personal spaces so they can move around. Nurses can advise patients on equipment they need to manage their injuries.
In surgery rooms, trauma nurses are incredibly important. They prepare the operating room for patients and doctors alike.
They work with instruments, preparing sterile supplies for procedures. They handle anesthetics and pass instruments to the surgeons.
Nurses need several skills to succeed. They need to handle a variety of different patients with courtesy. They need to know basic nursing procedures, then they need to pursue education in spinal health.
But many nurses transition from general practice to surgical spine and trauma health. Once you know the duties of a surgical spine and trauma nurse, you can get underway with your specialty.
Know More About Nursing
A surgical spine and trauma nurse responds to medical emergencies. They treat wounds to the spine and head. They immobilize the spine, then recommend treatments for the patient.
They prepare medications and manage pain. They also assist in surgeries, following preadmissions procedures and recommending physical therapy.
Nurses have many opportunities to specialize and grow. Travel nursing is one opportunity.
Stability HealthCare features a team of leading travel nursing experts. We place doctors in hospitals all over the United States, helping them gain experience in specialties like surgical spine and trauma. Contact us today.
Read More
Nurse of the Month: Marissa Cascio
We’re excited to announce our new Nurse of the Month series, where we highlight Stability’s rockstar nurses. Starting with OR nurse Marissa Cascio!
Marissa has always had an adventurous spirit. In her free time, she rock climbs, sails sailboats or scuba dives off the Southern California coast. As a travel nurse, when she drives from placement to placement, she brings a large hiking backpack with her full of supplies to stop anywhere in the country and camp, hike, see the sites.
Last Spring, a dangerous adventure presented itself in a way she didn’t see coming. The Los Angeles hospital where she worked as an OR nurse became flooded with COVID-19 patients. She said that over half the staff contracted the virus. But, just like she would for an off-roading trek through a canyon or desert, Marissa prepared herself. The hospital was drastically short on PPE, so each day she brought home her own mask and sterilized everything, and woke up with a fresh mask in the morning.
During the chaos, she had put in a request with her Stability recruiter to work somewhere she had been dreaming of living: Laguna Beach. This summer, a position opened up at Mission Hospital Providence, and within a few days, Marissa says she went in for an interview.
Now, after surviving the worst of Los Angeles’ COVID-19 surge, she says she essentially works on the beach.
“Every single patient has a beach view of the ocean,” Cascio said. “I just wanted to work somewhere that was actually… paradise.”
We caught up with Marissa and asked her some questions about travel nurse life:
Where are you from originally?
I’m from Pennsylvania. From a town called Greenville. It’s a really small town, a rural area. Like I lived on a dirt road.
Did you always want to go to the West Coast?
I always knew I wanted to travel. I never knew exactly where, but I always wanted to go to California.
Were you always aiming to be a travel nurse?
No actually, I wanted to go to medical school. And so at first, my bachelor’s was in nutrition and dietetics. And then I took all the prerequisites, all the courses, studied for the MCAT. And then last minute I changed my mind. I was dating someone who was already in medical school, and I was like, This is not what I want. So I finished out all my courses and then I went to the accelerated RN program. I got my bachelor’s in one year at Rochester University in New York. I didn’t know until afterward, but it’s the top 3% of nursing programs in the nation.
So eventually you became a travel nurse… what made you want to work with Stability?
I signed up with Stability because I have been traveling for so long. It has been five years now. And I kind of just heard word of mouth, what are good companies and what are bad companies and what are like companies that, you know, stand up for their staff, and their nurses. I was so unhappy with my other agencies, I decided to make this change and I’ve been happy ever since.
What’s the travel nursing community like in general?
There definitely is and it’s more just about the locations you’re in and that’s how you get to like meet people and travel around. I’ve definitely made a lot of friends.
Where do you want to travel next?
Oh gosh, the list never ends. I want to go everywhere. Maybe San Diego next and then I’ll go over to Arizona and Nevada and back to Oregon or something, I don’t even know.
Do you have any hobbies you do outside of work?
I scuba dive. I go fishing. I rock climb. I do triathlons. All kinds of stuff. Oh and I’m also an Instagram influencer. I actually just started doing it just like six months ago. And I went from 1000 followers all the way up, like 55,000 followers. So weird.
Do you have a favorite snack in the break room when you’re working long shifts?
String cheese. There’s nothing better than string cheese and playing with it to get your mind off of things.
Is there anything in your nursing life that you just like cannot live without?
Probably my dog. I have a little French Bulldog. His name is Gus. I sometimes call him Gustavo when he looks like an old man. He always travels with me.
Is there anything that you pack (not nursing related) for every move to a new placement?
I have a well, it’s a backpacking bag. And so it’s always ready to go with like five or six days worth of food, fire supplies. It has a pillow, a sleeping bag, everything ready to go backpacking — the shoes, like lines and ropes, and everything like that. So that way if I’m traveling from one place to the other place, and I see something I want to explore, I can just throw on my backpack and go.
Read More
Job Highlight: Med Surg
Med-Surg nurses are the largest nursing specialty – you can find them in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and anywhere surgery is taking place. They are essential to the preparation and recovery of surgical patients.
As a well-rounded nurse, their knowledge is broad, making med surge nurses excellent problem solvers and an important asset to any hospital team.
Here’s what to expect when signing up to be a Med-Surg travel nurse.
The Basics
A Med-Surg nurse is also known as a medical-surgical nurse. This specialty has become more popular over the last decade. Med-Surg nurses provide surgical care to patients who are both in and out of the operating room.
To become a Med-Surg nurse, nurses should become a medical-surgical RN, registered nurse first assistant (RNFA), or they should earn a master’s degree in surgical nursing. The RNFA credential is most common. Nurses should check with their state nursing board about its educational requirements.
Med-Surg nurses from a travel nursing agency are in the trenches of healthcare. They help with surgical procedures, admission and discharge paperwork, post-op follow-ups, pain management, wound care, patient education, and more.
They engage in sub-specialties like general surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery.
Key Traits
Med-Surg nurses are integral to offering the very best pre and post-operative care possible. They ensure a patient’s comfort and safety before, during, and after anesthesia. They may even stay by a patient’s side to monitor, advocate, collaborate and provide care throughout a procedure or surgery.
These are multi-functional parts of the care team. They can be involved in all kinds of medical procedures, including regional anesthesia, general, pain management, and sedation. They start by reviewing a patient’s history. Then they work with the physician and perioperative team. They personalize each patient’s plan of care.
The modern Med-Surg nurse is empathetic, intuitive, and compassionate. Patients are often afraid and vulnerable before surgery. A Med-Surg nurse should reassure and comfort the patient while alleviating any of their anxieties. After surgery, a Med-Surg nurse must continue to focus only on the patient. While doing so, they need to always communicate and collaborate with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and other perioperative personnel.
Finding the Perfect Position
As you consider travel nursing, Med-Surg nurses are always in high demand. These positions are often available and needed due to the broad knowledge base of Med-Surg nurses.
To land your next travel nursing job, contact Stability Healthcare today.
Read More
Tips for Making Your Temporary Housing Feel More Like Home
As a travel nurse, you’re used to being on the road. While everyone goes about it a little differently when it comes to moving and packing, there is one thing that most travel nurses have in common: you have to pack light. You may have seen our tips for finding housing or how to pack, but with the cold months approaching we want to talk about feeling cozy and comfortable in your temporary housing.
Making your temporary housing feel cozy is so important, especially in the midst of a pandemic when we’re spending a lot of time at home. Home should be a place where you feel most comfortable. With these simple tips, you’ll be snuggling up in a homey environment in no time.
Plants
Who can deny that a plant suddenly transforms a space. They naturally filter air pollutants, they’re calming, stress-relieving, and overall provide a wonderful mood boost. Plants can absorb harmful gases through the pores in their leaves, filtering the air in your room. Keep an eye on our blog later this month for a guide to which plants are the best, but for now to keep it simple here are some of the easiest plants to keep alive while traveling from place to place: succulents, snake plant, and aloe vera.
Blankets
As children, everyone had their favorite blanky. It brought comfort, safety, and familiarity. It doesn’t hurt adults to have a favorite blanket that you keep with you to snuggle up with. A nice blanket, whether it be a fun fleece print that you love, something your grandma handknitted for you, or just something so soft you can’t resist, is a guaranteed way to cozy up a space and make it feel more like home.
Candles
Did you know candles can increase focus, improve your mood, and even help you remember positive memoreis? Finding a scent that is familiar and reminds you of home is the perfect way to transform any sort of temporary housing you may be staying in into your home. Plus, there’s no better way to set the mood for an evening of relaxation after a long shift.
Photos
We can’t forget photos! Nothing beats a photo of a pleasant memory to boost your mood. Print up a handful of your most favorite moments that have been captured and bring them with you on all of your placements. You can hang them on a wall, spread them out on a dresser, or even just have them sitting in a stack on your bed side table. These physical momentos will bring you joy when you need it most. 
Art
While some people may find it a bit extreme to travel with art, it can actually be the key to transforming a space. Find one or two pieces of art that you love – a print by your favorite illustrator, an old movie poster you found at a flea market, something that used to hang in your childhood home. When you go from place to place, find a new spot for your art and it will feel right at home and provide a sense of consistency and familiarity.
Ready to embark on your next adventure? Vist Stability Healthcare to book a travel nursing placement today!
Read More