Top Nursing Trends in 2019

Trends in Nursing 2019

A New Year is a great time to think about your career and the potential changes you plan to make. There are lots of opportunities for both personal and professional development, especially in nursing, and within a rapidly changing environment. Read on to see the trends in nursing in 2019 and how this can influence what you plan to do as a nurse.

Specialists are in Demand

Nurses with expertise in critical care, oncology, pediatrics, renal, and operating department nursing are in demand as the need for these specialist skills is on the rise. Travel nurses with these skills are particularly in demand and can get high rates of pay by having these qualifications.

The best travel nursing agencies such as Stability Healthcare will ensure competitive rates are negotiated for specialist nurses, leaving the nurse to focus on the job. By being flexible, nurses can find work all over the country and beyond if they have specialist expertise.

Work Life Balance

Prevention of ill health and maintaining a positive work life balance are big trends for 2019. The cost of healthcare is rising so there is a focus on preventing ill health and being able to have some downtime to recharge. Having an exercise regime, maintaining a healthy weight, and spending time relaxing are vital for nurses on the go. If you do one thing in 2019, look after yourself and introduce a couple of healthy habits into your routine.It ensures you are in top condition to work in a demanding role.

Technology is Increasing

Technology has a huge influence on nursing from remote monitoring to robotic surgery and genomics. Targeted treatments are on the rise in cancer, and patients have shorter stays in hospital due to improved surgical and radiology techniques. Nurses need to be aware of the best and latest apps to advise patients on their conditions and have to be competent with computer literacy. There are lots of opportunities for nurses to work differently due to technology. This includes remote monitoring and being able to explain new treatments to patients.Care delivery may be home based instead of in a hospital. Apps are also vital to nurses for finding travel nursing assignments, this is why Stability provides a recruiter free job searching platform. Search some of the highest paying travel nursing jobs today.  

Bilingual Nurses are on Trend

The USA has changing demographics with an increase in the population of those where English is not a first language. Nurses with a second language will be in demand to care for people who have limited knowledge of English. Some travel nurse jobs may require a particular language ability in addition to nursing qualifications and to care for specific clients. It is the ideal time to update any language skills.

The Nursing Shortage

2019 will continue to see shortages of nurses, particularly those with a specialist qualification. if you are a travel nurse it is important to sign up with the best travel nursing agency as they take care of placements and fee negotiations for you and leave you to focus on caring. The best agencies also attract the top jobs so in a shortage a nurse can be assured of getting some excellent placements.

2019 promises new developments and opportunities for travel nurses. By anticipating trends a professional travel nurse is ideally positioned to work in a variety of settings and use their expertise to provide excellent care.

Looking for a travel nursing agency that provides you with more flexibility and pay transparency? Search Stability Healthcare now and find travel nursing jobs nationwide.

A Holiday Survival Guide for Travel Nurses

A Holiday Survival Guide for Travel Nurses

For some nurses, Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year. A quarter of Americans work over the holidays, but for travel nurses, spending time away from home can be seriously stressful. Living in a different city, staff shortages, long hours — all of these things take the fun out of the festive period. If you’re an OR nurse, emergency nurse, or specialize in a different field, and you are working over the holidays, read this survival guide.

1. How to Cope with Not Seeing Your Family

As a travel nurse, you might have to work over the holidays in a hospital in a different city, miles away from your home. Spending time away from your family can be difficult at any time of the year, but during the holidays, this can really sting.

You can always celebrate the holidays with your family another time, though. Why not postpone Christmas Day until when you return home? You can still exchange gifts and enjoy a glass of eggnog — just on a different day.

Make sure you have plenty of contact with your family when you are not on shift. Regular phone calls and emails will help alleviate any feelings of homesickness. If things get tough, stick it out, and remember, your contract will eventually come to an end. Your patients, on the other hand, might spend weeks — or even months — lying in a hospital bed.

“Although you may miss your family, you can eventually walk out the door. Cultivating empathy for your patients’ plight is an important act of compassion,” says Vanessa, a Stability travel nurse in Oakland, CA.

2. Create Your Own Celebrations

You won’t be the only one spending time away from your family during the holidays. Talk to your colleagues if you feel homesick, and spend time with patients. Like you, they would rather be at home.

Combat your holiday blues by creating your own celebrations. Bring your favorite holiday snacks — candy canes, fruitcake, lots of chocolate, etc. — to work and share them with your colleagues and patients. You can also decorate your work-space and make it more homely. A few decorations and a miniature Christmas tree will add some festive cheer to any hospital interior. Exchange gifts with other medical staff, too.

“Play some music, hang some decorations, eat some gingerbread men,” says Erik, a Stability travel nurse in Torrance, CA.. “After all, it’s still the holiday season and your profession is nursing — caring for others is very much in the holiday spirit.”

3. Think of the Financial Benefits

If you are working over the holidays, you will likely miss important family events. However, you can make up for it by taking a family vacation after the festive season. Typically, it’s cheaper to travel after the holidays, so you’ll get more bang for your buck.

As a traveling nurse, you might receive more money during the holidays, too. Depending on the organization you work for, you could receive double time pay.

If you are open to working the holiday season, you will be able to cash in on some great holiday rates (typically 1.5 to 2 times your typical hourly travel pay).

As a travel nurse, working during the holidays is tough. You will be away from family, work long shifts and miss important events. Postponing your Christmas plans, creating your own celebrations and thinking of all the financial benefits, however, will make this time of the year a little bit easier.

Looking for a travel nursing agency that provides you with more flexibility and pay transparency? Search Stability Healthcare now and find travel nursing jobs nationwide.

How To Handle Workplace Bullying

Guest blog by: K Chandler Rosemont

I wish this was not a common theme amongst most hospitals…but unfortunately it remains ever-present. Some places less than others, some more than most. Nurse bullying is real and it happens more often than not.

I am so fortunate to work at a zero tolerance nurse bulling establishment…however, I still find it happening. How does one handle such situations? I’ll share with you the best ways I have gotten through sticky situations the right and wrong ways.

TAKE A BREATH
When an incident occurs, take a deep breath. You don’t want to be a short fuse and do or say something you will regret. Taking the time to gather yourself will allow you to see if you are truly upset or maybe more sensitive that day. In the moment, emotions are so strong. Perhaps it is something that can blow over without a big fuss! Take the higher road and walk away if you can.

KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS
This happens to be my specialty and I got particularly good at it in nursing school. I had many cases in nursing school where nobody wanted to take nursing students for the day. So I began preparing homemade treats and bringing them for the nurses. They appreciated this more than I can convey. In no time, I was paired with a nurse for all my shifts…and also all my classmates!

Another more harsh example is when I left work one shift, I received a phone call about something I forgot to do. It was a mixture of forgetfulness and a lack of education on my end. It was an honest mistake and caused no harm to the patient or their treatment whatsoever. However, it was treated as though it was a very big deal. I was called and disciplined on the phone after a thirteen hour shift. Trust me, I had little to no patience left at this point but I took a deep breath and was very sincere and apologetic: “I can see how frustrating this must have been for you. I am so sorry. I was unaware of the importance of this paper. I will work harder next time to meet the standards of practice.” The use of “I” statements in times like this is imperative. Keep the attention on how you will change. Sometimes being the bigger and sweeter person can help mellow out a situation and in turn, make the nurse bully appreciate you more as a colleague.

DON’T GOSSIP
This is where I have failed. I unfortunately vented to my fellow new grad nurses about the incident and immediately developed a pit in my stomach. I felt worse speaking about it than not speaking about it. I felt as though I had stooped to the bully’s level. If I felt the need to talk about it, I should speak to someone outside of the workplace. And if it is necessary, escalate the incident to the charge nurse.

COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR SUPERIORS
Should the situation be so bad that it impacts your work day-to-day, you must bring it to your charge nurse’s attention. Anxiety will only build and patient safety could be compromised. Remember that they are there to help you. You may not be the only one bringing forward your concerns! Perhaps other nurses have expressed concern about a certain nurse bully. All in all, listen and trust your gut. We are there to serve our patients and their families. If you are unable to do so safely and to your best ability because of a nurse bully, you must escalate your concerns!

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To hear more from K Chandler, you can find her blog here or follow her on Instagram. 

Keep checking in on the Stability blog for more inspiration and for nursing tips!

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Travel Nursing: An Exciting Career that Enables You to Explore America

Plenty of people are satisfied with jobs that require them to see the same surroundings and talk with the same people day after day. But if that’s not an ideal situation for you, if you’d rather have a job that allows you to explore new places and meet new people throughout the country, then it’s time to think about becoming a travel nurse. Travel nursing jobs are available in exciting destinations all over America. As a traveler, you’ll work for top-notch facilities, and when you aren’t working, you’ll be able to explore your new city at your leisure. After each contract, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for the many cultural differences you’ll find throughout the country.

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

Travelers are employees of traveling nurse companies. But unlike most employees, travelers can pick and choose from a list of assignments. When you join an agency, you’ll work with your recruiter to find the best possible destination and facility for you. If you have relatives located throughout the country, you could choose assignments that allow you to be close to them. With each contract you accept, you can look forward to the following:

• Salary: You’ll earn enviable wages as a travel nurse.
• Job security: There is a never-ending demand for travel nurses.
• Skills: Travel nurses grow their skills and knowledge with each assignment through exposure to a variety of situations and medical facilities.
• Flexible scheduling: Take a break between contracts when you want to.

Resume: Travel nursing is like a gold star for your resume. It lets you stand apart from hundreds of other nurses. Employers like to hire nurses who can jump into any situation and competently overcome it, and being a traveler proves you can do this.

Where You Could Go As a Travel Nurse

From Barrow, Alaska to Honolulu, Hawaii, and from Palm Springs, California to Cooperstown, New York, you can go virtually anywhere you want as a travel nurse. Nursing is a high-demand profession, and medical centers rely on travel nurses to fill in the gaps in their employment roster. You could travel north during the summer and south for the winter, if you wish, or reverse those trips if you prefer to experience the seasons in all their glory. Your travel nursing company will work with you to ensure your complete satisfaction with your placement. Some factors you may wish to consider as you peruse the available job listings include:

• The geographical location
• The attractions and amenities of the city
• The climate and seasonal weather patterns in the area
• The size of the medical facility
• Your previous experiences with the area

Some travel nurses have favorite cities that they like to return to now and then. Others prefer to seek out new destinations every time in order to take full advantage of an adventurous lifestyle and career path. The choice is up to you.

What to Know About Licensure

It’s easier than ever for traveling nurses to explore America, thanks to the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC). The original NLC was enacted in 1999. It enabled nurses to obtain multi-state licensure, enabling them to practice in any participating state without having to obtain a new license. This capability is crucial not just for career travel nurses, but also for those who occasionally travel to assist with natural disasters in other states.

Today, travel nurses benefit from the enhanced version of the NLC, which establishes uniform requirements to ensure that all nurses with multi-state licensure have comparable qualifications. Since the eNLC was implemented in January 2018, 31 states have already joined it and other states are working on legislation to become new members. This is great news for travel nurses, as it opens up doors all over the country. If you meet the following requirements, you can upgrade your license to an eNLC license.

• You hold an active, unencumbered license
• You have graduated from a board-approved education program
• You have passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam
• You have passed a state and federal criminal background check (fingerprint)
• If you are an international graduate, you have passed an English proficiency exam
• You have a U.S. Social Security number
• You do not have any state or federal felonies
• You do not have any misdemeanors related to the nursing profession
• You aren’t participating in an alternative program

After confirming that you meet the requirements, you can apply for an eNLC license through your state’s board of nursing website. It may take a few weeks to process your new license, so if you’re tempted to become a travel nurse, you might want to start this process right away. Note that if you already hold an original multi-state NLC license, you’re already grandfathered into the new eNLC–there’s no need to apply for a new license.

How You Will Find Housing at Each Destination

Housing is one of the top concerns prospective travel nurses have, but in many cases, individuals find that it’s actually easier to obtain housing as a travel nurse than otherwise. When most people need to find new housing, they are on their own. But travel nurses have an entire team to help at their traveling nurse companies.

Stability Healthcare has a reputation for always putting the needs of their travelers first. You can choose from properties across the country. Travelers make excellent tenants, which is why residential building managers and rental companies reach out to Stability with offers for short-term tenants. Our team can also help you find reasonably priced housing, including furnished options. Of course, you could always find your own housing if you wish. If so, you can receive a lodging subsidy to reimburse you for the costs. Lodging subsidies are issued based on the General Services Administration (GSA) guidelines, which vary based on location.

What to Know About Insurance

Some travel nurses find it problematic to maintain health insurance, particularly if the plan their agency offers is less than desirable. That’s another reason why it’s crucial to choose the best possible travel nursing agency. At Stability Healthcare, travel nurses are covered from day one with United Healthcare. Employees can choose from four different plans to find the right fit for their needs. Plus, dental and vision coverage are included.

How to Get Started as a Travel Nurse

Now that you’ve had a chance to reflect on the many benefits of this career path, and to become familiar with the details of the arrangements, are you excited to begin your new adventure? Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you get started on your journey.

1. Obtain your eNLC license.

Since it can take a few weeks for your license application to be processed, it makes sense to take care of this first. If you haven’t already applied, visit your state’s nursing board website and follow the directions. You may need to submit proof of your residence. Getting your eNLC is beneficial because it simplifies the process of working as a nurse in different states. However, it’s not mandatory. If you don’t currently live in an eNLC-participating state, or you’d rather not obtain an eNLC, then you’ll need to apply for licensure in each individual state that you wish to work in. Your travel nurse agency will help you sort through the nuances of licensure in different states.

2. Sign up with the best travel nursing agency.

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your career. There are a number of factors you should consider when selecting an agency, including the agency’s reputation for professionalism and transparency, the HR policies (including PTO and insurance), and the satisfaction of their employees. Take your time researching your available options. Stability Healthcare is confident you’ll return to our website, especially when you read our testimonials. Once you’ve decided to partner with Stability, just fill out the online form to get started.

3. Take your pick of assignments.

There are thousands of travel nurse jobs to choose from at any given time. You can search by nursing specialty or location. When a job catches your eye, click on it to view more details. You’ll see the location, duration of the assignment, hours per week, shift, start date, and pay.

4. Arrange for your housing.

As soon as you accept a job offer, you can begin working with the team at Stability Healthcare to finalize your housing arrangements. Note that it’s quite common for traveling nurses to bring their spouses, partners, or other family members. You could decide to rent anything from a small apartment to a whole house, depending on your needs. Some travel nurses like to travel together. Stability can help you and a friend find travel nurse jobs in the same location, and sometimes even in the same facility!

5. Make plans for traveling.

Part or all of your travel expenses may be reimbursed by your agency. Stability Healthcare reimburses travel expenses up to $600 for each assignment you accept. If the location is within driving distance of your current residence, you might choose to pack up your car. Otherwise, flying to the destination is a sensible choice. If you’ll be flying with pets, you should research the airline’s pet transport policies well in advance. You may need to call the airline after booking your ticket to let the representative know that you’ll be traveling with a pet. Be sure to find out about the airline’s restrictions on animal carrier sizes and similar policies.

If you aren’t taking your car to your new destination, it’s a good idea to research public transportation options ahead of time. Many popular travel nurse destinations, like San Francisco, have multiple options. The use of public transportation is also an excellent way to get to know your new city better, and to meet interesting new people.

6. Arrive at your new city and attend orientation.

Travel nurses are expected to adapt quickly to each new facility and department. However, medical centers recognize that orientation is essential to support a successful assignment. If you work with Stability, you’re guaranteed to have an orientation at each facility. You’ll be given information about the sort of orientation you can expect when you’re headed to a new facility. Orientation typically lasts a week or less.

How You Can Make the Most of Each Assignment

You worked hard to earn your nursing credentials and get your career started. Now it’s time to put your credentials to work for you. As a travel nurse, you’ll have incredible opportunities to explore countless new places. A nursing job lasts far longer than a typical vacation, which means you can get to know each new city like a local.

Making the most out of each new destination is a process that begins before you travel there. Research your new home in advance and make a list of everything you’d like to do and see while you’re there. Perhaps you’d love to explore the nightlife or immerse yourself in the city’s cultural heritage, art scene, or natural wonders. Be ambitious with your plans; there’s plenty of time to do it all. And if you fall in love with the city and want to extend your stay, just ask about extending your contract. Another great thing about working with Stability is the company’s high rate of contract extensions.

Are You Ready to Start Your Exciting New Career?

Stability Healthcare is an industry leader in travel nursing, with excellent benefits, PTO, and competitive pay. Sign up today to become a traveler, and get instant access to thousands of open jobs. Our representatives look forward to helping you launch your new career in travel nursing.

Looking for a Travel Nursing Job? Learn How Technology and Stability Healthcare Work Together

“I was checking the job board for Stability! I really like the transparency, I can see if it’s something I’m interested with the pay package. Super helpful!”

“The recruiter free jobs platform is great. I have control on my job search now and it’s comforting knowing the weekly rates are listed.”

Stability Healthcare’s recruiter-free job search allows you to have the freedom to view jobs and rates of your choice. Our unique platform brings technology and job placements together in an efficient and easy way, giving YOU the control and access to your career goals. As a travel nurse you are always adapting to new environments and Stability Healthcare creates the ability to have control of it all.

Tablets, smartphones, electronic medical records and other new technologies have permeated many nurses’ professional and personal lives. Without a doubt, the introduction of new technologies have brought considerable changes to a nurse’s day-to-day life, and it’s also changing the way job placements are handled. For example, charts are now easier to read and lab results can be available in real time, minimizing potential errors.

“Everything in our lives is made simple by technology; finding a travel nurse job should be no different.”

How Does Technology Help The Job Process?

• Easy Research- Stability’s recruiter-free search means you can view the jobs you want at the rates that you want. You’re given the opportunity to explore for new information that may not have been available before.

• Better Communication- stay connected with Stability Healthcare at your fingertips. Technology makes communicating with our team and your future placement more efficient!

• Instant Online Rates- two words: pay transparency. Who doesn’t love that?

• Faster Interviews- search for your job online, enter information on your profile, and select your ideal job, city and pay. These are all things that make your interview process quicker.
• Everything In One Place- have all your questions answered by visiting our FAQ page.

If you’re looking for a travel nurse agency, new housing or a new city for a new adventure, look no further than Stability. Technology doesn’t make or break a nurse, but it certainly helps put you in control.

While we can all acknowledge the advantages of using technology, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate. Stability has made it simple and easy. You’ll have more time for yourself as well as your family or current job. This is what we all live for, right? You’re using technology everyday, so why not use it while comparing your next nursing placement?

As a travel nurse you are used to adapting to new environments, cities and processes. Technology is the same way. It’s always progressing and evolving. From finding friends to finding a new food spot or hiking place- there’s an app for everything these days. Let technology be useful in your professional life not just your personal life.

Want to keep up with Stability? Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter or visit us at stabilityhealthcare.com

Finding the Right Work/Life Balance as a Travel Nurse

With all of the flexibility that being a travel nurse provides, it makes the perfect opportunity to have an exciting life outside of the hospital. Whether it’s having the time to take an overnight trip to a nearby national park or taking a few days to go to a local music festival, the opportunities are truly endless.

When starting a new rotation in a new city, work may become your main focus, but it is equally Twelve-hour work shifts can be tolling on the mind and body, and having a healthy lifestyle to balance out the stresses that can occur at work will keep you feeling good. Not only will maintaining a good work life balance keep you healthier, but it also has been proven that it increases work productivity.

Making sure you are living your best life outside of work is actually made easier as a travel nurse. There may be fears of not having friends in the city you choose and worrying you may start to feel alone, but we’ve put together some helpful tips on how you can make the most of your time outside of the hospital.

Join a club, volunteer group or organization

Every city or town you work in is guaranteed to have some sort of club or organization that you can join. Joining a group that has a common interest with you will give you the perfect opportunity to be around like minded people and will make for the perfect opportunity to make connections you can utilize outside of the group. Not only will this get you around some good people, but it also will give you something to look forward to from a weekly meeting to a group event. Check out sites like meetup.com for fun group activities.

Take advantage of travel nursing Facebook pages to find other travel nurses in your community

One of the many great things about Stability is our ever growing community of travel nurses. Liking our page, and joining our Facebook group is a great way to find other nurses in your area that are in the same boat as you are. The best part about that? They are new to the city too and are probably willing and ready to explore everything that the city has to offer, even those cheesy tourist things that locals may overlook.

Don’t be scared to do things alone

While hanging out with others, and making great connections with people in your area, it is important to remember that being alone is ok too! There tends to be a negative stigma around doing things alone, but in reality it is actually so important to be able to get out there and do things independently. Becoming comfortable with doing things alone will make settling in anywhere a lot easier and will let you do everything that you have on your bucket list without having to worry about if you can find a friend to check out that new restaurant on the corner near your apartment.

Make a bucket list for each placement

As mentioned in the following blurb, make a bucket list! This is a great way to make sure you are maximizing the opportunities wherever you are. From attending a professional sporting event to trying the special latte at that one coffee shop, write it all down and check things off as you go. That way, you are filling your off time with meaningful activities and you won’t leave missing out on anything that you really wanted to do or see.

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Two Very Affordable Cities for a Travel Nurse on a Budget

Travel nursing is a fairly lucrative job, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to blow their entire paycheck just to pay rent or sacrifice your lifestyle choices just to live in an expensive city. There are plenty of ways to build a savings while you are on a travel nursing placement, and picking an affordable city is a great place to start. That’s why we’re sharing with you some of our top picks for affordable cities for your next placement.

Tulsa

Photo via blog.urbanoutfitters.com

Tulsa is Oklahoma’s second largest city, filled with a variety of different districts. From the Entertainment District where you can enjoy Tulsa’s nightlife to Utica Square where you can get your retail fill. Tulsa is great up and coming city, making it the perfect place to take a travel nursing placement.

While it doesn’t have the speed and rush of a bigger city, there is never a lack of things to do. They have a booming music scene with famous venues like Cain’s Ballroom. Tulsa is filled with all sorts of delicious food and drinks. There’s Hodge’s Bend for coffee and cocktails and a delicious, swanky brunch at the Tavern on Brady .

According to US News, the average income spent on living expenses is only 26.54 percent, leaving lots of money to save and spend on activities and that latte you know you need to fuel you through your shift. And the best part…there are tons of travel nursing placements in Tulsa and they all pay pretty well compared to the cost of living. Hillcrest Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital.

Grand Rapids

Photo via travelandleisure.com

Grand Rapids, Michigan lies east of Lake Michigan and sits on the Grand River. Travel & Leisure named Grand Rapids one of America’s most underrated cities and we couldn’t agree more. The city is rich in culture and has enough museums alone to keep you busy on your off days. There are many draws to this city, especially including the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The gardens include art from several famous artists including Ai Weiwei and Henry Moore.

The Fulton Street Farmers Market is filled with an array of options from handmade crafts to fresh fruits and vegetables, making it the perfect place to spend your Saturday morning. Spend your Saturday night exploring the nightlife in Grand Rapids has to offer. It is best known for its many breweries scattered around the town. Breweries, farmers marketing, and history aren’t all this town has to offer, because just a short drive outside of the city there’s Millenium park where you can hike, lounge by the beach, or explore one of the several lakes.

According to US News, the average income spent on living expenses is only 25.36 percent, making this city not only a great place to live, but also an affordable one. The placements in Grand Rapids offer a good sized weekly pay that won’t have to get eaten by bills every month.

If you feel like trying out city life for a few weeks, head to stabilityhealthcare.com to request a quote and see what placements are available.

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Tips and Tricks for Budgeting as a Travel Nurse

Travel nursing can be one of the most fun experiences of your life, but it is easy to forget about budgeting when you are trying to take full advantage of the new city you are living in. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to make sure you are keeping track of your financial responsibilities and still able to have a good time.

Take the time to find discounts

There are countless websites that offer all sorts of coupons and ways to save money. Finding the best deal is always in your best interest when you are trying to maintain a healthy budget. There are places you can find deals on just about everything. Here are some of our favorites:

• For travel costs: Hopper, Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kiwi
• For activities: Groupon, Living Social
• For shopping: Coupons, Retail Me Not, Hip2Save

Keep an emergency fund

You never know what can happen in life, so it is always good to set aside a chunk of money so you don’t have to stress if something goes wrong. Pick an amount you think is a valid emergency fund and add a bit of money from every paycheck until you hit the goal.

Set a leisure budget

When you set out to experience a new city, it can be easy to forget how much you actually spend on activities and experiences. Before your placement set a goal of how much you want/or are willing to spend on experiences. Once you are at your placement keep track of how much you spend to make sure you don’t go over your limit.

Cook meals at home

Nursing schedules can be sporadic and random- this means you don’t usually have a set in stone eating schedule. Eating out starts to become the easy and convenient option, but that is most definitely not the cost effective option. It is amazing how much money you can save by eating and preparing meals at home. Check out these quick and easy snacks you can make a home to fuel you through your shift. Of course this doesn’t mean you have to forgo the food culture of the city you are in, but being smart with when you eat out will allow you to spend more on the food that is worth it!

Savings

Your savings account is so important. With a lucrative job like travel nursing, you will be able to put a percentage of every paycheck into a savings account for safe keeping. Putting just a little in every paycheck will add up and you will thank yourself later.

Choose the Right Agency

Choosing a travel nursing agency like Stability will ensure you get the bang for your buck. Not only do they find the highest-paying placements, but the agents also help you find affordable housing and insurance packages. Find an agency that will take care of the major details so you don’t have to.

In the end, it is all about being aware of where your money goes. When you have a big paycheck every month, the easy option is to not think about how much you spend, but before you know it your savings account will have a lot less than you planned. Budget yourself so you can enjoy your traveling lifestyle and take full advantage of your new home.

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Top 3 Big City Placements Right Now

Craving the hustle and bustle of the big city? Stability is here to help you find a travel nursing placement that will give you your fill of art, incredible cuisine, music, and culture.

Spread out all across the US, are cities that are rich in culture in opportunity. We’re here to highlight a couple of cities off of Travel + Leisure’s list of the Top Cities in the US from 2017. Read more to learn about Austin, New York City, and San Francisco, and hopefully get some inspiration for your future nursing placements!

Austin

Lying in the heart of the Lone Star State, Austin combines classic Texas with a hip and trendy twist. The residents of Austin make sure the city stays true to its motto of “Keep Austin Weird” by straying away from what one might expect to see when they visit Texas. The city is made up of several different neighborhoods that each hold their own reputation. Some of our favorites are South Congress, home to public art displays and hip coffee shops, and University of Texas, home to of course UT and also a strip of hip bars and 24-hour diners. If you want to learn more about the neighborhoods, Thrillist compiled a complete list of the different neighborhoods that will give you the inside scoop.

Food will be a recurring theme on this list because, let’s face it, a city isn’t that great if it doesn’t have the food to back it up. Austin is a food lover’s dream… from barbecue to Mexican, there’s something everyone is bound to enjoy in the city. You can even combine the two at one of Austin’s many taco joints like Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, where you can get smoked carnitas, pulled pollo, and smoked brisket tacos.

You can’t mention Austin without taking note to its famous music scene. The city is home to festivals like South by Southwest® and Austin City Limits. The city truly comes to life through its live music culture. Being in Austin during SXSW or ACL is guaranteed to satisfy any music lover’s wildest dreams. Not to worry, even if you aren’t able to line up your placement with that timeline, there are countless venues and live shows happening every night.

Photo via minitime.com

 New York City

A list of some of the best cities to live in wouldn’t be complete without New York City. It is the picture that everyone thinks about when they think of what a city should be- yellow taxis honking through the overflowing pedestrian groups making their way to the subway stations, walking through Times Square at night with billboards flashing after attending a famous Broadway play, and of course the picturesque NYC skyline.

If city life is what you are yearning for, then NYC is guaranteed to give you your fill. The city is made up of 5 different boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough is known for its own unique history, but the most popular is of course Manhattan, closely followed by Brooklyn. Manhattan is full of skyscrapers and luxurious neighborhoods from Wall Street in the South to Central Park in the North. You could spend your entire placement on Manhattan and still not get around to seeing and doing everything. Brooklyn is more neighborhoods and parks, a slower pace than Manhattan with artsy neighborhoods waiting to be explored.

As the melting pot of America, you can only imagine the diversity of food that you can find in the city. Try some authentic Chinese food in Chinatown or head to Eataly for some world class Italian food. If you are feeling really adventurous you can make your way to Brooklyn to try the famous Unicorn Bagel or try cereal milk ice cream at Momofuku Milk Bar.

With the flexibility of your hours as a travel nurse, you will have plenty of free time to really enjoy the city. Especially when the rest of the city is stuck in their 8-6 jobs, you will have the freedom to relax and take a stroll around central park or cruise your way through the MET.

San Francisco

On the opposite side of the country lies the coastal city of San Francisco. Known for its place in the tech scene, the Golden Gate Bridge, and its booming popularity. With its mild and gloomy temperatures, this is a city for someone who isn’t looking for a hot summer or a freezing cold winter. People from all over the world migrating to this growing city, has led to the city gaining a reputation of rent prices as steep as the city’s streets. Lucky for you, travel nurses in San Francisco make anything from $1,400 to over $2,300 a week so money won’t hinder your experience.  

Even though this is a huge city, there’s still a decent amount of nature surrounding it. From Golden Gate Park to the San Francisco Bay, this city never makes you feel like you are trapped in a concrete jungle. Some of the more natural highlights of the city include hikes around Land’s End and Telegraph Hill’s garden-lined stairway walks.

This city is home to some of the world’s most famous restaurants. The city is best known for its sourdough bread and fresh seafood, but has so much more to offer than just that. According to Lonely Planet, San Francisco is home to the most restaurants and farmers markets per capita in North America, making this city one for any food lover. Exploring the neighborhoods of San Francisco will lead you to finding a new favorite spot on every corner.

The great part about travel nursing is that it is just a six-week placement. It is the perfect amount of time to go and experience a new city and what it has to offer without having to commit to living there full-time. Who knows maybe you’ll fall in love! 

If you feel like trying out city life for a few weeks, head to stabilityhealthcare.com to request a quote and see what placements are available.

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