Becoming an RN: Steps to Getting Your Nursing License
On average, a registered nurse earns about $80,000 a year. Of course, this does depend on your credentials, experience, education, and a number of other factors.
Even so, if you’re thinking of getting your own RN license, know that a decent income is a definite possibility. And although the journey to becoming a nurse isn’t the same for everyone, there are a few things that anyone can do to get the most out of their learning experiences.
Do read our carefully outlined steps to getting your license below for more insight.
1. Studying the Requirements Specific to Your State
The very first thing you ought to do is look up the requirements specific to your state. Some states are a part of the nurse licensure compact which enables you to practice across multiple states with the same license.
Additionally, be on the lookout for other necessary requirements in the form of education, background checks, and more. Once you’re familiar with the rules within your state, you can then move on to getting the education you need.
2. Complete an Accredited Program
Find an accredited nursing program that’s approved by your State’s board of nursing. Since you want to pursue an RN license, you have to take a course that caters to that kind of training.
Make sure that whatever course you take is accredited and recognized. Your education will ultimately determine your job opportunities and salary to a large extent. When an institution is accredited it means that it meets that bare minimum standard set by the state board.
Find a good nursing school with a good track record, reviews, and credentials. Also, be on the lookout for scholarships or financial aid if you need it.
In addition to the usual program getting other nursing certifications are a great way to boost your employability and resume.
3. Get Experience Working Under an RN
During your course, you will have the opportunity to intern or work under an RN. Do take it to earn experience in your field and get on-field, practical knowledge about your job.
Supervised clinical experience is how everyone starts their careers, and it’s an important stepping stone to getting your own license to practice.
4. Apply for an RN License
You can apply for your license during the final months of your course, or after your course. If you want to expedite the process, apply towards the end, before your graduation.
Most states will allow you to access the application online. You may be asked to provide transcripts and pay a standard application fee. Once again, do note that the exact requirements will vary from one state to another.
Depending on your state policy, you may even be able to get a temporary license to practice.
5. Pass the NCLEX
Every one of the United States has the same licensing exam. This is the NCLEX. If you’re applying for an RN license, you’ll need to take the NCLEX-RN which might cost you approximately $200.
Your application is usually reviewed, and if accepted you’ll get around ninety days to schedule a test. Now, you can only take these tests once a year, so be sure to study and practice with the assistance of practice tests and other available material.
You can find good practice tests at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. These computerized tests are designed to mimic what the real NCLEX is like. Once you’ve taken these, you’ll definitely feel more confident about taking the NCLEX.
Of course, this is not mandatory, but it does help if you’re someone who experiences test anxiety and would like to feel more prepared.
You have around 6 hours to complete your test, which follows computerized adaptive testing. This form of testing is one that adapts to the user during the test. If it senses that you are knowledgeable and well versed with your material, it may progress to more challenging questions.
The test stops when the algorithm determines your results with certainty or if you run out of time or questions. Depending on what state you’re in you will have to wait a few days until you get your final results. This usually takes around six to eight weeks.
6. Make Sure You Meet All Other Additional Requirements
Once you’ve cleared your exam, you have clear additional requirements required by your state. This could range from criminal background checks or an examination of professional and legal past. While having some sort of criminal history by itself should not automatically invalidate your license, withholding information could have different consequences.
It is advisable to be upfront and honest at the very beginning, rather than get found out later on and have your license suspended. You may also be required to sign waivers or other documents that give access to personal background information.
7. Getting a License in Another State
It isn’t necessary for you to go through this entire process again if you want to practice in another state. You will need to get your license verified by the state you used to practice in, and in some cases, you might have to take a refresher course.
However, as far as education or taking the NCLEX goes, you can skip them for the new state license.
Follow These Steps to Getting Your License
By following the above steps to getting your license, you should be an RN in no time. You can then explore various opportunities like working with a clinic or finding travel nursing assignments that work for you.
Once you get your license, be sure to check our website for the best travel nursing jobs available to you. We bring you the best assignments with the best pay rate around!
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Our Top 6 Most Bikeable and Accessible Cities in the U.S.
As an increasing number of people start seeing the environment (and their wellbeing) as a priority, cities have no choice but to adapt to this new mindset, and one of the main ways in which this occurs is through the creation of bike lanes.
Citizens want to switch their cars by their bikes, and in order to do so safely, they need to have the right infrastructures.
The question is, which cities are most ahead when it comes to this fast pacing trend?
Discover the answer today, as we list six of the most bikeable cities in America!
1. Minneapolis, Minnesota
In Minneapolis, you’ll find 40 miles of bike-accessible paths, which were once the abandoned railroads of the city.
However, there’s even more to come for cyclists in Minneapolis, as the city is currently working on a transportation plan that puts bike-friendliness as a number one priority.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Divvy is the second biggest bike-share system in the U.S. and guess where it comes from… Chicago!
Although it is a busy city, you won’t have a hard time finding bike lanes and parks everywhere, and hey, cycling by the beach while feeling the fresh breeze on your face doesn’t sound like a bad idea, does it?
3. Portland, Oregon
Portland has 385 miles of bike lanes, which are valued at $60 million, and that were used, in 2017, by over 22,000 people to get to work, making it a platinum bicycle-friendly community, according to the League of American Bicyclists. Need we say more?
4. Austin, Texas
In Austin, you’ll find nearly ten miles of protected bike lanes and there’ll be no shortage of people riding around in their bikes, whether they’re commuting or simply having fun.
Chances are that these lanes will grow and become even better over the next few years, as the city is expanding, so we’d say this is a great choice for any cyclist!
5. Manhattan, New York
When you think of New York, you probably picture the busiest city on Earth, which is why you might be wondering…
“How will I ever ride my bike there?!”
The truth is that it is possible, as over the past five years, the city’s Department of Transportation has built bike routes that go on for 330 miles, and the number of people biking there has been on the rise since then.
6. New Orleans
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged countless infrastructures in New Orleans, forcing the city to repair and rebuild them.
During this recovery phase, the city decided to invest in roadways and parks where cyclists could ride safely, and the residents were undoubtedly big fans of this change, as New Orleans became on the most biked cities in America.
Which Bikeable City Will You Move to?
When it comes to turning its cities into more bikeable and accessible spots, America is definitely putting in the work. Now all that’s left is for you to choose where you want to move!
No matter which city you pick, remember that with Stability Healthcare, you can easily find great travel nursing placements. Sign up today!
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Tackling Debt as a Travel Nurse
People have various reasons for becoming a travel nurse. For one, there’s the flexibility of time off between contracts. Then, there’s the opportunity to travel. But, with the average nursing student graduating with anywhere between $40,000 and $54,900 in debt, the pay difference compared to being a staff nurse, is reason enough to choose this lifestyle.
However, as a travel nurse, tackling your student loan debt, in addition to your traveling debt can seem quite the challenge. Don’t despair, the fact that you’re currently working as a travel nurse will help you tremendously to tackle your loans and become debt-free.
Understand Your Debt
To tackle your debt efficiently, you must understand how each one works. For example, most student loans have fluctuating interest rates and high fees. On the other hand, credit card debts tend to have high-interest rates too. But then, you have something like a mortgage, which hopefully has a fixed rate.
Most people assume tackling their most significant debt first should be their strategy. However, most financial experts agree that handling your debts with the highest interest rates, fluctuating rates, or high fees, should be your priority.
For example, the average student loan carries an interest rate of 4.53% to 7.08%. But, the average interest rate on credit cards is 15.09%. So, following the one-debt-at-a-time technique, you should focus on your credit card payments first, and then, start tackling your student loan.
Of course, each case will be different. If you’re struggling with multiple debts and loans, consider speaking to a financial expert that can help guide your decision on how to tackle debt.
Cut Down Expenses Back Home
Once you’re aware of the structure of your debt, it’s time to find ways to save more money. One way to do that? By cutting expenses back home. Check if your house qualifies as a tax home, and if there are some tax deductions, you can benefit from every year. Perhaps you can deduct meals, certain travel expenses, and even professional expenses.
If you own a home, consider if there’s a possibility to rent out a room while you’re gone. If you live by yourself, maybe listing your place on Airbnb while you’re on assignment can help you bring in additional income. Ask your cable and Internet provider to see if you can pause the service for the months you’ll be on assignment.
Otherwise, do your best to downside your permanent home and figure out ways to cut down on expenses such as gardening, utilities, and so on.
Set Up an Assignment Budget
Having a budget will help you get a better idea of where you’re spending money. Working long hours and fluctuating schedules can easily change your perspective on spending. Between transportation expenses, rent, travel arrangments, taxes, and so on, it can be easy to drop large sums of money without realizing it. Thus, ending up with more debt than ever before.
As you create your budget, set different categories for your recurring expenses, for example:
- Food and dining
- Personal products
- Transporation
- Rent
- Entertainment
- Miscellaneous
Give yourself some wiggle room in each one of these categories to have some potential money leftover.
Then, once you can see how much money is left over, you can create a separate budget to allocate a payment towards paying your debts. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate plan, list your debts by priorities, and highlight how much you will be able to pay each month.
Control Your Travel Expenses
Even though, as a travel nurse, you spend most of the days working, travel expenses can add up quickly. Make sure you’re using the budget to help you stay on track with your expenses. Analyze where you can cut down:
- Consider driving towards your assignment city versus flying
- Think about finding a roommate(s) to divide living expenses
- Choose smaller towns that have lower living-costs than larger cities
- Avoid eating out as much as possible
- Analyze the pros and cons of using public transportation versus renting a vehicle
Overall, being mindful of your expenses will help you work towards minimizing your debt in the long run. If you’re able to stick with your budget, managing your expenses shouldn’t be an issue.
Keep in mind that life happens, and as a travel nurse, shifts can often be everchanging, making your expenses the last thing on your mind. Consider syncing your bank account and credit cards to a budget app on your smartphone to stay organized. Make sure you have automatic payments set up for your credit cards to avoid late-fees. Set up reminders or auto-pays for your non-high-priority debts, so you can at least pay the minimum balance each month.
The Benefits of Being a Travel Nurse
Travel nurses earn slightly more than staff nurses, placing you at an advantage to tackle your debt. If you’re able to track your expenses, take advantage of tax deductions for travel nurses, and set up your budget, most likely, you’ll be able to pay off your debt.
It might be challenging in the beginning, and cut-cutting measurements might take time to become habits, but you can do this. Remember that all of these steps towards a debt-free life are somewhat temporary. Once you’re able to get rid of your most burdening debts, you’ll have to adjust your budget to make sure you remain debt-free going forward.
If you work with a travel nurse agency, remember to tap into their resources. Most travel agencies can help you with housing and travel expenses by pairing you with partners or other travel nurses. Don’t hesitate to reach out to an agent and discuss your debt situation. While they might not provide financial assistance, they might be able to offer solutions to help you control your expenses.
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Fueling Up or Winding Down: 4 Easy Breakfast Recipes
Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day—and for good reason. Not only will it replenish the nutrients in your body but it’ll also boost your energy levels.
Whether you’re coming home from your night shift or getting ready to head out for your day shift, it’s definitely not something that you want to skip! Here are a few healthy recipes that you might want to try.
1. Avocado Toast (With Optional Egg)
Avocado toast is both easy to make and delicious. Start by toasting two slices of bread—you want it to be golden and crispy.
From there, peel and mash one small avocado. Add in a teaspoon of lime juice and some salt and pepper to taste.
Spread the avocado evenly onto your toast. If you prefer, you can also top it with a boiled egg, poached egg, or scrambled egg. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Yogurt and Berry Smoothie
This recipe is great for those with busy schedules as it takes less than five minutes to make. The first step is to gather your ingredients—we recommend using 3/4 cup of blackberries and 3/4 cup of blueberries.
Add the berries to a blender. Next, add in one cup of soy milk, one whole banana, and one pack of plain Greek yogurt. Pulse for 30 seconds.
Mix well with a fork and pulse for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately or put it in the fridge until ready to serve.
3. Cheesy Spinach Microwave Quiche
Believe it or not but you can make a quiche in the microwave. Start by adding 1/2 cup of fresh spinach into a mug. Add in two tablespoons of water.
Cover the mug with a paper towel and microwave for one minute on high. Drain the water from the spinach.
Crack an egg into the mug. Add in 1/3 cup of milk as well as 1/3 cup of shredded cheese. Mix with a fork until everything is thoroughly combined.
Cover with a paper towel and microwave again for 2-3 minutes on high.
4. Banana Chia Seed Pudding
Puree two ripe bananas and 1 1/2 cup of milk in a blender. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add in 2-3 tablespoons of chia seeds.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. It can be refrigerated for up to a week if you store it in an airtight container.
Making Healthy Meals For Breastfast
And there we have it—four quick and tasty breakfast recipes. The best part is that you can make them easily anytime—whether it’s before or after your shift. After all, you can’t work on an empty stomach!
Are you a travel nurse? Thinking of broadening your knowledge and experience? Feel free to give our online platform a try—we offer exciting travel nursing opportunities that can expand your career prospects.
Interested? Check out our travel nursing jobs page for more!
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Adjusting to COVID-19 as a Nursing Student
Despite the grueling nature of working as a nurse in the middle of a pandemic, many students are flocking to the career. Some nursing schools have reported more than a 30 percent increase in applicants since COVID-19 broke out.
This is likely because in an uncertain economy, nursing jobs are really needed. In a report, The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) said there will likely be a need for 203,700 new RNs each year through 2026, and those numbers will be even higher amid the pandemic.
But for those who are already in nursing school, on the path to gaining their RN license, the future might feel a little uncertain. While all college students are adjusting to online classes, nursing students have it a little harder. There are 500 hours of direct patient care and 1,000 hours of clinical hours required to complete a nursing program certified by the AACN. And the association has made it clear that these hours are still required, despite some hospitals that have been hesitant to invite a class of undergrads into their clinics and emergency rooms.
Nursing students face challenges on two ends of a spectrum: Some are struggling to get the clinical hours they need without proper licensing to work in a hospital, and others are being propelled onto the front lines of fighting this virus, as hospitals in particularly affected areas are struggling to maintain their staffing needs.
For those who might be feeling in over their head, we’ve interviewed a nursing student at the University of Portland about how her program is adjusting amid the pandemic.
Q: Are you still expected to do clinicals? Is that scary for you?
My clinical was in an assisted care facility so our rotation ended early to protect the residents and limit exposure. The abrupt ending was scary because we were worried about meeting our program’s clinical hour requirement but luckily we were able to do so through additional assignments.
Q: Do you feel like nursing students are getting thrown into work early because hospitals are understaffed?
I have not experienced this where I am, but I definitely heard talk of that being a possibility if hospitals turned chaotic.
Q: Has a lot of what you’re learning shifted to treating COVID-19? Or how has your curriculum changed at all during this time?
The content of my curriculum remained the same with additional lessons that incorporated emerging information about COVID-19. My cohort was supposed to start our summer semester and clinical rotation in May but for many reasons, it was canceled. Our curriculum for our senior year has been shifted and we will graduate in August of 2021 rather than May of 2021.
Q: How are you feeling during all of this? Is there something that helps keep you calm, sane?
The transition to online learning was very stressful. The shift in our curriculum and graduation date was very upsetting, but knowing that I will be able to start my senior year in the fall has kept me sane and given me something to look forward to.
What’s been the hardest part of nursing school during the pandemic for you?
Being in nursing school in the middle of a pandemic and having to switch to online learning was extremely overwhelming. The hardest part was finding the same motivation to study and focus on school, being at home with a big family rather than on campus. Although this situation has been scary and difficult, it has made me even more empowered to join this profession.
If you’re a nursing student in your final two semesters and you’re struggling financially, the AACN Foundation announced in April that they are launching a COVID-19 Nursing Student Support Fund. Students selected will receive $500 awards to help support them as they work on gaining their nursing degree. You can apply for aid here.
And if you’re considering working as a travel nurse once you graduate, check out Stability’s myriad of placements here.
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10 Instagram Accounts Every Travel Nurse Should Follow in the Pandemic
It pretty much feels like the end of the world these days, especially if you’re a nurse in an emergency room. One of the few ways to momentarily escape the glum is to laugh. Gotta laugh to keep from crying, right? Filling your Instagram feed with meme accounts might seem silly, but sometimes it does the trick in adding some positivity to your day. It’s hard to watch one of Leslie Jordan’s videos and not crack a smile, no matter how down you’re feeling about the world.
Here are 10 Instagram accounts you should follow as a travel nurse. Some are nursing related, some are just plain old fun.
NURSE HUMOR ACCOUNTS
@nurseabnormailites
Danielle LeVeck is a nurse practitioner in a cardiac surgery ICU, but she doubles as a meme queen. She’s posting a lot through the quarantine and her memes are oh so relatable. Like this one:
Not to mention, she has an adorable corgi named Sir Charles. How could you turn down corgi content? In this economy??
@nursesofinstagram
With over 306k followers, Nurses of Instagram is filled with hilarious and useful nursing content. They’ll make you laugh with posts about Tiger King:
Or tear up as New York hospitals blast “Empire State of Mind” after a COVID-19 patient gets discharged:
There are tons of heartwarming stories about nurses on the front lines: two nurses getting married, staff going to great lengths to help an old man tell his wife in quarantine that he loves her, emotional support dogs comforting medical staff and of course….. Tik Tok dances.
@nursehumorprn
This account will appeal to those who appreciate some dark humor and aren’t offended by foul language. It’s pure meme and there are surely a few posts you’ll be sharing on your story because, well, how could you not?
@snarkynurses
The best thing about accounts like this one is they’re run by ICU nurses, ones that are probably going insane during COVID-19. If they can laugh, so can you! This account is filled with memes that might hit too close to home about the everyday annoyances of being a nurse. You’ll feel right at home.
PERSONALITIES
Especially in these hard times, we need a reminder of why we love doing this job. Following travel nurses who have really been soaking up all that their placements have to offer can be a good reminder that there will be life after Coronavirus. Follow these travel nurse influencers and start keeping tabs of their adventures, so when this is all over, you can go on your own ones.
@biancasoffer
Bianca Scoffer knows her way around a camera. Her shots from her placements in Hawaii will have you drooling for bikinis and ocean breeze. It’s easy to see why she has over 123k followers. She’s been all over Hawaii, from Oahu to Maui. If you scroll down far enough you can see her adventures in the Northeast too, but nothing beats those ocean views.
@sarah_gaines
Following Sarah Gaines is as educational as it is aesthetic. She intersperses gorgeous ocean shots of her placements in California and Bali with tips about how to maximize your pay and experiences as a travel nurse. Find out the five secrets to making 6 figures as a travel nurse while fantasizing about the poolside cocktail she’s sipping.
@passportsandpreemies
Kylee Nelson, a NICU RN, really puts the travel in travel nursing. Her pictures will make you want to go on your own Eat, Pray, Love adventure. She’s currently based in Seattle but she’s been everywhere from Myanmar to Romania to the deserts of Jordan. Following Nelson will have you dying to explore cities that you had never heard of before. If you’re planning a post COVID-19 trip in any hemisphere, Nelson is bound to give you some inspiration.
Stability Healthcare has placements in Hawaii, Seattle and more. Search for where you want to go and check out our rates here.
GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT
If the floor feels like it’s falling through, sometimes there’s nothing more grounding than just listening to someone you find truly hilarious. They could be reading their grocery list, or trying to figure out how to turn the TV on, but just hearing their perspective on the day can keep you from feeling like you’re living in the Upside Down. That’s the beauty of Instagram, it can bring these people into our lives daily and turn them into our friends. That might sound cheesy and sad, but for any nurse in a new placement during Coronavirus, famous Instagram friends can be welcome. Here are three people to follow to cure your loneliness and anxiety, at least momentarily.
@iamtabithabrown
No one has a smoother voice than Tabitha Brown. Her videos showing you how to cook vegan everything will set your heart rate back to its normal speed, even if you couldn’t imagine giving up pork in a million years. Brown is an actress and comedian, but she doubles as a vegan chef, mom and earring aficionado. She and Donna, her hair, go on lots of quarantine adventures and all of them are worth a viewing, and in between the vegan cooking and hair washing is some truly profound advice. Here are some of Brown’s best moments.
@iammaxgreenfield
Sometimes we forget that the characters we love in shows and sitcoms are played by real people with totally separate lives. But Instagram has done a good job of reminding us of this during the quarantine. And while some celebs have fared better than others, one of the most hilarious and fun “normal” actors to follow has been New Girl’s Max Greenfield. While he might have played an eligible bachelor in most of New Girl, as the douche-y but lovable Schmidt, Greenfield has been married since 2008 and has an adorably sassy 11-year-old daughter named Lilly. He and Lilly have taken to Instagram to document her remote learning, as California schools will continue online until the end of the school year. Watching the two of them bicker, be bored and attempt to learn things together is a great way to lighten your day. Here are some of their funniest antics.
@thelesliejordan
“Awww sh*t, how y’all doing?” A gem of a human being, and everyone’s guncle (gay uncle), actor Lesie Jordan (Will & Grace, The Help) has finally been given the respect he deserves during this pandemic. His twice-daily videos have no doubt saved thousands from mental breakdowns. Whether he’s talking about yoga, “Mama”, or famous actors he’s worked with in his decades-long career, Jordan’s “pillow talk” will brighten every day of your week.
Here are some of his greatest hits:
And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @stabilityhealthcare.
Want to explore more about travel nursing opportunities?
Stability Healthcare is an industry leader in travel nursing. Check out our Travel nursing jobs page for dozens of listings for high-paying gigs all across the United States. If you still have questions, contact our representatives. They are always available to help you start a fascinating career in the travel nursing field.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
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The Best Healing Hand Lotions for Nurses
The long hours wearing gloves, over-washing, and over-disinfecting your hands are part of every nurse’s daily routine. More than a hygiene habit, for nurses, having clean hands is the easiest way to prevent disease or contamination. However, these daily habits quickly leave nurses with dry or cracked hands that can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.
If you’re a nurse struggling with dry hands, consider tapping into the healing power of our favorite hand lotions and creams for nurses.
1. CeraVe Renewing SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Featuring three different essential ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier by hydrating your skin all day and prevent moisture loss. Plus, this hand lotion has a patented delivery technology that delivers moisture slowly over time. The salicylic acid helps exfoliate and soften the skin to smooth out any rough spots. Finally, lactic acid comes in for gentle exfoliation, while hyaluronic acid deepens the moisture, and niacinamide calms the skin and prevents irritation.
2. Gloves in a Bottle Shielding Lotion
A favorite for those dealing with eczema and psoriasis, dry diabetic feet, and dry and irritated hands. Formulated to protect from surgical scrubs and sanitizers, workplace irritants, and over-washing. This shielding lotion creates a protective barrier that prohibits moisture-robbin irritations from penetrating in the skin while delivering slow moisture throughout the day, eventually leaving your hand’s skin soft and supple.
3. Aveeno Intense Relief Hand Cream
The perfect hand lotion for nurses, designed to last through hand washing. Formulated with their signature soothing oatmeal extract to help heal dry skin and form a protective barrier against environmental elements. It also features Dimethicone, a powerful skin protectant in a 1.3% potency ratio. Plus, it’s nongreasy, steroid-free, and fragrance-free, making it gentle for sensitive skin. Not to mention, it’s extremely fast absorbent, so you don’t
4. O’Keeffe’s Working Hands
Anyone that works with their hands is absolutely in love with this lotion. Nurses can easily damage their skin’s natural barrier when over-washing or over-disinfecting. This hand lotion creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and keeps the skin hydrated. It’s perfect for anyone struggling with parched and cracked hands.
5. Eucerin Original Healing Lotion
If you’re looking for a rich and time-tested formula, then this Eucerin Original Healing Lotion is your best option. Formulated to provide long-lasting, intensive moisture to help health dry, compromised skin. The lotion is also non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about this.
6. Burt’s Bees Ultimate Hand Cream
A gentle formula that provides intense all-day moisture to soothe dehydrated skin. With baobab oil, pumpkin seed oil, and green tea extract, this hand cream has clinically shown to improve dry skin’s texture and protect it from harsh environments. Made from 98.9% natural ingredients, it’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.
7. L’Occitane Moisturizing Shea Butter Hand Cream
There are many reasons why this hand cream is a worldwide favorite. A shea butter hand cream by L’Occitane is sold every two seconds. Enriched with 20% pure organic shea butter, this creamy hand balm is designed to penetrate through the layers of the skin quickly and nourish and moisture from within. Its exquisite blend of coconut oil, almond extracts, and honey softens the skin while improving its appearance, giving you supple and smooth skin.
8. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula
A highly concentrated formula inspired by a Norwegian remedy fisherman used to care for their skin. Clinically proven to heal dry hands rapidly. After each use, you’ll notice an improved look and feel of your hand’s skin. Even after one use, your hands will feel softer and smoother than ever. Featuring a glycerin-rich formula that provides moisture and locks it to prevent skin from dehydrating.
9. Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
Not all hand lotions that treat dry skin have to be fragrance-free. The fabulous blend of fragrant botanicals to calm the mind and soothe skin at the same time. Skin feels supple and nourished instantly. With mandarin rind, rosemary leaf, and cedar atlas, to deliver rich hydration to wearied hands and cuticles. The citrusy, woody, and the herbaceous fragrance is almost as an aromatherapy infusion every time you use this balm.
10. Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
Care for severely dry hands with a heavy-duty moisturizing hand salve that delivers intense moisture all day long. Formulated for active and working hands in mind, the balm features avocado oil, sesame seed oil, and eucalyptus oil to leave your hands feeling soft and conditioned. The ultimate hand care salve that creates a protective barrier to effectively improve the appearance of dry hands exposed to harsh elements and manual labor.
While washing and disinfecting your hands is part of any nurses’ daily routine, you don’t have to neglect your hands. These famous healing hand lotions will care and nourish your hand’s skin to make sure they stay soft, healthy, and comfortable.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
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Discounts & Freebies to Celebrate Nurses Week 2020
Right now, healthcare workers are marching on the frontlines of fighting a global pandemic. May 6, commemorates National Nurses Day, and now more than ever, we should celebrate. While many states and local governments canceled events to celebrate the occasion, these businesses are still cheering up healthcare workers by offering amazing discounts and freebies during Nurses Week and the rest of the month.
Nurses Week Deals
Most of these companies are helping nurses and healthcare workers through discounts, donations, and special deals to thank them for their service. This Nurses Week, sales are reaching an all-time high with more businesses joining the party.
Adidas: Currently offering a 40% discount to all verified healthcare workers, including nurses, paramedics, and first responders. All you need is a valid ID and visit: https://www.adidas.com/us/discount-programs.
Mrs. Fields: Through the end of May, healthcare workers can use the code NURSEs and receive a 25% discount on their “Heroes Collection” sweets.
Nursing.com: Are you a nursing student? Then Nursing.com is here to help. They’re currently offering a 36% discount plus a 7-day free trial to their Nursing Student Academy.
Nike: For a limited time, you can receive a 20% discount code to healthcare workers and first responders.
OtterBox: As a thank you to all frontline workers, OtterBox is giving away a 40% discount code to use on all their products.
The North Face: For the rest of the year, The North Face will offer healthcare workers a 50% discount online. For details, please visit their offer page.
Uniform Advantage: To celebrate Nurses Week, Uniform Advantage is giving 30%-50% discounts on nursing scrubs.
Vohra Wound Care: Continue your education and further your career with this FREE Vohra Wound Care Certification Program. Also, to receive 20 CNE credits, use promo code “COVIDNURSE50” for a $50 discount on any educational package.
Nurses Week Freebies
Beyond sales, some companies are helping healthcare workers and nurses by offering free services and products. From coffee to hotel rooms and flights, these are the companies celebrating Nurses Week with plenty of freebies.
Chipotle: On May 6, to celebrate National Nurses Day, verified healthcare workers can receive a FREE burrito. Check Chipotle’s offer website for details.
Circle K: Stop by any location and enjoy FREE coffee or tea when presenting your worker’s ID.
Crocs: The shoe giant has been quite the supporting friend to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Every day at 12 p.m. ET the brand offers free shoes to healthcare workers through the offer website.
Delta Airlines: While they’re not offering a vacation, they’re helping healthcare workers get to the cities that need them the most, currently offering FREE services to those going to Georgia, Louisiana, and Michigan. Please visit their website for details.
Dunkin’: Vist any location on May 6 and receive a free medium hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut — no purchase necessary.
Hilton Hotels: Working with American Express, the hotel chain is offering up to 1 million rooms to healthcare workers traveling to be on the frontlines of the pandemic. The offer will be valid until the end of May and might be the best solution for travel nurses.
H&R Block: Throughout May, healthcare workers can file both federal and state tax returns for FREE using H&R Block’s Tax Pro Go.
Lyft Scooters: If you’re currently working in Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, Metro DC, San Diego, and Santa Monica, enjoy a 30-minute FREE Lyft scooter drive.
Krispy Kreme: Every Monday until May 11, first responders and healthcare workers can receive FREE dozens at any Krispy Kreme location. All you need is to show your identification badge.
Marriott Hotels: Also, in partnership with American Express, the hotel chain will open up to $10 million in rooms for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who have to move during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OYO Hotels: All active medical personnel can request FREE room stays in the U.S. at any OYO Hotel location.
Red Roof Inn: Until the end of the month, Red Roof Inn will donate several rooms to healthcare workers. Plus, they’ll continue to offer a 20% discount to first responders and medical personnel.
Sheetz: Stay awake with this offer from Sheetz. Until June, nurses and healthcare workers can get a FREE coffee kick when showcasing their badge.
Snickers: Treat yourself to something sweet. Snickers is giving out FREE vouchers that can be redeemed at Walmart to healthcare workers and nurses. To get your coupon visit, https://sendasnickersfromhome.com/
Starbucks: Since the pandemic started, the coffee giant has been there for first responders and healthcare workers. Stop by any location and enjoy FREE coffee to help you stay awake and moving.
Talkspace: There’s no doubt that the mental health impact this pandemic has on nurses, and first responders is unmeasurable. Talkspace, a mental health app, understands this very well. The app is offering one month FREE to anyone that signs up using an NPI or a work badge identification.
Tide: The last thing in your mind is laundry. Tide is here to help you keep your and your family’s clothes clean. Until May 9, Tide will offer FREE laundry services and dry cleaning to the families of healthcare workers.
Uber: The giant ride-sharing company is offering medical personnel, first responders, nurses, doctors, and at-home physicians FREE rides, as well as FREE rides for patients with UberHealth, and FREE UberEats deliveries.
Celebrate a Nurse this Week
To all healthcare workers, first responders, and travel nurses in the frontlines of COVID-19, we salute you. Use these discounts, freebies, and special offers to celebrate your greatness and continue lifting your spirit. From all of us here at Stability, we, thank you.
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6 Ways to Boost Morale During Nurses Week
There’s never been a more needed time for Nurses Week, which is celebrated every year from May 6th to May 12th. All across the country, our nurses are working harder than ever to save lives in the middle of a global pandemic. If they were underappreciated before, they certainly can’t get enough praise now. So this May is the time to go all out for Nurses Week. Morale needs a boost, and there are so many simple, but fun and meaningful ways to celebrate this week. Here are a few ideas.
Bring in Therapy Dogs
A lot of facilities have therapy dogs to comfort patients in hours of need. But nurses need comfort too! If your hospital or a hospital nearby already has a therapy dog program, you can inquire about bringing in pups for the nursing staff. There’s nothing like some puppy love to lighten the mood during a stressful time.
Free Massages
Some hospitals celebrate their staff by bringing in masseuses to give free 10-minute shoulder massages. It’s a great way to say, “we know you’re working hard, and you deserve some time for yourself.” In fact, it’s likely that there are several massage therapists who would be willing to donate their time, free of charge, during the coronavirus.
Handwritten Notes
Donuts and cookies might taste good, but they are impersonal. The best way to show you care is just to write it out. Nurses can write sweet letters of appreciation to each other, or staff leadership could also write individual notes to the staffers that help them each day. Nurses could craft some cute letterboxes to put on their desk and encourage their coworkers to drop in a few kind words. You could also make a “snap cup” like Elle Woods did in Legally Blonde 2. Throughout the week, everyone can drop in praises for nurses across the floor.
Ping Pong
Sometimes, you have to give your hardworking staff permission to let loose on their lunch hour. Installing games like ping pong or giant Jenga, is a good way to encourage some fun staff bonding throughout the week. You could even have a ping pong championship with winners getting bonuses or gift cards to local businesses.
Ice Cream Social
Go all out with the ice cream bar this year. Deck it out like a frozen yogurt shop with all kinds of toppings to choose from. Maybe even offer different kinds of cones. Nothing says “I love and appreciate you” more than mint chocolate chip ice cream with fudge and whipped cream topping.
“We don’t want to do our own potluck!”
One nurse told us that her offices in the past have planned potlucks for nursing week, but this often asks the nurses themselves to do unnecessary preparation on a week that’s supposed to be celebrating them! Instead, plan for a local restaurant to cater lunch. You’re supporting a local business during COVID-19 and you’re treating your nurses to food they love! And “provide a whole meal, not just pastries and snacks” our nurses say. There’s no shortage of sweets in the breakroom of any given clinic or hospital. If you really want to show them you care, do the full lunch. Also, giving out gift cards to local businesses is always a good idea too.
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5 States that Might See a COVID-19 Surge In the Summer and Fall
Many travel nurses have the desire to go where they’re most needed, and their impact has been particularly elevated during this global pandemic. Nurses have been sent in troves to New York City as the virus rages through the city’s understaffed hospitals. And Stability Healthcare still has many placements topping at around $5,500 a week in New York. But as the worst of the outbreak appears to be over for now in the large metropolis, it’s also important to look at where COVID-19 might strike next in the United States.
As several states plan to loosen their shelter-at-home orders in the coming weeks, scientists are predicting that the worst of COVID-19 in the United States is far from over. It’s hard to track where the upper respiratory virus, which has claimed the lives of over 50,000 Americans, will hit the hardest in the next few months leading into the fall. Some of the outbreaks have come entirely by chance. A person without symptoms could be particularly contagious and spread the virus widely. Some scientists say that the weather has an impact.
All of this uncertainty can make it hard to predict where nurses will be most needed in the coming months. But studies have proven that despite some uncontrollable variables, how a state’s leadership and its residents take action in preventing the spread of COVID-19 can make a notable difference in regional outbreaks.
If you’re a nurse looking ahead to where your work will be most needed, it’s wise to look at what government leaders are doing to keep residents safe, which states have higher elderly populations and which states have cut funds to hospitals in recent years. We’ve put together a list of a few places that might be at high risk for a major outbreak this year, and will certainly need the help of experienced travel nurses.
Georgia
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has come under fire this week for his controversial reopening plan. Kemp said in a tweet that nonessential businesses including hair salons, gyms, barbershops, tattoo parlors, bowling alleys, and nail salons will be allowed to resume some operations on Friday, April 24. And on Monday, April 27, theaters, social clubs and dine-in restaurants will be allowed to reopen also. With over 22,000 confirmed cases and 892 deaths in Georgia and the number of deaths per day still rising, many are saying Kemp is reopening way too soon.
Kemp said he felt confident that the state could reopen safely based on “favorable data and more testing,” but Georgia has only tested 100,000 people in its population of 10.62 million people. That’s only 1 percent of the population. A recent study out of LA County found that 55 times as many people had antibodies for CoronaVirus than the number of people who tested positive in the county. This could mean that all across the country, hundreds of thousands of people had or have COVID-19 without knowing it. And Kemp didn’t exactly do a good job of combating the spread of the virus at the forefront. He waited until April 2 to issue a stay-at-home-order — way later than most of the country. Even if everyone follows the social distancing rules when opening their business, another major outbreak in the state seems inevitable. And it doesn’t help that Georgia’s hospital capacity is lower than half the country’s, with a rate of 2.4 beds per 1,000 people.
Stability has about a dozen placements in Georgia right now, topping at $3,409 weekly.
New Hampshire
This small New England state might seem like an odd place to experience a COVID-19 outbreak, but it has two damning characteristics: It ranks in the top 10 states with the highest elderly population in the country, and it ranks very low in hospital capacity, with only 2.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people.
New Hampshire has only seen 51 deaths related to CoronaVirus and only 1,588 confirmed cases. Numbers alone, this seems small. But with a population of only 1.36 million people, the small state actually has the same death rate as California and Florida. Its outbreak is also rising steeply. Test numbers from Thursday, April 23 showed that the state added 84 cases in a day.
Fortunately, Governor Chris Sununu said he is likely to extend the state’s stay-at-home order beyond May 4. Still, the state is predicted to surpass its hospital capacity and will certainly need some help.
There’s one high-paying placement open in New Hampshire right now, but also check back later as placements change week to week.
Missouri
Missouri is another state toying with reopening many of its businesses as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. On Friday, cases reached 6,625, with a 20 percent increase in COVID-19 related deaths. However, Governor Mike Parson said that almost every business will be able to open in Missouri on May 4, citing a much lower case number than predicted at this point.
A member of the state’s coronavirus task force said that the state has ICU beds and ventilator capacity, and enough personal protective equipment. But early projections about the virus predicted that Missouri would far surpass its hospital capacity (about 3.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people), and an early opening for the state could make this prediction a reality.
There are over 30 placements available in Missouri.
Alabama
If it isn’t clear by now, the states that should be watched most closely are the ones who were reluctant to close at the onset of coronavirus and are now considering reopening prematurely. Alabama, like Georgia and Missouri, fits the bill.
Governor Kay Ivey issued a shelter-in-place order for the state on March 28, well after many states in the country. And as Alabama has appeared to surpass its peak, with 14 days of consecutive decline, many are calling for the state to open its doors. Including, Will Ainsworth, the state’s Lt. Governor. Ivey’s stay-at-home order ends next week. But even Ivey herself has expressed concern about testing, with only 1.1 percent of the population tested. If the state opens too early, it could risk overwhelming its hospital capacity – which is only 3.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people.
Connecticut
Connecticut is already one of the hardest-hit states in the country, with the third highest death rate just below New Jersey and New York. But experts say that death and isolation will continue in the state for several more weeks. Statistical models predict that the state’s outbreak is less than halfway over, and deaths could possibly double from 1,544 to just over 3,000. Undeniably, the state’s hospitals are overburdened, with just 2 beds per 1,000 people.
Governor Ned Lamont said that businesses will likely not reopen until early June. As cases continue to grow, there are several high-paying placements for nurses in the state.
For more updates, check the Stability Healthcare blog and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for updates!
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