The New Travel Nurse Guide: Everything You Need to Know When Becoming a Travel Nurse
Nursing is a noble career choice — but not everyone is suited to this type of job. Nurses are a special breed of people. They work exceptionally long hours and work under constant pressure. Their job requires empathy, kindness, quick thinking, skill, and intuition.
Nursing can also be a very fulfilling profession. It’s filled with plenty of challenges and excitement to help you grow as both a person and a medical professional. There’s also a brilliant opportunity to branch off into travel nursing. This allows you to explore a country while broadening your nursing skill and knowledge.
If you’re thinking of becoming a travel nurse, this blog outlines everything you need to know.
What Is Travel Nursing?
A travel nurse is a registered nurse with the same clinical background as any other nurse. They work for an independent staffing agency that assigns them to different care areas to fulfill short-term employment gaps. These travel nursing positions are temporary, generally spanning 13-weeks at a time.
Travel nursing came about when the field of nursing faced a shortage throughout the U.S. Hospitals and clinics developed a scheme that offered open nursing positions, higher pay, and housing while covering the cost of relocation.
Travel nurses are generally legible to work in any state across the country as well as at international nursing locations. The appeal of travel, higher pay, and broadening your skillset is what makes travel nursing highly popular today.
The Importance of Travel Nurses
Travel nursing serves a major socio-economic purpose. It helps to bridge the gap between supply and demand within the healthcare industry. This ensures that the nationwide population receives the care they need and deserve.
Travel nurses also help to fulfill the mandatory nurse-patient ratios throughout hospitals and clinics across the country. Essentially, this increases patient safety, lowers mortality rates, and improves patient outcomes.
To add to this, travel nurses bring with them a different skillset and bags of knowledge from different care areas, backgrounds, and geographic locations. Overall, this makes for a more diversely skilled healthcare industry.
A Quick Guide on Becoming a Travel Nurse
In order to become a travel nurse, you’ll have to complete and receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Otherwise, an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from an accredited university will also suffice.
After this, all nurses must pass the NCLEX — the National Council Licensure Examination. This means you are a licensed nurse in your chosen state of practice. The NCLEX is a nationwide exam for all nurses in the U.S. and Canada. Schooling generally takes two-four years, depending on the length of the nursing program you choose.
Nursing Experience
When it comes to medical practice, there is no better way to broaden your knowledge and skillset through hands-on experience. With nursing, experience is probably the most important factor in becoming a sought-after travel nurse.
Most travel nursing agencies look for nurses with a minimum of two years’ experience in the healthcare industry. If you have the following traits, this makes you extra appealing to nursing agencies:
- Strong leadership skills
- Expertise in a chosen field (additional certifications)
- Flexibility
- Good communication skills
- Dependable and reliable
- Works well under pressure
- A good problem solver
Aside from this, nursing also requires you to have great interpersonal skills. This is because you will have to deal with many different walks-of-life throughout your nursing career, especially when travel nursing.
Bear in mind that it’s important to investigate nursing license requirements for each state. You may need to apply for a different nursing license depending on what state you intend to work in. Licenses may take days, weeks, or even months to obtain, so always plan ahead!
Travel Nurse Certifications
You don’t necessarily have to have any additional nursing certifications other than your nursing degree and license. But it does give you an edge over other nursing applicants.
Having an advanced RN certification makes your skillset all-the-more desirable to hospitals, clinics, and travel nursing agencies. Some of the most worthwhile certifications that are nationally recognized include:
- Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)
- Certified Nephrology Professional (CHN)
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN)
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
- Certified in Care, Coordination, and Transition Management (CCCTM)
It really does depend on your preferred area of expertise, but additional certifications can make all the difference in your travel nursing applications and placement.
Travel Nurse Salary and Other Benefits
Travel nursing salaries tend to vary greatly. This is due to the average earnings based state-by-state, the nursing department, the nursing agency, and any additional certifications. Most travel nurses are paid an average of $1,300 to $2700 per week. This makes for an average annual income of $44,727 to $106,985.
Generally, nurses with specialized experience in more intensive departments tend to earn more. This includes Neonatal Intensive Care, the Operating Room, Intensive Care, and the Cardiac Cath Lab.
Other than their weekly salary, travel nurses are also legible for non-taxed stipends for their living expenses and housing in each state they work in. These stipends are paid on top of your hourly nursing rate. Some other stand-out nursing benefits include:
- 401K investment options
- Free continuing education courses
- Tax advantage plans
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Nursing license reimbursement
- Referral bonuses
- Liability and disability insurance
- Worker’s compensation
Keep in mind that you should do your homework before signing up with just any travel nursing agency. Your nursing recruiter is an important figure in your career as they are the bridge between you and your next travel nursing placement.
They also ensure you are paid what you’re worth, and should always be open and honest with you about placement opportunities. Do your research, and find the best agency fit to suit your career needs.
Bring Your Travel Nursing Career to Life With Stability Healthcare
If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse, Stability Healthcare is your go-to for finding some of the best travel nursing opportunities in America.
Search for career opportunities, set an interview, and book your next nursing assignment through our detailed online portal. Browse for travel nursing jobs here and find your ideal placement today…
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Keeping Track of Memories: A Guide to Journaling
To quote Saoirse Ronan in Ladybird, “I wish I could live through something.” 2002 may have only been a palindrome, but living in 2020 certainly constitutes LIVING through something. We are facing unprecedented times, as the news likes to remind us constantly. And if you’re a nurse working on the front lines, you’re in the eye of the hurricane (yes, I have been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack a little too often since it came out on Disney+).
People journal for a lot of different reasons: to keep record of different periods of their life that they can pass down to future generations; to work out their feelings at the end of a rough day; even just to have something to look back on a year from now and think, “Wow, my life was so different then.” All of these reasons feel particularly pertinent today. And if you’re traveling to different nursing placements, every month can feel like a different lifetime.
If you weren’t an avid journaler before, or if you could never picture yourself putting pen to paper every day, this might be the time to reconsider. Here’s a guide to help you get started.
Step 1: Figure out what kind of journaler you want to be
A lot of people are repelled from journaling because they have one idea in their mind of what keeping a journal is. But that’s the beauty of a journal, it’s yours! You can decide to do whatever you want with it. There is no wrong way to journal, except to not do it at all.
You should find the way that’s most suited to your personality. If you’re a type-A person who loves color-coded binders and keeps track of all your pens throughout life, you might be suited to the bullet journal journey. If you’re someone who is allergic to routine, and whose hand cramps up after a few sentences of writing, start smaller. Write a sentence a day. Think about something you want to log each day, to keep track of, and you can add on as you go.
The most important step to deciding what kind of journal you want to keep is identifying your purpose. Why are you keeping a journal? Is it because you want to have a record of the life you’re living right now? Is it because you want an outlet to express yourself? Is it because your boyfriend is driving you nuts and your friends are tired of hearing about it? Figure this out, and then take into account what kind of personality you have and what is going to be manageable for you. Here are just a few examples of different kinds of journaling.
The Chronicler
This may be the most traditional method. You sit down at the end of your day, and you record what happened. For some, this can also be a useful form of meditation. Taking stock of the day behind you and reflecting on it can be peaceful. And you might find out that a seemingly nothing-day held something meaningful after all. The best outcome from keeping a journal like this is you’ll have a detailed record of your life to look back on, either with fondness or with horror, depending on the day probably. But if you’re someone who struggles with your attention-span and you’re questioning whether this whole journaling thing is worth it to begin with, this might not be the best place to start. Just writing what happened moment to moment in your day can feel redundant and mundane, and then you won’t get excited about journaling. If this sounds like you, abort! Try a different kind of journaling first.
The Tracker
Journals can be meaningful but they can also be functional. In this case, your journal is serving your goals, whatever they may be. Maybe you’ve made a goal to meditate or do yoga every day. Keeping a journal logging your meditation hours can help hold you accountable. Some people keep food diaries which can be useful in tracking recipes and coming up with future ideas — these can also just be funny. Maybe you’ve started a new prescription and you’re trying to keep track of how it’s affecting you day by day. The possibilities are endless. But this is a good kind of journal for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time. It’s also an easy place to start for someone who isn’t used to journaling regularly. Sometimes a daily log can be limited to a sentence or two. It’s easy and not as scary as chronicling your whole day.
The Reflector
For the more introspective journaler, sometimes it’s not about writing what happened during your day, but how you’re feeling at the moment you’re journaling. If you feel like it’s cheesy to begin a journal entry with “Dear Diary, today I…,” you’re not alone. But there are ways to talk about your day without recapping what happened. These kinds of journals can be considered stream of consciousness journals. Let your thoughts flow onto the page and don’t worry whether they make sense grammatically or if your handwriting is even legible. It may be odd to think of journaling as a form of meditation, but your thoughts are usually running at a pace much faster than your hand can write. So when you try and capture these thoughts and feelings, you have to slow your mind down, and make enough sense of what you’re feeling that you can formulate sentences. It can be a release to put what’s going on in your head into something tangible. This type of journal can feel a little less like a chore for someone who verges on right-brained. When keeping a journal like this, it’s good to remember that you’re not writing for anyone but you. You don’t have to hide anything or keep anything from your journal in fear of someone else reading it. You could even burn these after you’ve filled them up.
The Writer
Sometimes your journals don’t have to be about YOU at all. If you’re someone who has always had a knack for writing, but you’re not confident enough to share that talent publicly, a journal can be a great way to hone your writing voice. You could look for writing prompts online and challenge yourself to write short essays or stories before you go to bed. Or maybe this is a journal you keep on you at all times, so you can jot things down anytime inspiration strikes. If you want a really good perspective on how to incorporate writing into your daily life, read Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
The Stresser (Mental Health Journaling)
This journal, in some ways, is a cross between a reflection journal and a tracker journal. But with one key goal is maintaining and staying aware of your mental health. Particularly if you’ve taken the step of starting therapy or counseling, these kinds of journals can be incredibly useful. The things that stress us out, make us sad or angry or depressed, can change day to day, but there’s usually an overarching theme, a thread connecting all of these triggers. If you’re seeking professional help, or even talking to friends and family, it can be easy to focus on the particulars, the things that are stressing you out in the specific moment. But if you keep a journal of how you are feeling every day, it becomes an incredible tool for working through the larger challenges in your life. Try taking 30 minutes every night to write down anything that hurt you or upset you during the day, and even the things that made you happy. Then read what you’ve written at the end of the week or month and see if you can begin to see patterns forming.
The Dreamer
Now there are literal dream journals and metaphorical dream journals. Both are really, really fun! If you’re someone who has a lot of whacky dreams that you remember really well, keep a literal dream journal. But also a journal can be a great place to plan your future, to reflect on the person you want to be. Especially if you’re in a placement far from your home and you’re having a tough time at work, keeping a journal where you can visualize what life might be like in the years to come can be calming. Maybe accompany this kind of journal with a vision board of where you want to go next.
Step 2: Find the right journal
Now we’re getting to the fun part: deciding on your medium. A journal doesn’t have to be a leatherbound book filled with blank pages, although if you’re a romantic then it certainly can be. But you want to figure out what medium suits your routine and lifestyle best. For some people, this means the notes page on your MacBook or an app on your phone. Or even a google doc.
Although, there is some evidence to suggest that writing by hand is better. Some research shows that writing with a pen and paper can help us process and understand concepts better. That’s why rewriting all your notes the day before an exam can be a useful studying method. Writing by hand can be cathartic, since in the modern world, we don’t do it very often.
But if you feel disgusted by your own handwriting and putting pen to paper is becoming a barrier, transition to a journaling app. There are some apps or websites that will block all other notifications or websites while you’re writing, so you can have a completely clear headspace.
If you are going the traditional route, don’t be afraid to splurge on a journal that will make you happy aesthetically. It might seem silly, but if you love rainbows and the color yellow, and your journal is yellow with rainbow stickers on it, you might have a more positive association with it. Same goes with pens!
Step 3: Develop a routine and hold yourself accountable
The most important part of journaling is actually doing the journaling. Once you’ve decided what you want out of a journal and how you plan on journaling, it’s time to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Decide what time of day is best for you to journal. Is it in the morning while you’re drinking coffee? Is it sitting up in your bed in the evening? Maybe it’s something you want to log throughout the day. All of that will depend on what kind of journal you’re writing. But find ways to encourage yourself to keep the habit up. Perfection is the enemy of good. Give yourself a break if you miss a few days and don’t worry if you don’t feel like writing much on certain days. The act of doing it every day, even for a short period of time, is good for the soul.
Bonus: Scrapbooking your placements!
While some people’s lives might be genuinely boring during quarantine, if you’re a travel nurse your life is NEVER boring. So even more reason to document all the places you go. Maybe forgo the journal and get a scrapbook instead. Buy a polaroid camera and take pictures of your different adventures at each placement, write notes about your experience on the back and keep them as reminders of where you’ve been and the people you met along the way.
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Cast Your Vote: A Guide Registering As a Travel Nurse
Since 2018, the demand for travel nurses has increased greatly thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. As a travel nurse, you’ve probably been assigned to even more cities and hospitals throughout the past several years.
With so much traveling, it’s difficult to return your home base. You may even be spending more time traveling throughout the year than at home. In this case, you might wonder how you can cast your vote in elections while continuing to work on travel assignments.
Luckily, it’s easy to vote while you’re away from your home state, but it takes some planning in advance. Don’t miss one of the most essential ways to exercise your civil duty. Find out how to register to vote as a travel nurse.
Where to Find Your State’s Registration Information
The first step to registering to vote is gathering the most up-to-date information from your home state. Keep in mind that voter registration requirements vary from state to state. If you’re on assignment in Vermont but live in California, you still need to check the California requirements.
Find the corresponding site for your home state’s election office through the U.S. government. Once you’ve found your state’s site, there should be a section about registering to vote.
Each state will have different guidelines for registering to vote by mail, in person or online. Registering online will usually be the easiest option, especially since you travel often. Through the online registration portal, you’ll need to verify your voter eligibility and add information such as your home address.
Note that once you’re registered to vote, you can always return to update your registration if you need to change anything like your home address or party affiliation.
Also, keep in mind that the home address you use to register to vote may not be the same address you want to use for an absentee ballot. We’ll walk you through the steps for voting by mail below.
What You Need to Register to Vote
To register to vote, you’ll need to prove your residency. The registration documentation may vary from state to state, but you’ll usually need a driver’s license or ID card, your social security number and date of birth.
In some states, you may need to provide further information to prove U.S. citizenship. You may need documents like your passport, birth certificate or naturalization certificate. States that require these documents include Arizona and Kansas.
If you don’t have any of these documents on hand, most states will still allow you to vote. On the voter registration form, there will be an area where you can indicate that you’re missing your identification numbers. In this case, the process for registration may be longer than normal and you may have to submit different documentation.
How to Vote by Mail
Once you’re registered to vote, there’s still a crucial step you can’t miss. You need to apply for an absentee ballot, which is what you’ll use to vote by mail.
Once again, each state has different rules for applying for an absentee ballot. Some states will allow you to request an absentee ballot without reason, while other states have rules for who can receive a ballot.
As a travel nurse, your work will always qualify you for an absentee ballot since you’ll be away from your dedicated polling site. All you need to do is apply for a ballot through your state’s election office, usually through the same site you used to register to vote.
Once you receive your ballot, it’s important to complete and submit it at least a week before the deadline. We’ll cover important election deadlines below.
If you’ve never voted by mail before, know that they’re usually seen as more secure than voting in person. Getting your ballot sent in ahead of time means there’s more scrutiny to prevent fraud and election mishaps.
Election Deadlines to Keep in Mind
Voter registration deadlines vary by state and by election. For example, if you’re registering to vote in Alabama you will need to do so 15 days before Election Day. The 15-day deadline applies to all elections, whether they’re at the city, state, or federal level.
Be sure to check your state’s specific voter registration deadlines so you don’t miss the date.
Another deadline you’ll need to watch is the date to submit your absentee ballot application. Most states will require the application 7-30 days before Election Day. If you’re submitting your application with an address that isn’t your residence, you may even need to submit it earlier.
Staying Informed to Vote
While registering to vote requires a series of steps, you should strive to stay informed throughout the entire process.
Last-minute voting can be very stressful and make you second-guess your decisions. Empower yourself throughout the voting process by registering early and understanding who’s on the ballot ahead of time.
Try to request your absentee ballot early or review sample ballots to make sure you understand what you’re voting for. Keep in mind that registering to vote is meant to give you a voice, so it should make you feel well informed and part of your broader community.
Exercise Your Civil Duty – Cast Your Vote!
Once you’ve received your absentee ballot, it’s time to cast your vote. Traveling nurse jobs are hectic and busy, but it only takes a few minutes to send in your ballot. The initiatives you’re voting on could have direct outcomes on your personal and professional life.
Contact us today to learn more about travel nurse jobs available nationwide.
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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.
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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.
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