Healthcare Tag

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Are We Close to Hitting the US Goal?

President Joe Biden announced a new nationwide COVID-19 vaccination goal around late March: 200 million shots being given within his first 100 days in office. This is after his earlier goal of 100 million vaccinations was met on the 59th day of his administration. April 28th is when Biden hits his 100th day in office–experts believe that if the country continues the vaccination rate, the US will reach the 200 million goals a week before Biden’s self-imposed deadline. 

Keeping Up With the Vaccines

As the vaccines continue to be rolled out, more and more people become eligible to get vaccinated. Of course, this brings a whole new set of difficulties, challenges, and setbacks for vaccines. 

Pfizer Making Progress

From the different vaccines in the US, Pfizer seems to be making some progress. As of April 13, 2021, there were 99.45 million Pfizer vaccines administered worldwide. They are also on the verge of being approved by the FDA to authorize their vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds. In the meantime, their vaccine remains under emergency use authorization for people 16 and older. 

Johnson & Johnson’s Setback

A bit far behind is Johson & Johnson’s vaccine, with less than 8 million doses administered. To slow things down even more, they’ve paused vaccinations in all clinical trials over blood clot concerns out of an abundance of caution in the US. The company is also delaying the rollout of the vaccine in Europe. 

Moderna Stays Stable

It pays to be first; the Moderna vaccine has delivered 85.4 million doses so far. Since they have had more time and resources for testing, they say their vaccine is more than 90% effective for at least six months. Pregnant and postpartum women are also encouraged to receive Moderna vaccines, expanding the vaccine’s reach. 

The Latest On the Coronavirus

Though the country seems to be getting the hang of the pandemic, new strains of the virus, the vaccine rollouts, and lockdowns coming to an end are destabilizing everything. 

Hotspots

The United States has reported an 8% increase in new cases of COVID-19 in the past few weeks. Michigan reported the highest number of cases per capita, with almost 39% of new cases involving the more contagious B.1.1.7 variant of the virus first identified in the United Kingdom. 

Overall, deaths from COVID-19 seem to be going down by 7% in the past weeks. Except for Oklahoma, which reported 1,716 new deaths between August and February and had gone unreported. Including the backlog, deaths rose by 21 percent. 

Restrictions

While countries like Turkey and the Netherlands are enforcing partial lockdowns and extending their lockdowns, the US is dropping more and more restrictions every week. The latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allows fully vaccinated travelers to travel safely, without getting tested or self-quarantining. 

However, in most states, businesses are mostly open, except for California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have mixed restrictions allowing certain businesses to open to the public. Only 38% of the states remain with mandatory restrictions on masks, and 92% of states have no restrictions on stay-at-home orders. The only states with advisories to stay home are California, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. 

Variants

Some people, including experts, attribute the cooldown of restrictions to the surge in new cases. Variants account for about 78% of recent Coronavirus cases in New York City. About 30% of cases were identified as the variant from the UK, and another 42% were genetically sequenced samples of the variant first discovered in New York City. 

Thankfully, the latest studies on the UK variant found that the virus is more transmissible but not as severe. Still, separate findings state that the variant might be tied to a higher risk of dying from the virus. Of course, it’s still too soon to fully understand these new variants as there aren’t enough cases yet to come up with a final statement. 

How to Get the Vaccine

As of early March, over half (52%) of frontline healthcare workers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, leaving 48% who have not. It’s important to point out that about 15% of US healthcare workers, primarily those working with smaller institutions, refuse to take the vaccine. Nonetheless, for travel nurses, getting the vaccine can make moving from city to city more accessible, and here’s how to get one:

1. Find a COVID-19 vaccination site near you: use vaccinefinder.org to find providers near you. Another option is to check local pharmacy websites or find pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. 
2. Schedule a vaccination appointment: most providers use their scheduling systems. 

Nurse of the Month: Laura

We’re excited to introduce our Nurse of the Month, Laura! Laura is a PACU nurse that just began her travel journey. We chatted with her while she is absolutely shining in her first placement in Raleigh, North Carolina. Learn more about our Nurse of the Month:

What has it been like working during the pandemic?

It was a hard year with a lot of changes in healthcare and the world. My decision to do traveling nursing just made sense. The pandemic was the catalyst I needed to make some serious changes in my life.

What placements have you had in the past?

I chose a hospital in Raleigh, NC bc it all fell into place. I saw an opportunity to be in a new part of the country and I was excited for the experience.

All-time favorite placement?

Raleigh was the first of what I hope will be many others.

Dream Placement?

Hawaii

What is your career history, how did you become a travel nurse?

I have been a nurse for 26 years. I worked in the ER for 7 of those years and then got a job in PACU where I have been for over 15 years.

What inspired you to become a travel nurse?

The pandemic made me want to see what the rest of the world was like. I figured there was no time like the present to do something I have always wanted to do and not to put off what I could do now until later.

What is your nursing specialty?

PACU is where I love to be and working there just came naturally to me. It was a good fit.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?

I love to bake and cook. I stay active by going to Zumba classes and training to run races.

Best travel nursing story?

It’s no secret traveling nurses aren’t always welcomed in the unit they choose. But the PACU at the hospital in Raleigh made me feel like I was part of the team from the start, and that meant the world to me.

What’s your favorite part of working with Stability?

All expectations were communicated and if I had any questions or concerns, I felt comfortable asking and Stability helped any way they could.

What is something you bring with you (non-nursing related) to every move/placement?

I am easy going and I adapt to new situations quickly. As a traveler that is important.

Any advice for future travelers?

If you aren’t sure you want to do it, don’t be afraid. If the pandemic taught me anything, it is that life is too short to put things off until later. The money is great, but the opportunity to see and do new things and meet new people, is what it was really about for me. My assignment surpassed all of my expectations and then some.

8 Tik Tokers You Need to Follow

This may come as a surprise, but one of the best ways to get a look into the life of a travel nurse is to, well, go on Tik Tok! Tik Tok gives a platform to anyone to create any kind of content, and there are plenty of travel nurses that make videos about their experiences. Here are a few of our favorites:

@sibsrn

If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse but don’t really know where to start, @sibsrn is your kind of Tik Toker! She makes videos that are direct and to the point – like the benefits of applying to jobs you think you may not be right for, how to handle a long-distance relationship while being a travel nurse, and skincare basics for a nurse. She makes videos for things you wouldn’t even think of right off the bat, but as soon as you watch them, you’re glad you did! Every so often she gives updates on where her position is, how she’s liking it, and where she’s going next. 

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@byerneston

@byernestion is one of the most well-followed travel nurses on Tik Tok. He’s a strong advocate for Black rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and for being yourself! He’s one of Tik Tok’s travel nurses that posts most regularly, so you can always have new content to see. He is also very blunt when he answers commenters’ questions, so you get an honest viewpoint on his feelings pertaining to being a travel nurse. 

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@laughingbabe

Courtney Maree (@laughingbabe) shows the adventure-filled lifestyle that travel nurses can live and shares all of her tips and tricks so you can do the same. Her content is the perfect mix of relatable, educational, funny, and also serious. Her positive energy and content creates a welcoming and supportive place for nurses of all levels to enjoy.

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@courtneyzanee25 

Most of @courtneyzanee25’s Tik Toks delve into the benefits of being a travel nurse, but with a humorous twist! You can watch her pick out which scrub cap she’s going to wear for her shift, see her use memes to illustrate the monetary benefits of being a travel nurse and learn about some of the activities she does where she’s stationed. She injects plenty of her personality in each Tik Tok, making the content more relatable, even for those who aren’t nurses! It’s a good mix of classic Tik Tok dances and funny, informational videos. The comment sections are great to read because they’re often filled with input from other travel nurses or people who are interested in becoming a travel nurse. 

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@reesesRN 

@reesesRN is a travel ICU nurse. Her Tik Toks chronicle why she wanted to be a travel nurse, how she became one, and what she typically does on her shifts. Her content is very relevant and mirrors today’s social issues. Some videos help expel myths about the COVID vaccine, some advocate for human rights, and some are more lighthearted, like giving insights into what different parts of a hospital smell like. She also often answers questions about travel nursing that other users comment on. All of her videos are informative and important and are up to date with modern medical and social issues. 

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@charley1969

@charley1969 is an ICU travel nurse. There are plenty of great, humorous Tik Tokers, and although @charley1969 is funny, they also have more serious videos thrown in that deal with the hard, emotional sides of being a travel nurse. They provide a realistic side of being a travel nurse that many don’t often see. However, despite the somber tones of some of their Tik Toks, @charley1969 often still offers a positive, encouraging outlook that sheds light on how important travel nurses are. 

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@travelnurseoftiktokaf

@travelnursetiktokaf uses Tik Tok as a platform to help staff nurses transition to travel nurses. With a plethora of information on travel nursing out there, it is awesome to see the ins and outs of travel nursing from a travel nurse. This account gives a look at the money side of things and how to navigate the profession, but also shines a light on the experiences, the people, and the fun parts of travel nursing. Her videos have you thinking, “who wouldn’t want to be a travel nurse?”

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

@mackyoustoopid

@mackyoustoopd is another great example of a Tik Toker who creates hilarious bits that not only give you a good laugh but give you first-person thoughts on being a travel CNA! Although most of his content is pretty specific to being a travel CNA, they’re still funny overall and are certainly appealing to anyone who already works in a medical field. Since he posts so many videos on a regular basis, his content spans from the typical occurrences of a night shift to what it’s like working with patients (in his case, specifically for patients in the Psych ward).

Some of our favorite Tik Toks: One | Two | Three

Are these Tik Toks inspiring you to hop on the travel nursing train? Find open positions and set up an interview today for your next placement with Stability.

Everything You Need to Know About Post Anesthesia Nurses

Post-anesthesia nurses are highly popular and needed in almost every medical environment. They’re specialized nurses providing care for patients who have gone under anesthesia. This is particularly important since sometimes patients can experience side effects of anesthesia or have trouble regaining consciousness. Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurses can enjoy a long and rewarding career in their field, often finding employment in many settings. If a career as a PACU nurse intrigues you, keep reading to learn about what you need to know to start your path toward becoming one. 

What is a Post Anesthesia Nurse?

As their name states, post-anesthesia nurses care for patients who have gone under anesthesia. They observe and treat patients post-operation to make sure they safely awake from anesthesia. PACU nurses care for vital signs, measure consciousness levels, and ensure sedation is wearing off properly. 

Unlike operating room nurses, PACU nurses take care of patients once they leave the operating room. Similarly, PACU nurses are not mistaken with nurse anesthetists, who have specialized and advanced nursing degrees. 

National average salary: $94,966 per year

Job outlook: 12% increase by 2028

Where Do Post-Anesthesia Nurses Work?

Post-anesthesia nurses work in the post-anesthesia care unit in hospitals. While this is a critical care unit, patients here have gone under anesthesia but do not need close monitoring like in an ICU. Sometimes PACU nurses can find employment in other medical facilities that provide treatments that require anesthesia, such as testing facilities and ambulatories. 

What Kind of Patients Are in a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit?

Patients in the post-anesthesia care unit aren’t in any danger. These patients have gone under anesthesia and are transferred here for close monitoring until they’re fully awake. These patients haven’t undergone any major surgical procedure that requires intensive care. Otherwise, patients would be transferred to the ICU instead. 

What Does a Post-Anesthesia Nurse Do?

PACU nurses work in the recovery room, becoming one of the first people they see after a procedure. Because some patients experience side effects such as nausea, fear, agitation, and difficulty breathing, post-anesthesia nurses are there to care for and monitor their progress. Sometimes, PACU nurses may also be responsible for helping patients stand and completing the discharge process. 

Post-anesthesia nurses provide comfort and assurance. They explain to family members the anesthesia side effects and answer any potential questions. This close connection to patients and families means PACU nurses need to be understanding and compassionate.

Most responsibilities include:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and make quick critical decisions
• Respond to complications administering medications and assisting in other procedures as needed
• Monitor post-operative patients’ levels of consciousness
• Measure and record patients’ vital signs
• Treat pain, nausea, and other post-operative symptoms of anesthesia
• Provide comfort and reassurance to distressed patients
• Educate patients and family members on post-surgery care

How Do You Become a Post-Anesthesia Nurse?

Like other nursing specializations, the journey to becoming a PACU nurse starts with getting certified as a registered nurse. Gaining experience in the post-anesthesia care unit is enough to start carving a career in this field. However, you can also further your education by becoming a certified post-anesthesia nurse (CPAN). 

Common certifications:

• Certified post-anesthesia nurse (CPAN)
• Certified ambulatory perianesthesia (CAPA) nurse
• Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Post-Anesthesia Unit Nurse?

Most PACU nurses handle between one to two patients at a time, so it’s considered a less stressful nursing job. Still, it is paramount that good PACU nurses have strong nursing skills and make quick decisions about their care. Compassion, communication, and collaborative skills are crucial in this position. PACU nurses often are part of a larger team and must work in a group environment. 

Most common skills or post-anesthesia unit nurses include:

• Experience in intensive care unit or post-anesthesia care unit
• Proficiency in electronic hospital management systems
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills 

Starting Your Post-Anesthesia Nursing Career

Many consider a post-anesthesia nursing career the stepping stone to reach more highly specialized positions. Obtaining experience in the post-anesthesia care unit can prep nurses to assist in the operating room or even become anesthetic nurses in the future. If a nursing career in post-anesthesia care interests you, these steps will help you position yourself as a great candidate. 

At Stability Healthcare, we place nurses in hospitals across the United States, helping them find tremendous opportunities in various fields, including in the post-anesthesia care unit. If you’re ready to kickstart your career, search for your next placement and set up an interview today. 

10 Reasons Why You Should be a Travel Nurse

Travel nurses are skilled professionals who take assignments in facilities with short-term staffing needs. They have the opportunity to provide patient care and get to see exciting places at the same time. But there’s more to becoming a travel nurse than meets the eye. Below are reasons why you should to become a travel nurse.

1. Great Pay

Our travel nurses earn good hourly rates on top of Day 1 insurance through United Healthcare including dental and vision, automatic life insurance policy, extra shift bonuses, guaranteed stipend, and 401K for travel nurses who have traveled with us for at least a year. Most importantly, we offered PTO for all of our travel nurses.

Getting a travel nursing job is not difficult although it’s best if you have about 24 months of acute care experience.

2. You Can Take Your Family With You

You don’t have to travel alone. If you have a spouse or children, you can always take them with you. Travel nurses can even bring along their pets to pet-friendly cities. We can also help you arrange for your housing and we reimburse travel expenses up to $600. You may also be eligible for a housing subsidy if you manage to secure your own housing. If you love your assignment, you also get the option to extend your contract.

3. Demand for Travel Nurses is High

The demand for travel nurses continues because of Covid-19. It hit its all-time high last year during the pandemic and the demand is still expected to rise. In fact, the forecast is bright for the nursing profession in the next four years. The travel nursing profession can give you more financial stability and flexibility as you can work anywhere. If you are committed to your profession, there is no shortage of job opportunities for you.

4. More Freedom and Flexibility

One of the benefits of being a travel nurse is having the freedom to choose wherever you want to work. You can pick your own location and if you are flexible with shift times, it’s easier to connect you with more travel nursing assignments. Travel nurses also get to take time off in between their assignments, to either go on a vacation or spend quality time with their family or friends. Most jobs do not offer this freedom and flexibility — you basically have full control of your life when you become a travel nurse.

5. Professional Growth

Working with a range of different healthcare facilities from outpatient care to Level 1 trauma center enables you to broaden your skill sets and enhance your current expertise. More experience coupled with a strong background and a commitment to your profession will help you succeed.

6. Live in New Places

If you want to see more of the United States and discover exciting places to live in, then travel nursing is for you. Nursing assignments are available in all 50 states from the busiest cities to quaint towns. If you want to explore a new state, we can always help you with how to apply for a new license.

7. Find Your Dream Place to Settle Down

By working as a travel nurse, you get the option to work anywhere you want to. You can take advantage of this opportunity to find an ideal place to settle down. By working in a different location, you get to test the waters and see what life is like in that place. You get to compare living in different towns or cities and decide where you want to permanently live.

Being a travel nurse provides you with a rare opportunity to live in any place that you want. And the more experiences you have working in different places, the more likely you are to get new travel nursing assignments. Most importantly, you can broaden your skills and can adapt to any working environment.

8. You Get to Relax

Most of our travel nurses stay on for a minimum of three assignments and then they take time off to relax or travel with their family. Compared to working as a permanent nurse, being a travel nurse lets you avoid burnout. You always have the option to take a break after your assignment. As soon as you have recharged, we can connect you again with more travel nursing assignments.

9. No Workplace Drama

One advantage of being a travel nurse is you don’t get caught up with any workplace politics or drama. You only need to show up every single day and focus on providing the best patient care. By being a travel nurse, you get to avoid having to deal with long-term management or co-worker issues. Your only commitment is to get the job done properly and improve your skills.

10. Experience More Adventures

Traveling lets you experience life differently. You can explore new places, try new cuisines, learn new cultures, discover new interests or hobbies and meet new people. You get to do all these by becoming a travel nurse. This profession can give you the opportunity to try new adventures, something that you may never find in your own city. So long as you are open to new experiences, the options are endless.

Begin Your Journey as a Travel Nurse

We are a travel nursing agency that can assist you with travel nurse jobs. We can help you find your next assignment and it’s easy to get started — simply search for open jobs and compare high-paying travel jobs, set an interview and book an assignment. Our team will assist you every step of the way including helping you arrange for your housing. Apply today!

Top 5 Travel Nursing Podcasts of 2021

You are one of the elite group of about 25,000 that can call themselves traveling nurses. And, there are podcasts made just for you!

Podcasts for traveling nurses help to provide an outlet for information to stay current and updated with changes in the profession, and also to stay entertained. Have you tuned in to some of these nursing podcasts already, or are you just starting your search? Let’s check out the top 5.

Play That Podcast

Why podcasts? Nursing is a challenging profession, and when you add in the issues of traveling it becomes even more difficult. But, it’s our lives, and we wouldn’t change it for the world.

Podcasts are a way to become educated, informed, and even unwind with content that we can tune into, pause, and restart whenever we have time. Audio allows us to listen in as we travel by plane, train, automobile (or on foot.)

Do you have stories/experiences that you would like to share? Many of these podcast hosts would love to hear from you!

Good Nurse Bad Nurse

If you are going to get hooked on a podcast, at least let it be a long-running one. Good Nurse Bad Nurse podcast host Tina describes her work as educational and encouraging material for nurses. Episodes are long (30 mins-90 mins) which is great for those days when you have the time to relax and enjoy, or for long travel days.

Your Next Shift: A Nursing Career Podcast

With almost 200 episodes, this “cutting edge” podcast informs and educates nurses so that they can show up as their best self on their next shift- as host Elizabeth Scala claims. More than just another informative podcast, Your Next Shift is thrilling and entertaining with guest nurses from all over the world telling their stories about their nursing jobs.

This podcast gives you the strength to go on when you wake up feeling like you can’t. Remember why you chose this profession, and what the benefits of traveling nursing are.

Cardium

Their motto is “getting to the heart of travel healthcare,” and they cover not only travel nursing culture but all types of traveling healthcare workers. Relatable content from professionals and fellow travelers. Hosted by former healthcare workers, Sunny and Mark.

There are about 30 episodes with a lengthy write up describing the material that is covered in each episode so that you can read through and decide if you want to listen or skip to the next one.

Nursing Uncensored

Do you want to hear real people talk about real problems? Nursing Uncensored deals with the mental and physical health issues of nurses, and tons of other subjects surrounding the realities that nurses personally face every day.

This podcast is unique in that it covers some controversial topics, not just the vanilla stuff. There’s more to love about Nursing Uncensored with Adrienne’s blog, and videos on her website.

The Happy Traveler

Nurse Kelley talks about self-care, traveling with your family, working as a nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic, and much more. Episodes are short and sweet ranging from 8 minutes to about half an hour, available on Apple podcasts.

Nursing Podcasts

To take care of others, you must first take care of yourself. That’s what nursing podcasts are there for! Tune in, and tune out.

If you are looking for a new agency or just getting into the travel nursing field, look no further than Stability Healthcare. Start your next adventure now.

Everything You Need to Know About ER Nurses

An emergency room’s insides may be the background for many TV dramas, but it’s where everything happens for ER nurses. Nurses in the emergency room are prepared for the unexpected and fast-paced environment. They are self-sufficient and need to make decisions confidently and quickly to ensure patients are assessed and appropriately treated. For many, the ER can be intimidating, but it is the battlefield they come to every day for ER nurses. 

What is an Emergency Room Nurse?

Unlike other units, the ER nurse can play different roles. Most emergency room nurses take on multiple roles throughout their careers. ER nurses treat patients suffering from trauma, injury, or severe medical conditions requiring urgent care. They work in crises that primarily require instant attention. 

• Trauma Nurse: Works in Trauma Centers and helps patients who come in by ambulance, helicopter, or personal vehicles. 
• Code Nurse: Works in Code Rooms where the sickest patients go in the emergency room. 
• Triage Nurse: Works in the emergency room, sorting patients based on their vital signs, complaints, and resources to help decide who gets seen first by a provider. 
• Flight Nurse: Works out of helicopters and planes to transport critically injured or ill patients transported between emergency departments. 
• Critical-Care Transport (CCT) Nurse: Works in ambulances and cares for patients while being transported from one facility to another. 
• Pediatric ER Nurse: Works in the pediatric emergency room caring for patients under the age of 18. 
• Burn Center Nurse: Works in Burn Centers and are specially trained in burn victim resuscitation and burn care. 
• Geriatric ER Nurse: Works in Geriatric Centers and cares primarily for elderly patients who require acute care. 
• Charge Nurse: Works in the emergency room, and it’s the department captain, responsible for staffing, patient assignments, and more. 

National average salary: $68,425 per year

Job outlook: 12% increase by 2028 

Where Do ER Nurses Work?

Most ER nurses work in the emergency departments of hospitals or medical clinics. However, emergency nurses can also find themselves working as flight nurses on search and rescue teams. Interestingly, ER nurses can have a thriving career in the film industry as movie medics. ER nurses can also serve patients on cruise ships since they’re well suited for the unique work environment and challenges this presents.  

There are also less hectic work environments for ER nurses, like at schools or walk-in clinics. Most ER nurses can work virtually anywhere. It depends on their certifications and particular skills. 

What Kind of Patients Are On the ER Unit?

The emergency room receives every kind of patient. People can come in with headaches, skin infections, back pain, toothaches, and other complaints. Other typical ER visits include foreign objects in the body, skin infections, contusions, cuts, respiratory infections, broken bones, and sprains. These are patients that require immediate and acute care, on-the-clock monitoring, and accurate diagnosis. 

What Does an ER Nurse Do?

Emergency room nurses follow very similar duties to other nurses, such as monitoring patients, recording vital signs, administering medications, and so forth. However, ER nurses also experience the pressure and fast-paced environment of the emergency room. An ER nurse’s fundamental role will also vary on her particular skill set, area of emergency covered, and department they work. 

Most responsibilities include:

• Check medical equipment to ensure it’s functioning properly
• Keep supplies stock between patients
• Perform or assist with tests like EKGs, electrocardiograms, and blood draws
• Ask questions to get an accurate idea of the symptoms and condition
• Maintain detailed charting notes to ensure continuity of care

How Do You Become an ER Nurse?

The first step is to become a registered nurse (RN) by obtaining either an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Next, pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to get your appropriate license. It’s important to get related emergency experience to later apply for the certification from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN). While this isn’t required, it’s an added plus to your resume. ER nurse certifications will also vary by the type of work you wish to specialize in. 

Common certifications:

• Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
• Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN)
• Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN)
• Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
• Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN)

What Skills Do You Need to Be an ER Nurse?

There’s no specific set of qualities required to be an emergency room nurse. It’s more about having particular characteristics that make you well-suited for the job. Emergency nurses must be able to remain calm in highly stressful and high-pressure situations. Having a thirst for knowledge is a common trait among ER nurses that helps them stay on top of the latest developments to be flexible with their treatment recommendations and approaches to certain situations. 

Most common skills for ER nurses include:

• Multitasking
• Confidence to be firm and direct
• Teamwork 
• Quickness
• Calmness
• Coping skills

Starting Your Emergency Room Nursing Career

A career in emergency room nursing is ever-changing, exciting, and filled with challenges. If this career path interests you, there’s a journey towards becoming one. By specializing in ER nursing, you have the opportunity to explore working at different settings and locations as a travel nurse. At Stability Healthcare, we place nurses in hospitals across the United States, helping them expand their horizons in specialties like ER care. Contact us today and speak with one of our representatives to get started. 

What To Know About the COVID-19 Vaccines

With a COVID vaccine being made available, it’s starting to look like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. There’s a lot of confusion and misinformation when it comes to the safety and the efficacy of the vaccine and why you should get it, who can get the vaccine, and where to get the vaccine. Below, you can find more basic and general information. However, the vaccine rollout can be dependent on state/city, and as Biden comes into office, the rollout may change even further. As a travel nurse, you likely will be in the first few rollout phases (or maybe, you’ve already been vaccinated)! It’s best to consistently check local state regulations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the most updated and accurate information. 

What are the effects of the COVID vaccine and is it safe?

If a vaccine is effective, it helps prevent the person from getting sick if they’re exposed to the virus. For COVID specifically, it’s very important to note that you must continue to remain socially distant until enough people have received the vaccine. There is not enough information to determine whether or not a vaccinated person can pass and transmit the virus to others, hence the importance to remain socially distant (Hopkins Medicine). 

The FDA approved vaccines (which you can see below) are safe and encouraged. As BBC states, “there is no evidence that any of these ingredients cause harm when used in such small amounts. Vaccines do not give you a disease. Instead, they teach your body’s immune system to recognize and fight the infection they have been designed to protect against.” If you think you may have any allergies or reactions to the vaccine’s ingredients, it’s always best to consult the CDC website and your doctor before receiving the vaccine. 

What COVID vaccines are out there?

As of now, there are two COVID vaccines that the CDC recommends: the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. Each has their own requirements and eligibilities:

Pfizer

• Recommended for those 16 years and older. 
• 2 shots in the upper arm. There should be 21 days between the initial and second shot. 
• According to the clinical trials, “the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was 95.0% effective… in preventing symptomatic laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in persons without evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
• Mild to moderate symptoms following vaccination can include: pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, and chills, tiredness, and headaches. This is normal, and these are common symptoms with many safe vaccines. 

Moderna

• Recommended for those 18 years and older. 
• 2 shots in the upper arm. There should be 28 days between the initial and second shot. 
• According to the clinical trials, “the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine efficacy after 2 doses was 94.1%…in preventing symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 among persons without evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was the primary study endpoint.”
• As with the Pfizer vaccine, mild to moderate symptoms following vaccination can include: pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site, and chills, tiredness, and headaches. 

Who can (and should) get the vaccine?

• Currently, eligibility to receive the vaccine differentiates between states. For example, Illinois is making the vaccine available to certain groups in different phases. Travel nurses would be in Illinois’ first phase, because it includes healthcare personnel (hospital settings and non-hospital healthcare), long-term care facility staff and all residents, and other identified congregate care staff and residents. The second phase includes people 65 years and older, frontline essential workers, and inmates. Then the rest of the phases move accordingly to who is deemed at a higher risk of contracting and suffering from COVID. Often, you register ahead for the vaccine, but this also varies by location. Webmd has a good, collective list of links to states’ different rollouts. 
• Overall, the COVID vaccine rollout across the United States will likely change when Joe Biden takes office. NPR reports that Biden has a five-part plan to speed up national vaccinations: “To bring the virus under control, it proposes hundreds of billions of spending for a national vaccination program and public health measures such as testing and contact tracing; new jobs for public health workers; and expanded U.S. manufacturing for protective gear.” The full five-part plan can be found here. 

Why should a travel nurse especially get the COVID vaccine?

• First and foremost, getting vaccinated for COVID will help keep you healthy, and greatly lower the risk of serious complications of COVID. Travel nurses typically have a higher COVID exposure than non-healthcare workers. Getting the COVID vaccine will not only give you peace of mind but will also allow you to continue to work and help those in need. 
• The CDC points out that “Healthcare personnel who get COVID-19 can also spread the virus to those they are caring for—including hospitalized patients and residents of long-term care facilities. Many of these individuals may have underlying health conditions that put them at risk for severe COVID-19 illness.” Getting vaccinated not only protects yourself, but it helps protect the people you’re working with. 

As always, please refer to the CDC for the most updated information regarding COVID and the COVID-19 vaccine.

Top Benefits of Travel Nursing

Travel Nursing is a career that offers a unique set of perks. It’s one of the only jobs that gives you the opportunity to check off all of the places on your traveling bucket list. If that alone isn’t enough, keep reading to learn why you should be a travel nurse.

Live Anywhere You Want

As we mentioned before, travel nursing will have you checking places off of your bucket list left and right. With short placements, you’ll be able to experiences for just the right amount of time before you head to your next placement. If you near the end of your placement and realize you aren’t done exploring, it’s easy to extend.

Not only can you live in any city or town you want, but you can also live in any living arrangement you want. Live alone in an apartment, a house, a trailer, a treehouse, anywhere. Or even find a roommate or two! Travel nurses often times find a place together during their stays. You can learn more about finding a place to live on our blog. 

Have Professional Flexibility + the Ability to Experience Different Work Environments

Being a traveler is great because it creates more opportunities to experience different areas of the hospital and work in different types of hospitals! As a traveler, you’ll be exposed to all types of practices and ways of doing things. Hospitals across the country vary in policy and rules but don’t worry they will fill you in and you won’t be left confused. With different hospitals requiring nurses to do things a certain way or have certain knowledge in a specific area – you’ll be growing your skills every day. If you ever return to a full-time stationary role, hospitals love seeing travel nursing roles on your resume for this exact reason.

In terms of flexibility, being a travel nurse is ideal because you can plan your placements whenever you want to. Once your placement ends at one hospital, you can wait however long you’d like until you pick up your next one. This makes it easier for scheduling off for big life moments and vacations.

Increase Your Earnings

Travel nurses typically see higher pay than the other nurses in the units, this is because a traveler is filling a role that NEEDS to be filled. On top of higher base pay, travelers will still receive the benefits that go along with being a full-time staffer.

Not only do travelers get paid for their work, but they also receive a housing stipend to go towards their living situation.

Job Security

When a hospital is looking for a travel nurse, it is because they need a spot to be filled. That’s right, travelers are always needed. This ensures that as long as your a rockstar in your role, you’re all set and don’t have to worry about facing layoffs or staff cuts. Who doesn’t love job stability 😉

Meet New People

One of the greatest gifts of travel nursing is the people that you meet along the way. Working in different hospitals and living in different places, the opportunities are endless for making new connections. Many travelers will grow out their communities and networks to sizes that they never thought possible leaving them with lifelong professional and personal relationships.

Some travelers will even form a pod and pick up assignments in the same cities so they can all live and experience new cities together.

Finding a Job is Easy

Finding a job is simple at Stability Healthcare. Stability offers an extensive list of travel nursing jobs. All it takes is one click on our website to get started!

2020 Recruiter Recap

2020 has been a year unlike any other – from battling the COVID-19 pandemic to major shifts in hospitals across the county. We caught up with several Stability recruiters to reflect on the year, what’s been going on in the travel nursing world, and what we’re looking forward to in the new year. Check it out:

What was the high of 2020?

The high of 2020 was seeing all our nurses step up and help out during the pandemic. It was great to see how passionate our nurses are and the amazing work that they do. Another personal high of 2020 for me was starting to work for Stability Healthcare. We have a great team of supportive employees and I am grateful for the relationships that I was able to form this year with both the nurses and my co-workers.

What was the low of 2020?

The low of 2020 was seeing the world struggle with the pandemic.

How was 2020 different than other years for travel nursing?

As a new recruiter, this was my first year as a travel nursing recruiter. Once the pandemic hit hospitals were desperate for nurses and the healthcare professionals all stepped up to the plate to help out.

What was it like when COVID first began in the travel nursing industry?

When COVID first began the travel industry became very busy and we saw an increase in jobs.

What has been something that Stability has done really well throughout the increase in travelers?

Throughout the increase in travelers, Stability has done a great job of checking in on our nurses and showing them support during this hard time.

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

In the new year, I am looking forward to continuing to work with our amazing nurses. I am looking forward to all of the new connections that I will make. I also have hope that the world will get back to normal again.

What was the high of 2020?

Witnessing all of the brave nurses willing to leave their hometowns to help out other areas in need.

What was the low of 2020?

Definitely the confusion and uncertainty that plagued the market in the beginning of the pandemic.

How was 2020 different than other years for travel nursing?

Volume for sure. I’ve never seen so many potential travel nurses come through the pipeline in my entire career.

What was it like when COVID first began in the travel nursing industry?

Hectic! It was a time of great uncertainty.

What has been something that Stability has done really well throughout the increase in travelers?

Keeping our technology top of the line, making sure we could handle the influx of new travelers.

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

Looking forward to a continued safe environment for travel nurses across the country.

What was the high of 2020?

Working from home. No traffic!

What was the low of 2020?

Canceled contracts that were out of our hands.

How was 2020 different than other years for travel nursing?

The amount of high paying jobs that were open and faster turn around time for offers.

What was it like when COVID first began in the travel nursing industry?

We were not sure what was going to happen to our current nurses and upcoming contracts. It was all unknown, and uncharted territory. COVID changed travel assignments and how quickly contracts can move.

What has been something that Stability has done really well throughout the increase in travelers?

We remain to have personal connections with our nurses. Stability is always transparent with our nurses and we always try to make sure to continue providing the best relationships with our nurses.

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

I look forward to seeing how far we can grow. This year has taught us that we can take on challenges and keep pushing forward. The sky’s the limit.

Ready to plan your 2021 adventure? Check our travel nursing jobs now. See you in 2021!