What a year it’s been….a letter to nurses
Reflecting on the year
What a year it’s been. Since last year at this time, we’ve battled a pandemic, created a vaccine, and begun administering it to millions of people. We’ve worked so many shifts that we couldn’t tell the difference between our apartments and the breakroom. We’ve made relationships and formed bonds that will last a lifetime. But most of all, we’ve done our best and made a real difference.
Travel nurses have never been needed more than they were over the past year. For frontline nurses, the trials and tribulations from this past year aren’t over, we’re still in the midst of a pandemic and no one knows where that will take us. But that’s why we have to stop and remind ourselves that it’s okay to take a moment to reflect on how hard the last year was. To recognize how strong and brave the healthcare community is. To give ourselves a little pat on the back for all of the hours we’ve spent at the hospital instead of spending time with our own loved ones. To send some extra love to our chosen families that we’ve found in the late hours of the night in the breakroom battling over the last slice of pizza. To buy ourselves some new compression socks because we deserve it (and let’s face it this is a sign it’s time for some new socks). To take that leap of faith and make the career shift you’ve always wanted. When you really think about it – it’s pretty crazy how much nurses are capable of.
Looking ahead
If anything, this past year has filled us with hope. There is no better time than now to do the things you’ve been saying you want to do. Live in the moment. Take a chance and interview for that placement you can’t stop thinking about. Don’t forget to take care of you and do what makes you happy along the way.
If the last year has proved anything it’s that there are endless opportunities for nurses out there. Ready to take the leap? Head to Stability to browse jobs or talk to one our Nurse Advocates.
Top Spring Travel Nursing Placements
Being a travel nurse has a lot of perks – one being the opportunity to travel across the country and land yourself in an exciting city! Here’s a view of the best places to visit (and work in!) this spring.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles is one of the United States’ biggest cities with some of the best weather. Less than an hour drive away from the oceanside, you can try your hand at surfing, swimming, or, for those less adventurous, relaxing on the beach! For those with a more artistic palette, there’s plenty of music venues, galleries, or art sight-seeing across the city. Our favorites:
Gold Diggers – As it says on their website, Gold Diggers is “a bar, boutique hotel and recording studios all within a single campus.” If you need a staycation during your time as a Los Angeles travel nurse, Gold Diggers is one of the most unique hotel experiences you can get. Occasionally, there’s secret live shows and events. Plus, they have a killer bar and some of the most stylish rooms in LA.
Celebrity Home Tours – Your feet might be tired after working long shifts – give them a break by booking a bus tour that visits celebrity homes across LA. Although this activity may seem a little gimmicky, it’s a good way to view the city and catch a break at the same time. One option is Starline tours, who claims to be the original celebrity home tour!
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Milwaukee is a vibrant city nesting on the coast of Lake Michigan. Milwaukee tends to have more mild springs, which leads to plenty of artistic communities taking advantage and hosting galleries and art walks. Although Wisconsin is mostly known for their cheese, there’s a ton of great restaurants for carnivores, omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. There’s also plenty of hiking options (like the beautiful Kettle Moraine) within driving distance for those looking for something more adventurous. Our favorites:
Milwaukee Art Museum – According to their website, the Milwaukee Art Museum has over 30,000 works of art. Famous artist Georgia O’Keeffe is a native to Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee Art Museum has one of the largest collections of her work.
Cactus Club – When live shows become a thing again, Cactus Club is one of the best places to catch a drink and set from a local (or nationally touring) band. While the wait is still on, Cactus Club is currently offering a special Airbnb stay that allows you to drink, eat, and sleep in the venue’s decked out green room.
Vanguard – Milwaukee’s Vanguard has the best of all worlds when it comes to eating. Vegan hotdog? You got it. OG hotdog? On the menu! With an emphasis for hot dogs and sausages with uniquely curated toppings, Vanguard has something that will have everyone’s mouths watering. We recommend the schnitzelwurst!
Find open positions in Milwaukee.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Chicago is a Midwest gem. You get the best of a large city, plus a beautiful lakeside with plenty of beaches to relax on. The spring is the best time to visit Chicago, not only because you can avoid the dreadful winters, but because there’s a ton of food festivals, music festivals, good weather, welcoming block parties, and pretty neighborhoods to walk around in. Our favorites:
Montrose Dog Beach – Get some vitamin D while being surrounded by dogs. Need we say more?
Pick Me Up Cafe – After walking around the quirky Uptown neighborhood on north side Chicago, grab a meal at the eccentric Pick Me Up Cafe. We recommended the buffalo wrap + a spiked milkshake.
Wicker Park – This neighborhood is the perfect place to shop. Brimming with a mix of well known brands like Adidas, small book shops like Myopic Books, and great coffee shops like Brü, Wicker Park has the kind of shopping that would appeal to anyone.
Find open positions in Chicago.
DENVER, COLORADO
There’s a reason why people have been flocking to Colorado – it’s simply one of the best places to visit! It’s a great option for those who are more nature oriented, or who enjoy consistently scenic views. If you take on a travel nurse position here, bewarned, you might love it and not want to leave! The city boasts sports (like the Broncos & Nuggets), a ton of microbreweries, coffee shops, and plenty of activities like hiking, skiing, and tubing! Our favorites:
Illegal Pete’s – Although Illegal Pete’s is a favorite amongst the college crowd, it’s also the perfect place to grab a margarita with another fellow travel nurse after a long shift. They also have affordable mexican food that tastes great, plus you can watch the latest sports game as you enjoy their queso.
Landmark’s Mayan Theatre – A movie theater is one of the best places to get your entertainment fix. Snack on some popcorn and soak in the elegant architecture of the theater before turning your phone off and enjoying a film!
Blue Moon Brewery Tour – This is a good fit for, well, people who like to drink beer! See exactly where and how the magic happens that creates one of Colorado’s most recognizable beers brands.
Find open positions in Denver.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Nashville isn’t just for country music lovers. The city is a great fit for anyone who likes music, good food, and southern charm. Nashville’s food scene is most notably known for hot chicken, BBQ, and biscuits, but there’s also great roasteries, pastry shops, veggie options, and more! There’s amazing landmarks like the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Our top three:
Local Honey – Self-care is an important aspect of being a travel nurse. After a few weeks of long arduous shifts, getting a fresh haircut is a great way to feel good. Local Honey is a salon that specializes in color and unique haircuts, so you can really develop your individual style.
Country Music Hall of Fame – As mentioned in the above paragraph, you can’t go wrong with a little country music. The Country Music Hall of Fame catalogues the history of country music through galleries, archived music, and more. Plus, you can learn more about all the artists who have earned the honor of being in the Country Music Hall of Fame!
Find open positions in Nashville.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Seattle has a bad rep for balmy weather, but it’s a fantastic place to visit. Nestled on the water, Seattle has an eclectic history with music (Nirvana, anyone?), the arts, and coffee. Plenty of movies have been filmed in Seattle, like the iconic 10 Things I Hate About You. To be frank, Seattle is a cool city, and one of our top cities to visit in the spring. Our favorites:
University of Washington Campus – As a travel nurse, you’re likely not a college student anymore. This doesn’t mean you can’t take a trip to University of Washington’s campus to catch in the beautiful views and campus architecture. In the spring, the campus is dotted with beautiful Japanese cherry blossom trees. Plus, the campus has a breathtaking view of Mount Rainier.
Spooked in Seattle Tours – Not for the faint of heart, the Spooked in Seattle tours offers a look into the city’s paranormal misadventures. It’s the longest running ghost tour in the area, and is run by people who are classified as actual paranormal investigators. You might want to make sure you don’t have a shift the next day, you might get spooked out of sleeping!
Find open positions in Seattle.
Head to Stability to see to see what open positions we have in these cities and set up an interview today! Make the most out of your role as a travel nurse by exploring the world at the same time.
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5 Books All Travel Nurses Should Read
Being a travel nurse is an incredible journey that makes it possible to have a different, profitable career full of enriching experiences. But it’s normal to be in doubt and think: is this kind of work for me? Will I be able to adapt? Well, if you’re looking for some courage or inspiration to help you along your path, we’ve selected some books that will offer you the necessary immersion in the travel nursing universe. The inspiring journeys herein will help you resolve your doubts and invigorate you to push forward with this amazingly rewarding career.
1. Travel Nurse’s Bible (A Guide to Everything on Travel Nursing), David Morrison
Likely the best-known book among travel nurses, it’s one you should definitely have in your mobile library. The book is an excellent super didactic guide for those who are just starting their careers or are looking to grow in the field. David Morrison’s book offers a detailed explanation of each step to pursue a career, listing all the qualifications you need and what characteristics are essential to carry out this type of work. If you feel at all lost or uncertain about where to start, this is the book to read!
2. Hitting the Road: A Guide to Travel Nursing by Shalon Kearney
Another excellent guidebook for pursuing a career in travel nursing, this book, penned by the retired travel nurse, Shalon Kearney, gives you a wealth of practical knowledge based on her decades-long career. The book goes into details on finances, tax strategies, and even international travel. And if you’re not sure this career is for you, the book offers some wonderful self-assessment tests designed to help you determine whether you’re on the right path.
3. Words of Hope from Nurses to Nurses by Sue Heacock, RN, MBA
Written for anyone that wants to be inspired by the amazing jobs that nurses do, this book takes the reader on an epic journey of ups and downs from nurses all around the world. This book is an excellent source of collected wisdom and inspirational stories bound to keep you inspired for a long time to come.
4. Roadfood by Jane & Michael Stern
Every travel nurse knows the struggle of finding a decent meal on the road. Jane and Michael Stern penned this wonderful little book as a guidebook for those on the road who want to experience something more than the usual fast food and restaurant chains. After all, a big part of traveling is about trying all kinds of new food. The book contains plenty of recommendations on where and how you can eat like a local across the United States—invaluable literature for a hungry travel nurse!
5. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
While not specific to the nursing world, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is an instant classic for anyone passionate about traveling. Elizabeth tells the story of deciding to leave her comfort zone as she uncovers the three parts of nature important to her. The book will inspire you to find your own inner peace while exploring this wonderful world we live in.
Being a travel nurse is an amazing profession that allows you to make a positive impact on the world while exploring it and becoming the best version of yourself. If you’re feeling inspired and looking for that next big assignment, see open positions today at Stability.
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Most Important NCLEX Study Topics
You’ve almost survived (and maybe even thrived) in the challenges of nursing school. After graduation, there’s just one obstacle standing between you and the career of your dreams: the NCLEX.
Before you set out on your travel nursing adventure, it’s time to buckle down for some serious studying. If you’re already studying effectively for the NCLEX, you might be wondering which are the most important NCLEX study topics.
If you want to ace the NCLEX, keep reading — we’ll explain which are the most important study areas for you to focus on.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Assessment and diagnosis are the foundation of your nursing practice. Your nursing classes taught you the signs and symptoms that accompany diseases.
Now, can you identify those symptoms in a busy nursing environment? That’s what the NCLEX wants to find out.
Some NCLEX questions will give you a list of symptoms for you to diagnose. Other questions will give you a few symptoms, and then ask what other assessments you should do. This tests your ability to figure out what assessments you need to do to get the full picture of your patient’s health.
When studying for NCLEX assessment questions, ask yourself:
- What signs and symptoms of this disease would I be most likely to see in real life?
- If I only noticed a few signs of this disease, what assessments should I do to find out more?
- What other diseases have these signs, and would it be easy to make the wrong diagnosis?
- What psychosocial factors are at play in the patient’s life that contribute to their situation?
If you practice thinking critically about your assessments, you’ll be well prepared to take on these NCLEX questions.
Triage and Prioritization
In your real-life nursing practice, you’ll have several problems on your hands at once. That’s why triaging is a crucial skill for nursing.
The NCLEX tests your prioritization skills by giving you a complicated situation involving several different patients. You’ll need to draw on your diagnostic knowledge to figure out what’s wrong with each patient. Then, you’ll have to decide who needs your help first.
First Response
What’s the first thing you do for a patient with severe burns? What’s the one thing you shouldn’t do for someone with hypothermia?
Nursing students tend to have a wide knowledge base of medical-surgical topics, but less preparation for first response nursing. Give yourself lots of time to brush up on emergency nursing to get ready for these NCLEX questions.
Pharmacology
You’ll see pharmacology questions sprinkled throughout every area of the NCLEX. That means you’ll have to know more than just the name and purpose of each drug. You will need to know how each drug could impact your patient in any situation.
For each drug you review, ask yourself:
- If a patient told me they were taking this medication, what health conditions would I expect them to have?
- Does this medication have any side effects that I would mistake for diseases?
- What nursing interventions would I have to do if a patient had a severe reaction to this drug?
You’ll use pharmacology wherever your nursing degree takes you. That’s why the NCLEX focuses heavily on it — and your studying should too.
Aging
Faced with an aging population, we will soon have more older adults than children. Nurses need to be ready to care for older adults with all the unique physiological needs they have.
Older adults have different health risks, including:
- Different nutritional needs
- Polypharmacology-associated risks (taking many medications at once)
- Higher risk of compromised skin integrity
- Higher risk of confusion during a hospital stay
- Risk of falls
The older adult also might have different baseline assessments, like lower blood pressure and different blood test results.
If you understand how to assess and care for an older adult, you will be ready to pass this section.
Scope of Practice and Delegating Care
As a Registered Nurse, you’ll be a leader on your health care team. One of your primary responsibilities will be to delegate tasks to other team members.
These questions are challenging for nursing students who haven’t gained experience in delegating care to other team members. However, delegation is a key skill to ensuring the safety of your patients. The NCLEX includes a high proportion of questions about delegation.
If delegation questions are new to you, keep a few things in mind when you study for them:
- Never delegate a task to a team member that is outside that team member’s scope of practice
- Only a registered nurse can perform assessments or make judgments
- When the Registered Nurse delegates a task, the RN remains responsible for the patient overall
Don’t forget that the Registered Nurse’s scope of practice does overlap with other health care professionals. In an NCLEX delegation question, you may see several options that fall within the RN’s scope of practice.
Your job is to look at the whole situation and decide which actions you can delegate and which one only you can do.
General Care Management
This is the largest section of the NCLEX, making up 20% of NCLEX questions. Care management questions cover all the day-to-day challenges of nursing.
These questions don’t deal with clinical situations, so they’re easy to overlook when studying. However, since they play a big role in your nursing practice, the NCLEX gives them lots of space.
Management of care includes topics like:
- Patient confidentiality
- Advocating for your patients
- Informed consent for procedures
- Continuity of care
- Nursing ethics
- Safe environment and injury prevention
To pass this section, you will need a thorough knowledge of your patient’s rights and how a nurse protects them.
Travel Nursing and More
No matter which area of nursing you choose to pursue, passing the NCLEX is the gateway to an incredible career.
When you pass the NCLEX, the whole world of nursing is open to you. If you’re intrigued by the idea of a travel nursing career, check out Stability Healthcare. We’re the travel nursing agency that makes it easy to find exciting travel nurse jobs to launch your career.
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Stress Reducing Tips for Nurses
While nursing is one of the most rewarding professions, it is also one of the most stressful. For nurses, stress can lead to critical errors in patient care and even increased mortality rates. Stress can be caused by a myriad of reasons including (but not limited to) understaffing, overworking, difficult patients, issues with coworkers, a nurse’s personal life, the list goes on and on. Just because the work can be stressful, doesn’t mean that you’re stuck being stressed forever. Managing stress is essential to prevent burnout and provide your patients with the best care. We’ve got some tips and tricks to reduce stress, keep reading to find out.
Regular exercise
Travel nurses often have busy schedules, so finding time to exercise may seem daunting. If you can’t fit in a full workout a few times a week that’s okay, don’t let it add to your stress! There are tons of quick workouts available online and even taking a brisk stroll around the block will get those endorphins flowing. Endorphins boost serotonin levels, which can improve mood, appetite, and sleep cycles.
Meditation or yoga
Doing a yoga class or taking some time to meditate every day is a sure way to leave you feeling refreshed and clear-minded. Try your best to let go of everything going on around in your world and focus on you and finding a moment of peace. According to the NIH, practicing yoga can lead to an improved quality of life by reducing stress, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and relieving anxiety. Whether you want a morning routine to keep you going through the day or an evening routine to unwind with before bed, we’ve got you covered. You can also download apps like the Calm to help you meditate and unwind.
Maintain a healthy diet – but treat yourself when you want to
It’s been proven that “eating a healthy diet can reduce the negative effects of stress on your body.” On a nurse’s schedule, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet can be challenging, but not impossible. One tip that can help is using one day to meal prep to keep you on track, here are three fun recipes to get you started. Another tip is to make healthy swaps. This means you don’t have to change your routine or diet, but instead of crabbing for those Doritos reach for some carrots and hummus instead. That being said, don’t forget to eat food that makes you happy, restrictive diets aren’t healthy or stress relieving. Listen to your body and what makes it feel its best.
Aromatherapy
According to a study at NIH, the “use of essential oils to decrease work-related stress among nursing staff may improve retention, workplace environment, and increase nurse satisfaction.” There are many ways that aromatherapy can be effective including candles, diffusers, lotions and body products, oils, and more. Some scents that aid in stress reduction are lavender, jasmine, bergamot, chamomile, rose, and lemon balm. Pro tip: carry a tiny satchel of lavender in your pocket and if you’re feeling overwhelmed on your shift take a deep breath and smell the pouch for a little moment of zen and rebalance.
Take a mental health day
If you’re feeling burnt out and feeling like you’re on the verge of cracking that’s a sure sign that you need a mental health day. Mental health days are just as important as taking a sick day if you aren’t feeling well. You can’t show up for your patients and deliver them the best care if you aren’t putting yourself first. Take a look at our article on signs that you need a mental health day.
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Everything You Need to Know About BMT Nurses
Bone marrow transplant (BMT) nurses are specialized oncology nurses that offer exceptional patient care. BMT nurses work on the front lines of health care. Beyond the typical nursing duties, their roles as specialized nurses bring another layer of challenges, complexity, and demands that set the stage for an exciting nursing career.
What is a BMT Nurse?
A BMT nurse or oncology nurse provides pre-and post-care transplant care to patients whose bone marrow has been damaged. They work with patients that need a bone marrow transplant to help with leukemia, anemia, juvenile osteoporosis, and Hodgkin’s disease.
National average salary: $93,904 per year
Job outlook: 12% increase by 2028
Where Do BMT Nurses Work?
Most BMT nurses work in hospitals as part of their cancer care team. They work alongside surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, bone marrow physicians, and others in the oncology unit. However, some nurses may also find themselves working for outpatient facilities that treat patients with specialized cancer treatments. Sometimes, BMT nurses work in physicians’ offices, hospice centers, and in-home care.
What Kind of Patients Are In a BMT Unit?
The BMT unit is usually part of the oncology unit. Most patients in this room are waiting for a bone marrow transplant or are recovering from one. It takes about six months for someone to recover from a bone marrow transplant, so it’s common for them to spend quite some time in the BMT unit.
What Does a Blood and Marrow Transplant Nurse Do?
Blood and marrow transplant nurses work with patients suffering from cancer and undergoing cancer treatments. They educate and provide specialized care to high-risk patients. BMT nurses monitor conditions, track symptoms, assist in treatments, and provide medications.
However, they also do typical nursing duties like maintaining patient records, checking vital signs, dressing wounds, and assisting patients with everyday tasks like bathing and dressing.
BMT nurses also offer support to family members providing educational resources and emotional support. Some specialize in pain management care, providing hospice and home care.
Most responsibilities include:
- Ensuring patients and family members understand the risks and potential complications of a transplant or treatment.
- Supervise patient safety
- Implement quality care assessments
- Perform daily administrative tasks
- Prescribe medication
- Support the oncology care team
How Do You Become a BMT Nurse?
The first step to becoming a BMT nurse is to complete either an associate degree in nursing (ASN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). You must then obtain a state license and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Some institutions ask for experience working in the intensive care unit, completing chemotherapy courses, and other specifications. Many BMT nurse requirements also include advanced education in nursing oncology.
Common certifications:
- Oncology Nursing Certification
- ONS Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Certification
- ONS Chemotherapy & Immunology Certificate
- BLS Certification
What Skills Do You Need to Be a BMT Nurse?
To become a BMT nurse, you need to possess a unique set of skills. Patient care skills, including checking blood pressure, placing IVs, and taking blood samples, are essential. BMT nurses are known for their exceptional attention to detail to precisely follow physician orders and follow-up care.
Additionally, oncology nurses need to demonstrate compassion and understanding. They often work with patients suffering the emotional and physical tolls of their disease. Nurses need to offer support and assess the progress in patients’ conditions.
Most common skills for AntePartum nurses include:
- Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
- Extensive knowledge of disease processes
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to demonstrate compassion and understanding
- Ability to deploy comprehensive and complex plans of care
- High standard of communication, respect, and privacy
Starting Your BMT Nursing Career
A BMT nursing career can easily be an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s also a highly gratifying and rewarding job. If you find this career path interesting, BMT travel nurses are in high demand. On most occasions, hospitals are willing to give out sign-in bonuses to bring high-quality registered nurses like you on board. At Stability Healthcare, we place nurses in hospitals across the United States. You’ll earn high compensation, premium health benefits, PTO, guaranteed stipends, 401(k), paid compliance, and more. Search for your next placement and set up an interview today!
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Ways to Find a Roommate as a Travel Nurse
Nursing is physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging work. No matter where your job as a travel nurse takes you, you’ll want somewhere comfortable to land at the end of the day.
But finding cozy, affordable travel nurse housing can be difficult. Before you commit to an assignment, it’s important to explore the area’s housing options. Make sure there are living spaces available that suit your taste and budget.
Finding a roommate is a great way to expand your choices, save money, and enjoy built-in companionship. Luckily, the internet makes it easy to connect with others who want to share housing.
Are you ready to meet your next travel nursing roomie? If you answered yes, read on for our guide on how to find a roommate as a travel nurse.
The Benefits of Living With a Roommate
Cutting costs isn’t the only benefit of living with a roommate. There are many reasons to share your space when you’re travel nursing.
Making friends in a new city doesn’t happen overnight. It can be hard to have a healthy social life when you move every few months. Finding a roommate means you’ll have immediate company.
Loneliness is a real bummer, and it comes with health consequences. You’ll be grateful to have a support system while you learn to live in your latest location.
It’s even better if you can room with a fellow travel nurse. They will be able to relate to the ups and downs of your transient career. Other travel nurses won’t be bothered by your unpredictable schedule and long hours.
With a roommate, it’s often possible to upgrade your accommodations. A space you wouldn’t be able to afford alone becomes an option when you split the rent. Keep in mind that your housing can make or break the travel nursing experience.
Additionally, if you rent a room from a homeowner, you won’t have to worry about maintenance. Your landlord will be your roommate and your property manager, so you can focus on work and recreation.
Now that you know why roommates are great while travel nursing, here’s how to find them.
Use Your Networking Skills
Many travel nurses find roommates through word of mouth. Do you know someone in the city you’ll be visiting? Ask them for tips.
You’ll be surprised to find out how much people love to help travel nurses find housing. Friends, family members, and friends of friends often have rooms to rent. Sometimes they are even looking for a housesitter.
Stay Social on Facebook
Facebook is a great place to look for accommodations. Search for a travel nursing group specific to your destination. These pages are full of helpful information from nurses who have successfully worked there before.
Someone might even be looking for a roommate. Post about yourself and let everyone know you need a place to live. Keep an eye on the comments for ideas and advice.
You can also look for rentals on Facebook Marketplace. Browse the Property Rentals section for shared, short-term apartments. This is a great tool for international travel nursing assignments.
Negotiate an Airbnb Stay
Travel nursing jobs are often located in places with thriving Airbnb communities. If you find an Airbnb listing you love, ask the host if they will negotiate an extended stay. You might be able to move into their extra bedroom for the duration of your contract.
It’s also possible to reserve an Airbnb for a week or two when you arrive. This will give you time to explore other rentals without worrying about where to sleep.
Browse Craigslist for Hidden Gems
There are hidden gems to be found in the shared housing section of Craigslist. We have heard from plenty of travel nurses who found great roommates this way.
Stay safe by meeting with potential roomies in a public place before you visit the house. Alternatively, bring a friend or co-worker along when you view properties.
Check Furnished Finder
Furnished Finder is a favorite among travel nurses. Landlords on the site are familiar with the domestic travel nursing schedule, and they often cater to nurses. You can request to be connected with potential roommates.
They even offer a travel nurse stipend calculator to help you budget for your next location.
Ask Your Agency for Ideas
If you’re still stuck, ask your agency for help. Travel nursing companies assist nurses with housing questions all the time. If they can’t answer your question directly, they will tell you who to contact.
You might be scheduled to begin your assignment with a group of other travel nurses. If that’s the case, your agency can put you in touch with them to coordinate shared housing.
Before You Sign on the Line
Did you find a roommate? Before you commit, talk about your habits and priorities to avoid future conflict.
Your roommate will need to know if you have pets. They will also want to know if they should expect frequent visitors.
Are you a smoker, a neat freak, or a night owl? Be upfront about these things.
You should also discuss how you will share responsibilities. Who will clean and who will call the landlord when something needs to be fixed?
There are no right or wrong answers, but good communication leads to happier living.
A Roommate Can Improve Your Travel Nurse Experience
Looking for someone to share your housing with can feel overwhelming at first. These tips will make the process smoother and faster. Keep in mind that you can always ask your agency for help if you need it.
Finding a roommate can make your experience as a travel nurse more enjoyable and more lucrative. You’ll gain a friend while saving money for adventures and experiences.
Even if your roomie doesn’t become your best friend, you’ll have a valuable support network in your new city. Over time, you’ll develop a network of contacts all over the world.
If you are interested in starting a travel nursing career, Stability Healthcare can help. Check out our open jobs today to get started.
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Everything You Need to Know About Psych Nurses
Psychiatric nursing is unlike any other kind of nursing. While psych nurses aren’t there to treat or reverse depression or dementia, they can offer the understanding empathy only a nurse can offer to help patients begin healing. Mental illness is by far one of the most challenging disorders to treat. Thus, it’s easy to see why psychiatric nursing can bring some unique challenges to the job and some rewarding moments. If a psychiatric nursing career interests you, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about psych nurses.
What is a Psychiatric Nurse?
First of all, there are two primary types of psychiatric nurses or career paths you can take. First, you can work as a psych registered nurse. You can also work in more advanced roles like a psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric/mental health advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Mental health nurses are essentially specialized nurses who focus on caring for those with mental illness’s psychological and physical well-being.
They also support the family members and friends of those with mental health conditions. Psych nurses may assess mental health needs and develop nursing plans for care.
National average salary: $74,651 per year with about $12,125 extra in overtime
Job outlook: 26% increase by 2022
Where Do Psych Nurses Work?
Like with other medical professions, psychiatric nurses find themselves working in both inpatient and outpatient care. These can be hospitals or psychiatric facilities that offer inpatient treatment. Or outpatient care in the patient’s home or a local clinic. Psych nurses have a bit more independence in terms of where they can work. They can also work with a wider variety of patients on their own, making outpatient care a standard option for many.
Other work settings for psychiatric mental health nurses (PMHN) include rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, mental health agencies, schools, colleges of nursing, and military clinics or hospitals.
What Kind of Patients Are On A Psychiatric Unit?
Although psych nurses work with patients all over the place, they can work with almost every segment of the population. Patients in this unit can be children, adolescents, adults, and older people. They often work with people with substance use disorders and those with eating disorders, among other mental illnesses.
What Does a Psych Nurse Do?
Unlike other traditional nurses, psych nurses don’t treat any conditions. Instead, they work with a larger group of health care professionals to develop and implement care plans. Psych nurses can work with anyone who has a mental or behavioral condition that’s negatively impacting their life.
Depending on the path someone chooses, their duties will vary. The psych nurse essentially develops a nursing diagnosis and a plan of care, implements the treatment plan, and evaluates its effectiveness. On the other hand, APRNs also offer primary care and treat individuals and families with psychiatric disorders, sometimes even offering psychotherapy.
Most responsibilities include:
- Prescribe medications if needed
- Administer medications
- Implement nursing care plans
- Assist in basic needs
- Facilitate group therapy
- Create treatment plans
- Offer psychotherapy
- Coordinate with families, doctors, and other health professionals
- Provide self-care
- Evaluate mental health needs of patients
How Do You Become a Psych Nurse?
A career as a psychiatric nurse can be gratifying and exciting. The path starts by earning either an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing. There, prospects need to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination to become a registered nurse (RN). After this, many try to spend some time building up nursing skills before moving to a psychiatric nursing path.
It’s possible to work in psychiatry without certification. However, there are some certifications and advanced practices that can help. Those who wish to continue their education can become an advanced training registered nurse (APRN) to earn a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Common certifications:
- Psychiatric-mental Health Nursing RN-BC Credential
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Psych Nurse?
It takes a specific combination of skills to become successful as a psych nurse. Communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills are at the essence. However, setting healthy boundaries and excellent technical skills will also be beneficial. Psychiatric nurses are very hands-on with daily monitoring of their patients, requiring patience, empathy, and organization.
Most common skills for psych nurses include:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Extensive knowledge about medication effects and interactions
- A critical eye for signs of deteriorating mental processes or advancing mental illness
- Exceptional coordination and collaborative skills
- Good problem solving and adaptability skills
Starting Your Psych Nursing Career
Psychiatric nurses have a unique career filled with ups and downs. If you’re interested in a psychiatric nursing career, these are the steps you need to get started. Also, due to psych nurses’ nature and their flexibility, mental health nurses are often highly coveted travel nurses who can move freely across the country. At Stability Healthcare, we place nurses in hospitals across the United States, helping them find their perfect roles. See our open jobs today!
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Nurse of the Month: Carl
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!
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