Top 5 summer placements
As a travel nurse, you have the luxury to choose your next placement location, and what better time than in the summer. There are many options to choose from, like a warm beach town or a city surrounded by mountains. Also, our list comes with sites to visit, restaurants, and things to do while working in the city. Here are our top five locations to choose from this summer:
New York, New York
New York City is a prime adventure spot for travel nurses this summer. Not only does this destination offer the highest paying travel nursing jobs, but the city is officially opening back up in July! That is why the summer season is the perfect time to work in this fast-paced metropolis with easy access to subway lines and bus stops.
While in New York, plan on visiting landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. During the warm summer days, take advantage of the beaches just a subway or ferry ride away.
Professionally, New York City hospitals were ranked as the best in the country in 2020-21, including New York-Presbyterian’s Columbia and Cornell hospitals ranked fourth in the nation. The attractions, nightlife, and well-ranked hospitals make this destination a must for travel nurses this summer.
La Jolla, California
Although not a city of its own, La Jolla is a beautiful seaside community in San Diego County. This thriving down-to-earth village is second on our list for many reasons. Despite the fact La Jolla is small, there is a ton to do. This beach town is famous for its outdoor activities, including surfing, tide pools, hiking the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, and visiting the sea lion caves.
Average temperatures in La Jolla range from 50-77 degrees – great for those nurses who want to avoid the heat. In addition, the gloomy clouds dispel during the summer months, making it the perfect season to visit! In addition, Scripps La Jolla Hospitals ranked as a top hospital in San Diego County for the third year in a row.
Wilmington, North Carolina
The port city of Wilmington is third on our list for travel nurses this summer. Victorian architecture, historic homes, and brick streets transport you back in time. Voted “America’s Best Riverfront,” Wilmington’s riverwalk features top-rated restaurants, boutiques, and dynamic nightlife. For historical enthusiasts, take a tour of the World War II Battleship NORTH CAROLINA or the many historical homes preserved from the Civil War.
Wilmington’s travel nursing opportunities include New Hanover Regional Medical Center, which was rated high performing in seven adult procedures and conditions.
Seattle, Washington
Calling all coffee lovers, foodies, and adventurers. Seattle is a superb place for travel nurses in the summer. Planted right in the Pacific Northwest, this place has many things to do, and not to mention top medical hospitals such as the Swedish Memorial, Virginia Mason, and the University of Washington.
Explore the famous Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, the first-ever Starbucks, and Pike’s Place Market. On your days off, visit the Pudget Sound, hike Mount Rainier, or scour the countless waterfalls only an hour outside of the city. Seattle has it all!
Anchorage, Alaska
Last on our list to travel to this summer is the gateway to Alaska. With long-lasting daylight, wildlife viewings, and temperatures ranging from 60°F – 80°F, summer is the perfect time to visit Anchorage.
Take a day trip to Denali National Park and visit the highest peak in North America, Mt. McKinley. Not only does Alaska have fishing, hiking, glacier-exploring, and amazing wildlife, but it is home to one of the best medical centers, Alaska Native Medical Center.
Summertime is a great season to explore different cities. To find out what travel nursing opportunities are available in these five cities or other destinations, check out Stability for open roles and check off your bucket list today!
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Everything You Need to Know About Postpartum Nurses
Postpartum nurses are a critical player in the process of the birth of a newborn. Their unique set of skills prepares them to work in various medical environments to provide care to mothers and babies. A career as a postpartum nurse is gratifying, rewarding, and filled with opportunities. If you’re interested in a nursing career in this field, keep reading to learn more about becoming a postpartum nurse.
What is a Postpartum Nurse?
As their name implies, postpartum nurses are medical professionals that specialize in postpartum care. They tend to mothers and newborns during the days following the birth. Postpartum nurses have the basic skills of any other specialty, but they also watch out for complications and emergencies. Postpartum nurses also help new mothers learn how to care for their infants and practice self-care during the postpartum process.
National average salary: $100,695 per year
Job outlook: 16% increase by 2024
Where Do Postpartum Nurses Work?
As you’d imagine, postpartum nurses work in the postpartum and maternity unit of hospitals. However, they can also find jobs in birthing centers. Clinics and private practices may also hire postpartum nurses on their staff. They often work alongside OBGYN doctors, labor and delivery nurses, nursery nurses, lactation consultants, and other specialized practitioners that handle mother/baby care.
What Kind of Patients Are in a Postpartum Care Unit?
The postpartum care unit receives healthy mothers and babies after delivery. They spend their time in this recovery unit until they’re discharged, usually one or four days later. This unit will not receive postpartum patients that need critical care or emergency care, as it’s not equipped to treat severe health complications.
What Does a Postpartum Nurse Do?
Postpartum nurses provide quality healthcare to mothers and newborns. They educate new moms on self-care practices and watch out for signs of postpartum depression. Postpartum nurses work in tandem with lactation consultants to assist with breastfeeding. A large part of their role is to provide physical and emotional support to the mom in any way needed.
Most responsibilities include:
- Assess and monitor the new mother to ensure proper recovery and healing
- Monitor the newborn baby
- Check and clean cesarean incisions if applicable
- Dispense medications as needed
- Educate new parents on infant care
- Help the new mother with the emotional aspects of birth and recovery
- Help the mother establish functional breastfeeding by collaborating with lactation specialists
How Do You Become a Postpartum Nurse?
Before you become a postpartum nurse, you first have to become a registered nurse by obtaining either an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. This will provide you the necessary education to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.
As a registered nurse, you can obtain work in various medical settings. Ideally, you’d want to find experience in the maternity unit of a hospital if you’re looking for a career in postpartum nursing. In addition, you should consider advancing your career by seeking specific certifications that relate to postpartum and maternity care.
Common certifications:
- Maternal Newborn Nursing Certification
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification
What Skills Do You Need to Be a Postpartum Unit Nurse?
Postpartum nursing involves a great deal of responsibility. These nurses often handle between three and six patients at a time; thus, organizational skills are critical. An eye for detail is also essential and extensive knowledge of mental health assessments to notice any signs of postpartum depression.
The most common skills of postpartum unit nurses include:
- Exceptional interpersonal communication skills
- Compassion and patience
- Teaching skills
- In-depth clinical and critical thinking skills
- Mental and emotional strength
- Assessment capabilities
- Ability to work well as part of a larger care team
Starting Your Postpartum Nursing Career
A career as a postpartum nurse is emotional, rewarding, and filled with opportunities. It’s important to maintain all certifications up-to-date and seek experience in maternity units to position yourself as the best-qualified candidate. If a nursing career in postpartum care interests you, these steps will help you set 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 postpartum care unit. If you’re ready to kickstart your career, search for your next placement and set up an interview today.
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How to Make & Keep Friends as a Travel Nurse
Moving to a new city is always exciting, especially when you have a new assignment lined up. But, it also means leaving the friends and acquaintances you’ve made behind. It can be challenging to make new friends as a travel nurse every time you change locations. We all know it. It’s not relatively as easy as it was when we were younger.
In-person connections are essential for your mental health and to help you experience new things in the neighborhood. Here are some tips on how to make (and keep) friends as a travel nurse.
1. Join Groups
Nowadays, you can easily find groups of people who share your interests. A popular one is Meetup, where you can check out available groups near your zip code. You can find people who play sports, love the outdoors, explore new restaurants, and more. Once you join these groups, you’ll receive details of meeting times so that you can connect with members in person. This is an excellent idea if you’re a bit introverted and have difficulties being outgoing at work.
2. Leverage the Power of Social Media
Social media can be great for keeping up with new friends. Not to mention, Facebook is a great place to find events in your new neighborhood. Another awesome new feature is Facebook groups, so you can see what people living in your area are up to, or choose a group of people who share your interests. It’s easy to find specific Facebook groups for travel nurses in different states. Here are some Facebook Groups to consider:
3. Ask Coworkers for Advice
You’re probably not the only one with this problem. Ask your new coworkers for advice on how to meet new people outside of the hospital. It might be a good idea to ask them about their favorite activities, the things every tourist should experience, or maybe their favorite restaurant in the area. This conversation gives you the perfect opportunity to engage with them and even invite them along for your plans.
4. Be Outgoing at Work
It goes without saying, but being outgoing at work is the best way to make new friends as a travel nurse. If you don’t try to make friends with the people you spend most of the day with, it will be hard to meet people elsewhere. You might not like everyone, and not everyone will love you back, but keep trying and put yourself out there making plans with others as much as you can.
5. Join a Class
Depending on your schedule, you might or might not have to find a class. If you have a hobby, whether it is painting or exercising, consider joining a local class. This is a great option to treat your body and mental health while also meeting new people. Most of the time, you can find someone that aligns with your values in this class and try some activities afterward.
6. Visit Coffee Shops
Independent stores, coffee shops, bars, and even libraries are great places to catch up and learn about local groups and events. They’re also great places to make new friends, as most of the time, these places host events and gatherings.
7. Consider Apps
Not dating apps, but friendship apps. Many apps are designed to help people make friends, and these are great for travel nurses always moving around. You can find people, very much like yourself, looking to make new friends and explore their city together. Apps like Bumble BFF, Code Happy, Supper Club, and Nextdoor are great options to start looking at. You might even find your next roommate!
Once you make new friends, don’t neglect them. Even with your busy schedule, do your best to keep up with them. Nowadays, it’s easy to send someone a text, schedule a video call, or comment on their social media posts. Don’t forget that a good, classic phone call is always a great way to connect.
Yes, making friends and keeping friends as a travel nurse can be challenging. But don’t lose hope. Once you’re settled into your new place, consider throwing an old-fashion house-warming party and invite your coworkers and neighbors. Making friends can be easier for some nurses than others. It depends on your personality. Hopefully, these options will give you some guidance on how to put yourself out there and start making friends.
Ready to make some new friends!? Find your next placement at Stability Healthcare.
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How To Do Taxes as a Travel Nurse
Doing your taxes often seems daunting, especially if you have a new career, like being a travel nurse. However, there are plenty of online resources to help prepare you for completing your taxes promptly and correctly. Here’s the scoop on what travel nurses need to know regarding taxes:
Filing taxes for travel nurses is a different process. Travel nurses have a different income breakdown than other staff members.
You can’t expect to fill out your taxes like say, a staff nurse at a hospital. This is largely due to a difference in income breakdown. Staff nurses typically have a salary that can be taxed specifically. Travel nurses have hourly pay in addition to stipends that are nontaxable. The combination of the two is your total income. These stipends can cover a variety of things – housing, food (you typically get a set weekly stipend for meals and groceries), and miscellaneous expenses related to work. They are nontaxable because they are required for you to successfully work your job as a travel nurse, thus not counting as part of your taxable income.
To get the most bang for your buck, it’s in your best interest (and the travel nurse agency, like Stability Healthcare) to keep your hourly rate on the modest side, but have more nontaxable stipends. However, don’t have an hourly rate that is too low. This can affect you later on in the future if you apply for loans, collect Social Security payments, etc. For example, the less you make via your hourly wage, the less Social Security funds you’ll be able to collect later on, since nontaxable stipends aren’t included in this number.
There are a few different places you can see examples of income breakdowns like travelnursing.org, Blue Pipes, NurseFly, etc. However, this will not be your exact breakdown. It depends on your position and contract.
You have to have a tax home in order to receive nontaxable income.
According to Turbotax, “the IRS defines your tax home as the ‘entire city or general area’ of your workplace.” If you work in a different state or city you primarily reside in, the location of your workplace would be your tax home. For example, if you live in Chicago, IL but your travel nurse position is in Nashville, TN then Nashville would qualify as your tax home. As the IRS states, “travel expenses are the ordinary and necessary expenses of traveling away from home for your business, profession, or job. You can’t deduct expenses that are lavish or extravagant, or that are for personal purposes.”
You have to prove to the IRS that you have a tax home. In order to do this, you must visit your primary residence at least once every twelve months and pay for the expenses required to maintain this home. If you work somewhere longer than a year, then it’s considered indefinite, and would not prove you have a tax home.
If you fail to prove that you have a tax home, then those nontaxable stipends aforementioned will be taxed.
There are some specific ways to help you prove you have a tax home.
- Keep a record of all the expenses you have to maintain your primary living residence. This can be tracking mortgage payments, saving bills for utilities like the electric bill, paying rent, etc.
- Rep your home state. Be registered to vote in your primary living area, register your car there, and don’t get a new driver’s license in a different state.
- Don’t forget, you must visit your primary residence at least once every 12 months. Keep a record of this visit through photos, flight records, etc. An easy way to do this is by making an effort to return to your primary residence after every assignment.
Don’t forget about state taxes.
Being a travel nurse complicates state taxing a bit, but don’t fret! Remember to file before the typical state tax deadline of April 15th (although you may want to prepare plenty in advance). In addition to your tax home’s state, you also have to pay nonresident taxes for every state you worked in during that tax year. Some travel nurses can work in several states within a tax year.
How to avoid an audit.
Record everything! Although it may seem easy to have digital receipts, it’s also good, and encouraged, to keep physical copies. Every receipt related to a stipend is necessary. Keep a special folder to keep track of physical receipts and to write down the mileage. If you have digital receipts, create an organized folder in a special drive like Google Drive or Dropbox. Keep all your assignment contracts in one place.
The most important thing: take care of yourself and keep the future in mind.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to take care of yourself and have savings in case any future issues arise. Many travel agencies do not get paid time off. If you have to take time off of work, you will not get paid, so don’t rely on just living stipends. Have a backup plan.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions.
If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask! Your travel nurse agency is there to answer any general questions you may have. If you have tax specific questions (like about a specific state’s taxing), reach out to an account that is experienced in working with travel nurses. They’ll be able to give you pointers and aid you in the tax filing process.
All in all, although filling out taxes as a travel nurse is different than other medical careers, it’s easy if you know what you’re doing. Give yourself plenty of time to prep in order to put yourself in the best position moving forward.
If you’re interested in becoming a travel nurse, learn more at Stability Healthcare! Visit the travel nurse blog for more insight.
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Keep Your Feet Healthy with These Compression Socks
Nurses are on their feet, all day, every day—especially travel nurses who are always going. With demanding work, long shifts, and working to get everything done, feet can suffer. Painful feet, swollen ankles, varicose veins, and even blood clots can arise from the stress. So it’s critical to take good care of your feet. A good pair of compression socks can help tremendously.
Compression socks work to alleviate the issues that nurses face being on their feet all day. The tight fabric can assist circulation in the feet and legs and help reduce pain and swelling—immensely important for the busy travel nurse. They also work to increase blood flow and oxygen, not just in your feet and legs, but in your whole body. Next to your nursing shoes, compression socks are one of the best purchases you can make for the longevity of your feet and legs.
How to Pick Compression Socks
No doubt nurses will be familiar with this unit as a measure of blood pressure through millimeters of mercury. Compression socks are categorized in strengths using this same unit—the higher the mmHg, the thicker and tighter the sock. Not including prescription-level, compression socks come in three degrees of strength: mild, medium, and firm.
Mild compression socks provide only a slight level of compression and will have an mmHg of between eight and 15. For busy travel nurses, this may not be strong enough to fight pain and poor circulation.
Medium level compression socks are what most nurses use and measure between 15-20 mmHg. This level of compression should provide a good amount of relief from long periods of standing and walk.
Lastly, a firm-level of compression measures between 20 and 30 mmHg and should be reserved for the most intense workers who need an extreme level of compression support. They can relieve moderate to intense swelling, orthostatic hypotension, and even deep vein thrombosis.
The Best Compression Socks for Nurses in 2021
Now that you know the differences and details of compression socks, you can start shopping for a good pair—or two! Below are a few of our favorites for 2021.
Figs Compression Socks
Figs is renowned for their healthcare attire, and along with their scrubs and shoes, they also make some fantastic compression socks that are functional and very stylish. Whether you’re looking for a simple single color or some socks with snazzy prints, Figs has you covered—literally and figuratively. Figs compression socks are reasonably priced too. A tall pair will run you around $30, while a plain pair of ankle-highs will set you back just $12.
Nurse Mates Compression Socks
Nurse Mates is known for making great nurse shoes. Their expertise extends into the realm of compression socks too. Their socks run the gamut of plain and professional to quirky and fun, offering nearly 100 options to choose from, including tie-dye, polka dots and stripes. Regardless of your style preference, Nurse Mates has something to fit. Nurse Mates has a huge selection of compression socks, and they start at around $9 per pair and go up to around $35.
Poppy Scrubs Compression Socks
Poppy Scrubs is another clothing company for nurses that you’ve probably heard of. They make incredibly comfortable shirts, scrubs, and, of course, compression socks. Poppy Scrubs doesn’t offer the same selection as Nurse Mates or Figs, but their socks are incredibly high-quality and durable, offering yarn-based compression socks in the firm level of compression. And at around $25 per pair, they’re affordable too!
Keep Your Feet Happy
Whether you’re a travel nurse or one of the at-home heroes, you know all too well how demanding your field is. You’re always on the go, day in and day out, and sometimes your feet can pay the price. Do yourself a favor and invest in a pair of compression socks to keep them happy.
And if you’re a travel nurse that’s on the lookout for your next assignment, don’t hesitate to search for your next position with Stability Healthcare—we’re happy to help you find the perfect position!
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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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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!
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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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Best Shoes For Nurses in 2021
Nurses are on their feet for hours on end, so having a good pair of shoes is essential. Too much time in the wrong shoes can lead to back issues and knee problems and no one wants that. The market is filled with options so we’ve put together some of our top picks based on what nurses need most.
Before we get to our favorites, let’s look at what the most important factors are when picking the perfect pair. We asked five nurses working in different units what was priority for them in a solid pair of work shoes. Here are their top concerns in order from most mentioned to least:
- Comfortable
- Good arch support
- Non-slip
- Easy to clean
- Breathable
- Water-resistant
- Durable
With these things in mind, here are our picks for the best shoes for nurses in 2021.
Dansko Clogs
Of course, you can’t have a list of the best shoes for nurses without including Dansko clogs. For years, these have been a staple in most nurses’ closets and for a good reason. Danskos provide an incredible amount of support and comfort for long shifts on your feet.
Clove
Clove is more of a newcomer in the world of nursing shoes. Clove was created for people on the front lines of healthcare, and it shows. Seemingly, these shoes do it all: comfort, strong grip, odor-fighting, easy to clean, and even fluid resistance.
Vessi
While Vessi’s Cityscape sneakers weren’t made specifically with healthcare workers in mind, that can be hard to believe with all of their key features. They’re 100% waterproof, breathable, stretchy, lightweight, and comfortable. The multiple layers in the shoe are each developed with a different goal in mind, all to keep you feeling your best. On top of all of that these shoes are made with a sustainable goal, buying these versus a competitor saves over 880 gallons of water and reduces every pair’s carbon footprint by 600%.
Brooks
Brooks Ghost 13 running shoe offers super smooth transitions plus soft cushioning so your run is the only thing on your mind and the same applies for you 12 your shift. You’ll be able to spend time focusing on your patients and not worrying about your feet. These shoes provide maximum support but still feel breathable and light. And Brooks and DICK’S Sporting Goods will donate USD $10 for each pair of shoes to go towards a charity that supports girls running programs.
Nike
The Nike Revolution running shoes might be the most stylish option that encompasses all day (or night) comfort. This shoe is made with a lightweight knit material that wraps your foot in breathable support. The flexible rubber sole will keep you walking and not sliding to your patient’s room. While these may not have the water-resistant features of some of our other top choices, they do come with a lower price point, making them a solid option if you’re on a budget.
Sketchers
Sketchers Sure Track shoe may not be the most stylish option, but with incredible benefits and a great price point, these had to make the list. They are light on your feet and provide comfort for long hours on your feet. The leather exterior also makes them easy to clean and take care of.
The Kanteen Clog is the ideal shoe for spending hours on your feet. This pair features a slip-resistant outsole and a custom PU footbed for all-day comfort and support. The exterior of the shoe is waterproof, which makes it easy to clean and keep looking good as new. This is a great choice for nurses with custom foot insoles as the footbed is removable and can be replaced with the sole of your choice. The best part? Keen uses a technology called CLEANSPOTY NXT for natural odor protection, your coworkers and patients will be grateful.
Ready to spend some long hours on your feet? Find youar next placement at Stability today.
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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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