Sunbelt Staffing

Dealing with Homesickness on the Road

Howard Gerber — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:40 +0000

Starting a travel assignment is a great opportunity to meet new people, see a new part of the country and learn new skills. Although it is an exciting time, it’s normal to deal with some level of homesickness. This may especially be true if you are leaving children or a significant other behind. While you don’t want to forget family and friends back home, you don’t want homesickness to spoil your time. Consider some of the suggestions below to cope when you are missing home.

Use Technology: With today’s technology, there are several ways to stay connected with family and friends back home. For example, you can regularly have a Skype time each week to catch up. Texting and emails are also a great way to know what is going on with your loved ones. If you are feeling particularly homesick, sometimes a phone call and hearing your friend or family member’s voice will help you feel better.

Consider a Visit: If possible, plan a quick trip home when you have a few days off. Of course, you may not want to spend all your free time traveling back home since there may be a lot of new places to see. But if you are feeling really homesick, a short visit may help. Another idea, which may even work better, is to have a friend come visit you. This will give you a chance to visit and also show your friend around your new area.

Get Involved: One way to combat loneliness or homesickness is to get involved in your new community. For instance, join a local group, which is centered on one of your hobbies. For instance, if you enjoy hiking, consider joining a local hiking club. Not only will you stay busy doing something you enjoy, but you will meet new people in the process.

Make Your Home Homey: If your environment does not feel like home, it may make you feel even more out of place and homesick. When you’re working as a traveler, you might be staying in a furnished apartment surrounded by things which are not yours. You can add a little bit of home, by placing photos around, candles from home and other mementos that make your new place feel like home.

Allow Yourself a Little Time: It is common to feel homesickness when you are away from your family and friends. If you are new to working as a healthcare traveler or this is the first time you will be away from home, it is naturally going to be a bit of an adjustment. Don’t immediately decide working as a traveler is not right for you because you are missing home or missing your loved ones. Realizing it may take a little time to feel at home in your new environment may help you deal with your feelings.

Keep perspective: Keep in mind, your travel assignment will not last forever. Working as a traveler is a chance for adventure, new experiences and of course having fun. Try to think positive and realize the opportunity you have.

Dealing with Homesickness on the Road is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

How to Cope With and Thrive Working the Graveyard Shift

Howard Gerber — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:39 +0000

If you are planning on working as a healthcare traveler, you may be working the overnight shift, also known as the graveyard shift. Although physical, speech and occupations therapists will almost always work day shift, nurses are needed around the clock. Whether you will be new to working overnight or have been doing it for years, it can be a challenge to work through the night.

Challenges of Working Overnight

Working overnight can take a toll on your health if you are not careful. That is why it is so critical to be sure you get enough sleep. The natural circadian rhythm for most people involves sleeping at night and being awake during the day. When that sleep schedule is disrupted it can cause some problems. For example, people who work the overnight shift are at risk for shift work sleep disorder. According to the National Sleep Foundation, symptoms of the disorder include disrupted sleep schedules, which may result in excessive sleepiness or insomnia. Additional symptoms include depressed mood and reduced performance at work.

Way to Increase Good Sleep

While it is clear working overnight can lead to trouble sleeping, there are several things you can do to improve your quality of sleep. When you are going to sleep in the morning after your shift, be sure to make your bedroom a sleep friendly environment. For example, put up dark curtains or shades, which block out the sunlight. Keep the room cool, which makes it easier to sleep than a room too warm. Try to block out daytime noises from neighbors. Use a white noise machine, turn on a fan or wear earplugs to minimize noise. There are other things you can do to get enough sleep if you are working overnight. Try to develop a sleep time routine, just as you would if you were going to bed at night. Although coffee is often a staple for night shift workers, try to limit the amount of caffeinated drinks you have a few hours before you plan on going to sleep. It is also helpful to go to sleep at the same time each morning. While you may not do this on your days off, at least try to do it on the mornings you get off work. Additionally, try to avoid working both night shifts and day shifts. Switching back and forth is even harder to deal with than just working night shifts the entire time. Following a healthy lifestyle by exercising, eating healthy and limiting alcohol also helps. If your overall health is good, working night shift may be easier to deal with than if you have an unhealthy lifestyle. Don’t forget to get some sunshine when you can. Working nights and sleeping during the day may limit how much sunshine you get. This is especially true during the winter months when it gets dark outside early. Getting a few minutes of sunshine each day can help wake you up and brighten your mood.

How to Cope With and Thrive Working the Graveyard Shift is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Five Fears of Working as a Travel Nurse and How to Overcome Them

Howard Gerber — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:30:13 +0000

It’s normal to have a few fears when you start a new job or move to a new area to live. When you work as a nurse traveler, you combine both a new living environment and a new job. It’s no wonder you may be a little apprehensive. Keep in mind that everyone gets a little nervous starting a new travel assignment, especially if it is their first. Below are some suggestions for overcoming a few common fears nurse travelers may have.

1. You’re afraid you will hate your living arrangements. Whether you are worried about getting a bad roommate or living in a less than desirable neighborhood, it’s common to have a few concerns about living arrangements. One thing you can do to ease fears is find out as much as possible about your housing before you leave for your job. Ask what’s included regarding furnishings. Be sure to determine if you will be sharing your place with another traveler. Do an Internet search of the area, which will help you find out things, such as population size, crime rate, and local attractions. Keep in mind your housing arrangements are often negotiable.

2. You wonder if you will be lonely. Moving to a new area and starting a new position where you don’t know anyone can be a bit lonely at first, but there are things you can do. You will immediately meet people at work. Get to know your coworkers. Ask about fun places to visit. Get involved in your community or workplace by doing things, such as joining a church, community group or sign-up for a fitness class. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative and ask a few coworkers to get together after work for dinner or to show you around.

3. You are worried about not having benefits. Before you sign your contract for your travel assignment, you will negotiate benefits. Usually health insurance is included. Some jobs will also include the option to contribute to a retirement plan. Whether you have paid sick days or vacations days while you are on assignment varies. Knowing in advance if paid time off is a benefit will help reduce your worries.

4. You’re anxious about getting dumped on. You may worry that as a traveler, you may not get the greatest of work assignments during your shift. Some travelers are afraid they may get the sickest patients or the largest workloads on a regular basis because they are viewed as an outsider. Rest assured, this is usually not the case. Remember the hospital was likely short staffed and that’s way they needed a traveler. Your coworkers may be grateful you are there. If you did see an unfair pattern of getting larger workloads than other staff on a regular basis, talk with your supervisor.

5. You are concerned you will have a lack of steady work. Some travelers may be afraid they will be cancelled from a shift without pay during their assignment due to low census in the hospital. While many hospitals do cancel staff when patient census is low, your contract will state whether you can be cancelled. Some contracts will have a stipulation that a traveler cannot be canceled without pay. That way you are guaranteed a certain number of hours.

Five Fears of Working as a Travel Nurse and How to Overcome Them is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Staying Healthy While Working as a Healthcare Traveler

Howard Gerber — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:47 +0000

You found a great travel job and are excited to get started, but with a new job may come a little stress, working different shifts and a change in your exercise routine. Moving to a new area and starting a new job may also mean being out of your normal routine for a while. While you adjust, don’t let staying healthy take a back seat to your new assignment.

Most people know what they need to do to improve or maintain their health, but sometimes it can be hard to do what is needed. For instance, if you take a travel assignment and are away from your fitness center, you may let exercise fall by the wayside. Also, between the shifts you are working, setting up your new home and exploring the area, it may be hard to fit in exercise.

Do your best to find the time to exercise. It will help you maintain good health, and exercise is a great way to reduce stress. Fitness centers often have short-term contacts you can take advantage of while you’re living in your new area. Hospitals may also have a fitness center for employees or where you are living may have a fitness center on-site.

Getting enough rest is also essential to maintaining optimal health. If your travel job requires you to work overnight shifts, getting enough rest may be a bit more of a challenge. If you’re working graveyard shifts, it might be easier to try to have your shifts scheduled consecutively. Additionally, be sure to make your bedroom conducive to daytime sleeping. Keep the temperature cool, get curtains which block out the light and consider a white noise machine to block out sounds from neighbors.

Another challenge to healthy living is eating right. If you’re busy working 12 hour shifts, eating hospital cafeteria food and fast food may be convenient but may not always be your best bet. One option is cooking all your meals one day a week. That way meals are in the fridge and can quickly be heated or packed to take to work. Do your best to skip the trip to the vending machines for a soda or candy. Sugar highs don’t last long, and calories can add up.

A few additional tips to consider before you start your travel job is making sure you are up to date on your vaccinations. States and individual hospital polices may vary regarding which vaccines are mandatory. Some common vaccines, which are often required for healthcare travelers include the MMR vaccine, tetanus, hepatitis B. Some facilities may also require an annual flu vaccine.

You may be required to have a physical before starting a travel assignment. If a physical is not required, it may be a good idea to get one anyway to be sure you are in tip top shape before starting work.

Staying healthy takes a lifelong commitment and is not always easy. Doing your best to maintain good health while working as a traveler will help you get the most out of your experience on the road.

Staying Healthy While Working as a Healthcare Traveler is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Improving Your Skills to Become More Marketable as a Travel Nurse

Howard Gerber — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:00:33 +0000

Getting the travel assignment you want most may take research and a little patience, but there are ways to increase your chances of getting your ideal assignment. Improving your skills increases your marketability as a travel nurse and makes you more in demand. Although you already have your education and experience as a nurse, there are several things you can do to increase your knowledge, your skills, and make you a more marketable nurse.

Certifications

In addition to your education and nursing license, certifications in specialty areas help set you apart from other applicants. There are several certifications to earn depending on what your interests are. For example, if you are interested in pursuing a career in intensive care nursing, certifications in critical care nursing can be earned through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). Progressive care nursing certification is another option to consider through the AACN.

There are many other specialty certifications to choose from, including oncology certified nurse, certified wound care nurse, and certified registered nurse infusion. Nurses with certifications, such as certified neonatal intensive care nurse and certified inpatient obstetrics nurse, are also often in demand for travel nursing assignments.

There are different requirements for various certifications including classes and years of experience Contact the professional organization offering the certification for exact requirements.

Computer Skills

Computer skills are good to have in many career areas, and nursing is no exception. Not only are many hospitals across the country transitioning to electronic medical records, computer systems are often used to scan and record medication administered. Nurses who are experts in information technology are often needed to help hospitals during the transition to electronic medical records systems.

Even if you are not an expert and don’t plan on seeking a travel assignment involving nursing and informational technology, having computer skills will be helpful. Although hospitals may use different systems, it is easier to learn a new system if you already have some basic computer knowledge. You don’t have to be a computer whiz, but knowing your way around a keyboard, and some basics will be helpful.

An Advanced Degree

Although an advanced degree, such as a BSN or master’s degree in nursing, is not necessary to get a great travel assignment, it can help. Whether you pursue a BSN degree or a nurse practitioner credential, advanced degrees in nursing make you a more marketable candidate for travel assignments. Not only will more assignments be available to you, but you may be able to command a higher salary. If you plan to pursue an advanced degree, but think school and travel assignments can’t go hand in hand, there are options. With numerous online programs in nursing, you can work towards an advanced degree from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Keep in mind, credentials and advanced degrees are not the only ways to make yourself a more marketable candidate. Additional considerations include being open to working different shifts and various days of the week. Having a positive attitude and working well as part of a team are also essential to finding your ideal travel assignment.

Improving Your Skills to Become More Marketable as a Travel Nurse is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Preventing Nursing Burnout

Howard Gerber — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:54 +0000

It can happen to the best of nurses, and even to nurses who once loved their jobs. You may not even recognize the signs at first, but it can take its toll, leave you drained and even compromise your ability to do your job well. The problem is burnout. Career burnout can happen in any field, but people in medical careers are especially at risk.

Why Burnout Happens

Nurses may experience burnout for a variety of reasons. Caring for people who are ill and suffering is demanding in several ways. Nurses care for sick patients and deal with life or death issues on a daily basis. Usually people who go into nursing are very compassionate. While compassion is a positive trait for a nurse, it can be difficult to watch patients and family members deal with tragedies and pain.

Staffing may play a big role in whether a nurse develops burnout. Think about the last shift you worked. If staffing was good, you had time to devote to each patient and do your job well. If you were short staffed, you might have felt like you were rushing through tasks and not performing your job as well as you wanted.

Although emotional issues often lead to burnout, physical demands can also be difficult. Nurses don’t always work an eight hour day. Many hospitals require 12 hour shifts. Nurses may also have to work overnight shifts or rotate between day and night shifts, which is draining.

Recognizing Symptoms

Symptoms of burnout may sneak up on you, and you may not even realize what is happening at first. Although not everyone will experience all symptoms, typical signs of burnout include the following:

Fatigue: One common sign of burnout is always being tired or feeling like you never have any energy.
Lack of compassion: Although you may once have had a lot of compassion for your patients, you may start to be more insensitive or may have become cynical.
You dread going to work: Everyone has days when they don’t feel like heading into to work, but if you are starting to dread going to work on a regular basis, it may be a sign of burnout.
Depression: Feeling depressed, even if you can’t pinpoint why, may also be a symptom of burnout.

Prevention

There are several things you can do in order to reduce your chances of becoming burned out during your nursing career. One the biggest things you can do is learn ways to reduce stress. Whether you enjoy exercising, reading, massages or going to the movies, finding activities, which are fun and decrease stress is essential.

It is also important to talk about how you feel. If you are starting to feel stressed or underappreciated at the job, talk about it with your manager, co-workers or a friend. Sometimes just venting and getting it out there can help. If feelings persist consider professional help, such as a counselor. Some hospitals also have employee assistance programs to help their staff cope with difficulties both on and off the job.

Lastly, it is critical to take care of yourself. Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in reducing stress and career burnout. Eat healthy, get exercise, spend time with friends, and get enough rest.

Preventing Nursing Burnout is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Which Nursing Specialties are in Demand for Travelers?

Howard Gerber — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:37:03 +0000

Which Nursing Specialties are in Demand for Travelers?

Travel nursing jobs can be a great way to see the country and get paid. Although there are travel opportunities in most areas of nursing, such as pediatrics, telemetry and medical floor nursing, some specialty areas of nursing are sought after. If you want to increase your chances of getting the locations and assignments you want, is there a certain nursing specialty that makes you more marketable? The answer is yes and no.

There really is a wide variety of assignments for all types of nurses. The demand for certain specialties in nursing also changes. For instance, just because you are a medical, surgical floor nurse, does not mean you can’t find a great travel assignment. Still, there are some areas of nursing that seem to be more in demand than others.

ICU
Nurses who specialize in critical care may find they have multiple opportunities when it comes to working as a travel nurse. Usually nurses must have a year or two critical care experience before being offered an assignment. Nurses with intensive care experience are sought after at both large medical centers and smaller community hospitals. One advantage to hiring travel nurses with critical care experience is they may be used to float between different intensive care units, such as the medical, surgical, and cardiac intensive care units.

NICU
Neonatal intensive care nurses have specialized training, which makes them very marketable to staffing agencies hiring traveling nurses. Neonatal nursing is different from adult critical care nursing. Nurses who have experience with both specialties will have an even greater chance of finding a traveling nursing job in their desired locations.

Labor and Delivery
Nurses who specialize in labor and delivery also may find they have several opportunities when it comes to travel assignments. Labor and delivery nurses who are also able to work in postpartum and the nursery may have the greatest opportunities. Keep in mind, not only do labor and delivery nurses get travel assignments in hospitals, but some positions may also be available in birthing centers.

Other Specialties
If you think of nursing specialties, you may first think of traditional specialties, such as those listed above, but nursing continues to evolve. There are so many specialized areas of nursing, which you may be able to find travel nursing jobs. Some specialties where nurses may find traveling assignments include dialysis, wound care, hospice and intervention radiology.

Additionally, technology has created the need for new nursing specialties. Many hospitals have switched to electronic medical records (EMR). Nurses experienced in informatics and EMR systems may be needed to help hospitals train staff on new systems being implemented.

The bottom line is this: the more training you have, the more in demand you will be. Having specialized skills, additional certifications and experience is always beneficial. This translates in to getting better travel assignments, higher pay and more opportunities. Keep in mind that you probably should not go into an area of nursing just because you want to work as a traveler. What’s hot and in demand may change when you’re ready to travel. Finding an area of nursing you enjoy and seeking advanced training is your best bet. After that, you may find you have a variety of travel opportunities available.

Which Nursing Specialties are in Demand for Travelers? is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Preparing for Your First Travel Assignment

Howard Gerber — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:15:24 +0000

Preparing for Your First Travel Assignment

If you have decided to pursue your first nursing travel assignment, you may be both excited and a little nervous. It’s normal to have a bit of apprehension before starting a new job, especially one which will take you to a new area to live. Preparing for your first assignment by getting organized will help you relax and enjoy your new experience. Consider some of the suggestions below to help get you started.

Confirm Details
Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure you have read through your contract. Keep in mind, there may be room for some negotiating. For instance, if you are primarily interested in living alone, but were assigned a roommate, determine if an alternate living arrangement is possible. Some of the other details of your contract and assignment to consider include the following:

• Determine if health, dental and life insurance are included. Also, find out if you are given any paid sick time during your contract.
• Ask if housing is completely furnished. Accommodations can vary. Find out if you need to bring household items like linens, cookware, and towels.
• Make sure you know what shift and hours you will be working. Some hospitals offer 8, 10, or 12 hour shifts.
• If you plan to bring a pet, make sure your housing allows it, and find out whether you need a pet deposit.
• Decide if you will be using an exciting account and direct deposit for your pay. Another option is opening up a bank account at your new location.
Paperwork
As with the start of any new job, a traveling nursing assignment will require you to fill out paperwork. The staffing agency will likely help you with the process of obtaining a nursing license in the state where your assignment will be. You will also need a copy of your immunization record, a negative TB test, and copies of certifications, such as BLS or ACLS. The staffing agency will likely have forwarded all needed paperwork to your new employer, but it never hurts to bring extra copies just in case.

Packing Up
Depending on your current living situation, packing up may be as easy as filling your bags and hitting the road. In other instances, you may need to lease your apartment or secure your home. Make a list of things you need to do, such as shutting off utilities, forwarding mail and cleaning out your refrigerator. If you own a home and it will be empty while you are gone, it’s a good idea to let a trusted neighbor know you are away in order to keep an eye on things.

If you’re trying to decide what to bring, you may be limited by whether you are flying or driving to your new destination. In addition to clothes, you may want to bring items, such as a laptop, books, and personal items. A few small items from home including pictures, candles and pillows, may make your new space feel homier.
There may seem like lots to do before your first day, but the better prepared you are for your assignment, the smoother it may go. Keep in mind, even with preparation a few unexpected situations may arise. Be flexible, stay in touch with your staffing agency and enjoy your adventure.

Preparing for Your First Travel Assignment is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

A Hidden Benefit to Travel Nursing

Howard Gerber — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:15:31 +0000

Maybe you’ve considered travel nursing, but don’t think it’s for you. You want to build a solid career, working your way up in a respectable hospital, being that nurse who knows everything and everybody. The go-to authority on all things in your department. It’s certainly an admirable goal. But how to achieve that?

If you’re early in your career, travel nursing can have some unexpected perks. There’s the obvious, getting to travel and see different areas of the country or the world; making your own schedule; choosing your assignments; bonuses and perks; but the real career benefit may be in opportunities and contacts.

Making the A-List
Have you ever dreamed of working at Johns Hopkins? It may be hard to get a job there without impressive references unless you have a degree from a premier school. But how do you get references from the movers and shakers in medicine? Travel nursing may provide those opportunities.

The first thing to do is research potential assignments. Choose hospitals where doctors are making the news in your specialty. Medicine is never stagnant, and when you expand your education, you also enhance your career. Take every opportunity to attend lectures, to meet and impress specialists, and to be helpful to people who attend and assist those specialists. Know enough to ask an interesting question or offer an informed opinion if you are presented with an opportunity. Make sure that every doctor, nurse, and administrator you meet along the way remembers your name…in a good way.

Always be networking
I can’t say it often enough. Even if there’s no chance for a personal discussion with an important person in the field, introduce yourself, shake hands, and ask for a business card. You can always attempt to engage later by sending an email with an intriguing subject line or joining a forum where doctors and nurses interact. The important thing is to persevere, and to be engaging, so people will want to know more about you. You may even try friending people you admire on Facebook or LinkedIn. Be careful about going overboard; you don’t want to cross the line into stalker territory. Just keep your communications efforts interesting, light, and lively.

Who’s your rockstar?
If you could have a personal conversation with anyone in your field, who would it be? We’re so connected today that engaging people in any line of work is no longer out of reach. You may have to do a little digging to find people you admire online, but you can be sure that they are somewhere. They may hang out in a forum or on a discussion board, on their own websites, or on Facebook or Twitter, but anyone with a viable career is online somewhere. And so are you. Think about it. And while you’re at it, think about how positive name recognition can open doors.

A Hidden Benefit to Travel Nursing is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

Siri, Do I Have the Flu?

Howard Gerber — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:15:01 +0000

Siri, Do I Have the Flu?

Science fiction to science fact is not a new concept. Many of the technological devices and medical advances common today were first envisioned by science fiction writers with big imaginations, including the Internet, described in 1904 by Mark Twain as global communication where people can see and talk to each other in real time. Sound familiar?

The familiar decks of the Star Trek Enterprise yielded many devices that eventually became reality…and a few surprising things in the works. Microsoft is evidently ready to take gaming to a new level with full-immersion holodeck technology (they took out a patent last year) and now Qualcomm is channeling Dr. Crusher with a competition to develop a medical tricorder.

Home triage
The device is intended for home use, but its medical office implications are obvious. Here’s the description of the device from the competition website:

“As envisioned for this competition, the device will be a tool capable of capturing key health metrics and diagnosing a set of 15 diseases. Metrics for health could include such elements as blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature. Ultimately, this tool will collect large volumes of data from ongoing measurement of health states through a combination of wireless sensors, imaging technologies, and portable, non-invasive laboratory replacements.”
Imagine being able to pass a non-invasive device over a patient and take vitals in seconds, compare with previous readings, evaluate condition, and continually monitor a patient’s condition with a small bedside device. While this sounds pretty impressive, future possibilities are even more exciting. Being able to check in on outpatients at home via computer. Future applications may include alerts set to monitor certain conditions and send a text alert to caregivers if a patient’s blood pressure, for example, reaches a predetermined threshold.
How nurses could benefit
One of the biggest problems in the medical profession is patient compliance. They don’t always do what they’re told, and there’s no way to know. With a remote sensing device we’ll be able to catch complications faster and get patients in earlier, before a simple problem turns into a major issue. We’ll have more complete records to really see what’s going on. And we’ll be able to better evaluate triggers—the root cause of issues—to determine the best course of action.

One day, such devices may monitor blood glucose, oxygen levels, maybe even check for cancerous tumors. The potential applications, given recent advancements in science and technology, seem unlimited. In ten years will personal medical monitoring devices be as ubiquitous as cell phones? Will patients take more responsibility for their day-to-day health, leaving medical professionals free to deal with real issues? In your opinion, will this help or hinder nurses and how they do their jobs? Will we see more patients as a result, or fewer?

Siri, Do I Have the Flu? is a post from: Sunbelt Staffing

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