To be your best travel nurse self, it’s important to take a breather and de-stress when you can.

By Susan Whitman, Executive Vice President at Freedom Healthcare Staffing

There’s no denying that travel nurses work hard. And, with the added pressure of adapting to new environments, family, and social life on top of taking care of all your patients, it’s natural to get a little stressed every now and then. But, in order to be your very best, it’s important to not let the stress take control of your mind and body.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can affect everything from sleep, anxiety, and even your mood. When working in the healthcare industry, this is exactly what you don’t want. So, it’s key to find ways to help you de-stress after a long travel assignment or even just a tough night shift.

Here are some things you can do to relax and feel rejuvenated again:

Heat it Up

Nothing is better than a nice hot bath after a hard day’s work, maybe even paired with a tangy glass of wine. But, baths aren’t the only way to decompress with the help of a higher temperature. Take advantage of your surroundings! Is your travel assignment in Colorado or Utah? Is there a spa nearby?

Use this opportunity to research what is around your area and look for local hot springs, saunas, or even mud baths. These offer the perfect chance to fully unwind, relax those aching muscles, and leave feeling like a new person. Not to mention your skin will reap all the benefits.

Get Mineral Rich

Speaking of hot springs, did you know they are rich in essential minerals such as iron, sulfate, chloride, sodium, and calcium? These help with things such as blood flow, digestive functions, and more. If hot springs aren’t your thing, consider adding these minerals by taking dietary supplements. Giving your body the resources it needs to be its very best is a great start to getting rid of and fighting stress. If you are fully nourished, you’ll perform better.

At the very least, ensure you’re taking a daily multivitamin and eating foods that provide you with all your body needs to produce the energy you need to keep up your knockout work ethic. Spinach, sweet potatoes, quinoa and blueberries are all superfoods that can help you get the vitamins and minerals you need.

Take A Vacay

Sometimes you just need to get away. Even those who “get away” as part of their jobs like travel nurses, need an escape every now and then. Use your traveling opportunities to your advantage. Don’t stay cooped up in your apartment all day. Get out and explore the local attractions. Or, better yet, take an actual vacation. Travel somewhere just for fun, or take off a few days to spend some time at a local retreat. When you work as a travel nurse, the world is your oyster. Do everything you can and use it as a way to escape from the stressors of everyday work.

Mediation

Adding meditation into your daily schedule can truly do wonders, even if it’s only a 10 minute session. During this process the body decreases its production of cortisol and adrenaline, while increasing neurotransmitters associated with calm, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Besides these obvious health benefits, recent studies have shown that regular meditators experience more happiness, less anxiety, and greater feelings of purpose.

Get Moving

After a long shift, exercising is probably the last thing you want to do. But, it’s a great way to get your mind clear and decompress. Whether a nice run or just a quick walk around the facility you work, moving around helps send energy throughout the body while also increasing blood flow to the brain. Like anything, this can differ person to person. But, when stress has a hold of you, it’s important to try a variety of things so you can relax and perform at your very best.

As a travel nurse, stress doesn’t have to run your life. It’s important not to allow it to affect your mood, and energy; especially for the sake of your patients. Try these 5 ways to see what works best for you! Always remember, as a nurse you do a lot for the people around you so take the time out of your busy schedule to do something for yourself, too.

Susan is the Senior Vice President & CFO of Freedom Healthcare Staffing, a staffing agency for traveling nurses across the U.S. based in Aurora, Colorado. Susan has over 20 years of experience in the hospital & staffing industries beginning in 2001 as the Vice President of Fastaff Travel Nursing. The Freedom Healthcare team and Susan take pride in helping their travelers find the healthcare jobs of their dreams, providing support, outstanding benefits, and unbeatable compensation. Learn more about Freedom Healthcare: http://www.freedomhcs.com/

With so many travel nurse staffing companies out there, it can be difficult to find one that’s right for you. Luckily, Travel Nursing Central is here to help. In fact, we’re thrilled to reveal our Top Travel Nursing Companies for 2018!

The results are in! Find out which travel nurse companies earned the gold in 2018!

We analyzed more than 5,500 reviews from actual travel nurses to rank approximately 215 healthcare staffing agencies. Several factors were evaluated including benefits, pay, housing, customer service, efficiency and more.

To be considered for TNC’s list, each agency needed to meet certain criteria. They must have a website, have at least 20 reviews on our site, and have been voluntarily reviewed by a travel nurse in the last three months. Our annual honor roll reflects only reviews submitted during the previous year.

Below, you’ll find the top 12 travel nurse companies for 2018:

1. Flexcare Medical Staffing
2. Talemed
3. Medical Solutions
4. Travel Nurse Across America
5. Tailored Healthcare Staffing
6. LiquidAgents Healthcare
7. Fusion Medical Staffing
8. Total Med Staffing
9. Medical Staffing Solutions, Inc.
10. Republic Health Resources
11. Next Travel Nursing
12. Medical Staffing Solutions, LLC

We hope these reviews help you find your ideal staffing company! Did your travel nurse agency make the cut? Click here to see the full list.

Hurricane Harvey has devastated the Houston area. Travel nurses are needed now more than ever.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, both Florida and Texas are in desperate need of nurses. In fact, Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently pleaded for roughly 1,000 volunteer nurses via Twitter. Fortunately, many travel nurses will answer the call and provide much-needed support in the days and months ahead.

However, traveling to a crisis zone is not your typical travel nurse assignment. If you plan to travel to either Florida or Texas, here are the top four things you need to know:

1. Getting there could be tricky: You might have to use indirect methods to reach your destination. That’s because the most direct routes, like major highways, might be impassible at the moment. So, instead of driving in your car, you might have to travel by boat or find a helicopter ride, like this group of nurses did.

2. Your temporary living/working situation could be less than ideal: Parts of Houston and many communities in Florida are still under water, so housing will likely be scarce. Likewise, your work environment could prove to be more stressful than normal. For example, according to The New York Times, some nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Florida are still without power. Hospitals there may also have water damage, which can lead to mold and other potential health risks to you and your patients.

3. You may be at risk for burnout: Extended hours, lack of sleep, and increased stress levels could be a recipe for burnout if you’re not prepared. So, remember to pack a few burnout prevention techniques along with your gear before you leave. For example, don’t forget to practice self-care, like eating regular meals or taking a few minutes’ mental break when necessary. Self-care is vital, especially in crisis situations. You won’t be able to help others if you become sick.

4. You can make a difference: Despite the risks, most travel nurses will volunteer because they feel called to help people affected by the recent hurricanes. If you have the constitution for it, crisis travel nursing can be incredibly rewarding. You can be confident knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of your patients and your fellow healthcare workers.

If you are interested in joining the disaster relief efforts in either Florida or Texas, you should talk to your recruiter, or simply volunteer with the American Red Cross. However, if you are unable to travel or are currently on assignment elsewhere, you can also donate your money to a specific charity and/or give blood.

Jump for joy with these housing websites for travel nurses.

Searching for clean, safe, and affordable housing as a travel nurse can often make you feel like you’re on a never-ending episode of HGTV’s House Hunters. While many travel nurses avoid the housing headache altogether with staffing agency accommodations, there are plenty of travel nurses who take the stipend instead. So, if you are on a current quest for housing, check out these 4 helpful housing websites for travel nurses:

HomeSuite: Want a place that feels like home, but has the luxury of a hotel? Consider HomeSuite, an online company that connects people to furnished rentals in major cities across the country. The HomeSuite team manages the hassle of booking for you, so moving to a new city is as painless as possible.

Synergy Global Housing: Synergy Global Housing offers housing solutions to corporate travelers in more than 50 countries.  The company prides itself on providing “customized living spaces for your lifestyle.” Among other perks, they also have personal services such as a mobile concierge, a VIP program, and a welcome package for pets.

FurnishedFinder.com: Specifically designed for traveling healthcare professionals, FurnishedFinder.com is one of the largest no-cost housing resources online. It’s well respected within the healthcare staffing industry too. According to its website, most staffing companies use FurishedFinder.com themselves.

Travel Housing Pro: This online company connects corporate travelers to both short-term and long-term rental properties. No need to worry about housing scams with Travel Housing Pro. They are committed to safe and affordable housing options and have rigorous security protocols in place to ensure traveler safety.

We hope these websites help make your quest for the perfect home away from home easier. If you have more questions about travel nurse housing, make sure to check out our Housing Checklist.

There are many great housing rescores out there for travel nurses. Did we list your preferred online housing resource? If not, which ones do you recommend? Let us know in the comments below!