Top 9 Tips for Adapting to the Night Shift

Posted on October 12, 2016 by TNC

Switching to the night shift can be a rough transition if you’re not prepared. Follow these tips to stay happy and healthy during your assignment!

By Haley Thomann

Fusion Medical Staffing, LLC

So you are about to embark on a new journey and a new contract. The pay is great. The location is perfect. The only thing holding back your full proclamation of excitement? You are going to be working nights — for the first time!

According to fellow travel nurses, here are the top 9 tips for adapting to the night shift:

Block schedule: This seems obvious, but make sure you ask about your schedule. It can be very tough to transition back and forth between day and night when your shifts are separated throughout the week. Use that last night shift of the week to have a shorter sleep, it will help you adjust to daytime hours when you are off.

Invest in room darkening curtains: This tip was unanimous when it came to our night shift warriors — even if you don’t work nights, these things are AMAZING! Toss in some ear plugs and a sleep mask if you are really sensitive.

Request top floor apartment living: Since most people are working “normal” hours and have the weekends off, they aren’t usually considerate of the person sleeping below them. Make sure to request the top floor whenever possible for a little more peace and quiet.

Start your day with breakfast: Some prefer to wake up at 5 p.m. and have dinner, but this is your new morning. Start it with breakfast! Regardless of what you eat when you wake up or before you go to sleep, make sure it is not something super heavy!

Stay healthy: From eating healthy to getting exercise, these things will help your body stay functioning through the change and long hours. Consider meal prepping and packing a healthy lunch to keep yourself from grabbing junk food on your way home to crash for the night. (well, day.) Sleepless = bad cravings.

Avoid caffeine: Yeah, we know, it sounds crazy! Why wouldn’t you slam a bunch of coffee and energy drinks to make it through? All that caffeine will start to take a toll on your body, so instead, STAY HYDRATED! It will help you in so many ways. Some travel nurses also suggest if you are going to have that caffeine, cut it off at 3 a.m.!

Get some outside time every day: Soak up that Vitamin D! It certainly can’t hurt. If that still doesn’t feel like enough, invest in a nice sun lamp!

Laugh and smile daily: Seems like weird advice? Night shifters typically have less social interaction, which can create issues with communication and the smoothness of a shift. Make sure to interact and bond with your coworkers. It will give you that little boost!

Consider how you are getting home: Some of our travelers have had a bit of a commute when heading home after working nights. If you are too tired, DO NOT DRIVE HOME! Call a friend or take a little nap. Another tip from several of our night shift pros — wear DARK sunglasses when you head home in the daylight. That light can trigger your body to stay alert and awake, which will keep you up when you are trying to wind down.

Most importantly, listen to your body. It is a good idea to take a break from night shifts if you have been going at it for a long period of time. You know your own body, so take the best care of you that you can. Don’t be afraid to ask your coworkers what helps them out too!

Haley Thomann has been with Fusion Medical Staffing for just over 3 years, managing all its social media and content. She absolutely loves her side of the job because she gets to interact with amazing travelers, help potential travelers find the answers they need, and represent the Fusion brand. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband and 1-year-old daughter, Dylan Olivia. For more travel resources from Haley, check out Fusion’s blog at http://blog.fusionmedstaff.com/ or connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hwenthe.

Travel Nurses Day 2016 is Coming!

Posted on October 5, 2016 by TNC

Don’t miss out on all the Travel Nurses Day fun!

Travel nurses everywhere have an extra special reason to say “Happy Fall Y’all!”

That’s because Travel Nurses Day is just around the corner! On Friday, October 14th, you’re invited to celebrate your career as a travel nurse. This year’s theme, “My Travel Nurse Shoes” will have you kicking up your heels in no time!

Created by Medical Solutions in 2013, the first Travel Nurses Day began as a simple way to show appreciation for all the hard work travel nurses do every single day. Now, in its fourth year, this annual celebration promises to be filled with even more games, contests, and quizzes for travel nurses, including:

A #MyTravelNurseShoes Instagram Contest
Quizzes — “What kind of shoe are you?”, “Where should you travel next?”, and “Is travel nursing in your future?”
Travel Libs
Photo Finds

Plus, you’ll have plenty of chances to win some amazing prizes, including:

A Fitbit Blaze
Shiatsu Back Massager
$130 Alegria gift card
$120 Dansko gift card
$75 Inkkas gift card
Dickies scrub sets
Artifact tote bags
JBL Clip+ Splashproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

You can visit TravelNursesDay.com anytime starting Oct. 7th to midnight Oct. 16th. Prize winners will be announced the following week.

Happy Travel Nurses Day to all you awesome travelers out there!

4 Simple Stretches for the Travel Nurse

Posted on September 21, 2016 by TNC

Whether you’re on a mountain top or in the middle of your shift, you can do these quick stretches anywhere!

You spend most of your day caring for patients, and that can be a full body workout. After a long 12-hour shift, the last thing you probably want to do is go to the gym. And while we certainly don’t blame you, your personal fitness shouldn’t always take a back seat. With just a few minutes each day, you can actually help prevent potential injuries and increase your endurance when you practice these 4 simple stretches for the travel nurse:

Cat and Camel Stretch: This easy to learn stretch can help relieve lower back pain and help strengthen your spinal cord. According to WebMD, a static Cat and Camel stretch can be done using the following steps:

Lace your fingers together and turn your palms to face outward in front of you.
Reach your arms as far as you can, curving your back and shoulders forward.
Hold for roughly 10 seconds.
Release your fingers, and grab your wrists or fingers behind your back.
Raise your arms as high as you can behind your back without releasing your hands so your chest opens and your shoulders roll back.

Lying Bed Stretch: According to nursing blog Scrubs.com, the lying bed stretch can help reduce back and neck pain. And the best part? As its name implies, you don’t have to leave your bed for this one!

Simply lie back on your bed.
Raise both arms over your head, so that your elbows face the ceiling and your hands dangle over the edge of the bed.
Hold for 15 seconds, then slowly bring your hands back to your side.
Repeat one to two times as needed.

Half Dog at the Wall: This modified yoga pose is also great for the busy travel nurse. All you need is a wall and a few seconds of free time. Doyouyoga.com suggests this stretch to help relieve stress and boost your energy level:

Stand facing a wall, about a leg’s length apart.
Place your hands on the wall roughly at shoulder height.
Press your hands against the wall, and bend your knees a bit and slowly walk your feet away from the wall.
Keeping your hips positioned over your feet, gradually walk out until your arms are straight and form a long line with your torso and belly.
Push your arms strongly towards the wall, while creating an upward lift from your knees to your hips.
Gradually straighten your knees.
Hold this position for 10 seconds.
Slowly come back up.

Supine Pelvic Tilt: This classic exercise routine works well for those of you who suffer from low back pain. So basically, all nurses everywhere, right? This stretch can take a bit more time, but it’s worth the effort! The American Council on Exercise recommends you follow these steps:

Lie back on a mat or the floor with your knees bent, your feet flat on the ground, and your arms at your sides in a “T” position.
As you exhale, use your abdominal muscles to press your low back into the floor. Be careful to not lift your hips. Hold this position for a short time.
Next, slowly inhale and slant your pelvis in the opposite direction. This should create an arch between your low back and the floor. Again, make sure to keep your hips and tailbone on the ground. Hold this position briefly, then return to your starting position.
Rest a few seconds between each set. Depending on the amount of time you have, you can do 2-3 sets at a time.

As a travel nurse, you’re constantly on the move, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with constant back pain and stress. These quick stretches can help you let go of stress, relieve your tired and sore muscles, and help prevent personal injuries on the job.

What other activities help you unwind after a long day?

5 Fantastic National Parks Travel Nurses Should Visit This Fall

Posted on September 14, 2016 by TNC

The U.S. National Park Service celebrates its centennial anniversary this year, so it’s the perfect time for travel nurses to explore some of America’s natural wonders. Take a break from your busy travel nurse schedule and discover the majesty of the Grand Canyon or reconnect with nature at Yosemite. Need some inspiration to help you get started? National Geographic has listed the Top 10 Most Visited National Parks, and we think the first five parks on their list are fantastic for fall:

Straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee border, the Great Smoky Mountain range is part of an international biosphere reserve and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee: Experience the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as its beautiful landscapes explode into vibrant fall color. With more than 800 miles of hiking trails and auto tours, you can explore the nation’s most popular park on foot or by car. Avoid the summer crowds and visit during the fall season so you can appreciate on your own the natural fog that often hangs over this mountain range.

Take a guided river trip on the Colorado River as it winds through the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: With its breathtaking views, numerous hiking trails, and whitewater rafting tours, the Grand Canyon should be on every travel nurse’s bucket list. According to National Geographic, even from the best vantage point, you’ll only be able to see a fraction of the canyon’s 277 miles. No matter your view though, this mile-deep geologic wonder will be sure to leave you inspired. Sunrise and sunset tours are especially popular.

Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park could be your next climbing adventure.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: If you enjoy a challenging mountain climbing experience, look no further than Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of Colorado’s “Fourteeners”, Longs Peak offers those who reach its summit commanding views of the region. If you’re not quite ready for Longs Peak, you can still go camping or mountain biking. Nearby towns like Estes Park also provide tourists with fun dining and shopping experiences.

Step away from the concrete jungle and enjoy the bright, jewel-toned colors of fall at Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park, California: After visiting Yosemite, you’ll know why explorer and naturalist John Muir felt inspired to write, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.” Nature lovers won’t be disappointed here. Just as John Muir did generations ago, you can stand in awe of Yosemite’s massive sequoias, soak up the impressive view at Glacier Point, and discover the park’s world-famous waterfalls.

Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring, shown here, is one of the largest natural hot springs in the world.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: As the world’s first national park, Yellowstone remains the crown jewel of the U.S. National Park Service. Established in 1872, Yellowstone has long captured the imaginations of travelers worldwide, and it’s not hard to understand why. Visitors can watch Old Faithful erupt, spot wildlife in the Lamar Valley, and take in the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest spring in the U.S.

Want to learn more about which national park you should explore next? Click here to see National Geographic’s complete list of the Top 10 Most Visited National Parks.

Have you been to one of these parks? What was your experience there?

5 Must-Read Travel Nurse Blog Posts

Posted on September 1, 2016 by TNC

This Labor Day weekend, relax and catch up on all your favorite travel nurse blogs!

As a travel nurse, you know it’s sometimes difficult to find the time to stay current on your favorite blogs. So, in honor of the upcoming Labor Day weekend, Travel Nursing Central took on the task of finding this week’s 5 must-read travel nurse blog posts for you. Grab a cup of coffee, relax, and start reading as you celebrate Labor Day!

10 Things A Nurse Wants To Hear… Never, Nurse Buff: Nurse Buff takes a humorous look at the daily joys of being a nurse. Be prepared to laugh as you read — this post is full of funny phrases you’ll be all too familiar with.

Online Safety Tips, The Gypsy Nurse: This blog is filled with great content for the travel nurse, and its latest article is no exception. It’s always a good idea to refresh yourself on good online safety habits, especially since most travel nurses rely on the internet while on the road.

Dear Nurses, Love Z Dogg MD, TravelNursingBlogs.com: TravelNursingBlogs.com has a reputation as a fun and informative resource for travel nurses. The blog’s most current post, a music video by Z Dogg MD, is a tribute to all nurses. With Labor Day just around the corner, it’s also touchingly appropriate. Watch it! We guarantee it will make you smile!

The Top 11 Travel Nursing Companies, Blue Pipes: This popular travel nursing blog has graciously listed the top 11 travel nurse companies. The best part? The Blue Pipes team based these rankings on traveler reviews across social media platforms, so it’s an excellent way to find a company that provides great service.

The 25 Best Nursing Jobs, TopRNtoBSN.com: Are you a nursing student and not sure yet what kind of nurse you want to be? Or maybe you’re a veteran nurse in need of a change? Then, look no further than this TopRNtoBSN.com’s article. Travel nurses won’t be surprised to find that their profession is recognized on the list!

Thanks for reading! Happy Labor Day to travel nurses everywhere!

Zika Virus Hits the U.S.: 4 Things Travel Nurses Should Know

Posted on August 3, 2016 by TNC

Late last week, healthcare officials’ fears were realized when several local cases of the Zika virus were identified in Miami. This is the first time cases of the Zika infection in the U.S. haven’t been linked to South American travel. Infections are expected to increase in parts of the U.S. So, it’s important for all travel nurses, especially those currently working in Florida, to keep updated on the recent Zika news. Here’s what travel nurses should know:

zika 300x200 - Zika Virus Hits the U.S.: 4 Things Travel Nurses Should Know

The Zika virus has spread to Florida. Learn how you can protect yourself and your patients.

Pregnant women should avoid travel to Miami: Earlier this spring, pregnant women were warned about traveling to South America due to the link between Zika infections in pregnant women and severe birth defects in their newborns. However, as a result of these new findings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded that travel ban to include the Wynwood neighborhood in downtown Miami. This is the first time the CDC has advised people not to travel to a place in the continental United States.

The Zika virus can be sexually transmitted: Although only certain mosquitoes are responsible for most Zika cases, the infection can also be sexually transmitted. As a healthcare provider, you should caution both male and female patients who have recently traveled to Zika-affected areas to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least eight weeks. The virus has been known to remain in bodily fluids long after the symptoms are gone. If your patient is already pregnant and has recently traveled to Miami, you should advise her to get tested for Zika. This particular patient will also want to use condoms or avoid sex throughout the duration of her pregnancy.

Prevention is key: If you or your patients are living in a Zika zone like Florida, you should take all necessary precautions. This includes staying indoors as much as possible, covering up, and wearing insect repellent such as Deet to prevent infection. If one of your patients does become infected, he or she will need to see a doctor right away. If a pregnant woman becomes infected, she will need to be carefully monitored throughout her pregnancy.

Don’t panic: While the news seems grim, your patients don’t need to panic just yet. Only the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes have been known to transmit the infection, and these mosquitoes must have bitten someone who’s infected in order to spread the virus to someone else. The CDC expected to see outbreaks of Zika in the U.S. where these types of mosquitoes are common. Florida is one of these areas. Fortunately, healthcare officials do not believe the outbreaks here will be as severe as the ones in South America.

To learn more about the latest Zika virus in Florida, you can visit the CDC’s website here.

Are you currently working in Florida as a travel nurse? If so, what steps are you taking to protect yourself and your patients?

Top 6 Travel Nurse Myths Busted

Posted on July 22, 2016 by TNC

You’ve been thinking about travel nursing as a career option for a while now, but you’ve been hesitant to take the plunge. Maybe, you don’t think you can hack it as a travel nurse because you’re naturally shy, or you’ve heard from your friends that travel nurses are given difficult patient loads. Well, Travel Nursing Central has busted the top 6 travel nurse myths wide open below. We bet you’ll be surprised by what you might learn.

iStock 69989813 LARGE 300x225 - Top 6 Travel Nurse Myths Busted

Don’t let rumors or myths scare you away from a rewarding travel nurse career.

You Must Be Outgoing: While being an extrovert usually helps, it isn’t required in a travel nurse. In fact, most travel nurses believe that being a team player is the more important trait. You’ll make friends faster among the hospital staff if you can quickly learn the hospital’s routine, bring a positive attitude and hit the ground running with your awesome clinical skills. Outside of the hospital setting, there are plenty of perks to traveling alone. First of all, you get to schedule your adventures and enjoy them at your own pace. Going on a hike or indulging in your photography hobby are just some of the activities you can enjoy solo. However, if you’re still worried about how you might handle traveling, you can test the waters by sticking to a location fairly close to home. Then you can truly decide if the travel nurse lifestyle is for you.

You Don’t Get to Choose Your Travel Assignments: Nothing could be further from the truth on this one. You absolutely have a choice when deciding where you want to travel. Your traveling company might not always have a job available in your dream location, but that doesn’t mean you have to go anywhere you don’t want to. Just let your recruiter know a few of your top location preferences and your recruiter will find jobs for you. Overall, remember to keep an open mind about where you decide to travel. You could be surprised to find that you enjoy the slower pace of a small town hospital compared to the rapid-fire pace at a sprawling facility in New York.

You Can’t Take Your Pet with You: There are many companies that will accept your pets as a package deal and will gladly find pet-friendly housing for you. But, not all agencies are willing to let your furry friend come along for the ride. Moral of the story? Do your research before you sign a contract if you want to travel with your pet.

You Aren’t Eligible for Benefits: Almost all travel staffing companies have a benefits package for their travelers, so this myth is a pretty easy one to debunk. However, benefit packages vary greatly with the traveling company. Here again, it pays to do your research. Find out which benefits are the most important to you and go with the company that offers them. You can start your research on TNC’s agency reviews page here.

You Get the Worst Patient Assignments: There’s also the assumption out there that travel nurses get the worst patient assignments. Again, this isn’t usually the case. As a travel nurse, you are there to lighten the hospital’s patient load. Most staff members are happy to have you there, and your patient assignments won’t necessarily be more difficult than a permanent nurse’s load. However, if you know you don’t want to be a floater, put it in writing if possible. Your contract can sometimes be your best protection.

You Will Make Tons More Money as a Travel Nurse: This myth is a bit of a gray area. Many times, travel nurse pay is typically better than a permanent position, but that might not always be the case. There are some assignments that are incredibly lucrative, but others can be comparable to seasoned nurses’ current pay. The key here is to remember that your pay as a travel nurse is usually based on a number of things, including whether or not you take company housing, enroll in company health insurance, and/or the location of your assignment. Again, this all depends on your travel company and how they handle pay. Be sure to ask your recruiter about this issue before you sign a contract, and remember the power of negotiation!

How Does Travel Nursing Help Close the Healthcare Gap?

Posted on April 20, 2016 by TNC

Travel nurses help close the healthcare gap by traveling nationwide to provide patient care wherever it is most needed.

In this great infographic titled “Can Shift Work Close the Healthcare Job Gap?” travel nursing is identified as one means for helping the healthcare industry keep pace with accelerated demand.

Check out this infographic from CompHealth.com

Happy Holidays from Travel Nursing Central!

Posted on December 24, 2015 by TNC

Happy Holidays, travel nurses!

Travel Nursing Central wishes you very Happy Holidays!

You may be far from home, or maybe you’re home for the holidays. Wherever you are, you are in our hearts.

We look forward to continuing to bring you the best in travel nursing news, resources, reviews, blogs, and so much more in 2016 and beyond.

Thanks so much for all of your hard work as a travel nurse. You truly make the world a better place!

Strange State Laws

Posted on August 17, 2015 by TNC

Don’t Be This Guy: Here are some strange state laws to mind as you travel from state to state.

As a Travel Nurse you get the awesome opportunity to work while you explore the United States in all its glory. For the gorgeous beaches of Hawaii and California, to the delicious BBQ of Memphis and Kansas City, the serene lakes of Minnesota and Wisconsin to the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and New York — and every awesome stop in between.

As you travel state to state for different assignments, you will likely discover different cultures, sayings, food trends, and all manner of differences from your home state.

But what about strange state laws?

Did you know that in North Carolina it is against the law to steal used kitchen grease?

How about that in Ohio it’s illegal to give fish alcohol?

Speaking of alcohol, did you know that in Texas you are only legally allowed to take three sips from your beer while you are standing?

To make extra sure you don’t accidentally break the law while traveling, check out this list of strange state laws compiled by Thrillist, which details the most irregular regulations in all 50 states.

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