Taxes are complicated and few people look forward to doing them. That feeling of dread only gets worse when you find out that you owe taxes! It’s why many travel nurses hand off their taxes to a professional, and why establishing a tax home is so important. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, it might just be the easiest way to avoid headaches on your taxes this year and for years to come.

There are some things better left unsaid. As a travel nurse, it can be difficult to realize the difference between an offhanded comment and a one that’s perceived as rude. Conscious communication is important. Think before you talk and consider how even simple statements might come off to others. It’s the simplest way to avoid conflict with the staff you’ll be working with for the next 13 weeks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of changes, and some things will never be the same. In the healthcare field, many of the innovations made during the pandemic will not only stick around, they’ll evolve into new practices. Amidst it all, travel nursing will play an important role in getting the healthcare industry back to some semblance of normalcy.

Not all hospital staff members are happy to get help from a travel nurse. They may see travel nurses as an outsider or an annoyance. That doesn’t change your job or your mission as a caregiver, however, but it can create friction for the duration of your assignment. Here’s how to subtly shift the perception of staff who might have preconceived notions about travel nurses, who hold a grudge, or cop an attitude without getting to know you first.

Although it’s nearly impossible to avoid COVID-19 in a hospital, nurses and other healthcare professionals need to be extra cautious about limiting their exposure. Viral load may play a big part in the severity of the condition, which puts healthcare workers at-risk. Here’s what nurses can and should do to limit exposure, minimize the spread of the contagion, and keep themselves as healthy as possible.

For many people, COVID-19 is their first encounter with a highly infectious disease. In fact, it’s likely to be the biggest pandemic most people will experience in their lifetime. Few things spread so quickly and are so dangerous, which has many people questioning how an outbreak in China became a catalyst for global shutdown. Here’s a look at how pandemics start and why they spread so rapidly.

Medical professionals across the country have mobilized to fight the spread of COVID-19. For travel nurses, that means a massive uptick in assignments that take them wherever there’s a shortage of nursing staff. From outbreak epicenters to at-risk rural communities, there’s a call to action for travel nurses amidst this historic pandemic. Many nurses have already answered the call, and still more will. Sense of duty, opportunity to help, and increased pay are all driving factors behind many nurses’ decision to take a new assignment.

Are you keeping a daily journal? For travel nurses, it’s one of the healthiest hobbies you can have, and it’s a simple way to keep yourself sharp and content while on assignment. If you’re not sure how to get started, what to write about, or how to journal at all, don’t worry. We’ve outlined the key information you need to get started and make this a regular part of your life.

If you’re a nurse and an avid reader, consider adding a few books to your list of must-reads this year. We’ve put together a list of six highly reviewed, acclaimed books related to the healthcare field. Not only are they great reads, they’ll help you grow as a professional! When you start your next assignment, use it as an excuse to crack open one of these great reads. See if you can finish all six before the end of the year!

Many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and nurses certainly aren’t immune. In fact, travel nurses may be prone to developing symptoms of SAD especially during the winter months. This condition can affect your quality of life in a major way, so it’s important to keep an eye out for the signs and do everything in your power to overcome them.