On the Job

Look at Every New Travel Nursing Assignment as a Fresh Start

Posted on Thursday, March 12, 2020 in On the Job

Travel nursing involves constantly resetting yourself with each new assignment. Everything can change as you transition from one facility to another, which makes it important to look at every new assignment through fresh eyes. Understand the unique opportunities each new placement affords you and capitalize on them — it’s the key to becoming the well-rounded professional you’ve always wanted to be.

Travel Nurses are Invaluable After Natural Disasters

Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2020 in On the Job

Nurses are accustomed to situations that require them to act quickly to save lives. Couple this with their innate ability to quickly adapt to a new work environment and it’s easy to see why travel nurses are in high demand during or after a natural disaster. The benefits are high for seasoned travel nurses to lend a hand during these devastating times.

6 Ways for Coping with the Stress of Life in the ER

Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2019 in On the Job

The stress of your career is bound to bleed into the rest of your life. Imagine trying to relax after a day of nonstop patient intake, gruesome injuries, and tense situations. The life of an ER nurse is exhausting — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Coping with stress in a therapeutic, proactive way helps it from bleeding into your personal life, causing burnout and lasting emotional trauma.

Understanding What Happens in a Low Census Situation

Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 in On the Job

Your hours and shifts are being cut, and you get the feeling you’re no longer needed at your assignment. You’re officially in a low census situation. What can you do to remedy the situation? Is there any repercussion for terminating your contract? Here’s what you need to know about this rare but real situation.

Get Your Recruiter Involved if You’re Having a Rough Time on Assignment

Posted on Tuesday, July 09, 2019 in On the Job

Travel nursing is a wonderful experience. But every health care facility you end up at is different. Learning to adapt is part of the job, and most of the time it works out fine. But occasionally, you might end up with an assignment that’s just not working. In these cases, your recruiter can help explain how to best move forward.

What Every Travel Nurse Needs to Know About Cancelled Contracts

Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2019 in On the Job

Hopefully you never come up against a cancelled contract. When you do, it’s important to know what that means. In this blog post, we’ll cover why cancelled contracts happen and what you can and should do about them — whether a hospital cancels your contract unexpectedly or you’re the one cancelling it.

The Top 5 Struggles New Travel Nurses Have to Adapt to and Overcome

Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2019 in On the Job

Every job presents unique struggles. But not every job takes you to a brand-new place and asks you to immediately make an impact! Here are a few of the challenges you’ll face as a travel nurse and what you can do to overcome them.

Who Are the Bullies?

Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 in On the Job

If you haven't been bullied at some point in your life, you've likely witnessed it. Bullies exist everywhere, and even though we typically imagine schoolyard tussles among children, many professionals have experienced similar situations in their day-to-day jobs — especially nurses. Bullying is no longer just an issue for children; it is recognized as a problem among adults, too.

Destructive Nursing - The Chronic Complainer

Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 in On the Job

Every nursing unit has one–the coworker who always seems to have a problem with anything and everything.

Surviving the Night Shift

Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 in On the Job

The graveyard shift, though preferred by many nurses, is also despised by many. It can be difficult to adjust and maintain a normal work function, finding an efficient sleep schedule and balancing a social life with work.

Be Mindful of HIPAA When Posting on Social Media

Posted on Thursday, February 06, 2020 in On the Job

HIPAA laws are a foundational part of every nurse’s education and training. Yet, although keeping patient information private is a simple concept, social media complicates things. Nurses today need to be mindful of what they’re posting on social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter — HIPAA laws must come first and foremost, even on social. The simple practice of being mindful of HIPAA laws on social media could prevent suspension or job loss.

Tips for Picking up the Routine at Your New Hospital

Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2019 in On the Job

No matter how prepared you are for your next assignment, there’s still going to be a transitional period. You need to learn how they do things and what the expectations are. Instead of fearing the unknown, embrace it ― adapt to your assignment and have confidence in your skills to carry you through. You’ll quickly settle in and become comfortable doing what you do best: helping patients.

10 Ways to Make a Great First Impression Your First Day on Assignment

Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2019 in On the Job

Getting off on the right foot at your new facility is a great way to set the tone for a positive travel nursing experience. But with a lot of unknowns in front of you, anxiety may take over. The key in presenting yourself as a cool, confident, friendly individual is to approach your assignment with optimism. That approach and these 10 tips can help put you in positive position with your new co-workers.

Missing a Shift as a Travel Nurse – What You Need to Know

Posted on Monday, July 15, 2019 in On the Job

At some point in your travel nursing career, illness or personal emergency will likely require you to call off from work. However, in the travel healthcare industry, missing a shift has different repercussions than it does at a permanent job. There are certain factors you want to take into account before calling off a shift as a travel nurse.

Understanding What It Means to Work in a Nicotine-Free Facility

Posted on Thursday, May 09, 2019 in On the Job

If you’re the type of nurse who has the occasional cigarette or likes to vape while they relax, you might want to think twice about your habit. More and more hospitals are adopting nicotine-free policies. Testing positive for nicotine could land you on a black list and see you removed from your assignment! Here’s what you need to know about the rising trend of nicotine-free facilities.

Take Your Lunch Break and Refresh Your Brain

Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2019 in On the Job

Do you stop, sit down, and eat lunch every day? If not, you need to start. Taking a break is critically important for maintaining communication, attention to detail, reasoning, and mood. Forgoing your break means doing a disservice to yourself and the patients you work so hard to care for each day.

Go Where You’re Needed: What Drives You to Help?

Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2018 in On the Job

The late, great Fred Rodgers once said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” No place is this more evident than a travel nursing agency. What drives you to help? Whatever it is, taking action to fulfill your purpose means becoming a helper — whether it’s in the city where you live or across the country, where you’re needed most.

Walk the Talk: Better Teams Make for Better Work

Posted on Monday, March 14, 2016 in On the Job

There's no doubt about it: As a travel nurse, you've got to get good at working with lots of different kinds of people — quickly.

How to Approach your Boss with Issues or Requests