My most memorable experience as a nurse
By Bob Goldnetz My most memorable experience as a nurse is probably one of my saddest, but also exemplifies why I became a nurse and do what we do. They never found out what was wrong with him. He had a lot going on from previous co-morbidities, admitted with COVID. All the tests were negative, but in retrospect they think he had tuberculosis. He had been in the ICU previously and had been doing well. I had actually sent him to the floor. That was about a month before I came back after vacation and saw him again. It had been a month of complications and deteriorations. He was going to be transferred to hospice and life support withdrawn later that day. He was unrecognizable; every kind of tube possible, swollen, pale, surrounded by IV poles all clustered with drips. The family came to say goodbye. His mother and father apparently had become estranged from him. Unfortunately, they could not enter the room due to his COVID diagnosis. They had their own co-morbidities. So, impossibly, they said goodbye to their son from a small window in the door. As a new father I cannot imagine how they felt. I also find it unfathomable how to sum up what I needed to say or express from a 6×6 window in a door. At that moment, several feet from a doorway to a bed felt like miles. They asked me to tell him that they loved him. To let him pass peacefully. And to make sure he was not in pain. It’s a great responsibility we face every day. Perhaps one of the greatest obligations we can only learn from experience is how to guide someone into passing with respect, compassion, and dignity. What a sad experience. What a humbling task. What an honor. I was responsible for how he would leave this plane. I was the last person, the last human contact, voice, presence, touch, and energy he would feel. I prepared as best I could to make sure he was comfortable. It felt quiet as we prepared to terminally extubate him. “Don’t Worry About a Thing” by Bob Marley came into my head and It felt right. I will never know if he could hear me, the music. But I like to think that he could and that it soothed him. We withdrew the breathing tube and stopped his life-sustaining medications. He lasted barely a minute. I told him I was sorry. I was sorry we couldn’t do more and that we had not been able to save him. I told him that his parents loved him and everything was going to be okay; to not be scared. It’s okay. He can go. And he did. So, although it was an incredibly sad situation, I think of what a mercy it was that he was allowed to pass in peace. What a courageous last gift of a parent to a child. This is a patient encounter I still think about often. A time where I felt I fulfilled my calling. I relied on my experience, feelings, and instincts to provide what I think of as one of the greatest services to another human being. No one should be alone or in pain when they pass on from this world. As nurses, we deal with many moments of heartache. Sometimes we just have to remember that “every little thing, is gonna be alright.” Bob Goldnetz is an ICU travel nurse who has worked at various levels of hospitals across the country. When he’s not learning how to be a new dad or taking care of patients, you may find him backpacking, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, mountain biking, paragliding, or rock climbing.
12 Holiday Travel Nurse Adventures Posts That Will Make The Grumpiest Grinch Smile
Look, we get it. Working during the “most wonderful time of the year” can really suck. You’re stuck at a hospital while everyone else is getting to cozy up by the fire. Not to mention you’re tired, cranky, hangry, and all of this holiday cheer is bringing you to the brink of strangling the next patient who hits their call light. via GIPHY Unfortunately, we’re not here to change that. What we can do is momentarily distract you from the existential dread of working a holiday shift by reminding you of why you got into travel healthcare in the first place—for the awesome #TravelNurseAdventures that you could have never had as a permanent staffer. So without further ado, check out these 12 wonderful social media posts that will hopefully inspire you to make your own travel nurse adventures during the holiday season. Or at the very least will keep you from going insane. via GIPHY 1. BRB, going to buy a camper and renovate it to look exactly like this because it’s gorgeous. View this post on Instagram Have yourself a merry little camper… I mean Christmas 😊 I’ll be home for 5 whole days including Christmas Eve and Christmas. Anyone who works in healthcare knows how big of a deal that is! I am so excited to spend time with family and friends. The past four years I’ve had to work at the hospital and this year, my husband and I are both off! Excited is an understatement. I’m ready to celebrate! A post shared by EMILY (@ems_traveldiary) on Dec 16, 2018 at 4:27pm PST 2. In Hawaii? During Christmas? Now that’s living the dream. View this post on Instagram Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains, can you paint with all the colors of the wind 🍃🎨 I hope you sang that and it’s stuck in your head now 🎵 A post shared by Anna Nguyen (@annannna__) on Dec 16, 2018 at 12:13pm PST 3. Remember to equip your doggo with the latest winter fashions when bringing them along for fun in the snow. View this post on Instagram Glad my baby had fun today 💛💚 #mustard X #lettuce A post shared by Wendy Diane Mendoza Lozano 👑 (@weymendoza) on Dec 17, 2018 at 5:34pm PST 4. Taking a good look at The Monkey Face in Smith Rock State Park in Oregon. View this post on Instagram None of that monkey business Prince. 🙈 A post shared by Andrea Hahn (@drehahn) on Dec 17, 2018 at 2:22pm PST 5. Snow plus barn equals perfect Christmas cards for the family. View this post on Instagram It looks like a winter wonderland at my papaw’s old barn. . ❄️🎄❄️ . #asheville #winterwonderland #snowday #redbarn #winter #somanymemories A post shared by Courtney (@courtney.dowell) on Dec 10, 2018 at 1:48pm PST 6. Remember to drag your SO along to Christmas light displays because they have the perfect lighting for great selfies. View this post on Instagram The holidays are in full swing 🎄🎁 ⭐ I personally love this time of year and am lucky enough to travel with this guy ⬆️⬆️ who will gladly come along to all the light displays and Christmas events. ⭐ I know that a LOT of travelers aren’t as fortunate so this week I’m sharing some tips to keep your spirits up as a traveler over on the blog today ▫️ Link in profile ❤ A post shared by Alex McCoy- Peds Travel Nurse (@fit.travel.life) on Dec 17, 2018 at 5:22am PST 7. Wait a second, is that Boba Fett decorated with HOLIDAY LIGHTS? Move over Santa, everyone’s favorite intergalactic bounty hunter is here. View this post on Instagram Who needs a visit from Santa when you can get a visit from a Storm Trooper, Darth Vader, a Rebel Fighter Pilot and Boba Fett?!? JK, Santa arrives next week 🎬 . . #starwars #darthvader #jedi #pedsnurseshavemorefun #picunurse #movietime🎬 #sundayfunday #travelnurselife #travelnurseadventures A post shared by the wandeRiNg RN (@the_wandering_rn) on Dec 16, 2018 at 9:21pm PST 8. Time for a winter wonderland weekend road trip? View this post on Instagram Man oh man… what an adventure the last couple days have been. We made it though! Me, most of my belongings, and two (very annoying) cats, all packed tightly in a little Hyundai Elantra. Can’t beat that view though 😍 I would make that drive again in a heartbeat. Excited for the next 3 months ☀️ #welcometomontana #cowboycountry #travelnurseadventures A post shared by Samantha (@raygammas_) on Dec 16, 2018 at 7:15pm PST 9. A family is great, but friends are also fantastic to spend time with during the holidays. Also, we are digging that hairy dude sweater. View this post on Instagram I may be 3,000 miles from home but having great friends close by makes these holiday times easier 🌲🎁 A post shared by j1marie (@j1marie) on Dec 16, 2018 at 10:21am PST 10. Christmas pub crawl? Christmas pub crawl. View this post on Instagram #12pubsofchristmas #shenanigans #imgonnamissthisplace #sixmonthswentsofast #travelnurseadventures #cctctravel @crosscountrytravcorps A post shared by Andrea Rea (@andie1026) on Dec 16, 2018 at 6:25am PST 11. This time of year is the perfect excuse to hang out with your fellow travelers! View this post on Instagram Getting close to finishing our #travelnurse contract at SJMC #stockton so our travel nurse group got together for #dinner tonight at #seoulsoondubu #korean #koreanbarbecue #travelnurselife #travelnurseadventures #thewrights #jeffandheatherwright #notwv @klanerh @jswright75 A post shared by Jeff Wright (@jswright75) on Dec 15, 2018 at 10:21pm PST 12. Do pajamas count as scrubs? View this post on Instagram Good morning world! #california #nevada #laketahoe #tahoe #northlaketahoe #travel #travelgram #vacation #winter #travelnurses #travelnurselife #travelnurseadventures #gypsynurse #nursesofinstagram #snow #pjs #instagood #me #happy #victoriassecret A post shared by Samantha Garcia (@samanthagarciasg) on Dec 14, 2018 at 8:39am PST
Should you take a 36-hour contract or a 48-hour contract?
The holidays are approaching—a time when you’re looking for more flexibility, especially if you don’t have PTO scheduled. Burnout is real, so you’re probably steering clear from working 48-60 hours a week, which has been more common over the past couple of years. These are key reasons to lean toward 36-hour shifts. But another consideration might be the financial side of things. When it comes to how you’re paid, there’s a difference between working overtime on a 36-hour contract vs. a 48-hour contract. Simply put, you have a higher potential for overtime (payable after you hit the 40-hour mark) on a 36-hour contract. Here’s how it breaks down: Most hospitals don’t allow agencies to bill an overtime rate on a 48-hour contract until more than 48 hours have been worked in a week. However, agencies still pay those on contract for overtime after 40 hours, whether it’s a 36-hour contract or a 48-hour contract. Essentially, there’s more flexibility for agencies like LiquidAgents Healthcare to increase the overtime rate on a 36-hour contract because they can bill the facilities for the overtime rate starting after the 40-hour mark, versus a 48-hour contract where most hospitals only accept billing at the regular rate after the 48-hour mark (when billing at the overtime rate begins). Keep in mind: On a 36-hour contract, agencies usually have flexibility to increase the overtime rate after 40 hours. However, on a 48-hour contract, overtime is a standard 1.5x the regular hourly rate, with no flexibility. Here’s an example: 36-hour contract Your regular taxable rate is $40/hr. Your OT rate is $100 Your stipends are $1350 You pick up an extra shift and work 48 hours that week: $40/hr times 40 hours = $1600 $100/hr times 8 hours = $800 Plus stipends = $1350 Total = $3,750 gross weekly 48-hour contract Your regular taxable rate is $40/hr. Your OT rate is $60 Your stipends are $1350 You work your regularly scheduled shifts: $40/hr times 40 hours = $1600 $60/hr times 8 hours = $480 Plus stipends = $1350 Total = $3,430 gross weekly Hope this helps, and happy traveling!
Your Burnout Survival Kit
By Karla Theilen, RN, contributing writer You know what it’s like when your phone battery starts draining power more quickly, and each time you recharge it, it not only seems to take longer, but the battery seems to go dead faster, too? Now think of your own battery, the one that powers you for your 12+ hour shifts. Is your battery taking longer to re-charge, and getting drained more quickly? Remember when a one-night Netflix binge could reset your mind and body for work? And now, locking yourself in a dark room and watching every episode of Game of Thrones won’t even do the trick? Friend, you may be on the fast track to burnout. Luckily, I have some tried-and-true tips to share with you. 1. 4-7-8 breathing. No, 4-7-8 is not the area code of the junk call you just received, it’s a simple, but incredibly effective stress-reducing breathing technique based on inhaling for four seconds with lips closed, holding the breath for seven seconds, then exhaling for eight whole seconds. Try exhaling through pursed lips or make a “whooshing” sound with the exhale; the point is to let it all out. You can even do this at work, in the med room, supply closet, or even the bathroom. Which reminds me to tell you, DO go to the bathroom. Nobody wins a prize for having the fullest bladder at the end of the shift. 2. Inventory your stressors. Is it just work? Or are you trying to do too much when you’re not at work, too? Start with dropping something you don’t really want to do anyhow, like the book club you’re in where nobody else but you ever reads the book. Try not reading the book next month and then just show up for the drinks and snacks like everyone else. It might actually be fun. Or drop the book club altogether, or any one of the other obligations you squeeze in outside of work that you don’t love doing. Quitters are winners sometimes—just ask a former smoker who now runs marathons. 3. Know the limits of a workday. One of the wisest things an older nurse ever told me when I was first starting out was this: Nursing is a 24-hour operation. You are only responsible for what you can get done in your twelve hours. As hard as it is for perfectionists, overachievers, or workaholics (i.e. just about every nurse I know), you need to understand that despite best intentions, things will be left undone at the end of your shift. If you truly did your best to get your patient to CT during your shift, or kept trying to do a dressing change, but the call lights didn’t stop ringing? Let it go. Others have had to leave work for you, and you have to do the same, too. Once again, nursing is a 24-hour operation, and we’re all in this together. 4. Feed yourself. I am not talking about Red Bull and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, either. Many of the convenience foods we nurses shovel down in the stolen moments away from our patients aren’t doing our bodies any favors. Too much sugar, carbs, and caffeine can actually send us nosediving into a crash when consumed in excess. Choose foods with the nutrients your body needs. Check the list of ingredients on the package. If the list is longer than your arm, or you need a translator to decode all of the mystery ingredients, give it a pass. Try cutting up an apple, slather it with peanut butter, make some hard-boiled eggs, and pop everything in your lunch bag. Fill your water bottle while you’re at it, too. Your kidneys will thank you. Now that you’ve done your body a favor, you can have those Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, guilt-free. 5. Fill your bucket. Even though Netflix, margaritas, or even a spa day can provide temporary relief, make changes that actually nourish your being long-term. Develop a practice of walking, stretching, take an art class, or engage in a hobby that brings you joy. One surprisingly effective, bucket-filling habit is simply learning to say no. Even the best nurse out there needs to have good boundaries, and a personal life, too. Karla Theilen is a writer, storyteller, and Registered Nurse based out of Missoula, Montana. Her writing has been featured on NPR, STAT News, Life in a Strong Town, and select stories and essays have been anthologized. She has been Facebook-free since 1972.
WHY TRAVEL NURSING CONTINUES TO BE FOR ME
By Bob Goldnetz My nursing career has brought many blessings: financial stability, the ability to travel and form relationships, and the comfort of knowing I will always have a career. And as much as I love the outdoors, can I give surf lessons or instruct mountain biking for a living while having health insurance, providing for my family, and working decent hours? Not likely. Therefore, at this point in my life, nursing continues to be for me—for the flexibility and stability. Financial stability The travel market is saturated, but I have a skill set where I will always be in demand and always be able to put food on the table. As a new father, this is on the forefront of my mind as we plan for the future. A while back, a second career nurse painted it perfectly. He got laid off in the early 2000s and went to nursing school. He smiled as he recalled how he had now been through two financial recessions but never felt the strain. Had he not become a nurse, he would have been in a difficult boat being the provider for his family. Flexibility Right now, I enjoy a 3-day work week. With all the things that come with homeownership, fatherhood, relationship stability, and self-maintenance, I enjoy this freedom to choose what works best for me. Do not disturb When I am off, I am off. I give what I have and do everything within my power and abilities when I am at work. But when I am out, it’s out of sight out of mind. No one calls me on my day off, and no one bothers me when I am on vacation. I sometimes envy people and what they have going on with their remote gigs and seemingly different flexibility—but not when they have to suddenly take a call or hop on an impromptu meeting. Freedom The last thing is the consistency of taking time off. When I became a travel nurse, I basically started working 6-8 months a year averaging a month off in between assignments. Every now and then I would take 2-4 months off to travel. Being able to schedule time off into a contract or taking time off between assignments means you can have a break anytime you want. I have only ever worked ICU. I feel fortunate to have been a travel nurse for ¾ of my nursing career, so my experiences are very different from staff or newer travelers. If I were to get overly burned out, there are still so many things I could do. Of greatest benefit is that I get to be home with my family 4 days a week. Every week. I’m not home by dinner and there are long days, but I have not missed any milestones. I didn’t have paternity leave, but I had the ability to take a month off at our son’s birth. As I now break ground as a nurse entrepreneur, the sky’s the limit. Bob Goldnetz is an ICU travel nurse who has worked at various levels of hospitals across the country. When he’s not learning how to be a new dad or taking care of patients, you may find him backpacking, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, mountain biking, paragliding, or rock climbing. << How to Begin Your Travel Nurse Career
How to Begin your Travel Nurse Career
By Kay Slane After you complete two years of experience, it’s understandable if you’re anxious to get out there and see what the travel nurse life is all about. But first, there are several things you need to get started. Fortunately, none of them are too complicated. Let’s take a look: 1 After 1.5 years of experience, it’s recommended that you get a skills checklist, which can be downloaded from most agency websites. And when you can do 80% of those tasks independently, you’re ready to go. 2 Travelers need to realize that orientation can last for 4 hours to 4 days because travelers are expected to hit the ground running with minimal supervision. 3 Another must for first-time travelers: Be flexible and adaptable. You need to look at every location, hospital setting, and reviews that you can find about a place. Just because it isn’t in a prime location like Hawaii or Alaska doesn’t mean it won’t be a gratifying assignment. Once you gain more travel experience, you can become more selective about where you want to work. 4 One of the first mistakes that travel healthcare professionals get caught up in is the big world of travel healthcare, only to find out that they’ve been set up for failure by an agency that isn’t “legit.” Travelers must always ensure that an agency is Joint Commission Certified (HCSS). 5 Make sure your resume information is up-to-date. Some agencies will take a short application and a resume, while some want everything on the application related to profile submission formatting. Either way, it’s nice to have all your information and job history on file with agency, hospital, dates, hospital size, unit size, and specialty, with a simple one to two sentences on your duties. 6 Last but not least, ensure that you have your credentials on file to make them easy to find. Few things are worse than having to hunt for your BLS, TNCC, or AWHONN certification that you haven’t seen since you received them a year ago. 7 Don’t forget to breathe during this process! With these simple tips, you’ll be able to hit the road sooner than you think, and you won’t be pulling your hair out trying to do things at the last minute. Best wishes and happy travels! Kay Slane, RN, BS, CGM, is a 30-year career nurse and writer who has traveled in the areas of rehab, telemetry, emergency room, and since 2010, as a House Supervisor. She currently works from home educating nurses on becoming better travelers through her books, several travel nursing groups, and her recent development of a travel nursing university.
Make Your Mental Health A Priority
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of this observance, it’s important to recognize the travel nurses, full-time nurses, and all allied health professionals who compassionately care for their patients, at times putting their own mental health and wellness on hold to deliver timely and effective patient care. The stressors inherent in jobs in the medical field are constant. Patients and families rely heavily on nurses and allied health professionals in hospitals and all manner of clinical settings to provide medication delivery, all-encompassing physical care, case status, and at times, urgent, life-saving aid. To all of these medical professionals, it’s important to seek treatment immediately if you begin to experience mental health issues. There are many resources you can turn to for help. Mental Health America, for example, provides information and tools to live a mentally healthy life, access to a screening tool to check for depression and anxiety symptoms, and avenues for seeking professional help if needed. In line with generating awareness and new resources for nurses in need, a nurse peer support project called “Don’t Clock Out” is in development in honor of traveling nurse Michael Odell, who died by suicide at the age of 27 in January 2022. The project goal is to build a digital platform to offer evidence-based peer support to nurses experiencing mental health crises. Learn about Michael’s story and this special group of nurses who are working to honor him and save lives. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, go to the nearest emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255. You can also text the word “home” to 741741.
Securing the Crisis Rate Opportunity You Want
COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the country, with the Delta variant accounting for an estimated 93.4% of Covid-19 cases in the US. Given the surge, healthcare job needs in many states are reaching levels surpassing the height of last winter. As a Travel Nurse or Allied Health professional, you’ve likely guessed one thing that this means—the return of Crisis Rates. As you know, these jobs can be very alluring, as a Crisis Rate (aka Rapid Response Rate) is often as much as 100% higher than the normal travel nurse rate for the same position at the same hospital. If Crisis Rate opportunities appeal to you, here are some recommendations to consider: Tips for Getting in on Rapid Response Rates Time is of the essence—as in the second a job is open. When you see a job post, click-thru right away to verify if it’s still available. Crisis Rate ads floating around social media may have already expired, as competition is fierce and positions are frequently filled within minutes of initial posting. So don’t hesitate. Be sure your submission profile is up-to-date and compliance docs are uploaded with your agency ahead of time or ready to submit at a moment’s notice. Many facilities are not interviewing and are offering jobs based solely on a profile, so you need to be okay with that. Make sure you have the appropriate license, whether a compact license (for a greater number of opportunities) or a state license for where you’re interested in traveling. The more flexible you can be on what you require in a contract, the better. Anyone asking for PTO or a specific schedule or shift will likely be the last picked. Talk to your recruiter or agency care team member to alert them of your interest if any opportunities arise. This way, you can be given first consideration for jobs with the rates you’re targeting. Good luck and safe travels!
More Hospitals Now Requiring Vaccinations
With coronavirus cases rising again, more hospitals are now implementing COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Joining these numbers is the nation’s largest hospital group, the American Hospital Association. Mandates are generally being issued with no declinations except for approved medical or religious exemptions, or if granted a deferral for pregnancy. In these cases, health workers are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines. Due in large part to the emergence of the Delta variant, new requirements are part of urgent efforts to prevent illness and death. Health organizations also run a legal risk if patients become infected from contact with an unvaccinated worker. Some caregivers have challenged vaccination mandates, arguing that COVID vaccines are “experimental” because they only have emergency use authorization (EUA). However, judges have increasingly sided with hospitals in the interest of public safety, citing statistics such as those from Virginia Department of Health showing that “since vaccines became available in January, 99.4 percent of cases, 99 percent of hospitalization, and 99.3 percent of deaths have occurred in people who have not been vaccinated.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also assert that vaccines approved under EUA are “safe” and “effective.” The FDA requires six months of data for full Biologics License Application (BLA) approval and could take several months for full licensing approval—a designation already sought by Pfizer and Moderna. Once this occurs, which experts predict at least by January 2022, court challenges will likely diminish. Tips: Your healthcare staffing company should list when vaccination requirements are necessary with hospital clients, so that you understand guidelines before selecting assignments. With COVID-19 continuing to influence early retirement or staff relocation, look for employment opportunities to increase. A number of hospitals have set vaccination deadline dates beginning as early as August (the date you will need to have had your second shot in the case of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines). Be sure to check with your advisor about facility guidelines for proof of vaccination, and for any questions you may have.
Travel Nurse Housing Series: Is RV Life Worth It?
By Alex McCoy, Contributing Writer, Owner of Fit Travel Life As a new travel nurse, figuring out how to navigate housing can seem very daunting at first. Because you are moving frequently, you won’t want to worry about packing large items like furniture, TVs, or even kitchen items and linens if you can help it. The best kind of travel nurse housing is move-in ready with all of the essentials you could need–basically like a studio suite in a hotel room. This of course causes the cost of a monthly rental as a travel nurse to be more than your average rent for an apartment. Some of your housing stipends will help offset these costs, but at the end of the day, most travelers would like to walk away with as much cash in their pocket as they can while still living comfortably. As a result, a lot of travel nurses have turned to alternatives outside of short-term housing to create a home away from home. Instead of opting for furnished rentals, some travel nurses may choose to purchase a camper or camper van to live in at each assignment. There are pros and cons to each of these options, and in the next few weeks, we will go more in-depth about each unique option and why they may or may not work for you. The most common mobile home option for travel nurses is a pull-behind camper of some sort. This may range from a small basic camper to a fifth wheel with two bedrooms. It really just depends on what you feel is doable for you and your family (especially if you travel with kids and/or pets), and what you want to pay for your home. Pros of Travel Nursing with a Camper 1. You can bring your pets along freely. Because you own your housing, you can bring any and all pets that you like. This can be especially beneficial if you have large dogs or a restricted breed. Unless there is a city-wide ban on a specific breed, you should be fine to travel any and everywhere with your furry friend in your camper. 2. Less packing of “stuff” You will still have to pack up in a sense each time you move, but you won’t have to physically move your possessions in and out of a new home or up and downstairs each time you change assignments. Plus, you know exactly what you need to bring since it is all in your camper! 3. You can unhitch and drive your car around to explore If you are debating between a camper van and a pull-behind camper you will definitely want to consider the fact that you can park a camper and use your towing vehicle as a daily driver. This means you don’t have to worry about driving around in an overly large vehicle when you want to get out and explore. Cons of Travel Nursing with a Camper 1. Maintenance Costs Campers have to be maintained just like every other type of vehicle. There are seals that need to be replaced regularly, you might get a leak or have a window that needs to be replaced. Plus, just like with owning a home, your camper will have appliances that may need replacing or repaired. 2. You will need a vehicle that can tow your camper If you purchase a large camper to live in, you will likely need at minimum some sort of truck to tow it with. Some smaller SUVs “may” be able to tow a very basic camper, but generally travel nurses go with larger models so they can feel more comfortable. Don’t forget to include the cost and maintenance that goes with a larger vehicle when considering living in a camper. 3. Lack of places to park One limiting factor of living out of a camper is finding a place to park it and stay for the duration of your contract. Generally, you will need to find somewhere that provides electrical and water hookups and these types of parks may not be easy to find within close driving distance of a hospital. This could limit your options as far as jobs go because you may not be able to easily commute from your parking spot to wherever your job is located if you rely on living in an RV. If investing in a camper seems like something you would be interested in, I highly recommend looking at the overall cost of long-term camper spots, any payments you have on a towing vehicle and/or the camper itself, and the maintenance associated with keeping up a recreational vehicle. Campers are a great option for a lot of travelers, especially because you can feel like you are truly at “home” no matter where you are parked. Plus, if you decide travel nursing is not for you you can still use your camper for vacations or other trips if you go back to another job. Next week we will discuss the new trend of #vanlife and all of the pros and cons that come along with living this lifestyle as a travel nurse. Alex McCoy currently works as a pediatric travel nurse. She has a passion for health and fitness, which led her to start Fit Travel Life in 2016. She travels with her husband, their cat, Autumn and their dog, Summer. She enjoys hiking, lifting weights, and trying the best local coffee and wine.