Healthcare Burnout: Why It Happens And How To Avoid It
Healthcare burnout is both regularly talked about among the community and widely studied among academic institutions. Just last week, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) released a survey which asked healthcare leaders if they felt burnt out at their job. The results were predictable—45 percent of 1,746 respondents said they feel burnout, 28 percent said they felt “somewhat” burnt out and 27 percent reported no burnout. Healthcare burnout is just as prevalent in the nursing realm, where unsafe staffing ratios, a projected nursing shortage and emotional hurdles create an environment of exhaustion. A quick search of “burnout” on nursing social media forums reveals numerous stories of personal struggles to stay motivated. Addressing this issue is a major concern for industry leaders. Healthcare burnout has a measurable impact on quality of care, costs and safety in healthcare environments, according to a study from the National Academy of Sciences. Travelers have the added challenge of being in a high-burnout profession while also dealing with life on the road, which can sometimes make them feel isolated from their family or peers. But what are the factors that contribute to this, and how can healthcare professionals manage their burnout to avoid quitting? Main factors that contribute to healthcare burnout Studies looking at healthcare burnout have focused on a wide variety of factors, but several large studies have these three in common: High-stress workplace environments Working in healthcare means working in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment. Employees have to adapt to new policies and procedures on a daily basis. Healthcare documenting and treatment technology changes just as quickly. Many healthcare professionals work in literal life-or-death situations where split-second decision making is crucial, so workplace stress is a major issue. Lack of personal agency How many times have you heard someone who works in healthcare say, “I wish I could just take care of my patients instead of dealing with…” or “I feel like my manager doesn’t even listen to what I have to say.” That’s called depersonalization, which refers to the feeling of not being able to focus on providing quality care because of outside forces. Those factors can be a number of different issues like problems with management or even personal conflicts with patients. Many professionals cite issues dealing with confusing or unnecessary documenting programs as a factor of this, although studies show that trend is fading away. Emotional baggage Dealing with sick or dying individuals on a daily basis can impose a heavy emotional toll on healthcare professionals. Violent or aggressive patients can also cause stress, as workplace violence is a major concern in the healthcare industry. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, incidents of serious workplace violence were four times more common in healthcare than in the private industry on average. Ways to avoid healthcare burnout Recognize the signs of burnout early The most dangerous thing you can do as a healthcare professional is ignoring when you feel stressed, overworked, undervalued or exhausted. Knowing the factors of what causes burnout is the first step to addressing those issues. Taking mental breaks to figure out why you are feeling this way can help you identify possible solutions to the problem. You may not be able to take these breaks on the job, so take some time at home to reflect. Consciously avoid distracting activities like watching TV or scrolling through your phone. Plan time for yourself Even the most experienced healthcare worker knows there are some things you can’t control on the job. That’s why it’s important to regularly and intentionally plan your time off to focus on relaxation and recovery. Planning for fun is especially important for travelers as any time off needs to be negotiated through your recruiter before accepting a position at a facility. Experienced travelers also typically take at least one to two months off for vacations, holidays or family time. Talk it out As mentioned by HCT Today contributing writer Natalie Newman, talking about your feelings and experiences with friends, family or professional counselors can help ease the emotional burden of working in healthcare.
How to Take Care of Yourself as a Travel Nurse
By Natalie Newman, Contributing Writer Stress is synonymous with nursing. Because of the constant changes in the healthcare environment and the rapid growth in healthcare technology, one can easily become stressed and disillusioned. I have 6 simple principles I incorporate into my daily life to ensure I am healthy, happy and emotionally strong as a nurse, no matter where my travels take me: Safety in the Hospital There are a number of dangerous chemicals in a hospital. Nurses especially are continuously exposed to bleach wipes and alcohol hand sanitizer, but too much exposure to these chemicals can cause damage to skin and lungs over time. I always hold my breath when using the bleach wipes and I don’t stand too close after using chemical products. I bring my own “natural” hand sanitizer and carry it in my pocket. I also run whenever I hear the word “x-ray.” Not just 6 feet away — but in another room hidden behind a wall! Continuous radiation is a serious health concern for health care providers. Talk Constantly being around sick people and emergent situations can lead to burnout. Also, at some point in your nursing career, there may be a patient death. It most likely won’t be your fault, but you will still feel awful about it and potentially take those feelings home with you for a long time. This happened to me and I constantly wondered “What if I did something different and saw something sooner?” But after hours of talking to other nurses, doctors, friends and professionals, I realized there was truly nothing I could do. I was shocked to learn how many nurses and doctors also process death the same way I did and even experience depression. Please, don’t bottle up your feelings. I wish everyone were more open and honest with their life experiences so we can understand that sometimes death is a normal process. The more we support each other and talk honestly, the better the outcomes for our team and patients. See the daylight Being in a hospital all day, especially in units with no windows, can affect your internal rhythm. Humans need to breathe outside air and be in sunlight. Therefore, on my breaks, I usually take a walk. Even if it is just for 5 minutes around the building, I take continuous deep breaths of fresh air to recharge. Plan your days off Even if you’re planning on just relaxing and doing nothing, make that your intention. Living with intention is key to a happy life. I like to plan something relaxing or fun for a much needed day off. If I totally unwind or learn something new, I’m feeding my brain which will always thank me later. The workplace can be a stressful environment for all, so I often find new things to do and learn and then invite other co-workers to join me. Don’t give into stress The cliche “follow your gut,” is not necessarily the best advice. You know when you think about something sad or frustrating and those nervous feelings in your stomach start churning? That is cortisol, a stress hormone. Never make decisions or conclusions from that stress hormone, or from anger or out of fear. If something is bothering you, use a combination of your intuition and analytical thinking. This can help you see the situation as it really is, without emotions involved. Regardless of how you deal with these situations, it’s important and rewarding to find your own way to be calm, rational, and professional. Hold hands and give hugs Medical studies have shown the most effective way to de-stress quickly is to give a hug or hold hands. When appropriate, I hug my patients especially when I know they are scared or lonely. I will get down to their eye level and hold their hand while talking to them. I can’t even begin to tell you how effective this is in healing and happiness. When my grandfather’s oncologist prepared to tell him of his fatal diagnosis, she knelt down first, looked him in the eye, held his hand and calmly gave the news. It was such a touching, compassionate and sincere way to speak to a patient. I will always remember her compassion as a nurse and family member. Following these 6 simple daily principles has allowed me to enjoy nursing to its fullest and additionally has helped me become a better nurse, over and over. Natalie’s Social Media YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NatalieNumie/
Memorial Day Weekend Survival Guide: Weather, Travel & Events
Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, which provides an unofficial kickoff to summer months, a nice three-day weekend to relax, a day to honor our nation’s fallen soldiers, and of course a full week prior of jarringly loud sales advertisements. We’ve got the breakdown on national weather forecasts, travel expectations and a list of some cool events to check out, depending on where you are in the U.S. Weather Outlook East Coast: Unfortunately, most of the East Coast is looking forward to a drenched weekend. Current weather forecasts predict sweeping rain and thunderstorms across most of the coast, thanks to tropical moisture moving north. The storms are expected to hit Florida and most of the Southeast coastal region on Friday and Saturday, tapering off as they move farther northeast. There is potential for a tropical storm to develop; national weather services plan to track any low-pressure systems over the weekend for signs of a tropical storm or hurricane Midwest: In true summer fashion, most of the Midwest will be dry, sunny, and hot. Very hot. Expect baking temperatures in Texas and Arizona come Saturday. Chicago, Minneapolis and a few other northern regions should cool down once the southeastern cold front moves north on Memorial Day. West Coast: Breezy temperatures and mostly clear skies make for a potentially picturesque Memorial Day weekend in the West. Northern California and most of Oregon can expect to see light showers on Saturday, according to current forecasts. Travel Outlook Despite climbing gas prices across the country—the average price is expected to jump to $2.93 per gallon this weekend— more than 41.5 million Americans are expected to travel by plane, train, ship and automobile this holiday weekend, according to AAA press release. The nearly five percent increase in travelers since last year is also the most in almost 12 years. Increased consumer confidence and a growing economy are the catalysts for the increased numbers, Bill Sutherland, senior vice president of AAA Travel and Publishing said in the release A majority plan to travel by car—36.6 million—and the busiest travel days are expected to be Thursday and Friday afternoon when regular commuters will mix with holiday travelers. Here are the top travel destinations this weekend, according to AAA advance travel bookings: Orlando, Florida Seattle, Washington Honolulu, Hawaii Las Vegas, Nevada Anchorage, Alaska Phoenix, Arizona Anaheim, California Boston, Massachusetts Denver, Colorado New York, New York For more information about travel dates and times to avoid, read the full release on the AAA website. Events to Check Out A three-day weekend means more time to enjoy fun local events, and there are plenty to check out this year. We’ve listed a few here, but make sure to check local city government, downtown, and event websites to track down even more Memorial Day events and services. New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (May 23-27) What better way to celebrate National Wine Day this Friday than by wining and dining during the five-day New Orleans Wine and Food Experience? Tour the city in style during the Royal Street Stroll, sample the finest and rarest wines and pig out on five-star cuisine at the Friday Evening Grand Tasting. For more info: https://www.nowfe.com/ Hot Luck: Live Food & Music (Austin, Texas, May 24-27) Only in its second year, the Hot Luck Festival boasts a wide variety of events and musical acts to choose from, all stacked with renowned chefs from around the country. The “chef-driven celebration of fire, food, music, and camaraderie” features events that challenge top chefs to cook around a specific theme, ending with a giant backyard picnic on Sunday. Editor’s note: Night Court, focused on giving a classy touch to 1980s mall food, is our personal favorite. For more information about Hot Luck, click here: https://hotluckfest.com/ Brew at the Zoo (Baltimore, Maryland, May 26-27) See some cool critters from all corners of the globe while sampling tons of select brews during Brew at the Zoo this weekend in Baltimore. The event serves as the biggest fundraiser for the Maryland Zoo, and features live music, commemorative glasses for VIP guests, and unlimited beer and wine sampling during the event. For more information, visit the Maryland Zoo website: http://www.marylandzoo.org/event/bbt-presents-brew-zoo/ National Memorial Day Parade (Washington, D.C., May 28) Memorial Day isn’t just about having a day off–it’s also the day we can take a moment to pause and remember the members of our military who fell in the line of duty protecting our country. There aren’t many places who celebrate Memorial Day bigger than in our nation’s capital during the annual Memorial Day Parade. The event is televised, but those attending in person should get to Constitution Avenue before 2 p.m. for the best front row seats. If you can’t catch the parade, there are tons of other events honoring the armed forces happening in D.C. over the weekend. You can find more here: https://washington.org/visit-dc/things-to-do-memorial-day-weekend-washington-dc
How To Reach The Elusive $100K Travel Nurse Salary
One of the most pervasive myths in travel healthcare is the potential to earn a six-figure travel nurse salary while jet-setting across the country. It certainly sounds appealing, and plenty of recruiters or agencies will try to sell you with that exact same message–but do you actually have that much earning potential as a traveler? Here’s our semi-short breakdown of five tips you can follow to earn your way towards $100k. If you just got off a brutal shift and five tips are way more than you want to read right now, click here to skip to the summary with our take on the issue. 1. Find cold weather, small towns and high-paying states Earning the most as a traveler often means going where the money leads, regardless of the location or harshness of season weather. This means you’ll be headed north in the winter, swapping with the “snowbirds” in states like Illinois or Wisconsin to cover gaps in staffing. It can also mean working in small towns and underserved locations that have trouble recruiting travelers, retaining staff nurses or that just aren’t that popular destinations. Generally, working where people can’t, don’t or won’t will earn you more through potential bonuses and higher pay packages. You also need to be aware of what state offer routinely high pay packages year-round, like California, Texas and Massachusetts. Peppering in jobs from these states can help boost your earning potential. 2. Work when everyone isn’t Not many people want to work during the holiday season from November to January, so jumping on a short-term holiday contract is a great way to build your travel nurse salary. Holiday pay typically matches overtime rates. Speaking of overtime, adding in extra shifts is always an easy way to get more money from a travel assignment, so look for overtime opportunities when you can. Important note: Make sure you know the exact overtime stipulations of your contract before committing to more hours. Some hospitals may not offer overtime pay that matches up exactly with state laws. Some agencies may offer “blended” bill rates–which has no difference in pay between regular and overtime hours–in states that charge overtime when working more than eight hours a day, as opposed to 40 hours per week. You should be able to discuss these details clearly with your recruiter. 3. Always take the housing stipend If you’ve established a tax home and are eligible to take a tax-free housing stipend instead of using company housing, taking the stipend means more money in your pocket in most cases. It can be a bit risky and a huge hassle, since the task of finding housing now lands on your shoulders, but you can often find housing that’s less than the total stipend, letting you save the extra cash. There are tons of online resources (Airbnb is very popular among travelers) to find quick, affordable housing. You can check the rates for per diems, along with meals and incidentals by state by visiting the General Services Administration website. This shows the maximum rate offered by location, not the general rate, but it can still help you gauge how much you may receive for an assignment. 4. Look for rapid response or strike opportunities Nurses who stay flexible with their assignments can make great money responding to strikes or other unexpected staffing problems at a hospital. Crisis rate pay packages are often significantly higher than standard, adding up to $10 or more per hour to your pay. Keep in mind these jobs are fleeting and tough–you may get to the job to find the situation has resolved itself before you’ve even started, and you must have all necessary compliance docs ready at a moment’s notice to jump on job opportunities. You also won’t get tons of flexibility on job shifts, since you’re there to help during a critical period. 5. Specialize Nursing specialties that are more in demand or require extensive training will often pay more. Specialty bill rates between hospitals and agencies range from 2 to 10 percent higher than standard rates, which means higher pay packages overall. Specialties that commonly see these higher rates are ICU, L&D, CathLab, ER, OR, PICU, NICU and CVICU. Standard rates are associated with more common positions like Medical/Surgical, PSYCH, PEDS and Postpartum. Our summary If you skipped to the bottom, here’s the short answer if you want to make $100,000 a year as a travel nurse. Work as much as you can; at every available opportunity; in places you may have never wanted to visit; in economical housing; in extreme weather climates; during most holidays; with the lowest amount of downtime possible; in difficult or highly specialized positions. Also ignore the fact that a portion of those wages will go towards insurance, travel, compliance and tax home expenses, regardless of whether they are offered by your agency. If that’s not an ideal answer, it’s certainly not an ideal situation. There are travel nurses out there who do earn up to $100,000 a year, but they will be the first to tell you it’s not easy. It’s up to you to realistically decide what you want from your travel nurse career, and your recruiter and agency should be there to help you make informed decisions at every turn.
Agency Advice: Why It’s So Important To Keep Up With Compliance
By Ryann Adoum, benefits manager for LiquidAgents Healthcare What is the first thing running through your mind after you get the exciting news from your recruiter that you have been offered a travel contract? Maybe it’s how you’re going to get there or how soon they need you to start, or where you’re going to live. These are all things you’re probably thinking of as you begin to tune out your recruiter’s onboarding rant. “I am going to need a copy of your most recent TB, Mask Fit Test, Hep B, MMR, Varicella, TDaP, Flu Vaccine, BLS…” your recruiter continues as you suddenly snap back to reality. Do you really need all of these things she is listing off? You should already have most of these documents ready to go, and here’s why. Importance of compliance documents The world of travel nursing is extremely fast-paced, and the room for error is slim. Once you have been extended a job offer, you are expected to get the ball rolling on compliance as soon as possible. You will need to be compliant with your agency first, and then your future facility. If you are not organized or committed to the process, onboarding might be much more of a headache than it needs to be. Compliance can be a hassle, and it means a lot of running around on your part, but there are certainly benefits to getting it done quickly. Not only does it build a great rapport with your agency, but it also means that your start date could be pushed up by the facility. Orientations for travelers are typically held every 2 weeks, so if you are quick enough on compliance to make it at least 2 weeks ahead of schedule, you could start working sooner than expected. There are several ways you can manage your compliance documents digitally so that they are easy to access when you need them, like using an online file dropbox or signing up for free compliance managing tools. Compliance items you should always have ready Along with signing your contract and human resources paperwork, a compliance department will always ask for these industry standard items. These requirements are directly from the Joint Commission, and any agency or facility who is JCAHO certified will require these. RN License Certifications Physical TB MMR, varicella, hep B TDaP vaccine Flu vaccine Mask fit test Ensure that you always have copies at your disposal, ready to send over to your agency immediately after an offer has been extended. Remember, these are just the base requirements, and you will more than likely be subject to additional documentation and testing before becoming totally compliant. Keeping compliance items current Along with keeping copies of your compliance documents, you should also ensure that certain items do not expire. Health documents such as the TB skin test, physical, vaccines, and certifications all expire and can set your potential start date back if you need to get new ones. Titer results take a few days to come in, TB skin tests require a 48-72 hour window for results, and certification classes take time to coordinate on top of the actual class time. The last thing you want is to push back your start date further– or even worse, have your contract canceled because of non-compliance. Once you are working with an agency, your compliance manager should keep track of the expiration dates for you so that you can focus on doing what you do best- working on the hospital floor! If you ever have a question about your documents, or you need to know the expiration date of something, get in touch with your compliance manager. They are happy to help, and being proactive in the compliance process will help both of you stay on track.
Getting The Right Experience To Land Your First Travel Nurse Job
Picture this; you pick up a call from a recruiter at a staffing agency, and the conversation is going great. You are answering each of their clinical questions with confidence and the connection is perfect between the two of you. They’re asking if you have your ACLS, BLS, PALS, and you even start filling out the skills checklists with them over the phone. They can’t hide their excitement as they promise you $2,500 weekly take home at a level I trauma facility in the city, and you think you have finally made it to the big leagues. Then they ask exactly how long you have been a nurse, so you reply honestly, “Well, I just graduated with my BSN about 6 months ago, but I am ready to hit the floor running.” Just like that, the mood shifts. The recruiter shuts down and starts rushing you off the phone. “Ok, just send me your resume, I will follow up this week. Don’t call me, I’ll call you.” You know something has gone terribly wrong. You think to yourself, “How could I have been so gullible? Will I ever get a high-paying travel nursing gig?” Get the right travel nurse experience When you graduate from nursing school, you are so eager to find a job and start putting those hard-earned skills to use. Not so fast. The experience you gain post-graduation can determine your future as a travel nurse. If you see a fast-paced, high paying travel nurse gig in your future, you must pave the way for that early on. Urgent care clinics, correctional care, home health and SNF/rehab facilities can all be rewarding positions, but they aren’t exactly the experience that a facility is looking for in a potential traveler. For example, if you see yourself working at a Level I trauma center and teaching facility, your externship or first job should be at a facility with those same qualifications. Use this to get your foot in the door with your recruiter, and make sure to highlight it on your resume. Travel nurses are expected to adapt quickly, and if you have not been in bedside care or worked the floor of a hospital, your resume will fall to the bottom of the barrel quickly. Direct bedside care is the most important thing that facilities want to see in your experience. Travel nurse charting Charting can be an obstacle for even the most seasoned travel nurses. If you can show that you know multiple mainstream charting programs, you will get a big leg up on your competition. Soak up this knowledge early on in your career, or take some classes on the commonly used systems. Since you will not get as detailed of an orientation as a staff nurse, you are expected to be familiar with the facility’s charting program upon arrival. Some facilities even require that you are proficient in their program before you ever receive a job offer. Lynda.com is a great resource for either learning or brushing up on specific computer charting software. Here are some of the main charting programs used in facilities today: Meditech Cerner McKesson EPIC Systems Siemens Travel nurse certifications You know we had to bring these up. They’re not always cheap–and some are a pain to obtain–but being overly certified is never a bad thing when trying to stand out amongst a crowd of like-minded applicants. As a newly graduated nurse, obtaining as many certifications as you can within your specialty is a great way to boost your knowledge and highlight your resume. Facilities look to their travel nurses to be well educated and up-to-date with the latest clinical topics. Proving you’re certified solidifies your credibility. Cleaning up your travel nurse resumé Let’s face it; you lack experience, the one thing that a resume is supposed to highlight. Or do you? Here are a few tips from Oren Lavi, the director of client advisory at LiquidAgents Healthcare that will help transform you into a marketable candidate within the travel nursing industry: Add your externships and internships. If you graduated with any type of honors, such as magna cum laude, list that under your education. Get to know your managers. Detailed references are very important, especially if they take the time to write a positive comment about your work. Your agency will use those to really sell you to their clients. List any and all special experience, specialized skills or traits that you have picked up in your nursing career. Even though you are relatively new to the field, you can still learn a lot in a short period of time on the floor. Don’t be shy about your skills! Find a travel nurse recruiter and agency that understands your needs When you’re looking for your first job, jumping on the first opportunity offered, especially if you haven’t gotten a ton of other offers, seems like the right thing to do. Wrong! Rushing into a contract just to get some extra lines on your resume is the fastest route to burnout. Compromising too much could mean you’ll end up stuck 13 weeks in a city you hate at a hospital that isn’t traveler friendly. Now that doesn’t mean to wait for your fairytale travel nurse job to come along, because you’ll be waiting forever. Realistically, most contracts will come with a bit of compromise, but you shouldn’t have to give up everything just to make a travel job work. This is where your recruiter and agency should come to the rescue. What you don’t want is a recruiter or agency who are pushing you to take jobs at facilities or locations you don’t want just to fill a quota. A good recruiter who knows the market should be able to find you a position that fits most, if not all, of your criteria and will work with you to make your first experience a great one–and a good agency should provide multiple opportunities in the market for that recruiter to choose
3 Signs Your Travel Nurse and Recruiter Relationship is Healthy
You’ve likely heard the complaints from another travel nurse: “I can never get in touch with my recruiter when I need her. She only calls when it’s time to find my next job.” Or the equal but opposite complaint: “I can’t ever get my recruiter off the phone. Doesn’t he understand that I’ll call him if I need something?” The travel nurse and recruiter relationship, like any other relationship, is whatever the participants make of it, and it only works if both sides are happy. So, while each traveler may have their own preferences around style and frequency of communication, there are a few higher-level hallmarks that a successful recruiter-traveler relationship is going to have. Open and honest communication Not every job is going to go well, you and your recruiter hope that it will, but they don’t always. When you have a good relationship with your recruiter they can help with that. Maybe it’s just having someone to vent to, release some of that frustration so you don’t explode. But your recruiter can be more than a sounding board. They can communicate your concerns or frustrations to the hospital and be your champion. They can help you turn around a bad situation. Or, if it comes to it, help you get out of your contract without ruining your reputation. Like-mindedness There’s nothing like having that person who knows what you’re thinking without you having to say it. It’s great in a spouse. It’s great in a friend. And it’s great in a recruiter. It comes from a like-mindedness that cuts out the round and round that too often happens when it’s time to find your next placement. When a travel nurse and their recruiter are on the same page, you won’t get those jobs that seem to come out of left field. You see jobs that your recruiter knows you’ll like and meet established criteria, not because it’s going to pay them well if they fill it. Availability Your recruiter should be available when you need them. And they should be ready to communicate in the ways that you prefer. But whether that’s through a text message, an email, or a phone call, your recruiter should be responding to you in a timely manner when you try to get in touch. If they don’t get back to you or are never available, it’s a sign that maybe you aren’t as valuable to them as you should be. How do you get these 3 things? It’s pretty simple: Set expectations at the beginning. A recruiter can’t read your mind, so tell them to what it will take to make you happy. Help them help you. Let them know how you prefer to communicate. Maybe you want a weekly call to check in. Maybe you only want a call as your contract wraps up. Maybe you don’t want calls at all and prefer text messages. Tell them early, that makes open and honest communication much easier. Tell your recruiter what you want from an assignment. Let them know what you want to be doing and where you want to be doing it. Let them know what will make you happy. This builds like-mindedness and allows them to look for those things in your next placement, so you spend less time saying no and more time working.
Travel Nurse Agency: 3 Signs It’s Time to Find A New One
When you started traveling, you may have had a great relationship with the people at your travel nurse agency. But like all relationships, things can change. The people you enjoy working with move on. Shifting business goals can mean that focuses switch, and things just aren’t what they used to be. Whatever the reason, that relationship that you once had is different now. It’s just not working for you, and you’re thinking about making a switch. Before you make any agency change, you may want to consider switching recruiters, especially if you’re with an agency that generally has a good reputation. But if you’re seeing any of these signs, a recruiter change may not be enough. It could be time to break up with your agency. Your travel nurse agency’s response time is more than 24 hours. How quickly does your agency respond to issues? What about submittals? How quickly can they find answers for you? If you contact your agency and someone there doesn’t respond to you on the same day–extenuating circumstances excluded–then they are taking too long. Keep in mind that you have the power to create urgency. If you call and leave a message that tells your recruiter your question isn’t critical and that they can get back to you at their convenience, then that “same day” timing may slip some. But no agency should leave you hanging, and if yours does then it’s time to find a new one. The recruiters aren’t nurse-centered. Who is your recruiter most concerned about, you or the agency? If your recruiter continually pushes you toward jobs that you don’t want in locations you have no interest on shifts that don’t match your needs, then they likely aren’t worried as much about you being happy as they are about lining their agency’s pockets. The control over what job you take should always be in your hands. Your recruiter should be listening to what you want and tailoring a plan around that. He should know your goals and help you meet them. You feel like you aren’t getting the whole story. Transparency is the hallmark of a good agency/traveler relationship, and if you feel at all like your travel nurse agency is keeping things from you then it’s time to start shopping for a new one. How do you know if you aren’t getting the whole story? Look for indirect answers to direct questions. That’s usually a good sign. If they hem and haw when you ask about pay for a potential contract, they aren’t being transparent. Same is true about jobs. Sometimes, jobs just aren’t available that meet your criteria. A good recruiter and a good agency are going to tell you that.
Night Shift Nurse Cravings: The Healthy Way
By Alex McCoy, Contributing Writer, Owner of Fit Travel Life When I started working night shift as a new grad, I thought I knew exactly how to tackle the crazy hours. I had done one night per week during nursing school as a nursing tech, so I was sure I would transition into the world of full-time nights without a problem. I was sure I could maintain a healthy lifestyle all while being the super-nurse who worked the crazy hours. Wrong. So, so wrong. About six months into my night shift career, I realized something had to change. There was nothing “super” about how I was feeling thanks to the typical triad that befalls all-new night shift workers: tired, overweight, and poor diet. Despite my good intentions going in, night shift had gotten the better of me and my health. Like many people, switching to days was not an option. I was making meager new grad nurse wages in rural Missouri, and I was also attempting to save for my wedding. I knew I could not afford to take a day shift position even if there had been one available because I desperately needed that night shift differential. I had to figure out how to manage my current situation and night shift cravings in a healthy and positive way. Lucky for you guys, after three years of working night shift, I have built up an arsenal of tools to help me attack my night shift cravings head-on. These tips even helped me lose weight and compete in a bodybuilding competition while working nights. I say this to let you know that it is possible to make healthy changes while working nights, along with achieving intense goals along the way. To start, you need to have a plan, and a commitment to change. There is a lot of mental toughness that is required for changing habits while on a night shift, but by taking baby steps and implementing each of these tips as you can, I know anyone can change their lifestyle and habits while working third shift. Know how much your body needs Personally, I am a fan of counting macros, but if you don’t want to be that specific, you should at least know your body’s BMR, or basal metabolic rate. There are lots of free calculators online. This will give you a rough idea of how much food you need to eat in 24 hours. When I first started working nights, I was actually undereating because it drastically affected my appetite. By having a goal for my eating habits, it helped me become more structured and feel better overall when I was getting the right amount of food for my body. Plan what to eat the WHOLE time you’ll be awake Night shift workers are often awake for more than 24 hours at a time. Unfortunately, our bodies will still burn the same amount of calories they normally would in 24 hours. This means you need to plan for the entire time you’ll be awake. As a new nurse, I would often eat throughout the day like I wasn’t on the night shift, and then eat again at night like normal. Now, I make sure I eat volume foods that are lower in calories to make sure I don’t end up consuming way more than my body can burn in 24 hours. Find staple low-calorie beverages This is not to say ditch the energy drinks and coffee. I get it, night shift is almost impossible to survive without caffeine. But if you drink four cups of coffee with sugary creamers all night, add up how much sugar and fat you’re consuming via coffee. There are tons and tons of low-calorie drink options out there, so find one that gives you the caffeine boost you need without loading you up with excess calories. Figure out if you’re a snacker or a three-meals-a-day person Weight loss or weight management will always be based on calories in versus calories out. I was successful losing weight on nights without specific meal timing, so I ate based on what kept me sane and happy. Ultimately, you have to find a pattern that can be maintained long-term in order to see change. If that means six small snacks throughout your shift, great. If you’d rather sit and have a big “dinner” (or whatever you like to call your 2 a.m. meal), then be conscious of that and try to stay away from snacking throughout the night. Find a pattern that keeps you satisfied without overeating. If you’re looking to kick off your healthy eating habits and tackle night shift cravings, this is a simple recipe that’s also a favorite: Easy Banana Pancakes. Bring lots of options to work With your body being out of whack already from working a reverse shift, it can be hard to predict what you will want at 3 a.m. when hunger or a craving strikes. I suggest bringing a mix of sweet and savory snacks that will keep you from running to the vending machine or cafeteria (if that’s an option where you work). Some of my favorite night shift staples that satisfy sweet and savory cravings are; rice cakes with peanut butter, shredded crockpot chicken with salsa, plain Greek yogurt with a no-calorie sweetener, and rice cake chips. All of these tools took me several months to implement in a way that helped me lose weight and then maintain it. I actually struggled more on my day shift assignment because I had gotten the night shift rhythm down to a science! Working nights is not the easiest experience. It is hard on your body, mentally and physically. But by focusing on the things you can control, you can still reach health and fitness goals while working a night shift. By taking control of your diet while on night shift you can take the first step towards a more pleasant experience as a third-shifter, and start to feel
4 Traits New Travel Healthcare Professionals Need In A Recruiter
When you’re new to traveling, finding the right agency to work with is critical. But maybe more important is finding the right recruiter. This relationship is critical. If you get it wrong then your travel experience is going to suffer. So what do you want in a recruiter? Here are four things to look for. You want a recruiter who you generally get along with. Of course you do, right? That should go without saying. But too many travelers, especially those who are new, continue relationships with people who they don’t genuinely enjoy working with. Ideally, this will be a years-long relationship. Find someone whom your personality matches with, with whom you share a working style. While getting along is key, remember that doesn’t mean they’ll always tell you what you want to hear. You also want someone who can be direct when needed and deliver bad news quickly, should there be any. You want a recruiter who knows the industry. The truth is that travel healthcare recruiters can get into the industry without a lot of prior knowledge. So pairing an inexperienced recruiter with a first-time traveler can be dangerous. First-time travelers should look for someone who understands the industry and can help them navigate the aspects of it that can be confusing, especially as they get started. You want a travel healthcare recruiter who can not only help you understand the ins and outs of things like housing and pay packages, you also want one who can help you fix problems once you are on the job. He or she should be comfortable being your advocate and addressing problems with the hospital and working toward resolutions. It should be obvious early on that you are working with an experienced recruiter, but if it’s unclear ask how long they’ve been in the business. And if you aren’t comfortable doing that, there are a couple of red flags that you are working with someone who is inexperienced. They aren’t forthcoming with information. Do you get the used car salesman vibe from them? They won’t answer your questions with a straight answer, dancing around your query as long as they can? If so, they likely lack the experience and knowledge to answer your question. They are magically able to meet everything you’re looking for. While perfect placements can exist, an experienced recruiter knows that finding a job that hits the trifecta of location, pay, and shift is unlikely. If you are always being told yes, then you are working with someone who doesn’t understand the industry. You want a recruiter who puts your interest first. A good travel healthcare recruiter is going to put you in a situation that works for you. They will listen to what you want, then find you the closest thing they can to that. If you are looking for A, they won’t push B. A recruiter that puts his or her agenda first is one you want to walk away from. You want a recruiter who is responsive. Technology has made it very easy to communicate, so a recruiter who lets days go by when you are reaching out to them is a recruiter you don’t want to work with. That’s especially true when an issue arises on the job. Your recruiter is your lifeline. You need them to be available, and that means through email, phone or text message. If your travel healthcare recruiter isn’t responding when you reach out, it’s time for a new one.