5 Signs You Are Ready To Start A Travel Healthcare Career
It can be difficult to know when to start a travel healthcare career. Many would-be travelers can suffer from “analysis paralysis” thinking about all of the criteria they should meet before traveling. Should I wait until I have more experience? What if I end up somewhere I hate? Will I be able to support myself sufficiently? Do I have to become a wizard at finding a new place to live every few months? While those are all important questions, they are better left for after you decide to commit to a travel healthcare career. We’ve narrowed down five signs to look for when deciding to pursue a travel healthcare career. Signs You Are Ready To Start Your Travel Healthcare Career 1. You want to see new sights One of the most obvious benefits of being a healthcare traveler is right in the name. There are more than 30,000 active job posts on the StaffDNA boards at any given time that span the U.S. and cover a massive variety of locations. Looking to hit the ski slopes in the winter? Some facilities recruit for the winter as early as August. Want to find a nice small town with pretty trees for the fall? Take your pick of northeast states right off the Atlantic coast. One of the main factors stopping travelers from working where they want is having current state licenses, but even that is made easier because most agencies will pay your licensing fees. Additionally, nurses and physical therapists can get compact licenses which allows them to work in multiple states with only one license. Other healthcare professions are working towards implementing licensure compacts as well. 2. You want more control over your pay A traveler’s job flexibility also applies to their earning potential, not just location. The keyword to focus on here is “control,” because while it’s true travelers earn more on average than permanent staff, that doesn’t mean they always will. That’s why it’s important to think about your salary in terms of control—you can control what agencies you work with, the recruiters you work with and the jobs you pursue. Since the traveler job market is fast-moving and highly competitive, travel staffing agencies are constantly fighting tooth-and-nail to offer you the best pay package and solid benefits. 3. You want to build up your professional skillset quickly It’s easy to get stuck in a routine while working at the same facility every year. If you plan on traveling for more than a year, chances are you will work in a variety of different environments with unique challenges. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this constant job hopping can actually help you in the long run because it will show potential employers you are highly adaptable and can face unexpected problems with confidence. Traveling also means getting experience in multiple electronic medical (healthcare) record software platforms, as different hospitals will have their own systems. In a Black Book Research survey, 98 percent of travel nurses said fluency in multiple EMR platforms is a highly valued skill. Since facilities are constantly updating or implementing new EMR platforms, travelers with experience in multiple platforms can apply for EMR conversion contracts, which typically offer much higher pay rates than standard travel assignments. 4. You are sick of healthcare workplace “politics” Bad hospital management, interpersonal drama, pointless gossip, local union disputes—traveling gives you a chance to avoid almost all of the workplace “politics” that permanent staff have to deal with. Since you have the option to avoid toxic workplace relationships as a temporary staff member, that means you can focus more time on patient care and improving your skills. 5. You are ready for a challenge We’ve explained a lot of the benefits to traveling, but that doesn’t mean travelers get to just kick back and rake in money. Healthcare travelers have to be ready to face almost all of these challenges at any given time: Managing and frequently updating compliance documents Maintaining a tax home Managing relationships with multiple recruiters and agencies Applying for state licenses Multiple job interviews every year Calculating travel expenses Frequently looking for (and moving to) temporary housing Adjusting quickly to new work environments with limited orientation Planning on how to travel with friends, family or pets Loneliness or homesickness Constant on-the-job learning High expectations for job performance Avoiding workplace drama If this list of challenges seems daunting, that’s perfectly natural. Traveling has plenty of positive aspects, but it may not be for everyone. Some travelers find they love the challenge as it motivates them to work harder and improve their skills. The most important thing you can do after noticing the signs that you’re interested in traveling is to educate yourself. There are a variety of online resources—including this website—where you can find answers to any lingering questions you may have about being a healthcare traveler.
EMR Conversions: Cerner Jobs Available For Fall In Virginia, Epic In New Mexico
Travel nurses with Cerner experience looking for a quick contract with great pay should turn their attention to Lynchburg, Virginia for new EMR conversion jobs. Centra Lynchburg General Hosptial, the flagship facility of the Centra Health system, will undergo a Cerner conversion in September, according to industry sources. Centra has been in the process of switching their hospitals to Cerner after signing a contract with the software company in 2016, according to a press release. The facility is primarily looking for ICU, CVICU, OR and step down travel nurses with Cerner experience. The assignments are scheduled to start on Aug. 27, last for five weeks and vary between day and night shifts. The short contract length could provide a good opportunity for qualified travelers who want to avoid working the holidays. Based on current job board data, pay for these positions range from $1,900-2,132 weekly, which is well above the average for the state. Additionally, despite Virginia’s high cost-of-living rating, Lynchburg actually falls below the state and national average, meaning travelers can save money on rent and basic necessities. You can view job board postings based on specialty here: CVICU OR ICU Oncology Editor’s note: Linked job board posts are subject to change based on availability and other factors. Interested travelers should contact their recruiters for the most up-to-date information. Additional EMR Conversion Needs September is shaping up to be a busy month for EMR conversion needs, as several facilities have “go-live” dates scheduled for the month. Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico still needs OR and medical-surgical travel nurses for their switch from Cerner to Epic charting on Sept. 17. Contracts will range anywhere from six to 13 weeks. Interested nurses should have Epic experience, two years of working in their specialty and previous travel assignment experience.
Rhode Island Healthcare Workers Strike Begins; Lifespan Spends $10M On Temp Staff
Last-minute negotiations failed for a third time early Monday morning between Providence-based healthcare system Lifespan and healthcare union workers in the midst of a planned 3 p.m. strike. United Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Local 5098 rejected the contract proposal from Providence-based healthcare company Lifespan early Monday morning. The Rhode Island healthcare workers strike is planned to end on July 26 at 3 p.m. Negotiations between Lifespan and the union are scheduled to continue while the strike is underway. “This is a difficult day for all of us,” said UNAP Local 5098 president Frank Sims in a press release. “Lifespan is a broken system where wealthy executives make millions and front line caregivers are ordered to do more with less, and until that changes, patient care will continue to be adversely impacted.” Lifespan officials have planned for the strikes at Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s hospitals for weeks, hiring temporary workers costing at least $10 million to cover needs at the facilities. The Department of Health activated an “incident command center” to monitor staffing levels, patient care and possible surges due to patient diversions to other hospitals, director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott said in a Monday morning press conference. “Rhode Island Hospital’s emergency department will continue to accept all walk-ins,” Alexander-Scott said. “However, EMS throughout the state will only be transporting trauma, burn, cardiac and respiratory arrest and pediatric cases to the Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro’s hospital EDs. [EMS] will transport other patients to the other hospitals [EDs] throughout the state.” You can view live coverage of the ongoing strikes from the Twitter feed below. This story will be updated as it develops. Tweets by WeAreUNAP
10 Best Travel Dog Breeds For Healthcare Professionals
Tons of travel healthcare professionals love to bring their beloved pooches along for the ride, but not every dog breed is great for the open road. Breed size, temperament, trainability and need for exercise are all important factors to consider. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve created a list of the top 10 best travel dog breeds by comparing data and information across many pet health and lifestyle web sources. We also refined our list by considering factors unique to healthcare travelers that could affect the health and happiness of your furry friend. For example, we took border collies off our list because their high-energy nature can be a bad match for busy solo travelers who may not have the time to work off that energy. When you’re looking over this list, keep in mind these are not the only dogs who can travel well. Every dog is different, so it’s very possible you find a mutt, mixed breed or alternative breed dog that happens to be the perfect travel companion. If you have questions about how to travel safely with your pet, make sure to check out our Pet Travel guide for quick tips! 10 Best Travel Dog Breeds 1. Chihuahua The “gold standard” for portable pups, Chihuahuas are compact enough to fit in a large bag anywhere you go. They also have very low exercise and food needs, so you won’t have to worry about bringing along big bags of food or hiring dog walkers very often. If you want small, you can’t go wrong with a Chihuahua. 2. Labrador Retriever Labrador retrievers are happy and ready for adventure. This breed has plenty of energy to happily follow you on the hiking trail and loves to explore. Most importantly, labs are very easy and obedient to train, meaning they won’t destroy your rental while you’re working those 12-hour shifts. 3. Pomeranian In terms of travel convenience, Pomeranians are basically fluffy Chihuahuas. Their super-compact size means they are ready to go anywhere in a moderately sized bag, and they are just as loyal and affectionate as their less poofy brethren. Shedding is obviously a downside of breeds with thicker hair, so plan to brush your Pom on a regular basis to weed out excess hairs before they end up everywhere. 4. Boston Terrier Boston terriers are adaptable and friendly. With a gentle, happy-go-lucky temperament, Boston terriers are great car-ride companions and want to tag along with you no matter where you’ll move. As a snubnose breed, it’s not recommended to take Boston Terriers on any planes. Becuase of their narrow airways they can asphyxiate at high altitudes. 5. Bichon Frise Bichon Frise’s have easy-going and sassy personalities—perfect for dishing about all the stuff that happened after a crazy shift. Like the Boston Terrier, this breed is also quite adaptable and comfortable around new people. 6. Great Dane You’ll have to make some room for your massive Great Dane, but what they lack in compact size they make up for with their loving temperament and gentle nature. Despite a large frame, Great Danes actually need very little exercise to stay healthy. Combine that with minimal grooming needs and you have a large, loveable and low-stress travel companion. 7. Yorkshire Terrier One of the benefits of owning a Yorkshire Terrier, other than their compact size, is their tendency towards sociability. Yorkshires are one of a handful of breeds that do very well in urban environments with lots of other dogs and owners, which is great for travelers who want to stick with metropolitan areas and larger hospitals. 8. Dachshund If RV travel is your method of choice, you can’t go wrong with a Dachshund. An inquisitive breed, Dachshunds form strong bonds with their owners and make great guard dogs. Just like the other small breeds on the list, they are compact, low maintenance and ready to accompany you anywhere. Keep in mind this breed is a bit more territorial of their owners and less tolerant of curious youngsters, so they are not recommended for travelers with children. 9. Golden Retriever Opposite from Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers are the perfect family dog and an all-around great first pet. They are eager to make friends with every new person they meet, which makes them a great tagalong for outdoor activities and social events. Just like their Labrador cousins, they are also very easy to train. Goldens do like to enjoy more open spaces and they may not do as well in urban environments. 10. French Bulldog A very trainable breed, French Bulldogs are just as happy playing around as they are lounging all day. Their laid-back attitude and low maintenance grooming and exercise needs mean they are great for long drives and in most living situations. As a snubnose breed like the Boston Terrier, French Bulldogs should not fly on planes. Stick to car travel with this dog.
Rhode Island Healthcare Union Delivers Strike Notice, Sets Date
United Nurses & Allied Professionals Local 5098 issued a 10-day strike notice on Friday to Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s hospitals and plan to strike starting July 23, according to a press release from the union. Healthcare professionals with the union plan to strike for three days, ending at 3 p.m. on July 26 with an unconditional agreement to return to work. UNAP Local 5098 represents 2,400 healthcare workers at the two Lifespan facilities, according to the release. Lifespan owns both Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s hospitals and is the state’s largest hospital system. “We do not take this step lightly and urge Lifespan executives to return to the bargaining table as quickly as possible so that a fair and competitive deal may be reached,” Local union president Frank Sims said in the press release. UNAP Local 5098 has issued a 10-day strike notice to @RIHospital pic.twitter.com/YxIr2PVZNs — UNAP (@WeAreUNAP) July 13, 2018 Rhode Island Hospital issued a statement in response to the strike notice to “assure” state residents that “Rhode Island Hospital is fully prepared for this possible work action.” “Patient care is our highest priority,” the statement reads. “In the event of a strike, we will have contract labor to assist us in meeting our commitment to our patients and our community.” UNAP Local 5098 issued the strike notice as a result of last Thursday’s rejection of a contract proposal between the union and Lifespan. In the rejection statement, Sims said unions members rejected a deal that “devalues the critical role they play in providing world-class healthcare at Rhode Island’s only Level I trauma hospital.” “Lifespan’s short-sighted and punitive policies on everything from safe staffing to sick time have a direct correlation to the remarkably high turnover rate we experience at Rhode Island Hospital,” Sims said. “Health professionals are leaving at unprecedented rates because Lifespan fails to give caregivers the tools we need to do our jobs and offers a compensation and benefit package that is not fair to all healthcare workers.” Union nurses and technical staff at Rhode Island Hospital are among the highest compensated in the state, according to the hospital website. Currently, UNAP members with 10 years of experience or less are guaranteed 3.5 or 4 percent annual salary increases as part of the hospital’s compensation program. In the rejected proposal, the hospital planned to add another 3.5 percent in the first year of the contract, 2.25 percent in the second year and two percent in the third year. The hospital brought in a federal mediator to help reach a potential agreement before the strike date, according to their statement.
Rhode Island Hospital Workers To Submit Strike Notice After Rejecting Contract Proposal
Unionized healthcare professionals at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital voted Thursday to reject a contract proposal from their parent company Lifespan and plan to issue a 10-day strike notice, according to a report from Providence Journal. Members of United Nurses and Allied Professionals Local 5098 sent out a press release about Thursday’s vote to reject the tentative contract proposal. UNAP Local 5098 president Frank Sims said in the release that voting members rejected a “deal that devalues the critical role they play in providing world-class healthcare at Rhode Island’s only Level I trauma hospital.” UNAP Local 5098 members have voted to reject the contract offer from Lifespan and will issue a 10-day strike notice in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/ijwaWs0pKN — UNAP (@WeAreUNAP) July 13, 2018 Hospital officials responded Friday morning in a statement to Providence Journal and said they are “disappointed” by the vote on the three-year contract proposal, but that the hospital is “fully prepared to adequately staff our hospital and meet the needs of our patients.” Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital represent two of the largest acute-care facilities in the state. Additionally, Hasbro is the only Level 1 Trauma facility in the region, according to their website. You can read the full Providence Journal report here.
TravCon 2018: Organizers see strong early registrations for September conference
Signups for TravCon 2018, one of the largest annual conferences for traveling healthcare professionals, remain steady after a strong burst of early registrations in April, TravCon event coordinator Michelle Freitag said. “650 attendees have signed up so far, which is a little less than last year at this point,” Freitag said. “It’s very common for us to have an initial rush of registrations, and then a lot of signups at the very end.” At the 10th annual conference last year, 1,250 travelers attended marking the largest year ever for the event, according to the official conference website. The event has grown exponentially in the past five years in both the number of attendees and the diversity of classes, events and exhibitors it offers, Freitag said. Participation from allied health travelers at last year’s conference greatly increased, so organizers have added classes specifically for allied professionals. “60 percent of our [educational sessions] are new this year,” Freitag said. “We have a traveler self-defense class, a Destination: Guam class which we’ve never done before…and three new panels that will be very interesting. We have a CEO panel with a Q-and-A talking about the state of the healthcare industry.” Attendees can learn from travel healthcare experts at 40 educational sessions over three days and meet in person with travel healthcare staffing companies from around the country. Travel nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists can also receive upwards of 17 CEU credits to help maintain their professional licenses. Out of the 105 registered exhibitors this year, 78 of them are staffing companies, Freitag said. One of the main draws of TravCon every year is for travelers to meet with their favorite agencies—possibly for the first time. “Generally travelers may never meet their recruiter or company, so we bring them together so that you can meet your company or to find your future company,” Freitag said. “It’s a great way to get together professionally to find your next job or who you want to work for.” The conference will take place from Sept. 9-11 at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is located on the Vegas Strip. Attendees can arrive early for the unofficial meet and greets and other pre-conference events, according to the TravCon website schedule. Registration for TravCon 2018 is open until Sept. 6. You will also be able to buy conference passes at the door, but availability will be limited. Those interested can learn more by visiting the TravCon website.
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.
As Maine Medicaid expansion stalls, hospitals and enrollees are left in limbo
Maine’s Medicaid-eligible residents, which make up more than 70,000 people, were set to enroll on July 2 as part of the expansion plan approved by nearly 59 percent of voters last November. But after a month of battles between advocacy groups and stonewalling efforts by Gov. Paul LePage’s administration, the enrollment date has passed and hospitals are left waiting for an influx of patients and staffing needs that may not come anytime soon. “A hospital representative I work with said they all have their fingers crossed that [the expansion] gets approved and it all goes smoothly, but she agreed it is a mess currently,” said Larry Jenkins, a sales team member for staffing agency LiquidAgents Healthcare. “There are no plans for additional staff at this time.” For clarity, here’s a timeline of where Maine’s Medicaid expansion plan stands: November 2017: Maine voters approve Medicaid expansion under provisions outlined in the Affordable Care Act, making Maine the first state to approve expansion by referendum. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is required to file a plan by April 3, 2018 April 3, 2018: No plan is filed by Maine DHHS. LePage said he would not move forward with a plan until adequate funding is approved by the legislature to support expansion efforts. April 30, 2018: Advocacy group Maine Equal Justice Partners sue Maine DHHS to force the administration to submit a plan, citing a $130 million surplus fund that could be used to fund the expansion for 2019. June 4, 2018: Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy rules in favor of Maine Equal Justice Partners, citing a “complete failure to act” by Maine DHHS in missing the April 3 deadline. They are ordered to submit a plan by June 11. June 7, 2018: LePage’s administration files an appeal for the decision, and requests to not file a plan by June 11 while the appeal is considered. June 18, 2018: Justice Murphy denies the appeal and orders DHHS again to file a plan with the federal government. Gov. LePage’s legal team appeals the order to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court to delay the deadline while the original appeal is considered. Arguments are scheduled for July 18. June 29, 2018: Gov. LePage vetos a potential expansion funding bill. Lawmakers must decide to override or uphold the veto on July 9. July 2, 2018: Maine Equal Justice Partners encourage eligible residents to apply for Medicaid anyways despite ongoing litigation. July 9, 2018: Conservative legislators uphold the veto in an 85-58 House vote. LePage and House Republicans criticize “one-time” funding sources included in the plan, saying Maine needs a long-term funding plan. Monday’s vote on the veto of Maine’s Medicaid expansion funding bill marks the sixth time LePage has stopped expansion legislation through the use of veto during his two terms of office. The final verdict on Maine’s Medicaid expansion efforts may set the precedent for lawmakers in Idaho, Nebraska and Utah. Advocacy groups submitted similar ballot initiatives after successful petitions to let voters decide the fate of Medicaid in their states this November. Utah’s ballot initiative passed state scrutiny and was added to the fall ballot. Secretaries of state in Nebraska and Idaho are reviewing petition signatures to confirm they represent a specific percentage of voters in each state.
Travel Jobs: Top 10 States for June, July Market Predictions
In our June traveler job market predictions, we talked about the “summer stall”—less new job postings, more competition for every job and more interest in atypical summer job states. Based on StaffDNA job board data, two of our predictions were on target. Job application volume increase by nearly 20 percent from May to June, marking the most active month since January. What we didn’t expect was for supply to match pace with demand. Hospital systems in many states, including popular summer destinations like California and Virginia, bounced back after the late-May and early-June slump. Part of this can be linked to vacation plans for permanent hospital staff, according to travel agency sales staff sources. As the regular staff takes off for the summer or cuts back on hours, that provides opportunities for travelers to fill the gaps. We expect for this market momentum to stay strong in July, as travelers who took time off in June will be planning ahead for the start of the school season in August or to find a fall contract in September. The back-to-school rush marks a yearly milestone for many travelers with children or grandchildren. They will typically take a break during the summer for childcare, and return to hospitals once the kids are back in school. “The experienced travelers know it can take four to six weeks to find and start a job, so they start the search for an agency and position mid-summer,” said Kate Quinn of LiquidAgents Healthcare. Let’s take a look at what we learned from our top markets for June. Rankings barely shift as travelers settle in for the summer While April and May saw a lot of “movement” in terms of where healthcare travelers applied across the country, ranking shifts were much more conservative in June, despite the high application volume. Most states moved up or down the list by 5 ranks or less, and five states—North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin and Washington—didn’t move at all. We expect the list to remain mostly stable for July, August and potentially in early fall, as traveler won’t start making big moves until we get closer to the holiday season. Michigan, Missouri, Virginia enter the Top 10 For the first time this year, Missouri joined the likes of Texas, California and Florida in the top 10, moving up two spots from May to No. 9. Virginia moved back up as anticipated, jumping up five ranks to No. 10 on the list. The state is both a top travel destination for summer 2018 and one of the top five highest paying travel nurse states in the U.S. Montana, Wyoming climb the charts; Connecticut drops to dead last Montana and Wyoming both moved up seven ranks to take the No. 41 and 42 slots, respectively, while Connecticut dropped 16 spots to the bottom of our list. Connecticut has consistently ranked in the bottom half of the list for job board applications. It’s also one of the most expensive states to work in as a traveler because of the high regional cost of living and low average pay packages. Interest in Maine uncertain as Medicaid expansion remains in flux Enrollment for the voter-approved Medicaid expansion was supposed to roll out on July 2, which would have provided a $500 million shot in the arm for healthcare funding in the state and coverage for more than 70,000 eligible recipients. Pending litigation surrounding the expansion has left the issue in limbo. A Maine judge forced Gov. Paul LePage to submit an expansion plan to the federal government by June 11, but LePage’s administration submitted an appeal for the ruling. While the appeal is pending, LePage also vetoed the expansion bill this week. Because of the political turmoil, it’s uncertain whether the expansion will have an impact on the Maine traveler job market as expected. June’s Top Markets Florida California Texas North Carolina Georgia South Carolina Michigan Pennsylvania Missouri Virginia Illinois Indiana Kentucky Tennessee Arkansas Arizona Nevada Idaho Oklahoma Iowa Wisconsin West Virginia New Mexico Maine Oregon Colorado Washington Hawaii Ohio Alabama Louisiana Maryland Mississippi New Jersey Alaska Utah Kansas Montana Wyoming Minnesota Massachusetts North Dakota New York District of Columbia Delaware Nebraska New Hampshire Rhode Island South Dakota Vermont Connecticut