6 Travel Nursing Positions with the Highest Pay

6 Travel Nursing Positions with the Highest Pay

by | Jul 1, 2023 | Travel Nursing

6 Travel Nursing Positions with the Highest Pay

Working as a travel nurse is one of the most liberating areas of nursing. You can choose the areas you want to work in and even enjoy the benefits of financially lucrative travel nursing positions.

If you are interested in becoming a travel nurse, get to know which areas pay the most.

Nurses can choose almost any specialty area to work in, in the travel healthcare sector. As travel nurses, you will be making more than a staff position in a position or specialty.

It is wise to select from some of the highest-paying nursing specialties. 

1. Intensive Unite Care Nurse or ICU Nurse

One of the most in-demand areas for travel nurses belongs to the ICU. If you have experience in this department, you are in luck, as many hospitals use nurses in the ICU to float around other units because of their broadened skills and knowledge.

It makes them valuable members of the team.

ICU nurses are trained to care for the critically ill and have a broad array of skills. As a travel nurse, you too can work in this area as long as you have the skills or experience of an ICU nurse. Most facilities look for at least 1-2 years of experience.

2. Labor and Delivery Nurse 

Nurses specializing in obstetrics and women’s health, especially in antepartum and postpartum care, are constantly in-demand. L&D nurses are also among the highest-paid nurses in the country and one of the travel nursing positions with the highest pay.

However, before you sign the contract, consider a few things first. While you will be taking care of healthy patients in this area, you must be ready to handle any emergencies that could occur.

These may include emergency C-sections and many others. If you are up for the challenge, then this could be a fantastic opportunity for you. 

3. Emergency Room or ER Nurse

Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment while working as a nurse? If you do, then working as an ER nurse is the best place for you.

Many travel nurses can work in this department and earn more pay than their staff job.

Remember that working in the ER means you have to constantly use your critical thinking skills, so if you love solving problems, this could be the right place for you.

When looking for an ER position, it is always good to look at the hospital trauma level, it may be more acute than your used to.

4. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse or PICU Nurse/ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU

As a travel nurse, you will have the chance to work with some of the latest technology used in childcare, with plenty of nursing opportunities in states like Texas, New York, New Jersey, California, and many others. 

5. Medical-Surgical/Telemetry Nurse

The need for nurses with exceptional skills and knowledge in medical-surgical nursing is in demand these days. Since the number of Covid patients is still elevated, there is always a need for nurses in this area.

Travel nurses can apply for this position and earn up to  $5,000/week. If you are a nurse who can handle several patients and can manage time effectively, this could be an excellent opportunity to take.

6. Operating Room Nurse or OR Nurse

One of the most interesting areas and travel nursing positions with the highest pay belongs to the Operating Room.

You will be a valuable asset to many hospitals across the country for travel nurses with perioperative skills.

If you are certified at a specific OR skill or have a wide range of operating room experience, t you can snag any  OR position, 

In Closing

Consider also the location of the place for your travel nursing assignment. Some states pay higher than others. Now that you know which areas pay travel nurses the most, find a good agency that can get you a position in these areas.

It is also an excellent option to do more research on travel nursing before asking for an assignment. That way, you know what to expect and still earn more than staff. 

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

6 Stress-Relieving Tips for Nurses 

6 Stress-Relieving Tips for Nurses 

by | Jun 10, 2023 | Nursing

6 Stress-Relieving Tips for Nurses 

Being a nurse is a stressful job, and it’s not even a joke! Knowing different kinds of stress-relieving tips can help nurses from all walks of life. 

 

Why are Nurses Stressed?

As a nurse, your life is extra busy most of the time. As a nurse, the most helpful way to combat stress is to understand what stresses you out.

It is not always easy to identify stressors but we can help you narrow it down, here are the most common causes of stress for nurses:

 

#1. Constant use of critical thinking  skills 

Being a nurse, you are always critically thinking, either how medication can impact a patient or when a family member has a difficult question. it can be a mentally draining job.

A nurse’s job is demanding, and you do not always have the time to check out, even if you want to.

#2. Work environment demands 

There will be constant pacing while working with doctors and other healthcare providers when you are at work. It is common to clash with coworkers and patients at times or have miscommunication, leading to pressure and stress. 

 

#3. A 12+ hour job

Long shifts can be exhausting, and nurses often work insanely long shifts. Many nurses work 12+ hours a day any extra overtime leads to increased stress and a drain on energy. 

So it is prevalent among nurses to be a little cranky after each shift as it can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining, especially on the night shift. 

#4. An emotional job

When you look at it, a nurse’s job is to take care of the sick and dying. But while they are caring for sick people, they also take care of the families left worrying or grieving.

It can put an emotional strain on nurses and also be stressful on their part. In addition to that, some families can be challenging to deal with. While nurses are empathetic, coping with demanding families adds pressure to their jobs. 

 

#5. The Pandemic

We were not prepared for the pandemic, and among healthcare providers, nurses are the most affected. Their responsibilities did not only double but also folded twice.

They deal with the increased workload a pandemic brings while also putting their health on the line. Some are even assigned to do a job they were not adequately trained for to meet the nursing demands.

Because of this, saying a nurse is stressed is underrated. 

Helpful and Stress-Relieving Tips You Can Apply

So, what can you do to release the stress you feel each time you are under pressure at work? Knowing different stress-relieving techniques can help nurses big time. Here are a few:

1. Find a nursing path that you love

Are you stuck in a nursing job that you don’t like? Or are you looking for an option to do something else? If you answered yes to either, it’s time to move on to a different path in nursing.

Keep in mind that nursing is an ever-dynamic field, so there is always something to do. If you love traveling, become a travel nurse, and if you enjoyed your time in the Operating Room as a student nurse, pursue a career in OR nursing.

Maybe you are done with acute care and want to settle down in an outpatient clinic. The options are endless. Just make sure that the path you selected is something you would like to do for the long haul. 

 

2. Remind yourself why you became a nurse

Earning a high salary is one of the benefits nursing brings, but is it all you want? When things get tough, ask yourself why you became a nurse. Is it because you love helping others? Was it a good route for financial security??

Whatever your reasons are, going back to the reason why you became a nurse will shed light on your darkest hours. So, whenever you feel stressed, use that reason to get back on your feet!

 

3. Sweat it out!

Another good way to relieve stress is through exercise. Many nurses find themselves sweating their stress out in the gym more often these days, so why not do the same? If you don’t like the confines of the gym, you can always work out at home.

You can follow exercise apps or YouTube videos and burn those calories of frustration! Not only will you feel good, but you will also feel energized again, improve your health, and be pumped for your next shift.

4. Eat Healthily

Since we are talking about exercise, you might as well include your diet. To stabilize your energy, pair your workout with a balanced meal. Your diet must consist of energy-giving foods to keep you on your feet all the time.

Eating green leafy vegetables, fruits, juices, and superfoods like nuts, avocadoes, sardines, berries, etc., must be included in your daily meals. These will keep you healthy and help reduce the stress and anxiety you may feel at work. 

 

5. Practice meditation and breathing exercises.

Besides doing your workout routines, you must also practice breathing exercises and meditation. When things get crazy, pause, meditate, and be mindful of your breathing. You don’t have to bring a yoga mat!

Breathing techniques can be done anywhere, even at work. So, plan out your day, and take time to meditate and refocus. It will help you get through even the most toxic shifts! 

 

6. Don’t forget to take time off.

All work and no play make you a dull person. So, relax, take time off, and socialize. As much as you want to sleep on your day offs, set a time to socialize with friends or family.

It is always good to have an outlet and to be yourself without worrying about the next patient chart you need to update. You don’t have to work all the time, find balance, and learn to live a stress-free life as a nurse. 

 

Your takeaway

As a nurse, facing stressful situations at work is a given. It is part of the profession. It is why you must find ways to destress.

Don’t let the daily chaos of nurse life ruin your determination to help others.

Try and see how these stress-relieving tips for nurses can help you. 

 

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4 Painful Parts of Being a Nurse

4 Painful Parts of Being a Nurse

by | Mar 25, 2023 | Nursing

4 Painful Parts of Being a Nurse

Parts of being a nurse involve the things ordinary people don’t do. Yes, nursing is exciting, but as exciting as it is, many nurses have seen and experienced things at work but have not discussed them.

It is also true that it’s one of the most stressful jobs in the world. While nursing is rewarding, there are also many life-and-death situations and patient care challenges. 

Nursing is one of the most underappreciated professions, yet, the most regulated. It is because nurses are handling the lives of people every day. Not only their patients but the lives of other nurses too.

It is why there are also the worst parts of nursing. What are the painful parts of nursing? And what can nurses do? 

 

We Can’t Save All Lives

The sad reality is nurses deal with death and dying patients every day. It doesn’t matter what kind of area they specialize in; nurses deal with death. The worst part is that nurses are human beings, and it’s not easy each time they lose a patient.

Many nurses wish they could cry with patients’ families, comfort them, hold their hands, hug them, and grieve with these families, but they can’t. Nurses refrain from crying not because we can’t but because we must stay professional. We need to stay strong for the families left behind.

Nursing is not for the faint of heart. You will see many things that make an ordinary person queasy or heartbroken. Patients’ suffering is part of our daily lives; whether we like it or not, we deal with losing them the best way we know how. 

 

We Handle All the Gross Stuff

Handling the things no one else will touch is part of a nurse’s daily life. From body fluids, mucus, blood, sputum, and phlegm – we handle them. Lucky for us, we were taught earlier about these things in nursing school.

And you must provide nursing care for patients suffering from all kinds of conditions, including those that secrete the grossest things. We don’t shy away from these things because it’s part of the job. 

 

Seeing the Bad and Sad Side of Life

It is a known fact that medical work can expose you to some horrific things that can take an emotional toll on you. And a nurse is one of those healthcare workers that sees these things up close and personal. 

As nurses, we see the terrible things that would make you question life. How can a 5-year-old go through multiple heart operations? A 20-year-old who needs a heart transplant because of drug abuse?

We’ve seen a young mother of four battling cancer. We’ve seen healthy people robbed of a good life because of a botched medical procedure. Let’s not forget those who said goodbye to their loved ones who’ve gone too soon—all of these and more.

Being exposed to these things and seeing them unfold in your eyes makes you wonder why life is unfair to those who need it the most. It can be hard to deal with and sometimes affect your mental health. 

 

You’ll feel unappreciated and overworked

Sometimes, you feel burned out from working too much. As nurses, we work endlessly, and sometimes we feel unappreciated. Long shifts, understaffed units, increased patient ratio, and Covid-19 made this job more demanding than it used to be.

Our sacrifices and compassion go unseen by the public and administrators. Sum all that, and you have an exhausted nurse who is on the brink of giving up. And we cannot avoid this.

It’s there, an ever-present occurrence that many nurses experience. It’s a problem that nurses face, but at the same time, something that we cannot resolve entirely. 

 

In Closing

While we experienced many losses, touched many gross things, and did many overtime hours, nursing is still one of the most rewarding jobs. It is an honor to be called to be a nurse.

And while many nurses are made, only a few are born to be one. If you are one of them, stand up and be proud. Nurses are heaven-sent!

 

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Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

by | Mar 18, 2023 | Travel Nursing

Why You Should Consider Becoming a Travel Nurse

Being a travel nurse is not for everyone. This is one of the only areas in healthcare where you can simultaneously travel and work around the US.

If you have doubts about becoming a travel nurse, here are the reasons why you should consider becoming a travel nurse in the future. 

1. There is career growth.

One main reason some nurses enjoy being travel nurses is the career opportunities. When you travel to different medical facilities, there is always a chance to meet other healthcare professionals.

It allows you to build your network and learn new skills while on the job. Creating connections as references for future work is excellent when you are a travel nurse.

Also, working in different locations shows how adaptable you are to change, and there is a chance you can land a permanent position. 

 

2. The schedule is flexible.

As a travel nurse, you will work for short-term employment. It means you get hired to work within a specific timeframe. Because of this setup, you can choose the days for your vacation and work.

You have time to do other things or focus on yourself and rest. This kind of freedom is not something you see in other jobs, so if this is not a good reason to become a travel nurse, I don’t know what is. 

 

3. You have higher pay. 

By standards, travel nurses earn around $25 to $40 per hour more than staff nurses [1]. However, since most hospitals are short-staffed, travel nurses are in high demand.

You can expect higher offers and more opportunities to work overtime with shift differentials each time you get hired.

Sign-on bonuses and contract renewal incentives further increase your income.. 

 

4. There are fewer workplace politics. 

It is not uncommon for a workplace to have some drama. When you work in a permanent hospital setting, tensions can arise. It can cause conflicts and arguments among staff nurses. However, if you are a travel nurse, you can avoid these situations.

You don’t need to be involved in whatever drama happens in your work setting.

All you have to do is go to work and fulfill your duties as a nurse. You can focus on your position and provide better care for your patients. 

 

5. There is a chance to live your dreams. 

Becoming a travel nurse gives you a chance to live out your best life. If you are into adventures, meeting people, and going to different places, this is the perfect job.

You can choose the location for your next assignment, which means you can have time to do whatever you want.

Whether hiking or checking local brunch spots, it is good to know that you are not so tied down with a staff job. 

 

6. They have reimbursements.

As a healthcare professional traveling to work can seem expensive. However, plenty of travel nurse agencies can reimburse you for your expenses on gas, scrubs, and other things you need for traveling.

They can arrange everything for you; even better, some agencies allow you to bring your spouse or beloved pets. 

 

Your Takeaway

The outlook for travel nurses has never been better. As the pandemic continues to roll, more and more nurses are needed across the country. If you are a registered nurse looking for something more, becoming a travel nurse is an excellent opportunity.

With the increasing demands and higher pay, this could be an opportunity of a lifetime. Send us an email or reach out on social media, and we can help you get started. 

We hope that you find this post enlightening; good luck out there!

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!

 

5 Things You Need to Look for in Your Travel Nurse Contract

5 Things You Need to Look for in Your Travel Nurse Contract

by | Jul 16, 2022 | Travel Nursing

5 Things You Need to Look for in Your Travel Nurse Contract

Being a travel nurse offers you new and exciting ventures as you get assigned to different locations.

But before you get pumped for your assignment, it would help you read your contract first.

Here are things you need to look for in your nurse travel contract. 

 

The Travel Nurse Contract

Before we check the important contents of your contract, let us know what a travel nurse contract is and ensure you understand every detail it entails.

By definition, this contract is an agreement between the professional (you), the agency, and the hospital. The agency employs travel healthcare workers like you through this contract.

The agency then has an agreement with the vendor sourcing manager that makes contracts with the hospital.

In some cases, smaller healthcare facilities can work directly with the agency, but it depends highly on the matter. 

There are a few types of travel nursing contracts that you should know. Among these includes the standard and crisis, where extra nursing staff is needed immediately.

The arrangement between the nurse and agency may also serve as the leading tax documentation. It also establishes the obligations and conditions for work and covers essential things like wages, benefits, and others.

Besides the initial arrangement written in the contract, travel nurses can also negotiate specific terms with the hospital during the interview. It could be something like the particular number of days off, night shift wages, floating rules, and so on.

The agency will then send an updated supplement to the hospital regarding these specified agreements called confirmation, but only once the nurse accepts the offer for this assignment. 

 

What to Look Into Your Contract

Before signing your contract, be sure to check that your responsibilities are clearly stated and the staffing responsibilities of the facility.

The agency and healthcare facility must be transparent with you. Here’s what you need to look into:

 

Travel expenses and reimbursements

Take note that the agency almost always pays and reimburses your travel expenses. Many agencies are willing to cover the costs you make when traveling to your assignment, either by driving or traveling by plane.

There are three ways that this can happen:

  1. You initially spend money on gas or airplane tickets, and the agency will repay you afterward. 
  2. The agency will pay for the traveling expenses in advance; airplane tickets, train tickets, or gas for your car. 
  3. The agency will pay out an amount over a set period. 

Any reliable agency will lay out these terms to you and ensure that you are provided with what you need.

In addition, you must also know how you will be reimbursed if there is a cancellation of the assignment. 

 

Housing Policy

Sometimes, agencies will offer to arrange or provide travel nurses with housing. This is done through an internal system or several housing sites that cater to healthcare professionals on a temporary assignment.

You also have the freedom to look for an apartment or housing. But why bother when there is someone who can do that for you? 

So, before you sign a travel nurse contract, check what your agency offers you regarding housing. Make sure to take note of your responsibilities regarding this part too.

See if you will pay for it, and if yes, are they going to reimburse you after? If the agency is the one to set up the housing, ask what will happen if your assignment is extended.

Be sure to ask essential questions so you are not left with all the responsibilities. 

 

Sick Pay

Getting sick while on the job cannot be avoided, especially since there is a pandemic. No matter how much you take care of yourself, there will come a time when your immune system weakens, and you need rest.

If this happens, see what your contract has to say about it. 

Your agency must be able to state clearly what happens when you get sick while on duty. It should also include the coverage pay if you are placed in quarantine. 

 

Policies on Cancellation

Hospitals often overlook travel nurses, and sometimes, their contracts get pulled at the last minute.  If this happens to you, be sure to know what your agency states in this matter.

Are you going to get paid for it? Is the agency willing to find you another assignment?

Are they going to reimburse your travel expenses, just in case? – knowing all about these will help you get a better position and prepare you for the following steps. 

 

Health Insurance

Many nurses are covered with health insurance as full-time staff. However, if you work as a travel nurse, are you covered by the same insurance? Of course, being a travel nurse means you are more exposed to risky situations.

Therefore agencies will provide you with the health insurance you need. 

Remember that the risk of getting sick on the job (even in accidents) is pretty common for all nurses, and travel nurses are no exception.

Finding a good agency that can provide you with health insurance is a must so you don’t have to meet any medical expenses in the future. 

 

Your Takeaway

Now that you know what things to look for in your travel nurse contract be sure to note them. Working as a traveling healthcare professional has its perks, but knowing that your agency provides you with protection and security is always ideal.

Finding one that can help you with everything you need is something you should always consider. 

 

Looking for more nursing and travel nursing information? Check out these helpful links!