8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

by | May 13, 2023 | Travel Nursing

8 Mistakes That Rookie Travel Nurses Make While on the Job

Working as a travel nurse is one of the best decisions you will ever make in your nursing career. Of course, just like any other newbies, you can’t wait till you are assigned to a different location.

While waiting for an assignment, it is best to read about the eight mistakes that rookie travel nurses make so you can avoid doing them in the future. Here’s what you need to know. 

Avoid These While Going Through Your Contract

#1. Skimming through your contract.

It is a big booboo on your part if you do not read your contract thoroughly. Your travel nurse contract is an essential part of your assignment, so any responsible nurse will carefully read through it before signing [1]. Skimming through your contract will place you in a situation that you might not like. 

Before signing, make sure to check for accuracy and completeness. Check also for the assignment, pay rate, dates, travel reimbursements, bonuses, time offs, and other special agreements that you may have.

Your agency should be able to answer all your concerns if needed. So, don’t just skim through it; read your contract well!

#2. Being unprepared for your assignment.

As nurses, we are trained to be ready at all times. We can even give boy scouts a run for their money if we talk about preparedness! It is a part of our nurse’s skills to be alert and ready for anything.

However, rookie travel nurses are too complacent about their assignments that they don’t bother preparing – a big mistake! They let their excitement get the best of them. Remember, you are traveling for work, not for fun.

Be in a work-mode mindset as you take on an assignment. While you can still see sights along the way or during your offs, you still have to be prepared to do your nursing duties. Avoid these mistakes that rookie travel nurses make, and you will save yourself from trouble.

Agencies will help you process everything you need – even your license entering a compact state. In short, you have all the help you need. All you have to do is show up on time and make sure that you make a good impression on your first day.

Always bring your supporting documents if your supervisor needs them – it will show how responsible you are for a rookie travel nurse!

#3. Bringing too much stuff with you.

The shortest duration of your assignment is around four to eight weeks, with the longest of thirteen weeks. There’s no need to bring too much stuff with you.

Bring only the essentials, and make sure you have enough to reuse. If you are assigned to a different state during winter, bring clothes suitable for the weather. Other than that, leave the ones you don’t need during this assignment. Besides, the weeks will fly by, and the next thing you know, you are off to another location again. 

Take note also of the place you are staying. Is it furnished or not? See what is included in your accommodation. This way, you can decide whether to bring other items along or not. 

#4. Not asking questions.

As a travel nurse, you will always be the “new kid” in town. And as much as you want to do your job and go, it is not always the case. Whenever you are assigned to a new facility, be sure to ask the right questions.

You need to learn where things are, who you need to call for emergencies, what practices are done, or protocols to follow. Asking these questions will help your survival on each shift. 

Be sure to make new friends too. Sure, you are the extra hand, but it won’t hurt if you greet people and be friendly. After all, you work in the same facility. Besides, having new friends broadens your network.

So, do not hesitate to be nice to everyone you meet along the way. You will need guidance and help as you go. 

#5. Acting like you are not part of the team.

Sure, you may be a temporary nurse extending help, but that does not mean you should also exclude yourself from others. Staff nurses will expect you to do your best. Showing up on time and doing your duties are essential, but you are not hired to work there to separate yourself. 

Try to be a part of the team, be nice to people, be prepared, and do your part. If you work like you are part of the team, your coworkers will treat you the same. Don’t be a total stranger. 

#6. Acting like you know it all.

Another mistake that rookie travel nurses make is acting like they don’t need help from anyone. Being a know-it-all is something you should avoid. Sure, you have the skills and knowledge, but ignoring protocols and not following the standard procedures in the facility you are working in is a huge mistake. 

Take time to listen and learn from your coworkers. It does not matter how long you have been a travel nurse or new to the job. Being open to suggestions and learning the trade is vital if you want to keep your job.

Learning new skills will only strengthen your ability as a nurse. Once you have shown that you are valuable to the team, you might find your coworkers asking for your input. 

#7. Joining the hospital drama.

One mistake that rookie travel nurses make is by joining hospital politics during their brief stay [2]. As a result, they found themselves tangled in the drama that they could’ve avoided in the first place. 

As tempting as juicy gossip can be, avoid engaging in it. Remember, you are only working in this facility for a few weeks. It is always better to build strong relationships than to be part of the gossip crew.

Besides, you don’t know the people involved or the whole story, so why bother becoming a part of it? So, do what you came to do, avoid gossiping, and focus on your patient care. You will be appreciated more!

#8. Working hard or hardly working.

Last but not least, one of the mistakes that rookie travel nurses make is working too much or too little. As a nurse, your work is a priority, but you can become a workaholic when you work too much and don’t pause to breathe.

So find time to balance work and recreation. One of the reasons you became a travel nurse is to see other places, so do it! Take a look at your schedule and plan an activity for the day.

While you are assigned a job, why not take the opportunity to see places? Knowing when to work and have fun has its perks. Besides, after a long day of serving patients, a breather sounds about right. Enjoy the moments while you can! 

Find Balance on Your First Job

Becoming a travel nurse is exciting, primarily if you are assigned to a place that you haven’t been to before. But as you do, find balance in your work and play. Be mindful of your ways, be presentable, arrive on time, and leave work at work.

Over time, you will enjoy each assignment, and you don’t have to make the same mistakes rookie travel nurses make! Being a nurse is a rewarding job, and for you to deliver quality care, you must also take care of yourself.

Hopefully, this list cleared it out for you. Best of luck! 

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

 

5 House Hunting Tips for Travel Nurses

5 House Hunting Tips for Travel Nurses

by | Apr 8, 2023 | Travel Nursing

5 House Hunting Tips for Travel Nurses

One of the essential things to secure as a travel nurse is your accommodation or housing. Whether you are a seasoned travel nurse or just starting on your first assignment, you must settle in a place that is already furnished.

It will lessen your worries about where to sleep, cook or take a shower after shifts. It would be best to secure a place to stay during the duration of your work, and these house-hunting tips for travel nurses are the answer.

House Hunting Tips for Travel Nurses 101

Looking for suitable accommodation, apartment, room, or housing during your assignment as a travel nurse can be stressful. But the question is, would you prefer to look for accommodation and receive a stipend?

Or let the agency take care of it, so you don’t have to worry? Are you bringing your pets along? – indeed, looking for a house or apartment to accommodate all your needs as a travel nurse is challenging. But don’t worry; these tips can help you with that. 

 

Tip #1. Beware of “Too Good to be True” Offers

There are plenty of places to look for housing as a travel nurse, but you must be wary of where you are looking. One of the most common places to look for is Craigslist.

No doubt about it, there are many good sources of for-rent units on this website, and there are also bad ones. How can you distinguish the difference? If the offer is too good, too cheap, and almost impossible to believe in, then you might skip that one because it could be a scam.

A good source will always have positive feedback and reasonable prices. If you find one that offers you cheap accommodation in a well-off location, then there is a chance that you are being baited for a scam. 

 

Tip #2. Look at ALL options.

You have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to housing and accommodation. However, it will also depend on your preference. It would be best if you checked out all your options first before deciding which one to pursue. 

Option A is staying at hotels. Plenty of hotels or motels offer long-term stays for 30 days, perfect for travel nurses like you. Low night rates and tax breaks are also provided if you book an extended stay. If this is the option you would like to take, be sure to call the hotel manager ahead to make arrangements. 

Option B, on the other hand, is staying on Airbnb locations. These are usually popular choices for many travel nurses and travelers alike. Not only do you get to pick the spot of the Airbnb, but you can also view the kind of bedrooms you will be using.

As someone who travels for work, you may need one bedroom (if you are working alone) or something small for your convenience. You can also choose to live close to the facility you are working or downtown, where you can enjoy the sites and do exciting things after your shift. 

Whatever option you choose, make sure that the accommodation you pick suits all your needs. 

 

Tip #3. Find a Roommate or Work with One. 

Another good tip for house hunting as a travel nurse is to find a roommate with whom you can share the rent and save expenses. It could be a fellow travel nurse you are assigned with or a traveler staying in the accommodation for the long-term [1]. 

When choosing a location for work, check if you have relatives or friends living nearby. While having accommodation is excellent, you can also live with family or friends living near the facility you are working as a travel nurse.

Of course, IF and only IF you are allowed to live with them. If not, choosing to have a place of your own is always a good idea.

Besides, you don’t want to disturb anyone, especially if you are assigned to night shifts. 

 

Tip #4. Do Some Research Before Accepting a Job Offer.

As a travel nurse, you are often looking forward to your next assignment. However, it would be best if you also do your research before accepting any job [2]. 

First, understand what benefits you can get if the agency finds accommodation for you. Many travel nurses utilize this option when it comes to housing needs.

One of the benefits of this is that agencies can find you a suitable place to stay, especially if the work location does not have a lot of options to choose from. It also saves you time and energy looking for a place to stay. Using the ones provided by your agency is more practical. 

You must also understand what furnished means when it comes to finding a place to stay. When we say that the home is “furnished,” it means that it already has the amenities you need for the duration of your stay.

This type of accommodation is helpful for travel nurses who do not like to bring furniture or housing necessities when traveling. Of course, every location to go to is different, and when they say furnished, the things included could be a dresser, dining table, couch, or chairs.

Keep in mind that washers/dryers, microwaves, iron, and others are not always included. It would be best to visit the place or talk to the manager about what you would like to be included in your accommodation before you stay there.

Otherwise, you will bring some necessities with you. 

 

Tip #5. Pet-friendly Housing is a Must. 

Some travel nurses love to travel with their dogs or cats. If you have a pet and would like to bring them along, be sure to remember this house-hunting tip for travel nurses – check if the accommodation allows pets. 

If you want your agency to find you a place to stay, be upfront about bringing your pet/s with you.

It would make your life easier, but if you are looking for a place to stay, calling and personally asking if pets are allowed in your housing is a must. 

 

These House Hunting Tips for Travel Nurses are Practical

Finding a suitable place to stay during your assignment as a travel nurse can be stressful, but if you want to save yourself from this predicament, it would be best to use your agency and let them find one for you.

Of course, extra stipends are helpful, but be practical if you are stressed about looking for accommodations. 

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

How Meditation Can Help You Cope with Anxiety

How Meditation Can Help You Cope with Anxiety

by | Apr 1, 2023 | Mindfulness, Wellness - Blog

How Meditation Can Help You Cope with Anxiety

Feeling stressed out as a result of the state of the world? Between social unrest, global health concerns and any personal upsets, that stress is totally normal and you are not alone.

However, just because stress is a normal reaction to troubles doesn’t mean that stress has to take over your whole life.

If you’re starting to feel worried all the time, or developing physical symptoms such as stomach aches or panic attacks, then you need some tools to reduce the intensity of that anxiety and bring it down to more manageable levels.

Here are some tips to get you started, courtesy of Cup of Nurses.

Creating a Positive Space

Before you dive into meditating, ask yourself if you have a space that will foster peace and mindfulness. Meditating in a busy room full of kids, for example, can be a bit of a challenge.

Make sure you have a space that’s quiet, private, and emits soothing energy. 

If self-isolating was part of your self-care plan during the pandemic, you might have started to build up some negative associations with your home.

You can release and replace this energy by burning sage, or even simply letting in some fresh air. Releasing negative energy that may have built up in your space is vital for achieving inner peace.

Also, remember that aromatherapy can be an invaluable asset in balancing and unlocking various chakras.

Movement Meditation 

If you’re brand-new to meditation or work on mindfulness, movement is usually a good place to start. Trying to plop down in a quiet room and clear your mind right out of the gate isn’t likely to be particularly effective.

When your brain is used to running a million miles a minute, having something physical to focus on can help you develop the focus necessary to meditate effectively. 

Yoga is one of the best forms of physical meditation, and you can find a ton of resources online that will help you develop mindfulness this way.

However, you can practice mindfulness while doing any kind of physical activity; swimming lends itself well to meditation. You can enjoy a walk while paying attention to the sensation of your feet against the ground, or the sounds happening around you.

If you already have a favorite form of exercise, the next time you work out, pay close attention to what’s happening in your body. This will help you develop mindfulness, as well as make your workouts safer and more effective. 

Guided Meditation 

A great way to ease yourself into meditation is to try some guided meditations. For example, Irish Life Health notes you could try a free guided meditation app designed to help you unwind whenever and wherever you are.

There are guided meditations on all sorts of topics, from fostering focus, to parenting, to releasing anger, and more. 

Guided meditations give you a chance to practice releasing control over your mind and watching what your mind does instead.

At the start, having a voice prompting you to notice your breath and to observe where your mind goes can keep you from feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by your own straying thoughts.

Eventually, however, you can learn to meditate with or without guidance, opening you up to a world of relaxation and inner peace. 

At the end of the day, meditation doesn’t get rid of stress, nor does it magically make you constantly happy. Stress and unhappiness are, after all, a natural part of living.

What it does do is teach you how to sit with those emotions without the urge to push them down or fight them away. When you learn how to sit beside your pain, you will find it becomes far more bearable. 

 

Cup of Nurses is your best source for all the current news in health, as well as other topics related to nursing. If you have any questions, please email marketing@cupofnurses.com.

 

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!

 

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

Miscommunication Among Nurses and How to Avoid It

Miscommunication Among Nurses and How to Avoid It

by | Dec 24, 2022 | Nursing

Miscommunication Among Nurses and How to Avoid It

Nurses are among the essential workers in the healthcare world, especially now that we have a pandemic. However, miscommunication among nurses is an issue that happens quite often.

How can this be avoided? What causes miscommunication among nurses? 

 

How Can Miscommunication Among Nurses Be Avoided?

There are a couple of ways that nurses can avoid miscommunication. Keep in mind that being able to relay the correct information about their patients can make a difference in nursing care.

As a nurse, you must provide accurate data regarding their condition so proper nursing can be given. Here’s how you can do that:

 

1. Make eye contact when endorsing patients.

There is a sense of relief whenever the shift is over, especially if it has been toxic since you first clocked in. While it is exciting to exit the nurse’s station once your shift ends, make proper endorsements first.

The best way to ensure no miscommunication is to make eye contact with the next nurse on duty when endorsing the patient’s chart. 

Take the time to explain everything, from the procedures done to the patient, medications given, the diagnosis (if you have to), and even the physician/s who came to check in with them.

Making eye contact gives you a chance to scan for any uncertainty in their face or if they understood what was said to them. It is also the best way to engage someone in a conversation and ensure they listen to what you say. 

 

2. Use bedside nursing boards.

Bedside nursing boards are also commonly known as bed-census boards. These can help you with an open line of communication among nurses in the team/building, the patient’s families, and you as health care providers.

The boards help with the patient’s condition and communicate with their families and the rest of the hospital staff. Understand that there are tons of healthcare providers in the hospital working on patients.

Failing to communicate properly can lead to negative consequences.

Bedside boards are essential in providing reports to the next nurse on duty. It can help them understand what happened during your shift and fill them in on the patient’s history if this is their first time handling them.

Bed census boards also prove to the patient’s families that proper care is given to their loved ones. 

 

3. Take time to talk to your patients.

Nurses are often busy on each shift, and, unsurprisingly, they cannot give their patients’ full attention. However, taking the time to check on your patients, listen to their concerns, and show that you can help are enough to put them at ease. It is also a good nursing quality to have. 

Allowing a few minutes of one-on-one conversation with your patients can be rewarding. It is easier to see how they are improving and establish a sense of trust as their nurse. Although you may not do this daily, it is best to create a routine and stick to it. 

 

How Can Nurses Improve Their Communication Skills?

Improving communication among nurses is possible. To do this, nurses like you practice patience and become better listeners. When you listen, you don’t offer one ear but both. Keep in mind that you are working with other nurses who are also busy. Listening to each other is crucial to providing better services to patients. 
 
You can also avoid communication conflict when you practice active listening. Active listening is repeating the key points of the conversation to the speaker. So, make it a habit to listen to your coworkers and improve your listening skills. 
 
Another way to avoid miscommunication among nurses is not to interrupt the speaker. This could be helpful during endorsements at the end of the shift. Allow the person to finish talking first before asking questions.
 
Keep in mind that even the slightest cues can determine the condition of patients. Resist the urge to ask questions whenever someone is talking. 
 
As a nurse, you must also learn to maintain a positive attitude. Remember, happiness is contagious! Your positive outlook can also affect your coworkers and even your patients.
 
When things get a little serious, be sure to keep your emotions in check. Your nurse training taught you to remain professional and courteous during conversations. No matter how angry or upset you are, keep it cool.
 
Be aware that your emotions can affect others and your ability to communicate at work. When you do so, miscommunication among nurses will not happen.

 

 

In Closing

Communication is an essential part of patient care, and when this is done accordingly,

it is nurses can work together effectively. If you feel like you or your coworkers are missing out on proper communication, take the step to address this issue.

It will surely help your team and other hospital staff improve as you provide nursing care to your patients. 

 

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