Ask a Travel Nurse: What are some Travel Nurse friendly facilities in Florida?

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Ask a Travel Nurse: What are some Travel Nurse friendly facilities in Florida?

Ask a Travel Nurse: What are some Travel Nurse friendly facilities in Florida?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

Hi David, I’m thinking taking an assignment in the Sunshine State. What are some Travel Nurse friendly facilities in Florida?

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

Hey there, it’s really hard to answer your question in that:

  1. Florida is a really large state (there could be hundreds of facilities that welcome Travelers)
  2. I have not had a Travel Nursing assignment in Florida in about a decade
  3. One Traveler might not have the same experience as another.

Now, if you are simply looking for a facility that uses a lot of Travel Nurses and has little issue with canceled contracts, then that would be a question best answered by a recruiter. If you would like the contact info for one of the recruiters that I use and trust with my travels (and works for a company located in Florida), please feel free to email me at david@travelnursesbible.com.

Another good location to find ”Traveler-friendly” hospitals in a given area would be in the Travel Nursing forums. Who better to lead you to a Traveler-friendly hospital than another Traveler who has worked there?

Some good forums can be found at ultimatenurse.com, allnurses.com, and the Delphi forum for traveling professionals (go to delphiforums.com, look for the box on the right that says “Explore existing forums”, type in “travel nursing” and the top result is a group called Travel Nurses and Therapists).

Pan Travelers is also another good site with a forum as well as Healthcare Travelbook (healthcaretravelbook.com), which is a sort of Facebook style place for Travelers, which also has a forum.

Sorry I could not be of more specific help, but if you check the aforementioned sources as well as asking any of your Travel Nursing recruiters, they could probably steer you to a great hospital for an assignment.

Hope this helps.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

Top Nursing Blogs for 2015

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Top Travel Nursing Blogs for 2015

Travel Nursing Blogs was named one of the 50 Top Nursing Blogs for 2015. Thanks for reading!

There are so many voices online that sometimes it can be hard to cut through all of the clutter to find the answers you need from websites you can trust. At Travel Nursing Blogs, we work really hard to give readers like you what they need — whether that’s answers to burning Travel Nursing questions, important tips and news relevant to the industry, or simply sharing something we think will make you laugh. So we were incredibly excited and honored to be included in TopRNToBSN.com’s list of the 50 Top Nursing Blogs for 2015!

We’ll continue to bring more and more great posts your way throughout 2015 and beyond, covering important topics like how to get started in Travel Nursing, housing, pay, safe nurse staffing levels, tips for life on the road, advice from our Ask a Travel Nurse expert, David Morrison, RN, resources for how to get the most out of your location, updates on where Chris Pratt is being adorable at the moment, tools for finding great Travel Nursing jobs, and so much more.

This list of 50 Top Nursing Blogs for 2015 also included a lot of other great blogs you might want to check out. We are proud to be ranked in the company of some of our faves, including:

  • Nurse Barb’s Daily Dose
  • Nurse Managers Blog
  • ER Nurse Insanity: The Traveling Years
  • Travel Nursing Central Blog
  • #WhatShouldWeCallNursing
  • Donna Cardillo, RN — The Inspiration Nurse
  • DiversityNursing Blog
  • Not Nurse Ratched
  • Nursetopia
  • ANA Nursespace
  • NurseBuff
  • Scrubs
  • Head Nurse
  • … and all of the other awesome blogs listed!

Click here to check out TopRNToBSN.com’s full list of the 50 Top Nursing Blogs for 2015, and please feel free to share your favorite nursing and/or Travel Nursing related blogs in the comments!

Ask a Travel Nurse: Is a camping trailer an option for Travel Nurse housing?

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Ask a Travel Nurse: Is a camping trailer an option for Travel Nurse housing?

Ask a Travel Nurse: Is a camping trailer an option for Travel Nurse housing?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:
Hi there! I’m looking into Travel Nursing in the next year. I’ve always traveled with my family with a pull-behind camping trailer, so I’m wondering: Is a camping trailer an option for Travel Nurse housing? This way, I wouldn’t have to continuously pack and move a bunch of things. Thanks for your opinion!

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

While I have always enjoyed my company provided, one-bedroom apartments, if I was just starting out, I’m not so sure that I wouldn’t have had a larger truck and a truck camper while on assignments.

Is it feasible? As long as you can find an available campground nearby, you should be in business.

I know one hospital that let a Traveler park his RV in the back section of the hospital parking lot. Mind you, this was a warm weather location and I believe he showered in the hospital somewhere, but if he could work out such a solution, then I’m sure a great many options are possible.

You will have to check campsite or campground availability, especially if the hospital is close to any national parks. But with a little extra effort, what you seek is certainly possible.

David

David@travelnursesbible.com

Jurassic World Star Chris Pratt ‘Trains Raptors’ at Children’s Hospital

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Jurassic World Star Chris Pratt ‘Trains Raptors’ at Children’s Hospital

Chris Pratt, as Owen Grady, trains raptors in Jurassic World. The image has become a popular meme among zookeepers worldwide. Image: Universal Pictures.

Everyone’s favorite goofball turned action star is once again showing off his wonderful bedside manner.

Last summer when the supremely loveable Chris Pratt visited the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital in full Guardians of the Galaxy costume Travel Nursing Blogs shared the story with you. In case you missed that one, you should also know that he’s pretty great at French braiding — click here to read that post and see a couple of classic Pratt videos.

The 2015 version of that awesomeness? Jurassic World star Chris Pratt ‘trains raptors’ at a children’s hospital, melts hearts everywhere and makes many patients’ days brighter.

In one scene from Jurassic World, Pratt’s character Owen Grady is seen training raptors, which zookeepers worldwide took upon themselves to make into a pretty hilarious meme. Buzzfeed has a pretty great roundup of them here, including chickens, foxes, kangaroos, tigers, pigs, otters, rhinos, penguins, tortoises, walruses, ostriches, dolphins, and even flamingos being “trained” in Pratt’s onscreen style.

Jurassic World Star Chris Pratt ‘Trains Raptors’ at Children’s Hospital

Jurassic World star Chris Pratt ‘trains raptors’ at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

But Pratt one-upped them all, acknowledging the meme in a raptor training session with three pint-sized patients at the Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Pratt also spent his time at Our Lady of the Lake playing games, signing posters, taking photos, sitting at patients’ bedside, and hanging with nursing staff. In a Facebook post acknowledging the visit and sharing pics, the hospital wrote: “Actor Chris Pratt, best known for Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy, took time out from filming his latest movie to visit with our ‪#‎AmazingKids at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital. Our patients were all smiles and we are so thankful to Chris for lifting their spirits by visiting and handing out Jurassic World goodies. Thanks to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for coordinating such a special visit!”

For more of good-hearted and good looking Pratt, check out this quick video from August 20, 2014, of Pratt hanging out at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with “LEGO Master” and patient, Dylan Prunty.

Safe Nurse Staffing

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Safe Nurse Staffing

It’s no secret: Safe nurse staffing is an issue at many hospitals.

With a rising nurse shortage and increased demand for healthcare, many healthcare professionals are watching the idea of safe nurse staffing slip even farther off into the fantasy realm.

Sure, safe nurse staffing is not an issue in every unit at every hospital, but it is a remarkable problem at far too many. Even worse, many nurses feel intimidated into keeping quiet about the issue — while also (along with their patients) bearing the brunt of the problems it causes when it comes to patient care — all for fear of losing their jobs.

In response to Alexandra Robbins’ related recent op-ed in the New York Times, titled “We Need More Nurses,” Scrubs Magazine took to their Facebook page to gather opinions about how feedback on hospital staffing conditions. Like I said above, there is definitely a taboo around discussing the problem of understaffing — and it’s even reflected in the title of Scrubs’ article sharing Facebook comments on the issue: “Let’s talk about understaffing … just don’t say ‘understaffing.’”

While taking a Travel Nursing job can certainly help address the issue of safe nurse staffing by filling a position in need, much more action and legislation is needed to solve the issues caused when nurses are stretched too thin on the job.

Who better to explain the issue and help address the problem than nurses themselves, who are in the trenches and understand the needs of their patient population better than anyone!

Scrubs’ Facebook feedback revealed that nurses were way understaffed — one even saying she had “27 [patients] at any given time.” The general sentiment was that the issue stems from upper management attempting to constantly cut costs. Ironically, some nurses touched on how the poor working conditions lead to high turnover — which, in the end, costs hospitals more money.

And sadly, we’ve all heard these kinds of stories, one nurse even said she was forced out of her job because she stood up for safe patient ratios.

Have facilities you’ve worked in maintained safe nurse staffing levels? What are some of the consequences that you and/or your patients have faced as a result of unsafe patient ratios? Please share your experiences and opinions in the comments!

Ask a Travel Nurse: Can I get my state license through one Travel Nursing company then switch to another?

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Ask a Travel Nurse: Can I get my state license through one Travel Nursing company then switch to another?

Ask a Travel Nurse: Can I get my state license through one Travel Nursing company then switch to another?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

I am a new nurse hoping to travel! I’ve recently been recruited by an agency for jobs in California, and I sent all my California license info through their recruiters and company. Now I am worried because after looking at multiple Travel Nursing sites this company has many terrible reviews. Can I get my state license through one Travel Nursing company then switch to another? I want to avoid sending all my information and fees again to the state board.

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

While there probably is a way for you to do that, I would not be the person to ask in accomplishing this as it is contrary to my values.

If I was receiving help from a company in getting a state license, I would not feel right in saying “thanks,” by then turning around and traveling with someone else. If you find that you do not like the benefits this company offers or have some other reason for electing to go with another company for your second assignment, no worries. But to just go by the word of others (particularly “online” others), when it comes to choosing a Travel Nursing company, in my opinion, may be a reason to proceed with caution, but not to take advantage of a company’s assistance in this way.

If you yourself paid the fees to the board, then you should not have to repay these fees or resubmit your information to the board simply for electing to travel with a different company (again, I do not know the details of your arrangement with this company). However, I can tell you that after 20 years of being a travel nurse, my last assignment was with this company and I would not hesitate to travel with them again.

This begs the question, “Why would a travel nurse, with 20 years of knowledge about the industry, choose to travel with a company with such a reputation?” The answer: I have a great recruiter at there.

You can find a negative review about ANY company out there. What defines most of the complaints is an issue such as “my recruiter told me this,” or “they promised this.” Examples that are easily combatted by having a great recruiter and getting everything in writing. No one company has a monopoly on bad recruiters. That is why I never recommend or refer nurses to companies, but rather, to great recruiters who work for the companies I trust with my travels.

I have always maintained the importance of the recruiter in the Travel Nursing equation. Quite simply, you MUST have trust in a person who is arranging job for you that may be hundreds or thousands of miles from home. They should be willing to answer all of your questions and take the time to find assignments for you that are based on your criteria.

While I’m sorry this does not answer your original question, I do hope it gives you some added perspective.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

Ask a Travel Nurse: How do nurses get started in Travel Nursing?

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Ask a Travel Nurse: How do nurses get started in Travel Nursing?

Ask a Travel Nurse: How do nurses get started in Travel Nursing?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

Hey there, I’m an aspiring nurse and I’m curious, how do nurses get started in Travel Nursing?

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

Honestly, it’s really pretty simple as long as you know what you’re getting into.

All that is currently required of many agencies is that you are a registered nurse (having sat for and passed the NCLEX) and have a few years of recent, hospital-based experience.

The experience required may fluctuate as the need for nurses rises. With the dip in the economy of 2009, hospitals started demanding travel nurses with more experience. This led many agencies to require two years of experience. The rebounding has been slow, but we are starting to see some travel nurses find positions closer to the one-year experience level.

Because of the skills needed with travel, one year has always been the basic minimum and hopefully this will never change. To put a nurse into a travel position with less than a year of experience, starts to get into the realm of being unsafe. You really do need to build your basic skills and practice of nursing before embarking on travel.

The “hospital-based” requirement may also change at some time. With the shortage of RNs scheduled to continue, we may see new areas of travel open up (such as clinics or extended care facilities), if they have not already.

Any nurse approaching one year of experience, and interested in travel, should read anything they can get their hands on related to Travel Nursing in order to get an idea of everything that is involved. While the process is not hard, you do need a knowledge base.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least mention my book, Travel Nurse’s Bible, to help anyone interested in Travel Nursing. I wrote it as a “how to” guide for those looking to enter the field. You can find it here in digital format on Amazon.

I hope this helps.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

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Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

What’s that up ahead? Hopefully it’s one of these wonderfully weird ultimate roadside attractions for Travel Nurses!

With summer in the wings, that old urge for hitting the road grows stronger. And, while an awesome Travel Nursing job is your final destination, you know enough to appreciate that it’s also about the journey of getting there.

Sure everyone goes to Mount Rushmore and Graceland, but you can distinguish yourself by visiting the strangest of the strange destinations on your journey as a Travel Nurse. You know, those peculiar, American-made curiosities found from coast to coast.

Whether you take an excursion from your location or simply stop on the way there, here is Travel Nursing Blogs’ roundup of ultimate roadside attractions for Travel Nurses to guide your way to all the weird gems nationwide:

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac Ranch — Amarillo, Texas

This atypical ranch was created in 1974 as a public art project, with Cadillacs partially buried in the ground at the same angle of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Nowadays, it’s a public art project in the truest sense, as most visitors literally leave their mark with spray paint. Visitors and graffiti are welcome at this strange site.

Largest Ball of Twine — Cawker City, Kansas or Darwin, Minnesota

In the long-running biggest twine ball rivalry — yes, that’s a thing — Cawker City is the reigning champ, with the distinction that its ball is the largest built by a community while Darwin’s is the largest built by an individual.

The Fremont Troll — Seattle, Washington

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

The Fremont Troll

This whimsical local landmark constructed from 13,000 pounds of concrete and rebar lives under the George Washington Memorial Bridge.

Oregon Vortex — Gold Hill, Oregon

Possibly paranormal and certainly interesting, you’ll want to check out these pop culture famous gravity hill optical illusions if you’re in the area.

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

Drive Through a Redwood Tree

Drive Through a Redwood Tree — off U.S. Hwy 101, California

Drive through one of three massive trees — or collect all three: Shrine Tree, Chandelier Tree, and Klamath Tree. Sure, it’s kitschy, but just think about the Instagram possibilities.

Dinosaur Park — Rapid City, South Dakota

This park is old, but not quite prehistoric. Dedicated in 1936, seven huge dinosaur sculptures dot the hill overlooking the town. Cabazon, California also boasts some huge dinosaurs, for those looking to get their prehistoric fix, especially as Chris Pratt brings back the dino trend by awakening the Jurassic World franchise.

Jimmy Carter Peanut Statue — Plains, Georgia

During the 1976 presidential campaign this super strange statue was built to honor Carter as he traveled through Georgia. At 13 feet tall, the statue pays tribute to Carter’s iconic grin and his early days as a peanut farmer.

Mapparium — Boston, Massachusetts

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

Mapparium

If you’ve ever wanted to step inside the world map circa the early 1930s, this colorful attraction should do it for you!

Desert of Maine — near Freeport, Maine

While it’s not technically a desert, this 40-acre expanse of glacial silt mimics one. There’s lots of fun to be had here, including trails, tours, giant sand dunes, and more.

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

Longaberger Basket Building

Longaberger Basket Headquarters — Dresden, Ohio

This building, shaped like a massive picnic basket, is enough to make Yogi Bear drool. There’s no mistaking what business Longaberger’s in!

Market Theater Gum Wall — Seattle, Washington

Nurses will likely see only the germs when checking out his gross monument to used chewing gum. This brick walled alleyway exists near the Market Theater box office — but you’d swear the wall was made of gum.

World’s Only Corn Palace — Mitchell, South Dakota

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

World’s Only Corn Palace

The one and only! This corn palace was built to advertise South Dakota’s rich farmland and to entice folks to move to the area. New murals made from corn are constructed annually.

Dr. Seuss House — Willow, Alaska

One look at this architectural wonder of the north and you’ll see why it’s named the Dr. Seuss house … one house, two house, how many more houses?!

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

Carhenge

Carhenge — Alliance, Nebraska

Why travel all the way to Europe when good ol’ Nebraska has Carhenge? Dedicated during the June 1987 summer solstice, the strange roadside destination is a replica of Stonehenge created from various vintage American cars.

Leaning Tower — Niles, Illinois

A half–sized replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa created in 1934 in Pisa’s now sister city of Niles.

World’s Largest Six-pack — La Crosse, Wisconsin

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

World’s Largest Six-Pack

Changes have been made to this attraction over the years, but one fact remains: That’s a heckuva lot of beer!

The Thing — along Interstate 10, Arizona

What is The Thing? That’s the question that draws in curious road warriors — and we’re not telling, because the mystery is half the fun.

Biosphere 2 — Oracle, Arizona

Ultimate Roadside Attractions for Travel Nurses

Biosphere 2

This unique place was used by scientists to learn more about Earth and its systems. Now run by the University of Arizona, it’s open for public tours. We hope this Earth systems research facility comes free of Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin!

Hole n’ the Rock — Moab, Utah

This 14-room house was excavated from a huge boulder, and among its other weird happenings, it has a petting zoo complete with camels, ostriches, and pygmy donkeys.

That’s a pretty fun bundle of weirdness, but what did we miss? Please share anything you would add to this list of ultimate roadside attractions for Travel Nurses.

Happy trails, everyone!

Ask a Travel Nurse: What documentation does a Travel Nursing company request upfront?

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Ask a Travel Nurse: What documentation does a Travel Nursing company request upfront?

Ask a Travel Nurse: What documentation does a Travel Nursing company request upfront?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

Hello David, I am new to Travel Nursing and applied recently with a certain company. They are asking me online to forward them a copy of my driver’s license, social security card, and certifications (ACLS, BLS, PALS). I haven’t been offered a job or position yet, so I’m wondering, what documentation does a Travel Nursing company request upfront?

Is it normal for a company to ask for copies of a social security card and license before I am offered a job or interviewed? Could this be a scam or someone trying to steal my identity?

Thanks! I don’t want to find my credit ruined or a false identity in my name.

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

While you should always verify a company’s legitimacy prior to giving them any sensitive information, it is typical for companies to want to check your credentials before offering a position. This is usually called being “on file” with a company. Basically, that means you have provided all the info, filled out all the checklists, and jumped through all the hoops necessary to take an assignment with a company.

Will every company require so much info? Maybe not, but a vast majority of them will probably want to do a background check which would likely require the documents requested.

If you still have your doubts, I do offer to refer new Travelers to the recruiters I trust with my assignments. Regardless of whether or not you take me up on this, do apply with more than one company, especially when starting out. When people in other occupations are seeking a job, they do not apply with only one company and just wait until offered a position. It should be no different with Travel Nursing.

If you’d like some help in getting started, feel free to contact me at david@travelnursesbible.com and tell me a little bit about your nursing experience, specialty, and what you would like in a travel company (larger companies possibly with more assignments or small to medium sized companies with more of a focus on personalized service).

Hope this helps.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

Best Gas Station Restaurants in America

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Best Gas Station Restaurants in America

The Czech Stop in West, Texas is one of Thrillist’s best gas station restaurants in America. Photo credit: drivedivedevour

OK, so typically a gas station meal is nothing to look forward to, but rather a small price Travel Nurses have to pay for everything else that is awesome about life on the open road. Most gas station meals are kind of akin to what one might call a sad desk lunch — only on the move. Maybe a sweaty hotdog, some stale nacho chips with atomic cheese, a bag of Gardetto’s … you just hope to get out of there germ-free, y’know?

Well, luckily for Travelers nationwide Thrillist came to the rescue this week with its latest listicle, “America’s 13 Best Restaurants … in Gas Stations.”

I’m sure they are all amazing — they look it! — but of their list of the best gas station restaurants in America, I can personally vouch for two of them: Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (formerly Oklahoma Joe’s) and the Czech Stop in West, Texas.

Best Gas Station Restaurants in America

The famous Z-Man sandwich at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, one of Thrillist’s best gas station restaurants in America.

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (located in KC, MO, of course) is the best BBQ I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. Thrillist recommends the Z-Man sandwich, which I did not try, but I can say that the ribs, brisket, smoked chicken gumbo, and spicy slaw are all winners. And, judging from the long line that spills forth from the front door most days, most hours, I’d say you probably can’t go wrong with whatever you choose here. Speaking of that line, you may want to shoot for an off-hour to avoid it, if possible. We visited one day about 3 p.m. and the line was a comparable breeze to what it is at peak meal times.

The Czech Stop of West, Texas was like an oasis in the distance when we first saw it. Bound for Austin via I-35, the promise of kolaches, rolls, sausages and other savory and sweet baked goods glimmered in the distance. Thrillist recommends the hot chubbies with cheese. What a fun name for sausages, right? While I did not try the chubs & cheese, I did fall truly, madly, deeply in love with the jalapeno cheddar biscuits. Seriously. We had to stop for another batch on our way back through, and, I think I left a little piece of my heart on the side of the road in West, Texas that day.

The rest of the list includes everything from Korean to Mediterranean to Spanish to good ol’ American dishes. The other 11 best gas station restaurants in America, according to Thrillist are:

Whoa Nellie Deli in Lee Vining, California — recommended eats: Fried whitefish tacos
Wolf Creek 76 Grill Deli & Fuel in Wolf Creek, Oregon — recommended eats: Buffalo bacon cheeseburger and chicken gizzards
Cookin’ From Scratch in Doolittle, Missouri — recommended eats: King of the Road burger
The Market at Bellair in Charlottesville, Virginia — recommended eats: The Batesville with Cajun roast beef and smoked Gouda
Pig Trail Bypass Country Café in Crosses, Arkansas — recommended eats: The Hooshburger
Chef Point Café in Watauga, Texas — recommended eats: Bacon wrapped beef medallions or lobster mac & cheese
El Carajo in Miami, Florida — recommended eats: The table de carne which includes ribs, churrasco, sausage, pork loin, and other meats
Seoul Food in Silver Spring, Maryland — recommended eats: Bulgogi hoagie w/ apple slaw and spicy pork
Fuel City in Dallas, Texas — recommended eats: Chorizo and egg tacos
Café Kebob in Berkley, Michigan — recommended eats: Beef shawarma
Fast Gourmet in Washington, D.C. — recommended eats: The Chevito

Click here to read Thrillist’s full take on the best gas station restaurants in America, and as you make your way to your next assignment or veer from your location on your next amazing road trip, may one of them be on your path!