There’s a lot of great data out there about how Baby Boomers will impact the nursing shortage.

Most folks know about the nursing shortage, which Travel Nursing helps to ease in part. The United States is in need of more nurses, nurse leaders, and nurse educators, in order to satisfy the healthcare needs of the population. While most people know that the Affordable Care Act has increased the demand on the healthcare industry, due to more patients seeking care, many don’t know about another key factor: How Baby Boomers will impact the nursing shortage.

As the Baby Boomers age, they are in need of more healthcare resources. Concurrently, as the Baby Boomer population ages, many nurses are reaching retirement age, which further worsens the nursing shortage.

This new infographic from Maryville University breaks down exactly how Baby Boomers will impact the nursing shortage in the coming years. One thing is clear: We need more nurses!

In the meantime, Travel Nursing is an excellent way to help address the nursing shortage, by taking your important skills as a nurse to locations and hospitals where your help is need the most.

Check out Maryville’s infographic below to learn more, and click here to start looking for your next adventure in Travel Nursing.

Maryville University’s Nursing Program

Time magazine’s latest “Person of the Year” is healthcare related, with the publication naming the Ebola Fighters for 2014.

While Time’s Person of the Year are the Ebola Fighters, the profile focuses mostly on those in West Africa which has been the real hot zone for the deadly, destructive disease. However, there are stories spanning the globe. The issue has five different covers featuring a handful of the Ebola Fighters involved. 

Time editor Nancy Gibbs wrote:

“The rest of the world can sleep at night because a group of men and women are willing to stand and fight. For tireless acts of courage and mercy, for buying the world time to boost its defenses, for risking, for persisting, for sacrificing and saving, the Ebola fighters are Time’s 2014 Person of the Year.”  

The traditional annual selection — called “Man of the Year” until 1999 — began in 1927 and selects a person, group of people, concept, or other entity that “for better or for worse” has had the largest influence that year.

This year’s profile is broken down into several parts, including a section dedicated specifically to the stories of Ebola nurses, featuring:

• Kaci Hickox, a nurse with MS quarantined in the United States
• Iris Martor, a nurse at a school for vulnerable girls in Monrovia’s West Point slum
• Nina Pham and Amber Vinson, the nurses at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital who treated Thomas Eric Duncan and later contracted and recovered from Ebola   

There are also sections devoted to Ebola scientists, doctors, caregivers, and directors, as well as sections about some of the runner-ups, which included Vladimir Putin, Ferguson Protestors, Taylor Swift, Roger Goodell, Tim Cook, Massoud Barzani, and Jack Ma.

What do you think about the announcement that Time’s Person of the Year are the Ebola Fighters?

How has the fight against Ebola directly or indirectly affected you as a healthcare professional?

Share your thoughts in the comments! 

Ask a Travel Nurse: Is my Travel Nursing contract OK?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

Hi David! I’m getting ready to start my very first Travel Nursing assignment in a couple of weeks. I just got my contract today and I was wondering if you would mind taking a look at it and seeing if everything looks OK? I can email it to you if you like.

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

I would be happy to look over any contract you would like to send to me at david@travelnursesbible.com, but will only do so with the understanding that I am NOT a legal professional and would only be giving you my opinion from the eyes of a traveling healthcare professional.

Obviously, for any definitive answers, I would ALWAYS tell you that if you have any concerns, consult a legal professional. However, I’ve signed a contract or two (or actually closer to over thirty), and can tell you the areas that give me pause when signing up for an assignment.

Just about every contract I have ever seen will ask for a certain amount of trust between you and the travel company. However, some are certainly better than others in protecting the nurse should something happen on your assignment that warrants you having to leave.

I’d also like to mention that I will not answer any questions regarding rates or if the contract seems “fair” or “worth it”. That is completely a question for you to determine. What may seem “fair” to one individually may completely miss the mark for someone else.

I also cannot know the going rates for each area of the country and in every specialty. I always tell nurses to ask themselves if the rate they are offered will allow them to meet all their financial obligations with a little “play money” left over. If so, then you need to decide if the area is worth the rate offered. Would you take $20/hr to work in Fargo for the winter? (sorry Fargo) But in contrast, would you accept $20/hr to spend the winter laying on the sandy beaches of Hawaii on your days off? It’s all about perspective; is the contract worth it to YOU?

Additionally, do not play the game of trying to figure out if there are any other travelers in the unit making more than you. It’s a game that you will always seem to lose and you will likely never know the FULL scope of their contract. Maybe they are making two dollars more an hour than you, but maybe your health benefits are much better than the ones for which they are paying two or three times more.

So if you, or anyone reading, would like to forward me your travel contract, I would be happy to look over the details and give you an opinion based solely on my experience as a travel nurse.

Hope this helps.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

Recharge and renew with these tips for taking care of tired nurse feet.

Feet were built for moving, whether it be running from patient to patient or standing at bedsides administering care. But your job doesn’t ever seem to give your tired feet a break! At the end of the day, the constant pressure and use can mean that they are extremely sore and aching for reprieve.

Because the job you do is so important, you deserve to be as comfortable as possible. That means outfitting your feet with the proper footwear, from comfy socks to shoes engineered for activity. It also means pampering yourself with little indulgences. And really, who can say no to that? So kick back and relax while you read these tips for taking care of tired nurse feet!

At Work:

The wrong kind of footwear can greatly aggravate foot soreness, and make your days seem endless. These two types of products can be useful to alleviate some of the ache, as well as help posture and back pain.

Compression Stockings — Compression socks can make it feel as though you’re walking on clouds! They are designed to compress the foot and leg, reducing distended veins and increasing blood flow. Thus, they relieve leg and foot aches through a decrease of venous pressure. More blood to the heart and less to pool in the feet!

Comfortable Footwear — For long hours at work, well though-out footwear is a must. Whether you prefer something you can slip on quickly or something that prevents slipping on the job, Tafford has you covered. More comfortable in athletic sneakers or need shoes for a run to de-stress after work? No problem! Tafford carries a selection of athletic shoes as well.

After Work:

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t take a backseat to taking care of others. Reduce tension and pain in your feet when you get home so that you’re ready to return to the job you love the next day!  Here’s a few ideas that promote relaxed feet.

Elevate Your Feet When You Get Home — Help the blood flow back to your heart and core after pooling in your feet all day by elevating your legs when you get home.

Foot Bath Soaks — Hot water will increase blood flow while cold water or ice can reduce swelling. Both can and should be used in conjunction. Additionally, you might try:

• Vinegar – Vinegar has also been shown to reduce inflammation. You can create a solution of water with a few tablespoons of vinegar and soak your feet, or you can soak a towel and wrap it around your feet.
• Epsom Salt – The magnesium in epsom salt acts as a natural pain reliever. Add a few tablespoons to hot water (to dissolve) and soak for 10-15 minutes. Note: It can make your feet dry, so put on some moisturizer afterward.
• Clove Oil – Afflicted with joint pain, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, or general soreness? Clove oil is a proven remedy. Simply massage it onto your feet on a daily basis.

Reflexology Massage — Mmm. Nothing says “indulgent treat” quite like a massage, and you deserve it! The treat with a professional reflexology massage is not only the tension relief in your feet but the whole body – triggered by specific points on your feet.

Nurses know what long days on your feet can do to morale, mood, and overall effective thinking. Increase blood flow and reduce the aches of the day with compression socks and comfortable shoes from Tafford. Then indulge in some activities to eliminate any remainder of the aches and pains. You deserve it!

Ask a Travel Nurse: Do clinics offer Travel Nursing jobs?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

I work in clinics (started in family medicine then went to endoscopy procedures) and have always presumed this meant I couldn’t become a Travel Nurse. But recently, an agency saw my resume posted on a job board and contacted me for a travel clinic position! On the other hand, most agencies I’ve spoken with say there’s pretty much no clinic work to be had for Travelers. Do clinics offer Travel Nursing jobs, and if so, how would I find the clinic contracts? Thanks for your help!

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

I’m sorry to say that I may not be able to help you out here. While in recent years Travel Nursing has seen new opportunities in positions like case management, house supervisor, and even positions for unit managers, I am still unaware of many outpatient clinic opportunities.

That is not to say there are not any to be found or that there are not agencies that may specialize in this type of travel. But my expertise lies in hospital-based travel opportunities and none of the agencies with which I work closely offer these types of assignments.

You will need to do some research and ask A LOT of questions of any agency claiming to specialize in these types of opportunities.

Ask how many assignments they are currently posting, in how many states, and how many clinics they represent.

Clinics are usually separate entities from healthcare systems. That is why a company representing even a dozen clinics may not come close to the number of assignments a company might have even if they just serviced one large healthcare system.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but just because an assignment or two exists in a certain field or specialty does not mean that it would provide a sustainable travel career.

I would hate to see you give up a full time position only to work an assignment or two and then not be able to find work.

But please do investigate. If not now, one day, this may be a new area of travel that is readily available.

David

David@travelnursesbible.com

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, Travel Nursing Blogs wanted to say a big THANKS to all of the hard-working, amazing Travelers and Nurses out there!

As a token of our thanks, here are three funny nursing videos we hope will entertain you. Happy Holidays!

Ice Ice Baby Parody (Nurse, Nurse, Help Me)

This parody of Vanilla Ice’s one-hit wonder is both insightful and funny. Who better than nurses to be able to say: “If there was a problem, yo I’ll solve it.”

U of Portland School of Nursing, Iggy Azalea “Fancy” Parody

These three nursing students are nursing and wanna let the whole world feel it. Their nursing-student-centric parody of 2014’s biggest earworm is definitely worth a watch for anyone who has (or is currently) conquering the rigors of nursing school.

Fun with Nurses, with Juliet Funt

California speaker Juliet Funt will make you laugh, inspire you, and tug on your heartstrings in this video about nursing groups, terminology, and the impact of nursing.

Ask a Travel Nurse: How can I get affordable health insurance while Travel Nursing?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

The agency that I’m planning to start a contract with in January offers health insurance, but it’s expensive. How can I get affordable health insurance while Travel Nursing?

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

When it comes to insurance, this is an area where all companies are definitely NOT alike. Some companies will offer you seemingly great hourly rates, but that only means they have likely not allocated much money toward their benefits policy (which means crappy coverage at high rates). Look for a well-rounded company that will pay you a decent rate, but also allocates a decent amount of your compensation package from the hospital toward their insurance plan.

I was recently surprised by how decent my insurance was with what is probably THE largest travel company out there (one that also usually receives horrible reviews in the travel forums). But I have a great recruiter with them (the only reason I continue to travel with them) and my monthly cost was only $160 and their prescription plan probably saved me DOUBLE that on my Nexium.

These days, you cannot just look at great rates and jump on board with a company. You have to look at the entire compensation package, which should include a good health insurance plan. Be sure to ask questions about health insurance and how that factors into your pay package before you sign on. If it’s a priority to you, you may want to look at another company.

Hope this helps.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

Giving thanks to nurses never goes out of style!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to revisit one of the coolest ways I’ve seen a site go about giving thanks to nurses.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future, they created their Portrait of Thanks Mosaic. It’s a mosaic of upwards of 10,000 photos of actual, individual nurses and nursing students! In addition to celebrating their anniversary, the mosaic was created to “thank nurses for their hard work and dedication.” When you visit the page, the larger image looks like this:

From there, the site allows you to zoom in on individual pics or to search by specialty, to reveal thumbnails that pop out with each person’s name, specialty, and location.

What I love most about the mosaic is how it highlights nurses as individuals. It literally puts a face on all of the hard work and professionalism contributed by nurses everywhere. It’s also really cool to see the awesome amount of diversity in nursing.

Click here to check out the Portrait of Thanks Mosaic.

Giving thanks to nurses is super important, and so is the work being done by The Campaign for Nursing’s Future. Launched in 2002, their goal is to help recruit new nurses and retain those currently working, while highlighting the importance of the nursing profession to communities and healthcare delivery in the United States.

On their website they explain the nursing shortage — which Travel Nursing is instrumental in addressing — writing:

“By 2025, it’s predicted that there will be a shortfall of over half a million nurses, and a serious shortage of nurse educators — all as the massive Baby Boom generation approaches its time of greatest healthcare need. The Campaign seeks to bring more people into this rich and rewarding career and to preserve the quality and availability of healthcare in the future.”

Travel Nursing Blogs is so very grateful for all of you hardworking, self-sacrificing nurses out there. We appreciate everything you do and are especially thankful for you this Thanksgiving season and beyond. Thank you!

Ask a Travel Nurse: Can I get better pay on Travel Nursing assignments?

Ask a Travel Nurse Question:

I’ve been a nurse for 10 years and am very strongly considering switching to Travel Nursing. I currently work as a float nurse throughout a 1000-bed Missouri hospital specializing in NICU/Peds/PICU. I make $31 per hour, and do OK because I work premium shifts about once a week bringing my take home pay about $1000 a week, after taxes and insurance.

My biggest motivator for trying Travel Nursing is pay. I have a lot of education debt and need to make more to manage it. Do you think with my background and experience I can do better financially as a Travel Nurse than I am now? Can I consistently get better pay on Travel Nursing assignments?

Ask a Travel Nurse Answer:

Whenever someone mentions money as their motivation for Travel Nursing, I discourage it because I believe that most anywhere in the country you should be able to make as much money as you want with per diem and agency work. And while you can ask your recruiter to only submit you for jobs offering over “x” amount per hour, I cannot promise you that those jobs will be prevalent on a continual basis.

However, I will say that $31 seems low for NICU/PICU and you very well could find some decent paying assignments out there. As a Travel Nurses, you could also pocket some extra money living on the cheap while taking a housing stipend (however, you need to be sure you understand the tax implications of housing stipends and if you even qualify for that reimbursement to be considered tax exempt).

The short answer is, I cannot assure you that you would make more financially in travel. For many people the value of the experience factors in as well.

But, if you would like to speak to some great Travel Nurse resources, I do always offer to set people up with the recruiters I use and trust with my travels. If you like, send me your preferred email address and current phone number to david@travelnursesbible.com. I will forward this info to my recruiters and then email you with the names of the people who will be contacting you and a little bio on the company for which they work. I ONLY share this info with the five recruiters to whom I refer people.

They are all great with new Travelers and will take the time to give you some numbers of the going rates of current assignments throughout the U.S. and you can then see if the financials work out for you. Also if you do email me, just remind me briefly of your situation. I have a pretty good memory, but do correspond with quite a few Travel Nurses.

David

david@travelnursesbible.com

The hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is fast approaching and it’s a good time to start getting in to the spirit both at home and at work. That’s right: ’Tis the season for Holiday scrubs!

The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot print is fun for November.

For those yet to get in the Holiday groove, Tafford Uniforms is here to help you look and feel your festive best. A full selection of holiday scrub tops and warm-up jackets in a variety of fun colors and fabrics to suit your style, is a great way to look and feel festive. Imagine the smiles you will get when you wear the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot print or the compliments from co-workers about your comfy flannel Red it Snow snowman print.

The Red it Snow snowman print makes for a festive December.

On a tight budget? Don’t worry. We understand it’s especially important this time of year to save your pennies for your gift budgets, charitable causes, and all those Holiday eats and treats. To that end, all Holiday scrub tops start at just $9.98. For only 10 bucks, these scrubs also make great gifts for co-workers and friends. Match your outfit with some cute coordinating footwear and you are ready to bring on the Holiday cheer! Check out Tafford’s online store to find the best selection of print scrubs, including many plus size scrub options up to size 6X.

Besides getting in the spirit with Holiday scrubs, what are some of your favorite ways to celebrate the season, on or off the clock? We’d love to hear about your favorite Holiday traditions and ways of getting festive in the comments!